Amsterdam alaska and older teens???

[49holding]

I have narrowed my Aug 7th cruise to RCCl Serenade vs the amsterdam.The amsterdam would be two hundred more ( 2 inside cabins) I like the fact that amsterdam sails out of seattle and goes to Glacier Bay but am dissapointed that it goes to sitka and not Skagway. On the other side of the coin we have cruised RCCl 3x to the carribean and have been very pleased with RCCL ( enchantment and the explorer). We didn't care for the Zenith...a tad too outdated and small. Would my kids 16 and 20. The 20 year old would like to play a little BJ and have an occas beer....I know hes underage but is mature and looks at least 21, and his father would let him use his seapass card on occasion. We are 50 and 53, not party animals. like attentative service and a casual atmosphere. My kids don't do the kids program and don't easily get bored, but would prefer to hook up with kids their own age.Would there be other kids their age??? My parents swear by HAL, but I am a little bit leary . Anyone out there have experience in alaska on the amsterdam????Thanks

[garydm]

We have done Alaska twice on Amsterdam. On one trip we had other family members along including our 20 year old niece and 17 year old nephew. Particularly the nephew was inclined to dislike the trip from the start. By the end we had to almost forcibly remove him from the ship-he wanted to stay on forever. They had a great time and met many folks their own age.

We have also done RCCL and prefer HAL. We found the constant pushing to buy drinks very annoying on RCCL.

One caution on Seattle departures-this is not an inside passage cruise. You are out to sea alot. So you trade off some great scenery for the convenience of a Seattle departure. If I were you I would consider a RT Vancouver trip.

Pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Gary

[49holding]

thanks for the reply...I am not against a vancouver departure on RCCL and would prefer the inside passage..but am thinking amsterdam because it goes to glacier bay with all those glaciers as opposed to hubbard glacier and the misty fiords.....any other insight??? thanks

[kruzkeen]

Have you checked out Zaandam or Volendam? They both do inside passages from Vancouver that include Glacier Bay. I think most people would agree that Skagway is more interesting historically than Sitka.

I think both ships are a tad larger than Amsterdam, but smaller than Serenade. If your kids are self-reliant they will have no problem with HAL. I know the median age is somewhat greater than RCI but HAL is not the geriatric line that some would believe.

[garydm]

I would look for a HAL S class ship going RT Vancouver and try and find one that goes into Tracy Arm-it is spectacular.

Gary