Alaska late August/September

[TeresaR]

Hi all. Finally getting to book an Alaskan Cruise in 2020 with my parents. Whille we love the itinerary DCL has for Alaska, my folks are concerend with the amount of kids that could potentially be on the cruise. They have no problem with kids going but don't want to be totally overwhelmed by them either given the fact that my parents will be in their late 70's. I told them I was thinking most kids would be in school or getting ready for school. Realistically though would be be looking at more than 25% kids or would it be higher than that?

 

[lorimay]

Hi all. Finally getting to book an Alaskan Cruise in 2020 with my parents. Whille we love the itinerary DCL has for Alaska, my folks are concerend with the amount of kids that could potentially be on the cruise. They have no problem with kids going but don't want to be totally overwhelmed by them either given the fact that my parents will be in their late 70's. I told them I was thinking most kids would be in school or getting ready for school. Realistically though would be be looking at more than 25% kids or would it be higher than that?

Well its a Disney Cruise, expect kids no matter the time of year.
When we sailed in September of 2013 to Alaska, there was a good amount of kids, not enough to be "overrun", but they're there.

Enjoy!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Young families try to request main (early) dinner so their kids aren't falling asleep in their food. If you request late dining, that's usually quieter. There are also adults only areas on the ship, so you can "escape" the noise if necessary. If you treat your parents to brunch or dinner in Palo, that's an adults only restaurant, but there's a fee for that.

Disney often offers shore excursions for families, and similar excursions on a different bus for adults.

As mentioned above, your chances of fewer kids on the cruise are pretty good the end of August and early September.

 

[ironz]

We did the first cruise out in May 2017-- not too many kids. Seems like the kids that were on the cruise were either young, homeschooled, or about to graduate. It definitely didn't feel overrun with kids.

 

[BruinEd03]

We had the last cruise of the season last year. The number of kids was drastically lower than a normal Bahamian or Caribbean cruise. Couple of things that worked towards that - 1.) It's Alaska - children are less interested in Alaska than warm weather and the beach (especially at a young age); 2.) It was at the end of the season, so a lot of kids started school in the middle of August; 3.) It's generally more expensive (even for plane travel there), so families are impacted more by the addition of a third or fourth fare; 4.) It's a long plane flight for most of the country and will most likely involve a plane change or two.

 

[TeresaR]

Thanks for the answers and input. I think I can sway my parents to do Disney as it really has the itinerary I prefer.

 

[cruiser21]

Hi all. Finally getting to book an Alaskan Cruise in 2020 with my parents. Whille we love the itinerary DCL has for Alaska, my folks are concerend with the amount of kids that could potentially be on the cruise. They have no problem with kids going but don't want to be totally overwhelmed by them either given the fact that my parents will be in their late 70's. I told them I was thinking most kids would be in school or getting ready for school. Realistically though would be be looking at more than 25% kids or would it be higher than that?

We sailed on the last cruise of the season last year. It was probably the fewest number of kids I've seen on a cruise. I would say 25% or less would be about correct. We always cruise off season. Never assume because school is in session that there won't be a lot of kids on a Disney ship.
I will say our three September cruises, Alaska, Hawaii and Southern Caribbean have had the least. I'm guessing September is not a good month to pull kids out of school? My kids are homeschooled so it's never been an issue.
One thing about Alaska is the pool won't be in use so that will eliminate seeing a lot of kids in one place. Most of the kids will be in the clubs out of sight. I would do late seating there will be less toddlers and babies.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I concur with all the above. On our last Alaska cruise, which began in late May, there were very few kids, but a lot of H.S. graduates celebrating (as seen by the door magnets). We only cruise in the off season, but families are on board no matter the time of year. I have also noticed international families are very prominent during the off season. Their school schedules must be much different than ours.

 

[Seamama]

Area schools are not out till mid/late June and start right before Labor Day (some start right after but not most). This means that May or the very end of Aug have a lot fewer kids.

A good rule of thumb is to look at the pricing. When the price jumps or drops a lot from one week to the next, that’s cause the Mouse knows when most families are likely to start/stop sailing!

Hi all. Finally getting to book an Alaskan Cruise in 2020 with my parents. Whille we love the itinerary DCL has for Alaska, my folks are concerend with the amount of kids that could potentially be on the cruise. They have no problem with kids going but don't want to be totally overwhelmed by them either given the fact that my parents will be in their late 70's. I told them I was thinking most kids would be in school or getting ready for school. Realistically though would be be looking at more than 25% kids or would it be higher than that?

 

[Seamama]

Yep, May is typically a testing time in area schools and Sept is when kids are just adjusting to being back in school so neither are good times to take kids out.

One thing I would add is that the pools are still open on Alaska cruises (and the water is awesomely warm!) though they are less used by all (because when you get out you’re freezing!).

We sailed on the last cruise of the season last year. It was probably the fewest number of kids I've seen on a cruise. I would say 25% or less would be about correct. We always cruise off season. Never assume because school is in session that there won't be a lot of kids on a Disney ship.
I will say our three September cruises, Alaska, Hawaii and Southern Caribbean have had the least. I'm guessing September is not a good month to pull kids out of school? My kids are homeschooled so it's never been an issue.
One thing about Alaska is the pool won't be in use so that will eliminate seeing a lot of kids in one place. Most of the kids will be in the clubs out of sight. I would do late seating there will be less toddlers and babies.

 

[cruiser21]

A lot of schools get out in May. There was actually a lot of teens on our TA cruise this May. I was surprised.

 

[cruiser21]

I concur with all the above. On our last Alaska cruise, which began in late May, there were very few kids, but a lot of H.S. graduates celebrating (as seen by the door magnets). We only cruise in the off season, but families are on board no matter the time of year. I have also noticed international families are very prominent during the off season. Their school schedules must be much different than ours.

Southern Hemisphere is opposite us. There Summer break is January and February. European schools have short Summers. Long Autumn breaks. Spring break late May.

 

[mcd2745]

We did Alaska Aug 28 - Sep 4 last year (we're from NYC - so, like most of the Northeast, school starts the Wednesday after Labor Day). I would say it was pretty much like most other Disney cruises with maybe only a slightly lower percentage of kids overall.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Southern Hemisphere is opposite us. There Summer break is January and February. European schools have short Summers. Long Autumn breaks. Spring break late May.

Thank you for the information. Didn't think about the opposite seasons of the southern hemisphere.