Nieuw Statedam with young kids (ages 6 & 7) - March 11th-18th

[shawn742]

Greeting Cruise Critic!

 

This will be my first Holland America cruise. I just booked my family during Spring Break (11-Mar through 18-Mar) on the Nieuw Statedam out of Ft. Lauderdale. We're typically Royal Carribean or Carnival cruisers, but I booked this being that it was a great deal, with a Vista Suite being the same price as an Ocean View or worse on Carnival, and not really even in the ballpark of Royal Caribbean, for the same week and number of days. The itinerary is also great for kids (Nassau (blah), Amber Cove (so-so), Grand Turk (yeah!) and Half Moon Cay (yeah again!)).

 

Aside from the stops, I was wondering if my kids (or myself) will be bored out of their minds during sea days and evenings? I know that I'm well below the age demographic, as I'm 39, my wife is 33, and our kids are 7 & 6...and none of us particularly care for pickle ball 🙂. I usually hit the casino when everyone goes to bed, so I'll find some entertainment there.

 

Do the rooms have interactive TVs where we can watch movies and shows on demand? The newer Carnival and RC ships have this and my kids really enjoy it, but the older Carnival boats just have a few low quality tv stations, and a bunch of cruise line promotional stuff.

 

Any tips, good-to-knows, etc. for traveling with young kids on Holland would be much appreciated!

[Cruise Suzy]

12 minutes ago, shawn742 said:

Do the rooms have interactive TVs where we can watch movies and shows on demand?

 

yes. There is also Club HAL for the children during the day - which I have no experience with. Others can supply info on that.

[albingirl]

I'd be on a Disney ship, or at least Royal Caribbean since they have endless entertainment for kids.  But, everyone is different and lots of kids would be thrilled to be on a cruise, any cruise at all.  

[REOVA]

The on demand is for movies whoch has a good variety. There is 1 TV channel for sports and a couple for special programs. Other than that TV is MSNBC, FOX News, BBC and reruns of HGTV. There will be a movie or 2 at night at the LIDO pool. Sea days there may be a showing of BBC animal in the World Stage. Some may say it might not be appropriate for younger kids (if it's the animals attacking/eating others). There are games and puzzles in the crows nest. 

 

Amber Cover HAL excursion to Ocean World may be enjoyable for the kids. 

[richrhon1]

I personally did not see much for the kids to do on the boat.  We definitely felt that there was a lack of entertainment on our recent cruise on the NS.  My youngest liked Club HAL when we went on the Westerdam, but that was in 2008 so I'm not sure what it's like now.  

 

[pirate cruiser]

We were on her 12/27-1/7 and there were a lot of kids that age-they were in the pools all day and had movies on the pool deck-I was happy with the TV-40 plus inch flat screen and plenty of movies and I bet there will be plenty of other kids on spring break-I think they will be fine.

[Alfisti]

As mentioned enroll your children in ClubHAL and they'll have a great time with the activities staff and other kids onboard.  Yes, the stateroom TVs have a great selection of movies (included) and there's a selection of puzzles and games at the crows nest.  Evening entertainment is limited to music-walk and a variety of shows (step one dance or vocalists) , comedians, trivia, 'game nights', and movies by the lido.   Pre-covid there was usually a magician or impersonator etc which unfortunately seems to be gone. 

 

If y'all are civilized / kids are well behaved you'll have a good time 😂.  Let your kids loose and running/jumping into the pool and expect a bunch of grumpy/angry shipmates lol 

[PACD_JG]

Your kids will love the aft pool.  And if you can afford it, get a retreat cabin for two (kids are free).

Edited January 19, 2023 by PACD_JG

[CvilleJane]

Our son started cruising on HAL at 9 and has always enjoyed the kids club. We go in the beginning of March for spring break and over winter break and there have always been kids on board (not a lot). But it’s such a perfect mix of kids club time and family time. We’ve done Disney and that was his favorite with the non stop entertainment, kids club activities and tons of kids hang out with, but we left that holiday feeling like we needed a vacation from our vacation. It was a great cruise, but exhausting. Agree with another poster that if your children are used to kids clubs on other ships, Club HAL could definitely seem quieter and less exciting. My son is now 15 and hasn’t had much interaction with the teen club, but he still very much enjoys Holland America. Nightlife on the ship is limited, but we enjoy the overall relaxing vibe to the week. 

Edited January 19, 2023 by CvilleJane
*added additional info

[wdw1972]

26 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

Your kids will love the aft pool.  And if you can afford it, get a retreat cabin for two (kids are free).

I believe someone posted a photo recently from a pinnacle class ship where the Seaview pool is now clearly adults only.  The sign said families with children are welcome to use the lido pool.  As for the Retreat, there is nothing for young kids up there.  I get one every cruise, twice a year for many years now and only 1 time did I ever see a child up there - a remarkably well behaved & quiet young man perhaps in his early teens who would sit and read a book.  My grandson is 6 and I can't imagine bringing him to the Retreat - at that age kids want to DO something, not sit around.

 

My son loved cruising HAL, but he didn't start until he was around 11.  With younger kids, especially if they've been cruising Carnival & Royal already, I could definitely see them being bored - or at lease missing all the crazy kid things those cruise lines have.  This cruise will be much more geared to the parents vs the kids.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[pirate cruiser]

The sea view pool was loaded with kids especially in the  late afternoon-the sign said anyone under 16 was supposed to be under adult supervision but was clearly not enforced but since I have kids it didn't  bother me

[Crew News]

Recommend you share the following with your kids to show them how special they are to Holland America Line.

 

Bring crayons to color the kids menu pictures that change each day.: 

Kid's 7-Day MDR Menus

 

Here is the Room Service Menu that has a kid's page:   Room Service Menu

[0106]

HAL policy states Guests must be 18 or older to use our SeaView Pool and this sign is currently posted at the Seaview pool on the Rotterdam.   Here is a link to HAL’s Family Travel FAQs.  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/family-cruises.family-travel.what-kind-of-holiday-activities-are-available.html

 

[shawn742]

Thanks for the replies everyone! It sounds like the entertainment is semi-lackluster compared to some of the cruises targeted at the younger demographic, but we'll get by. My wife also joined a FB group, and it seems like there will be a fair amount of kids being that this cruise sails during Spring Break for many.

 

I'm sure this question has been asked many times, but with Holland American being owned by Carnival LLC, is the food generally in-line with what Carnival serves, or is it a step up?

[jimbob22]

30 minutes ago, shawn742 said:

Thanks for the replies everyone! It sounds like the entertainment is semi-lackluster compared to some of the cruises targeted at the younger demographic, but we'll get by. My wife also joined a FB group, and it seems like there will be a fair amount of kids being that this cruise sails during Spring Break for many.

 

I'm sure this question has been asked many times, but with Holland American being owned by Carnival LLC, is the food generally in-line with what Carnival serves, or is it a step up?

The food is a step up for sure, slightly better quality of meats, far more choices on the lido. 

[quilty964]

You and your family will have fun.  We've only been on a few cruises with HAL, but the kids on board seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Our 1st cruise to Alaska had some multi-generational families, they all were enjoying themselves.  My guess is during spring break, there will be many friends to be made!  We usually eat in the Lido, and there are lots of choices there, not sure about the MDR.  Enjoy your time!  A mom on another popular social media site just shared their cruise around Christmas time.  Her son had a great time, and the crew treated him like royalty!  While on board, they even booked the next week, so they stayed on for 2 instead of 1 week! 

[CBJ]

We took our kids (then 5 and 10) on the Nieuw Statendam last year at March break. It was a 12 day cruise so less kids but maybe around 20 who attended Club HAL regularly. Our kids made fast friends and really enjoyed the kids club and the ship overall. We usually took them for a quick dinner in the Lido and dropped them at Club HAL before going to the dining room for a nice adult meal.