Thirteen family members, consisting of four couples and five children, aged 7, 7, 3, 2 and 9 months set sail from Circular Quay, Sydney on 12th January for a 14 day cruise to Hobart and around New Zealand.

We had three Veranda cabins on the 5th level of the Oosterdam, Port side and another on the Starboard side, all of which were very well appointed, clean and comfortable. We had asked for two cots to sleep a baby and a 2 year old, one of which never arrived and we ended up sleeping the two year old on the couch with the cot pushed up against it to stop him falling or getting out of bed. Our cabin service on the Port side was beyond reproach but Starboard left a lot to be desired.

The two seven year old and the three year old just loved Club HAL and couldn't wait to get back after lunch and dinner. In fact, if any of them needed to be disciplined, the threat of not being allowed to attend Club HAL instantly saw an improvement in their behaviour! However, there is NOTHING for under three's provided on board. Nowhere for them to play without disturbing other passengers, some of whom were very intolerant of small children. We could only take them up to the netted basketball court to play with balls or just to crawl around - the cabin was too restrictive. We understand HAL's reasoning that no child can attend the kids' club unless they are "potty trained" and we suggested through the Survey that we completed at the end of the cruise, that perhaps the company could provide a playroom for the littlies where they must be supervised by a parent at all times, so they can expend a little energy without bothering others. Read more