pre cruise options for kids

I am traveling to Alaska next August to take the Princess cruise from Whittier to Vancouver. I am travelling with my parents, husband, and three kids (7, 10, 12). My parents are planning to do a princess landtour first. Flying into Fairbanks, doing the 4 hour paddleboat tour there and taking the rail to Denali. Next day, 6 hour tundra wilderness bus tour. Next day, 9 hour rail to Whittier. I am worried that my kids will go crazy sitting on the airplane, then the boat and rail, then the bus, then the rail again. Will I do better to fly into Anchorage and spend a day or two there before the cruise? I%26#39;d like to see Denali, but I%26#39;m thinking any glaciers and wildlife will be new and different for us. Thanks.

pre cruise options for kids

Hi, you are probably right about the kids getting a bit stir crazy. Maybe you could fly into Anchorage, rent a car and drive up to Denali to meet your parents and then drive back to Anchorage and catch the train to Whittier (I think it stops here on the route but check with Princess - they surely have some sort of transport from Anchorage). It%26#39;s about a 5 hour drive to Denali without stops but you could stop along the way for the kids to stretch and see some unusual stuff. Equally, you could just spend a coupld of days here in Anchorage - there%26#39;s plenty to keep the kids entertained here and still do things ';Alaskan.'; If you happen to get good weather, you can see Denali from right here in town! In fact, it is easier to see the mountain from Talkeetna or Anchorage than in the park. You might consider taking a flightseeing tour that would take you up and around Denali. Now that would likely keep the kids entertained! You can do those from the airport right downtown! Hope this gives you some ideas to start with - holler once you make your decision and we%26#39;ll try to give you more ideas if you decide to skip the land tour. Have fun planning!

pre cruise options for kids

I think you are spot on to be concerned about your kids going crazy about all of the sitting. These kinds of activities can be appreciated more by adults. You probably want to provide something more for them to do on the train to Whittier. Looking at nature for 9 hours straight will get ';boring'; for kids.

Since you are already doing the cruise, they will have the opportunity to see the mountains, glaciers and wildlife. There is nothing as spectacular as Denali, but you can see it from Talkeetna or Anchorage.

There are many active ';activities'; in and around Fairbanks and Anchorage if you think that will suit them better. If so, let us know, and we%26#39;ll provide some details.

Hi there Swim Mom - well, the good thing is that you have plenty of time of organize and plan. Now, if you were to join the parents, the Riverboat discovery is fun for kids . . . many school groups do this as a field trip in our area. There is also the museum at the University as well as Pioneer Park.

Denali (IMHO) shouldn%26#39;t be missed - you could do a shorter bus ride - all the animal sightings are very exciting, as well as doing the Doggie Demo - kids love those. There is also the Jr. Ranger program, rafting, hiking,etc.

In Anchorage, if they are really bored, you could take them to H2Oasis for the day - it%26#39;s not huge, but a fun water park . . . .and of course, Anchorage has the malls and such for shopping, movie theaters, etc.

Hope this helps some - though I love the train, I think a short trip would be best for kids, and you would be better off renting a car and doing some of the above posted activities to keep the kids busy and happy. Good luck! :)

Thank you for your help. I guess I was trying to figure out what air faire we%26#39;ll need if we dont do the Princess cruisetour with my parents. It sounds like we should fly into Anchorage and leave ourselves one or two days before the cruise to either see Denali or do other Alaskan adventures.

I am not sure how much time I need before the cruise, because it seems there is an endless list of things we could do.

Thanks again.