Alaska with Kids at Holland?

[kthan]

I have two kids (5 and 3) and plan to have Alaska cruise this summer. Would Holland be okay with kids? I am a first time cruiser (so don't know about cruise line & ship well) and was told that Holland is generally for little elderly person. Is there any kids program in Holland ships? Which ship would be the best for kids? I think adults are okay to enjoy inside and out during the cruise, but not for kids.


Also, would late August be okay for Alaska? Which ship (schedule) would you prefer (I am thinking Oasterdam, newer ship from Seattle), in terms of itineary, facilities (including cabin), and crowd (long line, packed feeling, etc.)? It looks like Oastradam only goes Alaska, not Canada, which means I can see more glaciers than other Seattle roundtrip ships. But, i don't know if this schedule can compare with N/Southbound schedule from Vancouver/Whitter or else.

Thank you for your comments in advance.

[Mary Ellen]

told that Holland is generally for little elderly person Lies, all lies. HAL has many, many families on Alaskan sailings. Late August would have fewer children, as school as started in many parts of the country.

It looks like Oastradam only goes Alaska, not Canada The Oosterdam, like the Amsterdam (also sailing from Seattle), stops in Victoria, BC (Canada).

We prefer the schedule for the Volendam r/t from Vancouver. We've sailed to Alaska from both Seattle and Vancouver - scenery from Vancouver route wins hands down for us. Greatly prefer Skagway over Sitka and Glacier Bay over Hubbard Glacier. We haven't done any of the o/w Vancouver/Alaska cruises.

[Esme]

Oosterdam does go to Canada - it has to make a stop in Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Seattle, but it's only a short evening stop.

There are lots of programs for children on HAL ships, but whether your 3&5 year old would like Alaska, only you would know this. End of August tends to be cooler and sometimes a bit more rain, but then with Alaska you never can tell - it's like a crap shoot. We went the end of August a couple of years ago and although we had rain in Juneau and Ketchikan, we were in summer clothes in Skagway.

We also sailed on theVolendam to Alaska - mainly because we are Canadians and it is easier for us to fly to Vancouver than Seattle. Round trip with children would be much better with small children.

I agree with Mary Ellen - much prefer Skagway to Sitka. Have never been to Hubbard Glacier so can't compare it to Glacier Bay.

If you do go, make sure you have passports for everyone, including your children.

[NewportJulie]

I have two kids (5 and 3) and plan to have Alaska cruise this summer. Would Holland be okay with kids? I am a first time cruiser (so don't know about cruise line & ship well) and was told that Holland is generally for little elderly person. Is there any kids program in Holland ships? Which ship would be the best for kids? I think adults are okay to enjoy inside and out during the cruise, but not for kids.



We cruised the Oosterdam to the Mex Riveria last month with our 2 & 4 year olds. Besides CLub HAL & the Lido pool, there were no other activites for children onboard. Currently Club HAL accepts children 5 & over unescorted. When we checked in, we were told all HAL ships were in the process of retro-fitting Club HAL to accept children 3 & over unescorted, but the "O" had not been retro-ed yet.

Call ship services before you book and check the retrofit status of the ship you choose. They can also tell you how many kids are currently booked to cruise a particular date.

During our cruise over Valentine's week, there were about 30 children onboard (out of 1880 pax) and the vast majority of pax were over 70. I know others maintain that HAL cruisers are not older, but I do think it is a matter of perspective. If you are 65, then of course 75 does not seem elderly. If you are 35 with small children, you may have a different viewpoint of what is "elderly" ;)

Having said that, the overwhelming majority of pax and certainly all the crew were wonderful with us, and at times doting to our children. Just don't cruise HAL and expect Disney...we did not choose this cruise (family treated us) and we would not return again with kids. Without kids may be a different story. It is what it is!

[brego]

We did Alaska with HAL and our 3 children. At the time our youngest was 8. I thought that the Club HAL program on that cruise was wonderful. Wonderful counselors and great activities. My daughter absolutely loved it! We the first week in August and were suprised how many families were on the ship, well over 100 children. However, I am not sure about programs for children younger than 5.

[Lisa616]

We did Alaska with HAL and our 3 children. At the time our youngest was 8. I thought that the Club HAL program on that cruise was wonderful. Wonderful counselors and great activities. My daughter absolutely loved it! We the first week in August and were suprised how many families were on the ship, well over 100 children. However, I am not sure about programs for children younger than 5.

May I ask what ship? We're deciding between HAL and Princess for a summer Alaska trip. Our kids are 6,8 and 10. I am wondering if there will be enough activities on HAL for them. I know, overall, HAL would be a better cruise..just trying to think what's better for the kids!

[Budget Queen]

There are excellent kids programs on both Princess and HAL, but this isn't the place for kid's priorities.
The big problem with the Seattle sailings of both these lines is way too much outside passage sailing in my opinion. Will be reported that is didn't matter- so determine if it will for you. :) Plenty of people enjoy inside activities and open ocean sailing certainly. There will be all ages on both lines, just don't expect the kids numbers of the Caribbean. :) With kids that young, you will need to carefully consider your shore activities. I would NOT consider any long tours with a 3 year old. Best probably will be walking tours and local attractions. Be advised few tours in Alaska offer kids rates.

[Roz]

I don't have children, so you may want to take my comments and observations with a grain of salt. BTW, you will find big elderly people, as well as little elderly people on HAL.

That said, my very first cruise ever was on HAL to Alaska in July 2001. There were 35 children onboard. On my second Alaskan cruise on HAL in May 2003, there was a sprinkling of toddlers/infants. IMHO, a 3 and 5 yr. old won't get much out of Alaska. Is there any way you could defer this trip a few years and maybe take the kiddos somewhere that would be more interesting for them? If you do take them to Alaska, I think Carnival and RCCL have more extensive kids programs.

If you want to do a RT, you will see more scenery sailing out of Vancouver rather than Seattle.

Roz

[Himself]

If you travel to Alaska during Vacation time, you will find children on the ships. I think that HAL has been going "above and beyond" the call of duty to make the Ships child and adolescent friendly. Look at what they have done with the RYNDAM. The Vista Class ships are certainly "kid friendly". I do not think children will be out of place in Alaska and I think HAL will take good care of them.

HIMSELF

[amenuensis]

You might want to consider taking the Zaandam Vancouver RT Alaska Inside Passage 7-day cruise, because the Zaandam has recently (January?) had the "Signature of Excellence" upgrades, including complete refurbishment of many of the ships areas including their Kids areas - and it's my understanding that most of the other HAL ships won't get these upgrades until late 2005 and into 2006. On the Holland America website at http://www.hollandamerica.com/signatureofexcellence/clubhalyouth.do
you can see what they've done (it's the Ryndam but the Zaandam will have the same).
They say they have:
"A colorful, expanded playroom for kids 3-7 with art tables, big-screen TV and games
Club HAL age lowered from five to three
Separate area for ages 8-12 featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball, karaoke, Internet access, Sony Playstations and DDR (Dance Dance Revolution)
Expanded board game offering through partnership with Cranium
Family Game Time, Family Olympics and Family Karaoke
Club HAL After Hours so parents can enjoy an evening alone (extra charge) 10 p.m. to midnight"

We are going the first week of August and I can't wait! Our group will include quite a few kids (ours are 9 and over though).

[Cute Cruise Staff]

Most of the ships in the summer have a much more extensive Youth Program, due mainly to the increase in children aboard.

I recommend the Oosterdam, but I guess that's a little biased considering I'll be working on board. No matter which ship you choose, your kids should have a blast.

[SandiSails]

My family cruised on the Volendam the beginning of August last summer.I have older children,11 and 15 but saw many families with younger children .The HAL staff seemed to be having a great time with them...I would bring some toys and games,etc. and plan on parent play time as there are not as many programs as on other lines but they may actually get more attention as there are less children.

[Pudgesmom]

We cruised to Alaska with our children who were 12 and 13 at the time. It was during the summer, and the children's programs were up and running, although my children did not participate.

Alaska is a very port-intensive cruise, and some of the best attractions may not be appreciated by small children.

I would like to suggest that you also consider a Caribbean cruise for your family. Almost all children like the beach! And, the fares are usually lower.

If you choose Alaska, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

Beth

[RevNeal]

... was told that Holland is generally for little elderly person.

And not-so-little, too. :D

[Cruising_Gator]

We have traveled three times on HAL to Alaska. First time our daughter was 2, then the next summer she was 3. Amazing that the staff remembered her from the previous year. We couldn't walk anywhere without "hello Christine" from someone. The last time we went to Alaska, we had two daughters, one 9 and one 5.

We did the horse drawn carriage in Ketchikan, walking in the temperate rain forest in Sitka and made best friends with a huge slug. We spent about 20 minutes watching it move about 2 inches. We found all the play grounds in Junuea, Sitka and Ketchican. We watched the fishermen at the marnia bringing in their catch. We played ping pong, basketball, and shuffleboard. For food we went to the lido, the ice cream bar and yes even the formal dining room. We ordered dinner but by the time appertisers arrived, she had falled asleep so poor daddy had to eat her dinner. We also went swimming in the indoor pool on the old Rotterdam, watched the musicans in the Ritz Carlton. It was nice low key vacation with plenty to do and expanded our daughters horizons.

Carol

[forevercruising1]

If you do go, make sure you have passports for everyone, including your children.

Esme: Would your passport advice apply to an 18 month old? I'm wondering if that would be a wise purchase to make, even though his appearance will change rapidly. Does anyone know what the policy is on the photos on children's passports?

Thanks!

[carolcp]

Yes, even little ones need passports. My daughter got her first one at 6 months, I had to hold her up. The passports for those under 16 are only good for 5 years. If one parent is leaving the country with the child you will need a notarized letter allowing you to take the child out of the country. And both of you need to apply for the passport with the child too. http://www.immigration.com/newsletter1/dosintagemin.html

Carol

[mowmow]

No, the children do not need passports. If they are US citizens and traveling between Canada and the US, or Mexico and the US, they do not need a passport. They need a copy of their birth certificate, and another form of identification with a picture. That applies to adults, as well.

My daughter went with us to Mexico for a family reunion vacation when she was 5 and all I took was her birth certificate. I had absolutely no problems.

Now that she's 11 I got her a California ID card with her picture on it. Since she will be traveling with her grandmother and great grandmother, I also must send along a notarized letter giving permission for her to travel with them without her parents. This letter is required by Mexico and Canada before the minor child can leave the US to prevent child abductions.

Check the US Immigration site, the Mexican consulate, and the Canadian consulate websites for exact information about what they require. They are up to date and correct.:)