When people think about cruises, they often picture seniors lounging on the deck with a cocktail in hand. But after spending seven glorious days aboard Serenade of the Seas with our family—including small kids—I can confidently say: cruising is perfect for families with little ones. It turned out to be one of the smoothest, most enjoyable vacations we’ve ever taken together.

Booking the Trip

We booked our Alaska cruise about a year in advance, and it was absolutely worth it. Thanks to the kids sail free promotion, a balcony stateroom, and cruise cancellation insurance, the total came to around $7,000, not including onboard spending—still a fantastic value for a weeklong escape in comfort and style.

Food, Food, and More Food

Dining on board was one of the trip’s biggest highlights. The main dining room and buffet staff were friendly, attentive, and passionate about what they do—and the food never stopped arriving.

We splurged on specialty meals—Chops Grille for filet mignon and Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant for a multi-course Italian feast—and both were absolutely worth the upgrade. Since I don’t drink much, we skipped the drink package, which helped keep our budget in check.

Why It Works for Families

One of the best surprises of this cruise was how family-friendly it truly was.

• Kids Club: No need to lug toys—the kids club supplies everything they need. For kids 3 and up, it’s free. For littles under three, it costs just $6 an hour during the day, and $9 an hour after 7 p.m., with care available until 1 a.m. (a perfect window for parents to relax). Just book one day ahead.
• Structured breaks: The kids club closes at three-hour intervals, which seems designed to make sure kids are back in time for meals.
• Couple time: While the kids were happily occupied with crafts, story time, and games, my husband and I had real couple time—taking naps, hitting the casino, grabbing coffee, or simply hanging out together.
• Activity options: There’s also an arcade for older kids along with a rock climbing wall, mini golf, basketball / pickleball court. The only downside? The outdoor pool was too cold in early September, and the indoor pool is adults-only. But between the kids club and the enriching port activities, we hardly missed swimming.

The Ship, the Route, and the Big Glaciers

Serenade of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller ships, which turned out to be an advantage on this Alaska route—many ports along the Inside Passage can’t accommodate mega-ships.

Our itinerary sailed from Vancouver, BC, through the Inside Passage, and called on:

• Sitka: We watched the salmon run and visited the Alaska Raptor Center (a bald eagle sanctuary).
• Juneau: We joined a whale-watching excursion—and also spotted whales right from our balcony stateroom, which was surreal. Hubbard Glacier: The absolute highlight of the trip. This massive tidewater glacier is the largest in North America, and we stood in awe as huge chunks of ice calved into the sea with a thunderous crash.
• Ketchikan: My personal favorite. We caught the famous Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show (fun, though best for older kids), but what really captured me was Creek Street with its colorful old buildings and lively atmosphere.

Why Royal Caribbean?

We chose Royal Caribbean after researching multiple cruise lines—and consistently found it to be more family-friendly than Celebrity Cruises. The balance of kids’ activities, adult downtime, and great dining on board made it the ideal fit for our trip.

Tips for Families

If you’re thinking of booking an Alaskan cruise with kids, here are my top tips:

• Pack layers: Weather changes quickly—be ready for sun, rain, and chilly glacier winds.
• Bring binoculars: A must-have for spotting whales, eagles, and glaciers up close.
• Don’t pack toys: Borrow from the kids club instead, and you can even bring them to your stateroom.
• Splurge on a balcony room if you can: It extends your space and gives you a private front-row seat to stunning views (and wildlife sightings).
• Book early: Promotions like “kids sail free” can save thousands if you plan ahead.
• Excursions: Don’t feel pressured to pre-book everything. I waited until we got to the ports since I wasn’t sure about my kids’ mood and energy levels. It worked out well — we were able to negotiate prices and sometimes even get kids’ fees waived.

Final Thoughts

Our Alaska cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas wasn’t just a getaway—it was a stress-free, memory-making family adventure. From breathtaking sights like Hubbard Glacier, to endless food, outstanding staff, well-run kids programs, and precious couple time, this trip delivered.

Cruising might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a family trip, but if you ask me, it’s one of the best-kept secrets for parents with small kids. We’re already dreaming about where our next cruise might take us.