Oosterdam for first time HAL cruisers?

[airnvo]

I've booked a cruise for my family, which is me (of course), DH, and two daughters (16 and 19 yo). We've cruised many times before, but it will be our first time on HAL.

 

The main concerns are:

 

- my 16 y/o is worried about lack of other teenagers on board because of the fact that we're sailing on the end of the September.

 

- my 19 y/o is wondering what there is for her to do because she's just at that age between legal adult and young adult/teenager.

 

- my husband and his habit of being a very picky eater.

 

If you have answers to any (or all) of these questions, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Cruising at the end of September you will have less children on board as school is in session.

Here is what HAL has to say about their youth program:

 

On Holland America ships, we provide a wide variety of exciting youth- and teen- friendly activities and facilities for guests ages 3 to 17. With supervised fun for our younger guests, the entire family can have the cruise vacation of their dreams.

Safe and Managed Supervision

You can feel at ease knowing that your child's on board experience is safe and well-managed. All Club HAL® activities are supervised by permanent, full-time staff, and are designed to be kid friendly and age appropriate. Youth Staff hold degrees in education, childhood development, recreation, leisure studies or related fields.

Programs Available

• Club HAL® - Kids*: Children, ages 3-7, can participate in such activities as story telling, fabric painting, indoor games, arts and crafts, drawing contests, ice-cream sundae parties, puzzles, bingo, pirate treasure hunts or a farewell pizza party. Children in the Kid's age group must be toilet trained. Children in pull-ups or diapers are not allowed in the youth facilities, due to mandates from US Public Health. Exceptions to this rule cannot be made.
  
• Club HAL® - Tweens*: Tweens, ages 8-12 might learn golf putting, have disco parties and theme parties, participate in the award-winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program on Alaska cruises, compete in on-deck sports events, compete in scavenger hunts or simply play Ping-Pong with a friend.
  
• The Loft and The Oasis*: Teens, ages 13-17 will especially enjoy the teen disco, karaoke sessions, video games, teen sports tournaments, card games, trivia contests, bingo, movies and videos. When there are more than 100 children on board, a HAL Talent Show is offered. (The Oasis is not available on all Vista-class ships)

*On the Prinsendam, youth activities are offered for ages 5-17. All other ships offer youth activities for ages 3-17.

Daily Programs

 

Times vary based on age group, number of children on board and staffing:

• Sea Day - Morning, Afternoon and Evening Activities
  
• Port Day - Morning, Afternoon and Evening Activities

Extended Hours

Club HAL® After Hours is available on all ships (except the ms Prinsendam) from 10:00pm - 12:00am. The fee is $5 per child, per hour. Parents must pick up their children on time or a late fee is charged. For babysitting outside of the hours offered in Club HAL, guests may check at the Front Office to schedule this service provided by staff on a voluntary basis only.

Kids & Teens Culinary Arts Center Program

HAL Kids Culinary Workshops now offer children a unique and fun learning experience. Kids will learn basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety, new ingredients and how to follow recipe instructions. Aside from the fun involved, cooking encourages kids to think about numbers and measuring, cleanliness, safety, and time management. All the workshops are hands-on where questions are encouraged and having fun is a must!

 

HAL Kids Culinary Workshops are geared toward two age groups; ages three to seven and ages eight and up. Teenagers 15 and up may participate in the adult classes.

• The menus range from simple to teen gourmet
  
• Classes are usually limited to fifteen students unless otherwise noted
  
• All classes are hands-on
  
• Each student receives copies of the recipes prepared in class
  
• All classes are complimentary and last approximately one hour

Additional Family Services

Holland America Line is dedicated to making your family's cruise vacation memorable and happy for each member of your family. We serve a wide variety of kid-pleasing food, including special sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats may be requested in advance of boarding. Baby-sitting services are available for a small surcharge. Special-kid friendly birthday parties can also be arranged with advance notice.

Special Needs

HAL Youth Programs recognize that some children may have special needs. Special needs children are invited to attend activities based on their chronological age. HAL Youth Programs have many staff trained to work with special needs children. Guests should make HAL aware of this when booking their reservation.

Important Notes

A limited number of high chairs, booster seats and cribs are available at no charge. These must be reserved in advance at the time of booking. An international children's menu is offered at dinner and includes a variety of appetizers, salads and soups, and standard items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and chicken, plus chef's specials like beef tacos, grilled cheese, fish and chips or spaghetti.

 

We have been on ships when there were so few children on board, the programs weren't even run.

[jtl513]

Here's two suggestions: (1) tire the girls out on shore excursions so they will be ready for bed early, and (2) buy a large block of internet time (250 min, $100) so they can stay in touch with friends back home.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I noticed that you said that your husband is a picky eater.

 

What types of food does he like?

 

HAL offers 7 entrees every evening for dinner plus 3 entrees that can be ordered every evening -- grilled chicken breast, salmon, steak. And he can always order a plain baked potato.

[The Big Booper]

After the Mariner, this ship will be described by your girls as b-o-r-i-n-g. DH will be happy as the food should be good.

 

IMHO not a good choice for late teens.

 

<edit> I just noted this is a 3 day cruise. You might survive the pouts :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

You are right -- I just noticed that as well.

 

Three days -- there is the pool!!!

 

Check out a couple of games from the Explorations Cafe.

[The Big Booper]

You are right -- I just noticed that as well.

 

Three days -- there is the pool!!!

 

 

Also the younger male staff, even though they can't fraternize with pax on the ship.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Also the younger male staff, even though they can't fraternize with pax on the ship.

 

Cute!!

[hammybee]

It's all about meeting and hanging out with peers for most in the 16- young adult group.

 

Highschool and college-aged kids are in school, in late September. It's quite possible they will be the only passengers or a part of a tiny minority, in their age group, onboard any cruise ship, departing from a U.S. port. I think it reasonable to tell them in advance so that they can manage their own expectations. It's probably unreasonable to expect any cruise line to offset the potential boredom that might ensue, given the lack of passengers in this age group. Some teens deal with this better than others. Only you know your children.

 

Be aware that there are men ( everywhere, not just on cruise ships) who tuck the wifey in for the evening and then head out to play. It is not uncommon for a guy to chat up young women and offer to buy them an adult beverage or two.

 

Ordering drinks at a crowded bar and carring them into the crowd is how it's done. Same thing happens on cruises where there are a lot of 21+ year old young adults, too. Heck, the same thing happens on all college campuses and parties. It's real life.

[Susie51]

Good points, Hammybee. At least the girls have each other to do fun things together. My daughter is an only child, but once she out grew the childrens program, she likes spending time with the adults and younger children in our group. She is now 23. I hope your daughters go into the mini vacation with an open mind.

 

I think you are going to like HAL's food. Hope you like bread pudding and muesili, they are great.

[airnvo]

Well my husband pretty much grew up on Asian food, so he's always quite skeptical about trying new things.

 

And it seems that after being on the Mariner during the summer, my kids might get bored. Are there any other activities besides the teen programs for them? Specifically for my youngest daughter, because she just loves to have a good time.

 

Also, will there be any formal nights on a 3-day cruise?