If you are thinking about a family vacation to Alaska, and ask yourself whether your
Children would enjoy a cruise on "The Last Frontier, wonder no more. Young family
Members from louts and toddlers through teens have a blast on big ships and small
as their vessels sail through the protected waters of Alaska's Inside Passage. Aboard
Ship or ashore, there are many child-friendly, parent-friendly and grandparents --
Best places to see and fun to do.
It isHowever, only a short decade or two ago families with kids aboard Alaska
Cruise ships were as scarce as Alaskan Dall sheep lambs in the cave a grizzly bear. But
Times have changed - big time. Today you will find, in addition to the
traditional strong contingent of seniors and near-seniors aboard each ship, a growing
Number of families. Sometimes these groups are several generations, with gramps
and grandmothers, mothers and fathers and children, the lanky teenager from the minors
literally into the arms.
The reason? Word is that Alaska's attractions are sure-fire hits for travelers
all ages: attractions like humongous whales breach in full length from the water,
Grizzly bears chasing salmon along forest creeks and rivers, icebergs (sometimes called
big as a bus) crashing, splashing, and thundering from the faces of the mile
Glacier.
Also there are possibilities in a dog sled behind a team of fees broth
Huskies - afterhelicoptering not on a high mountain-top glacier less! Children and
Parents can ride bikes through towering forests or down mountain paths and trails.
You can also kayak among whales and sea lions. Whole families can fish for lunker
King Salmon. Or you can try their luck at panning for gold in streams and rivers.
Recent enthusiasm for the young and young at heart is riding a zip line
through the upper shadow of the mighty pine and hemlock forests in Ketchikan
and Juneau --is safe and secure in a harness as they "zip" on a steel cable
approximately 130 meters or more above the forest floor.
Or, less daunting, while visiting museums and along the coast families can
absorb the totemic culture and history of the indigenous peoples of Alaska. You can
Find out more about the time in Alaska "Russian America." And to view it
Memories of the tumultuous gold rush to the Klondike in the late 1800s,
No question, Alaska hassomething exciting to offer every family
Member, regardless of age.
But what about life aboard the cruise ships? Will young people to find
Experience dullsville?
Hardly. The mid-to mega-ships in particular resort is literally afloat
with swimming pools, spas, snack shops, ice cream parlors, outdoor game courts,
Amusement arcades and cinemas. Special staff on board those ships --
with one exception - are trained youth workers.This crew
assign age-appropriate social activities, organize games and sports events,
Surveillance art and crafts, taking young people on shipwide treasure hunt, and usually
ensure that the ships of louts by young people enjoy their cruise as much as their
Parents and grandparents.
Although smallship Cruise Lines, Alaska, employees do not have their vessels with special
Guide for young cruisers, the ships are no less welcoming families. These
Ships canEnter the small coves and bays, where guests can view animals at close of
Explore the forest on the banks of waterways by kayak or send powered Zodiacs, hike
remote island beaches, diving, perhaps even stop for a natural hot springs in forested
Environment.
A smallship Cruise Line also schedules three Alaska cruises each year
specially designed for the whole family.
Regardless of vessel size, and with only a few exceptions, Cruise Lines
the Alaska trade activelyCourt family cruiser. Very few of these travelers, whether young or old, to find
the experience is anything but "cool". And they are not referring to the weather.
The following is a Cruise Line by Cruise Line Summary of Programs Family and Children "
Things to do on an Alaska cruise. The information was supplied by the Cruise Lines
removed or the websites of the company.
Large and mega-cruise ships
Carnival Cruise Line's 2006 Alaska tours aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival
Spirit offerChildren up to 2 to 17 a variety of activities monitored continuously
as part of the line "Camp Carnival" program.
In Alaska, the line runs a series of belonging "just for Alaska" projects
where children can create their own dream catchers and totem poles and learn the
Region fascinating Native Alaskan cultures.
The Carnival Spirit offers other child-and family-friendly infrastructure and,
Inside it features a spacious game room with an arts andCrafts Center, a 16 --
Monitor video wall, climbing maze, an outdoor playground and a computer room.
When it comes to food, says Carnival, "Children and young people receive the full 'Fun Ship'
Treatment with an expanded children's menu offers a variety of children's favorites as
well as a daily junior special. "The menus are on the back of a coloring and contain
Activity Book with word finds, mazes, tic-tac-toe, get in touch Crossword --
the-dots, and otherGames.
Young cruisers ages are 2 - to 5-year olds, 6 to 8, 9
to 11 and for adolescents 15 to 17 with a program called "Club 02". (http://
http://www.carnival.com)
Celebrity's Family Cruising Program "offers activities for young people in
four age groups:
Each day Ship Mates (for 3 - to 6-year-olds) can enjoy a clown
Party, treasure hunt, T-shirt painting, Legos, talent time, finger painting, dancing
Games, summerTheaters, cartoon time, computers, Playstations, Musical
Games, movies, or drives and make sundaes.
Many of these activities are on the agenda for older children as well, but
to an older age level.
Celebrity Cadets (youth 7-9) could also pool olympics,
Scavenger hunts, charades, a fitness program, trivia board games, relays and team.
Flags (for pre-teens 10-12) additionally enjoy karaoke, relay races,rides,
Parties and pizza.
Admiral T's takes in two classes of teenagers, 13-15 and 16-17. Members may
frequent the Teen Club, run in the basketball tournaments, enjoy pool parties, and
on talent shows will help.
Celebrity vessels also offer a "Parents Night Out" program. In the two official
Nights of a seven-night voyage, Celebrity treats parents free childcare if
Carers take the children to a pizza party for dinner.(http://www.celebrity.com)
Holland America Line's "Club HAL" provides a variety of child-friendly facilities and
age-appropriate activities. Programs for children aged from 3-12 May, on board
2006 Alaska-bound ships Ryndam, Statendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam
and Westerdam and for the Age group 5-12 aboard Volendam and Veendam. All eight vessels
have a teen program for 13-17 years. (http://www.hollandamerica.com)
Club HAL activities are designed to be age appropriate.For example, daily
planned activities for children aged 3 to 7 May arts and crafts, face --
Painting, camp-out night, candy bar bingo, outdoor fun, and a pajama party.
"Tweens" in travelers from 8 to 12 can learn to visit golf putting
Dances and theme nights, compete in the deck sports events and scavenger hunt
hunts, play arcade games, tie-dye T-shirts, or simply play Ping-Pong with a friend.
Teens 13-17 enjoy The Loft designed to offer a similarNew York artist's loft, there are
also The Oasis, a private deck, where young people up to soak up the rays then cool in a
one-of-a-kind waterfall. The Loft and Oasis are currently on 2006 Alaska --
bound ships Ryndam, Statendam, Veendam, Volendam and Zaandam. Teens will
especially enjoy the teen disco, dance lessons, arcade games, teen sports
Tournaments, karaoke, trivia contests, bingo, play stations, movies and hot tub
Parties.
On most routes,Holland America is at least one full-time youth
Program Director and one or more youth staff. The ratio of Club HAL staff
Children on board is 1:30.
In addition, there are a variety of kid-pleasing food, including special
Sandwiches, tacos, burgers, hot dogs and pizza. For the very young baby food,
Chairs and booster seats can be requested in advance of boarding. Baby-sitting
Services are for a small fee and special characters availableBirthday parties can also
arranged.
Norwegian Cruise Line notes on their websites that the line of Kid's Crew and
Teen's Crew programs are filled with age appropriate activities for teens: 2
to 17 For Kid's Crew members aged 2-12, NCL has everything from art
and crafts to pajama parties. Teens crew, offers options such as 13-17 Cruiser
Pool parties, a teen disco, a video arcade, and much more.
But not, says NCL, think of these programs as"Babysitter." There is very little
"Meeting" are involved, take the cruise line. The programs are active, energetic,
Educational and fun above all. (http://www.ncl.com)
Princess Cruises' junior cruisers (ages 3 to 17) can be a boatload of exciting
Activities on board. All of Alaska bound ships of the line have special children's and youth groups
Centers staffed by consultants, on a program of age-specific activities of the participating
Day. Babysitter group is in the presentlate at night.
Among a variety of programs for young people is a purpose for Alaska. Produced
with the National Park Service, Princess' sub-teen "Junior Ranger Program
developed to Glacier Bay and the Alaskan wilderness to the lives of thousands
Children each summer. The program features interactive games, activities, books and
Presentation by rangers. The corresponding "Teen Explorer" program features
Similar learning activities geared for olderAdolescents.
In an exclusive cruise industry, the Los Angeles-based California Science Center
provides entertaining interactive activities. Princess youth staff have been
extensive training at the center, which charmed a young passengers with award --
to gain scientific projects. Whale watching, building and racing sailboats, marine
Study of biology and squid section are a few of the activities available.
The line's website notes that preteens are dividedinto two groups: Princess
Pelicans ages 3-7 and Princess Pirateers, 8-12. Both groups are with entertainment
Age-rated arts and crafts, discos, films and cartoons, exclusive kids-only meals,
Hunt, karaoke and lip-sync shows, afternoon ice cream parties, pizza parties,
Backstage and galley tours, pajama parties and T-shirt colors.
Website Says Princess': "Our astounding teen centers are packed with Nintendo,
Movies, karaoke, big screen TVs, card andBoard games, ping-pong and juke
Boxes. "The website also notes that the Alaska bound Sun, Dawn, Coral, Iceland and
Diamond Princess ships also offer a toddler play area. (http://www.princess.com)
Royal Caribbean International offers a program for children & young people as
"Adventure Ocean" serve and entertaining travelers 3 to 17 in five different
Categories.
Youngest group (aged 3 to 5) are called Aquanauts and do finger painting,
Devices that playDough, music activities, dance, point, and "shape Bingo."
Explorers (6-8) have a Pirate Night, go on a backstage tour, enjoy nutty nicknames
and exercise autograph hunting. Nine to 11-year-old travelers do karaoke singing,
have a Ga-Ga Ball, enjoy H20 Thunder race, and must go to an art.
Play Navigators (12-14), sports tournaments, have pool parties, enjoy college
Night to lead in video games and disco dancing sessions as well as a formal
Night. Older.15 To 17 youths, calling guests also like to dance, pool parties, DJ
Training, battle of the sexes, and a formal night and a Survivor Series.
RCI Edu-tainment programming offers:
Adventure Science, a mix of practical experiments and wacky entertainment
(Example: Staggering Through the Stars, and a Wacky Water Workshop);
Adventure Art, the opportunity to exercise creativity with crafts;
Sail Into Story Time and Adventure Family. The latter is a free, on-boardProgram
Can spend 3-11, that the children and their parents to do quality time together
Projects of the shipbuilding regattas to talent shows and scavenger hunts.
(http://www.royalcaribbean.com)
Mid-size ships
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' youth program for a "Club Mariner," adults
to Alaska's wonders with their children or grandchildren one shares
free program for children. "The program," says the company, "offers the
Opportunity for each member of the family to Alaska in a meaningful experience
enriching ways. "
The Cruise Line Youth Program is designed for three age groups: 5-9, 10-13 and
14-17. During each trip offer trained advisers of the young cruisers
Opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive adventure to Alaska.
The children will exercise their creativity with crafts while new insights
Alaska's wildlife, its uniqueGeography, its indigenous crafts and its rich
artistic heritage.
Children learn about whales, salmon, glaciers and totem poles. It could draw
and write about their experiences in their special Club Mariner scrapbook, bake
Chocolate "moose" cookies go whale watching on the deck or learn all about eagles,
Dolphins, bears and sea lions.
Notes RSSC: "Club Mariner not only makes it easier for families to travel together,
it helps broaden the children to their culturalEducation and horizons. And back then
home together to know more about Alaska than all the other 49 states! "(http://
http://www.rssc.com)
Silversea Cruises recommends that, given the sophisticated nature of navigation and the
Programs, does not preclude the company mislead us, traveling with small children. (http://
http://www.silverseacruises.com)
Smaller vessels
AMERICAN SAFARI CRUISES 'Kids in Nature (KIN) cruises, include a luxury yacht as
the schoolhouse, aExpedition Leader / Naturalist as the teacher, and the wild animals --
The fish-rich waters of Alaska's Inside Passage than in the laboratory. KIN convenes in Alaska
aboard the elegant 22-passenger yacht Safari Quest with the first of two to seven
17th night cruises from Sitka June. The voyage takes in various locations and wildlife
Communities throughout Southeast Alaska. 17th and ends in Juneau June. Another
Seven Nights Sailing Safari Quest begins 29th July, during an eight-night journey
ofPrince Rupert, BC to Juneau starts 26th June on board the same luxurious
12-guest Safari Escape.
Activities abound for all ages: kayaking, hiking on a remote island, followed by a
extensive picnic, hopping shore-to-shore by Zodiac, Showing whales directly from the
Bow or dolphins right below, collecting shells to study, and much more. Children and Adults
accompanied equally to a variety of personal choice of excursions, while the yacht
is at anchor.
At the end ofCruise every child receives a backpack filled with children outdoors
In memory of their various investigations: a certificate of performance signed
Captain and expedition leader, a T-shirt and cap, a pair of binoculars, disposable
Camera and a typed list of all the flora and fauna observed during the cruise. The
Program offers kid-size volumes - two children under 12 years for an adult fare.
On board the other rides during the season, three American Safaris Cruises Yachts
offer a very upscale amenities and cuisine best appreciated by sophisticated adults.
For these cruises the line normally discourages guests from young children
and what is not specifically child-oriented services. (http://
http://www.americansafaricruises.com)
American West Steamboat Company advises, "We tend to care for Older Adults
and therefore offer no special programs for children and adolescents. "(http://
http://www.americanweststeamboat.com)
THEBoat Company offers special rates for young cruisers traveling with parents:
50 percent below the rates normally occupy when a cabin with a parent, 20 percent
occupy when a separate cabin.
The company, the two ships have turned off a separate staff dedicated
for young people on board, but the line did not try to place the needs of each
Passenger including kayaking, fishing, beach walks, and other child-oriented activities.
(http://www.theboatcompany.com)
Clipper Cruise Line has no special programs for children or for younger people
Travelers, but the nature of the routes of the company and cruising areas
(including whale sightings, bears other animals and shore excursions)
as appropriate, to the families. Cabins can accommodate up to three
Guests, for larger groups two cabins would be needed. (http://
http://www.clippercruise.com)
CRUISE WEST offers for childrenJourney aboard the special Sheltered Seas Daylight
Boat Tours. Travelers under 12 sharing a cabin with an adult save 50 percent
on Family Adventure cruise fares. Young people 13 to 21 save 25 percent.
While many other cruise companies are of great interest for
Families with children, the activities on board the ship which is not specifically geared for young people
Travelers. Cruise West is the largest of cruise lines serving Alaska and smallship
Specials cruisesPossibilities of the family interests of Southeast Alaska with its totems,
Glacier National Park Goldgräberstimmung countries and historical places of interest
Southcentral's Prince William Sound and beyond to Arctic waters and even Russia.
(http://www.cruisewest.com)
Voyages advises cruises aboard the 12-passenger vessel Discovery
are "definitely family friendly" and in fact, the company offers a 25 percent discount
for children under 12 years.
Notes, a companyNarrator: "Due to the intimate size of our ship, we do not
Directors have specifically for youth, but the staff (including Captain Dean Rand's Daughters
Hannah and Heather, grew up on board the Discovery) in various working groups
with both adults and children, as well as naturalists and kayaking guides. "The
Company often works with agencies and outfitters who specialize in family trips.
(http://www.discoveryvoyages.com)
LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS welcomes travelersYoung and old. And come September
Archie Comics illustrator Stan Goldberg joins a shipload of other Lindblad
Expeditions travelers through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska to British
Columbia. His mission: to create the second in his "Little Lin" cartoon book series of
Educational adventure for young people. (In his first book, play and fun with
Little Lin, published in 2005, child explorer Little Lin discovers Peru Galapagos
Islands.)
ssinhis second work Goldberg young adventurers sail to Alaska and
Encounter glaciers, humpback whales, bald eagles, and all sorts of other
Animals and their habitats along Alaska and British Columbia's Inside Passage. In
the coming years, the Alaska-inspired Little Lin books will be distributed to all families
Traveling aboard Lindblad's Inside Passage cruises. (http://www.expeditions.com)
MAPLE LEAF Adventures offers families the opportunity toAlaska's glaciers,
Whales, islands, contribute to "hot spots, beaches, hot springs and towns aboard the classic
Tall Ship Sailing Maple Leaf, a beautifully restored 92-foot sailing schooner
built in 1904.
The ship takes 9 or 10 guests. Of the vessel on board naturalist, chef and
Customize experienced crew can travel the route, menu and activities for
the interests of the family. Typical highlights include unparalleled proximity to icebergs,
Glacier and wildlife,One tall ship sailing and great camaraderie between guests and
Crew.
Special activities for kids include sail training, fishing (with purchase of a fishing
License), hikes, and a customizable itinerary.
The accommodations are comfortable but not luxurious. Since berths are limited
until nine or ten people, it is possible for one or more families (two families of
five, for example,) jointly reserve all the berths for a 11-night companies
AlaskaTravel. Parents with children can book berths in their teens who do not
otherwise reserved with the approval of pre-booked adult passengers. (http://
http://www.mapleleafadventures.com)
State and Provincial Ferries
Alaska Marine Highway System (Alaska ferries) is on order for the family
Travel along the coast of Alaska. Depending on the ship youngsters will find onboard play
Areas for the very young, casual meals and snack bars for all ages, movies, and
NatureTalks plus expansive glass-enclosed solariums. These are ideal for finding
Orcas (killer whales), humpback whales, playful porpoises and sea lions in the water
), plus mountain goats on towering cliffs, and (for the fortunate observer
Eyes black and brown (grizzly) bears on passing beaches. Families with or
Vehicles can embark without, as far south as Bellingham, Washington or Prince
Rupert, British Columbia.
Larger cabins equipped vesselsFleet are the Columbia (931
Passengers), Matanuska (745), Malaspina (701), Taku (370), and Kennicott (748).
Depending on the season, one or two ships sail on weekly appointments up to and
from Bellingham while others turn to Prince Rupert. (http://
http://www.FerryAlaska.com)
BC Ferries demonstrates its kid-friendliness even before a family boards ship.
Computer-savvy children or their parents just for surfing the web to --http://
http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/kidzone/establishing_shot.html and they will meet cartoon
Characters Samantha (call "me Sam") and Cal, two characters, at sea doggy
introduce young viewers to three online activities - an electronic coloring book, a
"Match the Ferries" memory game and a virtual bridge tour.
The 700-passenger ferry Queen of the North Province connects to
Alaska State Ferries in Prince Rupert, often for access toSoutheast Alaska ports.
(http://www.bcferries.com)
Copyright (c) 2006 by Mike Miller - All Rights Reserved
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