Majestic- Southbound- Crusietour, with kids!

[Sunkissed Mommy]

Hello Everyone.  I am looking for some feedback.  We will be doing a "On Your Own" Alaska Cruise tour next June (2023) on the Majestic Princess.  It will be myself, DH, two DS's (10 and 6), and my DH's parents.  The last time we (DH and I) sailed on Princess was in 2011 on Southbound Alaska cruise on the Coral Princess.  My in-laws are Elite status on Princess because they go multiple times per year, but they have never done Alaska. My FIL cannot walk long distances as he has some knee problems.

 

Now that we have kids we wanted to take them to one of our favorite trips!  We're also treating his parents to the trip as well.  We chose Princess because we know they do Alaska well and have the best itinerary choices.  My children are used to Royal Caribbean and Disney cruises, so I know this will be a tad different for them.  They will be 10 and 6.  Although my youngest is like a little grown up so I don't have any worries about the trip being a wash for him.  That being said I was looking for feedback on a few things:

• Do they do any special things in the kids clubs for Alaska cruises?
• Will they allow the kids in the indoor pool?  I remember on the Coral Princess they did because the outdoor pool was too cold.
• Any advice on the cruise tour portion? I already have the excursions we want picked out, just waiting for them to open up! 
• Anything on the Majestic that we should not miss?

 

Here's what I have already planned just for reference:

• Denali Lodge- Covered Wagon Adventure with Back Country Dining, all 6 of us.
• McKinley Lodge- Sun Dog Kennels, all 6 of us.
• Juneau- Helicopter on to Glacier with the kids (not in-laws) then we have the day open to do something with the in-laws.
• Ketchikan- Lumberjack Show, all 6 of us.

 

I would love suggestions for

• Juneau- After the glacier excursion, something to do with the in-laws.
• Icy Straight Point- Not sure what to do there and excursions haven't posted there yet.  I was really hoping for Skagway to do the White Pass & Yukon train, but we they probably won't be able to repair the rock slide damage by the time we go.
• A day and night in Anchorage, places to eat, something easy to do.

[~*Lou*~]

>> Do they do any special things in the kids clubs for Alaska cruises?

We were on Coral in 2019 and the children came back from almost every session with a soft toy - bald eagle, whale, puffin etc. On Glacier Bay day, the ranger stopped by for a chat.

 

>> A day and night in Anchorage, places to eat, something easy to do.

Will you have a rental car? My children are super keen on wildlife and loved Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Centre but its an hour south of Anchorage. Also Alaska Zoo which is in Anchorage. Snow City Cafe for breakfast (book ahead so you don't have to wait in a long line at the door).

[Cruise Crazy 62]

The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage is also worth a visit. 
 

I agree that Snow City Cafe is an excellent choice for breakfast. Cafe Amsterdam is another excellent choice for breakfast or lunch. They are in midtown less than a block from the Embassy Suites hotel.

[caribill]

33 minutes ago, Cruise Crazy 62 said:

I agree that Snow City Cafe is an excellent choice for breakfast. Cafe Amsterdam is another excellent choice for breakfast or lunch. They are in midtown less than a block from the Embassy Suites hotel.

 

If staying at the Embassy Suites, isn't hotel breakfast included in the room rate?

[Sunkissed Mommy]

17 hours ago, ~*Lou*~ said:

 

 

>> A day and night in Anchorage, places to eat, something easy to do.

Will you have a rental car? My children are super keen on wildlife and loved Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Centre but its an hour south of Anchorage. Also Alaska Zoo which is in Anchorage. Snow City Cafe for breakfast (book ahead so you don't have to wait in a long line at the door).

We won't have a rental.  We have one single day in Anchorage before switching over to Hotel Captain Cook where the land portion begins.  The Zoo sounds like a good option for our crew.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

12 hours ago, caribill said:

 

If staying at the Embassy Suites, isn't hotel breakfast included in the room rate?

 We are staying at the Hyatt House by the airport with breakfast included on our very first night (late arrival and wanted to just get the kids in bed asap).  The following night we are staying at Captain Cook for the land portion.