Alaska Cruise With Teenagers: Keeping Them Happy
Teenagers rarely get excited about glaciers in advance. They do get excited about ziplines, bikes and helicopters, and about having some freedom on board. Build the week around those, and Alaska often becomes the trip they talk about most.
Give them one big adventure day
One genuinely adrenaline-heavy excursion does more for teen buy-in than a week of scenic cruising. Let your teen choose it from a shortlist you can afford. Owning the decision turns "family holiday" into "my trip".
Here are typical picks by port. Prices are rough, per person at recent rates, and minimum ages and weights vary by operator.
| Port | Teen pick | Rough price | Cheaper backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketchikan | Rainforest zipline course | US$150–250 (roughly C$210–350) | Lumberjack show, Creek Street walk |
| Juneau | Helicopter to a sled-dog camp | US$600+ (roughly C$830+) | Mendenhall Glacier hike to Nugget Falls |
| Juneau | Glacier lake canoe or kayak | US$150–250 (roughly C$210–350) | Mount Roberts Tramway |
| Skagway | Van up White Pass, bike down | US$150–200 (roughly C$210–280) | Gold-rush town on foot |
| Icy Strait Point | Very long zipline | US$150–200 (roughly C$210–280) | Beach and forest trails |
For a full value ranking of Juneau options, see Juneau shore excursions ranked.
Check the ship's teen club before you book
Teen spaces range from a full lounge with gaming setups, a dance floor and late events to a corner of a shared room. Age bands differ too: some lines split younger and older teens, which matters if your 13-year-old and 17-year-old would rather not share. Cruise ship arcades and video games covers what costs extra.
Some lines set curfews for unaccompanied under-18s late at night. Read your line's youth policy so the rules come from the cruise line, not from you.
Wifi and phones
Most major lines now use satellite internet that is far better than it was a few years ago, so a teen can message friends and often stream. It costs extra per device on most fares, and coverage can drop in narrow fjords.
Making the scenic days work
Glacier and Inside Passage days are long stretches of watching. A few things help:
- Hand your teen the good camera or the binoculars and make them the family's wildlife spotter.
- Set a photo challenge: whale tail, eagle, calving ice, a totem pole.
- Agree on a time to be on deck for the glacier itself, then let them go.
- Plan the pool, sports court or teen club for the hours in between.
If they take to the camera, Alaska cruise photography from deck has settings worth sharing.
Timing for Canadian families
With teens, you are almost always sailing in July or August, when school is out across Canada. Those weeks are the busiest and dearest of the season, and the adventure excursions sell out first. Book the one big excursion as soon as your line's booking window opens.
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Building the teen-friendly week
Pick the ship for its teen club, the excursion with your teen, and leave plenty of unscheduled time. For younger siblings in the same family, what ages work in Alaska helps balance the plan.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
What Alaska excursions do teenagers actually enjoy?
Ziplines in Ketchikan or at Icy Strait Point, a bike descent from White Pass near Skagway, glacier canoeing or a helicopter trip to a sled-dog camp in Juneau, and kayaking tend to land best. Check minimum ages and weights, which vary by operator.
Do cruise ships have good teen programs for Alaska sailings?
Most mainstream ships run a dedicated teen club, typically for roughly ages 12 or 13 to 17, with its own lounge, games and late-night events. Quality and age bands vary by ship, so check your specific vessel.
Can teenagers drink on an Alaska cruise from Vancouver?
Generally no. Lines sailing to Alaska usually set the onboard drinking age at 21, even though the legal age is 19 in British Columbia and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Expect ID checks at every bar.
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