How to Plan the Best Alaska Cruise for Your Family

Alaska is high on the family bucket list and it’s easy to understand why. Home to rare wildlife, fascinating gold rush lore, and thundering glaciers, the Great Land captures the imagination of travelers young and young at heart. The best way to experience its incredible coastlines and natural beauty? By sea.

For families searching for the Best Alaska Cruise for Families, Holland America Line offers the perfect balance of comfort, education, and exploration. From glacier viewing in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve to kid-friendly onboard programs and flexible stateroom options, it’s an ideal choice for multigenerational travel. To see all available itineraries and family-friendly options, visit our Alaska cruises page.

Unlike a typical family vacation that requires endless planning, a cruise brings everything together — meals, entertainment, and adventure — in one unforgettable journey. In this guide, we’ll walk through what makes Holland America one of the best cruise lines for Alaska families, including itinerary lengths, excursions, dining, and tips for traveling with kids.

• Alaska cruises are perfect for families, offering wildlife, glaciers, and easy all-in-one travel.
• Holland America Line stands out for family staterooms, onboard programs, and flexible itineraries.
• 7-day trips suit first-timers, while longer cruisetours include Denali and deeper Alaska exploration.
• Family-friendly excursions and dining keep every age engaged and comfortable.
• Pack for variable weather — layers, waterproof gear, and binoculars are essentials for outdoor adventures.

Every family has different time constraints, interests, and energy levels — and thankfully, Holland America offers a variety of Alaska cruise lengths and destinations so you can pick what fits your family best.

7-Day Cruises: Perfect for First-Timers & Busy Schedules

Shorter 7-day round-trip voyages departing from Seattle or Vancouver provide a convenient introduction to Alaska’s scenic coastline without requiring a long time off. They visit iconic ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka and include stunning sights such as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on select sailings. Families can also experience Alaska’s highlights on excursions such as the Best of Juneau: Whale Watching, Mendenhall Glacier & Orca Point Lodge Meal, where guests can spot humpback whales, visit a glacier, and enjoy a relaxing meal at a secluded island lodge.

These cruises are ideal for busy families or those who want to experience Alaska without committing to a long journey.

9- to 14-Day Cruisetours: Deeper Exploration & Multi-Generational Friendly

For families that have more time and want to combine cruise and land experiences, itineraries in the 9–14 day range include multi-night stays in places like Denali National Park and Preserve and the Yukon, adding motor-coach or rail segments to the sea voyage. In Skagway, the White Pass Rail, Klondike Highway & Liarsville Gold Camp lets families ride the historic narrow-gauge railroad and try gold panning in a lively recreation of a Klondike-era camp.

These give kids more time to absorb Alaska’s wilderness, and offer grandparents or younger siblings a chance to engage in different activity levels.

Longer Voyages (14+ Days): Immersive Adventure for Family Explorers

If your family is adventurous and travel time isn’t a constraint, Holland America’s 14- to 28-day Alaska itineraries allow for remote port calls, extended glacier and fjord cruising, and more substantial time ashore.

These longer trips are ideal for families with older kids who want to immerse themselves in Alaska’s wild beauty truly and have the flexibility for more relaxed pacing.

Longer voyages may include the Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors & Bears, where travelers see eagles and rescued bears up close, or the Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure, a calm paddle through coastal waters filled with wildlife and rainforest views.

Destination Tips: Matching Ports to Family Interests

• Glacier viewing: Make sure your cruise includes full-day scenic cruising periods through places like Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier — a highlight for kids and adults alike.
• Memory-making ports: Juneau for glaciers and gold-rush history, Ketchikan for totem poles and rainforest, Sitka for wildlife and cultural experiences.
• Ease of access: Departing from Seattle or Vancouver simplifies travel for U.S. families and can reduce stress for younger children.

By selecting the itinerary length and destination style that best align with your family’s needs, you’ll be closer to booking the best Alaskan cruise for families — one where you’re not rushing, the kids are engaged, and the whole family can cherish the experience.

Put your claustrophobia concerns at ease — there are a variety of configurations to "suite" your needs, from connecting rooms to sofa beds and spacious verandas for when you need a few minutes to yourself. Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Koningsdam have dedicated family staterooms that accommodate up to five guests.

Many families choose Holland America for its thoughtful design that makes sharing space easier. Large verandahs allow families to relax while taking in glacier views or watching for whales — moments that make this one of the Best Alaska Cruises for Families. Holland America ships also feature covered pool areas, perfect for swimming even when the weather turns chilly, and convenient laundry service packages for parents managing multiple outfits a day.

If you’re cruising with grandparents or extended family, booking connecting verandah rooms can make the experience more social while still offering privacy. These setups are ideal for multi-generational travel, which has become a growing trend among Alaska cruise families.

There’s plenty to see outside the room on an Alaska cruise with kids. Hit the pool or explore the wrap-around decks or even attend family-friendly shows in the World Stage. You won’t get bored, even if it rains.

You won’t need to pack tons of entertainment. Supervised, age-appropriate kid’s programs keep everyone moving and happy. Kids make friends fast, especially on a cruise and most are ecstatic to attend these activities. Unlike other types of family vacations, parents get a much-deserved break.

Kids Club, included on most cruises, offers a full range of supervised activities for ages 3–17, led by a professionally trained, full-time staff. Children can enjoy arts and crafts, sports challenges, scavenger hunts, and themed parties like Dino-Mite Night or Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure. Tweens (ages 7–11) have gaming tournaments and team events, while teens (ages 12–17) enjoy social meet-ups, group games, and nighttime favorites such as Poker Night and Video Game Tournaments.

Kids Club activities are typically available in morning and afternoon sessions on port days, with parents signing children in and out. For kids with special needs, Holland America offers inclusive participation with possible parental supervision based on need.

Parents appreciate that Holland America ships maintain a balanced environment — lively enough for kids to make friends but calm enough for families seeking a relaxed cruise experience. These programs make Holland America one of the Best Alaska Cruises for Families, offering a truly family-friendly Alaska cruise experience that provides a mix of structure, fun, and safety for every age group.

Every parent has had the experience of bringing kids to an activity, only to find that the little ones plead to go back to the car five minutes in. Some parents are concerned that Alaska, land of the rugged outdoors, might be too rugged for their little tenderfoot.

There are many Alaska shore excursions to choose from in each port and many offer discounts for children. Check the minimum age for each activity (for example, Ketchikan’s Adventure Kart Expedition has a minimum age to drive of 18), and then consider the child’s interests and attention span. Can your five-year-old really handle a canoe trip through Alaska’s backcountry or would they rather visit sled dog kennels to get slurpy kisses from puppies? Every kid is different, and parents know best.

The good thing about an Alaska cruise with kids or a multi-generational cruise is that there are dining options for everyone, from casual favorites like burgers and pool-side pizza to gelato to fine dining.

Dining is one of the highlights for families on the Best Alaska Cruise for Families. Holland America is known for fresh, locally inspired cuisine, including sustainable seafood dishes sourced from Alaskan waters. Parents can savor chef-prepared meals while kids enjoy comfort favorites or even learn about regional ingredients. With options ranging from casual dining to elegant multi-course dinners, mealtime becomes a shared experience rather than a challenge.

Families with picky eaters will love the flexibility of dining times and the inclusion of family-style service at select venues. Plus, themed desserts — like Alaskan berry cobblers or glacier-blue gelato — often become part of the vacation memories.

Every ship features fine dining restaurants with kids’ menus and half portions available. There’s plenty of variety to satisfy your junior food critic and 24-hour room service if the kids need a night in. Many dishes can be altered to accommodate allergies and restrictions. Main ingredients are listed right on the menu and you can always ask your server about trace amounts of common allergens, such as nuts, milk or butter.

Think your toddler changes their mind a lot? Alaska’s weather can swing dramatically from bright and sunny to drizzly and chilly. Temperatures rarely reach 70 degrees most days, even in mid-summer. That said, there’s laundry service onboard, so you don’t need to pack their entire closet.

Packing for an Alaska cruise is all about layering and practicality. Families should bring waterproof jackets, gloves, and hats, especially for scenic days in Glacier Bay or during outdoor excursions. Don’t forget binoculars — spotting eagles and whales together can be one of the highlights of your trip. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for port days and nature trails.

For families booking a Best Alaska Cruise for Families itinerary, consider packing a small backpack for day trips, reusable water bottles, and extra camera storage — Alaska’s scenery is unmatched. You’ll want to capture every glacier, bear, and family smile along the way.

An Alaska cruise with children also means you pack and unpack just once. Pack for play and pool, wind and waterproof gear for outdoor excursions, casual days around the ship, and a couple outfits for formal nights. Most kid-friendly cruises have excellent activities for little ones, but bring crayons, card games, and a few books to keep them occupied when you just want to wind down after a day of exploring.

Traveling with kids is an adventure, whether you cruise or not. Savor these Alaska moments — the big ones, like when they see a whale for the first time or the small ones, like when they cuddle up to you as scenery scrolls past.

For more detailed information, check out our comprehensive Alaska cruise packing list.

Whether it’s your first trip to Alaska or a return to your favorite place, Holland America makes it easy for families to experience the best of Alaska in comfort and style. From Glacier Bay access to onboard learning programs and unforgettable family excursions, your adventure awaits.

Which cruise line is best for Alaska with kids?

Holland America Line is one of the Best Alaska Cruises for Families thanks to its mid-sized ships, family staterooms on Pinnacle Class ships, and enriching programs like Kids Club. Parents love the balance of scenic exploration and onboard comfort, while kids enjoy hands-on learning about Alaska’s wildlife and cultures.

Is an Alaska cruise worth it with kids?

Absolutely. Alaska offers something for all ages — whales, glaciers, sled dogs, and history. A cruise makes it easy to see multiple destinations without the stress of constant travel days. Holland America’s itineraries are designed for family convenience and unforgettable views.

What is the best age for a child to go on a cruise to Alaska?

Kids aged 5–12 often get the most out of the experience — old enough to participate in activities and appreciate wildlife sightings. However, with flexible onboard programs and plenty of family excursions, even toddlers and teens can enjoy an Alaska cruise.

Which cruise line is best for a family of 5?

Holland America’s family staterooms onboard Pinnacle Class ships and adjoining staterooms make it easy for larger families to travel together comfortably. Spacious verandas, flexible dining, and diverse excursions make it a strong choice for families cruising in groups of five or more.