Kids on Holland America? Help!
 

We've booked March 23 from Ft. Lauderdale. I was told by my TA that this this was best for us as we wanted a cruise w/o a huge child contingent.... Shd we be concerned? Looking for anyone who has cruised on HA during this time. Thanks. We are really concerned but cannot cancel.... I've put my TA thru heck booking this cruise.... Thanks!

It will not be a lot of kids on HAL, especially if this is one of the small older ships, or a longer cruise.

If you are on one of the newer ships, there will be plenty of children. It won't be 900 like some of the other lines but there will be kids on the Vista class ships.

I was recently on the Oosterdam and I was very surprised at what a family friendly ship that was. I wouldn't worry unless you booked one of the older ships or are taking a longer cruise (10 days plus).

March 23...hmmm...is that Spring Break time?

Hope it isn't for your sake.

I have been on HAL over spring break and there were about 300 kids aboard. We did not have any problems.

Contract that to a horrific experience on Royal Caribbean with over 900 little monsters out of 2400 passengers . They had control of the ship, parents were absent and they caused many passengers to complain.

I would NEVER cruise when school is out as cruising with kids is something I avoid when on vacation (those two were work related) but HAL will be better than many other lines.

We cruise Western Carribean last Feb Presidents Day week on Celebrity. Kids were present but did not over-run ship. Was impressed with properly dressed and behaved kids in dining room.

This is actually Easter week, so there's a chance some families may take the time and cruise. But most schools have spring break before Easter, so I don't think this should be a major concern. HAL is definitely trying to appeal to kids more, and they have improved their children's programs and facilities immensely, but this line is typically not as attractive to kids as Royal Caribbean or even Carnival.

thank you to all who responded. Last year we cruised first week of April on the Carib. Princess, one third of cruise was children, it was horrible. Was told that March is not as bad.... we will hope!

We were on a 30 day cruise with Princess and had first seating. There was a family with 2 year old twins who dined next to us. Those kids cried, one, the other, or both, the entire meal, and the parents were absolutely oblivious. I have had several children, so don't mind them at all, but that was sheer hell. Asked, and were reassigned to another dining room...thank God...but mostly, kids don't bother us.

Wow things must really be changing. Of all the HAL cruises I have been on - the most children that have been on board was THREE.

The last cruise I took was last Dec. and before that in Oct, both in 2006. I have sailed on HAL several times and will sail again on March 17 for an 18 transatlantic and then in Sept for a 24 day cruise. I can't fathom there will be many kids on either of those itineraries.

I agree with the Fodor's moderator..is this Spring Break for many areas? In our area (North Idaho), SB is the first week of April. Holland America is known for few children, but the children's program (Club HAL) is well-reputed.

Actually, that is spring break for some schools. At least my son's school and just about all his friends schools in the suburb of Chicago are on break during that period. It may not be the "peak" of spring break though. We are heading on a Southern Caribbean cruise on March 22 - 29 on crown princess with our 2 kids. I expect there to be lots of kids during that period.