Splash Academy - Late Night Events

[ilovetotravel1977]

Should we choose the Escape for our next cruise, I'm just wondering if anyone has put their child in the late night (for a fee) program? I love all of the deck parties and would like to attend one or two (or ALL!), but worry about having my DD7 out so late!

 

Any experiences with these?

Edited May 29, 2015 by ilovetotravel1977

[ilovetotravel1977]

bumpity bump bump

[Kierste]

We didn't use it, but I know that at the younger ages after 10:30 they usually just let them pick a movie.... on our cruise we only had about 100 kids on board, so by 10:30 they combined what was left of the 12 and unders and popped in a movie, because only 3 or so stayed. My daughter desperately wanted to stay... lol I finally told her she could stay the last night, and the counselor said no one else was signed up so she would be by herself... dd changed her mind when she heard that (they let us know at nearly 10 pm, which is when we went to watch the sliming of the counselor... which was great fun. So it wasn't like 2 pm and they were just telling everyone that so they could close early.)

[netchik]

We have been on the Getaway twice with DS7. Last May 2014 and this past May 16, 2015. The late night fun zone in Splash Academy is as fun as there being friends to play with. Both cruises we saw fewer late night kids earlier in the week than later in the week, when there were many more kids. Last year DS had late night friends so was there more often. The downside was later in the week it was clear he was over-tired from the late nights. This year his new friends didn't go late night so I ended up checking in with him before late night started to see if he wanted to leave or stay. I ended up getting a couple of fun deck parties in :D

[ilovetotravel1977]

Thank you both for your replies.

 

I would think if my DD had a quick power nap before dinner, it would help her stay up later. A nap isn't hard to do when being in that heat for 8 hours non-stop!

[SeaWatcher65]

On the Getaway, our 9 yr old son enjoyed the late nights. Still plenty of staff and activity going on in Splash Academy. I went to pick him up at 12:30am one night and he was disappointed I was picking him up. He said, "But I still have another hour!". Too bad... I was tired and ready for bed. On our cruise the ship arrived at St. Thomas and St. Maarten both at 8am. So that made late nights before not possible. Overall, we were very happy with Splash Academy. Our son wanted to be there ALL the time. We would check on him, but he wanted to stay there as often and as late as possible. Plan to do the same on Escape so we have time to ourselves (quiet dinner, spa, deck parties, etc.). For dinners, most nights, our son had dinner at buffet or our room, went to Splash Academy as soon as it opened, then we went out for dinner and fun things.

Edited May 30, 2015 by SeaWatcher65

[ilovetotravel1977]

SeaWatcher65, that's great to hear!

 

Do the kids HAVE to be at the camp at 7pm? Or can they go around 8pm? Also, when do you sign them up for the 10:30pm> portion? During the day time?

[cadien]

They don't have to be there by a particular time, but you do run the risk on some cruises of the room being at capacity if you wait.

 

Usually they need to know by 10:00pm if anyone is staying beyond 10:30. To plan staffing. Maybe 9:00, but definitely not required earlier in the day. Although it couldn't hurt to mention it sooner.

Edited May 30, 2015 by cadien

[SeaWatcher65]

SeaWatcher65, that's great to hear!

 

Do the kids HAVE to be at the camp at 7pm? Or can they go around 8pm? Also, when do you sign them up for the 10:30pm> portion? During the day time?

 

I think it varies by ship based on what I've read on the forums. We were on NCL Getaway Thanksgiving week so there were plenty of kids. We usually called the Splash Academy or stopped by to check on him once or twice and just let them know. The staff acted like it wasn't necessary to know in advance.

[Kierste]

SeaWatcher65, that's great to hear!

 

Do the kids HAVE to be at the camp at 7pm? Or can they go around 8pm? Also, when do you sign them up for the 10:30pm> portion? During the day time?

 

The themed activities start shortly after 7... They can show up late, but they might be off defending the world from domination or something already, and then a counselor has to get them to the group. My daughter insisted she needed to be there by 7:15 to not miss the beginning of the activity.

[ilovetotravel1977]

This is all great information CC'ers. Thanks again!

[mjm325]

we are getting ready to sail on Getaway this Saturday with our DD7. This will be her first NCL but we've sailed RCCL many times and she always stays late (for the fee portion). We have it down to a science:

fun in the sun during the day, head to cabin by 4pm for a shower and nap. She will nap for 1.5-2 hours. Gets up, goes to dinner and then runs as fast as she can to kids club =) she seriously LOVES it. We've gone to pick her up late night, and she's actually cried because she didn't want to leave, so we let her stay and went back to the casino, LOL!.

 

seriously though, she's very excited for it, but she knows that in order for her to be able to stay up late for kids club, she must nap, and doesn't argue about that one bit.

[ilovetotravel1977]

we are getting ready to sail on Getaway this Saturday with our DD7. This will be her first NCL but we've sailed RCCL many times and she always stays late (for the fee portion). We have it down to a science:

fun in the sun during the day, head to cabin by 4pm for a shower and nap. She will nap for 1.5-2 hours. Gets up, goes to dinner and then runs as fast as she can to kids club =) she seriously LOVES it. We've gone to pick her up late night, and she's actually cried because she didn't want to leave, so we let her stay and went back to the casino, LOL!.

 

seriously though, she's very excited for it, but she knows that in order for her to be able to stay up late for kids club, she must nap, and doesn't argue about that one bit.

 

The nap is KEY! Hmm, this nap-business might come in handy for myself! On the Epic, I couldn't stay up past 10pm due to no nappies before dinner LOL

[megann831]

I went with my 2 year old, 4 year old, and husband. My husband went in early my 2 year old and my daughter and I did a few deck parties together. We had a great time!