tinkerbell1984

I travel to Alaska and Hawaii every year. Hawaii also has many short drive up touring options, that Alaska doesn't. Certainly 2 very different areas.

 

I'm jealous! If you have any tips on getting to Hawaii less then $1000 pp, I'd love to hear it! Unfortunately, the 15 day cruise out of LA isn't a good option due to work and school schedules.

You know your kids best, but I would think at 6 & 9, they would prefer Hawaii over Alaska. Kids that age are active, so sunshine, beaches and swimming would be lots of fun. Scenery and history, not so much. Maybe save Alaska for a few yrs when they're old enough to appreciate coastline and mountain scenery. Plus how much does it cost to go to the beach ? especially compared to Alaska excursions.

 

If you look thru the 2013 trip reports there aren't too many reports with kids but they will give you a good idea about what to expect, kids clubs, what was successful or not. Within the last day or 2, I posted ejsmom's blog on the 2014 Trip Report List. Her kids were 6 and 9. Check to see if she's gotten any further with the blog, and maybe ask her some specific questions.

 

As for document requirements, you need to check with your cruiseline, the Canada govt and the US govt. They each may have different requirements and you need to comply with all of them. This forum is not the best resource for such matters ( or you may find yourself sitting at the dock :o).

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifvc-rpvc-eng.html

 

I'll have to see if I can find that blog. I honestly tried to convince my kids to sit this one out, lol, but they insists. They, thankfully, love cruising as much as I do. We went on the Carnival Dream in Feb and it was colder than we like and they didn't get to enjoy much swimming but were perfectly fine just playing in the room a lot of the time. Hawaii is just soo much more expensive for the cruise and the flight that I want them to be older so we can really experience it more and that they'll remember it. We also have done so many beach cruises and going to the beach in Aug that I want to experience the difference scenery...My daughter, she's just excited to fly. I just got approved for my first travel credit card today so hopefully this will help with future trips. However, if I won the lottery that I don't play, I'd cruise the Hawaii cruise right before this Alaska cruise b2b. :D

Also, has anyone taken the train the morning of the cruise and experienced a problem? Cancelled trip due to whatever, huge delay, etc...Should this be a concern if I can't take the evening train the day before?

Only a general comment- but you can tour Hawaii FAR more cheaply, due to so much just being drive up with none or low admissions. This is comparing cruises. Alaska, in my opinion, if "once in a lifetime" isn't the place to skimp on tours. By comparison these can involve some of the most costly touring. Especially with a 6 year old, Hawaii may offer much more? This is pure speculation, but maybe something more to think about? :)

 

I am actually on that Carnival sailing. Port times are excellent.

 

I suggest you take a close look at a shore excursion list and determine HOW you plan on spending your port time. There is way more to Alaska than shopping and wandering the immediate port areas- my opinion only. BUT, plenty of people are just fine with that choice. Know your traveling style answers in advance so you book the right trip for you.

 

With price I was referring to the air/cruise. An inside Alaska cabin is $1000 more than a Balcony Alaska...And the flight is $1000 pp opposed to $500 to Seattle. So it's a huge difference when it's all added together, esp since I'm having a hard time convincing myself anything is worth flying to, lol, we always drive to save money. Just me is different, but paying for 3 is tough. I have no idea what excursions we will do, but I just looked at prices and while high they are what I'd expect. Excursions always seem pricey to me, even in the Caribbean, so we usually tour on our own, but I know in Alaska I'd want to go all out. :)

 

My kids get out of school the 15th, so we'd fly to Seattle the 17th and catch the evening train and spend the night in Vancouver so we are a day ahead in case anything delays. At least, this is what I'm working out in my head w/o doing research yet.

 

Thanks for the tips and any others are appreciated!

Cruising Alaska is something I have dreamed about for years but we always stuck to the same Caribbean stuff due to expensive flights and young kids. After finally accomplishing other "dream cruises" (and I have many more) of the Southern Caribbean and cruising the Allure (just for the ship), I figured it was time to cross Alaska (or Hawaii) off my list now that my kids are a little older (will be 9 and 6 at the time of cruise) and paying for them to fly doesn't make me cringe as much. I am choosing Alaska first, I think my kids will enjoy Hawaii the most, so I want them to be a lil older...And it requires more saving.

 

I have a few questions though. I am considering the Carnival Legend out of Vancouver to Seattle, 8 day, going to Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay. From the reasearch I've done, this going to both those places seems to be a good deal...The Royal itinerary doesn't seem as appealing and I am not quite sure how appealing Celebrity, Princess, NCL, etc, would be to my children ship wise and Disney is just too pricey.

 

Anyways, would my kids need passports if I flew roundtrip to Seattle and took a train to BC? From what I can gather, the answer is no. I know if I flew there they would. I also don't think they would need one coming from BC to Seattle by sea, only I would, is that correct?

 

My question is also what kind of letter would I need from the non traveling parent. Would I need a letter to fly to Seattle and/or cruise back into the US since I'm not visiting other countries after leaving BC? I am assuming I'd need one for the train if I went that route. We have never flown before either. I almost want to just get the passports for them and fly to BC then home from Seattle to bypass all this additional stuff but I want to save as much money as possible.

 

I would also like some insight from those who cruised w/o a balcony...Did you feel you missed out on anything?

 

This is probably the one and only time I will cruise Alaska so I want to make sure I get everything I need, do the right excusions, and pick the best itinerary and cabin for my family.

 

All of this is much more stressful and requires much more planning than just drving 8-12 hrs and catching a ship in Florida, but from what I can gather Alaska is a must see and the pictures are breathtaking, I can't imagine seeing it in person. :)

I posted this also in Family Cruisers also but haven't gotten any responses. Sorry if this is against any rules to repost, I just want to make sure I'm all set!

 

Booking first time on RC on the Allure of the Seas, we leave in 18 days!!! I have sailed with Carnival before and had no problems but have heard some people on here say if our last names are different I needed the passport AND Birth Certificate. I am assuming this only means if I am using a passport for travel, which I am not. Also never been asked for a letter...

 

Here is what I have.

 

My birth certificate and ID.

 

Both my childrens birth certificates. One has no father listed. One does.

 

Again, none of us have passports.

 

I have the legal name change form for when I changed my name, yrs after divorce, back to my maiden name. My maiden name is also my childrens 2nd middle name and also listed as my maiden name on their birth certificate.

 

I have a notarized letter for both kids, they have the same father even though he is not on one certificate:

 

In witness whereof and by signing below, I approve travel for my child(ren) as follows: I, _______, authorize my minor children, _________, to travel with their mother, ________, out of the United States via Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line. Departure Date: May 25, 2014 Visiting (but not limited to): Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Expected date of return: June 1, 2014. In addition, I give full authorized consent to parent, ________, for any necessary routine or emergency treatment during aforementioned trip.

 

 

 

So, am I all set? I hope so! I read some need their divorce papers? I don't know what it matters who is or isn't married and has custody when I am obviously a parent and have that letter...?

Booking first time on RC on the Allure of the Seas, we leave in 19 days!!! I have sailed with Carnival before and had no problems but have heard some people on here say if our last names are different I needed the passport AND Birth Certificate. I am assuming this only means if I am using a passport for travel, which I am not. Also never asked for a letter...

Here is what I have.

My birth certificate and ID.

Both my childrens birth certificates. One has no father listed. One does.

Again, none of us have passports.

I have the legal name change form for when I changed my name, yrs after divorce, back to my maiden name. My maiden name is also my childrens 2nd middle name and also listed as my maiden name on their birth certificate.

I have a notarized letter for both kids, they have the same father even though he is not on one certificate:

In witness whereof and by signing below, I approve travel for my child(ren) as follows: I, _______, authorize my minor children, _________, to travel with their mother, ________, out of the United States via Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line. Departure Date: May 25, 2014 Visiting (but not limited to): Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Expected date of return: June 1, 2014. In addition, I give full authorized consent to parent, ________, for any necessary routine or emergency treatment during aforementioned trip.



So, am I all set? I hope so! I read some need their divorce papers? I don't know what it matters who is or isn't married and has custody when I am obviously a parent and have that letter...?

I've sailed the Breeze with two kids who were 4 and 7. The Breeze is a nice ship, food area has a wierd layout and can seem over crowded. We have always cruised Carnival. The Ocean View Deluxe is a wonderful spacey room with a bath tub which is easier for kids. Nice window you can sit up in.

 

However...

 

We are cruising the Allure for the first time in May. We took advantage of the 3/4 free deal. Otherwise, we'd never be able to do it. I can't justify paying the amount it usually cost otherwise. We are paying $2200 for an interier, which to me is expensive, even with two free, but hey, it is a deal that is getting us a chance on the largest cruise ship in the world...Who like you, wouldn't be able to do it any other time. To me, I considered it an once in a lifetime opportunity! The Breeze will be afforable to you another time, this may not be.

 

Your kids will be to young for the rope course and the big slides on the Breeze. They'll also be too young for the rock climbing on the Allure. But the Allure has the H20 Zone where they can run around and play, and pools just for the kids, character meet and greets, ice skating, merry go round, small play ground structure, balloons, face painting, etc...I didn't know all they had for kids at first until I did my research. Their kids program also looks better then Carnivals, but I won't know for sure until I sail it. Yes, you'll pay a lil more for the Allure, but if you can pull it off, to me, it's a opportunity you can't pass up!

We walked to the free public beach. It was really easy just leave the port area and walk right along the sidewalk until you get there. Wear watershoes. It isn't the nicest beach by a long shot. But the kids had fun. You can see the ships and we watched one pull in. You can buy a chair for like $10.

 

 

 

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We have gone on two cruises in September...Which is like the cheapest time to go. They missed 3-4 days each time, the week of Labor Day. However, my kids are young. This year my son was in 2nd grade and I talked to his teacher before hand and got any assignments for the week. I notified my daughters Pre-K teacher so she wouldn't lose her spot in class. Just notify the school, ask if there is anything they could do while you are gone to make their absence easier on everyone because you know 'school is more important'. :) That usually helps.

 

Our district has strict attendence policies too. 10 max absences without being considered truant, excused or not...But no more than 5 unexcused. It did put stress on me later in the year when my daughter was sick for a long time though! But I don't like crowds, nor do I agree in paying that much just for the time or year...The heat is worse...And kids can learn so much traveling.

She has one in Post#3:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1992376

Thank you for this. We are going in May, our first Royal cruise and so excited!!! Subscribing to this! I was wondering when the Dragon Ice Show and Madagascar Aqua show were so I wouldn't book other things around them. Looks like they are afternoonish so it shouldn't be a problem! Thanks!

I know that where I taught if children were absent toward the beginning of the year and they couldn't reach the family the office sometimes assumed that the children had moved on to another school. Do talk to the office and the teachers.

 

 

Good point! It does concern me, my daugheer being in Pre-K, with a waiting list, that they may disenroll her and let someone else in...That is my main fear right now, which is why I've typed letters to the teachers. I will do one for the office also.

 

Also, I know as for high school kids, here, if they miss to much they can have their drivers license suspended or denied.....

Our school seems to be pretty strict...

 

5+ UN-excused absences and you are considered truant.

 

10+ TOTAL absences, excused or not, and you are considered truant.

 

However, we are missing the 4 days after Labor Day this year to go on the Breeze. I never considered contacting the Principal. But I do already have notes typed up to their teachers hoping to get work to keep up. I also know the school will try to call if they don't know what's going on after a couple absent days, and I will of course be unreachable and didn't want any issues with that.

 

Now I'm wondering if I should talk to the office...

 

Last year, my son missed 3 days for a cruise and work was given to him.