10 Best Cruises for Families
Oosterdam and Westerdam
Where They Cruise: Alaska, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Europe, Central America, South America, Transatlantic.
Kids Will Love: Cooking classes, teens-only “loft,” destination arts & crafts.
Holland America is more adult-oriented than some of the other lines but is a good choice for those with teens and well-behaved younger kids. On these 1,916-passenger ships (and their sister ships), teens get their own hangout, the Loft, modeled after a New York artist’s loft with music, video games, and a large-screen movie area; it connects to a secluded, sundeck called the Oasis. For younger kids, the Club HAL program has a play area for ages 3-7 and arcade/club for those ages 8-12. Activities are geared toward the sailing location, so in Alaska the kids may learn to make baked Alaska, create a polar bear puppet, and color a picture of the state bird, the Willow Ptarmigan.
Insider Tip: A Culinary Arts Center program on HAL ships is popular with adults as well as kids who love to cook. Professionals teach the classes ($29 each) in specially designed learning kitchens.
Deal: Weeklong Alaska cruises from Seattle, from $770, May-September.
