Changes to Kid's Program

[Karysa]

Kids pay the same 3rd person fare as anyone else. At least any child over 2. I have heard that under two pay only port fees but cannot be sure..

 

Right and there were like 5 2 year olds on the cruise that I was on.

[Karysa]

And you know that how? On any given cruise there are at least 150 kids and can be upwards of 900. It's not the kids that pay for the cruise, it's the parents WITH the kids that pay for the cruise. And the kids with the parents who do suites. As seen on the latest marketing for the Haven. And the families that bring multi-generational groups.

 

Just an opinion that is all. I said " I think".

If they change the policy back in the near future that will tell a lot.

[chrisc71]

Right and there were like 5 2 year olds on the cruise that I was on.

 

A cruise that was in March when most children are in school. What is you point?:confused:

[Karysa]

A cruise that was in March when most children are in school. What is you point?:confused:

 

Are we still talking about 2 year olds?

[chrisc71]

Right and there were like 5 2 year olds on the cruise that I was on.

 

I think you also miss my point. You wrote that " Kids don't pay much to start with" and that is false. They pay the same fare as other passengers. A fare that includes a program that NCL seemingly is discontinuing and does not bother to inform those booked.

[chrisc71]

Are we still talking about 2 year olds?

 

Yes. You see sometimes there are not just 2 year olds in families. They sometimes have older siblings that are in school in March and cannot cruise in March. Go on a summer cruise when families are cruising.

[Karysa]

Yes. You see sometimes there are not just 2 year olds in families. They sometimes have older siblings that are in school in March and cannot cruise in March. Go on a summer cruise when families are cruising.

 

Some of course.

Yes I have been on a summer cruise out of San Juan.

 

For the record I love little kids on the cruise.

[crusinmama06]

Right and there were like 5 2 year olds on the cruise that I was on.

 

Did you ask how many kids were onboard? I just know your past opinions of kids on cruise ships. So I can't imagine that you went to the kids crew and asked for that week. I, on the other hand, do ask for totals whenever I am on a ship. And I have never been told "5" and I always sail off peak. I bet you jut assume since you didn't see them roaming the ship that there were "5". Maybe it was because they were being kept entertained enough to stay out of your way. Wait until the options are gone.

[Karysa]

Did you ask how many kids were onboard? I just know your past opinions of kids on cruise ships. So I can't imagine that you went to the kids crew and asked for that week. I, on the other hand, do ask for totals whenever I am on a ship. And I have never been told "5" and I always sail off peak. I bet you jut assume since you didn't see them roaming the ship that there were "5". Maybe it was because they were being kept entertained enough to stay out of your way. Wait until the options are gone.

 

Not going to work on me.

Just not true.

[djmess]

Can you imagine the complaints on cruise critic about the 2 not quite 3 y/o's running wild on the ship. We might start hearing some of those if those kids don't have a place where they can run and have fun organized activities with others of the same age. It has always been a great asset.

 

So those that are not affected because you are not traveling with 2 y/o's just think how you may also be impacted.

 

Also the parents of those kids may not spend extra money in the casino, specialty restaurants, drinks at clubs as they now have to bring their child along instead of dropping off for a couple of hours of adult time

 

My son is 8 now and has enjoyed the kids crew since he was 2. He has been on 10 NCL cruises and always been able to participate in the program

[NJ Johnny]

I have been on peak summer cruises on NCL for the past five years. I have always organized the M&G's and have asked the number of children on board each time. I have never gotten an answer from the Senior Officers (Hotel Directors, Cruise Directors etc) of less than 900 during our vacation. This is prime vacation time for children. This 2 - 3 yo dropoff program is needed and expected by all who have booked and were promised this as part of their upcoming cruise. I have my family of ten with us this year with 4 grandchildren in the 2 - 5 yo group. This is why we booked NCL this year. Because they had the 2 - 5 yo dropoff. IT gives the parents and grandparents a couple of hours here and there to do adult activities and the kids a chance to be with other children in a supervised environment with a great staff. NCL, please don't take this away. It is much needed and if taken away would be a step down from the other cruise lines that have similar programs.

[rvsullivan]

Surely NCL gave this some thought before they implemented the program. Most companies do not change a program that is working without some reason. I doubt that they don't like small children, so there must be something else going on??

An idea, there are a dozen or so posting about how terrible this change is. Why not go to one of the many/dozens/several other cruise lines that you all mention are much more friendly towards under 3 year olds? When NCL's bottom line starts dropping from all the lost revenue, they will change the program.

Things change with some regularity with all the cruise lines, i.e. new Latitudes Program, etc. Why not wait and see how successful/not the program is? If it doesn't work, it will change. Personally I don't see the issue, this affects a very small number of cruisers.

Many on here a quick to tell the folks that don't like NCL to go to the cruise line of their choice, this is the same, if you don't like NCL's policy, why not cruise with a line that has programs you like?

[Karysa]

I think you also miss my point. You wrote that " Kids don't pay much to start with" and that is false. They pay the same fare as other passengers. A fare that includes a program that NCL seemingly is discontinuing and does not bother to inform those booked.

 

 

You are right, that was not correct we paid 3rd passenger fares for our children when they were younger. Like I mentioned previously, I think NCL should have informed the cruisers who this change will affect the most.

[NJfoodie]

Surely NCL gave this some thought before they implemented the program. Most companies do not change a program that is working without some reason. I doubt that they don't like small children, so there must be something else going on??

An idea, there are a dozen or so posting about how terrible this change is. Why not go to one of the many/dozens/several other cruise lines that you all mention are much more friendly towards under 3 year olds? When NCL's bottom line starts dropping from all the lost revenue, they will change the program.

Things change with some regularity with all the cruise lines, i.e. new Latitudes Program, etc. Why not wait and see how successful/not the program is? If it doesn't work, it will change. Personally I don't see the issue, this affects a very small number of cruisers.

Many on here a quick to tell the folks that don't like NCL to go to the cruise line of their choice, this is the same, if you don't like NCL's policy, why not cruise with a line that has programs you like?

 

I think the bulk of the outrage right now isn't over there being less choice for families considering NCL, it's for those families who already chose their NCL cruise based with the understanding that there would be drop off options for their toddler and no clear answers to their inquiries about the details of the changes. If we were still weighing our options, it would have been a strike against NCL in the decision. We might go with another line, we might not, but at least we would have been informed. We were already past the final payment date when the press release announcing implementation dates was released indicating that this change would be happening prior to our trip. We at this point cannot make changes without significant penalty. My son is 3, we're not concerned about the age cut off. However, there has been no information released about potty training policy as they previously allowed non-trained children and we are borderline. The policy is very clearly defined for the other lines w/ an age 3 cutoff. We are concerned that our plans to occasionally bring him to the kids club, which he loved on our last cruise and allowed us a few breaks, won't be happening if they require full independent potty training.

 

I'm taking a wait and see approach as CCers hopefully will be reporting back in upcoming weeks with more up to date information about the roll out. However, DH went ballistic when I told him about the concerns I had over these changes as in his mind, we booked and paid for a certain experience, and now when it's too late to make changes, we're being told that there will be a change by NCL that can significantly alter our experience. To him, and likely other families in the same literal and figurative boat, that's grounds for demanding a full refund of an expensive vacation. Kids club aside, imagine the outrage that would ensue if you booked a suite and after final payment, NCL release an announcement that a slew of suite perks, which were loved and among the best in the industry, would be taken away but you can't change your reservation without incurring penalties.

 

I don't expect that this will be a factor that would ruin our vacation by any means (and if it DH sulks about it the entire trip, I've got a different problem altogether that has nothing to do w/ NCL or DS!) but how this issue is being handled is currently disappointing between the short notice and the lack of info. There may not be a lot of us, but I think the frustration is understandable, and we may be a vocal group.

[emcelh]

Does it specifically say in the press release or on the web site that 2 year olds cannot be dropped off? I can't find it and they've given the 2 and under group a name (Guppies) so what's up with that. Seems like they're included in some way.

 

I don't have small children, but I understand why families, that depend on the program being available for their kids, would be upset. It just seems that people are jumping to conclusions before they have all the facts.

[Starry Eyes]

Can you imagine the complaints on cruise critic about the 2 not quite 3 y/o's running wild on the ship. We might start hearing some of those if those kids don't have a place where they can run and have fun organized activities with others of the same age. It has always been a great asset.

 

So those that are not affected because you are not traveling with 2 y/o's just think how you may also be impacted.

 

....program

I assure you, the two year olds are not running wild on other lines that lack 2 year old drop off programs. I regularly sail other lines without drop off for 2 year olds, so I feel confident rebutting this assertion. Honestly, if the parents allow children of any age to truly "run wild" the family risks the child's safety (I think the vast majority of parents are better than that). In the unlikely event that the child's well being did not convince the parents to control the child (any age) and did not heed warnings, the family risks removal from the ship. Therefore, I am not concerned that those without toddlers will be impacted significantly. That strikes me as an invalid and ineffective scare tactic.

[armwinder]

Children on cruises? Not a good idea, however we all have to endure them. :mad:

[emcelh]

Can you imagine the complaints on cruise critic about the 2 not quite 3 y/o's running wild on the ship. We might start hearing some of those if those kids don't have a place where they can run and have fun organized activities with others of the same age. It has always been a great asset.

 

So those that are not affected because you are not traveling with 2 y/o's just think how you may also be impacted.

 

 

I'm sure you're not serious. What parent in their right mind would let a 2 year old out of their sight on a cruise ship, or anywhere for that matter.

[Diamond60]

Oh well, 'frustration, frustration and serious disappointment' in regard to rule and policy changes. Depending on what rule/policy change affected you, you really feel it, BIG time. I'm a smoker. They implemented the 'no smoking' in your cabin AFTER I booked this cruise. I was really upset with that change. Regardless of your opinion when it comes to smoking, I didn't like being restricted in that manner; especially, after spending a large sum of money for a Suite. I understand why it was done. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

 

I'm a parent also - my kids are grown. So this change don't affect me. But, I'm sympathetic to your dilemma.

 

SMOKERS are NOT happy about the changes implemented, but we have to live with it. No matter which side you're on, it's an inconvenience in THAT person's view.

 

So, hopefully the policy will stay in place for the 2 yr drop off, so you'll have a more enjoyable vacation. It's all about understanding the other person's point of view, even if you don't agree.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Pikaia]

We are concerned that our plans to occasionally bring him to the kids club, which he loved on our last cruise and allowed us a few breaks, won't be happening if they require full independent potty training.

Gigi, no worries.

 

What you've described in other threads of your son's potty training progress would be considered fully potty trained by most preschools and other programs for 3 year olds. In my experience, even when written requirements are very strict, reality is always more flexible. No one expects perfection from a 3 year old; occasional accidents are expected, and every 3 year old's wiping skills are atrocious. :p

[smeyer418]

just got off the telephone with the person who wrote the email. She will be doing further checking and get back to me.

First "nursery" is not used in any traditional sense. Its not a drop off.

 

second she had spoken with PR who referred her to the listing.

 

Its really taking an inordinate amount of time to get an answer to a very simple question.

 

"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."

[chrisc71]

Does it specifically say in the press release or on the web site that 2 year olds cannot be dropped off? I can't find it and they've given the 2 and under group a name (Guppies) so what's up with that. Seems like they're included in some way.

 

I don't have small children, but I understand why families, that depend on the program being available for their kids, would be upset. It just seems that people are jumping to conclusions before they have all the facts.

 

If you read the break down of the new improved age groups it is now listed as 3-5, where before it was 2-5.

[Pikaia]

Does it specifically say in the press release or on the web site that 2 year olds cannot be dropped off? I can't find it and they've given the 2 and under group a name (Guppies) so what's up with that. Seems like they're included in some way.

Here's a link to NCL's press releases: link.

 

Two of the March 22, 2012 press releases are relevant: one discusses the Breakaway (link) and one discusses the new kids' program for the whole fleet (link).

 

In the Breakaway press release, see paragraph 1 for a mention of the under three play space. The third paragraph mentions facilities for kids age 3-5.

 

In the more general press release, see the ninth paragraph for description of programming for children under 3.

 

It is the inclusion of the words "and their parents" in both press releases which has many concerned. This wording suggests that programming for two year olds may require parent participation.

[Karysa]

Here's a link to NCL's press releases: link.

 

Two of the March 22, 2012 press releases are relevant: one discusses the Breakaway (link) and one discusses the new kids' program for the whole fleet (link).

 

In the Breakaway press release, see paragraph 1 for a mention of the under three play space. The third paragraph mentions facilities for kids age 3-5.

 

In the more general press release, see the ninth paragraph for description of programming for children under 3.

 

It is the inclusion of the words "and their parents" in both press releases which has many concerned. This wording suggests that programming for two year olds may require parent participation.

 

 

Did they have parent and child activity time at all in the old 2 year old program? If not could this new program becoming from requests of cruisers who cruise with children under 3 years of age? Perhaps the program is being tweaked from what the NCL marketing team has uncovered by doing research?

[Pikaia]

Did they have parent and child activity time at all in the old 2 year old program?

Not really. They had/have a room called the Under 2 Zoo which is open for babies, toddlers, and parents. No supervision or activities are provided; it is just a room with toys. We knew of it when we sailed with our older daughter at 15 months, but it didn't interest us.