Advice about Infants/kids on HAL (Twins)

[Mom_of_Twins]

We are getting ready to cruise again now that the kids are a year old and wondered which line to go on. We are NOT looking for a typical "disney" cruise. Can anyone give me feedback about HAL? We have been on the Zuiderdam but generally stick to Celebrity with a Silversea thrown in there.

Let me know your thoughts.

[middle-aged mom]

We are getting ready to cruise again now that the kids are a year old and wondered which line to go on. We are NOT looking for a typical "disney" cruise. Can anyone give me feedback about HAL? We have been on the Zuiderdam but generally stick to Celebrity with a Silversea thrown in there.

Let me know your thoughts.

Howdy, Mom:

I can't help myself; I feel compelled to try to help you out!

I had renounced Cruise Critic for Lent, but it's been a week and I can't stand it anymore. The powerful vibes of CC have pulled me back.....Yes, I am pathetic.......but I digress.....back to your question.....

Speaking for myself, and please feel free to disregard my opinion, I wouldn't go on HAL with twin one-year-olds unless I had an escort of grandparents and/or teen relatives or a nanny. The children's program, called Club HAL, is not available to children younger than 3. Parents of toddlers are allowed to use the Club HAL play area during the early afternoon lunch break, but there are no counselors on duty at that time, so it's basically gives the parents another venue in which to let their children play for a little while. Children in diapers may not use the hot tubs or pools, and there are no wading pools specially designated for the wee ones. I could be wrong, but I think that both Cunard and Carnival have programs for children younger than 3. If you liked Silversea, then maybe Cunard would be the line to check out until your children are a little bit older.

Just my own two cents, and your mileage may vary (YMMV).

Karin, the absolutely-addicted-to-Cruise-Critic mom.:eek:

[Mom_of_Twins]

Thanks for the info. I had not thought about the pool thing. My son LOVES water. We find him in the bathroom if you don't get the door closed soon enough trying to get into the bathtub.

Is there evening babysitting?

[middle-aged mom]

Thanks for the info. I had not thought about the pool thing. My son LOVES water. We find him in the bathroom if you don't get the door closed soon enough trying to get into the bathtub.

Is there evening babysitting?


You can request a private evening babysitter when you board. If there are any staff available who would like to make a little extra money, the answer is yes.

Oh, I just looked it up; Cunard's Queen Mary II has a private pool for youngsters called the Minnows Pool. I'm not trying to put you off HAL, I just think you should all have a good time for the money you pay for a cruise......

Also, I'm not the world's greatest expert, and hopefully others will chime in here with their experiences. Bon Voyage!


Karin

[CruiseJude]

Thanks for the info. I had not thought about the pool thing. My son LOVES water. We find him in the bathroom if you don't get the door closed soon enough trying to get into the bathtub.

Is there evening babysitting?

In response to your babysitting question ...

I am not speaking for myself, but for a family I met during our last Noordam cruise. They had a six-month old baby with them and made arrangements for babysitting every night of the cruise. They even had the babysitter stay with the baby on the ship during our stay on Grand Turk. I believe they said the babysitter was the wife of a higher-ranking crew member. I'm sorry, but I don't remember what they paid her. I also think this arrangement varies as far as who may be available for babysitting.

[kakalina]

I have spoken to crew who sit and the average charge is around $7-8 per hour they said. Having said that, I would rethink the venue you are looking at with ones that young.

The crew are wonderful with the little ones it is so obvious that they miss their own at home. On the other hand, you will be out of luck if there isn't anyone available when you need or want them to sit.

I just think you would have a very difficult time just yourselves. You wouldn't even be able to go into the casino together as that is completely child free.

I do think you would have a great time if you could swing bringing a nanny or another family member to sit for you.

[middle-aged mom]

Mom of Twins, I've done a little bit of research, and found two links. One is for Cunard's children's programs (http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=3677&LeftNav=&Active=&Sub=&OB=&ArticleID=11), and the other is for Carnival's Toddler (http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Static_Templates/Toddlers.aspx)programs. Cunard offers childcare by professional nannies starting at age one, and Carnival offers a toddler's program beginning at age two. However, Carnival does offer some activities and options for parents with kids younger than two. Hope the links help.

Karin

[Golfette]

A friend's daughter & husband traveled HAL with their 2 toddlers recently & while they loved HAL, they said they would not take the kids again. Nothing really for them to do & getting sitters they felt comfortable leaving the kids with was a problem.

[tnsny1]

Hi,
We started cruising when our boys were 2 and 4. They are now 14 and 16 with 22 cruises under their belt. We started on Carnival because at the time they were the only cruise line who took 2 yr. olds in their children's program. Since it was all we knew, we loved it. When the youngest turned 4, we tried RCCL-that was the min. age for children at the time. We loved it! Vowed to never return to Carnival. As the children got older, we ventured out more. Tried Princess, tried Celebrity (which is our second favorite line). Finally, 3 years ago, we tried HAL. We found our place. It is our boys' favorite? No, not even at their age, but there isn't much on any of the lines for their age (unless we were to go back to Carnival). Knowing what I know now, would I take toddlers on HAL? No way! As much as I hate to admit it, I think with little ones, Carnival is the answer. Unless, of course, you consider Disney, which we never did due to their lack of casino onboard.
Hope this helps,
Paula

[hairplug]

I talked to a couple in their 50s who went on a Disney cruise without any children. They said it was really good. They didn't see children around very much. The kids programs and the workers are so good that the kids are well entertained and well behaved. They were impressed and suprised that the ship wasn't overrun by kids.

[newmexicoNita]

Mom of Twins,

You are going to get similar responses here as you did on the other thread you posted.

No one can give you too much information or advise. Traveling on a cruise with 2, 1 year olds is going to be a challenge. If you are set on doing this you may have better luck looking into a line that is very kid friendly. Still none will offer many services for the little ones. As you know they can not use the pool, there are no kids activities for kids under 2 or 3, depending on the line and the only baby sitting available will be at night.

NMNita

[sasha666]

We will soon take our 100th cruise (in ll years). My grandkids adored DISNEY for kids. The parents also enjoyed it as they REALLY cater to kids. They have 3 or 4 days at sea thebn 3 or 4 days at Disney World. Anice variety of activities.

Holland America caters to the "seasoned citizens" (those of us with gray hair). Most lines have kids lprograms, but Disney is the most comprehensive. Enjoy yawl...Pat & John

[sasha666]

We were on a Princess once - Mom & Dad & Nanny - with a set of crawling twins. The parents were in lala land, Nanny chased kids. During dinner the kids started up the staircase, when it split one went in each direction. Poor Nanny - which one to grab first? Princess has a good kids lprogram, tho one-year olds will probably NOT remember it - wait a while & they will never foerget a wonderful experience at sea.Pat & John