| Sounds like a good price. I would recommend you go to CruiseCritic.com and lurk on the boards - they have them for Carnival Cruise Lines as well as one specific for Alaska. I agree that it's kind of early, our land tour started on June 18, and there were 3 kids on the tour (40 adults). Alaska isn't very crowded no matter when you go. The tours you take during your cruise will be well managed, so crowds aren't really an issue. Our cruise started on June 25 and there were more kids then because most schools were closed for the summer. The cruise will have activities for your 15 year old, the tour will not. You will love Alaska, we had a wonderful trip. I think your 15 year old will too, eventually. On most tours, meals aren't included, so you'll have to pay for them, though I don't know about Carnival. On the cruise - the shore excursions cost extra, anywhere from $30 or $40 per person to several hundred dollars. We were in the mid-range for our land tours during the cruise and found them well worth it. We will probably never get back, so we chose our trip carefully to see as much as possible. If cost is a limiting factor, there are usually some free/inexpensive things you can do in each port town. I think having a room with a view is very important. I went with my DD and SIL, they had a room with a balcony and loved it, I had an inside cabin, across the hall, with no view or even a window, I hated it, very boring, and the bridge cam just didn't do much for me. Have a great trip. |