Cruise West Family Friendly

Cruise West offers multi-generational groups and families the opportunity to connect while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural wonderland of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

“One comment we feel that needs to be made is in respect of children — our two boys, ages 11 and 13 have been on two Cruise West Alaska cruises with us, and they have had the most amazing experience each time,” said Joanna Finn and Murray Tonks, guests of a Glacier Bay Highlights cruise in 2007. “There does not need to be any special attraction for children onboard as the wildlife and scenery, the company of like-minded adults, and the attention of the fantastic crew and Exploration Leaders are all that is needed. So if anybody asks, would this interest my child, yes is most definitely the answer.”

Glacier Bay is a living classroom with massive tidewater glaciers, lush forests and a large concentration of whales, bears, seals, sea otters, mountain goats and wolves — an ideal environment for a family to share spectacular, memory-building moments. Cruise West’s three- and four-night Glacier Bay Highlights cruises are onboard the newly named and new to Alaskan waters, 102-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay, offering up-close and personal encounters that large ships just can’t offer.

Each day, presentations or casual conversation with the onboard Explorations Leaders, National Park Service Ranger and local Tlingit Cultural Interpreter lead to understandings and perspectives on the history, geology and wildlife of this Glacier Region. There are no formal kids’ programs, but special onboard family activities may take place on an ad hoc basis including a photo wildlife scavenger hunt and movie and burger night.

Both the three- and four-night cruises spend two days in Glacier Bay and the four-night makes a port call at the historic town of Haines. Cruising roundtrip Juneau from May to September, special pricing for children ages two to 18 is available in multiple categories of travel, from one adult and one child sharing a cabin to two children ages 13 to 18 sharing a double cabin.