Are we too young for HAL?

[lrowe70]

My husband and I are in our late 30s with a toddler aged child.

We've cruised on Star Clippers, Windstar, Carnival and are currently eyeing a Regent cruise.

However, next summer my husband would like to take a cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage. In looking at work schedules and whatnot, it appears our only option is HAL Stantendam(I'm sure I spelled that wrong).

 

As much as we love to cruise, and have no issue being around older people, we are concerned about HALs reputation as the retirement/scooter/cane cruise line.

Even when we were on Star Clippers(where we were the youngest couple by almost a decade) two older couples(1 much, much older) told us never to go on HAL and it was just for people who had 1 foot in the grave.

I don't want to spend my vacation feeling like I'm hanging out in a retirement home.

 

Also because we have a toddler we're concerned that people won't appreciate his being there. We don't want to encounter rude remarks or stares because we paid for our child to vacation with us.

 

So your opinions please, I'm aware everything I've written is based only on others observations and rumors. I'm posting on this board to get the real truth.

What would you say the age range is on a summer cruise to Alaska?

Is it true that 30-somethings and their children will be unwelcome on HAL?

 

Thanks for any information you can provide

[lovetocruise2020]

My husband and I are in our late 30s with a toddler aged child.

We've cruised on Star Clippers, Windstar, Carnival and are currently eyeing a Regent cruise.

However, next summer my husband would like to take a cruise from Vancouver to Anchorage. In looking at work schedules and whatnot, it appears our only option is HAL Stantendam(I'm sure I spelled that wrong).

 

As much as we love to cruise, and have no issue being around older people, we are concerned about HALs reputation as the retirement/scooter/cane cruise line.

Even when we were on Star Clippers(where we were the youngest couple by almost a decade) two older couples(1 much, much older) told us never to go on HAL and it was just for people who had 1 foot in the grave.

I don't want to spend my vacation feeling like I'm hanging out in a retirement home.

 

Also because we have a toddler we're concerned that people won't appreciate his being there. We don't want to encounter rude remarks or stares because we paid for our child to vacation with us.

 

So your opinions please, I'm aware everything I've written is based only on others observations and rumors. I'm posting on this board to get the real truth.

What would you say the age range is on a summer cruise to Alaska?

Is it true that 30-somethings and their children will be unwelcome on HAL?

 

Thanks for any information you can provide

 

You will have an amazing time.

We started w HAL at 29 and 30 i think.

We have only done Caribbean... Alot. Lol

Statendam looks very lovely.

If you ever get the chance, we love the Eurodam :)

[Crew News]

The demographics of the HAL passengers list depends on what time of year you travel.

 

If schools are in session, younger couples are home with the children leaving the impression that there is an older crowd.

 

If schools are on holiday, the passenger list includes lots of families with children and it is a cross section of all age groups.

 

Longer cruises that include both school holidays and non-holidays will appear to have an older crowd. This is true on all cruise lines.

 

My experience is that there are approximately 20 scooters on each cruise of 1800+ passengers. The most wheel chairs I can remember are four in Alaska two years ago.

 

All ages truly enjoy themselves on HAL but not in the same party atmosphere as Carnival.

 

I would skip the flight to Anchorage and just spend the time aboard ship. The sheer number of available excursions in Alaska will keep you very active and will bring you back to Alaska for more.

 

There is nothing better than eating fresh crab and salmon, seeing breaching whales, marveling at the glaciers, flying in float planes, following the Yukon gold rush trails, and savoring the clean air.

[fireflies]

We did the Statendam in late June this year, the return route of Seward to Anchorage. The ship is in good shape, especially considering how old it is. It was our first HAL cruise and around 8th overall.

 

Before the cruise we shared the same age concern as you but I think the HAL age stigma is over blown. The demographic was older but it wasn't anything like a retirement home with scooters parked everywhere. I might recall seeing 2 of them.

 

There were quite a few generational families (grandparents-parents-kids). Our next door neighbours were 2 teenagers. There were a handful of younger couples too, late 20's to 30's the outdoors/North Face type.

 

I don't remember seeing any toddlers on the cruise, so can't comment on how welcome toddlers are but we met lots of nice people so I don't think it would be a massive problem unless you intend to bring your toddler to MDR and cries and screams constantly break out.

 

The atmosphere and entertainment is more subdued but it's not death bed material. Basically if you know that the ship is older + the activities and other guests will skew older, I can't see anything stopping you from booking. Hope this helps.

[ellieanne]

I was 25 when I cruised with the HAL the first time. It was a 10-day Canada/New England cruise and I was positive I was the youngest person on board. But I had a great time.

 

There were a good number of older people, and the concentration of scooters meant my toes got run over so many times I stopped counting. But I had a great time on the cruise.

 

I really think it's the feel and ambiance of the line rather than the demographics that is the source of the "retirement line." All my cruises have been quiet and refined. It's not a late night crowd, and not the kind of crowd to get and stay drunk for the duration of the cruise.

 

My cruises have all been 10 days or longer, and with longer cruises, you will get a different demographic. In my observation, if you are looking for a quiet line with not much activity after dinner, HAL is probably a good fit. If you want a wilder crowd, even if wilder means only some nightlife, you will probably not like HAL. Shorter cruises may have a livelier crowd.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You forgot about those of us who use walkers/rollators. :D

If you choose to cruise in late June through the first part of August, you will see more families than the other times of the year. This time of the year does attract the grandparents, parents and children.

More people will be interested in the sights and not focusing on your child or how young you are.

[KirkNC]

I would say you are fine for the cruise you are interested in. Now if you were taking a 48 day Asian cruise than you would find more what you described. Our recent Nieuw Amsterdam cruise in the Med on HAL had lots of children and everyone seemed to have a good time.

[alwaysfrantic]

We are mid 40s and I was surprised how few scooters I saw; I was expecting the scenario you envision. We were among the younger passengers but those older were all active. I only saw 1 scooter the whole trip and it was always parked in an elevator lobby. Don't recall walkers at all.

[Not-My-Real-Name]

True story, one day we were waiting to get into the dining room for lunch on our 14-day Amsterdam Alaska cruise. The lady in front of me (using a walker) turned to me and said she has never seen so many people in scooters or using walkers. She said she felt like she had stepped on to a floating nursing home. I think my jaw dropped, I had no response.

[Katie333]

For us, the HAL demographic was very similar to our Princess cruise (comparing like to like, Caribbean to Caribbean), and a bit older than our Carnival cruises.

 

As many others have said, you'll find more families on cruises during school breaks.

 

We are 38 and 43 and have been cruising for about 10 years. Even now, I feel we are still amongst the younger cruisers, but no longer the youngest. ;)

[trvlcrzy]

I started with HAL at 36. I prefer the quiet atmosphere without "BINGO" and "CASINO TOURNAMENT!" announcements blaring constantly as I've experienced elsewhere. The announcements on HAL are limited to particular times of day (and that depends on port vs. sea days). I am a teacher, and I must cruise during school breaks.

 

As far as toddlers, please remember that I don't know you or your child, so please don't take offense at my next comments.

When we were sailing Tracy Arm just a few days ago, there was a notice in the daily "on location" newsletter about staying quiet on the outer decks to increase the chances of seeing wildlife. We were on the aft deck for this particular day, and there was a child screaming to enjoy the echo effect created by the tall cliffs. No one said a thing, but I had the inner cringe on every high-pitched squeal. I know that not all parents will allow their children to disturb the experience of fellow passengers, so please don't attack me for sharing my experience.

[iamwiz82]

I started with HAL at 22 ;). I am 31 now and have triple digit days at sea.

 

I love the relaxing atmosphere of HAL ships. The vibe fits me.

[sail7seas]

We will not hold your youth against you. :)

 

We will welcome you warmly.

You will not be the youngest aboard and will not be alone in being a young family. There are young people on every HAL cruise 14 days and under. When you start with 30+ day cruises, of course, there will be more senior guests. They are the one who have the time to be away from home so long.

 

[doublebzz]

Wife and I did Alaska 3 years ago. What I recall is the beautiful scenery, quaint towns and occasional wildlife. That I don't recall the ship's demographics probably indicates that factor was irrelevant. Of course, "I have one foot in the grave," or at least a toe.

[Thebes]

I have co - workers in their 40s who cruised before on HA. They said it was awesome for their type ( professionals and non- party animal people). I don't think age demographic is a problem. Now, wine policy has a been the problem lately.... Just kidding :) Enjoy your cruise. You'll love it :)

[Thebes]

Forgot to say we're in our early 40s and we booked Eurodam for feb. excited and looking forward to it.

[sevenseasnomad]

First, I'm a teacher on an eleven-month contract, so we can only cruise during holiday periods and the month of July. In 2010, our 22 year-old son balked at going with us on a 10-day HAL cruise to the Panama Canal. He had the same impression that HAL was an "old people's cruise line." I recall his saying that there wouldn't be anyone for him to "hang with." He boarded with attitude. (Spell that with a capital A.)

 

Halfway through the second day, he voted HAL his favorite line (he'd already cruised Carnival, Celebrity, and RCI). Attitude disappeared. He "hung with" about 40 other young people---some single, some married in their 20s & 30s. They dubbed themselves "super friends," and he still keeps in touch with some of them via facebook.

 

Since then, he's happily cruised exclusively on Holland America. Every cruise, he meets people in his age group that he's enjoyed. Nightlife has varied, but our son rarely gets back to the cabin before 1 a.m. We've found activities (mostly dancing & gambling) to keep us busy until midnight on all the cruises we've taken. Our longest cruise, however, has been 12 days.

 

While the majority of passengers may skew toward late 40s-90s, our son now appreciates this demographic, and we've had older people pause and tell us what a delight it was to have a drink and conversation with our son.

 

Our last cruise aboard Eurodam, during April, there were lots of families with babies. I doubt you'll be the only ones with a child that age. Alaska is spectacular. Go!

 

We keep returning to HAL because of the gracious people we've met aboard, young or old it hardly matters. Others may claim differently, but we've encountered few rude passengers, a helpful & smiling staff, and lovely well-maintained ships. Hope this helps. If you go, return & give us your impressions, please.

[Saphire]

I don't want to spend my vacation feeling like I'm hanging out in a retirement home.

 

If the sight of assistive devices/wheelchairs or scooters upsets you or makes you feel depressed, I would suggest not sailing HAL. You will see them. I don't know how many it would take to make you feel out of place, but they will be around you.

[lrowe70]

Thanks for all the replies, you have all been very helpful unlike the HAL website.

Even on their page they only show that the kids' area is a tiny nook shoved off in some corner. And they don't bother to show any kids! I know for the professional website photos they use actors/models, but they couldn't find even the captain's grandchild to go pretend to have fun for a quick photo? It gives the impression that kids(and their parents) are not really appreciated.

 

The cruise we're looking at is 7 days, so it sounds like it won't be a problem. Looks like we're going to book!

[trophy_23]

I started on HAL at 24 on a cruise with family and loved it. Fiancee and I, now both 28 have 6 HAL cruises under our belts and we loved them all!! Overall the age mix has been pretty good, not that we really care anyways, we just do our thing and enjoy our vacation. The only time we were literally 2 of 4 people under 40 was the Canada/NE reposition to FLL and we were mistaken for crew everwhere we turned!! It made for a good laugh and again we didn't care because we got an amazing deal on a great itinerary and it we werent at home working!!

[lrowe70]

If the sight of assistive devices/wheelchairs or scooters upsets you or makes you feel depressed, I would suggest not sailing HAL. You will see them. I don't know how many it would take to make you feel out of place, but they will be around you.

Goodness no, I've seen scooters and elderly on our Carnival cruises. That doesn't depress me in the least.

This issue(or rather the rumor) is that HAL is a floating nursing home. I've envisioned 50% or more people with assistive devices, the "young" couple being 65, slideshows and stories about the Depression era, and possibly several others with Dementia yelling, "You kids get off my lawn!"

HAL has done a poor job in changing their image as the old people's cruise. I haven't been on this board enough, but I imagine that's been discussed.

...and what's all this about wine?...:rolleyes: lol

[lrowe70]

As far as toddlers, please remember that I don't know you or your child, so please don't take offense at my next comments.

When we were sailing Tracy Arm just a few days ago, there was a notice in the daily "on location" newsletter about staying quiet on the outer decks to increase the chances of seeing wildlife. We were on the aft deck for this particular day, and there was a child screaming to enjoy the echo effect created by the tall cliffs. No one said a thing, but I had the inner cringe on every high-pitched squeal. I know that not all parents will allow their children to disturb the experience of fellow passengers, so please don't attack me for sharing my experience.

 

I'm not going to have a parenting debate with you, but I will say that HALs request was misguided at best.

While someone making noise may be distracting to other passengers, it most certainly didn't disturb the wildlife; the 60,000 ton ship had already accomplished that. :rolleyes:

[vbmom87]

My daughter cruised on HAL in AK this year for her honeymoon. She and her husband are 25. They loved the cruise!! They liked but didn't love the evening entertainment, but the cruise itself they enjoyed very much. (I have read complaints on other lines too that the entertainment just isn't the same in AK as other destinations) They thought the food was very good, they loved the many areas on the ship to view the scenery, both inside and outside. They were looking for a relaxing trip with great scenery and this they found.

 

You will find a number of multigenerational family trips so you will find some people your age and you will find others with children. However, the ship will definitely not be overrun with families with children. If you want to be on a cruise with a greater chance of more children, then make sure to cruise when schools are out for the summer. July through mid-August would be your best bet.

 

As a grandparent, I LOVE seeing little children on my vacations, whether they be a cruise or land vacation. I live two miles from my grandchildren so I see them often. I miss them terribly on vacation, so I just love seeing and talking with families on my vacation.

[hpeabody]

I was on the 7 day Westerdam Alaska cruise June 29th. I was wishing there were not so many kids. They were everywhere. They make the ship amenities, like pools and hotubs not usable/not enjoyable for the adults. I do not dislike kids, I just just do not enjoy vacationing with them. This means the adults were not octogenarians :). Actually, the general population was quite mixed and not lots of walkers and scooters noticed.

 

OP depending on where you cruise and when you go has a lot to do with it. I will say that HAL is very good in Alaska.

[doublebzz]

I was on the 7 day Westerdam Alaska cruise June 29th. I was wishing there were not so many kids. They were everywhere. They make the ship amenities, like pools and hotubs not usable/not enjoyable for the adults. I do not dislike kids, I just just do not enjoy vacationing with them. This means the adults were not octogenarians :). Actually, the general population was quite mixed and not lots of walkers and scooters noticed.

 

 

Amen brother!