Apples and oranges in experience, but both fantistic options. I know them both well. I would heavly weigh towrds the National Geo cruise due to the age of your kids. A&K as wonderful has a lot of moving, alot of transportation a lot of transfers from this to that. A&K will make it all seemless but it does take up time in each day. Distances and sceanry for kids can be borring on the land tour. It is not a zoo and unpredictable as to wildlife sightings and kids need to be engaged at all time. Cruise......kids are 100% engaged, the sealife will be up close and personal, whales, dolpins etc right at the boat. Less down time, 64 passengers kids sailings cater to them as well as the adults. My educated option but you are the one who know your kids and their travel abilities.

You are looking at two TOTALLY different experiences! We've done an insida passage cruise several years ago and we just did a road trip all through Alaska's interior. If you REALLY want to get to see Alaska I suggest the land tour. The cruise was a whole lot of Glaciers and some sea life(we absolutely love whales) but the land tour give you a much more personal look!

Here's a link to some of our blog posts if you want to see some pics etc from different parts of Alaska.

http://www.theconstantrambler.com/category/alaska/

I've done several National Geographic expeditions and was completely satisfied. Now I won't travel with any other company.

Do you want to see mainly Glacier Bay or do you want to see Kenai Fjords and Denali(really only from the air though-I think most people would consider driving the length of the main park road on the bus). Both seem very overpriced for what you are getting, IMOP. Alaska excursions are expensive. We flew into Anchorage, did a helicopter/glacier landing/dog sledding in Alyeska/Girdwood, went on a floatplane/bear watching/salmon fishing, visited Kenai Fjords and kayaked there too. You could easily tack on 4 or 5 days extra to Talketna and Do the Bus at Denali. Maybe even stay at Camp Denali for much less money.

Depends what you like? Land or Sea?
As someone mentioned earlier, Land has a lot of moving, alot of transportation a lot of transfers from ship to shuttles to trains to buses. Cruises do offer land excursions but can get much more cheaper if you go in town from independents.
Don't recommend Holland America which has the Best Food & Service but with senior citizens and dressing-up (mandatory).
Carnival has much more clubs (much younger crowd) if you like to party all-night, very casual dress and more variety of different food and it's all Free altho food quality not as good as Holland.
Princess mostly mixed crowd with families, couples and senior citizens with 2 formal nights but now charges for ice cream, sushi, & shrimp cocktail. And they also provide Day-Care for kids & Game or movie nites for teens.
Disney is the best for kids but charges the most.

http://www.alaskacruiseexperts.com/alaska-cruises-for-kids.asp

Of course, all the large cruise ships offer comprehensive Children's and Youth programs onboard. There programs are divided by age group so your teens can "hang out" with thier peers while their younger siblings can enjoy the many activities offered for each specific age group. Generally kids are split up in gorups from age 2 to 4, 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 and then 13 to 18. Onboard councillors provide expert care to each age group to ensure that all their charges have a great time in absolute safety. While the kids are having a great time, their parents can enjoy working out in the gym, a massage in the spa, shopping in the many onboard duty free boutiques or just lounging by the pool and watching the scenery go by.


Many large ships offer casual dining in one of the onboard restaurants. Some even offer burger and hot dog cafes, ice cream bars and pool side grills. Ideal for kids on the run! You can even order room service should the kids want to watch a movie in the cabin. After the kids have had their casual dinner, Mom and Dad can dine in one of the Specialty Dining venues or in the formal dining room onboard and socialize with new found friends. Baby sitting is offered for a nominal charge and can be arranged at the Front Desk. Mnay of these activities for children and teens continue over the dinner and after dinner hours so parents can enjoy some "adult" time for themselves. Apart from meeting for meals and perhaps for some family shore excursions, parents do not have to worry about their kids during the cruise knowing full well that the kids are being entertained and overseen by the youth councillors.
http://www.alaskacruiseexperts.com/alaska-cruises-for-kids.asp

Considering the age of your boys along with your comment that they are " wonderful travelers", I doubt they would be very happy with baby sitting facilities and the usual kids programs offered on the larger cruise lines. They are likely to prefer either National Geographic or even Abercrombie Kent, although I'm not familar with their program. The boys are certainly old enough to share the wonders of Alaska with their parents and,IMO, shouldn't be shuttled off to a kids program. Alaska is a a special place and the smaller cruise ships provide a more intimate atmosphere and are able to get closer to the glaciers and to the wildlife. I sure didn't have time for massages or the gym even though I regularly work out at home. Share your Alaska experience with your boys.

John,

I would be very interested in hearing what you decided as I'm in the process of making the exact same choice for next summer and have an eight-year-old son. Thanks!

We went to Alaska when our boys were about the same age. We rented a RV and toured on our own. We saw much more of Alaska than if we had done a cruise. We had the luxury of not being committed to a group's schedule. If the flight to see the bears in Katmai was cancelled for fog, we could rebook for another day. When we discovered the amazing salmon runs on Kenai, we were able to stop and spend longer there. We also had the luxury of moving on to another spot whenever we were ready. I was not a RV person before the trip (spouse's idea) but it turned out to be the perfect way to see Alaska with our sons. They have been all over the US and Europe, and they consider Alaska our best trip ever.

We did the land portion first in a rental car, up to Talkeetna and down to Seward and Homer on the KIenai Peninsula, then flew to Juneau to board the Lindddblad Sea Lion..National Geographic is partnering with Lindbald who has offered this cruise for many years. There was a large multi-genrational family on our boat, the little kids( 4 and up) did very well and added a lot to the mix of passengers.

AYAUETO

Third Alaskan thread where you have disparaged senior citizens. Do you think they'll infect you with some incurable disease? What's wrong with traveling alongside senior citizens? Afraid you might learn something from their worldly experience?? With an anti-gray panther attitude like yours, I doubt you'll ever see seniorhood.*&*^%^&&^$%^^

SFTower (83)

EDITORS, AMY, DOUG, etc. This kind of assinine posting has got to stop. Whether it's racial, religious, sexual preferences or anti-gray age discrimination..there's no place for it on Fodors. As an old, very old Fodorite, I protest mightily. Strike his/her posts on each of the Alaskan threads

tower,

Are you seeing/reading something that I'm not? I don't see where there is any age discrimination.

Ayaeuto sounded like to me like someone who knew about the cruise ships. Most people like to be informed what they are getting themselves into. He/she wasn't suggesting any particular ship, but simply stating that some cruise lines are geared toward different age groups. I mean even Disney has Adult only swimming pools, dining areas, etc. Many places have kids only activities. Do you object to senior citizen pricing? If that isn't discrimination then what is?

Spiro: The poster remarks regarding "senior citizen passengers on this and two other threads are snide/snarky in my opinion..and all I can do is voice my opinion...I stand by that.

A belated thank you for all the suggestions!
We decided to book that Nat Geo cruise...we sail in July! ,

Please post a trip report. We would love to hear about your trip