Holland America Line
Infants/Toddlers
Holland America will not accept reservations for infants 6 months or younger for non- Transocean sailings or 12 months or younger for Transocean sailings at time of cruise. There are no programs for children under 3.
Babysitting Services
Limited babysitting services are available through the Front Office for a small surcharge for children 5 years of age and under. This service is provided by staff on a volunteer basis, and may not always be available.
Children
Club HAL® — Kids*: Children, ages 3-6, can participate in such activities as pirate treasure hunts, hands-on pizza making, storytelling, “Little Artists” crafts, ice cream sundae parties and a farewell pajama party. Children in the Kid’s age group must be toilet trained. Children in pull-ups or diapers are not allowed in the youth facilities, due to mandates from US Public Health. Exceptions to this rule cannot be made.
Additional Family Services
Holland America Line is dedicated to making your family’s cruise vacation memorable and happy for each member of your family. They serve a wide variety of kid-pleasing food, including special sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats may be requested in advance of boarding. On sea days, babysitting services are available through the Front Office for a small surcharge for children 3 years of age or older. This service is provided by staff on a volunteer basis, and may not always be available.
Babysitting service is not offered while the ship is in port, although Club Hal does offer activities for children aged 3-12 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on port days. Special kid-friendly birthday parties can also be arranged with advance notice.
Extended Hours
Club HAL’s port day activities as well as After Hours is available for children ages 3-12 who meet Club HAL’s eligibility requirements. (Children must be pre-registered for the program in the way of a completed parental consent form, they must be potty trained, out of pull ups and 100 percent independent in the restroom as the youth staff are not permitted to assist.) Club HAL® After Hours is available on all ships (except the ms Prinsendam) from 10 p.m. – midnight for children 3 years of age or older. The fee is US$5.00 per child, per hour.
Parents must pick up their children on time or a late fee is charged. For babysitting outside of the hours offered in Club HAL, guests may check at the Front Office to schedule this service provided by staff on a voluntary/limited basis only.
Tweens/Teens
Club HAL® — Tweens*: Tweens, ages 7-12 take part in Xbox and Wii tournaments, relay races, scavenger hunts, karaoke disco parties and participate in the award-winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program in Alaska on Alaska cruises.
The Loft : Teens, ages 13-17 enjoy mocktail mixology classes, late night sporting competitions, teen yoga and hip hop classes, guys verses girls scavenger hunts, cooking demos, tech classes and teen only night club events. When there are more than 100 children on board, a HAL Talent Show is offered. (The Loft is not available on the Prinsendam.)
Culinary Arts Center: Hands-on cooking classes for kids and teens offering basic cooking techniques, kitchen safety and recipe instruction. Workshops are offered for two age groups: ages 3-7, and ages 8-15. Parents must register their children on board at the Front Office.
*On the ms Prinsendam, youth activities are offered for ages 5-17. All other ships offer youth activities for ages 3-17.
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
