Petition NCL (2 year olds in Kids club)

[smeyer418]

I thought that the guppy group was not the under 2 zoo and was supposed to be part a nursery program...which has not been fully announced but is supposed to be implemented by 1/1/2013.

[halos]

Even though I am one who probably wouldn't utilize anything for a child that age, (Because I personally wouldn't cruise with a child that young) I understand that you are disappointment and I think you should write to NCL.

Not everyone will agree with your view but nobody should be being snarky with you about your choices either.

 

There must be a reason that NCL has changed their minds about the age requirement. I'm sure you are curious as to what it is.

 

we have watched our kids trying to potty-train the gkids at the age of 2 and it wasn't pretty. There were still many accidents and extra clothes to keep on hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can't lump kids like that. I had two. One practically potty trained herself as she was waking up with dry diapers from the age of 18 months (and yes, she got plenty of fluids). She was totally potty trained before her second birthday. The other was not completely trained until she was close to 3. I forced neither of them...I went with their capabilities.

Besides, we have no clue if this is even about diapered babies anyway.

[Keeper420]

My kids were all pt'd before 3 (all 5 of them), but that's not going to be my point. I think the issue is, up until 2013, non-potty trained toddlers were more than welcome in the kids program on NCL, over the age of 2. The parents were given beepers, and informed they'd be notified if their child needed a change. People seem to be asking for NCL NOT to change their current policy, not implement a new one.

 

That is exactly what I was going for thank you for claryifying! :)

[Karysa]

That is exactly what I was going for thank you for claryifying! :)

 

If it was working for them they wouldn't have changed it.

[Huxley'sCruisers]

Yes, I would be curious to know the details and reasoning behind the changes they are making. Our daughter will have just turned 3 before our next cruise in November, and I understand she would still be able to participate if under 3 until the end of this year, but it will make us think twice before booking another NCL trip when our second daughter is between 2 and 3, since there are currently no childcare options for her, and a number of other lines offer care for this age. True, many 2 year olds are not potty trained, but most are by 3 (and indeed many 2.5 year olds are closer to 3yos in development, and of course each child develops at their own pace). My daughter was in a drop-off preschool program at age 2 and would be find going to camp on a cruise, and I'm sure will enjoy our upcoming trip on the Gem.

 

Perhaps the best way to implement the rule is to allow children under 3 (but over 2) to participate if their cruise was planned and booked before they announced the change - this way parents who booked a ways in advance (for 2013) but have a child under 3 will still be able to utilize the kids club they had been planning for. Some parameters for limited hours and/or potty training requirements might also work out for that scenario, but it does seem unfair for families who planned a vacation well in advance and had counted on some fun, built-in activities for their children aged 2 and up.

[GORDONCHICK]

The other lines we've been on, the minimum age was 3 and potty-trained. So we waited to cruise until DS was 3.5 and potty trained. I have no idea why NCL is making the change, but others are right - there's a reason. To me, there's a big difference between 2 and 3, especially with boys.

 

There's nothing wrong with letting NCL know how you feel, but that doesn't mean I have to agree.

[JinxyB]

Well, I'm a single parent, so the majority of the time I cruise, my son is coming with me. When looking at cruises for this Dec my options were Carnival (kids club starts at age 2) or NCL (allows 2 y/o until 1/2013). I booked NCL to try it out but won't be able to sail with them again until he is 3. All of the other cruise lines kids clubs start at 3 so essentially I am stuck with Carnival until he turns 3. I'm not going to dump him there all day, just a few hours a day and I will be available to change his diapers (he will have just turned 2 and we are not even thinking of potty training yet). So kids club ages are a deal breaker for me!

[chrisc71]

Just off the Star with a 2 year old. He used the program once but seemed to enjoy it.

 

My take on the change is when we brought our child another child was crying and obviously did not want to be left there. The girl working told the father they cannot take the child when they are crying since other children may get upset and start crying. This maybe part of the reason for the change. Too many 2 year olds getting upset and the staff having to deal with that instead of playing with the children.

[Mrs. Squirrel]

Is it possible that this change had nothing to do with the guests, at all, and is about the staff?

 

When you are competing for the recruitment of quality childcare workers, the advantage may go to NCL now that they will no longer take under 3s in the regular kid's club. Maybe staff surveying indicated that the 2s group caused them the most stress? It isn't called the 'terrible twos' for nothing. ;)

[palmyrafan]

Halos,

 

As I stated, many children are potty trained at the age of 2 BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.

 

This is not a post about who's kids were potty trained the earliest and who had the least amount of accidents. This is about the over-all policy and whether or not it should be implemented.

 

As grandparents, we have seen the struggles with our grandchildren who are being potty trained. We had one g-daughter potty trained at the age of 18 months as well, and another at the age of 3 and another who still has to wear diapers at night at the age of almost 4.

 

DH and I believe that on a cruise ship, the age of 3 is the youngest age for the kids club. NCL, on some ships, offers babysitting services for certain times throughout the day. Perhaps those services should be utilized instead?

[m*u*g*]

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, :)

 

This is probably the answer. Money vs resources.

[dwjoe]

DH and I believe that on a cruise ship, the age of 3 is the youngest age for the kids club. NCL, on some ships, offers babysitting services for certain times throughout the day. Perhaps those services should be utilized instead?

 

I was also wondering if babysitting services might provide an option for 2 year olds. NCL doesn't offer private babysitting service, but they do offer "group sitting" service. But I've found contradictory info on whether group sitting is open to 2 year olds. Maybe someone with first hand experience can clarify?

 

From http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-family-fun/kids-crew-and-teen-crew

GROUP SITTING SERVICES

Sometimes you just want some adult or grown-up time together. For kids 2–12, Port Play (when ship is in port) and Late Night Fun Zone (nightly) are located at the Kids Center, supervised by our youth staff and designed so that you can have some fun. And your kids, too.

 

From http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-family-fun/kids-crew-and-teen-crew/faq#6

Is there anything offered for children when the ship is docked in port?

Yes, Norwegian offers Port Play, a group-sitting, free service for children ages 3-12 years old. A minimal fee is charged only during meal times. Port Play is run by the Youth Staff in the Splash Academy Facility.

 

(emphasis mine)

[Huxley'sCruisers]

I was also wondering if babysitting services might provide an option for 2 year olds. NCL doesn't offer private babysitting service, but they do offer "group sitting" service. But I've found contradictory info on whether group sitting is open to 2 year olds. Maybe someone with first hand experience can clarify?

 

From http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-family-fun/kids-crew-and-teen-crew

GROUP SITTING SERVICES

Sometimes you just want some adult or grown-up time together. For kids 2–12, Port Play (when ship is in port) and Late Night Fun Zone (nightly) are located at the Kids Center, supervised by our youth staff and designed so that you can have some fun. And your kids, too.

 

From http://www2.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/freestyle-family-fun/kids-crew-and-teen-crew/faq#6

Is there anything offered for children when the ship is docked in port?

Yes, Norwegian offers Port Play, a group-sitting, free service for children ages 3-12 years old. A minimal fee is charged only during meal times. Port Play is run by the Youth Staff in the Splash Academy Facility.

 

(emphasis mine)

 

NCL is changing their program (as the op states) to phase out 2 year olds, and start their drop-off program (as far as they've announced) at 3 years. So until the end of 2012 they are "grandfathering" in 2 year olds, but starting in 2013 children will have to be 3 at time of sailing to take part in the "Splash Academy" kids club and late-night babysitting (which is group drop-off siting), and Port Play.

[realcindylouwho]

NCL also recently announced that they would be charging a full passenger price for those under the age of 2. By the first of January NCL will not be accepting under 2's in the Kids program. NCL is a business and business need to be run well to survive in today's competitive world. Maybe very few cruisers take their under 2's on vacation and NCL sees this as an underused service? Maybe NCL has received more complaints than praises concerning this age group of cruisers? Maybe there is a greater cost to NCL of providing services to this age group of cruisers?

 

As a business with lots of competition from sea and land based options, maybe, just maybe they gathered lots of data, threw in some personal opinions, and came to the best business decision for NCL at this point in time. Sometimes, these decisions can make us choose to spend our money in a different way, for a period of time. I know if I had a young child and would not be able to have a short amount of "ME" time, I would be disappointed. It may make me sail a different cruise line until my kid was a bit older, if this "ME" time was extremely important as a part of our vacation experience. Or, I would choose a land based vacation where childcare can more easily be arranged, for the time being.

 

 

I think you should definately provide NCL with your opinion of their decision to limit the services provided by their kid's program. I have always been of the opinion that if you don't ask, you won't get. Heck, I'd even attatch a cute picture to the e-mail of my young one onboard an NCL ship! Nothing pulls the heartstrings like a cute kid!!!

[Huxley'sCruisers]

Halos,

 

 

DH and I believe that on a cruise ship, the age of 3 is the youngest age for the kids club. NCL, on some ships, offers babysitting services for certain times throughout the day. Perhaps those services should be utilized instead?

 

Um, no, they don't. Until recently NCL allowed children age 2 and up in their kids club, but they're changing that to 3. But on no ships do they offer babysitting, so unless you travel with a sitter or extended family, parents are sol in getting any sort of childcare during a cruise on NCL unless their kids are over 3.

[HokiePoq]

Most 3 year olds are day time potty trained. This may be the rationale to their thinking.

 

That's what I was thinking. Much less chance of anyone getting sick. Does NCL offer in room babysitting? I imagine it would be expensive but would offer an occasional alternative. Or bring Grandma along to babysit!

[djmess]

Well, I'm a single parent, so the majority of the time I cruise, my son is coming with me. When looking at cruises for this Dec my options were Carnival (kids club starts at age 2) or NCL (allows 2 y/o until 1/2013). I booked NCL to try it out but won't be able to sail with them again until he is 3. All of the other cruise lines kids clubs start at 3 so essentially I am stuck with Carnival until he turns 3. I'm not going to dump him there all day, just a few hours a day and I will be available to change his diapers (he will have just turned 2 and we are not even thinking of potty training yet). So kids club ages are a deal breaker for me!

 

I am a single parent and have cruised with my son since he was 2. The drop off program was a deal breaker for me. Because NCL allowed it, my son has now been on 11 NCL cruises in the last 7 years and If it had not been for drop off, we would have never cruised in the first place, much less so many times with NCL. I would have taken my business elsewhere. I never had a problem with the other lines prior to child, but NCL hooked me. My guess is there just are not enough people like me to make a difference to NCL and they don't care if they lose one or two of us. It's there business and I'm sure they weighed all the options for the best financial outcome for them. Sad for the few like me

 

Just an FYI, Royal Caribbean has an under 3 program for a fee. Check out their website. I think Disney may also. You will probably pay more for these 2 cruise lines, but it may be worth it.

[djmess]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

 

I agree NCL needs to be made aware of customer feelings. I would definitely sign this petition

[Camlott]

We are trying to decide on a March 2013 cruise for three families. Two of the families have 2 year old's, so this this policy change was a deal killer for us.

 

Now we are looking at either an RCI ship with nursery or a Disney cruise.

 

I'd sign a petition or even email NCL direct if I could find an email address for them.

[NYGirl1002]

I suggest Disney. They have a bunch of options for children of all ages.

[johnmpcny]

Why not pay to bring a baby sitter along? Or maybe suggest a fee based nanny service. I wonder how many ship personal would moonlight for an extra $5 hr doing this? This is why you bring gramma along with you or leave the baby/toddler home with her. A 1-2 year old will never remember a trip.

 

As I have been told when I did not like something and have told others maybe NCL is not for you, each line has a niche. As one whose kids are now older I like not having as many little kids on my trips and that is why I am not sailing Disney...

[dseeman]

Then why bring the little darlings along if you feel the need to ditch them? :confused:

 

John

 

As a mother of an almost 2 yr old and a 3 year old, I love vacationing with my 'little darlings'. We take them all over the world with us. But I also work full time with a husband that travels every week (ie single mom for extended periods) and look forward to some time to unwind (ie spa, casino). I would love to be able to drop the boys off at the club for an hour or two so that I can have some me-time. Also, when big brother gets to partake in an activity and little brother is not allowed, it is very hard for the little one to understand why he can't be included with his brother.

 

Obviously you have a completely different view of this issue and you are entitled to that view. However, you should not assume that you know/understand everyone else's circumstances. Your comment seems a bit narrow minded.

[Beaver1975]

As a mother of an almost 2 yr old and a 3 year old, I love vacationing with my 'little darlings'. We take them all over the world with us. But I also work full time with a husband that travels every week (ie single mom for extended periods) and look forward to some time to unwind (ie spa, casino). I would love to be able to drop the boys off at the club for an hour or two so that I can have some me-time. Also, when big brother gets to partake in an activity and little brother is not allowed, it is very hard for the little one to understand why he can't be included with his brother.

 

Obviously you have a completely different view of this issue and you are entitled to that view. However, you should not assume that you know/understand everyone else's circumstances. Your comment seems a bit narrow minded.

My comment is in no way narrow minded, it is seeded in many years here at CC when this or similar topics come up with the same rationalizations over and over again. Also being on many cruises seeing little darlings running wild while parents hang by the pool because they know their little darlings can't go far because they are in the middle of the ocean.

 

Yes, I am entitled to my opinion as you are yours. But, let's not rationalize things with the caveat of "I have a unique situation". NCL can in no way consider every possible situation that people can dream up so don't assume they are not caring about "you" just because "you" don't fit into their considerations. "You" being the collective you...not you in particular.

 

John

 

P.S. Little brother better learn now that he cannot always do what big brother gets to do. It is a fact of life and the sooner he learns it the better adjusted he will be. ;)

[LynneL]

That's what I was thinking. Much less chance of anyone getting sick. Does NCL offer in room babysitting? I imagine it would be expensive but would offer an occasional alternative. Or bring Grandma along to babysit!

 

I noticed a couple of people stated "bring Grandma along to babysit." If you think in-room babysitting is expensive wouldn't paying for another cabin (200% for a single or double if Grandpa coming) would be even more expensive? Not sure how many grandmas & grandpas are willing to shell out thousands for the honor of coming along & watching the little one. - lol.

 

For the OP, I do think you should write NCL. Doesn't hurt, may not change things but you'll know you have voiced your opinion & if enough people do so it may cause them to revisit this decision after it is effect for bit to check the bottom line.

 

Parents with a little one need a vacation & an hour here or there to themselves if taking the little one along. Most of the grandma's I know work full time & although I have taken a weeks vacation to watch my granddaughter so her mommy & daddy could get away on a cruise together that is not always an option for many families for a variety of reasons. If NCL doesn't reconsider this option I would check out other cruiselines. Carnival's kids program seems to get many positive reviews & I'm sure Disney's is fabulous, though expensive.

[DMH15]

Not to get into a debate, but didn't I offer an alternative (like time limits for non-potty trained kids)? I was not, in any way, berating NCL, but I think as consumers we have a right to say what we like and don't like. NCL, as a company, should listen to its consumers and base its decisions on what consumers wants (within reason). Perhaps they thought changing the kids club from 2-5 to 3-5 wasn't a big deal, and then they start hearing that it is, perhaps they will rethink. Or maybe, even with critisicm it works better for NCL. But at least those who disagree have been heard. Maybe I am the only one who cares. I was just trying to guage reaction. We are still going to take our trip.

 

Hopefully you will think I am kind in my opinion. I do not want to offend you and truly want you and your family to enjoy your cruise.

 

I was a little surprised by your idea of a petition. When I think of that means I think of citizens wanting to be heard on a democracy such as a municipality, wanting to enact or overturn a law. Personally I do not think a petition is the way to approach a business such as NCL.

 

This is a new decision. NCL does not owe us any explanation why they make a policy change. On the other hand if enough people respond they might reconsider or offer an alternative. Two incidents come to mind. 1. When NCL pulled the bar setup enough of us asked them to reconsider. They did! Ues it is even more expensive, but it is an optional thing anyway. I prefer it as I can mix my own to meet my own dietary restrictions. And I prefer a weak drink, so the bottle lasts longer. 2. When NCL tested opening the Haven to ALL suites on a test cruise it ended up resulting in being a disaster. The Haven was anything but.

 

Who knows, maybe there are so many more small ones cruising they were just busting at the seams with occupancy. Maybe it has been really tough on the kids crew workers dealing witheeting the needs and challenges of two year olds. Maybe it is that few who ruined it for many by distegarding beepers.

 

At least you know ahead of time. As my parents had three in diapers maybe you need to take turns. I know that doesn't leave a lot of time for you two alone together but there will be other cruises. And one day soon that little one will be running all over the ship with friends and you will be wondering where all the time went.