? kids on 14 night Amsterdam 2010

[msec]

Hi Everyone -

 

We usually sail Disney Cruise Line but want to cruise Alaska next summer. I know Disney is cruising in 2011 but I am not to fond of their itinerary. We really like the 14 night itinerary that is offered on the Amsterdam next year. We have never sailed on Holland America and I have heard that they are not typically the first choice for family cruises. Our kids will be 12 & 14 and we are looking to cruise mid-June. My questions is for those that have sailed Holland America in Alaska - based your experiences - do you think that our family would feel out of place on this longer Holland America cruise?? :o

[vbmom87]

Hi Everyone -

 

We usually sail Disney Cruise Line but want to cruise Alaska next summer. I know Disney is cruising in 2011 but I am not to fond of their itinerary. We really like the 14 night itinerary that is offered on the Amsterdam next year. We have never sailed on Holland America and I have heard that they are not typically the first choice for family cruises. Our kids will be 12 & 14 and we are looking to cruise mid-June. My questions is for those that have sailed Holland America in Alaska - based your experiences - do you think that our family would feel out of place on this longer Holland America cruise?? :o

 

 

I do think that a 14 day cruise will have less children than a 7 day cruise. However, I would not let that discourage you from this trip. If you like the itinerary, you should stick with it. It will be a very memorable Alaskan experience for you and your children.

 

In general you are not going to find large numbers of children on Alaska cruises. I would definitely not choose May, early June or late August. If you involve your children in the trip from the beginning, and let them do research and help choose activities, you will be well on your way to having a great cruise. Make them somewhat responsible for their own satisfaction with this trip.

 

Here is a post from someone who travelled on HAL with their children. (younger than yours at ages 8 and 11) who was very happy with HAL. As with so many things, I think expectations are part of someone's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with anything.

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=21243480#post21243480

[karatemom2]

We have booked the Amsterdam for our family next July. Our kids will be 10 and 16. Since it is during the summer holidays, I'm sure there will be other kids onboard.

[Budget Queen]

A 14 day cruise WILL have fewer kids than a 7 day Alaska cruise. AND that 7 day Alaska cruise will have far fewer kids compared to the Caribbean.

 

HAL is a top line, and all ages certainly sail. I suggest you "busy" the kids with "Alaska". Involve them in the shore excursions, and make a priority of seeing and doing what is of interest outside the ship. :) The "ship time" is a small overall portion of the trip. There will be "some" kids, and plenty of interesting adults too. They will have a great time!!!!

[robinsra]

We tried HAL for our July 2010 trip the fourteen day sounded great. Only problem is there were no quad balconies, except suites. Way too much money. Am I reading it wrong? What do other families do? Thanks

[PennyAgain]

HAL often has large extended familes traveling for reunions, major anniversaries etc. People of just about all ages. Some children, some elders and many in betweens.

 

This 14 day triip is new and as such is selling out fast in the most popular catagories. I can't plan far enough ahead with my job, so I'm not finding what I want at this time. If you do find what you want in a catagory of room, dates and price....don't hesitate! Book it!

[ottawa_traveler]

That's 47 passengers under the age of 18, so not too many in any given age group. Ours was a 7-night cruise.

 

I honestly don't think it would have mattered to our kids (6 and 8) if they had been the only children on the cruise--they just loved the whole experience and would love to go again. Club HAL was fine, but they didn't spend more than 2-3 hours there on any given day, and they only went there on sea days. Our excursions were busy and active: sea kayaking, Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, etc., so our kids were over the moon. For us the trip was about being in Alaska, not about on-board entertainment.

 

As for being out of place, we never felt that way. I liked the low-key atmosphere on HAL, and we certainly didn't need any Disney characters to enhance our Alaskan experience. Alaska stands on its own--there is more than enough to see and do if you enjoy the great outdoors.

[AlanAllyn]

Hi Everyone -

 

We usually sail Disney Cruise Line but want to cruise Alaska next summer. I know Disney is cruising in 2011 but I am not to fond of their itinerary. We really like the 14 night itinerary that is offered on the Amsterdam next year. We have never sailed on Holland America and I have heard that they are not typically the first choice for family cruises. Our kids will be 12 & 14 and we are looking to cruise mid-June. My questions is for those that have sailed Holland America in Alaska - based your experiences - do you think that our family would feel out of place on this longer Holland America cruise?? :o

Do join us on the June 14 Amsterdam cruise. We are seniors with grandchildren in that age range (not sailing with us). There is a fairly active roll call for that cruise as well as a second one with ideas from people on all of the 14-day itineraries.

 

Alan and Allyn