HAL first timers - the next generation

[Phillygirl1807]

On 12/4/2019 at 9:15 AM, DaveOKC said:

IMO, HAL meets most of your wish list, with the exception of entertainment.  Also, you will find fewer children on HAL on most cruises (except perhaps Spring break, etc).   

We've cruised on HAL three times, and have booked another HAL cruise to South America and Antarctica for January 2021. We really like the entertainment on HAL ships. They have a terrific blues club, "B.B. King's," with outstanding musicians and singers. They have a Lincoln Center concert series for classical music fans. They have a wonderful piano bar, and the newer ships offer a "Rolling Stones" venue (Probably to compete with NCL's Cavern Club.") The shows are good, too. We liked the food in the main dining room as well is in the specialty restaurants. 

[Wehwalt]

Holland America can't compete with the waterslide cruise lines, which is where the bulk of the families with small children go. Given the relative dearth of small children on HAL, and the unlikelihood that the Amsterdam will ever compete with the Behemoth of the Seas for the family with small kids dollar, I think HAL is wise to keep assessing where a limited number of dollars and crew members can best be allocated for the benefit of the greatest number of passengers. I take it as a given that the HAL programs, when offered, are great and are very much enjoyed by all.

Edited January 23, 2020 by Wehwalt

[Hogladyrider]

We are sailing HAL as first timers with them specifically because they are not a BIG waterslide line.  We  are not anti children but we have found that many families on cruises let their children "do their own thing" because they are on a ship they are safe and the parents do their own thing.  We've seen enough of this after 20+ cruises on Carnival so we are giving HAL a try!

[fatcat04]

On 1/20/2020 at 7:46 PM, shudie said:

 

HAL's blog is deceptive. They absolutely are eliminating Club HAL from ages 7 onward... High Score, which is an arcade with little supervision will replace Club HAL for that age group. I have had 3 emails telling me this. They have told me that as of 2021, High Score will be the go-to for 7 to 17 year olds. Kids club will only be for 3-6 year olds. Ridiculous to lump 7 year olds in with 17 year olds. There will also be self -checkout which means more kids roaming around the ship unattended. 

See, our PCC got a very different answer form "the powers that be" when I emailed her. Sigh. I wish they would just get their ducks in a row and give us a single definitive answer. As it is, I will be on NA in March (she is supposed to get HIGH SCORE in February) and will ring answers out of anyone I can find as this impacts everyone, not just those who have kids.

 

Remember, those of you who repeatedly say "Cruise DIsney because I don't really see children on my HAL cruises", we took our son on a HAL cruise many years ago with over 300 kids onbosrd (Vista ship). I only ever saw them at the lido pool or in herds when they were doing organized stuff with their kids club group. I was impressed by how they kept them busy having fun. Our son had a blast. While it may be that you are cruising on itineraries that are unpopular with families or longer cruises in non school holiday times which would be close to childless even on a Carnival ship, it could also be that all those little moppets have been busy in Club HAL making crafts and watching movies and decorating cupcakes and having slumber parties and you name it and thus out of your hair. HIGH SCORE if it is indeed a replacement and not an addition to Club HAL will change that. Enjoy. 

[Wehwalt]

I'm interested to  learn that there are people who feel so strongly that their school-age children need "supervised check out" day care gratis on very safe ships that they threaten not to cruise HAL anymore, would, if denied such safe and secure facilities for their children at the expense of the passengers, allow said kids to run unsupervised, everywhere, and wild. I see something of a contradiction, but never mind.

Edited January 23, 2020 by Wehwalt

[fatcat04]

3 hours ago, Wehwalt said:

I'm interested to  learn that there are people who feel so strongly that their school-age children need "supervised check out" day care gratis on very safe ships that they threaten not to cruise HAL anymore, would, if denied such safe and secure facilities for their children at the expense of the passengers, allow said kids to run unsupervised, everywhere, and wild. I see something of a contradiction, but never mind.

By gratis I am guessing you assume we parents don't actually PAY anything for our kids to cruise. I hate to disabuse of this fantasy but we have never NOT paid for our kids, usually their fare is $250-full adult fare for a week to 10 day cruise. And considering many parents with kids cruise during the most expensive times, that can get pretty pricey. Also of note, when they are 6-12 they generally don't eat near as much as an adult a so there is a savings for HAL. Also when kids are enjoying their cruise via fun orchestrated programming in a safe and supervised environment, their parents are off many times doing things that make the cruise lines money, like the spa or casino or specialty dining. We parents like to have date nights and some alone time on our vacations too. 

 

As too supervising our kids, I haven't seen anyone here say they plan to let their kids run loose but some parents, facing the surprise revelation that HAL no longer has a supervised kid's program on the cruise they booked before HIGH SCORE was even announced and only find out of the change when they board, may not be so conscientious and thoughtful toward other passengers as to monitor their kids 24/7. 

 

If folks want a completely kid free cruise, I suggest you go to a kid free line like Viking or Virgin.

Edited January 24, 2020 by fatcat04

[doone]

On 12/4/2019 at 9:25 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

I think you might best find what you are looking for on either the Nieuw Amsterdam (newest) or Konigsdam Pinnacle Class HAL ships. We were on the N. Stat. in April on a seven-day out of Port Everglades and thought the “Music Walk” with entertainment in a series of adjacent venues all evening was really fun. Lots of variety. 

 

I love the atmosphere on all the HAL ships, and it’s definitely more refined with good food, clean ships and genuinely friendly staff. 

 

 

 I agree with everything this poster said but to be clear, the Nieuw  Statendam is the newest HAL Pinnacle Class ship, NOT the Nieuw Amsterdam, can be so confusing.  Pinnacle Class ships have the Rolling Rock Room along with BBKings, NA has BBKings, no Rolling Rock room.  

 

 

[Caribbean Chris]

52 minutes ago, doone said:

 I agree with everything this poster said but to be clear, the Nieuw  Statendam is the newest HAL Pinnacle Class ship, NOT the Nieuw Amsterdam, can be so confusing.  Pinnacle Class ships have the Rolling Rock Room along with BBKings, NA has BBKings, no Rolling Rock room.  

 

 

Right you are, of course. It was the Nieuw Statendam. 
I’ve never even sailed the Nieuw Amsterdam, so who knows why I typed that!?

Thank you for the fix.

Chris

[doone]

50 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Right you are, of course. It was the Nieuw Statendam. 
I’ve never even sailed the Nieuw Amsterdam, so who knows why I typed that!?

Thank you for the fix.

Chris

No worries, it’s an easy mistake, too many Nieuws🤣🤣

[Tapi]

On 12/4/2019 at 8:53 AM, LMaxwell said:

Late 30/early 40's married with young child... 

LMaxwell:

 

You’re where we were when we took our fist HAL Cruise in 2013. Late 30’s with young children. We will be returning to HAL in February, now in our 40’s, and still with young children.

 

When we took our first HAL Cruise (aboard the Westerdam), I remember asking myself what was superior to the other family oriented mass market cruise lines that we’d sailed on, and I finally figured that the difference is in the details. Overall, a more refined experience, better quality food, more polished service, no incessant announcements for bingo, liquor samplings, $10 sales, trivia, etc, more upscale decor, better quality linens and dinnerware, etc. If you’re someone who has an eye for these details, you’ll consider HAL to be a step up.

 

Overall, we considered our first HAL Cruise (in Alaska) to be a fantastic, memorable experience. Yes, I considered them to be a step up from Carnival, Royal, MSC, etc, but I wasn’t necessarily wowed by everything that set HAL apart. I found our particular ship to be “dark and gloomy”, and less airy or light filled as ships on other cruise lines that I’ve sailed on. Some venues were rather depressing to be honest with you. 
 

Our son didn’t care for Club HAL. He went one time and then begged to never go back. That was a departure from what we’ve experienced on other cruise lines he’s sailed on (Carnival, Royal, MSC, and Disney) where he always begs to go to the kids club and stay as long as possible. We still found plenty of things for our kids to do, but they were not kid specific (like going to the pool, attending shows at the main theatre, going dancing to live music after dinner, etc). 
 

Overall, we enjoyed that first HAL cruise, and objectively speaking we considered HAL to be a step up from other mass market lines, but I thought that, in our 30’s, we were not quite ready to appreciate what it had to offer.

 

We are now in our 40’s, returning to HAL after 7 years, this time aboard their newest ship, the Niew Statendam on February 16th. Being a bit older, kids a bit more mature, and sailing aboard a newer ship, I’m hoping that we will have a bit better appreciation for the HAL product.

 

Look for my review. I’ll make sure to write one upon our return! 

[fabuloso]

I have a question.  In March I'm going on my first Holland America cruise--Oosterdam and I was reading the dress code section.....

 

Am I reading it correctly that no tshirts or shorts are allowed in the public areas in the evening?  For example, I want to hang out in the pool deck area or stroll around the ship in the evening, no tshirt or shorts?  I have to wear a dress or capris with a blouse?

 

 

[*Miss G*]

9 hours ago, fabuloso said:

I have a question.  In March I'm going on my first Holland America cruise--Oosterdam and I was reading the dress code section.....

 

Am I reading it correctly that no tshirts or shorts are allowed in the public areas in the evening?  For example, I want to hang out in the pool deck area or stroll around the ship in the evening, no tshirt or shorts?  I have to wear a dress or capris with a blouse?

 

 

 

T-shirts and shorts are fine outside the main dining room and specialty restaurants.

[RuthC]

11 hours ago, fabuloso said:

Am I reading it correctly that no tshirts or shorts are allowed in the public areas in the evening?  For example, I want to hang out in the pool deck area or stroll around the ship in the evening, no tshirt or shorts?  I have to wear a dress or capris with a blouse?

Shorts and t-shirts would be fine around the pools, or out on the open decks. 

[Homosassa]

On 1/23/2020 at 4:29 PM, Wehwalt said:

I'm interested to  learn that there are people who feel so strongly that their school-age children need "supervised check out" day care gratis on very safe ships that they threaten not to cruise HAL anymore, would, if denied such safe and secure facilities for their children at the expense of the passengers, allow said kids to run unsupervised, everywhere, and wild. I see something of a contradiction, but never mind.

I think HAL has been grappling with the problem of parental responsibility for their children for a while.

 

Several years ago, I posted about a Parental Contract that was left in all cabins on a Rotterdam cruise. The Captain's welcome aboard PA announce drew specific attention  to that contract, ask that all passengers read it, and stated that all parents with children on board must sign and return it to Guest Services.

 

Among the terms of the contract was the statement that all children under the age of 16 must either be in the children's program or under the direct supervision of the parents; no unsupervised roaming of the ship  was allowed.

 

Needless to say, there were outraged posts about the contract after I posted the information.

 

With HAL's repositioning  as a bridge cruise experience between Carnival and upper tier lines in the Carnival Corporation, there will be a problem with parents expectations of what was available on Carnival and what was traditionally available on HAL.

 

Because of the lower number of children that traditionally sailed on HAL, the Club program was staffed to deal with less children that Carnival or the other entry level lines (Royal Caribbean and NCL).

 

The quandary of dealing with expectations that the cruise should be amusement park experience with a children's program staffed to deal with the "drop at the gangway on the way in, pick them up on the way out" mentality is not something HAL is set up to provide nor probably wishes to change into.

 

I can see HAL trying to be set up an approach to MSC that does promote itself as family friendly. However, MSC's idea of family  friendly comes as a shock to some cruisers.

 

MSC's idea of family friendly is promoting a cruise experience where family or affinity groups can relax and enjoy their time together.

 

Yes, there is a staffed children's program on board , but the hours are more limited than some people are used to.

 

Instead, MSC provided daily activities that are labeled as "Family." That means that they are open only to children accompanied by a parent. No parent; no participation.

 

Ships are stocked with family support items such as strollers and games that parents can check out for use on board.

 

Unsupervised roaming of the ship by children is not tolerated and security will round up the miscreants and return them to their parents.

 

As a result, on MSC, one will see children under parental control or in the supervised children's program.

 

One can only hope that this is the direction that HAL is changing to with the overhauling of the children's program

 

  

[Tapi]

1 hour ago, Homosassa said:

The quandary of dealing with expectations that the cruise should be amusement park experience with a children's program staffed to deal with the "drop at the gangway on the way in, pick them up on the way out" mentality is not something HAL is set up to provide nor probably wishes to change into.

We are sailing with our small children on HAL in just a few days, and one of the things that I’m most excited about and looking forward to is the more traditional approach to cruising, rather than the amusement park experience that’s now prevalent on more family friendly cruise lines and which we’ve experienced ad nauseam on our last cruises aboard Royal, Disney, MSC, Carnival, etc.  

 

I do believe that maintaining the current Club HAL offerings is not something that will threaten the more traditional cruise experience that HAL delivers. We are not sailing HAL expecting Royal, Carnival, etc. We don’t want the amusement park experience this time around. We are sailing on HAL to experience HAL. Having a basic kids club program like the current Club HAL, where the kids can go meet kids their own age while mom and dad enjoy dinner at the Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind, or enjoy a spa treatment, is not, in my humble opinion, something that would threaten the HAL experience. Why eliminate what’s already in place? We are not asking for HAL to become another family centered cruise line, just that they maintain their current offerings. 

 

Not every family with small children wants what Royal/Carnival/Disney, etc offer.

Edited January 30, 2020 by Tapi

[DivotMaker]

2 minutes ago, Tapi said:

Not every family with small children wants what Royal/Carnival/Disney, etc offer.

 

^^^This!!  We cruise as a family, and our kids have never really liked going to any of the kids' program, regardless of cruise line.  We pretty much enjoy relaxing together and hanging out together almost the entire time, whether it's reading together with some snacks or hanging out in the arcade.  I don't mind acting like a goofball with my kids as they beat me in whatever arcade games they play, because I know those memories will always be with them.  And with the exception of one cruise aboard Princess, our kids have never enjoyed any of those programs directed at them. Personally, I'm great if that works for you and I'm also happy seeing families hanging out together.  What I don't care for is some 6 year old being left alone and trying to cut in front of me for ice cream 🙂

 

[Homosassa]

20 hours ago, Tapi said:

 Not every family with small children wants what Royal/Carnival/Disney, etc offer.

 

I agree with you and DivotMaker.  When our daughter was young, cruising was a family vacation where we could spend time together.

 

The point I was trying to make is that HAL  is at a point where it is trying to offer a difference cruise experience from the amusement park cruise lines, but is building larger ships with more passengers with more children. 

 

Many of those passengers are new to HAL and think that a cruise line must offer  24/7 entertainment and child care. There is only so much space on a ship that can be taken up by child care facilities and housing for the staff.

 

Instead it appears that HAL may be trying to be family friendly by providing a cruise experience that fosters the family time spent together.

 

That is why I talked about MSC being family friendly because it is geared to that type of interaction.

 

As for those who comment on the horrors on dining with children, there are many of us who have enjoyed the formal dining experience with young children because the children knew the expectations of behavior in such a setting.

 

One of the things that makes me smile on MSC is watching the multi-generational family groups dressed to the nines (including the little ones) enjoying the time spent around the table in the MDR.

 

It is sad that many of these groups are not North Americans.  We have lost the idea of relaxing around the table and teaching our children to fit into that social setting.

[Tapi]

6 hours ago, Homosassa said:

That is why I talked about MSC being family friendly because it is geared to that type of interaction.

We absolutely love MSC. They truly provide a wonderful experience for the entire family. Sailing on MSC in the Mediterranean was the perfect way to introduce our kids to Europe when they were 6 and 8 years old. Best vacation that we’ve taken as a family so far. 

[SwimCarrie]

On 12/4/2019 at 5:53 AM, LMaxwell said:

Decided it was finally time to see if HAL really is just Carnival with different decor, or if it really is a product with a "Signature of Excellence".  

A little about us; I think we would represent the next generation of cruisers to HAL.  Late 30/early 40's married with young child.  We take 4-6 cruises per year and many, many weekend trips to Disney.  Live in South Florida and have high status among many cruise lines (Royal, NCL, MSC, Carnival...) but am just completely over the "YELL LOUDER IF YOU ARE HAVING FUN. WHAT?!? YELL LOUUUUUUUUUUUDER."  

 

What I am interested in is quiet, refined service (staff doesn't have to be fake friendly to us; but working efficiently and not in our face.  When I see harried dining room workers on other lines it doesn't create a calm environment) Clean ship (I like to feel like I spent our hard earned money on a nice product, not a discount motel at sea).  Quality entertainment (this is a major concern; it seems the kids clubs are fine but HAL has cut their nightly adult entertainment to Carnival levels; if this is the case we are one and done.  ). Good included food (I know it is purposely limited because of specialty dining, but still expect good), and I am getting hugely burnt out on nickel and diming from other cruise lines (RCI and NCL being particularly obnoxious with the constant upselling).  HAL markets itself as a premium mass market product.  Not full luxury, but still a cut above the cruise lines I am used to and have spent tens of thousands of dollars on.  Going in with an open mind and some trepidation.  Hoping to find nice little touches that set HAL apart from our other experiences but trying to keep expectations in line with their offerings.  

 

I am excited to try a new cruise line.  I hope it offers what we are looking for.  We are planning a much larger two week Alaska vacation for 2021 and this is a test run for HAL.  Tips, pointers, or level setting is appreciated.  

 

So was Club Hal/High Score a deal breaker? Did you get your money back? We're going on Oosterdam in March with our kids...hoping they provide what they say they are providing and Club Hal will still be there. My kids mainly go in to play video games and are less into the organized activities, anyway, so this might be a good thing! Let them in and they can entertain themselves. LOL. (We don't have video games at home, so it's a treat on vacations). I'd be interested to know what you decided!