Avery's Gram
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Hi Avery's Gram,
We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in 2 weeks with our kids, ages 11 and 13. We picked the cruise because we liked the itinerary (especially wanted to see Glacier Bay) and because the dates and prices worked for us. Just wondering if you might have any suggestions of any activities/shows onboard that your grandkids especially enjoyed (in addition to the amazing scenery and the naturalists on board which is the main draw) that you might recommend to us to keep on our radar? We've booked excursions that we're all excited about, have binoculars and cameras for the kids, and some great books and movies ready for the trip too as our travel agent had told us that HAL may have much less activities for the kids than other cruise lines. Thank you in advance for any advice :)
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Hi......well, as I said, our kids had each other to entertain them. We live in 3 different states, so don't get together often and cousin time together is always special. We had a 12 year old boy, 3 girls aged 11, 9, and 9, a 5 year old boy, 2 girl cousins aged 4 who most people thought were twins, and a 2 year old girl. They entertained each other pretty well!
We brought card games and some art projects for "the bigs". And paper dolls, crayons, wikistix and art supplies for "the littles." We found the big kids loved the New York pizza near the aft pool. There were games and jigsaws in the cafe near the crows nest, but we never ended up there as everyone brought books to read during down time. The older girls loved the production shows with the singers and dancers. And everyone except the youngest (not yet potty trained so not allowed) spent time in the pool!
The NA had a lot of movies available on the TV that were kid friendly. Lots about Alaska and wildlife for big kids.
I think your kids will have a great time. We ate most meals in the MDR so we could spend time with each grandchild. It was wonderful! Even on rainy days, Alaska is wonderful!
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I'm totally intrigued by the attention to the availability of Childrens' menus. Our kids rarely ordered from the kids' menus in restaurants at home, as the offerings were rather mundane mac & cheese, chicken fingers, chips & burgers.
On a cruise, wherein the dining is INCLUDED, I'd be so happy to let my kids order whatever they want from the menu. Including, just a plate of mashed potatoes and steamed veg. :)
At this point, kids are now fully self-sufficient adults. #noproblem
Different strokes for different folks, as always.....our adult kids have different parenting styles. One family's kids ordered from the adult menu, and were challenged to try at least one new thing every day. Another family's philosophy is that "we're all on vacation, so relax the food norms."" Their youngest (5) ate mac and cheese for dinner everyday and several lunches as well. Sometimes they mixed and matched: appetizer from the kids menu, entree from the adult menu. Everyone was happy and no one starved.
One night they were offered a second dessert by the steward and the "responsible adult" at their table (Grandpa!) said "Sure" and joined them!
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Also there was not a children's menu available anywhere except room service.
We are just off the Nieuw Amsterdam and there WAS a children's menu......our grandkids were offered it every night in the Dining Room.
crayons were not available, but we had brought our own to keep the kids happy while waiting.
We (Gram and Grandpa) traveled with our three adult children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren, aged 12 down to 2. We found service in the MDR was excellent and much easier than going to the Lido. We had 2 large tables and wonderful service.....the kids loved it. The MDR was fairly empty at 5:30, so our wait staff was able to really pay attention to us.
Club HAL.....our 12 year old grandson and 5 year old grandsons had to be dragged out every evening. Our 3 girl cousins preferred to be their own company, but everyone enjoyed the trip.
Grandpa and I had an aft wrap balcony, and the younger ones had 6 cabins in a row, 2 adjoining ones per family. They had the dividers opened so they had one long balcony for cousinly visits, and our room was the gathering place as it was so much larger. It was wonderful, and a very good time was had by all.
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Just off the Eurodam in February, and the Northern Lights is no more....it has become the Gallery Bar, which was lovely and very quiet on our cruise.
Barbara
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On our Eurodam cruise with a large group(over 900!), we were also planning to choose our own time for non-fixed dining. It turned out that all we were allowed to "choose" was 5 til 6:45 pm......anything later was reserved for the large group. So if late dining is very important for you, keep this in mind.
Hope things work out for you! We made do with 6:30, but it annoyed the heck out of us!
Barbara
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We were in an aft cabin on deck 8 last month....our carpet had been replaced and was giving off all the little fluffy bits when walked on. But the sofa had the same sad, stained beige fabric. Our Flat screen TV was fine for us, but we don't watch a lot of tv while on cruises.
The balcony furniture was nice and new....two comfy reclining chairs with ottomans to form two loungers. No table though.....we asked others and no one had them.
Barbara M. In NH
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I think on the cruise we took (Eurodam, Jan 24 out of FL). The inspirations group was sold out....limited by how many seats are available in the Main Show Room. We were not part of the group, but sat with some of them for breakfast one morning, and that is what we were told. One couple told us they signed up a year in advance, to make sure they were included as they sell out regularly. The conversation ended when another of their group stopped at the table to tell them some of their performers were rehearsing in the Explorers Lounge and they all left the table, scurrying off to get another dose of inspirations!
Unfortunately, that left two of us alone at a table for 8, feeling a bit awkward as all our main dishes were delivered to our almost empty table!
Barbara M. In NH
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Of course, I understand that the crew knew there would be unhappy people......but they were in the middle, and I could see that they, who are trained to keep us happy and satisfied, were unhappy too.
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We just got off a btoB on the Eurodam.....first week was horrible! Over 900 inspiration gospel music fans took over the dining room for late dinner....no one was allowed to eat after 6:30 and there were a lot of very angry passengers who had not been notified....we were all told we were assigned "as you like dining," but as one European couple told the maitre 'd very loudly, eating before 6:30 is not what we like!
People were very angry and unhappy, and the MDR staff was too.....they knew we were unhappy and they couldn't do anything to fix it. The most galling part was that when you talked to people from the group at breakfast, they were all annoyed at having to eat dinner so terribly late! But they had their concert (standing room only) before dinner so they had to eat late. As a result, all shows in the main showroom were late and there were no enrichment lectures during the day as the showroom was fully occupied by gospel.
Never again....I will cancel before doing that again!
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On some ships, a staff member hosts a group of needle workers on sea days. But if a. "Knitting group" is scheduled to be on board, that is different. I'll be on a knitting cruise in May.....probably about 60 of us, we usually eat as a group at early seating but we're a small group and don't interfere with the whole dining situation like a large group scheduled on the Westerdam.
Only members of the group who have paid extra for classes may join us for formal classes, but at night we knit informally and we always welcome other knitters.
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Honestly, all cruise/restaurant food is compared to what I prepare in my own kitchen. I have had some I do not prefer....just like home . I have had some I loved.....just like home, except I assume the chef could repeat it, not always tru at home. And some are fabulous...could never be replicated at home! (And I never need to cook....what could be better?)
Barbara M. In NH -
We are 4 star on HAL, and have 5 cruises booked with them through 2016......and we have always been happy. Yes, we see changes....but our favorite local restaurants here have changed, too....that is life.
Last year we took a 21 day trip on Seabourn.....glorious, small ship, excellent service, nice food. Was it worth the price difference? Yes ....but only because we wanted to actually land on Antarctica, and we did, 6 times. But we came back to HAl this year, because the difference in ship, service and food were not (to us!) Worth the price difference.....we were perfectly satisfied with HAL'S level of service, food, entertainment. We could spend 3 months this year on Hal for the cost of that 3 weeks on SB.
But, if we wanted to land in Antarctica again, we would choose SB again. We try to decide for each trip which makes sense, and as long as HAl suits us, we'll keep booking them.
Barbara M. In NH
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No, I'm sorry....my DH is named Glenn. We would have loved to travel with you, though.....maybe someday!
And Dave, thanks for the info. We are doing 14 day trip with family members, so this group will be on our first week but our second week will be different. Getting family members from different states coordinated is just more than we can handle, so we'll make the best of it and enjoy ourselves anyway.
I have been part of a knitting group on several HAL cruises, so I know how the group thing works.....and I am glad most other passengers were OK with having a bunch of crazy, yarn-obsessed people with sharp, pointed sticks, on board!
Barbara M.
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Our insurance company refers to this as a "vacation override." They have always been helpful, but sometimes the paperwork takes a few extra days to communicate, from us to them, them to Dr., them to pharmacy, and pharmacy back to us!
But you have plenty of time so should not be a problem.
Barbara M. In NH
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Hi....I was just told that a group of 200 would be on our Carribbean cruise this winter. Does anyone know who they are or how I can find out? I found a list onCC but it is not listed.....
I just would like to know how it will affect our trip.
Thanks!
Barbara M. In NH
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Our first visit to Australia we were there 3 weeks, we flew from Sydney to Alice Springs (back to Sydney, no direct flights from Alice Springs to Cairns), then on to Cairns (then again back to Sydney for the flight home).
Our second visit to Australia we were there 4 weeks, but we purchased an air pass with 5 stops. We flew from Sydney to Launceston Tasmania, on to Adelaide, on to Perth, on to Darwin and back to Sydney for our flight home.
Imagine trying to visit the United States and what you would see in 1 week. Australia is a wonderful destination, but it is time consuming to travel such vast distances.
Cruiseline add-on tours are usually very expensive. If you are up for independent DIY, check if airlines still offer the passes. I believe you could pick from 3 stop, 5 stop, & 7 stop passes when we went. We just took taxi's from the various airports to hotels, no transfers pre-arranged. I did research hotels and book them in advance. Some were good, some not so good. It is sometimes difficult to tell on-line.
We did a lot of AAT King tours at the various stops, they do a good job.
We didn't rent any cars (they drive on the opposite side of the car and road), so we were afraid to attempt driving ourselves.
Australia is an awesome destination, however you decide to see it, it will be amazing! Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Exactly! On our first trip, we spent a week in Sydney (DH on business, me touring, and a little bit of being wined and dined by the company he was dealing with. Then we took the Ghan (as it was then) through to Alice, spent a few days at Uluru, and flew on to Brisbane and the Gold Coast to spend 5 days at Heron Island.....glorious!
But as I tell friends, that trip was the equivalent of of a tourist coming to the U.S. And saying,"well, we want to see New York City, and Disneyworld, and while we're there, we should probably make a quick stop to see the Grand Canyon." A wonderful trip, but a ridiculous itinerary!
Since then, we've been back and spent more time in Sydney and another 5 days on Heron, and that makes a lot more sense.
And Strath, I'd love to do the Indian Pacific all the way from Perth to Sydney. Have you done it?
Barbara M. In NH
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Sorry, it may have changed in the years since we did it. We left from Sydney, through the Blue Mountains and Broken Hill, stopped in Adelaide and did an afternoon's tour, then continued to Alice which was the end of the line at that time.....I know it continues North now .
But it was one of the highlights of my traveling life....looking out the window in the dark, and seeing no lights as far as the eye could see made me realize what a huge, empty country Australia was. Wonderful trip, even if the itinerary has changed!
Barbara M. In NH
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Or take the Ghan from Sydney to Alice Springs......I was so glad we did it, as otherwise I don't think I would have really understood how big Australia is.
Barbara M. In NH
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You want me to convince you to try HAL? NOPE!!!! If you have been following this board, you know what we love, and if you need to be "convinced" I'm not sure I want you along.
I love that most HAL passenger board the ship's knowing they will enjoy the atmosphere, the small ship feel and the interesting fellow passengers. I love that I can walk into the MDR and day, breakfast or lunch, and tell them I am happy to share, and find congenial, interesting table mates. I love that we find lots of people who even listen to my husband's stories (he is a math/science/statistic geek) politely.
If you need to be convinced, I am not sure I will find you a congenial traveler. I say, "You convince ME you belong on HAL."
And since I will spend 13 weeks next year on HAL ships, I hope you will join us!
Barbara M. In NH
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As for number 2, I agree with you totally. But for your first point, I disagree. My husband and I have spent hours wandering around the Lido, looking for each other. On at least one occasion, we never found each other and ended up claiming 2 separate tables! Now, on the VERY rare occasion when we enter the Lido, I find a table and sit down....now he knows where I'll be and comes back eventually.
This is why we routinely eat in the Main Dining Room.....oh, and we do like the portion control as well!
Barbara M. In NH
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Wow! We are 4 star Mariners, and I NEVER thought about removing the extra life vests before! ( probably because DH is 6'4" and I am 5'2"..... So I can't reach the upper shelves even if ey are empty. But he can! Next trip, September on the Eurodam, you bet I will use this! thanks.....it will help.
Barbara M. In NH
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After the third cruise where I came home with "extra" clothes, I made a vow to myself.....if I don't wear it on the ship, it doesn't come home! This made me think a little harder while I was packing, and quite a few of the "But I might need this" things did not go into the suitcase, after all.
I always bring cheap, insulated tumblers with lids along....helps me avoid spilling iced tea on the way back to the cabin and can be left behind if I acquire too many souvenirs along the way.
Barbara M. In NH
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For me, it is a way to sample the world. I don't get to visit in depth on a cruise ship, but I do see places I want to return to, on my own. (My main problem with cruising is I only get to see the coast, and some parts of the world demand more time and attention.). But I can rule out places, as well......been to Tahiti once, that was enough. Been to Barcelona....need at least a week! So I can be more effective and efficient when I plan my own trips.
But as we get older, I can see cruising changing for us. I've met a lot of older cruisers who find it a safe, comfortable way to get outside their somewhat limited daily life and meet new people and see new things. So I expect that in the future, we'll be those cruisers ourselves.
Just not yet!
Barbara M in NH
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For myself, I like mugs, too.....but I've called a halt as all the cabinets are full, and we just don't break them as often as we did when our kids were home!
For the grandkids, I buy socks.....a pair from Alaska with Inuit totem poles, a pair from Australia with aboriginal designs, etc. they are small and easy to pack, and I know you can never have too many socks for a child as they are always losing one. They seem to like them, and no one complains when they are worn out or lost. (Probably all made in China, but still fun for the kids, and a reasonable price for a souvenir....important as we have 8 grandchildren!)
Barbara M. In NH
Alaska / Canadian Customs/Immigration questions please
in Holland America Line
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We flew out of Vancouver on Saturday and the lines were long to get on the bus but well organized. We left the ship at about 8 and had plenty of time for our 1 pm boarding time. But lines at the airport made our Global Entry worth its weight in gold....GE lines were short or non existent compared to other lines.