With supervised fun for young guests, the entire family can have the cruise vacation of their dreams. Holland America ships provide a wide variety of exciting youth- and teen- friendly activities and facilities for guests ages 3 to 17. Participating youngsters receive an activity program delivered to their stateroom and a Club HAL t-shirt.

Age-appropriate

Club HAL cruise activities are designed to be kid friendly and age appropriate. Examples include storytelling, arts and crafts, ice-cream sundae or pizza parties, ship tours and Bingo for young kids ages 3 to 7. For 'tweens, ages 8 to 12, there's miniature golf, Ping-Pong, theme parties, on-deck sports events and scavenger hunts.

Supervision

You can feel at ease knowing that your kid's onboard experience is safe and managed. All activities are supervised by permanent, full-time Club HAL Youth Program Directors and staff. Club HAL Youth Program Directors hold degrees in education, childhood development, recreation, leisure studies or related fields.

Extended hours

Club HAL After Hours is available on all ships from 10:00 - 12:00pm. For a minimal fee, kids can have fun at Club HAL while their parents are enjoying other evening activities.

Additional family services

Holland America Line is dedicated to making your family's cruise vacation memorable and happy for each member of your family. We 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. Baby-sitting services are available for a small surcharge. Special kid friendly birthday parties can also be arranged with advance notice.

Signature of Excellence Youth and Teen Areas

Holland America's new Youth and Teen Centers on ships with Signature of Excellence enhancements (ms Rotterdamms Ryndam, and ms Zaandam) offer programs for kids ages 3 to 17.

Facilities

Club HAL® - Kids*: Children, ages 3-7, can participate in such activities as story telling, fabric painting, indoor games, arts and crafts, drawing contests, ice-cream sundae parties, puzzles, bingo, pirate treasure hunts or a farewell pizza 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.

Club HAL® - Tweens*: Tweens, ages 8-12, might learn golf putting, have disco parties and theme parties, participate in the award-winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program on Alaska cruises, compete in on-deck sports events, compete in scavenger hunts or simply play Ping-Pong with a friend.

The Loft and The Oasis - Teens*: ages 13-17, will especially enjoy the teen disco, karaoke sessions, video games, teen sports tournaments, card games, trivia contests, bingo, movies and videos. When there are more than 100 children on board, a HAL Talent Show is offered. (The Oasis is not available on all Vista-class ships.)

Kids & Teens Culinary Arts Center: A Kids and Teen Culinary Arts Center activity program has been introduced to bring the joys of cooking to the younger set. The preparations range from simple to teen sophisticate.

*On the Prinsendam, youth activities are offered for ages 5-17. All other ships offer youth activities for ages 3-17.