How does Club Hall Work?

[CruisinGrams]

We are taking our 4 year old grandson on his first cruise and plan to use Club Hal (but not all the time). We are wondering how this service works? Will we have to pick him up for lunch, and can he stay for dinner, especially on formal nights if he dislikes sitting for long formal dinners?
Would appreciate any advise you can give (we are sailing on the Westerdam).

[jhannah]

Although some Club HAL activities take place during evening dining times, dinner is not a part of the activity. Nor is lunch. There will be a good variety of things for your grandson in the 3-7 year old program. I'm sure he (and you) will enjoy it.

[whogo]

Check out Holland America's website http://www.hollandamerica.com/onboard/kids.do

Note that Club Hal is not a 24 hour service. Few activities will be available while in port, many activities will be available on sea days.

My kids did not have trouble with long dinners. HAL provides kid menus, crayons and coloring pages. Bring a book and be prepared to entertain your grandson as needed.

My kids loved Club Hal (and RCL and Norwegian's kids clubs). I have not seen kids that didn't like Club Hal, but there could be some.

I have heard a few parent concerns. We were concerned when our daughter went out with a small group on a scavenger hunt at age eight without supervision, but there was no problem. As teenagers on our March cruise I wondered about the appropriateness of Texas hold'em night and trivia questions about alcoholic drink ingredients. I guess I'm a prude and HAL is just trying to get a new crop of drinking, gambling cruisers.

[Benjh1028]

We just got back from our HAL cruise this weekend with our 3 & 5 year old children and here a few thoughts/observations:

1. We were surpised to find out that Club HAL IS AVAILABLE ON PORT DAYS! This is something that we wish we knew about prior to booking excursions. Apparently this was part of their recent Signature of Excellence upgrade plan.

2. Our kids loved Club HAL. There was never any seperation anxiety.

3. We had the 8:30 dinner seating (not by choice). But, it did allow us to put the kids in Club HAL and enjoy a meal. Oddly, we made the kids come with us to the formal dinners as my wife spent money on formal clothes and wanted the photo opportunities. Club HAL is available in the evenings from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, and will provide sitting from 10:00 to midnight at a charge of $5/hr/child. This schedule did however prevent us from taking in a show.

4. You have to pick them up for lunch (12:00 to 2:00 pm)

Ben