Planning the Perfect Alaskan Family Vacation on Princess Cruises

One of the greatest satisfactions of being a travel advisor is planning the perfect vacation for your own family.

I booked our Princess Alaska Cruise for my family on the first day the 2026 itinerary came available.

This was in the summer of 2024 when my boys were 12 and 15. I did all the planning for the open jaw Northbound passage from Vancouver to Whittier, Canada, followed by four days on the land. We had pick of the ship as we were one of the first bookings on the Discovery Princess. It proved to be the best pricing for the next two years (so keep this in mind when booking your next cruise).

We booked the penthouse aft suite for my husband and I and an inside cabin for our two boys across the hall. I planned each port day for us (which included a helicopter landing atop a glacier) as well as land adventures. The land tour included a jet ski glacier tour where you get up close and personal with glaciers, waterfalls, small ice burgs and harbour seals. We booked an ocean fishing trip and two days river fishing on the Kenai Peninsula as the boys love to fish. Me, not so much but I love to be on the water in any capacity. I also arranged for my oldest son (who is an experienced competitive surfer) to ride a tidal wave. Yes. A tidal wave at the Turnagain Arm. My kids and husband allowed me to book it all, of course, as I am the professional travel advisor of the family.

While none of us had ever been to Alaska, I learned so much about the state during my 2+ years of planning this trip. It was bittersweet as I was planning it as it would potentially be the last family vacation before my oldest left for college. Once the time came for the trip, all plans were set: excursions were paid for or deposited, the final cruise payment was made, specialty dining reservations were set, and I constantly checked the weather.

Not to pat myself on the back too much, but, the trip went off without a glitch (Except for when my oldest son told me he was having second thoughts about going as he had just met his girlfriend and did not want to leave her for 12 days!) The Alaskan weather even cooperated as it only rained on us for about one hour on just one of the days when we were out fishing. In Whittier, where our 4-hour 50 mph jet ski tour took place, experienced one of the rarest sunny and windless days that even the locals came out to play and swim in Prince William Sound.

My family returned home with a newfound respect for nature, wilderness, wildlife and adventure. They were educated and humbled by what Alaska showed them. Before we left, they did not know what it meant for a glacier to “calve.” Glacier Bay, College Fjord and Prince William Sound showed them! Hearing my family use this newly acquired term and getting a full understanding of it was the best education I could ask for. Thank you Alaska for treating our family so well. We can’t wait to return again and again!

–Jenn Kuzman, Travel Advisor

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