Teens on Westerdam

[Gardendog]

We are going with our 17 year old senior in High School on the Westerdam over her Easter vacation. Have any of you who have cruised HAL before, seen any teens on the ships over Easter break?

This is our third cruise, so we are rather new to this. The whole family went in 2000 (her two older brothers as well), and then DH and I went on the Radisson Mariner by ourselves. We didn't think that the RSS Mariner would have any kids onboard, that's why we chose HAL. We chose the W-dam for the itinerary, specifically, the western part of the Caribbean.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Did an Easter cruise once. Never again!

Sorry - but for us - too many children on board.

[Jacqueline]

There will be plenty of teens. We were on the Westerdam in Europe this summer on a 2 week cruise and there were 200 teens alone....

[Gardendog]

Thank you so much for the info. I am sure that when she's off to college next year, we will not look forward to other people's kids on a cruise ship. Right now though, she's a delightful girl, if I may say so myself. I can guarantee you that she will not throw a temper tantrum!:)

[damdamsels]

WE took our kids who were 22, 19, 18 and 16 on a cruise over Thanksgiving. They all had a blast and are still talking about it. My 16 year old played bingo, swam and ate and ate and ate. We had a nightly shuffleboard tournament. We told them the only rule was that they had to be available for dinner every night. You know they were knocking on the door first thing to see what was next. They had a great time..

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

WE took our kids who were 22, 19, 18 and 16 on a cruise over Thanksgiving. .......They had a great time..

Good for you.

[temple10]

Wow!! your sixteen year old played bingo?? I am leaving on the 21st for 2 weeks with my 151/2 year old son on the statendam, So they are allowed to play on the ships at these ages?? That surprises me. But also makes me real happy we can play together. :) Christine

[Cerinda]

Greta,

We've moved to HAL from RSSC this year for exactly the same reason and we're traveling the same week as your family! We're doing the 10-day Sea of Cortez on the Ryndam: hoping that the longer itinerary and smaller ship benefit us parents and the timing of the cruise benefits our kids.

I have my fingers crossed. Are you feeling fairly optimistic?

Wishing you a great voyage!

[lgt]

Hi,

We will be on the Westerdam 3/27 (Easter Break) with 4-17 y/o girls who are very nice (at least we think they are) and are friendly. If you are on the same cruise, maybe yours could hook up with ours. It is always more fun for them to find friends their own age. This is our 4th cruise (with kids) on HAL and they have always found other teens onboard. They are still in contact with most of them. Have a great time & no matter what (our first rule for the kids)"NO WHINING". Also works well with some adults!!

[Gardendog]

Cerinda,

We were on the Monarch of the seas (Royal Carib) with all three kids. They all loved it. DH and I thought it was OK, not overly impressed.

In 02 we went on the RSS Mariner and loved it, what's there not to love?:)

Could not talk DD into going on an all adult cruise, so after much reading on this board and advise from TA decided to go on this particular HAL ship.

lgt,

We are on the 3/27 sailing, and I'm sure the girs will meet each other in the teen hang out place.

Are all four girls yours? Quadruplets?

[doone]

Kids are allowed to play bingo, but an adult needs to purchase their cards, stay with them throughout the game and if they win, the adult needs to go up and get their winnings, but yes, they certainly can play. My niece had a blast playing with her dad.

[lgt]

No, only one is ours; the other 3 have been like our other daughters since the girls were in grade school. They will all be heading in different directions after graduation, so this will be their last big trip together and we are all looking forward to it. They will be happy to hear they can play Bingo as long as we are with them!!

[doone]

Lgt, have a wonderful cruise, those wonderful memories will be precious.