Aqua Park Water Slides
There are two waterslides in the Aqua Park, which also includes a tipping dump bucket and water cannons on a splash pad. Ocean Loops has a clear section and it dips out over the side of the ship. You need to be at least 99 pounds to ride so it isnt an option for small kids and tweens.
The Aqua Racer is a closed tube slide with single- or double-tubes. This is a dark tube slide with lights in the tube, but still maybe not great if your kids are scared of the dark.
Norwegian Sun Provides A Unique Alaska Cruise Opportunity
Norwegian Sun has 25 different Alaska cruise itineraries planned for 2020, ranging from seven to 15 days. These cruises offer an extraordinary opportunity to take in Alaskas coastline, witness a wide variety of glaciers and provide ports of call where you can add shore excursions to explore a taste of Alaskas amazing wilderness, teeming with wildlife and natural wonders.
Common ports of call and destinations on Norwegian Alaska itineraries include , Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Sitka, as well as Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Sitka is a port that is only available on Norwegian Suns Alaska itineraries. This island community offers wildlife sighting opportunities, such as brown bears, deer, sea otters, whales, and various birds. Take in the panoramic seaside views, with mountain backdrops, or enjoy fishing or visiting the historic sights in town.
These Alaska cruise itineraries will also give you plenty of opportunities to witness Alaskas mighty glaciers, from locations such as Glacier Bay National Park, Tracy Arm Fjord, and the Juneau Icefields. You can even take a tour out to see the Mendenhall Glacier, which is located only 12 miles outside of town. If you are an angler, Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of the world, and you wont want to miss an opportunity to cast a line here. The city is located at the tip of the inside passage and is known as Alaskas first city as a result.
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Club Hal: Kids Just Want To Have Fun
Our kids favourite part of any cruise is the kids club and yes, Holland America has one. Since school had started again and it was the last cruise of the season, our boat only had 5 children. However the cruise following ours from Vancouver to Seattle was booked with over 200 kids. A few of the Alaska cruises during the summer vacation period had up to 800 junior members.
The kids club ran on a pre-planned schedule, which was provided to us each evening prior. The staff mentioned when we first met that it was going to be harder to run a few of the games and activities because of the lack of children. Mia and Caius found themselves in Club HAL alone most of the time, which they loved anyway. They were given lots of attention, were able to dictate some of the more fun crafts, and of course did not have to share the computer games.
Our kids enjoyed all the activities and Club HAL staff were always friendly and looked like they enjoyed being there too. Facilities were pretty good and well maintained.
There were only two real snags we found with Club HAL.
The first there was no food or drinks allowed in the Club, and that extended to water. Our kids complained regularly about being thirsty in the kids club and were told there was no water. We ended up sending water bottles to the club with the kids because of dehydration concerns. Most cruise ships disallow refilling water bottles from water dispensers due to overzealous hygiene concerns.
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Isnt Cruising For An Older Crowd
This ship in particular really appeals to familiesit had a strong multigenerational aspect with many grandparents, parents, and kids traveling together. During sea days, many families we spoke to broke into smaller groups and then joined up again at dinner. For traditional diningwhere passengers were assigned a table and had the same one at the same time for the duration of their cruisethe pre-set times were 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., which lent itself to the family atmosphere. The anytime dining was good for those families who wanted flexibility.
Some parents worry that their kids wont like the idea of cruising. CLIA notes that not only are cruises the preferred vacation choice for many families, but that kids are more involved in the decision-making process for cruises versus land-based trips.
Lastly, some picture cruises being stuffy, with everyone dressing formally each night for dinner. Thats not the case with Princess Cruises . The dress range was wide, and most people were on the more casual side. Even for formal night, many kids wore a polo shirt and khakis, but there were also kids in shorts and a stain-free top. When it comes to clothing choice, anything goes, which is a good thing when traveling with kids.
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Menu For The Main Dining Restaurant
The menu for the main dining restaurant rotates every day. However, there are a few items that remain consistent see the timeless entrees on the sample menu above.
The menu has gluten free, vegetarian, no sugar added, and lactose free options.
Dining on the cruise ship is all inclusive, except for alcoholic beverages.
This means you can order whatever you want off the menu. Typically you would order one appetizer, entree and desert.
However, if youre having a hard time deciding, you can order multiple items. We typically ordered 2 or 3 appetizers each at dinner. And, if youre feeling bold, you can also order multiple entrees.
Scroll down to see photos of the food served in the main dining room. As youll see, the restaurant has a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from grilled salmon to prime rib to lobster, and everything in between.
We were impressed with the food in the main restaurant. Its not easy serving hundreds of people at the same the time, yet the food was consistently good.
Guests can also visit the main dining restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
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This Webcam Is Near The Very Fun Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
The increase in foreign tourists is slowing transforming the city and its facilities, but if you’re looking for a taste of real. Taking a short cruise from galveston or new orleans? Tweens can kick it at edgewhere videogames, music and movies are available all day.
cruise whitsundays ferry to daydream island. Something you do not get to do on a huge impersonal cruise ship! There are many more fascinating things to see and do in the western caribbean. To arrange car parking at the airport. Can You Swim On Alaskan Cruise.
Indulge In The Casual Dining Options
If you dont feel like getting dressed up for the main dining room after a long day of exploring your Alaskan ports of call, dont worry. Princess Cruises offers some great casual dining options.
Of course, there is always the World Fresh Marketplace, the cruise lines buffet, where the staff are ready to serve up your selections. However, if you are like us and tend to avoid buffets, there are still plenty of other options. Personally, we loved Alfredos Pizzeria and the International Cafe.
Alfredos Pizzeria is a sit-down restaurant that is open well into the evening with delicious personal-sized pizzas on the menu. The International Café is a quick-service spot offering small sandwiches and snacks 24 hours a day.
Majestic Princess also features the Chopsticks Noodle Bar and Burger & Lobster Grill on the pool deck that were open until 10 pm weather dependent. If you are sailing on another Princess ship in Alaska, there will be similar casual venues on the pool deck to enjoy.
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Do People Swim On An Alaskan Cruise
I like marshmallows. And adult beverages.
- Joined
_auroraborealis_ said:It really depends on the weather. The pools are all outside, and early June can be chilly. There is also often rain on that itinerary. The pools are heated, but are also the standard very small DCL pools, so when the weather is good for swimming, they are people soup.I’d pack suits, but they may or may not use them.
I like marshmallows. And adult beverages.
- Joined
Things You Need To Know About Taking A Cruise In Alaska
Ill admit right off the bat: during my recent cruise/land tour of Alaska, I failed to see any whales, bears, or Sarah Palin . Still, my trip to Americas biggest state was a bucket list-level vacation. And summer is a great time to take an Alaska cruise: the weathers mild, the wildlife is out and about, and several cruise lines offer a variety of Alaska itineraries.
A summer cruise through Alaska could be one of the more scenically pleasing voyages you can take.
My Alaska trip consisted of a three-day Princess Cruises land tour followed by a seven-day cruise aboard the Star Princess. In that 10-day introduction to Americas 49th state, I learned a variety of lessons, some the hard way, that you might be helpful on your first Alaska journey. So if youre planning a summer cruise in the state once called Sewards Folly, here are some tips to maximize your time at sea and on land:1.) On the day you leave for Alaska, its perfectly acceptable to wake your sleeping travel partner by blasting the theme to Northern Exposure.
I checked and the courts dont consider it legal grounds for divorce.
2.) It can got real hot and a little chilly!
But youll also need to be prepared for cool weather, especially if you decide to tour glaciers. So also pack jackets, long-sleeved tees, or maybe even a sweatshirt. Remember: layers are your friends.3.) On an Alaska cruise, a balcony stateroom is a worthwhile upgrade.
Speaking of wildlife
5.) Bears and moose are all the rage.
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Enjoy A Fountain Show
A signature attraction on Princess Royal-Class ships is the Watercolor Fountain Fantasy show. Watch as the Alaskan sky lights up with an illuminating water show set to music. Be awed by the choreographed and brightly colored water fountains dancing up to 33 feet in the air.
During our sailing on Majestic Princess, there were various themed shows set to music of Michael Jackson, James Bond, Frank Sinatra, and more. These shows typically occurred at 9:45 pm each evening, with a second show at 6:45 pm on some evenings.
Can You Swim With Whales In Alaska
Yes, you can swim with whales in Alaska by taking a private tour with professional instructors in the open sea and diving into the water with all the equipment you need, including a 7mm wetsuit, swimming goggles, snorkel, and fins.
During this private tour, you can find different types of whales, including killer whales which are more common in Alaska, and humpback whales which are the biggest ocean mammal in the entire world.
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The Specialty Restaurants On The Celebrity Eclipse:
- Le Petit Chef At Qsine experience the fusion of entertainment and French cuisine.
- Sushi on Five modern luxury take on traditional Japanese fare.
- Tuscan Gille Italian ristorante and enoteca with a contemporary twist.
- Murano Classic French dishes with a contemporary twist.
- Blu inventive cuisine with an extensive list of sustainable and biodynamic wines.
We received one complimentary specialty dining experience.
Im not sure if this is the standard, though. We were offered this specialty dining experience for the last night on the ship.
We may have been offered this specialty dinner because our parents were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary . Or, it may have been because the specialty restaurants had available seating that was unsold and they wanted to fill the room.
Im not sure why, but it was a nice gesture and we enjoyed the experience. It was a fun change of pace from the main dining restaurant.
Note we did not work with Celebrity Cruises, so this complimentary specialty dinner had nothing to do with our travel blog .
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What Ports Does A Round
On round-trip cruises from Seattle to Alaska, youll spend seven days visiting ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway and sailing through the stunning Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier and the Inside Passage in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle.
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Wildlife Welcome New Offspring
May signals the beginning of spring in the north. The bears are immerging from hibernation, and wildlife is welcoming new offspring. Its also the migration season, with herring, humpbacks whales, and birds moving to Alaska for the warmer months.
One reason to cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord in May is guests could witness the miracle of life as harbor seals give birth on giant icebergs. Harbor seals give birth on giant icebergs at the terminus of South Sawyer Glacier. With new life come the bald eagles who swoop down to feed on the afterbirth.
Near the mouth of the fords, the hungry orcas wait in anticipation of an easy meal. Its a brutal beginning for a newborn harbor seal in the north.
The salmon run begins during the last weeks, although not the heavy runs like those later in the summer months. In late May, the chances of seeing moms with their young increase as they forage for food.
Alaska whale watching tours are popular, and they never disappoint. The stronger humpback males arrive in Alaskan waters from Hawaii and Mexico in the early weeks. The females with their young follow later.
Guests should bring a pair of binoculars as they can see whales from their stateroom balconies. Should you take a whale watching excursion, sea lions and bald eagles are often sighted too.
If you want to see bald eagles, I highly recommend the Bering Sea Crab Fishermens Tour. Rated as Ketchikans number one shore excursion, Youll see a frenzy of eagle feasting on herring.
Fortune Casino On The Celebrity Eclipse
Like most mega-cruise ships, the Celerity Eclipse has a full casino on-board. Fortunes Casino has all of the standard games and tables one would expect, including craps, roulette, blackjack, poker and a lot of loud, bright slot machines.
Were not big gamblers but we did play some roulette one evening. It only took us about 20 minutes to burn through our $50 budget. The house always wins when we play!
Fortunes Casino hours of operation will vary. Generally, casinos open when the cruise ship enters international waters. The casino closes when the cruise ship is in port.
For Alaska cruises, the age limit to play in the casino is 21+ years old. Kids are not allowed in the casino but its fine to walk through the casino. You are not allowed to play games with kids sitting beside you.
Read the Celebrity Cruises Casino FAQs page here.
There are lots of slot machines at Fortunes Casino on the Celebrity Eclipse.
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Swimming On Alaska Cruise Ship
Will be my first time on a AlaskaCruise this July. We are sailing on Norwegian. Will we be able to use the swimming pools on board or will it be too cold to do so?
Thanks!
Lots of folks use the indoor ones, and of course the hot tubs. The outdoor pools don’t get much use except by kids.
I was on the NCL Star last week. Pools/hot tubs were open and used. The hot tubs were used daily by both adults and kids.
Which ship are you on. The Star was wonderful!!!
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Which Is Better Inside Passage Or Glacier Bay
Inside PassageGlacier BayInside PassageThe 10 Best Alaska Shore Excursions of 2018
- Backcountry Zodiac Expedition.
- Private Emerald Lake & Hiking Tour.
- Mendenhall Glacier Trek.
- Misty Fjords Cruise and Flightseeing.
- Glacier Point Wilderness Safari.
- Taste of Nature Kayak & Gourmet Food Adventure.
- Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour.
- Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Tour.
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Attend A North To Alaska Presentation
Princess Cruises offers many Alaska-themed activities as part of its award-winning North to Alaska programming. With enrichment opportunities on Alaskan culture, food, history, landscape, and wildlife, you must attend these North to Alaska presentations.
Led by local naturalists and other experts, these talks are informative and engaging providing guests with greater insight into the Alaskan Frontier and the ships ports of call. We even had Glacier Bay National Park rangers board our ship during our day of scenic cruising. The narrative from the rangers made this day even more memorable.
Watch Our Exclusive Princess Cruises Alaska Cruise Review Video!
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS: Book Now and Save on Your Next Alaska Cruise!