Exploring The Last Frontier: Set Sail on an Family Alaska Cruise

Going on an Alaskan cruise has been on my travel bucket list ever since we moved to Seattle more than two decades ago. Yet, every time we’d sit down to plan a family vacation, sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage would lose out to the allure that pools, palm trees and that much-needed vitamin D warmer destinations offer. 

We’d reason that Alaska was just the Pacific Northwest but a little further north; that it was more of the same. After all, we’ve got majestic snowcapped peaks here. We’ve got whales. And at least once a year, a bear lumbers into our Gig Harbor neighborhood and puts on a Ring camera show as good as anything you’d see on National Geographic. What were we really missing? 

Turns out, a lot. 

While it’s true that Alaska’s expansive landscapes mirror what we find in our own backyard, after experiencing its thrilling adventures and vibrant, storied cultures firsthand, my only regret is that we didn’t take an Alaskan cruise sooner. 

Unexpected ease 

From the minute we set out for our weeklong vacation with Princess Cruises aboard the Discovery Princess, I was reminded of Emerson’s quote touting the benefits of the metaphorical journey over the destination. In a world of family vacations where getting there is often marred by modern travel woes — canceled flights, endless delays, carry-on luggage limitations — even the start of this journey was surprisingly painless. It started with a quick drive to Pier 91, followed by expertly organized lines that moved passengers through the boarding process with conveyor-belt efficiency. Before we knew it, my kids and I were walking up the gangway, posing for pictures like movie stars on the red carpet and stepping into the ship’s stunning three-story Piazza. 

Watching my 7-year-old splash in the pool while my two teens noshed on margherita pizza from the poolside restaurant as we waited to disembark from Seattle on a sunny summer day sure beat sitting in cramped coach seats, waiting to take off after slogging through SEA Airport. By the time the dancers were setting up for the sail away celebration and the cruise director Jayson delivered his welcome, I had fully embraced “getting there” as a major perk of cruising. 

Our Inside Passage itinerary 

Everything you’ve heard about an Alaska vacation is true: It’s an untamed adventurer's paradise. But beyond zip lining through rainforest canopy, bumping along UTV trails or landing on a glacier after a scenic helicopter ride, it’s surprisingly inclusive for visitors of all ages (yep, that adage about old people cruising to Alaska is not a myth), including families with young children. In each port, we found more than enough excursions that piqued my kids’ interests — even my hard-to-please teens. After weighing our options, we focused our adventures on Alaska’s natural wonders and varied cultures over heart-pumping thrills. 

Ketchikan 

Even before we disembarked, my son was sold on this quintessential Alaska town, with its low-hanging clouds and colorful houses stacked on hillsides hugging the waterfront. Downtown is a mélange of shops, restaurants and services that cater to the tourists who keep the town afloat. Its history is a mashup — Native culture meets lumberjack — reflected in its architecture, outdoor art installations and the local museum: Tongess Historical Museum. 

During our day in Ketchikan, we toured Totem Bight State Historical Park in the morning and watched the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in the afternoon. As our tour bus drove out of town we collected the fascinating facts our tour guide threw out like little gold nuggets from a mine. An easy pick for families, the leisurely tour of the 22-acre park leads visitors to a collection of restored totem poles and a historic clan house along mostly flat forested trails. Our guide regaled us with the stories “told” on each pole, peppering us with facts about how each was originally made, then restored and now maintained. He assured me local tour companies worked with the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes to make sure the stories and tribal histories being shared are culturally sound. 

The 2 1/2 hour tour was just right for my three kids, who were ready for the second half of the day after grabbing lunch and spending their hard-earned money in the town’s souvenir shops. Our morning, steeped in native history, was replaced with a logging history lesson woven in between an impressive display of lumberjack skills and comedic one-liners during the live competition. Don’t expect an over-the-top production here. While it was thoroughly enjoyable (audience members cheered in agreement), the show exemplifies the Alaskan spirit — making the best of what you’ve got. But if you want a glimpse into lumberjack culture, this is certainly an entertaining way to get it. 

Other recommended excursion: We heard from other passengers that the wildlife bear watching in Ketchikan is top notch. 

Juneau and Endicott Arm 

The Endicott Arm scenic cruising leg is an early-start day. Set your alarm for around 5 a.m. when the ship enters the fjord on its way to the Dawes Glacier. If ever there was a reason to book an oceanview stateroom, this is it. Watching icy blue glacier chunks floating by from your own private balcony in your pajamas while a naturalist livestreams on TV is what an Alaskan cruise is all about. Plus, if you’ve got kids who like to sleep in, this setup means everyone wins — you sightsee, they sleep. It’s pure vacation magic. 

Once docked in the state capitol, passengers have their pick of essential Alaska activities: glacier viewing, whale watching or dog sledding. The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the biggest draws here and it’s just over 10 miles outside of town. Families can fly to the glacier, boat to the glacier, hike to the glacier or simply view it from any number of points in Tongass National Forest. In short, there’s no wrong way to glacier. 

My kids were happy to see it from the many trails and photo-op spots in and around the national park visitor center. Our 90-minute stop here was just enough time to learn about climate change’s effect on the glacier, snap pics and scope the gift shop offerings. If I thought my youngest could rally, we would have hiked the short trail out to Nugget Falls for even more nature vibes. 

An undeniable highlight of our trip, even for seasoned whale watchers like us, was our afternoon in Auke Bay. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, watching humpbacks breach always seems a bit miraculous to me. My 7-year-old spent her time on the ship waffling between sneaking doughnut bites set out by the crew and scanning the horizon, desperate to be the first to spot a fluke or flipper break the surface. The onboard naturalist’s familiarity with the area wildlife was impressive, and the fluke guide helped us identify many of the whales we saw that day, including a crew favorite: a mom who returns every year with a new calf in tow. Seeing the pair breach together was like spotting a double rainbow. After a few hours of whale watching, we made our way back, our camera storage space that much smaller. 

Other recommended excursion: One couple said the glacier helicopter tour was well worth the splurge. 

Skagway 

Once a bustling hub of the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway is steeped in its history. Stroll the charming downtown boardwalk that seems ripped from the pages of history, or ride the scenic White Pass Railway (like we did) that was used to transport mining supplies to the Yukon back in the day. The changing landscape and stunning tundra at the summit are photo-worthy. But keep in mind timing as food is not available for purchase on the train (depending on the excursion) and food and beverages aren’t allowed to be taken off the ship either. 

Once we reached the summit, we hopped aboard a shuttle bus and headed further east, toward the Yukon. Along the way, we reveled in the mountains and spotted a pair of bears before reaching our final destination for lunch. Our return stop in the Yukon — Carcross (short for Caribou Crossing) — was just what my kids needed after a long day of sightseeing. The playground in the center of town kept my youngest busy while my teens grabbed ice cream and ducked in and out of the cutest shack shops I’ve ever seen. 

Other recommended excursion: Another passenger raved about the dog sled experience. 

Wild, yet refined 

During our trip with Princess Cruises, I often caught myself pondering the continual juxtapositions of this vacation: spotting glaciers wedged between forested peaks from the comfort of a steamy hot tub; shedding casual layers after a day of whale watching for formal wear on Dress to Impress night so you look great in your picture with Captain Tony next to the cascading champagne tower; packing puffy coats alongside swimsuits and a black cocktail dress next to wool socks. Our trip was a study in the spectrum. But it was a tension my family welcomed every night we’d retire to our ornate floating hotel after a day of rugged adventuring. 

Cruise life 

With two of our seven days spent at sea, we had plenty of time to make the Discovery Princess our home, starting with our cabin. Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small on space and short on little luxuries families have come to expect from even moderate hotels. But we found our deluxe balcony stateroom had just what we needed for our family of four, including a sitting area that converted into sleeping bunks each night, thanks to our amazingly attentive cabin steward. The bathroom was small, but we found that even with two teens it worked fine for us. And the balcony gave us that much more wiggle room when we needed space. But with an entire ship boasting sun-up to sun-down programming to enjoy, we didn’t spend too much time in our cabin. 

Restaurants and dining 

In my experience, feeding kids on vacation is always a hassle. Feeding them on a cruise really isn’t. It’s not that they become less picky. It’s more about the ship’s multitude of options — there’s almost always a place to find restaurants that are open, something I wholeheartedly appreciated when my youngest was up before 5 a.m. our first day at sea (adjusting to ship time is no joke). 

My kids gravitated to the two poolside restaurants, where they could go back for slice after slice of pizza, or grab a burger whenever a craving hit. And there were definitely nights we opted for dinner at the World Fresh Marketplace, with its globally-inspired buffet offerings, over a meal in the formal dining room. There’s just something about the ease of doing dinner on the fly that’s hard to pass up. But on Dress to Impress night, formal dining is a must. Even my youngest loved the chance to get fancy and test out her best manners in the main dining room. Many of the restaurants (plus Swirls ice cream) are included. 

The ship’s three specialty restaurants — Crown Grill, Sabatini’s and The Catch — offer elevated options that go beyond ordinary for an added price or as part of the Princess Premier package. My kids thoroughly enjoyed sitting down to steaks at Crown Grill and the ornate desserts at The Catch really captured their attention. The from-scratch pastas at Sabatini’s were also a hit, but if you go, pace yourself for the rich offerings: part of the traditional five-course Italian meal. Or better yet, make a reservation for two and drop your offspring off at the kids club before you go. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the meal and they’ll have a blast too. 

If you have a special occasion to celebrate, the 360 multi-sensory dining experience is truly unique (ages 13 and older). Shrouded in secrecy, the immersive dinner starts with a musical procession, includes an array of culinary delights from around the world, and blends tech and food in innovative ways that left our group applauding after our last bite. 

Kids and teen clubs 

There are three kids clubs on the ship that provide daily programming on at-sea and in-port days. If the lines during drop-off didn’t speak volumes about the programs, the fact that my 7-year-old asked to go there on the daily, and even my teens found a reason to drop in, do. When I’d pick my youngest up she always had a project, face paint or some other sign of the fun she’d had, and the scheduled family time gave her the opportunity to show me all the things she’d gotten to do while I was adulting at the Lotus Spa or reading a book in The Sanctuary (the adults-only retreat on deck 18). 

Kids as young as 3 are welcome in the kids club. Parents are given beepers in case they’re needed before pickup time. 

Life on the Lido Deck 

The Lido Deck serves as the outdoor hub of the ship — with its two heated pools, numerous hot tubs, restaurants, ice cream shop and comfy seating areas, it’s where you’d go to pretend you're in the tropics while reveling in Alaska’s brisk beauty. More than once, I rushed from my poolside perch to catch sight of whales off the port or starboard sides. 

While the pools were busiest on at-sea days, we could always find a place to sit and never felt rushed to get there or leave. Even with over 3,000 passengers on board, we were able to have hot tubs to ourselves often, including one beautifully sunny morning before most of the rest of the ship was awake. Like all kids born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, mine found time to swim every day, even when it was barely 55 degrees and overcast. Parents sitting poolside, dressed in sweatshirts or winter coats while their kids splashed and played without a care in the world, was commonplace here. 

We also hit the Lido Deck for more than a few Movies Under the Stars, cuddled under blankets and once from a hot tub, during our sailing. And if the Northern Lights had made an appearance during our trip (sadly they didn’t because it was too cloudy), this is where we’d go to witness their spectacular show. 

Endless entertainment 

If the Lido Deck is the outdoor hub, the Piazza is the indoor hub of ship life. Head there during downtime and you’re sure to find something entertaining going on — from staff-led towel folding workshops and bartending competitions to dance parties, live music performances and puppy-petting experiences (it’s called Puppies on the Piazza and it’s as cute as it sounds). 

Stroll the Promenade Deck from bow to stern on any given day and you’ll happen upon art auctions, trivia, games and more. What I appreciated about each is that you could often join in mid-stream or duck out if something else caught your eye. My oldest daughter and I left our mini facial session when the captain announced whales off the port side. And my youngest and I unintentionally ended up touring the ship’s galley and meeting the head chef because we followed a crowd; I’m so glad we did. 

What struck me about the thoughtfully planned activities is the way Alaska was infused into many of them. Lectures on its environment and ecology were plentiful, and two Iditarod racers, including 2023 winner, Ryan Redington, gave talks and signed autographs for fans. 

Expect to find everything from musicals to comedy acts in the Princess Theater each night. And the Vista Lounge often hosted teen events or after-hours entertainment that went on long past my kids’ bedtime. We were impressed by the many shows we saw. 

Bottom line 

I wasn’t sure what to expect as we made our way to Pier 91, but after disembarking for the final time, my kids and I were sad to leave the Discovery Princess behind. What made this particular family vacation so enjoyable was that it was about both getting there and the amazing destinations we experienced when we did. It was a tasting flight of Alaska’s best offerings paired with the comforts of a luxe resort, and it left us wanting more. 

While cruising may not be for everyone, it offered us the ease of an all-inclusive or Disney-style vacation, freeing everyone up to focus on simply having fun and spending time together as a family. We’re already planning our next cruise. 

Plan your trip 

When to cruise to Alaska

The Alaska cruise season runs from May through September, with June, July and August considered peak sailing months, thanks to the warm weather and abundance of wildlife to see in summer. If you sail during peak season, expect higher prices and more crowds in ports. 

Costs to consider

We sailed in early July and didn’t feel overwhelmed by people in the port towns, but we were often simply passing through on our way to an exciting excursion. I recommend having a planned activity in each port to get the most out of the experience. Excursions start around $100 per person, but can go as high as $1,500. Most are between $200–$400 per person. 

If you’re considering an Alaskan cruise with kids, start with the experiences. While you can always find something to do in port, some excursions have age restrictions, limiting your selection. Extreme adventures such as zip lining and UTVing are best for tweens and teens. Sightseeing and wildlife viewing can work well for kids of any age. Hiking, canoeing, fishing and cultural experiences are great for kids in the elementary age range. But with all things kids, you know your kids and what they can handle best. 

You can book your Alaskan cruise online.  

Editor’s note: This trip was hosted by Princess Cruises, but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.