Cruising with Holland America Line (HAL) is a wonderful way to explore the world, combining classic luxury with a refined, family-friendly atmosphere. But before you book your next voyage, it’s important to understand the age policy that the cruise line enforces. Each cruise line has its own rules regarding the minimum age for sailing, drinking, staying alone in cabins, and participating in various onboard activities.
Holland America Line caters to a broad audience — from multi-generational families to solo travelers and retired couples. Therefore, the company maintains a clear set of policies to ensure comfort, safety, and enjoyment for everyone on board. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the age policy on Holland America Line cruises, including rules for infants, minors, teens, and adults, as well as special notes for parents, guardians, and seniors traveling alone.
When booking a Holland America cruise, the first question families often ask is: What is the minimum age allowed to sail?
The minimum age requirement varies depending on the itinerary and voyage length.
For most standard sailings, infants must be at least six months old at the time of embarkation.
For longer, more remote, or transoceanic voyages — such as Panama Canal crossings, transatlantic routes, or sailings to South America and Asia — infants must be at least 12 months old.
This policy is rooted in safety and medical considerations. Cruise ships have limited medical facilities, and longer or more isolated voyages can make emergency evacuation difficult. As a result, Holland America Line enforces these age restrictions strictly, regardless of how close an infant might be to the minimum cutoff date.
Parents planning to cruise with babies should ensure that their child meets the minimum age requirement on the day of embarkation, not at the time of booking.
Holland America Line defines minors as guests who are under 18 years of age. There are a few key rules parents and guardians must follow when traveling with minors.
Minors must be accompanied by at least one adult aged 21 years or older in the same cabin. The only exception is if the minor is legally married or traveling with a parent or legal guardian in an adjoining or nearby stateroom.
If the child’s last name differs from the accompanying adult’s last name, the cruise line may require legal documentation (such as a birth certificate or notarized letter of consent) proving the relationship or permission to travel. This is especially important for international voyages.
Minors cannot stay alone in a separate stateroom unless they are traveling with a parent or guardian occupying an adjacent cabin. In most cases, passengers under 21 years old must share a cabin with an adult 21 or older.
This rule ensures the safety of younger travelers and helps the ship’s staff maintain a secure environment throughout the voyage.
Holland America Line does not allow unaccompanied minors under the age of 21 to travel alone. The primary guest on any booking must be at least 21 years old at the time of sailing.
If parents want to allow their children (18- to 20-year-olds) to travel without them, those young adults are still considered minors for booking purposes. They must have a parental consent form notarized and submitted before the voyage begins.
Cruising with infants or toddlers can be a rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning. Holland America Line welcomes young families while maintaining safety and comfort for all passengers.
As mentioned earlier, the minimum sailing age for infants is six months for most voyages and twelve months for longer or transoceanic routes. Babies younger than these limits will not be allowed to board, even with a doctor’s note.
Holland America ships are not as heavily equipped for infants as some family-oriented cruise lines, but they do provide essential support:
Pack ‘n Play cribs can be requested in advance for staterooms.
High chairs are available in dining venues.
Baby food and formula are not stocked onboard, so parents should bring adequate supplies.
Diapers and wipes are limited in ship stores, so bringing extras is recommended.
Holland America Line does not provide in-cabin babysitting services. However, for children aged 3 to 12, the Club HAL program offers supervised playtime and activities, giving parents a chance to relax while children are entertained safely.
Holland America Line’s Club HAL is designed to provide age-appropriate entertainment and enrichment for younger guests. The program divides children into three primary groups:
Kids (Ages 3–7) – Activities include arts and crafts, theme parties, storytelling, and games.
Tweens (Ages 8–12) – Children can enjoy scavenger hunts, karaoke contests, and video games.
Teens (Ages 13–17) – A teen-only lounge provides space for dancing, gaming, movie nights, and socializing.
Participation in Club HAL is voluntary but supervised by trained youth staff members. Children must be potty-trained to join, as diapers and pull-ups are not permitted in the club areas.
During port days, the club also offers “Port Day Activities”, allowing parents to explore shore excursions while their kids are entertained onboard under supervision.
Teenagers enjoy a degree of independence on Holland America cruises, but there are still some age-related boundaries they must follow.
Teens are allowed to move freely around public areas of the ship, provided they behave responsibly and respect curfews.
Some evening entertainment venues and lounges are restricted to passengers aged 18 and above.
Teen guests are encouraged to participate in the Club HAL Teen Program, which gives them a safe and fun environment to socialize with peers.
While Holland America Line is not known for the party-style atmosphere seen on some cruise lines, it still offers teens a balanced mix of fun, relaxation, and enrichment.
One of the most important aspects of the Holland America Line age policy concerns alcohol consumption.
The minimum drinking age onboard is 21 years old for all alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.
On sailings that depart from or visit ports in countries where the legal drinking age is lower, Holland America still enforces its onboard rule of 21 and over.
Passengers aged 18–20 may be permitted to consume alcohol only when the ship is in port in a country with a lower legal drinking age, and only if their parent or guardian signs a Parental Consent Waiver allowing it.
This waiver must be signed in person at Guest Services upon embarkation. Once approved, the young adult’s cruise card will allow the purchase of alcohol under specific conditions.
The cruise line takes underage drinking seriously and reserves the right to confiscate alcoholic beverages or revoke privileges if violations occur.
Smoking regulations on Holland America ships are designed to maintain comfort for non-smokers while accommodating guests who smoke.
The minimum smoking age is 21 years.
Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and certain sections of the casino (depending on the ship).
Smoking — including e-cigarettes and vapes — is strictly prohibited in cabins and on balconies.
Violations may lead to fines or disembarkation at the guest’s expense.
Holland America Line ships feature elegant casinos offering slot machines, table games, and poker tournaments. The minimum age to enter or gamble in the casino is 21 years.
Guests under this age are not allowed to remain in the casino, even as spectators.
The casino staff strictly enforces ID checks, especially on cruises that attract younger passengers.
The Greenhouse Spa & Salon is one of Holland America’s signature experiences, offering luxury treatments, thermal suites, and beauty services.
The minimum age for spa treatments is 18 years.
Some ships feature limited spa services for teens aged 16–17, but these require parental consent and advance booking.
Guests under 16 are not permitted in the thermal suite, hydrotherapy pool, or fitness center.
The gym welcomes guests aged 16 and older to use treadmills, weights, and other equipment independently.
Younger teens may only enter when accompanied by a parent or guardian, depending on the ship’s policy.
Holland America offers hundreds of shore excursions across its destinations — from snorkeling in the Caribbean to glacier trekking in Alaska. Many of these adventures have age and fitness restrictions.
For instance:
Scuba diving and zipline tours typically require participants to be at least 12 or 14 years old.
Some rugged excursions, like hiking or ATV tours, may require a minimum age of 16 or 18.
Family-friendly excursions, such as sightseeing tours or wildlife safaris, generally welcome children of all ages accompanied by an adult.
It’s important to review the specific excursion details before booking, as age limits are strictly enforced for safety and insurance reasons.
While Holland America Line caters to families, its ships are also known for maintaining a sophisticated, quiet atmosphere favored by adults. To support this, several areas are restricted to adult guests aged 18 or older.
These include:
Certain pools or sun decks designated as “Adults Only” zones.
The Pinnacle Grill Bar, Notes Whiskey Bar, and other lounges.
Late-night entertainment venues after 10 PM, depending on the program.
Adults seeking tranquility will appreciate that these spaces remain free of children and teenagers, ensuring a more relaxing onboard experience.
Holland America Line offers romantic wedding and vow renewal packages. However, to participate in a legal ceremony onboard, both partners must be at least 18 years old.
If one or both individuals are under 18, parental consent and special legal documents may be required — though in most cases, the cruise line will not perform weddings for minors.
Holland America Line is widely known as a preferred choice for senior travelers, thanks to its calm environment, spacious ships, and exceptional service.
There are no upper age restrictions for sailing, but guests with significant medical conditions are advised to travel with a companion. All passengers must complete a health questionnaire before embarkation, and some may need to provide a doctor’s note depending on their health status or mobility level.
The cruise line also offers accessibility assistance for elderly or disabled passengers, including wheelchair-accessible cabins, mobility device rentals, and medical staff onboard 24/7.
Holland America’s entertainment lineup includes classical music performances, live bands, cooking shows, and movie screenings.
While most shows are family-friendly, certain late-night events or adult comedy shows may have age restrictions (18+). Children and teens are not permitted to attend these events.
Movie screenings and poolside films, however, are suitable for all ages, with parental guidance recommended for PG-13 content.
To maintain security and decorum on board, Holland America Line enforces a curfew for minors.
Guests under 18 must be in their cabins by 1:00 AM, unless they are participating in an organized youth activity or are accompanied by an adult guardian.
Security staff monitors public areas after midnight to ensure compliance. Parents are responsible for supervising their children’s whereabouts during the voyage.
When minors travel without both parents, documentation requirements become critical. Holland America Line may request:
A notarized letter of consent from the absent parent or guardian.
A copy of the minor’s birth certificate and passport.
Legal custody papers (if applicable).
These documents ensure compliance with international child protection laws and prevent complications during embarkation or disembarkation.
Each guest receives a stateroom key card (also used as an onboard charge card). Holland America Line places spending restrictions on cards issued to minors.
Parents can choose whether to allow their children to make purchases independently. Teens and children may charge items such as sodas or arcade games only if parents grant authorization.
This system prevents unauthorized purchases and gives parents peace of mind regarding onboard spending.
Internet access packages are available for all guests, but parents should note that Holland America does not filter or monitor online content.
Parents are encouraged to supervise younger passengers’ internet usage, particularly for social media and gaming services available through the ship’s Wi-Fi network.
Teens who bring personal devices are expected to follow onboard conduct rules when posting photos or videos that include other guests or staff.
The age policy on Holland America Line cruises isn’t just a list of restrictions — it’s a framework designed to create a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable environment for all guests.
By clearly defining age limits for alcohol, gambling, spa use, and youth programs, the cruise line ensures that everyone — from infants to retirees — can enjoy the voyage in peace and harmony.
It also helps parents plan better, knowing exactly which activities are available to their children and which areas are reserved for adults seeking relaxation.
If you’re planning to cruise with Holland America Line, here are a few tips to help you navigate the age policies smoothly:
Verify your child’s age before booking. Make sure your infant meets the minimum requirement on embarkation day.
Bring legal documents. Always carry birth certificates, consent letters, and identification for minors.
Register for Club HAL early. Youth spaces can fill up quickly, especially during holiday cruises.
Set spending limits. Manage your child’s onboard account to avoid unexpected charges.
Review excursion details. Confirm the minimum ages before booking adventure tours.
Communicate with the youth staff. They can help tailor your child’s experience based on interests and maturity level.
Respect adult-only spaces. Allow everyone onboard to enjoy the environment suited to their expectations.
Holland America Line combines timeless elegance with a family-friendly atmosphere, but understanding its age policy is essential before stepping aboard.
From the minimum sailing age of six months to the adult-only privileges at 21 and above, every rule is designed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for all passengers. Whether you’re a parent cruising with toddlers, a teen seeking independence, or a retiree craving serenity, knowing the age guidelines helps you plan your experience effectively.
In short, the age policy on Holland America Line cruises reflects the company’s commitment to safety, respect, and balance — allowing everyone, regardless of age, to make the most of their voyage across the world’s oceans.
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