Changes to Kid's Program

[chrisc71]

Read about this on the Family Board and that the 2-3 are no longer part of the drop off program on NCL.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Selects Names For Its New Youth And Teen Programs: Splash Academy and Entourage

Line provides further details about enhanced curriculum including focus on sports, creative arts and family activities

Miami - Mar 22, 2012 ---

Following the "Up2YOU" naming contest that received entries from thousands of cruisers, Norwegian Cruise Line has selected the names for its new Youth and Teen programs. Splash Academy is the new name for its enhanced Youth program and Entourage is the new moniker for its revitalized Teen program. Names were also selected for the four age groups in the Youth program: Guppies for ages up to 2; Turtles for ages 3 to 5; Seals for ages 6 to 9; and Dolphins for ages 10 to 12. The company announced its new enhanced youth and teen programs earlier this year that launched on Norwegian Gem in February and are currently being rolled out to all the ships in the Norwegian fleet.

 

Here is the link to the press release.

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html;jsessionid=PnSmgr3qJfL3n9slX6nN7kZy1tdzJc7g!1113238766?storyCode=PR_032212

[bakerintn]

What was the "drop off" program that you mentioned??

[2Cruise4Ever]

It used to be that you could drop off any child 2 and above. Now, the minimum age is 3.

[djmess]

A major step backward for NCL! Those that booked and are past final payment and expect to drop off their 2 y/o will be very upset.

 

NCL, please take a hard look at what you have done

 

VERY VERY BAD!!!!

[Pikaia]

I'm actually surprised that they kept the two to five year old grouping as long as they did. It must have been extremely difficult to find activities that would be engaging for kids anywhere between 24 and 71 months of age. Developmentally, there's an enormous difference between a young 2 and a kindergartener.

 

Out of curiosity, what do the age groupings look like on the other cruise lines that have drop off care for 2 year olds?

[Stormhawk]

This looks pretty sweet and it rolls out on the Pearl for our Cruise :D

[crusinmama06]

This is a HUGE step backwards for NCL. And I was hoping when I saw the first releases that it was a misprint ;) I don't have kids in this age group anymore, however, on the family board, we discuss the different options for 2 year olds every day. Disney, Carnival and now even RCL has kids club options for 2 year olds. Norwegian has always been ahead of the pack in this aspect. The others (RCI) had to play catch up.

 

I hope NCL reconsiders. There have been many families that have booked thinking that their 2 year old child could attend the kids club. I chose our Norway cruise years ago based on the fact that NCL had the option for that age group. My 12 year old's first cruise ever, and her cruise obsession, began on NCL because of the kids club!

 

And no, we didn't leave her for the entire cruise in the club. At the time I was a work at home mom and she WANTED to go to the "ship school". She still remembers it - 10 years later. She still loves going to kids clubs based on her first NCL experience.

 

I am hoping that we haven't gotten the entire story on this yet! :(

[2Cruise4Ever]

Same here Michele. We chose NCL for our first family cruise simply because they were the only ones who allowed 2 year olds in their kids crew. And, trust me, we didn't just board and immediately go drop them off (they're not open first thing anyway). It's just that even though it is a family vacation, if DH and I are to remain SANE :) we like to enjoy one evening to ourselves.

 

To the nay-sayers.... you obviously didn't have kids in daycare..... most of them START at 6 weeks.. doh! Both of mine have been in daycare since that age and they're doing just fine. They both LOVE the kids crew (ok, now one is in the Teen Crew). And, we will continue to sail NCL.

[crusinmama06]

Out of curiosity, what do the age groupings look like on the other cruise lines that have drop off care for 2 year olds?

 

Camp Carnival is 2-5. (part of the kids club)

 

RCI and Disney is under 3. (paid nurseries). And RCI is rolling it out fleetwide for 6 months - 36 months.

 

That's why NCL was so wonderful, it gave parents of 2 year olds a second "no added charge" option over Carnival for a kids club.

 

Many who would be taking their first family cruise.

[smeyer418]

Ok that was a bit uncalled for. No one forces their 2-3 year old to go to the kids club. But my son goes to school on his own and if he wants to go to the kids club with his brother age 4 why is that bad parenting. Again we are not dropping any of our kids off all day but kids club is fun and if the policy allows 2 and up why not? My 2 year old is toilet trained plays with his almost 5 year old brother and likes superheroes and star wars too. Guess 2 and 5 aren't so different after all.

 

 

There are a significant number of 3 year olds who are not toilet trained. NCL just gave you a beeper(I know its actually not a beeper) and has you change it. For the short periods our 2-3 years were there we hardly ever had to change a diaper.

If your child is fussy about entering the program, they wouldn't take them anyway-no matter what the age.

 

It really is a major change and not for the better so much for the "announcement" of great new things for the kids program.

 

So they changed the names of the groups. BXD(the x is for a word not appropriate for a family board) and tweaked the program.

[Slackermommy]

I saw this, and called NCL. We have 3 children, youngest aged 2 1/2. He loves to go off with them and leave us to do big boy things. We chose NCL because of this.

 

My cruise specialist assured me that my 2 year old could be dropped off still. I am thinking that this is slowly rolling out. I hope that they do provide some sort of break for parents of toddlers, it's one of the major reasons we chose NCL, that and the itinerary.

[crusinmama06]

I saw this, and called NCL. We have 3 children, youngest aged 2 1/2. He loves to go off with them and leave us to do big boy things. We chose NCL because of this.

 

My cruise specialist assured me that my 2 year old could be dropped off still. I am thinking that this is slowly rolling out. I hope that they do provide some sort of break for parents of toddlers, it's one of the major reasons we chose NCL, that and the itinerary.

 

The cruise specialists are often the last to know. Its only after we bring it to light here that the word starts to get around to them.

 

"Launch dates are as follows: Norwegian Jewel on April 21; Norwegian Star on May 6; Norwegian Dawn on May 25; Norwegian Epic on May 27; Norwegian Pearl on June 17; Norwegian Jade on June 30; Norwegian Sky on July 16; Norwegian Sun on July 24; Norwegian Spirit on August 14 and Pride of America on August 25. Norwegian Breakaway launching in April 2013 will also feature the new youth and teen programs.

Further information on Norwegian's family offerings can be found at www.ncl.com/family."

[che5904]

The cruise specialists are often the last to know. Its only after we bring it to light here that the word starts to get around to them.

 

haha isn't that normally the way. CC is so full of great info. :D

[smeyer418]

I saw this, and called NCL. We have 3 children, youngest aged 2 1/2. He loves to go off with them and leave us to do big boy things. We chose NCL because of this.

 

My cruise specialist assured me that my 2 year old could be dropped off still. I am thinking that this is slowly rolling out. I hope that they do provide some sort of break for parents of toddlers, it's one of the major reasons we chose NCL, that and the itinerary.

 

 

as we know the front office people/call center people are NOT the best way to get a real answer their last announcement said

 

"Babies and toddlers under age three, along with their parents, will also have their own dedicated play space with activities."

emphasis added.

 

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/pressroom/pressRelease.html?storyCode=PR_032212b

 

 

NCL needs to clarify what they mean.

 

 

PS we traveled with the grand kids father when he was 18 months we took him with us to France. We arranged for a sleep in baby sitter when we were staying in Gites and at the hotel had a baby sitter. The one hotel we were unable to get a baby sitter was in Chartres(at the Hotel Europa) which at that time had a one star restaurant...I don't know if it still does and we were reluctant to take him to that venue so as not to disturb our fellow diners. Well they insisted that it would be ok...and he had a great time although he almost destroyed some Rosenthal china. every time he would get fussy one of us would take him out and he would play with the watchman's King Charles Spaniel..its a great memory for us...he doesn't remember a thing but we have great pictures...

[NJ Johnny]

I hope someone from NCL is monitoring our forum lately to see what a negative impact this new program is having on young families and those that have already booked their cruise. The families won't be using any specialty restaurants, or spa, or any adult money making venues without a little break that they would have had with their little ones in a dropoff program. NCL will lose quite a bit of revenue and well as potential cruisers.

[chrisc71]

I hope someone from NCL is monitoring our forum lately to see what a negative impact this new program is having on young families and those that have already booked their cruise. The families won't be using any specialty restaurants, or spa, or any adult money making venues without a little break that they would have had with their little ones in a dropoff program. NCL will lose quite a bit of revenue and well as potential cruisers.

 

I agree.

[Starry Eyes]

It sounds as if Carnival may now be the line to choose if one really wants drop off care for 2 year olds. Or am I misreading the programs? maybe this is the time for those families to vote with their feet..If NCL gets cancelations they will take notice. Talk is cheap..actually canceling to go to another line is the real statement of the importance (or lack of importance) of this service. those outside the penalty periods should think it over...Those within the penalty period may (just guessing here) find phased in services for the 2 year olds.

[smeyer418]

I emailed the PR people at NCL...lets see what they say...

 

Good afternoon:

 

 

There is some confusion on the cruise critic boards about whether there has been a change in the Kid's crew program for the 2 and over and under 3 year olds. In the past we could drop them off at the program, subject to the issue of being toilet trained where we would be on call. Now its unclear to me and others as to whether that will still be the case.

 

As an example from the March 22, press release..

 

"Babies and toddlers under age three, along with their parents, will also have their own dedicated play space with activities."

 

 

It would be helpful if this was clarified. You could either post it on the Cruise critics threads as you sometimes do, or I would be happy to post if you wish.

Thanks so much

[NengEuis]

The change we have made because of this change is that we aren't cruising in 2013. We had planned a trip on the Star for March 2013, but our youngest will only be 2.5 years. So, we'll just wait until 2014 to cruise...although that probably won't happen because we move again in 2014 (we are Active Duty). Hard to plan a cruise for 2014 when you have no idea where you'll be living.

 

DH is happy, though - he is fine waiting until she is a bit older. She is our WILD child (isn't the last one always??) and I happen to agree that NCL is better off if we wait until she is 3 or 4 to grace them with her presence.... :D

[smeyer418]

The change we have made because of this change is that we aren't cruising in 2013. We had planned a trip on the Star for March 2013, but our youngest will only be 2.5 years. So, we'll just wait until 2014 to cruise...although that probably won't happen because we move again in 2014 (we are Active Duty). Hard to plan a cruise for 2014 when you have no idea where you'll be living.

 

DH is happy, though - he is fine waiting until she is a bit older. She is our WILD child (isn't the last one always??) and I happen to agree that NCL is better off if we wait until she is 3 or 4 to grace them with her presence.... :D

no one is really sure what the "change is"...lets get a confirmation first...and hopefully it will be a combination that up to three can use the under two zoo and that the over twos can still be dropped off...but until I get something official and not reading it to things or a PCC saying what they heard...

[cruisegirl06]

I hope someone from NCL is monitoring our forum lately to see what a negative impact this new program is having on young families and those that have already booked their cruise. The families won't be using any specialty restaurants, or spa, or any adult money making venues without a little break that they would have had with their little ones in a dropoff program. NCL will lose quite a bit of revenue and well as potential cruisers.

 

Agreed, completely. We plan to spend most of our time with our little one, as we both work full-time and look forward to recharging as a family; however some sort of drop-off program would be ideal. I'm very unlikely to pay for a specialty restaurant if we need to bring the baby to dinner... I imagine our bar tab will also be a lot lower if there is no drop-off program. I'm still toying with switching to a line with drop-off for our next cruise, and it will certainly be a consideration in the future as well.

[crusinmama06]

Rereading the press release, it also says "Splash Academy also offers activities for cruisers under three and their parents who can enjoy sensory play classes which include baby art featuring "Wee Can Too" organic art products. There are also fun events such as parent and baby "Rhyme Time" where a storyteller recites popular nursery rhymes featuring puppets or "Motion in the Ocean," a parent and baby mini workout"

 

Notice all of the PARENT and baby language! Did anyone get a response yet?

[Karysa]

I'm actually surprised that they kept the two to five year old grouping as long as they did. It must have been extremely difficult to find activities that would be engaging for kids anywhere between 24 and 71 months of age. Developmentally, there's an enormous difference between a young 2 and a kindergartener.

 

Out of curiosity, what do the age groupings look like on the other cruise lines that have drop off care for 2 year olds?

 

Maybe they were hoping the big brothers and sisters would watch the little ones. Three sounds like a good age to start this. The kids will be toilet trained and their language skills are more advanced.

[smeyer418]

24 hours and no response.

I think they may be doing research because they aren't sure themselves...

[chrisc71]

I think NCL may not see this as a problem until they start implementing on ships and people get upset they were not told. Not everyone reads this board and if you do not how would you know they changed the program.

 

I have a cruise booked for later this year with children. You think they would email people about this change to a major portion of the ship amenities.