UPDATED: New ncl kids camp policy (Live from the GEM) TWO

[jbiz]

So not really sure why my original thread was closed. I could probably guess but I didn't think it was going that wrong.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213057

 

But as I said I would give an update when I got more info

 

So the good and the not as good.

 

Inquiries to corporate were heard and effective immediately in my gem sailing the old policy is back in place. The whole ticket system, lines and 76 kids max thing is gone effective today. Glad the kids club manager took the time to press the issue with them for me, much appreciated.

 

The "not as good" is they are saying there WILL BE a policy put back in effect for "high-season" sailings to implement "some form" of capacity control. That sounded like mid to late June effect and a new mail would be sent to staff describing the policy. It did not sound like the same exact policy we saw on the Gem per se, but from the sounds of the emails going out that I read about on the other posts here, maybe when there are such an excessively large number of kids they are just for warning some things might get full.

 

Now what that means in practicality during those sailings, I am not really sure. And what the dates considered "high season" I am not sure of either. I got the impression they knew the dates for high season though and it's not something arbitrary.

[All-ready2cruise]

So not really sure why my original thread was closed. I could probably guess but I didn't think it was going that wrong.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213057

 

But as I said I would give an update when I got more info

 

So the good and the not as good.

 

Inquiries to corporate were heard and effective immediately in my gem sailing the old policy is back in place. The whole ticket system, lines and 76 kids max thing is gone effective today. Glad the kids club manager took the time to press the issue with them for me, much appreciated.

 

The "not as good" is they are saying there WILL BE a policy put back in effect for "high-season" sailings to implement "some form" of capacity control. That sounded like mid to late June effect and a new mail would be sent to staff describing the policy. It did not sound like the same exact policy we saw on the Gem per se, but from the sounds of the emails going out that I read about on the other posts here, maybe when there are such an excessively large number of kids they are just for warning some things might get full.

 

Now what that means in practicality during those sailings, I am not really sure. And what the dates considered "high season" I am not sure of either. I got the impression they knew the dates for high season though and it's not something arbitrary.

 

Happy for you that it has changed for the better. It's a wait and see as far as the rest of the "high season" cruises go.

 

Thanks for the update and please enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

Connie

[ComputerTravelGuy]

I am platinum with NCL and have many happy memories on the Sun, Pearl and Jade from 2008 - 2011. But NCL's push for mega ships and boring itineraries (same old routes) have forced us to leave NCL for other cruise lines. I did recommend in February 2015 to a friend with elementary school kids (new to cruising) to go on an NCL cruise. However, based on the problems mentioned in this and other threads, I'll recommend a more family-oriented cruise line. Very sad since we liked NCL's approach to cruising from 2008 - 2011.

[wimsikl]

OK! Well that is certainly a step in the right direction!!! Thank you for pressing the issue and thanks to NCL for listening and reacting so quickly!!!

 

That said, I have two Alaska cruises on the Pearl this summer with my kids and COUNT on Splash Academy. I am happy to pay extra for it to guarantee a spot, like Priority Tender and such. I hope they add this option for people to whom it is extremely important.

[jbiz]

OK! Well that is certainly a step in the right direction!!! Thank you for pressing the issue and thanks to NCL for listening and reacting so quickly!!!

 

 

 

That said, I have two Alaska cruises on the Pearl this summer with my kids and COUNT on Splash Academy. I am happy to pay extra for it to guarantee a spot, like Priority Tender and such. I hope they add this option for people to whom it is extremely important.

 

 

Is that due to excursions and stuff?

[aquarianne11]

Thanks for the update.

[Sotermarler]

Great news thanks!

[tarps14]

I am getting more impressed by the minute. Folks, NCL is listening. They are beginning to right some wrongs that were done with knee jerk policy change. I am willing to give credit where credit is due. This is great news for those with children.

[wimsikl]

Is that due to excursions and stuff?

 

Not actually excursions... I have booked four excursions with NCL for me and my daughters to attend together. I use Splash Academy as one of my many vacation tools... entertain them when I want a peaceful meal, massage, casino time, long shower, etc...

 

I love that I can snuggle with them, dine with them, share excursion adventures with them, etc... and that with Splash Academy, I can also enjoy some adult time.

[theloo]

Thank you so much for getting the info and passing it on. This makes a big difference to us. We try to sail during off- or shoulder season, so hopefully, the new policy will not affect us. Thank goodness as we already have our next cruise planned and did not want to cancel or do without Splash Academy.

[Cel_cruise]

JBiz - thanks for your onboard persistence! Im sure that you have helped many have a better experience as a result of your wasted vacation hours!!

 

I hope they achieve a middle ground of occupancy vs overcrowding/safety in their next attempt to address this issue and hopefully will better communicate it so that its not an onboard surprise!

Edited May 27, 2015 by Cel_cruise

[legion3]

Well this sounds better.

 

Lets hope they can figure some thing out during these,

 

"high-season" sailings to implement "some form" of capacity control.

[3XX1XY]

THANK GOODNESS!

 

I'm on the very next sailing leaving this coming weekend and your post freaked me the EFF out.

[abbyar]

THANK GOODNESS!

 

I'm on the very next sailing leaving this coming weekend and your post freaked me the EFF out.

 

You and me both. Very glad for the change.

[richstowe]

Thank for the coming back with an update despite the negative comments previously directed at you .

I guess some felt you were attacking a beloved institution .

 

I hope that NCL will make some provisions for greater capacity when they know demand will be greater .

There is no reason that the max amount that the camp can handle be the same through the year.

Edited May 27, 2015 by richstowe

[jbiz]

Thank for the coming back with an update despite the negative comments previously directed at you .

I guess some felt you were attacking a beloved institution .

 

 

Ha. I didn't even take the negative comments personally, so if they had so intended i hate to break it to them. I wasn't asking people's opinions on how to entertain my kids nor if they agreed with it or not ;-)

 

Today is another port day and the kids club is pretty empty. This is the last port day so I suspect the rest of the days will be more kids anyway.

 

Today will be a good day to mosey on down to the big pool so the kids can play on the water slide without the normal chaos before a quick walk around the port town in Nassau

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[jbiz]

THANK GOODNESS!

 

 

 

I'm on the very next sailing leaving this coming weekend and your post freaked me the EFF out.

 

 

Glad they got it changed for you prior to your sailing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sizzlechest]

THANK GOODNESS!

 

I'm on the very next sailing leaving this coming weekend and your post freaked me the EFF out.

 

I'm sailing in July, and I'm still freaked out since that's what I assume is "high season."

[CavalierX]

Ha. I didn't even take the negative comments personally, so if they had so intended i hate to break it to them. I wasn't asking people's opinions on how to entertain my kids nor if they agreed with it or not ;-)

 

Today is another port day and the kids club is pretty empty. This is the last port day so I suspect the rest of the days will be more kids anyway.

 

Today will be a good day to mosey on down to the big pool so the kids can play on the water slide without the normal chaos before a quick walk around the port town in Nassau

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Depending on their ages (and interests), they might enjoy the Pirate Museum. Oh, who am I kidding... I enjoyed the Pirate Museum! :cool:

[jbiz]

Depending on their ages (and interests), they might enjoy the Pirate Museum. Oh, who am I kidding... I enjoyed the Pirate Museum! :cool:

 

 

Thanks for the tip. Took the 4 kids there and walked through with them. They all enjoyed it. Was nice to have something different for a change.

 

 

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[OfcSupport]

Glad someone is listening. I just hope we don't run into a problem with our June 13th cruise on the Gem. My sister and nephew have never cruised. I've sold them on it for the most part based on the kids activities available for my nephew traveling with no other children. I hope NCL does not disappoint.

[mitsugirly]

THANK GOODNESS!

 

I'm on the very next sailing leaving this coming weekend and your post freaked me the EFF out.

 

 

THIS! I'm just now seeing this (and haven't read the other thread except for the initial post and I about passed out!).

 

We leave on the Dawn in less than a week and I definitely depend on the wonderful staff at the kids club to entertain my munchkin during "parent" time. We spend A LOT of that time while she's in there at the casino=spending (or should I say donating) more money to NCL. They would totally lose my business if this happens. Like seriously. I have already strayed a few times to another line and really liked them. If they limit the kids club and I have to spend my precious cruise time standing in line "hoping" my kid "makes the cut"...I will seriously be cruising with another line from now on. There's just too many changes lately that I'm just not fond of the way they are going about doing it...especially with no warning or announcements to their cruisers. :mad: