I think you'll find the same holds true on HAL as well. Usually the longer the cruise, the older the clientele. During holidays there will be more families. Enjoy your cruise!
When we sailed HAL to Alaska in September, I saw all of three teens. Passengers tended towards "older", but ran the gamut of 30s - 80s. We sailed HAL to Mexico in October, and saw lots of families with children - elementary age to teens, newly weds to geriatrics. It will usually depend on when and to where. But you definitely won't see children on HAL like you will see on Carnival or RCI...
The Web site is currently down, so I am unable to confirm, but the minimum age is pretty young, as in toddler or younger. The kids program used to start at age 5, but I believe they recently lowered it to age 3. As penny3333 and susanmaz stated, the passenger mix will vary depending upon the time of year and itinerary. On our August 2004 cruise from Montreal to Boston, there were just 70 kids out of about 1200 passengers. I imagine the numbers are a lot higher on Caribbean itineraries and during school breaks.
I agree that the passenger mix will vary by the time of year and cruise length. On our 18 day Hawaii cruise, the average age was 72, but on the following cruise, Alaska, the average age lowered to 31. There were a lot of families onboard for Alaska.
As stated by others, you will definitely find more children on cruises during holidays. I've found that is particularly true during Spring Break/Easter. We were in the Caribbean in April during the Easter holiday and there were more children than I could count! They totally took over the pool and there was absolutely no relaxing in there while the kiddies were jumping, running, splashing and yelling. If that's something that will really bother you, you won't want to cruise during that time. During dinner, there were children getting up and down in their seats, getting in the waiters' way, and making a general racket. I must admit that I prefer a more sedate cruise than you can get with too many kids aboard. However, we managed to have a great time in spite of those preferences.
I agree heartily with what many have said before - times of year, length of cruise, etc determining age range.
If you ARE travelling with kids and have any concerns, though, don't worry. Club HAL runs whether there's 2 kids or 200 kids. From a kid's standpoing - they're going to have fun no matter what.
I'm 42 and I tend to like to have a broad age mix. I don't mind kids around, but HATE when things get out of control like crafter315 describes. On the Vista class ships (Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam), however, the aft pools are "Adult Only" - and they tend to abide by those rules (at least when I've been there). So there's always an "oasis"!!
Well I don't know who told you that the aft pool is adults only but its not. I contacted HAL because I am planning a cruise on the Zuiderdam and they don't have adults only places onboard.
Originally posted by cis: Well I don't know who told you that the aft pool is adults only but its not. I contacted HAL because I am planning a cruise on the Zuiderdam and they don't have adults only places onboard.
Ciska
Well, perhaps I'm mistaken, or perhaps it's an "unwritten rule" - but the aft pools are generally child-free. You can also check out many of the cruise review sites, and in the "professional reviews" they mention that the aft pool area is limited to adults.
I've never questioned HAL directly, so I didn't know what the "official" policy was.
Well I did contacted HAL because I really hate it when my daughter of 13 isn't alloud to swim with us in all the pools. They say they don't have it so I will be going to the aft pool wiht my child. Maybe it's different when you have little kids.
Well, guess that's HAL policy. Of course, if they're going to let your daughter of 13 swim with you in all the pools, I guess I can bring my 9 and 10 year olds there in November... as will the parents with their 6 month-olds in swim diapers... yum!!
We sailed on the Zuiderdam last August and the Aft pool is designated as an Adult Only Pool. This is from the Zuiderdam "Daily Program" There are two pools available for your enjoyment. The aft pool is for adults only. children should use the Lido pool under the glass dome. Childrem must be accompanied and/or supervised by their parents at all times while in or around the ship's pools. There is no lifeguard on duty at any time.
Now stating this, there were children in the aft pool, as alot of people do not follow the suggested rules, but most of the families swam in the Lido pool.
cis, I am sure that a 13 year old is more like an adult then say a 4 or 5 year old. I do not have any problems sailing on a ship with children, we usually take our 15 year old with us, and she has been cruising since she was 9, but at times I enjoy a quiet place where the children are not running around the pool, splashing water on you, or jumping in the pool right next to you, so I for one am glad that this is in place. There were some people who totally disregarded the pool rules and felt that the small children should be in the adult only pool, but you will find this with most general rules on a ship, some people will go out of their way to prove they can "have it their way".
I hope you enjoy your cruise on the Zuiderdam, its a great ship!
I have cruised a lot of times with HAL and never seen the sign adults only but that was several years ago. Well I have contacted HAL and they told they haven't got that rule. I guess they don't aprove against a 13th year old she not the kind of kid who's jumping and splashing around. I am sure it will be fine. Thanks for the comment how did you like the Zuiderdam what kind of cabin did you have?
Well SSUS I guess they can take their little kid. But I think its absurd to take a child to the pool who is still wearing diapers. But thats only me never done that its not allowed in Europe to have your kid in the pool with diapers.
We just sailed the Ryndam and I saw a couple babies and toddlers, only a couple teens and mostly couples or singles 30+. Of course who knows who I didnt see. Lots of people.
Posts: 684 | Location: St. Charles, Minnesota | Registered: July 25, 2006
