What had been your experience on an Alaskan cruise?

Question

Leaving from Seattle, 14 days long. My son was asked by a friend to go--should I let him? I always hear such horrible things about people getting terribly ill on cruises, people disappearing, etc. I do not want to let him go, but the issue is causing so much contention between us that I am thinking about giving in. Of course it would be a great experience, but still . . . he's 16.

Answer 1

I have been to Alaska twice.  Once on business and then on a cruise tour with Princess cruise line.  It sounds like your son wants to go on a cruise -tour also because most cruise ONLY packages are for only 7 days.  I have also been on about 20 cruises and experienced a lot of what goes on both on ships and off.  So I recommend that you let your son go.  

First of all, it is very safe because every passengers is screened and has to present positive ID in order to get on the ship.  No one gets on or off the ship without the ship knowing because they use a cruise card (issued when you first board) scanner system to track people getting on and off.  Ship's security is ALWAYS at the doorway and they scan every person and packages must go through an x-ray scanner just like at the airport.

All passengers must now submit their personal information (passport #, address, phone # , etc) weeks before the cruise and the ships do FBI and other checks on people going on cruises.  So when your son boards the ship he will be in a secure community.

There have been incidents of people falling over board and/or disappearing on cruise ships.  BUT, in all of those cases it was because the passengers were doing something stupid that they should not have been doing, like sitting on a deck or balcony railing, or the people wanted to commit suicide.  And, the number of those incidents is very small considering the number of cruises taking place every day, something like I bet 1 in 25,000.

On the issue of illness the cruise lines take all measures possible to prevent the Norwalk virus that has made people ill.  Most ships have a couple bottle of hand sanitizer at the gangway when you first board the ship and a staff person telling everyone to use it.  That have the same at each port stop. They have the same at all of the main restaurants on ships. And then your son can add due diligence by simply carrying with him a small bottle of hand sanitizer or some handy wipes to use before he eats.

The chances of your son getting sea sick on the cruise are also slim as cruise ships being used these days have automatic stabilizers to prevent rocking and most other motion.  In addition, a cruise to Alaska through the inside passage is the smoothest cruise that you can take anywhere.  In many places its about like cruising up/down a river because you can see the shore on both sides of the ship.

Since your son is a teen he will be in good hands on whatever ship he goes on.  Every cruise line has programs specifically for teens. Some ships have a special area for teens to hang out, like a teens only disco. AND the ships have professionally trained staff persons who supervise the teens in these areas and/or in activities.  

On the tour part of the trip he will also be supervised by the people he is traveling with and by the tour guide.

Now if you know or think that your son is totally irresponsible, then don't let him go.  But don't deny him because you think there will be bad things that will happen to him because the likelihood of something bad happening is very very remote.

Answer 2

An Alaskan cruise would be one of the safest cruises because for one thing, the only foreign country he would be going to may be Canada. The wild life alone he would see is a great learning experience. Seeing the Glaciers up close is so awesome and unbelievable, it is a sight everyone should see. I have never heard of anyone disappearing, but I have seen people not make it back to the ship on time. That is the one great reason to go on tours from the cruise ship itself rather then going on your own. I also have seen a few people get sick on board ship, but now a days they have disinfectants everywhere as long as you use them. In two years, your son will be going away to college and be away from you for a long time. Certainly on a cruise ship for 2 weeks, he will be very safe. Cruise ships work very hard to keep their passengers well, if not no one would go back. I have been on 8 cruises with Princess cruise lines and never had any trouble at all. One time we did have to go to medical to get a prescription filled(it was a 29 day cruise), and they took care of everything, no problem. They even took us to the pharmacy. If you trust the parents that he would be going with, then I would let him go. Just one note, my daughter has had exchange students as young as 16 live with them for a whole school year.

Answer 3

I was all ready to write and tell you how wonderful the Alaskan cruise is--I know someone that went and they loved every single moment of it.

But then I got to the part about letting a 16 year old go.  My heart skipped a beat there.  I was one of "those" moms that always had the all the kids at her house (and fed them, bought the video games, etc.) just so I would know where my kids were all the time.

So this is coming from a very protective mom...and one that is much older/seen more....let him go.  I know every feeling you are going through, but I have seen bad things happen to kids in their own home, neighborhood, school, the mall, etc.  

One other thing I would like to point out--the cruises where people fall overboard are usually the carribean cruises--a big party atmosphere.  The Alaskan cruises are more geared toward the older crowd.

Let him go, I know you are going to be a nervous wreck while he is gone--but he will be fine.

Answer 4

He's 16... i was on a cruise when i was 15.. best experiance of my life at that time....would have been even better with a friend, i had my brother and people i met on the cruise... but your son is old enough to take care of himself and his friend. also they will be together...  nothing bad will happen

Answer 5

Mom; we all worry about our kids. I have been on 22 cruises to Alaska and have taken my 2 with me 8 times. It is a very safe cruise. The waters are calm, there is security on every ship plus his friend will be there and his parents. Of the cruises I have been on no one has gotten sick etc. I guy did fall while in port because he was watching one thing while walking into a pole. The amazing scenery, wildlife and him being trusted on his own will be a trip he will never forget.

Buy him some phone cards that he can call you when he is each port of call. I honestly feel that you two will be closer when he returns.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

I second Tinker's observations.

If you would consider letting your son go camping with his friends, then consider letting him go on a cruise.  A cruise is the safer option.

Millions of people go on a cruise every year, so yes, some people get sick and some people do stupid things (like climbing up on a railing and falling over -- it takes effort).  But by and large, security is excellent.

BTW, among all cruises a 14 day Alaska cruise will be especially sedate -- longer cruises attract an older, more mature group, and Alaska cruises cater to people interested in nature more than partying.

If you're not familiar with cruises, you might want to read this FAQ, which covers questions like "Will I get sick on a cruise" and "What's it really like?"

http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/in...

Hope that helps.