lkturtle

I absolutely loved being a kid on HAL cruises! If you travel on a 7-day Caribbean itinerary at peak family travel times (Christmas/New Years week, Spring Break), there will be a fair amount of kids - up to 200 to 300 on a 2000-passenger sailing. If your cruise is longer or outside holiday times, your kids may be just two of a few young ones, which is awesome because they'll get extra-special treatment. The staff are amazing with kids. They'll make animals out of napkins and all sorts of origami and teach them some Indonesian or Filipino words.

 

The Club HAL program is great as well - and completely free - and provides some fun activities throughout the day and a dedicated kids' space with computers, board games, video games, etc.

 

Kid-friendly food can always be found - even if you're in the Main Dining Room and they don't see anything on the menu they like, just ask, and the staff can make anything.

I'm so relieved to read all these positive things about kids on HAL! That was my 1 fear when we booked our multigenerational cruise (with my parents).

We will be on the Eurodam in the end of Sept with my almost 4yo daughter. She is very smart and mature but a bit hesitant and wary of new/strange situations so while the above activities will greatly appeal to her, I'm pretty sure she won't allow us to drop her off and leave her there. Are parents allowed in Club HAL? Could it be a place we take her to play and one of us (or a grandparent) could stay with her while she enjoys herself? Or must it be a "drop off"? Thank you so much!!

After teatime, we decided to hang out in the Explorations Cafe for a bit. Our kids really enjoyed playing Chinese checkers and Chess in there! And the vibe and views were very relaxing! There was also a selection of excellent books you could check out while in there!

 

 

Any kids books or games on-board?

(Thank you so much for this review!! I just read the entire thing and it's eased my mind about bringing my 4yo along!)

Oh no! Try this:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2623040

That worked!! Thank you so much!

Here is a lovely thread detailing her experience traveling on HAL with her children:

 

http://https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2623040

Thank you so much!! I tried the link but it seems to not be working?

I got off the Eurodam week before last. There were MANY children of all ages aboard and they were no bother to anyone. It was fun to watch them in the pool. They enjoyed themselves. Holland is no longer just for mature passengers but rather families and people of all ages.

Maryjo

Oh this is great to hear - thank you! :)

Thank you so much for your wonderful posts! We are *this close* to booking a couple Neptune Suites on the Eurodam in the end of Sept. Multigenerational cruise for us (myself, my husband, my 4yo daughter and my parents). You kept mentioning your daughter and she sounded about elementary school age? What was it like for her? Were passengers annoyed with you having a child around? Was she fully entertained? My daughter is quite mature and quiet. She likes to observe and watch things. I think she'll be fine and not a nuisance but just worried some folks could be annoyed at her presence (esp if she has some sudden burst of excitement). And esp in late Sept. there's likely to be VERY few children around so she'll stand out even more. Thank you!