Does Holland not like kids

[visualcat]

Just searching for info on a alaskan cruise on expedia. It was a holland cruise, when i out 2 adults and one 14year old says cruise is all sold out. when i just search for 2 adults it has openings. Whats up with that ? I am looking to book a suite. Do they not want my business because I am bringing my son ? Very disturbed by this. What do you think. I did a search for the coral Princess and they wanted my son to come. Was going the try Holland but think I might stick with Princess.

[hdawson]

Call a real TA. Are you sure a suite is available for the number of passengers you need? Obviously there are cabins for two. HAL has always been more for an older clientele but now are trying to expand their customer base by placing more facilities for youngsters in their newer ships. As I said, maybe a TA can help.

[MBeamTX]

Yes, HAL knows your son and they've barred him from their ships.

Seriously, it simply means there are no cabins available that can accommodate 3 people. Did you try a search for 3 adults, rather than 2 adults and 1 child? I'm certain you'd have gotten the same response - no availability. Not every cabin has a sofa bed or enough room for a rollaway. It's not something personal.

[localady]

Visualcat-
I agree, it has nothing to do with the fact the 3rd person is a child, it is because it is a 3rd person. You deserve to talk to someone before booking this, they can guide you on dinner time choices etc. :)
P.S. You might find a more competitve price with a real TA also. I have never found the method you choose to be competitive econmically.:cool:

[Tatka]

As far as I know Princess limits number of children(third persons) more often than other lines... Some time ago I was searching for a cruise and on my request I got "third person not accomodated" allmost in every category.

[kryos]

As far as I know Princess limits number of children(third persons) more often than other lines... Some time ago I was searching for a cruise and on my request I got "third person not accomodated" allmost in every category.
I was thinking the same thing. I would imagine most cruise lines would have a maximum capacity in their children's programs and maybe for that sailing it has been reached?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[stillfrantic]

It may be that the teen program is filled. There is likely a set number that can be accomodated in each group. Also, could be that cabins in the same area you are looking have a larger than average number of people. The life boats are assigned in sections, so if others booked earlier, the boat might be full with just 2 more passengers.(at least on Disney both these scenarios played out)

[Jacqueline]

You are misinterpreting the information. Talk to a real person to get answers. To be *very disturbed* over this is disproportionate. To take it personally is even more unusual.

[gizmo]

As far as I know Hal does not have a limit on the number of children but there is a limit on the number of pax.

Let's look at it this way. The ship can carry X number of pax. This is probably based on 2 per cabin and maybe 3 in some cabins. Since everything is computerized, they have a good idea of what is needed to hit the max on given dates. I would think they rather sell 2 cabins, that have 2 pax a piece than 1 cabin with 3. This may be based on all those magic numbers that the computer spits out.

There was a thread indicating this not long ago. I am not saying this is fact, but I remember reading it.

Another thought. Some of these on line booking engines do not handle 3 in a cabin very well. You may need a TA you can talk to, to get this handled.

[sail7seas]

So far as I know, the people of Holland love their children as much as people in every other country. :)

I had to smile when you asked if an entire country does not like children. :D

Of course, I realize you are referring to Holland America Line.

[jazzsea]

Holland America (and all other cruise lines that operate ships in U.S. ports) has a limit to the number of passengers that can be on the ship. Not because of cabin capacity but because of lifeboat capacity. This is a Coast Guard regulation and applies to any ship that calls at a U.S. port.

Your best bet is to call Holland America direct and ask about a cabin with triple occupancy. It could be that the closer you get to the sailing the more likely HAL will be to giving you the triple cabin.

Believe me, HAL has nothing against children being aboard.

[grannynurse]

I have posted about this in the past. HAL (and other cruise lines) have a quota on the total number of passengers on board. This is reflected in a quota for 3 or 4 people in a cabin. If all other 2 person categories are occupied it will reduce the available number of "extra" cruisers.

HAL just had a wonderful promotion for 3rd and 4th pax on the Zaandam New years's cruise. Apparently they were trying to fill the ship.

Last spring (March) we invited my son (an adult) who was going to be in London, to fly to Amsterdam and sail home with us. It was sticky for a few weeks as the ship (ROtterdam) was nearly full. Finally we got the 3rd person okay.

I have a friend who is trying to get her grandson on the Christmas Hawaii cruise on princess. She requested in June and as yet, has not been okayed to bring him as a 3rd passenger.

This is pretty standard, especially on popluar destinations.
GN

[darnapar]

There are many websites that even though they ask about 3rd & 4th passengers they can not processes the information when it is given and you need to call directly.

[Cruiseoften]

Hey, visualcat! You're not being discriminated against! :)

Can only repeat what everyone else has said - please talk with a real live travel counselor, in a real 'grounded' Agency - you are looking for a cabin that accommodates 3 people and there are only so many on any ship. :)

[dougnewmanatsea]

Oddly enough, many travel sites do not process HAL reservations for more than two passengers. This has nothing to do with HAL themselves. They most certainly do accept third and fourth passengers in a cabin.

To find out the actual availability I'd go to HAL's own web site, which will tell you which categories are open and for what people.

So far as I know HAL do not limit the number of children, but there are only a certain number of cabins that can hold three and/or four people. Not all cabins have the sofa bed or upper berth needed for the extra passenger(s) in the cabin. If all such cabins are filled, then there is really nothing anyone can do with it.

In the end if there is availability I'm sure HAL would be more than happy to take your money and let your son come with you :) .