Veendam - Kid Friendly Ship???

[wingnt68]

We are looking at sailing on Holland America Veendam in January. We have two children and are wondering if they have a good kids program and if this is typically an "older crowd" ship. Any information would be great!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

In January HAL ships in general do not attract a lot of children as they are in school (or are supposed to be) at this time of the year.

[doone]

We had very few children on our Veendam cruise this past February into March. This was a 14-day cruise, which typically, longer cruises, attract less families.

[kakalina]

HAL ships, especially the R & S class ships are not conducive to children having a great time. Especially if you are not sailing on a holiday or during vacation.
According to the stats the average age on longer cruises is 65 on shorter cruises it drops to late 40's and 50's.
That isn't to say there won't be children on your cruise. JUst likely to be very few as HAL really doesn't have a very good childrens program. There are no special pools, slides, or hangouts for young ones. There is an area called the Oasis for teens but I understand it isn't going over very well.

[teach53]

Hal is not a good idea for a family with children under 18, other lines would be better, for sure. We have been on many Hal ships, it is an older crowd. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our March 7 day Veendam cruise -- very few children. And only about 9 on our 14 day March Veendam cruise.

[edweim]

We cruised on the Veendam over Thanksgiving years ago when my daughter was around 7 years old. I think there were around 60 or fewer kids on board. She did not enjoy the kids program and I think spent less than an hour in the "club". However, the passengers and crew made such a big deal out of my daughter it was like traveling with a celebrity! I think due to the low numbers of kids on most HAL cruises - she was treated special. She remembers this as one of her favorite cruises. So....I think it depends on the child and the family but we LOVED the Veendam with a youngster!

[kryos]

She remembers this as one of her favorite cruises. So....I think it depends on the child and the family but we LOVED the Veendam with a youngster!
I think a lot of the younger kids enjoy HAL because even if they use the kids' program, it is not crowded and they get lots and lots of individual attention from the counselors. On one of the other lines that is packed with kids, they won't get that. If they are younger, or shy, they could feel lost in the crowd on those other ships.

But as the kids get older, and especially if you sail to offbeat destinations, at off times (when school is in session), the kids are gonna be bored stiff. There is a good chance there won't be any others their age on the ship, and there really isn't a whole lot for them to do on a HAL ship, other than the same things the adults do.

That said, though, I have to also say that if your goal with the cruise is a family-oriented vacation ... meaning that you all want to spend A LOT of time together doing fun stuff, then HAL could work even for teens. If the cruise is visiting a lot of ports and you plan a lot of neat "kid-friendly" activities to do as a family in those ports, then the kids could have a great time. But if your goal is a lot of "me" time with your significant other, and wanting the kids happily ensconsed in the kid's program, not only will the kids be miserable, but you will be as well since the kids will keep drifting back saying "I'm bored." In that case, do yourself and the kids a favor and let them stay home. You go and enjoy your vacation on HAL.

I've always said ... and I know HAL probably cringes when I do ... that HAL is not the best choice with kids. Of course, I agree ... it depends on the individual kid ... but I think for the most part the older kids will be much happier on another line that has a lot of amenities designed for their pleasure.

I always say, with the kids, cruise another line. But, if you are cruising without them, HAL is absolutely perfect.

Blue skies ...

--rita