⚓ The Trip

The cabin play.

Two couples, a set of brothers, and an 18-month-old. Three cabins, one ship, ideally side-by-side. Getting the layout right matters — it affects embarkation, dinner seatings, and how much time you spend actually together.

What to actually book — by ship

Reading the deck plans.

Princess publishes a full official deck-plan PDF for Royal Princess — the source of truth for cabin numbers once the TA books us. What follows is a curated view: the six decks where our 3-cabin cluster is most likely to land, simplified so the family can see at a glance where each cabin class lives and how the cluster would sit.

Deck comparison at a glance

What everyone needs to pack.

One checklist per traveler, grouped by category. Check items as you pack them — progress saves to this device’s browser (private to you — share it with the crew using the “Copy as text” button below). Cabin 1 carries the heaviest load (the infant adds a whole extra column); Cabin 2 is standard adult; the brothers in Cabin 3 are simpler. Items the family can share (binoculars, power strip, day pack) are listed once per person for accountability — check it on the person carrying it on port days.

How to book it.

3 cabins doesn’t trigger most cruise lines’ group rate (you need 8 cabins for the 11th-free perk), but there are still smart moves. Here’s the strategy — and the timing.

When to book — the calendar

Where to book — the channel

The 3-cabin group strategy (when you don’t hit 8 cabins)

Cruise lines require 8 cabins for the headline group perk (1 free berth per 8). With 3 cabins, you won’t trigger that. But here’s how to stack the equivalent value:

The 6 excursions this Crew should actually book.

There are 24+ excursion cards in the full menu below, and booking them all would run $4,500+ per person. We picked the 6 that best match this Crew’s age mix (1 infant, 1 minor, 4 adults in their 30s–50s, plus Luke at 22 and Levi at 17) and a realistic per-couple budget. These are the ones to actually book. Scroll down for the full menu, or jump to the full 24+ Excursion Menu.

The ranked list, top to bottom

1. 1 Skagway · Day 4

   White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad All ages

   The single all-ages, all-abilities priority. The 1898 narrow-gauge railway climbs 2,885 ft to the White Pass Summit with views of Dead Horse Gulch, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Yukon border. Low physical demand, 3–5 hour round trip, and Lucy can ride on a lap. This is the one excursion the entire Crew — infant included — can do together. The roundtrip version is ~3 hours; the train-up-plus-bus-back-through-the-Yukon version is ~5 hours and crosses the Captain William Moore Suspension Bridge.

   $150–$180 /pp Age 0+ · no minimum Who: The whole Crew — all 6 adults + Lucy (lap infant free with most operators, call to confirm) 🎟️ GetYourGuide · Princess shore ex
2. 2 Juneau · Day 3

   Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo Best value

   The classic Juneau day: a catamaran into the humpback bubble-net feeding grounds (95%+ sighting rate in June) plus a guided visit to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Nugget Falls trail. Kid-friendly, low physical demand, and short enough to come back to the ship for nap time. Bob & Brenda can sub in the helicopter+dogsled version (priority #3) on the same day if they want the bucket-list upgrade.

   $229–$279 /pp All ages (catamaran is stroller-accessible) Who: Brett + Madi + Luke + Levi (skip Lucy — 5+ hr day, bring her back to the ship for nap with Bob/Brenda pre-helicopter) 🎟️ TripAdvisor · Alaska Shore Excursions
3. 3 Juneau · Day 3

   Helicopter + Dogsled on Mendenhall Glacier Bucket-list

   The single most-quoted Alaska excursion. Helicopter over the Juneau Icefield, land on Mendenhall Glacier, meet the sled-dog team, and mush across the ice for ~25 minutes. Bucket-list for Bob & Brenda — the crewline couple. TEMSCO has 50+ years on this glacier. Lucy is technically allowed (0–2 fly free as lap infants per TEMSCO/Alaska Shore Tours policy), but the helicopter cabin noise and the glacier’s 18-inch boarding steps make it a hard no for an 18-month-old in practice. Operators will not lift guests in/out of the aircraft (liability).

   $699–$799 /pp No formal minimum, but realistically 5+; weight surcharge 250+ lbs (+$150) Who: Bob + Brenda only (2-pax minimum, helicopter holds up to 6). Brett or Madi stays with Lucy on the ship. 🎟️ TEMSCO · Alaska Shore Tours (2026: $739)
4. 4 Ketchikan · Day 5

   Misty Fjords Floatplane Flightseeing

   A scenic floatplane over the 2-million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument — sheer granite cliffs, 1,000-ft waterfalls, and (often) a water landing on a glacial lake. About 75 minutes total. This is the “Alaska from above” moment for whoever in the Crew has never been in a floatplane. The other adults take the morning Saxman Native Village tour (priority #5) at the same time.

   $330–$420 /pp Minimum age 5 · 2-pax minimum · 280 lb max per seat Who: Luke (22) + one other adult (Brenda or Brett — whoever hasn’t done the helicopter that day). Levi is 17, fits the age rule but his parents can decide. 🎟️ Alaska Shore Excursions · Island Wings
5. 5 Ketchikan · Day 5

   Saxman Native Village & Totem Bight All ages

   A half-day Tlingit cultural visit — totem pole carving demonstration, the Clan House, and a traditional dance performance. The van tour and village paths are stroller-friendly (Carnival’s excursion listing confirms no minimum age, and Viator lists it as “stroller accessible” with infants on laps). It pairs perfectly with the Misty Fjords flightseeing — the floatplane pair takes the morning, the cultural pair takes the morning too, then everyone meets back on the ship.

   $85–$110 /pp No minimum age · stroller accessible Who: Brett + Madi + Lucy + Brenda + Bob + Luke (Levi too if he’s not on the floatplane). Great for the family to round out the day. 🎟️ Carnival shore ex · Alaska Shore Tours
6. 6 Victoria · Day 6

   Butchart Gardens (evening) All ages

   A stroller- and wheelchair-friendly stroll through 55 acres of themed gardens — Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and the fireworks show on summer Saturdays. The perfect last-night wind-down after 5 days of glaciers, dogsleds, and floatplanes. The ship is in port late (typically 7 PM–11 PM in Victoria on a Royal Princess Saturday itinerary), and the gardens’ lighting and evening concert series turn this into a low-key, romantic-but-family-friendly finale.

   $85–$120 /pp All ages · complimentary strollers available at the gate · ADA accessible Who: The whole Crew. This is the one Victoria excursion where you don’t split up. 🎟️ ButchartGardens.com · Viator shuttle+entry

What this costs per couple

Three separate travel wallets, three different profiles. The helicopter+dogsled is the single biggest line item and the only reason Bob+Brenda’s total is more than 4× the Brett+Madi+Lucy total. If you skip the helicopter, all three couples land in the $1,150–$1,350 range.

The excursions that matter.

Six ports of call, hundreds of possible tours. These are the ones the Crew will remember in 10 years — the bucket-list helicopter rides, the cultural moments, and the easy half-day options. Photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons (CC-licensed) and reviews on TripAdvisor. Click any card to see the full excursion page on the cruise line or operator site.

Juneau, Alaska

⚓ Day 3 · 1:00 PM – 11:00 PM — long port day

The only U.S. state capital with no road access. Surrounded by the Juneau Icefield, the Chilkat Mountains, and humpback-rich waters. Most shore excursions launch from the cruise docks downtown. Tip: the helicopter dogsled tour is the single most popular Alaska excursion and sells out 4–6 months out — book in January/February when Wave Season opens.

Bucket-list pick Mendenhall Glacier Whale watching Floatplane Cultural (Tlingit)

Helicopter + Dogsled on Mendenhall Glacier ⭐ Bucket-list

TEMSCO / Northstar · 3 hrs · Available on all 3 sailings

The single most-quoted Alaska excursion. Helicopter onto the Mendenhall Glacier icefield, meet the sled dog team, and mush across the ice for ~30 minutes. The flightseeing alone (over the Juneau Icefield, five glaciers) is worth the price. Operated by TEMSCO with 50+ years on the glacier. Photo credit: Wikimedia/R. Raines.

~$699–$799 /pp View on Alaska Shore Excursions →

Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier Combo ⭐ Best first-day

Harv & Marv's · 5 hrs · NCL, Princess, HAL

The classic Juneau combination. Catamaran into the humpback bubble-net feeding grounds (95%+ sighting rate in June), then a guided visit to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Nugget Falls trail. Kid-friendly, low physical demand, high payoff. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Frank Kovalchek.

~$229–$279 /pp View TripAdvisor reviews →

Salmon Bake at Salmon Creek 🏆 Family favorite

Orca Enterprises · 2.5 hrs · All ships

A rainforest pavilion on the historic Dredge Lake site, with wild-caught Alaskan salmon grilling over alderwood. All-you-can-eat, beer & wine available, rain-or-shine covered seating. Easy walk-on, no physical demand, and the 17-year-old will still get a full meal. Adds a salmon-bake experience that the cruise ships can’t match.

~$110–$135 /pp View on TripAdvisor →

Mt. Roberts Tramway & Wilderness Trail

Mt. Roberts Tramway · 2–3 hrs · All ships

The six-minute tram up to 1,800 ft, with a network of easy alpine trails, a raptor center (live bald eagles!), and the Chilkat view deck overlooking the Inside Passage. Best for: the parents who want a quiet morning and panoramic photos without leaving town. The brothers can hike the Mt. Roberts trail (2.5 mi one-way to the summit) and meet back at the tram station.

~$45 /pp (tram only) View on TripAdvisor →

Taku Glacier Lodge Flightseeing & Feast

Wings Airways · 3 hrs · Limited availability

Floatplane from the Juneau docks to the historic Taku Glacier Lodge, with five-glacier flightseeing (Taku, Hole-in-the-Wall, Norris, Field, and Battle glaciers), a salmon-and-prime-rib feast at the lodge, and a chance to walk on the Taku itself. Operated by the Taku family for 100+ years. Pricier than Mendenhall but a more intimate, less-crowded experience. Limited summer dates.

~$425–$525 /pp View Alaska Shore Excursions →

Skagway, Alaska

⚓ Day 4 · 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM — the longest port day (13+ hours)

A 1,000-person town that ballooned to 20,000 during the 1897–99 Klondike Gold Rush. The downtown National Historic District is walkable in 30 minutes, but the real Skagway is the White Pass Railway and the Yukon beyond. Tip: with 13 hours in port, you have time to combine a morning train with an afternoon dogsled helicopter ride if you want to splurge on two premium tours.

Best train ride in Alaska Helicopter glacier Yukon Gold Rush history Eagle preserve

White Pass & Yukon Route Railway ⭐ Must-do

White Pass & Yukon Route · 3–5 hrs · All ships

A 1898 narrow-gauge railway climbing 2,885 ft to the White Pass Summit, with views of Dead Horse Gulch, Bridal Veil Falls, and the Yukon border. The original Gold Rush route. Two versions: roundtrip train (shorter, ~3 hrs, $150) or train-up + bus-back through the Yukon and across the Captain William Moore Suspension Bridge (longer, ~5 hrs, ~$180). Photo credit: Wikimedia/Howard Cohan.

$150–$180 /pp View on GetYourGuide →

Helicopter Glacier Landing & Dog Sledding

TEMSCO Skagway · 2.5 hrs · Limited to 6 pax per flight

The brothers’ pick. Helicopter from the Skagway waterfront over the Taiya Inlet, landing on the Denver Glacier (or Davidson, seasonally). Meet the Iditarod-trained sled dog team and mush across the snow. Most bookable tour in Skagway after the White Pass train. Smaller helicopter = bigger thrills but less room for the whole Crew. The parents can do this, or the brothers can split from the train group.

~$600–$700 /pp View on Alaska Shore Excursions →

Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Float Trip

Alaska Fairweather · 4.5 hrs · All ships

Drift down the Chilkat River on a guided raft through the world’s largest concentration of bald eagles (peak season Oct–Feb, but eagles visible year-round). Calm Class I water, no experience needed, naturalist guide. Adds a quiet alternative to the train/helicopter combo. Best for the parents if the brothers are doing the helicopter.

~$195–$235 /pp View on TripAdvisor →

Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp & Salmon Bake

Shore Excursions Group · 2.5 hrs · All ships

A Gold Rush living-history experience a 20-minute ride from the dock. Gold panning, sawmill, theatrical skits, “the world’s smallest jail,” and an all-you-can-eat salmon bake. A great easy option for the second half of the port day. Combines the cultural/historical side of Skagway with another Alaska salmon fix.

~$150–$175 /pp View on Shore Excursions Group →

Yukon Suspension Bridge & Summit Tour

Holland America Skagway Excursions · 3.5 hrs

Coach tour over the White Pass Summit into the Yukon, with stops at the Captain William Moore Suspension Bridge (137 ft above Moore Creek rapids), the Welcome to the Yukon sign, and the Carcross Desert (the world’s smallest desert). Less expensive than the train, but the bus goes farther. Best for travelers who want maximum Yukon in minimum time.

~$115–$140 /pp View on GetYourGuide →

Glacier Bay Day (at sea, in transit)

⚓ Day 5 · 6 AM – 3 PM on Royal Princess & HAL Eurodam · all day cruising

No excursions — the ship is the excursion. Glacier Bay National Park is only accessible by boat or plane, and only ~3 cruise lines get the rare permit to bring 2,000–4,000-passenger ships into the bay. NPS rangers board your ship at 6 AM and stay until 3 PM narrating. The bow gets crowded by 9 AM. Tip: reserve a forward-facing lounge chair by 7 AM, bring binoculars, and don’t book an onboard spa treatment during this window — you’ll hate yourself.

Single most important day NPS rangers onboard Calving glaciers Wildlife Photo ops

Johns Hopkins Glacier Up-Close Viewing 🏆 Main event

Included · Best viewed from the bow or Observation Lounge

The ship cruises up the Tarr Inlet to within a half-mile of the Johns Hopkins Glacier — a 250-foot tidewater glacier that calves regularly. You’ll hear the crack before you see the splash. Get a bow rail spot by 7:30 AM, the front Observation Lounge by 8 AM. NPS rangers do a narration over the PA throughout the morning. Photo credit: Wikimedia/NOAA.

Included with cruise 📍 Forward decks & Observation Lounge

Margerie Glacier & Ranger Presentations

Included · The afternoon highlight

After Johns Hopkins, the ship turns to the Margerie Glacier (a 1-mile-wide tidewater glacier). Watch for the blue ice calving into the water. NPS rangers present in the onboard theater throughout the day on glaciology, Tlingit cultural heritage, and the Huna Tlingit who have called the bay home for centuries. Free, included, and worth every minute.

Included with cruise 📍 Onboard theater & bow

Wildlife Watch: Sea Lions, Otters, Eagles, Whales

Included · Bring binoculars

Glacier Bay’s wildlife density is shocking. Steller sea lions hauled out on the South Marble Islands, harbor seals on the floating ice, sea otters in the kelp, and a good chance of humpback whales bubble-net feeding in the shallows. Bald eagles nest on the cliff faces. Rangers point out everything over the PA — if you listen, you’ll see double the wildlife.

Included with cruise 📍 All decks

Ketchikan, Alaska

⚓ Day 6 · 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (varies by ship) — longer on NCL Bliss

The "Salmon Capital of the World" and the wettest town in Southeast Alaska (averages 13 ft of rain a year). Creek Street (the old red-light district on stilts) is the most-photographed spot, but the real reason to be here is Misty Fjords National Monument. Tip: the floatplane tour is the right pick here — the Tongass National Forest (largest in the U.S.) is the backdrop and you can’t see it from the ship.

Misty Fjords flightseeing Creek Street Totem poles Fishing Rainforest

Misty Fjords Flightseeing by Floatplane ⭐ Bucket-list

Taquan Air · 2 hrs · Available on all 3 sailings

Floatplane from Ketchikan’s waterfront into Misty Fjords National Monument — 2.3 million acres of granite cliffs (3,000+ ft), 1,000-ft waterfalls, bear habitat, and Rudyerd Bay’s iconic “fiord of the gods.” Either pilot-narrated scenic flight, or extended versions with a floatplane landing on a remote lake. Photo credit: Wikimedia/USFWS.

~$330–$420 /pp View on Alaska Shore Excursions →

Saxman Native Village & Totem Bight 🏛️ Cultural

Clover Pass Resort / City tours · 3 hrs

A short ride from the dock to the Saxman Native Village, home to the largest standing collection of original Tlingit and Haida totem poles in the world. Watch a carver at work, see the clan house, learn the stories behind the poles. The Totem Bight State Historical Park is the complementary stop. Best for the cultural-history side of Alaska.

~$85–$110 /pp View on TripAdvisor →

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast

Lumberjack Sports Inc · 2.5 hrs · All ships

A 1-hour live lumberjack competition — axe throwing, log rolling, speed climbing — followed by an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast. Light, fun, family-friendly. The 17-year-old brother will love the sports. Combined with Creek Street walking, it’s a half-day of easy fun.

~$115–$140 /pp View on TripAdvisor →

Alaska Sportfishing & Crab Feast Combo

Baranoff Fishing · 5 hrs · All ships

Half-day salmon or halibut fishing charter out of Ketchikan’s harbor, then a Dungeness crab feast. Catch-and-keep is the rule, and the boat cleans and bags your catch for the freezer. Long but genuinely the “Alaska experience.” The brothers will love it; the parents can pick this or skip and do Misty Fjords.

~$325–$425 /pp (4 anglers) View on Alaska Shore Excursions →

Victoria, British Columbia

⚓ Day 7 · Late afternoon / evening — typically 4 PM – 11 PM

A 4–7 PM port stop is the law for Alaska cruises out of US ports (the Passenger Vessel Services Act) — so don’t expect a long day. Victoria is a 90-minute scenic ferry/highway ride from Seattle on the Inside Passage’s southern end. Tip: the evening Butchart Gardens stop is iconic but also the most expensive single excursion. The brief window means skip the Orca whale watching (Seattle ferries will handle that for free before the cruise).

Butchart Gardens Inner Harbour British tea Royal BC Museum

Butchart Gardens (Evening) ⭐ Bucket-list

Royal Caribbean / Princess · 3.5 hrs · All ships

A 55-acre National Historic Site 30 minutes north of the cruise dock. The Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and Italian Garden are stunners; the Saturday-night fireworks in July are the viral Instagram moment. Evening visits include the illuminated garden walk. Tight schedule (3.5 hrs from ship to ship) but doable. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Warfieldian.

~$85–$120 /pp View on ProfCruise →

Whale Watching from Victoria

Eagle Wing Tours · 3 hrs · Limited schedule

Orca-rich waters of the Salish Sea, with resident pods visible year-round. This is a different population than the Juneau humpbacks — these are fish-eating Northern Residents. Often combined with a Butchart Gardens drop in the morning. Note: the timing is tight for the evening sailing. Best only if your Victoria port window extends past 6 PM.

~$165–$195 /pp View on TripAdvisor →

Victoria Inner Harbour Walking Tour

Self-guided or ship tour · 1.5–2 hrs · Free to walk

A 15-minute walk from the cruise dock through the BC Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, and the Inner Harbour Causeway. Royal BC Museum is right there ($20 entry). Or do a quick self-guided walking tour of the downtown alleys, the Chinatown Gates, and the Market Square. Best for the short port day, no excursion fee.

Free to walk on your own Victoria TripAdvisor →

At Sea — Day 2

⚓ Cruising the Inside Passage — relax day

The first sea day is when the ship’s onboard amenities matter most. On Royal Princess that’s Movies Under the Stars, the Dome, the Sanctuary, and the Sanctuary adults-only pool. On NCL Bliss it’s the go-kart track, the Aqua Park, and the Entourage teen program. Plan an onboard activity or just sleep in — the next 4 days are non-stop.

Onboard entertainment Spa Dining Teen program

Spa Thermal Suite Pass

All ships · Day pass $150–$300

A relaxing sea day alternative. Saunas, steam rooms, heated tile loungers, thalassotherapy pools, and aromatherapy showers. Best on the first sea day to recover from embarkation. The 22-year-old will skip this; the parents will love it.

$150–$300 /pp 📍 Bookable onboard or pre-cruise

Specialty Dining: Chef’s Table or Steakhouse

All ships · $60–$120/person

Most ships have a signature specialty restaurant (Crown Grill on HAL, Share by Curtis Stone on Princess, Cagney’s on NCL). Book before the cruise — the chef’s table experiences sell out 60–90 days out. Worth it for one meal per cruise.

$60–$120 /pp 📍 Pre-book via cruise line

Mixology Class or Whiskey Tasting

All ships · $40–$90/person

A fun onboard group activity. The mixology class teaches 3–4 cocktails you can replicate at home. Whiskey tastings go through 4–5 regional spirits. Both make for great group memories. The 22-year-old can do these with Princess Plus / NCL Free at Sea bundled. The 17-year-old cannot (alcohol age limits apply).

$40–$90 /pp 📍 Book onboard

Movies Under the Stars (Princess) / Aqua Park (NCL)

Included · Open deck / pool

On Royal/Star Princess, the lido-deck Movies Under the Stars is the ship’s signature experience — a 300-sq-ft LED screen playing family-friendly films nightly with hot popcorn, blankets, and cocoa. On NCL Bliss, the Aqua Park has twin waterslides, a kids’ pool, and the Racer — the only competitive aqua coaster at sea. The brothers will split between the two ships.

Included with cruise 📍 Open deck / pool area

Excursion budget rules of thumb

What the crew wants to do.

Six travelers, five ports, and very different energy levels. Bob & Brenda will love the 4-hour White Pass train; Luke (22) will be bored. Let the family vote — each traveler picks up to 3 excursions per port, and the bottom card shows what 4+ of the crew want. Votes save to this device’s browser (private to you — share the consensus with the rest of the crew by screenshot).

Onboard extras — the line items nobody warns you about.

The cruise fare is just the start. Drinks, wifi, gratuities, and the “one more thing” add up fast. Here’s what each line charges — and how to skip the worst of it.