Alaska with 3 year old

[jax430]

Which cruise line, besides Disney, would be best for a multi-generational trip that includes a 3 year old, as well as a 12 and 16 year old? Any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Kerry's Girls]

For a potty-trained 3 year old, any of the mainstream lines would be great - I'd choose based on ports. We liked RCCL because they opened the inside pool to everyone (including kids) for a time each day, which was a plus.

[slim501]

We have done both Royal Caribbean and Holland America to Alaska with kids that age and would definitely recommend Royal Caribbean. My parents didn't want to do Disney because my dad didn't want to be without the casino.

 

The activities on RC were great for the kids and everyone had a great time.

[kitkat343]

If you are doing a north or southbound (Vancouver to Anchorage or Anchorage to Vancouver) the general consensus on the Alaska forum seemed to be either Princess or HAL. They both send their panamax ships to Alaska, and they are narrow enough to get to really nice glaciers. The Princess kids club is very strong with excellent counselors and arts and craft activities, and at least a few years ago they brought a naturalist on board to talk to the kids about the wildlife in Alaska. The kids club hours are great - we had a lot of trouble on NCL and HAL since my son naps from 2-4:30, wakes up and immediately wants to go to the kids club. Since the kids club only closes for an hour for lunch and dinner on Princess, we had a lot of flexibility about when to use it.

[Essiesmom]

If this is a multi-generational cruise I would concentrate more on what the adults want to see/do in Alaska. Have any of them been there before? Are they likely to go again? I think any first cruise should be on a line that goes to Glacier Bay. this limits you to HAL, Princess, and NCL. Carnival sometimes visits Glacier Bay on their early season and late season cruises. There are few sea days, so the kids won't be using the kids facilities that much. EM

[cb at sea]

ANY cruiseline will do...the purpose of the trip is ALASKA..not the ship! All have "multi-generational" activities!

[A&Jfamily]

Which cruise line, besides Disney, would be best for a multi-generational trip that includes a 3 year old, as well as a 12 and 16 year old? Any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Well, I can recommend Princess. We did it this past May and my 10 and 16 year old had a blast. We got a Carib deck balcony (no extra cost than a regular balcony) because they are extra deep and half covered and the 4 of us could be out there comfortably anytime. We even ate a meal out there while cruising the fjord. There were a fair number of kids in all age ranges, and both made friends. My 10 yo even would meet friends in the afternoon for a swim in the covered pool.

 

As another poster said, it's really about being in Alaska. All the wildlife talks were appropriate and informative for both ages and you saw the naturalist around the ship quite a lot. It was a very mix bag age range wise with couples in their 70's and 80's all the way down to babies in arms. It's a lot of slow speed cruising - I noticed that as being very different from Caribbean where you are often hauling tail to get to the next port - and the water was incredibly calm so it was very easy to walk on the ship and be on the decks.

[ceilidh1]

We have done multiple cruises to Alaska with Princess, RCCL, and Disney. The kid has ranged in age from 15months to 7 years! Princess gets our vote hands down for activities for adults and kids!