How old is the crowd on the Noordam?

[letsgomets]

We are considering a mid-March 2007 11-day cruise from NYC on the Noordam with our two young children (3 and 5). While we are concerned about whether they will have playmates on board (we'll probably take our chances) and how kid-friendly the ship really is (I think we are getting some comfort that the facilities and dining is good enough), I've been reading lots of member reviews talking about how incredibly old the crowd is, particularly from NYC -- lots of wheelchairs, walkers, etc. -- that makes embarkation an extremely slow process and leads to lots of lines and so on. I read many colorful (and not so colorful) descriptions and am wondering how much is true and whether it will affect the experience. We sometimes travel with my children's 95+ year old great-grandfather and think it's wonderful, but if the demographic is so heavy with the wheelchair and walker crowd, it can be a less comfortable young family experience.

[barante]

I don't know about anyone else, but if you are taking the March 10 cruise to Southern Caribbean, my wife will celebrate her 65th birthday during the cruise and I am 63.

No walkers for us. And we don't hate children.

[starysacz]

Plenty of children and activites for them during an April school vacation period earlier this year. Believe there were more than 100. Did not experience any long delays in lines with those using wheelchairs, etc. Ages ranged from several infants to a good number of couples in their 40's and 50's to seniors. No problems. We are booked again on the Noordam during a school vacation period next year. A great ship.

[letsgomets]

Thanks! 65 and 63 isn't old! I'm thinking about taking my parents as well (73 and 68 - no walkers or wheelchairs either and they don't hate children either! :)) And it would be the March 10 cruise, on which my daughter would likewise be celebrating her birthday (only #6 for her).

[jhannah]

Your cruise is during school time, so I doubt there will be more than a handfull of children on the cruise. While playmates could be at a premium, attention from the Club HAL staff should be complete, since they wouldn't have that many to look after.

 

While we've always seen some people in wheelchairs and walkers, it's never been a large number. You've heard the false stereotype that Holland America is only for old people. Not so!

 

The Noordam is truly a lovely ship with an outstanding crew. Enjoy!

[letsgomets]

Thanks. I hope that my inquiry did not insult anyone. I certainly did not mean to.

[Mary Ellen]

You should also be aware that the longer the cruise, the older the average age tends to be (longer = more $ and more time off work). We've seen families with young ones in strollers on 10-day cruises, but not many. I'm sure there will be other children onboard and your kids will get PLENTY of attention from the Club HAL staff.

[Love Cruises]

We were on a cruise this past March on the Noordam to the Caribbean. We found it to be the youngest group of passengers than we ever travelled with before on HAL. You could not believe how full the Casino, Piano Bar and Crows Nest were each night. There were a lot of New Yorkers on board (we are also from NY) and they were all good partyers. Karaoke was real popular and the Northern Lights Disco with Jazzy was hopping each night. There were children on board (not a lot) and the Club HAL staff were really good with the kids. I think you will find a lot to do and you will not be able to fit all the events that HAL offers in their schedule. They keep you busy!

[SailGirl21976]

We are considering a mid-March 2007 11-day cruise from NYC on the Noordam with our two young children (3 and 5). While we are concerned about whether they will have playmates on board (we'll probably take our chances) and how kid-friendly the ship really is (I think we are getting some comfort that the facilities and dining is good enough), I've been reading lots of member reviews talking about how incredibly old the crowd is, particularly from NYC -- lots of wheelchairs, walkers, etc. -- that makes embarkation an extremely slow process and leads to lots of lines and so on. I read many colorful (and not so colorful) descriptions and am wondering how much is true and whether it will affect the experience. We sometimes travel with my children's 95+ year old great-grandfather and think it's wonderful, but if the demographic is so heavy with the wheelchair and walker crowd, it can be a less comfortable young family experience.

:) Dear Letsgomets: You'll have a great time on the ms Noordam, no matter your age. We sailed her March 2006, and found that like-aged people seemed to gravitate towards each other. We enjoyed the diversity of people and their ages. We didn't experience any super-long lines. As in any large poplulated event (i.e. stadium games, concerts, state fairs, 'grocery stores' :p, etc.), there are ambulatory aids about; just watch out for the speeders on those little motorized wheel chairs in the dessert line; those ankle attacks can be bummers! :D You'll make your own fun and plan your own events anyway. The ages won't affect your experience, and besides, the ms Noordam is a large ship and she's well able to accommodate all who sail with her. Enjoy! ;)

[Sunshine91]

John & I sailed on Noordam's inaugural this past Feb. We had SO much fun, we're going again in January. We've even booked the same cabin.

 

He just had his 40th in June & I've got 2 years on him. We like to have a good time. We hooked up with other CCers that I had met here on the boards prior to the trip & had a blast. Check the roll calls for your particular voyage. If they aren't too active now, they likely will be the closer you get to departure.

 

On the maiden voyage, the crowd did skew a little older, but so what? We weren't partying with the entire 1,900 pax onboard, just the group we were hanging with, which included honeymooners, singles, marrieds, gays, straights, all ages. You name it. Our group was fluid & expansive & out to have a good time. I believe we all did. ;) :) :D