Explorer vs. Gem kid's clubs?

[Mom.to.2]

Has anyone had experience with both the Explorer and Gem's kid's clubs recently, and would you please compare them?

 

We LOVE the Explorer (our past 3 cruises have been on her) but the RC itineraries in 2013 are forcing us to look elsewhere. Will our kids enjoy the NCL kid's club (what's it even called?) as much as Adventure Ocean? Our DD's will be 6 & 10 at the time of cruising.

 

 

Thanks!!!!

[Warmer Climes]

My daughter was on Explorer when she was seven and Mariner when she nine. We started sailing Norwegian and did the Jewel (sister ship to Gem) when she was 11. She much prefers Norwegian's kids program to RCI's- she said it was just more fun and the counselors are friendlier. Now she is 13 and when I proposed switching to another cruise line for our 2014 cruise she was very much opposed. Both cruise lines have excellent kids programs in my opinion.

[Mom.to.2]

My daughter was on Explorer when she was seven and Mariner when she nine. We started sailing Norwegian and did the Jewel (sister ship to Gem) when she was 11. She much prefers Norwegian's kids program to RCI's- she said it was just more fun and the counselors are friendlier. Now she is 13 and when I proposed switching to another cruise line for our 2014 cruise she was very much opposed. Both cruise lines have excellent kids programs in my opinion.

 

Thanks for the reassurance Warmer Climes.

 

Anyone else with experience in both kid's clubs?

[Warmer Climes]

I talked to my daughter tonight about what she liked on the Jewel ( this was in 2010 when she was 11) and she said that she liked that the kids club went to the shows together so she got to see them with her friends. Also the captain came by the kids club which was great, and she got to be an announcer for the crew talent show. She said that in general the NCL ships have more of a variety of activities and the counselors play a lot of games with the kids.

 

I hope others give you some input-

 

Barb

[crusinmama06]

Our last cruise was Gem. And my girls are diamond cruisers on Royal Caribbean and no stranger to Adventure Ocean. My girls LOVED the Gem kids crew. The two programs are more alike than different. There was even a pirate parade on Gem (the same as RCI).

 

Some of the highlights - family deck party. Awesome night! They gave the entire top deck over to the families for a dance party (with hula hoop contests and all)

 

They had an ice cream social, a PJ party and free play on their small jungle gym (which my 7 year old loved)

 

And NOW that ship has more because of "splash academy" - the new program. And they started it as a Nick ship after we got off (don't know if that is still going on that ship)

 

My review was here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1498132

 

Now for the parents - freestyle was a change. I like the freestyle concept but did miss knowing my waiters. I will see how it goes on Epic.

[Mom.to.2]

Our last cruise was Gem. And my girls are diamond cruisers on Royal Caribbean and no stranger to Adventure Ocean. My girls LOVED the Gem kids crew. The two programs are more alike than different. There was even a pirate parade on Gem (the same as RCI).

 

Some of the highlights - family deck party. Awesome night! They gave the entire top deck over to the families for a dance party (with hula hoop contests and all)

 

They had an ice cream social, a PJ party and free play on their small jungle gym (which my 7 year old loved)

 

And NOW that ship has more because of "splash academy" - the new program. And they started it as a Nick ship after we got off (don't know if that is still going on that ship)

 

My review was here

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1498132

 

Now for the parents - freestyle was a change. I like the freestyle concept but did miss knowing my waiters. I will see how it goes on Epic.

 

Michele, I can't thank you enough for linking me to your review! That's the most comprehensive and pertinent review I could have found. Love the pictures and videos too. Many of my concerns: not knowing your waiter leads to looooong dinners, crew that don't go out of their way for you (ie. get your own juice in the suites-only breakfast, make-up/turn-down your cabin when it's convenient for the attendant instead of when it's convenient for you) were confirmed. On the other hand, your review of the kid's staff was extremely encouraging.

 

Since you've stayed in a 2 br suite, let me ask: how comfortable were the beds in the kid's room? Did you like the suite set-up better than if you had two connecting mini-suites? My initlial thought when tossing around the GEM, was to fork over the BIG bucks for a Haven 2 BR suite. I'd be sailing out of NY in February so the climate controlled courtyard & pool sounded perfect. And, with the suite level service, I hoped this would make up for my perceived shortcomings in NCL service. But the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that the set-up would be more comfortable in 2 connecting mini-suites. And it's about $4-5k cheaper. While the master bath is gorgeous, we really don't need something so fancy. I'd rather have useable floor space for the family. On further research the pictures I saw of the Haven courtyard & pool looked like it's a very small area and what they're calling a pool looks more like the size of a rectangular hot tub. Not sure it's worth $4-5k more.

 

Thanks again for your review. I'm not done going through all the posts (I think that thread was 18 pages long!) but am loving it so far!

 

2 questions I had while reading your review:

You make reservations for NCL's MDR? I thought the only reservations were for specialty restaurants?

 

The suite-perk of priority embarkation/disembarkation - is that extended to all ports of call or only the home port? Were you escorted off the ship before anyone else in Bermuda? You may have this in your review which I'm not done reading yet.

[crusinmama06]

Michele, I can't thank you enough for linking me to your review! That's the most comprehensive and pertinent review I could have found. Love the pictures and videos too. Many of my concerns: not knowing your waiter leads to looooong dinners, crew that don't go out of their way for you (ie. get your own juice in the suites-only breakfast, make-up/turn-down your cabin when it's convenient for the attendant instead of when it's convenient for you) were confirmed. On the other hand, your review of the kid's staff was extremely encouraging.

 

Since you've stayed in a 2 br suite, let me ask: how comfortable were the beds in the kid's room? Did you like the suite set-up better than if you had two connecting mini-suites? My initlial thought when tossing around the GEM, was to fork over the BIG bucks for a Haven 2 BR suite. I'd be sailing out of NY in February so the climate controlled courtyard & pool sounded perfect. And, with the suite level service, I hoped this would make up for my perceived shortcomings in NCL service. But the more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that the set-up would be more comfortable in 2 connecting mini-suites. And it's about $4-5k cheaper. While the master bath is gorgeous, we really don't need something so fancy. I'd rather have useable floor space for the family. On further research the pictures I saw of the Haven courtyard & pool looked like it's a very small area and what they're calling a pool looks more like the size of a rectangular hot tub. Not sure it's worth $4-5k more.

 

Thanks again for your review. I'm not done going through all the posts (I think that thread was 18 pages long!) but am loving it so far!

 

2 questions I had while reading your review:

You make reservations for NCL's MDR? I thought the only reservations were for specialty restaurants?

 

The suite-perk of priority embarkation/disembarkation - is that extended to all ports of call or only the home port? Were you escorted off the ship before anyone else in Bermuda? You may have this in your review which I'm not done reading yet.

 

Here is what the Haven looks like (I took these on Jewel) I was offered the Haven in an upgrade (upsell) but it would have been a $1,000 more. The girls were asking me all week why I didn't jump on it. I didn't want to blow the cruise budget on the haven - but looking back, we should have. I would have enjoy the indoor pool area much more on the days when the weather was horrible outside.

 

 

 

To answer your other questions - yes, SUITE guests have the added benefit of blocking off a MDR reservation with the concierge. And we also noticed we were always given a seat by the window - they would ask our names - the hostess would look at her computer and immediately have someone whisk us away to a seat by the window. Those in front of us in line would just be seated at the next available table in the middle of the dining room. It might have been totally by chance but it happened every night.

 

The concierge did extend priority port debarkation to us. They delivered a letter to our cabin about it. We didn't take him up on the offer.

 

The Haven adds another level of perks. Soda and liquor is added. And there are many things that I didn't attend (like the Captain's Reception in the Haven).

 

It is going to be VERY hard not to have suite accommodations on our next NCL. (EPIC)

 

If you have any other questions, let me know.

[Mom.to.2]

Here is what the Haven looks like (I took these on Jewel) I was offered the Haven in an upgrade (upsell) but it would have been a $1,000 more. The girls were asking me all week why I didn't jump on it. I didn't want to blow the cruise budget on the haven - but looking back, we should have. I would have enjoy the indoor pool area much more on the days when the weather was horrible outside.

 

To answer your other questions - yes, SUITE guests have the added benefit of blocking off a MDR reservation with the concierge. And we also noticed we were always given a seat by the window - they would ask our names - the hostess would look at her computer and immediately have someone whisk us away to a seat by the window. Those in front of us in line would just be seated at the next available table in the middle of the dining room. It might have been totally by chance but it happened every night.

 

The concierge did extend priority port debarkation to us. They delivered a letter to our cabin about it. We didn't take him up on the offer.

 

The Haven adds another level of perks. Soda and liquor is added. And there are many things that I didn't attend (like the Captain's Reception in the Haven).

 

It is going to be VERY hard not to have suite accommodations on our next NCL. (EPIC)

 

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

Oh, now you're making me want the suite again! But it is soooooo expensive during school break week. Like over $12k

 

I believe I read on the NCL website that soda and liquor is NOT a perk of the 2 br haven suites, only the other haven suites.

 

One last question: do you feel the space was sufficient? Do you think 2 connecting mini-suite staterooms would be just as good or even better since the kiddos would have real beds?

[crusinmama06]

Ouch yes that is expensive. My kids were fine in their bunk beds. I liked that they were still in the same cabin as us without being in the same cabin as us ;) I am sure the connecting mini suites would be fine as well though.