Help me convince DH!!

[Lisa616]

I am trying to talk hubbie into an Alaskan cruise this summer with our 3 children..ages 6,8,and 10. He thinks they are too young to appreciate Alaska and would be bored without having beaches and such. I, on the otherhand think it would be a great educational experience for them and a awesome chance to do something 'different'. What do you all think? Is hubbie right and we should wait until they are older..or do a Caribbean itinerary instead?? And, secondly..if I get him to go along with the trip, do you think HAL would be the best choice with the kids, or should we pick another cruiseline with more activities? Thanks so much for any input!! Oh, and if anyone has any great sales lines I should say to hubbie..chime in there too!!! I need all the help I can get!

[Pudgesmom]

I think the 10 year old might enjoy it, but it might be a little too much for the younger. I guess it depends on the kids. Alaska is very port intensive, and many of the shore excursions last 4-5 hours. Do you kids enjoy looking for wildlife, seeing majestic scenery, learning about native cultures,etc.?

Also, the overnight flight home from Anchorage was a challenge, even for the adults.

Our children were 12 and 13 when we took them on the Statendam. I don't think they would have enjoyed it much younger.

I would wait until they're older.
JMO
Beth

[sail7seas]

Something to think about.....


If you wish to take a summer cruise in the Caribbean on an HAL ship, you best do it this summer as HAL will not be positioning any ships at all in the Caribbean for spring/summer 2006.

Alaska holds absolutely no attraction for me despite reading everyone's glowing reports. Just my own lack of enthusiasm for that location. I look for sun and fun of the Med or the Caribbean or for fabulously sophisticated, metropolitan cities of Europe when we cruise. We've also enjoyed Canada/New England cruise and look forward to another b-to-b in June. Just not Alaska.....for me.

[bepsf]

I think that Alaska is a perfect educational itinerary for children your age - seeing that the Earth is not all one big suburb in itself can be quite an eye-opener. Looking forward to seeing bears, eagles and whales can be made very exciting for the kiddos - then the lumberjack shows, glaciers, the Gold-rush and Russian history...

However, I don't think that the Caribbean is quite such an educational experience. Although kids do love beaches and seeing fish, the shopping experience on many islands frame themselves as an alternative to the mall back home...



How to talk him into a cruise?

Its similar to getting him to buy you a new car - you tie your hair back in a ribbon, put on a slinky negligee, a spritz of cologne and a bit of lipstick and get into bed w/ your HAL Cruise Brochure to read in bed before he comes to bed w/ you...
;)

[Lisa616]

I think that Alaska is a perfect educational itinerary for children your age - seeing that the Earth is not all one big suburb in itself can be quite an eye-opener. Looking forward to seeing bears, eagles and whales can be made very exciting for the kiddos - then the lumberjack shows, glaciers, the Gold-rush and Russian history...

However, I don't think that the Caribbean is quite such an educational experience. Although kids do love beaches and seeing fish, the shopping experience on many islands frame themselves as an alternative to the mall back home...



How to talk him into a cruise?

Its similar to getting him to buy you a new car - you tie your hair back in a ribbon, put on a slinky negligee, a spritz of cologne and a bit of lipstick and get into bed w/ your HAL Cruise Brochure to read in bed before he comes to bed w/ you...
;)

Now that's fabulous! Just the kind of ideas of I was looking for!! LOL!

[jhannah]

I agree that your 10-year-old may do fine, but the others might have a greater challenge finding the shore excursions "fun" (or educational, for that matter.) I love Alaska, and we plan to go back next year. But youngsters won't find much there to amuse them. The ship itself should be fine. Club HAL will have ample activities for them. As noted, it all depends on your kids and what would appeal to them.

[Time2sail]

Post this question on the Alaska CC board and see what people say that have taken their children on a cruise to Alaska. Then, show your husband the comments--I believe they will be very positive and help convince him.

I personally think there would be so much for you to see as a family no matter what their ages. Good plans would make a wonderful trip; those people over there could give you great ideas.:)

[carolcp]

We took our daughter to Alaska when she was 2,3 and 9. When she was 9 she was joined by her 5 year old sister. We hiked, shopped, walked looked at the wildlife, played in the city parks. The hiking boots for a 2 year old were so cute! Yes she fell asleep everynight at dinner time, so hubby had to eat her dinner - poor hubby.

We visited glaciers, took helicopters rides, visited the salmon farm where she adopted her own frey and got post cards for a year telling us of his progress. We rode the horse drawn carriage in Ketchican. We hiked in a rain forest in Sitka and got entertained with a banana slug. Amazing how long a 2 year old can sit and watch one of those. We stood at the marina and watched the fishermen bring in their catch.

She also enjoyed all the club Hal activies on board. We were on the old Rotterdam and had fun in the indoor pool which we had all to ourselves.

This summer, the girls will be 17 and 13 and we will be taking another HAL cruise, this time to Ireland and Iceland. 4 years ago we did Norway with them for two weeks on the new Rotterdam.

Only you know your kids and how flexiable they are to changes in surroundings and people. How their interests vary and what they like. We are lucky to have two girls that go with the flow and will try lots of new experiences.

Carol Price

[dakrewser]

I find Alaska to be infinitely more interesting than the Caribbean.

CON: There's no beach

PRO: There's eagles, whales, bears, helicopters, float planes, glaciers, sunsets at midnight (or later), white water rafting, totem poles, otters, ski mobiles, dog sleds and so much more!


You can't do this
http://vquill.com/gallery/Image/Tskimobile.jpg

in the Caribbean!

[JLT]

I agree with Carol. I wouldn't hesitate to take my 4 & 8 year old grandchildren to Alaska. They would love it. Go to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, hike through the woods to the Raptor Center in Sitka, take the train ride in Skagway, see the totems in Ketchikan. Honestly, I'm ready to go again.

[carolcp]

Jean, did you hike between Sheldon Jackson College and the raptor center? The temperate rain forest is just beautiful in there. We had walked up the highway to the raptor center one year and while walking back down the hill we spotted a NARROW trail off the sidewalk and we said what the heck and followed it. WOW. The next two times we went to Sitka we found the path again.


Also the kids enjoyed the sky ride up the mountain in Juneu I believe. Okay we even panned for gold in one of the ports. Then we went to the gift shops and bought a bottle with gold flakes in it for $5.00

Don't forget there is also fishing at the various ports, wouldn't it be a great story saying that they caught a 200 pound halibut!!! I think that in Sitka you can also rent bikes nearby.

Alaska - kids - the great outdoors - all made for each other. Just watch out for the ice cream bar on the ship, that is a hard place to pull the kids away from. If the kids don't want to spend all the time eating in the dining room, take them to the Lido for dinner and then back to the cabin to watch movies.

The last time we were in Alaska, there was a storm that was almost hurricane strength. My little one (age 5) and I had a blast bouncing from wall to wall in the hallways and trying to walk up the stairs. Finally made it to the crows nest for a great birds eye view. She loved watching the front of the ship being swallowed by the waves and then rising up over the horizon. She still loves roller coaster.

Carol

[stanford's girl]

Something to think about.....


If you wish to take a summer cruise in the Caribbean on an HAL ship, you best do it this summer as HAL will not be positioning any ships at all in the Caribbean for spring/summer 2006.

Alaska holds absolutely no attraction for me despite reading everyone's glowing reports. Just my own lack of enthusiasm for that location. I look for sun and fun of the Med or the Caribbean or for fabulously sophisticated, metropolitan cities of Europe when we cruise. We've also enjoyed Canada/New England cruise and look forward to another b-to-b in June. Just not Alaska.....for me.
How did you find out about no ships for the spring/summer? We were thinking about one.:( I guess I should start looking at different cruise lines.

[jhannah]

How did you find out about no ships for the spring/summer? The HAL 2006 Cruise Planner has the schedules. Have your TA get one for you.

[stanford's girl]

Thanks Jim. I'll make the call tomorrow.:)

[Rosarymb]

I've never been to Alaska, but...

When I was 9 and my sister was 4, we did the grand tour -- of northern Michigan, that is. I still remember being fascinated by the Sieu(sp?) St. Marie locks, the "squeeze" instead of "merge" signs in Canada, etc. But most of all, I remember 2 weeks with my mom and dad, where we were together as a family -- my mom finally stopped worrying about the office after 3 or 4 days, and I was able to relax because nobody was going to be shooting at my dad (1st Cav, US Army) for 2 whole weeks. It's one of the best memories of my childhood.

[Lisa616]

Thanks to everyone who replied! Yes, I do believe my kids would love this kind of trip..We took them to Telluride last Oct. for a week of hiking, riding, and really just hanging out enjoying the beautiful scenery and they loved it! My six year old did a 6 mile hike with up a mountain and loved it! I'll talk to hubbie tonight. If I may ask one question..let's say he says 'yes'! Do you think HAL would be the best choice, or would we better off with Princess or Carnival for their childrens programs?

[bepsf]

I've never been to Alaska, but...

When I was 9 and my sister was 4, we did the grand tour -- of northern Michigan, that is. I still remember being fascinated by the Sieu(sp?) St. Marie locks, the "squeeze" instead of "merge" signs in Canada, etc. But most of all, I remember 2 weeks with my mom and dad, where we were together as a family -- my mom finally stopped worrying about the office after 3 or 4 days, and I was able to relax because nobody was going to be shooting at my dad (1st Cav, US Army) for 2 whole weeks. It's one of the best memories of my childhood.

Rosarymb--

Thants a sweet story - When were you up at the Soo?
(Sault Ste Marie)
My Dad was stationed nearby at the old Kincheloe AFB from 71-77 - those were some coooold winters! One of our favorite things to do as a family was to go to the drive-in burger place near the locks and watch the ships go up and down (and the seagulls perch on the hood of the car!)

Amazingly, on my first cruise, I met a fellow who lives there now. Lots has changed - I hear that they even have a McDonald's on the American side now!

[Rosarymb]

Bepsf--

The trip we had was in 1972. Dad's family is from Michigan, and we were stationed at Ft. Benning, Ft. Bragg, etc. I remember watching the ships going thru the locks, and just being stunned that anything that big could use an "elevator." :)

It's a good memory...