Questions about Celebrity Millenium in Alaska with kids

[YankeeJeremy]

Hi all. First time poster here.

 

We are planning a trip to Alaska with our 2 kids, 6 & 3. We have concerns about the stress of traveling with young kids and how they will find the activities on the boat and in the kids camp. Does anyone have experience, both positive or negative, about traveling with young kids and how they adapted to the time change? We just don't want miserable kids who ruin the trip and experience for us. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

[alcpa1]

Welcome to Cruise Critic,

The children's programs are wonderful and those of us sailing without children so enjoy being with the kids while they take their afternoon break in the Lido.

I have been in the children's facility and it is well maintained with a myriad of activities.

If you are planning on leaving the children onboard at each port you may want to rethink cruising to Alaska where there are so many things that should interest them, even at their young ages.

I'd be more concerned about the long flights if you are indeed traveling from Yankee land.

Because you posted your questions you must be concerned about long port day tours. Only you know how your children will travel and explore at their tender ages.

[etoilefj]

Hi all. First time poster here.

 

We are planning a trip to Alaska with our 2 kids, 6 & 3. We have concerns about the stress of traveling with young kids and how they will find the activities on the boat and in the kids camp. Does anyone have experience, both positive or negative, about traveling with young kids and how they adapted to the time change? We just don't want miserable kids who ruin the trip and experience for us. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi

 

We've done an Alaska cruise with our daughter who was five at the time and who will be seven this year going to Alaska again. Our last cruise was with Princess so no specific Celebrity/Millennium details.

 

She LOVED the kids club. She went as soon as she could in the morning, ate get lunch really fast and wanted to go straight back even though it wasn't time. They opened 9-12, then 1-4 , then a bit in the evening, which we didn't do as much. Celebrity offers more time in the evening but the gaps are longer during the day breaks. They had tons of activities, crafts, games, movies etc. Our cruise then went into Glacier Bay and they had a ranger come aboard just for the kids.

 

You could pay a bit extra for later time and could arrange for them to stay in the ports. We only did that in the afternoon in Ketchikan because it was quite rainy and we weren't doing anything special. The ports overall are neat to see. Skagway had a Jr ranger program that was great.

 

I can't speak to time difference as we're only an hour different from Alaska. I think your kids will have fun. Bring bathing suits in your carry on just in case and be prepared, kids will swim in any weather (lol).

[az_tchr]

What happens on board really is not so important as you are off the ship on 4 of the days and another is spent looking at Hubbard Glacier. That said the kids club is fantastic and there will be lots of families on board and thus many new friends for your kids.

 

Am guessing you are cruising south as asking about time change. Either way be sure to arrive a day or two early. Kenai Fjords tour in Seward is a full day and a do not miss. either way simply get there early as lots of things travel wise can go wrong. As adjusting to time changes - YOU will have more problems as the kids will be revved.

[mcrcruiser]

Hi

 

We've done an Alaska cruise with our daughter who was five at the time and who will be seven this year going to Alaska again. Our last cruise was with Princess so no specific Celebrity/Millennium details.

 

She LOVED the kids club. She went as soon as she could in the morning, ate get lunch really fast and wanted to go straight back even though it wasn't time. They opened 9-12, then 1-4 , then a bit in the evening, which we didn't do as much. Celebrity offers more time in the evening but the gaps are longer during the day breaks. They had tons of activities, crafts, games, movies etc. Our cruise then went into Glacier Bay and they had a ranger come aboard just for the kids.

 

You could pay a bit extra for later time and could arrange for them to stay in the ports. We only did that in the afternoon in Ketchikan because it was quite rainy and we weren't doing anything special. The ports overall are neat to see. Skagway had a Jr ranger program that was great.

 

I can't speak to time difference as we're only an hour different from Alaska. I think your kids will have fun. Bring bathing suits in your carry on just in case and be prepared, kids will swim in any weather (lol).

 

The Millenium has a indoor pool with warm water . however ,we are not sure children are allowed in this pool . We never saw children in the indoor pool .We did see them in the outdoor pool . If it is summer weather in the 70s then the outdoor pool would be fine for the children ;)

[Bklynbill]

The Millenium has a indoor pool with warm water . however ,we are not sure children are allowed in this pool . We never saw children in the indoor pool .We did see them in the outdoor pool . If it is summer weather in the 70s then the outdoor pool would be fine for the children ;)

 

If its chilly out they will allow kids in the solarium during certain hours.

[brekat1]

We cruised Alaska on Solstice with our two children then aged 7 and 3 and it was an INCREDIBLE experience. The kids club was amazing, my children loved it and wanted to be there as much as possible. The things we did in port that were child friendly were: a quick visit to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau , we just walked around and took photo's. The Train ride in Skagway (round trip train , no bus portion) , they both enjoyed this although it was a bit long and our 3 year old fell asleep. We left them on the ship for Ketchikan and did our own thing as parents only so it was a nice balance of including them and also letting them be in childcare when we knew they wouldn't enjoy something. If we did it again, we would have done a gold panning excursion for them and a visit to the dog sled dogs as well. Hope you enjoy your holiday!!

[brekat1]

oh and we found the outdoor hot tubs to be rather lukewarm so they actually made perfect little heated swimming pools for the kids to play in when they couldn't use the solarium