Nieuw Amsterdam HAL

[cruisewiththekids]

I booked the Nieuw Amsterdam leaving the Sunday after Thanksgiving next year. It was the only ship that did the itinerary I was looking for; Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Grand Cayman.

 

Now I'm second-guessing myself. I have 9 and 11 yr. old boys. I'm wondering if it will be fun for them.

 

Do you think there will be more families during that week?

 

I'm wondering if I should look at a less desirable itinerary on Carnival or RCCL just because they're more kid friendly with water slides and such.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[yogi2929]

The first cruise my DDs were 9 & 6 on the Amsterdam repo cruise in April 2003. They had a blast. They've been on Carnival (& HAL) many times since but still say this was one of their best cruises to date.

 

Most traditionally calendared public schools will be in session the week after Thanksgiving. Even so there will be other kids on the cruise.

[Essiesmom]

If they have never sailed a ship with 'water slides and such', they won't miss them. Grand Turk has good beach and great pool, and HMC has great beach. Have a great time. EM

[cruisewiththekids]

I should have said we've cruised 3 times with Disney, and of course it's very kid friendly in every way. So going from Disney to HAL I thought might be too much of an extreme. We can do without the water slide, but just the atmosphere I guess. I know HAL is known to attract a more mature crowd, but I thought 7 day Caribbean usually attracts more families.

[boulders]

I would expect there to be very very few families on HAL that week. It's one of the slowest weeks of the year for cruising.

[imsulin]

I would expect there to be very very few families on HAL that week. It's one of the slowest weeks of the year for cruising.

 

That's what I would say, as well. However, there will be some kids onboard (probably not a lot, though), and your boys will absolutely love HMC!