Oosterdam with kids, will they have fun??

[KyBuckeye]

We recently booked Alaska in July 05 on the Oosterdam. Between our 2 families there will be a 6, 7 and 18 yr old twins. At first I was very excited, but now I keep reading how HAL has mostly older passengers, very few kids/families. Did we make a mistake? Will the kids be bored?

[dakrewser]

We recently booked Alaska in July 05 on the Oosterdam. Between our 2 families there will be a 6, 7 and 18 yr old twins. At first I was very excited, but now I keep reading how HAL has mostly older passengers, very few kids/families. Did we make a mistake? Will the kids be bored?
Not sure where you are reading that, certainly not on these boards. Read the "Children: unseen & unheard?" for some of the real stories, then read "My own Zuiderdam 7-31 review (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=67220) " by Teencruiser18, who's one of those 'kids'

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Children - Alaska - they will have a great time. Lots of things to do on the ship AND Alaska has so much to offer for every family member. There is so much to see and do.

:)

[KyBuckeye]

Thanks, I guess I just needed a little reassurance. I've been reading the Disney forum as we are going on a Disney cruise in Oct. Another person wrote on that forum asking what other lines to consider as Disney is notoriously expensive. Well, right after booking our HAL Alaska cruise for next summer, several people wrote about how HAL is completely full of senior citizens, that people in their 40's or younger were very few and kids practically non existant. This made me very worried as the other family cruising with us is really putting alot into this trip, more a "trip of a lifetime" for them financially. They are the ones bringing twin boys who will be 18 next summer and will have just graduated from high school. We have 2 children who will be 6 and 7 at cruise time. I would hate for us to all be disappointed but I feel a little better now. Thanks!

[jazzsea]

I can't think of a better cruise for children that an Alaska cruise. They will have a ball and the ship is perfect for them.

I'm waiting a couple of years to take my grandchildren on that same trip. Good for you!!

[valeriequeenofthesea]

The younger kids will enjoy Club Hal. There's plenty there to keep them entertained. But the 18 year old twins will have the time of their life, I'm guessing. There were plenty of young folks on our Alaska cruise in June. They even have a night club focusing on the younger crowd with DJ Jazzy Jeff spinning the tunes. When we were there I would say the average age was in their 40's. Not the seniors you might expect on Holland America. You will all have a super time and for us it was the "vacation of a lifetime".

[KyBuckeye]

Thank you all so much! I really do feel so much better now! I'm ready to go, now I just have to wait 11 months! THAT will be the hard part.

[Jacqueline]

I am sure your kids will have a great time. Its also a help for the 18 year olds to have each other to go to venues.

[Thoth]

The O-dam is a Vista class ship which seem to be far more family friendly than the older ships. I was on the Oosterdam last month and the youngsters seem to be enjoying themselves. There were plenty of families.The kids took part in the passenger show. It was great!! I have been on the S-class ships where I felt like HAL was simply for adults, so when some say that HAL is not for kids or families, I don't think they mean the Vista class.