Workmom2 Posted April 14, 2007 #1 Share Posted April 14, 2007 We just got back from the NCL Star and had a great time- My 2 kids (3 and 6) did great in the kids club and did not want to leave! We are now trying to decide which ship for next year and have narrowed it down to returning to the Mexican Riveria (Star changed the itinerary, so we would like to see some new ports). We are considering the Holland America Ryndam, but my DH is concerned about the lack of free style and the kids club. Is ther anyone out there that has gone on this ship with kids? We would go back on the Start in a heartbeat, but I woul dlike to try a new line. Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted April 14, 2007 #2 Share Posted April 14, 2007 I have not cruised on HAL, it is one of the few mainstream lines I haven't. But I have stopped by the HAL board and have seen some of the most anti-child threads on any CC board. :eek: So I would go over to HAL and ask them and see what THEY say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunnyBunnyTink Posted April 14, 2007 #3 Share Posted April 14, 2007 I was 13 when I went on HAL and their childrens program was almost non existant. We were stuck in meeting rooms and did our 'activities' in there. I have heard that they improved since then but the average age of people on their ships is about 60 or so and many are not nice to the kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workmom2 Posted April 15, 2007 Author #4 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Thanks for the suggestion to post on Holland America Thread- I found a few folks that have used the Club Hal and they were very encouraging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ga_Crusin Posted April 15, 2007 #5 Share Posted April 15, 2007 We went on the Ryndam with our two kids (6 & 8) last year. The Kids Club was not good. It is certainly better than it was a few years ago -- there's a dedicated area now -- but the area is small and, to be mild, uninspired. The counselors were overall pretty good, but the space was just so poor. Most of the limited area was taken up by a foosball table that I never saw used. Overall, we were really dissatisfied. They sent the kids out on their own on scavanger hunts (the 8 year old only, not the 6 year old). Also, most lines' kids areas are secure, but with HAL, the foosball table and video game machines are "owned by the casino" which means anyone who wants to can come into the kids area at any time. There's also a huge music video screen that plays music videos picked by the kids. Some of the videos are hip-hop type and sexually explicit. Looking at a bunch of little kids working on crafts while a girl sings on the screen about who she's willing to perform sex acts on was a bit much for us. Some of the conselors got it and turned the machine off, but the next shift would just turn it back on again. When we complained they'd say "there's nothing I can do -- the kids pick the songs". Great. We have cruised on HAL maybe 10 times over the past 15 years, but won't again until our kids are not along. We cruised Celebrity two years ago (on Infinity) and it was fantastic. We've signed up for Royal Caribbean for next year. The teen area looked better than the smaller kid's area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MnAsMom Posted April 18, 2007 #6 Share Posted April 18, 2007 how about Carnival or Royal Carribean? Disney will be cruising the MR in Summer 2008 as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunnyBunnyTink Posted April 19, 2007 #7 Share Posted April 19, 2007 I love Royal Caribbean! Been on 3 times ages 8, 10 and 17 and I had a blast each time. They work very hard to make sure the kids are safe and have a good time. The one time I was on Carnival at age 9 I didn't enjoy it at all but that was a long time ago so I don't know if it has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workmom2 Posted April 21, 2007 Author #8 Share Posted April 21, 2007 I am pretty sure that we have narrowed it down to Carnival- I have heard a lto of posistves about their kids club and the price of the cruise cannot be beat- Thanks for all the help. Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted April 21, 2007 #9 Share Posted April 21, 2007 I am pretty sure that we have narrowed it down to Carnival-I have heard a lto of posistves about their kids club and the price of the cruise cannot be beat- Thanks for all the help. Jennifer Good choice. My favorites have been carnival and RCCL for cruising with kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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