If you’ve ever dreamed of taking your kids to Alaska, we highly recommend it. They’ll never forget the experience – and neither will you.
Given the size of the state, which is bigger than Texas, California, and Montana combined, it can feel overwhelming to plan a trip. That’s where a cruise comes in. You unpack once, and your floating hotel takes you to multiple locations. The best part is there’s no planning (or cooking!) involved for you.
Our favorite way to see Alaska is with UnCruise, a small ship cruise company. If its name wasn’t enough of a clue, UnCruise is not your average cruise line. The benefits of a small ship cruise is that it can go places the big ships can’t, including remote Alaska.
Although UnCruise welcomes children age 8 and up on most of its cruises, activities aren’t specifically geared towards kids. Most of the passengers will be adults.
However, the Kids in Nature, Glaciers and Wildlife cruises are specifically designed for families, with ages 8-13 being the sweet spot. The trip’s meant to feel like going to summer camp with your kids. Having experienced two sailings with UnCruise, we can confirm that’s exactly what it felt like.
What’s included with the Kids in Nature cruise?
This cruise itinerary is specifically designed for families. The cruise is round-trip from Juneau, making it easier and more affordable for families to get there (rather than flying in and out of two different cities). All meals and activities are included with your fare.
The itinerary includes two days in Glacier Bay National Park, giving kids an up-close look at glaciers, old-growth forests, and sea life. The visit includes the chance to experience parts of the park rarely seen by visitors.
Other cruise highlights include:
- Hike and bike through Chichagof Island – UnCruise has the only permits in this area.
- Learn what it’s like to live and work in the wild country of Alaska.
- All day kayak and “yak-and-whack” opportunities.
- Full days – from morning birding to evening skiff tours and kayaks to an evening campfire ashore.
- Wildlife search – Humpback, orca, seals, bears, moose, puffins and other sea birds.
- Visiting LeConte and Baird Glaciers.
- Opportunities to hike, bike, kayak, paddle board, skiff, and bushwhack.
- Access to the rarely visited South Baranof Wilderness.
- Get on land at with an Ideal Cove hike.
- 20 meals on the 7-night sailing.
When are these cruises offered?
Three Kids in Nature sailings are scheduled for 2024. The 7-night sailings take place on June 22, June 29, and July 27.
KidTripster Tip: Although the cruise starts in the late afternoon, we recommend arriving in Juneau a day prior to your sailing. That protects you in case of any travel delays. Reserve your Juneau hotel room in advance to secure the best rate. Summer is the height of the tourist season and hotel rooms can get expensive. There’s plenty to do in Juneau to keep you busy pre- or post-cruise.
My kid is old enough, but are they ready for a trip like this?
In the summer of 2021, we did the Northern Passages & Glacier Bay cruise. Our kids were 8 and 13 at the time.
We weren’t sure how our young son would fare on this type of cruise. His previous cruise experiences were on big ships like Disney Cruise Line. He loved it! Check out this article: How Big Should Your Kid Be for a Small Ship Cruise? to find out why.
And what about teens? Will they like it? Our KidTripster Teen shares her 7 Favorite Tings About Sailing with UnCruise.
What do I pack for an UnCruise?
The great thing about UnCruise is that it’s very casual. Don’t worry about packing a special outfit for formal night as there’s no such thing.
You’ll want clothes designed for adventure and for the elements. In the summer in Alaska, the weather can change quickly. Having clothes for layering, including lightweight rain gear is helpful.
Although you can borrow boots on board, we recommend bringing your own rain boats, especially for your kids, as UnCruise may not have child sized boots available. Read our list of recommended items to pack in this article: What to Pack When Sailing with UnCruise in Alaska.
KidTripster Tip: Life preservers (or PFDs – personal flotation devices) are provided for all water activities for kids weighing over 30 pounds. If you have a child weighing less than 30 pounds, you will need to bring a Type III PFD for off vessel activities.
How can I save money on a sailing?
Families bringing kids ages 8 to 17 will save $500 per child. If you use our special booking code KIDTRIPSTER500, you can save an additional $500 per cabin. Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for your booking, at no extra cost to you.
The KidTripster team is excited to be family ambassadors for the UnCruise’s Kids in Nature, Glaciers and Wildlife sailing. Our crew will be on board the June 29, 2024 cruise. We’d love to have you join us.
