Alaska by train/car

Lifelong Alaskan here with two kiddos - you will have access to much more experiences if you skip the cruise and fly in. The railroad trip from Anchorage to Seward is a bucket list type experience and you see sights you can ONLY see by train. They make it fun for kids too - my kids thought it was a blast!

Once you’re in Seward take a marine wildlife tour and you get the same wildlife viewing as you would on the cruise but condensed into a day/half day.

If you skip the cruise you can pack your itinerary with local restaurants and unique shopping (we have some really good ones!) and you can drive both north (Denali) and south (Homer spit) all in one trip and get a more authentic experience.