Older Teens on Holland America

[bysea]

We're planning a 7-day family cruise to Alaska on the Zuiderdam next summer, and I was just wondering about activities for our two teenage grandchildren. (This will be their first cruise.) Our granddaughter will be 17 and our grandson will be turning 18 before we go. They are cousins and will no doubt be hanging out together, but will the older one be turned away from the Loft if they both want to go there?

[1of4]

will the older one be turned away from the Loft if they both want to go there?

 

Yes. He will not be allowed in The Loft or the casino. We heard many complaints from parents with kids under 3 (not allowed in Club Hal) and over 18 for lack of programming on the Volendam last August. Parents were also upset that their 18 year olds could not get alcohol even if they were with an adult older than 21.

 

The Volendam is smaller in size so not sure if there will be more programms offered due to the size of ship. The comments we heard from parents with kids in that age group were overall very negative as the kids were bored out of their minds while the kids 17 and under loved The Loft and had great times. I heard a few comments about parents having to go up there at 2 or 3 in the morning to find their kids and bring them back to the cabin.

[BlackJack2]

We have been on many HAL ships and our son has never had any problem finding friends to hang out with, even after he turned 18. When you board the ship, find the cruise director and ask him/her to set up a M&G for the 18 to 20 year olds. The cruise director can put it in the daily schedule. The 18 - 20 year olds seemed to find each other and by the 2nd or 3rd day they usually have a group that hangs out together.

[excruisestaff]

We have been on many HAL ships and our son has never had any problem finding friends to hang out with, even after he turned 18. When you board the ship, find the cruise director and ask him/her to set up a M&G for the 18 to 20 year olds. The cruise director can put it in the daily schedule. The 18 - 20 year olds seemed to find each other and by the 2nd or 3rd day they usually have a group that hangs out together.

 

I agree with this poster. I think no matter what ship/line you sail, 18-20 year olds are kind of "in limbo" since there really isn't a set program for them. If a M&G could be done for them, they might go to that, but most wouldn't want to follow a "set program" anyway. As the previous poster said, they do find each other. Enjoy!

 

Maxine

[whogo]

Yes. He will not be allowed in The Loft or the casino. We heard many complaints from parents with kids under 3 (not allowed in Club Hal) and over 18 for lack of programming on the Volendam last August. Parents were also upset that their 18 year olds could not get alcohol even if they were with an adult older than 21.

 

The Volendam is smaller in size so not sure if there will be more programms offered due to the size of ship. The comments we heard from parents with kids in that age group were overall very negative as the kids were bored out of their minds while the kids 17 and under loved The Loft and had great times. I heard a few comments about parents having to go up there at 2 or 3 in the morning to find their kids and bring them back to the cabin.

This is a good description of my son's experience in the 18 -20 age group. No programming, thankfully he didn't need it to have a good time.

[sansterre]

Wouldn't they allow the "just turned 18 year old" to "hang" with his 17 year old cousin in the loft?

[bysea]

I'm not too worried about them being entertained, really. I'm sure there will be lots for them to do - exploring the ship, swimming, movies, EATING, and three ports to visit, as well. As you say, they will probably gravitate to others of their age group, but I thought the Loft might be a good place to meet up with them.

 

Thanks for all your replies!

[aussiedisneyfan]

Obviously the rules are 18+ aren't allowed in the loft but some of the youth counselors may allow them in. We have been on the Volendam a few times albeit with a younger teen and there were older teens, sometimes they were allowed in and sometimes they weren't.