Kid's Programs on HAL to Alaska

[MacThespian]

I haven't been on a HAL cruise for over 10 years (we sailed on the old Westerdam then), but am considering one to Alaska in 2009. However, our daughter will be 12 then, and I'm concerned about the children's programs on HAL. Way back when, the demographic was definitely older. I know they've been trying to attract a younger clientele, but I was wondering how this translated into their children's programs. (We've been cruising primarily on RCCL since my daughter was born, in case anyone is interested.) All comments will be very much appreciated.
Thanks!

[middle-aged mom]

I haven't been on a HAL cruise for over 10 years (we sailed on the old Westerdam then), but am considering one to Alaska in 2009. However, our daughter will be 12 then, and I'm concerned about the children's programs on HAL. Way back when, the demographic was definitely older. I know they've been trying to attract a younger clientele, but I was wondering how this translated into their children's programs. (We've been cruising primarily on RCCL since my daughter was born, in case anyone is interested.) All comments will be very much appreciated.
Thanks!

As a 12-year-old, your daughter will be eligible for participation in the Tweens group, ages 8-12. There will be a Club HAL orientation session offered the day you board, where you and your daughter will have a chance to meet the counselors, learn about the program, and get to know some of the other kids. There will be a Welcome Aboard party the first evening, which acts as a nice social ice-breaker.

During your cruise, there will be structured morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Your daughter will receive a daily program, so that she can see in advance which activities might appeal to her. There is also after-hours care provided from 10 pm to midnight, but a fee does apply for this, $5 per hour per child.

Activities range from arts, crafts, various games both mental and physical, video arcade time with PS2 and DDR (Play Station 2 and Dance Dance Revolution for us old fogies:) ) Park Ranger presentations at Glacier Bay, an opportunity to meet with a Hoonah Tribal interpreter, parties with themes such as "country carnival", "spy night", "pirate night", "Olympics challenge night" etc; scavenger hunts, and their own Club HAL t-shirt which they decorate.

Port day activities are available from 8 am to 5 pm, but you must sign your daughter up the night before. Most families though, have lots of fun excursions planned in the Alaska ports.

We have used Club HAL for our youngest daughter, and she loved it. Our oldest daughter, who was 17 at time of travel, did not avail herself of the teen program that is offered. I don't have any direct experience with the Tween program, other than to say that when I was in Club HAL, or throughout the ship, the kids seemed to be having a good time.

If you are travelling on HAL during the school summer vacation, which for most U.S. school districts is late June to late August, although some get out earlier and start earlier, you will have a fair number of kids, probably between 100-200 kids on average,perhaps even a little more during peak time, which is end of June/ all of July.

Just my two cents:) Enjoy!

Karin

[MacThespian]

As a 12-year-old, your daughter will be eligible for participation in the Tweens group, ages 8-12. There will be a Club HAL orientation session offered the day you board, where you and your daughter will have a chance to meet the counselors, learn about the program, and get to know some of the other kids. There will be a Welcome Aboard party the first evening, which acts as a nice social ice-breaker.

During your cruise, there will be structured morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Your daughter will receive a daily program, so that she can see in advance which activities might appeal to her. There is also after-hours care provided from 10 pm to midnight, but a fee does apply for this, $5 per hour per child.

Activities range from arts, crafts, various games both mental and physical, video arcade time with PS2 and DDR (Play Station 2 and Dance Dance Revolution for us old fogies:) ) Park Ranger presentations at Glacier Bay, an opportunity to meet with a Hoonah Tribal interpreter, parties with themes such as "country carnival", "spy night", "pirate night", "Olympics challenge night" etc; scavenger hunts, and their own Club HAL t-shirt which they decorate.

Port day activities are available from 8 am to 5 pm, but you must sign your daughter up the night before. Most families though, have lots of fun excursions planned in the Alaska ports.

We have used Club HAL for our youngest daughter, and she loved it. Our oldest daughter, who was 17 at time of travel, did not avail herself of the teen program that is offered. I don't have any direct experience with the Tween program, other than to say that when I was in Club HAL, or throughout the ship, the kids seemed to be having a good time.

If you are travelling on HAL during the school summer vacation, which for most U.S. school districts is late June to late August, although some get out earlier and start earlier, you will have a fair number of kids, probably between 100-200 kids on average,perhaps even a little more during peak time, which is end of June/ all of July.

Just my two cents:) Enjoy!

Karin

Thanks, Karin. It looks like HAL has programs similar to those on other lines, as well as some really interesting ones I hadn't seen elsewhere (meeting with an interpreter, for example). I appreciate the advice.

[LegalSailor]

MA Mom,
I went on a cruise last year on HAL to the Southern Caribbean, and I can attest to the fact that a 12 year old may not want to do the kids program! My youngest cousin turned 12 about a month before the cruise, and adamantly refused to participate after about 2 hours in the kids program. Naturally, as the good-natured cousin (I'm almost 31), I let him hang out with me and he had a blast!
12 may very well be the upper age range for the kids program. I noticed that a lot more in the teens range chose to not participate and elected to be with their families during most of the activities.
Of course, you may be interested in getting a couple hours alone without the kids, and for that you might need someone to watch your daughter!

[bostonwhaler]

Our family sailed on the Volendam this past May from ANC to YVR. We have a 10 year old as well as 8 year old twins, they are all boys and high energy.

My guys had a great time and rate the the cruise as 1 of their 2 best vacations ever, tied with trip 2 years back to Disneyland.

But back to your original questions and statements. Yes the ship did have an older clientele but in a way this made it better for the kids. There appeared to be about 10 to 12 kids who used Club Hal, and consequently because of the small group they all got to know each other very well and truly hit it off, my 10 year old now e mails another friend on an irregular basis.

Because my guys were under 12 I did not specifically notice 12 year olds or teens. I did ask how many kids would be on board in July and was told the number would be around 100 on most cruises.

One thing to note, is that the kids liked getting off for a few hours in each port and then reboarding to go to the club. However unless you register the day in advance they do not generally acccept you ( especially us being 3). So with a 7 day cruise really only 6, with 2 days at sea it might be a good idea to register for the other days.

We are now booked on a more exotic cruise for 2008 and I will ask some questions there. But by all means go, it worked very well for us.

[sailandcruise]

My 7 & 9 year old nephews loved Club Hal. They couldn't wait to go back. We had late seating for dinner and most nights they would eat early and then go to Club Hal while the adults had dinner in the dining room. They reported that there were only about 10-15 other kids in their age group who came to Club Hal at different times, and sometimes far fewer were there, but they made several friends and always enjoyed the activities. The 7 year old participated in the 8-12 year old group with his brother -- he was close to turning 8 and the older activities were more appropriate. Their 4 year old sister participated less -- she enjoyed wearing her fancy dresses to the dining room each night -- but enjoyed her program too.

[papadave]

My daughter, 8, enjoyed the 8-12 year old group on our HAL cruise earlier this year. I don't know if she would have been excited to go most nights if many of the kids in her age group were actually 4 years younger than her.

HAL has a decent kids club, not perfect. We have no complaints.