Cruise Talk: Alaska for kids on Princess?

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Topic: Alaska for kids on Princess?

islandview
Just Boarded
Member # 2544

posted 10-26-2001 10:10 AM

I'm a newcomer. We want to take grandma and the three young 'uns to Alaska in summer 2002. Please help me out: will Star Princess be sufficiently kid-friendly? Is there other cruise that's better? And, what's the best mini-suite value available -- any ship, any line? We want to be able to entertain in the room and on the balcony. We're leaning towards the new Star Princess, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Posts: 2 | From: Hong Kong | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-26-2001 10:58 AM

How old are the kids?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

islandview
Just Boarded
Member # 2544

posted 10-26-2001 11:23 AM

Good question! The children will be 10, 7 and 5 -- two boys and a girl. They're active but quite well-behaved (when sedated). No, really, they're quite good.

Posts: 2 | From: Hong Kong | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-26-2001 03:25 PM

I think the 10 year old might enjoy it, but don't know about the 7 and 5 year old. My grandchildren are 8 1/2 & 6/12 and I think I will wait a couple of years before taking them to Alaska. They might enjoy it, who knows with kids these days. Give mine their Game-Boys and they are quiet for a few hours!

The only problem I would have is taking them on excursions, especially if the weather was not nice. Try it, they may like it.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

jmfleser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1141

posted 10-30-2001 09:30 AM

My daughter has been cruising since she's been 5 months old, she now 8 and she loves it. Our last cruise was in April on Princess. They have a great kids program geared for all different ages.There is one cruise line, and I don't remember which one it is (one of the big 3 I believe), has special kids tours for Alaska so that's something you might want to check out. One other thing to consider. My daughter is a fish and if she couldn't spend 8 hrs. a day in the pool she wouldn't be happy. If your children are the same maybe you should look for a ship that has a retractable roof over the pools. I haven't been on an Alaska trip but from everything I've read, even in the summer it can be cool and rainy.

Both RCI and Carnival have excellent children's programs as well. All the new ships have excellent facilites for the kids. I wouldn't think about taking a cruise without taking my daughter. It's a great fanmily vacation..... go and enjoy!

Posts: 183 | From: Esperance, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Jenna
Just Boarded
Member # 2337

posted 10-31-2001 02:25 PM

We cruised Alaska on NCL when our children were 4 and 5. They had fun at the kids programs while we enjoyed the views. Good idea about the retractable pool thing. We had nice enough weather to swim outdoors, but only one day. Also, we did have to limit our excursions, but we didn't mind, just being there and experiencing the beauty was enough. We also would rather have our kids along even though they don't appreciate the true beauty of it at that age, but I'd bet when they are older, they will cherish the memories as we will due especially to pictures and videos. Also, because the amount of kids was not overwhelming they were treated very special by all the staff and crew. We did the NCL Wind at the end of August/99. We also plan to bring the kids again when they are about 10ish. We had a very big "owner's suite" approx. 580 sq. feet. It was more adequate. However, the "separate" bedroom was merely a curtain and the balcony was not a "private" one - it was accessible by all passengers right at the bow of the ship! We weren't impressed by that. So please be clear about your "separate" bedroom and "private" balcony. Good luck and have fun - you'll love it - and so will the kids, I can almost guarantee it.

Posts: 9 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

Stevesan
First Class Passenger
Member # 1494

posted 11-03-2001 03:13 PM

We were apprehensive about taking our 8 yr old grandson on HAL. I posted my concerns on a HAL forum and got surprisingly very positive replies. My wife and I like HAL, but our experience is that HAL's cruisers are, like us, mostly the geriatric set. The responses, however, indicated that there are usually a sufficent number of kids to provide company. If, of course, school is out. I know that HAL has a kid's club for 5 and up. They also offer a few shore excursions for kids only, in two groupings, for teens and younger set. Their ships have magrodome covers over the pool areas. Also, the mini-suite (verandah cabin) balconies are more private than most. You must extend yourself to intrude on adjacent balconies, and the overhead is covered.
Both HAL and Princess pioneered large ship cruising in Alaska. I'm sure Princess will offer a quality experience, and possibly more kid oriented than HAL. We're going with HAL.

Posts: 46 | From: Houston, TX | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

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