Family Trip on Holland - Teens and Adults

[Beehive]

We had a wonderful Holland cruisetour last summer in Alaska, and would like to plan a family vacation with them next year. We are all in Boston, and would like to go to Bermuda or the Caribbean. There will be 10 adults and six teens/preteens. Has anyone done this with Holland America? Where did you go? How did it work out for everyone?
Since this trip will be "on us", we would like it to be special...also can you get a suite with a sitting room at any type of reasonable rate?

[doone]

We did this a few years back on the Veendam, February school vacation week. EVERYONE had such a wonderful time, we are planning another one for February 2006 school vacation week, only this time, it will be a 10-day cruise. I can't think of any better way to spend a family vacation.

The suites on HAL, from what I hear, are very nice, but very expensive if you are going to pay for the entire family. What I did, since I paid for my family, was got them all outside cabins and we spend time together by the pool, the Lido and all the public areas. The kids had a blast and can't wait to go in 2006.

[RuthC]

Bermuda is out on HAL since Holland America hasn't done that route since about forever.

The Caribbean is a possibility year-round, out of Florida. Were you looking for a departure port closer to home? It's anticipated that the Noordam will be doing 10/11 days NYC to Caribbean starting in '06. The Maadam does 10-days out of Norfolk, Va during portions of the year.

How long a cruise are you looking for? Season? What size ship? Amenities?
A little more info and we might be able to narrow your choices a bit.

[Pudgesmom]

We have cruised with our children on HAL. One thing you might consider is choosing a ship that has had all the SOE enhancements. One upgrade they are including is a teens only area with waterfall, lounging area and refreshments. My children are looking forward to testing this out. Not all ships have been upgraded in this manner.

Beth

[Pudgesmom]

One more idea- Get a large suite -or two- for the adults, and book the kids in opposing interior cabins. They can sleep late-nice and dark- and you will save money, and have room for family get-togethers.

Beth

[alex_drew]

Beehive,

We did the entire family "thing" for my Mom's 80th birthday in 2000. We were on the Zaandam out of Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. There were 10 of us, ages ranging from 16-80 and everyone had a blast. Four adults including Mom had never sailed before, the other four adults and teens had sailed a few times before. We had 5 ocean-view rooms side-by-side - they are such a nice size that you could do visiting from room to room and, of course, gather in the lounges or at the tables poolside. My Mom didn't miss one opportunity to have fun. She decided the first day to get one of the "Passport to Fitness" T-shirts and participated in every possible fitness event so that at the end of the week when I had about three stamps in my "passport", Mom had the required - I think it might have been 24 - stamps to get the coveted T-shirt. She went to every show, even the late-at-night Indonesian show. Hubby and I were always asleep by 10:30 pm so Mom would fill us in on what we missed. My nephews are very outgoing and had a total blast with the other teens on the ship. I think almost any cruiseline/ship is good choice of vacation for a wide age range because there is such a wide variety of activities, but we enjoyed the smaller ship because it was very intimate. We loved the Eastern itinerary - lots of different choices of excursions so we all went our separate ways depending on interests and caught up at dinner each night. It was a very wonderful experience.

[Islandbuoy]

with that many kids, try another line--the kids will be disappointed by the lack of other kids and somewhat reserved atmospere on HAL. That's what I'd do with my family

[Jacqueline]

There are plenty of kids on HAL during vacation periods ! over 200 teens alone on our 2 weeks European cruise. So you can only imagine the numbers in the Carribean !

[TylerRose]

We cruise as an extended family yearly.

Destination ALTERS clients booking as well as atmosphere of cruise. Timing of cruise will also be an issue. HAL enjoys a reputation of older, less zealous cruisers... WE DID NOT WITNESS THAT ON OUR LAST CRUISE!

Last summer we did the Zuiderdam. All itineraries were altered as we played chicken with Hurricane Charley... Lesson learned.... Hurricane season is... well, Hurricane season.

That said... we had many problems. Underage drinking, adult excessive partying resulting in rowdiness, and simply a VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAN ALASKA.

Was it just a different level of partying crowd, folks trapped shipboard going stir crazy, or simply that week... I can't tell you.
I can tell you that my MIL had more wheelchair frustration than ever before and vowed never again.
As for us... we prefered the calm and serentiy of Alaska, the education of Europe, and the mutual respect of the older Holland America.

[doone]

When we sailed on the Veendam a few years back as a family, it was Feb. school vacation week, we had about 80 kids or so onboard. Not enough to take over the ship, but enough for everyone to "hang out" with, so to speak.

I have sailed on Feb. school vacation weeks many times as my dad was a teacher. Never had a problem with too many kids on a HAL ship, that's why we sailed HAL. The kids that were on board when I sailed these holiday weeks, were all very well behaved. I would have been the first to complain, trust me, all were very respectful, polite and actually it was a delight to sail with them.

[Lisa63]

There were about 70 kids on board our Maasdam cruise in late August 2004, according to one of the Club HAL counselors. I was very impressed with the kids program. My son usually doesn't participate on other lines due to the sheer volume of kids, but he liked Club HAL as it was less overwhelming but still had plenty to do.

Are you thinking of going in the summer? HAL has a few Canada/New England cruises out of Boston this coming summer. I don't recall which ships will cruise to the Caribbean this summer, but I believe they leave from Florida.