Question: Family considering Alaska on Regent

[houstonb123]

My family is considering a 1 week cruise in Alaska next summer on Regent. We will have 1 grandmother (60's), 2 married couples (about 30 yrs of age), a 6 year old boy, a 4 year old boy, a 1 year old, and a 6 month old.

Have concerns about this cruise being family friendly. Also, what will have to be the sleeping arrangements, it does not look like they have any 2 bedroom suite.

I have only cruised on NCL and RCL. Any thoughts/insights would be helpful.

[Travelcat2]

Regent does have some good specials in Alaska during the summer. The ship they will be using in Alaska next summer does not have two bedroom suites. So, you would probably have to have three suites for your family. I'll let someone else chime in on how the sleeping arrangements might be.

There are children program's on all Regent ships during the summer, however, the child must be 5 years of age to participate. Regent is very children/family friendly on these special cruises. My concern about the Navigator in Alaska next summer is that this is really a small ship -- very limited public space. Last summer there were 100-200 children per week on the Alaska itineraries -- not quite sure how this would work on the Navigator.

[RachelG]

I don't know how old kids have to be to be allowed to cruise on Regent, but they aren't really set up at all for babies. I'm sure they do have a minimum age. I have never seen kids under about the age of 5. Don't even know if they have highchairs, etc. I haven't seen any in 7 cruises on Regent. I think you would be better to select a different cruise line at this time. Save Regent for when the kids are older.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I've seen a few infants on the ships, but they belonged to the crew mostly. I'm sure they have highchairs tucked away somewhere.

You'd probably have to get two suites, and have the 4 kids on the sofa beds plus cots if required. Not sure about cribs.

The 4-year old might be bored without being able to do the kid's program.

Not sure I'd be brave enough to do this. Too bad Disney doesn't do Alaska!

[wripro]

Doesn't a six month old require all one's attention? How could you even enjoy the cruise?

[tourguide97]

I sailed on the Mariner in September, 09 and saw one infant being carried around the ship by a parent. Not sure if Regent offers babysitting services, but I wish you well.

Also was on the Navigator and loved it. Much smaller but very personal.

TG

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I don't believe there is babysitting available.

[ededmd]

Originally Posted by Wendy The Wanderer

The 4-year old might be bored without being able to do the kid's program.

Not sure I'd be brave enough to do this. Too bad Disney doesn't do Alaska!

DISNEY does do Alaska now but it does not start until summer 2011.

I have younger children too (5 and 7 at time of June 2010 sailing) but do agree that being able to participate in the children's programming is crucial.

Another thing to consider is at least one adult in your party is going to be limited to walking around port at best as there is not going to be much in the way of shore excursions in which the 4 and especially 1 year old and 6 month old can participate.

I would look at other lines too for this scenario.

[MsBatt]

We were on the Mariner to Alaska this past June. There were a few infants onboard, and from what I could see the parents were pretty much team-tagging - we would see one on an excursion, then the other one in the lounge, that kind of thing. There was one 3 generation extended family that had an infant, and one adult was always absent from the dining room. IMHO, I would not do a trip that way, there are other options for family travels, I think. Then again, it's your family, your choice. The Mariner did have a lot of open space, and I have to wonder what it will be like for young kids on a small ship next summer.