Need recomendation for kid's program (non-DCL)

[Karlzmom]

We will be going to Alaska in August and need input on the kid's program's on Celebrity and HAL (specifically the Infinity and the Neuiw Amsterdam). DS will get to have his DCL fix on the Vancover - San Diego run right afterward, but we don't want him to be bored or miserable for the week.....not much information seems to be out there on either so ANY help would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[bumbershoot]

Along with getting answers here, I would also put the question up on the appropriate boards on cruisecritic.

All info I have is about dcl and royal, sorry.

 

[Sytrace]

http://www.celebritycruises.com/htmlpage/family-fun-cruise#&panel1-1&panel2-1
You might want to check this page out for the kids/teens clubs information and programs.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruis...ivities.action?WT.ac=pnav_Onboard_Activities#
Here is the website for Holland America and their kids clubs/programs.

Hope this helps out a bit. At least to get an idea of what they offer.

 

[Karlzmom]

Thanks for the tip...I thought of that . I was hoping to also get input from Disney fans because we are just a bit different...KWIM.

 

[Sytrace]

I would imagine that because Celebrity is a part of the Royal Carribbean family that they would have a large variety of activities geared as Disney does towards kids.
Holland America is owned by Carnival so they might have some great programs geared toward kids too.
Wish I could help more.

 

[deanimal]

My only experience cruising on Celebrity with kids was the Alaska cruise we did with a nine month old. Obviously we didn't use the clubs, but they had a program where you could sign out a bin of baby toys to take to your cabin and exchange them for new ones periodically. We went to the clubs to get toys a few times and they let our daughter crawl around on the soft play area a few times when the programming was closed. The youth workers seemed just lovely, most were trained nannies or preschool teachers. The kids area was much smaller and simpler than Disney but seemed very bright and fun with an outdoor play area and a water play area on a private area of the deck. Not a whole lot of kids on the cruise, but it seemed lively in there when we stopped in during programming. Not much info, I know, but hopefully it helps a bit.

 

[skohrs]

We did the Alaska cruise on HAL 3 years ago on the ms Amsterdam. My twins were 11 at the time. The kids program was HORRIBLE. Absolutely atrocious. The video games could not be played the entire time (they kept telling my son that the controllers were locked up and the person with the key was not available). There were very few organized activities and the hours were extremely limited. Also, HAL tends to trend older, so there were not as many kids on board as other cruises. If you are used to Disney, you will be greatly disappointed. We have done many RCCL cruises, and their kids programs (while not Disney quality) are pretty good. Hopefully Celebrity will be more like RCCL than HAL. BTW, the cruise itself on HAL was awesome. We loved Alaska and the ship was fine (the Nieuw Amsterdam is newer and is probably even better). It is just the kid program that was awful.

 

[Karlzmom]

Thanks much all! This Is exactly what I was looking for. dis's are the best