7 day Alaska cruise for the extended family

Question

My wife and I are planning to take the whole family on a 7 day Alaska cruise: 3 adult kids and their spouses plus all 6 grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 15. Looking for recommendations for which cruise line to choose. Thanks!

Answer

Taking a 7-day Alaska cruise with the whole extended family (grandparents, adult kids and their spouses, plus grandchildren aged 2 to 15) is a wonderful idea—and with a bit of planning you can find a cruise line and ship that works well for all ages. Below are some things to look for, followed by some top cruise line recommendations and what makes each a good fit.

Key criteria for your family:

A ship that offers varied activities for younger kids (2-15), but also comfortable amenities for adults and grandparents (age ~50+ or 70+).
Itineraries that are 7 days (or close) so you’re not gone too long and you can manage travel logistics with kids & grandparents.
Ports of call and scenic views that appeal to all generations (glaciers, wildlife, comfortable shore excursions—not extreme adventure only).
Cabin options that accommodate multiple people (families) and possibly connecting rooms or family suites.
Consideration of mobility of older family members: minimal challenging walks/hikes required for enjoyment; good accessibility.

With that in mind, here are some of the best cruise line options for a multigenerational Alaska cruise:

Princess Cruises: Known for Alaska itineraries (7-day “Voyage of the Glaciers”, round-trip etc). Their website highlights many Alaska cruises and awards. They can offer great scenery, comfortable accommodations, and good for families wanting a strong mix of nature + comfort.
Royal Caribbean: Strong for families with kids/teens, lots of onboard entertainment for younger guests, and Alaska itineraries as noted on their site.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Very family-friendly, with good activities for kids/teens, and Alaska options too.

Here are some specific features and how they match your group:

For the grandchildren (age 2-15): Royal Caribbean and Norwegian especially have younger-kid clubs/teens zones onboard, which adds value for the younger set so parents/adults can also relax.
For the grandparents (age ~50/70+): Princess has the “classic cruise” feel, nice public areas, good scenic views, comfortable pace.
For the entire group: A 7-day Alaska cruise is ideal—long enough to experience Alaska’s beauty, not overly long to be tiring for younger kids or older adults.

Additional tips specifically for your extended family setup:

Choose cabins early—connecting rooms or family suites may be ideal so everyone is close but still has privacy.
Look at shore excursions ahead of time and pick options that are gentle (e.g., glacier viewing, wildlife spotting, scenic train, boat tours) rather than strenuous hikes.
Choose embarkation port and schedule that works well for your flights—Seattle or Vancouver are common departure points for Alaska. Many reviews suggest departing from Vancouver offers smoother waters for families.
Book early—the season is limited (summer months) and multi-gen families need good choices.
Consider older folks’ mobility: ensure ship and ports are accessible, plan for rest time, don’t over-schedule each day.
Think about what the kids want (wildlife, fun onboard, maybe a splash zone) versus what the grandparents want (scenic views, comfortable dining, relaxing). Pick a ship that balances both.

In summary: yes—there are very good cruise line options for a 7-day Alaska cruise that will work beautifully for your family with grandma/grandpa, adult kids and grandchildren. My recommendation would be to start by comparing Princess for the more relaxed side and either Royal Caribbean or Norwegian for higher-energy, kid-friendly features, and then pick the itinerary that offers the best ports, scenery, and schedule for your group.

7 day Alaska cruise for the extended family

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