Cruising in Alaska: The Ultimate Multi-Generational Family Vacation

If you’re planning a family vacation and looking for something that caters to travelers of all ages, a cruise to Alaska is the perfect solution. Not only will you have picturesque views and a one-of-a-kind experience, but Alaskan cruises also offer activities that cater to all age groups.

Here are my top 8 reasons why booking a cruise to Alaska for your multi-generational family is the ultimate vacation choice:

1. Activities for All Ages: With a cruise to Alaska, there’s never a dull moment. Your family can participate in activities like hiking, whale watching, kayaking, and sightseeing. You will have the opportunity to do more relaxed excursions like a boat or train ride, but also more intense activities like ziplining, kayaking, or canoeing. Alaska has activities that cater to a range of ages, so everyone can participate and create lasting memories regardless of age or mobility status.
2. Glacier Viewing: One of the highlights of an Alaskan cruise is viewing the beautiful glaciers. Whether you see them from the comfort of the ship, or take a smaller vessel to get closer glacier viewing is an awe-inspiring experience, with beautiful blue and turquoise ice formations. Families can see glaciers up close and even hear the ice creak and crackle as it breaks apart in the water. You can also take a helicopter to the top of a glacier and potentially include a sled dog ride as well.
3. Wildlife Encounters: The wildlife in Alaska is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in the world. Wildlife watching is a popular activity in Alaska and can be done both on land and at sea. From whales and seals to bears and eagles, there are endless opportunities to experience unique wildlife sightings that you may not get at home. If you’re lucky, you’ll travel during salmon season and be able to watch them migrating upstream! These opportunities are perfect for bringing together different generations of your family.
4. Individualized Activities: Worried about having just a bit too much family time? Cruising through Alaska allows every member of your family to do activities they want to do separately as well. Whether onboard where adults can relax and unwind while the kids engage in supervised activities, or during a port day where the grandparents go off on their own and ride a train into the Yukon, while the parents and kids stay closer to the ship and do a streetcar trolley tour. Everyone can come together at the end of the day to share stories about their experiences.
5. Family Bonding: In the evenings, families can bond over dinner and engage in fun activities like themed events, comedy shows, and musical performances. There’s nothing better than coming back to the ship to share and reminisce about all the new experiences you’ve encountered during the day at dinner with your family.
6. Global Warming: Alaska’s glaciers are rapidly melting due to global warming. As a result, the impacts of climate change can be seen first-hand on an Alaskan cruise vacation. This can be a great opportunity for families to educate each other on the importance of combating climate change and protecting our planet. It’s really impactful to show images of what the glaciers looked like when Grandma and Papa were the kid’s ages vs. the depth of the glacier that everyone is looking at right this instant.
7. Educational Opportunities: Most Alaskan cruise ships have naturalists on board to help educate passengers about the environment, animal behavior, and the history of Alaska. This is a great opportunity for families to learn more about the world around them and to increase their knowledge of biology, geography, and geology.
8. Cultural Immersion: Alaska is home to several indigenous communities, and cultural immersion excursions are a great way to experience and learn about the local history and customs. For example, tours to a traditional village and hands-on crafting sessions with an expert in traditional native arts offer a unique opportunity for families to learn about the history and culture of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people of Alaska. Learning about other cultures helps both children and adults appreciate all that they have at home.

An Alaskan cruise is the ultimate multi-generational family vacation, providing tons of fun activities and stunning wildlife sightings to wow travelers of all ages. We were able to sail to Alaska in the summer of 2022, and my children STILL talk about all they saw and did on that vacation.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Reach out to me to book your Alaskan cruise today! There are multiple cruise lines that sail to Alaska both out of the United States and Canada. Lets start the planning process so we can find the best cruise line for your family dynamic!