Family Cruises: Alaska Nature Cruise on the Golden Princess

Taking a family cruise on the Golden Princess will take you on a nature cruise complete with glaciers and orcas and so much more. Princess cruises are the leaders in tours to Alaska, offering exciting land and sea cruisetours.

There are glaciers to see, wildlife viewing opportunities, with national park rangers brought on board to share information. Alaska's Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world and is home to sea lions, bald eagles, otters, brown bears, mountain goats and more. Every cruise tour visits Glacier Bay and the Denali National Parks.

If you are planning a cruise to Alaska, below is a Question and Answer list for the Golden Princess ship explaining on board amenities for the family, adults-only and children under 18.

How big is this ship?

The Golden Princess carries 2,600 passengers with a crew of 1,000. It weighs 109,000 tons has 13 decks and 710 total cabins. It's called the big ship with the small ship feel because it has created more small intimates spaces.

Where does it leave from?

The Golden Princess leaves from Seattle from May through September.

Where does it sail to?

The ship sails to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia.

What are the family features?

This newly renovated ship offers 5 pools, including one that simulates the feeling of swimming against the current. The Movies Under the Stars theater gives you the option of enjoying a film from the pool or your deck chair (fun!). The big thrill is sailing along Alaska's scenic Inside Passage. Naturalists onboard will point out wildlife and various other sites. You'll be able to visit the historic gold rush towns when you are in ports and enjoy the Native America storytellers who will share local legends.

What about for tweens and teens?

Children will get a private viewing on deck in Glacier Bay - a chance to view icebergs and sometimes whales. The National Park Rangers will provide information about global warming and raise eco-friendly awareness. After sundown the Remix club for teens has special dinners, hot tub celebrations and formal nights. For tweens there is a space just for them at Shockwaves where pizza parties are hosted, as well as scavenger hunts, talent shows and video games. The Golden Princess has activities based on age. The Princess Pelicans is for ages 3 to 7, Shockwaves is for ages 8 to 12 and Remix is for ages 13-17.

Please, what's for Adults Only?

There is the Sanctuary Area, which costs about $10.00 for half-day. Here you can relax and enjoy massage cabanas. On the Glacier Bay days, guests in the Sanctuary will receive bincoluars, fleece blankets and their own naturalists to provide information. There is always nighttime entertainment including live theater, movies, lounges, casinos and dance clubs. By day you can take a personal enrichment class, relax with yoga, and go duty-free shopping.

What about dining?

When you book you can choose what suits your schedule. You can pick anytime dining, traditional dining, specialty dining or casual dining. Casual dining includes wine and sushi bars, a pizzeria, afternoon tea, cafes and 24-hour room service.

What's the cost?

Right now a 7-day cruise starts around $649. per person and $499.00 for the 3rd and 4th person in the cabin. Prices are always subject to change.

For more family cruise suggestions, and other travel ideas, see the links below: