15 Best Alaska Cruises for Families with Kids and/or Teens (2024) (2024)

A cruise to Alaska with children and teens is a once-in-a-lifetime family experience. The Alaskan views are breathtaking, with vast swathes of wilderness, towering snow-capped mountains, and crystalline glaciers thunderously pouring ice into the sea. All of the new experiences create an excellent opportunity for family bonding.

Even the most hard-to-please teen will be charmed by shore excursions such as dog sledding or sea kayaking! The Last Frontier is bound to be a vacation your family will never forget!

So without further ado, here are the 15 best Alaska cruises for families that you can find!

Let’s get started

Best Alaska Cruises for Families

1. Disney Wonder

The Disney Cruise Line has been a stand-out in family vacations since its inception in 1998, and it’s no stretch to say that each cruise ship in Disney’s Alaska fleet is designed to provide the ultimate family vacation.

Your family can relax and enjoy the Disney Wonder on an Alaska trip. The seven-night cruise balances days at sea with three full port days. As a result, your family will have plenty of time to get to know the ship, participate in onboard activities, and enjoy shore excursions without feeling rushed.

Your children will have numerous opportunities to encounter lifelike Disney characters while sailing. Plus, they can enjoy themed parties and events to keep them entertained throughout the vacation.

The kid-friendly personnel and amenities like pools and kids’ clubs ensure that the entire family has a great time on the voyage. Families also like the spacious staterooms which Disney’s Alaskan fleet is known for.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Dawes Glacier, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver
• Website

2. Discovery Princess

When it comes to family-friendly cruises, you can’t go wrong with the Princess cruise line. The Discovery Princess boasts large staterooms, plenty of dining options, a kids’ club, teen lounge, and themed events to make your family vacation a stand-out time.

Opting for the shorter 4-day itinerary can be a great way to introduce your kids to cruising life. It is long enough to get a feel for life at sea, but not so long that you will be miserable if they can’t quite find their sea legs.

This cruise only has one stop in the Last Frontier — Ketchikan. However, you and your family can still get a solid Alaska experience with shore excursions like watching the lumberjack show, going sea kayaking, or wandering through the rainforest sanctuary.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 4 days
• Cruise line: Princess
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Seattle
• Website

3. Eurodam

There are numerous activities and all-day-long entertainment on Holland’s Eurodam which houses 2104 cruisers. Whether you prefer golf challenges, poolside relaxation, or karaoke, a Holland America Alaska cruise has it all. The main dining room, casual dining rooms, speciality restaurants, lounges, and casinos are just a few of the amenities.

The crew of the ship is pleasant and eager to make your visit unique and memorable, and the staff’s great knowledge of Alaska at por of call is equally impressive. This Signature-class ship makes stops in the popular ports on the 7-day cruise. You can head to shore in Sitka to visit the Alaska Raptor Center and play with bald eagles. Then, when you dock in Ketchikan, you can choose from even more activities like a visit to Totem Bight State Park.

• Sails from: Seattle
• Duration: 7 days
• Cruise line: Holland America Line
• Itinerary: Seattle, Juneau, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle
• Website

4. Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line is renowned for its freestyle cruising experience, which includes various engaging activities for passengers of all ages. The Norwegian Bliss is a 4,000-passenger ship explicitly designed for Alaskan trips, with thrilling features such as a go-kart track, a water park, water slides, and an open-air tag course.

Icy Strait Point and its wilderness experiences are included in the 7-day program. The state’s largest Native Tlingit community is located at Icy Strait Point, and surrounding waterways are abundant with wildlife, including orcas and humpback whales. You’ll also enjoy the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier, located just outside Juneau. Explore the Visitor Center, which has a view of the Juneau Ice Field, and walk the nature trails.

• Sails from: Seattle
• Duration: 7 days
• Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line
• Itinerary: Seattle, Sitka, Juneau, Dawes Glacier, Icy Point Strait, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle
• Website

5. Celebrity Eclipse

Celebrity Cruises will provide you with the trip of a lifetime if you’re planning a family cruise to Alaska. The ship has a variety of exciting activities for all ages, such as pools, water slides, themed events, and spas. Celebrity Cruises also offers land packages. If your family enjoys the outdoors, tack on an excursion to Banff National Park or Lake Louise.

If you decide to disembark in Sitka, you can spend the day exploring the seas in a Zodiac, visiting the rescued bears, or biking through the rainforest. You can paddle a canoe up to the glacier in Juneau, indulge yourself with a salmon feast, or go panning for gold.

The Celebrity Eclipse is the pinnacle of modern vacations. Take your taste buds on a culinary journey with various dining options. You can also enjoy one of the numerous entertainment venues, or work up a sweat in the Fitness Center.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Ketchikan, Vancouver
• Website

6. Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International’s Alaskan cruise is the perfect fit for the whole family. The Serenade of the Seas departs from Vancouver and gives you 7 nights of family-friendly activities and excursions. The ship has everything your family needs for a fun-filled cruise from rock climbing to ice skating.

The staterooms are large and decked out with families in mind. The rooms have huge bathrooms, comfortable bunk beds, and everything else you’ll need for a fantastic voyage.

Onboard, there is a well-equipped kids club with activities for children as young as six months, so the grown-ups can enjoy a little bit of vacation time on their own! For the slightly older kiddos, there’s a tween hangout and teen disco.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Icy Straight Point, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Tracy Arm Fjord, Vancouver
• Website

7. NG Venture

Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Society partner, delivers adventure and so much more. The cruise line is renowned for its educational, culture-focused Alaskan cruises where nature is, of course, the shining star of the vacation. The smaller ship offers casual environment that is nevery overcrowded.

Life aboard is full of funv activities and high-quality amenities. The NG Venture onboard specialists offer educational lectures to help your family make the most of thier time in the Last Frontier.

On your shore excursions (included in your ticket!), you’ll hike through lush Alaskan rainforests, paddle your kayak into secluded inlets, and marvel at crystalline icebergs from a Zodiac. You’ll even got to spend a full day basking in the wonder of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.

• Sails from: Juneau
• Duration: 8 days
• Cruise line: Lindblad Expeditions
• Itinerary: Juneau, Tracy Arm, Frederick Sound, Petersburg, Glacier Bay, Icy Straits, Sitka
• Website

8. Carnival Splendor

One of the most extensive lines in the world, Carnival offers great Alaskan cruises geared towards families. 3,012 guests can set sail from Seattle on the Carnival Splendor to enjoy the 7-day Alaskan adventure. Families particularly love the Carnival line because of the vast array of amenities to be found onboard.

Camp Carnival, the ship’s children’s program, is separated into five age categories (2-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, & 15-17). Parents can feel good knowing their little ones are enjoying the supervised playrooms and age-appropriate games. Plus, there is babysitting available for kids under two.

Head ashore to explore the quaint seaside town of Ketchikan and the state’s capital, Juneau. Make sure you bring your camera to capture the stunning vistas surrounding you. Carnival gives you opportunities to enjoy the fjords, glaciers, mountains, and Alaskan wildlife.

• Sails from: Seattle
• Duration: 7 days
• Cruise line: Carnival
• Itinerary: Seattle, Tracy Arm Fjord, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle
• Website

9. Star Breeze

For a more intimate cruise experience, book your family vacation aboard Windstar’s Star Breeze, where the staff-to-guest ratio is 1:1.5. A family-friendly ship, Star Breeze combines coastal cruising with overland explorations that your family is sure to adore.

The all-suite yacht has two dining options, an infinity pool, and a spa. Kids will love Windstar’s Signature Expeditions program, which will allow them to learn about Alaskan history and culture from local experts.

With only 312 guests on board, Star Breeze can tuck into the smaller ports like Wrangell or cruise through narrow waterways, giving you a more intimate Alaskan experience.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 11 days
• Cruise line: Windstar Cruises
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau,Tracy Arm, Inian Island, Icy Strait Pointe, Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Vancouver
• Website

10. Seven Seas Mariner

For families with slightly older children, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is a good choice (kids must be over one-years-old to sail.) Kids 5-17 can make sue of the free Club Mariner Youth Program which includes all sorts of interactive activiites like scavenger hunts and dance parties.

The staterooms are a great size with closet-space and ample bathroom amenities. Suites are available for larger families, but you will never feel overcrowded on board because the ship only holds 700 passengers.

Your cruise fare includes shore excursions, free onboard WiFi, ande even concierge services.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Cruise line: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Seward
• Website

11. Regatta

Another good option for those families with older children is Oceania’s Regatta, which allows kids older than 6-months to sail. There are no babysitting or nanny services available for children under five. However, those aged 5-12 can enjoy the Alaska Explorer Youth Program, which provides games and special events.

The elegant Regatta is “the flagship” of the Oceania fleet. Cruisers will adore the teak decks, resplendent tile work, and the custom stone touches. All of the spaces — public and private — are luxuriously furnished, and there are four restaurants to meet all of your dining needs. You’ll also find a spa, lounges, and a casino to keep the adults on the trip entertained.

On the stopover in Ketchikan, Oceania offers excursions like a rainforest hike, zipline adventure, and the Lumberjack show. You can find additional exciting activities at each of the stops! Note: sailers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult on all shore excursions.

• Sails from: Seattle
• Duration: 7 days
• Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
• Itinerary: Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, Victoria, Seattle
• Website

12. Wilderness Legacy

UnCruise Adventures provides some of the most unforgettable Alaska adventures available. Expeditions offered by the cruise line are aimed to give you a taste of Alaska’s natural beauty. Its compact ships take you to places where the larger cruise ships on this list can’t go. The expedition staff onboard is always available to explain the various family-friendly entertainment and adventure opportunities.

The 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy allows you to get an up-close Alaskan experience that everyone is sure to enjoy. Visit Glacier Bay National Park regions that are rarely visited by tourists, and hike and cycle around Chichagof Island, where UnCruise is the only line to hold the permits. You’ll find many more intimate Alaskan adventures on an UnCruise cruise!

• Sails from: Juneau
• Duration: 8 days
• Cruise line: Uncruise Adventures
• Itinerary: Juneau, Glacier Bay, Chichagof Island, Baranof Island, Baird Glacier, Ideal Cove, Juneau
• Website

13. Queen Elizabeth

Cunard is one of the world’s oldest cruise lines, so it offers some of the most fabulous Alaskan cruises for families. Cunard gives you the chance to cruise the waters of the Last Frontier and take in the wonderous — all with a British flair.

Your entire family will enjoy the polished experience aboard the Queen Elizabeth who can accommodate 2,000 cruisers on the 7-night cruise which departs from Vancouver. The ship has three restaurants, a pool, a spa, and a disco for your nightly amusem*nt. Plus, the specialized play area, which is fully equipped and staffed, will be a hit with the kids.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 nights
• Cruise line: Cunard
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Glacier Bay, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Vancouver
• Website

14. Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess is one of the newest ships in the fleet and offers a signature experience with a touch of Chinese flair. Foodie families will love the dining options available every hour of the day. Endless buffets, frozen treats, and all the made-from-scratch entrees your hearts’ desire.

The 7-day Alaskan tour leaves from Vancouver and includes three desirable ports: Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. The cruise culminates in Anchorage, where you could extend your vacation or fly back home.

There are so many excursions to enjoy, and there are often special pricing deals for children under 12 available. You and your family can hike, kayak, canoe, and watch performances like the Lumberjack show.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 7 days
• Cruise line: Princess
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord, Anchorage
• Website

15. Seabourn Odyssey

While Seabourn does not have an organized kids’ program, children and teens are welcome. Babies younger than 6-months are not permitted to sail, however.

Families love that the shore trips are complimentary for children, and the line offers such up-close adventures. The expedition team is full of scientists, naturalists, and scholars to help you learn all about the Alaskan way of life.

Glide through the waterways on sturdy Zodiacs or sea kayaks for a more intimate experience in the Alaskan fjords. You’ll find the wildlife viewing opportunities are plenty, and the curious child will adore catching glimpses of seals, whales, and sea birds.

• Sails from: Vancouver
• Duration: 14 days
• Cruise line: Seabourn
• Itinerary: Vancouver, Ketchikan, Sitka, Glacier Bay, Inian Islands, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Juneau, Tracy Arm, Wrangell, Misty Fjords, Prince Rupert, Alert Bay, Vancouver
• Website

All Aboard!

When it comes to family cruising in Alaska, the options are nearly endless! You can find all the adventure your little ones desire without giving up an ounce of comfort.

If you are able to splurge on your vacation, booking one of the smaller ships is definitely a great way to experience the Last Frontier!

If you’re searching for cruises to take with your better half, then head over to my guide of the best Alaska cruises for couples.