First time on Holland America

[lseb]

Hi Everyone,

 

I just signed up to the Cruise Critic sight. I always enjoyed reading the posts and since I am going on my 5th cruise with my family I decided to sign up. We are going on a Holland America ship for the first time, on the Westerdam and I would like to know if we will be ok with a family of 4 (2 kids 9) in a Oceanview stateroom C catagory on the main deck or should I upgrade to a Verandah. Also, my kids love to be around their parents and do not like to use the kids facilities, would this be a problem if they tagged along with us to a place like the disco since they love to dance or one of the other areas that have music.

 

Love to hear from you,

lseb

[Bill B]

Only you can decide, but four people in a Cat. C will be fairly 'tight'... and a veranda won't give you much (if any) more room (other than the veranda itself) unless you move up to 'Deluxe Veranda Suite'.

 

An option you may want to consider is booking two adjoining rooms.

[jtl513]

The veranda cabins (VA to VF) are no larger than inside the C that you have. The listed sizes include the balcony, which is generally 54 sq ft.

 

To my knowledge, the only place kids are not allowed is the casino, the Sea View pool on some ships, and I think some of the spa facilities. However, you should not bring kids to any shows labelled "adult content"! :)

 

... unless you move up to 'Deluxe Veranda Suite'.

A Superior (SS-SZ) would give roughly 50% more cabin space than a VA-VF.

[lseb]

Thank you Bill. I will look into the Deluxe Verandah Suite.

[lseb]

Great, Thank you.

[schoolinmy3]

We were on the Eurodam in May as a family of 5. My husband and I were in a verandah room on deck 4 and our children were in a J category room on the main deck. The J category rooms on the main deck only (not the J categories on other decks) are significantly larger than the verandah room. Even though they are interior rooms they have a square shape instead of rectangular and they have more room than the higher category rooms. There is a larger sectional sofa and the bathroom has more vanity space. If you don't mind an interior room (my kids loved it, they were 17, 19 and 10) the size I think is the best.

diane

[Bill B]

Thank you Bill. I will look into the Deluxe Verandah Suite.

I forgot - on the Westerdam there are 389 sq ft. Superior Veranda Suites.

 

These are intermediate to the 254 sq. ft. Deluxe Verandah Ocean-view and the really big, 510-700 sq. ft. Deluxe Veranda Suites.

[lseb]

Super!!!!

[excruisestaff]

Hi Everyone,

 

I just signed up to the Cruise Critic sight. I always enjoyed reading the posts and since I am going on my 5th cruise with my family I decided to sign up. We are going on a Holland America ship for the first time, on the Westerdam and I would like to know if we will be ok with a family of 4 (2 kids 9) in a Oceanview stateroom C catagory on the main deck or should I upgrade to a Verandah. Also, my kids love to be around their parents and do not like to use the kids facilities, would this be a problem if they tagged along with us to a place like the disco since they love to dance or one of the other areas that have music.

 

Love to hear from you,

lseb

 

Your kids should at least try the kid program. Every program and every ship is different, so they might find they'll want to join in some of the activites this time. I don't think kids are allowed in the disco after a certain hour though. Whatever you decide, have a great time!

 

MH

[lseb]

Hi MH,

 

Thanks for your reply,

We are going to sign the kids up to Club Hal and I'm sure they will participate in some of the programs but we are also looking to do things as a family on the ship. We have cruised before with them and they enjoyed almost everything including going to the disco and dancing. We are not looking to stay out late with them but to have a little fun dancing together.

 

lseb

[sevenseasnomad]

From past experience, disco doesn't crank up until 11. Kids under 21 were not allowed after 11. They do have 60s night & 70s disco fever night. If I remember correctly, these events usually started about 9-9:30. All ages allowed. Check your daily program.

 

The important thing is to enjoy time together. Hope all of you create tons of memories.

[excruisestaff]

Hi MH,

 

Thanks for your reply,

We are going to sign the kids up to Club Hal and I'm sure they will participate in some of the programs but we are also looking to do things as a family on the ship. We have cruised before with them and they enjoyed almost everything including going to the disco and dancing. We are not looking to stay out late with them but to have a little fun dancing together.

 

lseb

 

 

You are very welcome Iseb! You didn't say when you are going though. We'll be on the Westerdam the week of Dec. 17th.

 

MH

[schoolinmy3]

Hi MH,

 

Thanks for your reply,

We are going to sign the kids up to Club Hal and I'm sure they will participate in some of the programs but we are also looking to do things as a family on the ship. We have cruised before with them and they enjoyed almost everything including going to the disco and dancing. We are not looking to stay out late with them but to have a little fun dancing together.

 

lseb

 

My daughter loved Club Hal on our cruise to the Mediterranean on the Eurodam. She went up there almost every evening. There were usually only two or three others up there so she had the attention of the Club Hal directors almost all to herself. She was 10. We also enjoyed the Culinary Arts classes. Our family (my boys were 17 and 19) had the chef all to ourselves as no one else had signed up for the class we did. It was fantastic! They usually fill up quickly but I think it was a scheduling issue as the class was scheduled while we were in port. We just did our excursion in the morning so we could fit in the class as well. It was so worth it.

diane

[lseb]

Hi MH,

 

December 3rd is the trip. Kids have off a couple days during the week and the price was right. Also it was a nice birthday gift for my DW.

 

lseb

[lseb]

Hi Schoolinmy3,

 

Thanks for the reply,

 

Did they have any activities for families to do together?

 

lseb

[Jade13]

A higher deck with children may be easier since it would be a shorter walk to the pool/lido buffet.

 

Btw, we love the Westerdam!

[lseb]

Hi Jade13,

 

I have cruised Ncl x2 , Carnival x1 and Royal Carribean x1 and 1st time on Hal. I have read alot of posts before I booked and heard alot of nice things about the cruiseline and the ship. They did talk about that it is geared for more of an older crowd which will not bother us at all since we have fun with all ages. The only thing I was concerned about is with having kids aboard would this bother some people. My kids are 9 almost 10 and they are well behaved and love to have fun with anyone. We are early 40's.

 

lseb

[schoolinmy3]

Hi Jade13,

 

I have cruised Ncl x2 , Carnival x1 and Royal Carribean x1 and 1st time on Hal. I have read alot of posts before I booked and heard alot of nice things about the cruiseline and the ship. They did talk about that it is geared for more of an older crowd which will not bother us at all since we have fun with all ages. The only thing I was concerned about is with having kids aboard would this bother some people. My kids are 9 almost 10 and they are well behaved and love to have fun with anyone. We are early 40's.

 

lseb

We were on the Eurodam with our 10 yo and the steward couldn't do enough for her and my other two sons. They shared an interior room (my son is 19) and dh and I were on another deck in a verandah room. He had a daughter her age back home. He was very sweet and attentive. No one minded the kids.

diane

[lseb]

Hello everyone,

 

If I am not into drinking soda what is my other options? I believe there is unlimited juices and iced tea. Is the iced tea sweetened?

 

Thanks,

lseb

[RuthC]

Is the iced tea sweetened?

No, it isn't. You can add whichever sweetener you prefer. Or not add, if you prefer. There's no lemon in it, either. Lemon slices are nearby, if you like it in your tea.

[dobiemom]

Hello everyone,

 

If I am not into drinking soda what is my other options? I believe there is unlimited juices and iced tea. Is the iced tea sweetened?

 

Thanks,

lseb

I think lemonade is also available all day, and the complimentary juices are only available during breakfast.

[schoolinmy3]

Hi Schoolinmy3,

 

Thanks for the reply,

 

Did they have any activities for families to do together?

 

lseb

 

Club HAL was very laid back on our cruise due to the number (or lack there of) of children on board that week. The week before apparently there was quite the group but our week was quiet. It was the third week in May and I don't think school was out yet. Our daughter is homeschooled so we didn't have to work around a school schedule for traveling. My daughter would go up to Club Hal and there would be planned crafts and/ or games. Sometimes I hung out for a few minutes chatting, and they never told me to leave or anything, but they didn't really need me there so I didn't stay. My son who was in the older age group did one of the scavenger hunts and we did that together. Also, they had trivia bingo in the Crow's Nest which anyone can do plus you can borrow board games. They had culinary classes for the younger kids which were free but we did the regular classes since our boys were teenagers. All three of my kids enjoyed the ship so much it was hard to tear them away for shore excursions!

diane