HAL Rotterdam with a 5 year old to Norway

[scrappinheather]

We are thinking of taking a family cruise next June with 23 of us to Norway going to Bergen, Alesund, Skojden, and Eidford, Norway over the 4th of July week. Of the 23 of us there will be two 3 year olds, one 4 year old, one 5 year old (my son), one 9 year old, one 11 year old, one 19 year old, and the rest are adults. How is the HAL kids club on this cruise? How is this itinerary for some younger kids? We have sailed Disney, Carnival, and NCL will we like this?

 

Thanks for any input. Heather

[rebeccalouiseagain]

The Youth Program is fine. They do all the typical things onboard- talent show, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and play stations. It is nowhere near Royal or Disney but it is fine for young kids.

 

Holland is a really good family cruise line and you'll have a ball. The kids also play at the pool together. The ships are a nice medium size and the crew is really good. Have fun. It'll be great and Norway is BEAUTIFUL! It is a great itinerary for younger kids. First of all the scenery is breath taking even if you never get off the ship. The towns are so clean and safe. There are lots of opportunities for kids to run and play. You'll love it.

[scrappinheather]

Thanks Rebecca. Sounds great. If anyone else has insights please feel free to chime in...

Heather

[rebeccalouiseagain]

You probably will get lots of responses on Holland America as well. Read some of the reviews from past passengers for that particular sailing on the Rotterdam. Will probably be helpful.

 

I've done two cruises on Holland with my son (he was 7 on the first one and 10 on the second). He had a really good time. The one thing about a family trip.. you don't want them to love the youth program too much because they will never want to get off the ship.

 

One thing I really like about Holland is that they serve the same food in the buffet at night that they serve in the main diningroom. So if you want to feed the kids first and take them to the youth program you can do that and then have an adult dinner or skip the main diningroom. On one of our cruises we ate by the pool each night and he could swim and have the pool to himself which was really nice.