Alaska, Norway, or Caribbean cruise with young kids

[Beckyb3]

We just got back from our first Disney cruise and I booked a placeholder for next year. I am debating which cruise to take. I would love to try Alaska but I am worried our kids may be too young for the excursions. They would be 7 and 4 by the time we cruise. Is that too young for Alaska or Norway? If not, which would you recommend. We loved our Caribbean cruise too but the downside of that one to me is that most of the dates we are looking at seem to be Star Wars or Marvel days at sea and while we thought the Star Wars day at sea was really cool to see, ultimately it isn't really our thing so the whole day at sea being that is too much.

 

[MUN]

IMHO, I would do another Caribbean cruise at that age. I would wait a few years for Europe and Alaska.

MUN

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We have done both the Caribbean and Alaska with DCL. Both the Caribbean cruises were when my niece and nephew were about your kids' ages, and they (and we) enjoyed it immensely. We did the Alaska cruise when they were older, but I would think that kids would enjoy the excursions (at least the ones we did). Skagway - we took a train, went on a land dog sled ride, saw lots and lots of puppies, bears, animals, etc. Juneau - whale watching with Harv and Marv - this company may not work for you because of the age of your children. Harv and Marv have an age restriction, but we had a private excursion with just our extended family - 10 of us, so it worked. Ketchikan we went a float plane to the Misty Fjords. Most kids like trains, animals, boats, and planes, so that is why I think Alaska could work for your family. If you have time in Vancouver before the cruise, there are tons of sites to see too.

 

[apathetic]

I would say Caribbean for that age. Younger kids don't always appreciate Alaska and Norway. But they do appreciate a nice, warm day on the beach. Honestly you can't go wrong with any of the 3, they will probably love the cruise anyway. But off the ship, Caribbean is probably a sure thing at those ages.

 

[Marc D]

Our son did Alaska when he was 3 and Norway having just turned 6. He enjoyed both, of course in different ways. He was still napping in Alaska, so we had to plan accordingly. He loved panning for gold and visiting the salmon farm in Juno. In Norway, he enjoyed every excursion, from castles to to fjords to farms. BUT he is not a beach-going kind of kid. When on a Caribbean cruise, he doesn't want to go to the beach except at CC. He prefers to stay on the ship and play. Every kid is different...

 

[lklgoodman]

My dd did her first Disney cruise at 6 yrs old. It was an Alaska cruise. She spent less than a minute looking at the glaciers at Tracey's Arm and then she wanted to go to the kid's club. Seeing wild bears and eagles was no different for her than seeing them at our local zoo. She would have been perfectly happy staying on the ship in Alaska. She would have loved going zip-lining or river rafting in Alaska, but she was too young. She's now 8 and has gone on a Caribbean cruise and enjoyed going to the beaches. Alaska dd enjoyed the ship, Caribbean she enjoyed the ship and port of calls. Also we went on a SW cruise this past Jan. My dd and I don't like SW and found it easy to avoid the SW activities, there's still lots of other things to do for that one day.

 

[Dug720]

My dd did her first Disney cruise at 6 yrs old. It was an Alaska cruise. She spent less than a minute looking at the glaciers at Tracey's Arm and then she wanted to go to the kid's club. Seeing wild bears and eagles was no different for her than seeing them at our local zoo. She would have been perfectly happy staying on the ship in Alaska. She would have loved going zip-lining or river rafting in Alaska, but she was too young. She's now 8 and has gone on a Caribbean cruise and enjoyed going to the beaches. Alaska dd enjoyed the ship, Caribbean she enjoyed the ship and port of calls. Also we went on a SW cruise this past Jan. My dd and I don't like SW and found it easy to avoid the SW activities, there's still lots of other things to do for that one day.

FWIW, I've seen more than a few adults bored by the glaciers also. Not everyone is into nature.

 

[lklgoodman]

FWIW, I've seen more than a few adults bored by the glaciers also. Not everyone is into nature.

True, when I told her to come look at them she replied that she could see them anytime. Umm, not in Ohio where we live. I guess coloring a pic of Mickey is so much more appealing to a 6 yr old, yet she'll see a plain old rock on the ground and is fascinated by it.

 

[saxmangeoff]

FWIW, I've seen more than a few adults bored by the glaciers also. Not everyone is into nature.

(I know this is the case, but I sure don't get it.)

 

[Dug720]

(I know this is the case, but I sure don't get it.)

I wasn't exactly bored...it was pretty and all. But after an hour of looking at it I have to admit I was kinda over it. And no, I am not a "must be entertained at all times" person. It just seemed like overkill to be there for hours.

 

[sabrecmc]

I've done all three options with my daughter, who was...let's see 4-10 on the Caribbean cruises, 5 on the Alaska cruise and 9 on Norway. We had a blast on all of them. I think she would have been delighted to stay in the club the whole cruise, but we did get out and do things!

Going to the Caribbean is probably the easiest for that age and they will have fun. We have gotten to swim with dolphins, snorkel in caves, hold sea turtles, play on the beach, climb through caves, parasail and ride in a "pirate ship." But, it is your vacation, too, and they will have fun on the other options. I wanted to see Alaska and Norway, so what better way than with DCL? In Alaska, we did a dog sled ride, rode the White Pass Train, panned for gold, painted part of a totem pole, saw a lumberjack show and went whale-watching. In Norway, we had a snowball fight on top of a mountain, went on a jet boat through a fjord, drank from a waterfall, tried to spot trolls in their caves, had a day of fun with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and even Sven playing traditional games and ate pancakes with berries on a mountain farm. There will always be something fun to do with Disney, so it is really up to you and what you would enjoy (and what your budget will allow). The kids will enjoy themselves no matter what.

 

[cadien]

FWIW, I've seen more than a few adults bored by the glaciers also. Not everyone is into nature.

That would be me. I spent the first 23 years of my life in Alaska. I know it's pretty but...

 

[amberwc]

Last year our kids were 7 & 5 in Alaska. It was fine, we expected them to get bored at the glacier, so we took them to the kids club. We didn't plan any crazy long excursions, but had fun with what we did. If Alaska (or Norway) will be a one & done, then wait. But if you see yourself wanted to do a scouting trip for a later trip, then do it.
Me, I don't take kindly to the sun and seeing lots of beaches holds little interest. I love to see the mountains and all they hold. DH & I just sat on the balcony for hours and loved it!