New ncl kids camp policy (Live from the GEM)

[swedish weave]

Actually according to Kingofwylietx others do: We had this happen on Disney during an Easter cruise. We once had to wait until a child left before we could drop off our child. If it's for safety, I'm all for it.

 

See post #26: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2186719&page=2

 

Another post says Disney controls this at booking. If they enter the information as adults, the dooking is available, but change it to a child and it disappears. Did you miss that one or did you choose to ignore it ?

[triptolemus]

3) Family-Friendly is extremely personal

 

I agree. To me, "family-friendly" means children are segregated to specific areas of the ship which I can effortlessly avoid. Any miscreants found wandering are immediately and forcibly detained whereupon they are returned to their assigned corral.

 

Cruising is a very personal experience.

[legion3]

Here is where legion3 posted this policy on the Family Cruising threads and he only got one response to his questions has anybody see this before and was from RSLeesburg:Yes. Over Thanksgiving cruise on RCI Grandeur, they were turning people away from club due to capacity. I think this only really happened on one or two nights, but when parents were registering the kids club staff were cleaning telling parents about the capacity limits, and that they would be enforced. We never had any problems, but I think the older age groups hit limits. The teens were not impacted as their room was much bigger

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=46642803#post46642803

 

Why are you still here? Oh I remember a company man.

 

I was meaning the ticket system.

 

But thanks for playing.

[legion3]

i hope this gets sorted out to everyone's satisfaction, in a way that is safe and fun for the kids.

 

Well thanks.

[Kingofwylietx]

Another post says Disney controls this at booking. If they enter the information as adults, the dooking is available, but change it to a child and it disappears. Did you miss that one or did you choose to ignore it ?

 

It's by age. They limit the number of nursery aged (up to 3 years), not kids.

[NLH Arizona]

Everyday? It seems like there would be a chance under this policy that your child might never get into the kids club.

 

And guessing why the policy is in effect is irrelevant. When we booked our cruise with NCL, we booked with the understanding that....

 

-Room Service was Included - free of charge

-DSC's were "recommended" to be a certain amount.

-Gratuity was included for all dining options - including Specialty locations.

-Cagney's was included in our UDP

- Food could be brought from the buffet to our cabin

 

And now of course that our kids could use and enjoy the kids club.

Sorry, but I just to clarify the Cagney's situation, so folks are not getting incorrect information. Cagney's is included in the UDP, here is a post from MrMe, where they booked it under the UDP at no charge: We are sailing 7/11 Getaway, Booked Cagney's with UDP there was not a charge.

 

Post #4: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213365

[legion3]

Thank you for trying to understand.

1) Not to my knowledge. I have sailed NCL with my two kids 3 times in the last year, including one summer and two Spring Break. There has NEVER been an occupancy sign before, and email warning, a ticket system, or anything else threatening space constraints. This FOR ME PERSONALLY, is brand new.

 

2) Yes they absolutely should. But they obviously aren't since people on this thread have reported being turned away, along with a bunch of families in front of them and behind them.

 

3) Family-Friendly is extremely personal. No one should dictate to another how they should view Family Friendly. For my family, entertaining my children so that Mommy can get a massage, read, and eat a meal without interruption, and thus be ready to take care of everyone after disembarking is Family Friendly. Activities which Mommy has to supervise, just like the other 358 days a year, is not what my family needs or wants. Mommy needs a rest.

 

I believe that the Kids Club will soon be For Pay. I believe that this trauma is a first step to it. I can tell you this; we fortunately are financially secure. There is pretty much no amount I would not pay for easy, unfettered access to the Kids Club.

 

The problem, is that I have had easy, unfettered access to Kids Club on every cruise. And now, out of the blue, 21 days before my next sail, I am hearing I won't.

 

Honestly, I would rather have Noro.

 

Ok CC trolls, have fun with that one!

 

Best post yet. Clear and consise.

[NLH Arizona]

It's by age. They limit the number of nursery aged (up to 3 years), not kids.

Since you have obviously encountered capacity issues, would it make more sense if NCL had people book their children into the children's' programs at the time of final payment. That way they would know the number of children that would possibly be participating in the children's programs and then they can adjust staffing around those numbers. Don't know if it would work or not, just a thought.

[Barb Nahoumi]

Soooo basically they lured a bunch of folks with "Kids Sail Free" but now it's more of a, "you can bring 'em, but we might not watch 'em" scenario? The Norwegian transformation just gets more and more interesting :eek:

 

Now it's you bring 'em and you watch 'em. I guess that the kiddie pool, will be more crowded .

[newmexicoNita]

Thank you for trying to understand.

1) Not to my knowledge. I have sailed NCL with my two kids 3 times in the last year, including one summer and two Spring Break. There has NEVER been an occupancy sign before, and email warning, a ticket system, or anything else threatening space constraints. This FOR ME PERSONALLY, is brand new.

 

2) Yes they absolutely should. But they obviously aren't since people on this thread have reported being turned away, along with a bunch of families in front of them and behind them.

 

3) Family-Friendly is extremely personal. No one should dictate to another how they should view Family Friendly. For my family, entertaining my children so that Mommy can get a massage, read, and eat a meal without interruption, and thus be ready to take care of everyone after disembarking is Family Friendly. Activities which Mommy has to supervise, just like the other 358 days a year, is not what my family needs or wants. Mommy needs a rest.

 

I believe that the Kids Club will soon be For Pay. I believe that this trauma is a first step to it. I can tell you this; we fortunately are financially secure. There is pretty much no amount I would not pay for easy, unfettered access to the Kids Club.

 

The problem, is that I have had easy, unfettered access to Kids Club on every cruise. And now, out of the blue, 21 days before my next sail, I am hearing I won't.

 

Honestly, I would rather have Noro.

 

Ok CC trolls, have fun with that one!

 

There still seems to be some condradictions as to what is really the rules on the number of kids.As for eventually a pay for care system being put into place. I have been expecting that for a lont time, not just since NCL has a new CEO. In fact I think all liens will implement some form of pay for care. How many vacation locations offer free child care? None that I know of. We did have a free nanny situation many years ago in Jamaica but only during certain hours. That has been maybe, 20 years ago.

[legion3]

There still seems to be some condradictions as to what is really the rules on the number of kids.As for eventually a pay for care system being put into place. I have been expecting that for a lont time, not just since NCL has a new CEO. In fact I think all liens will implement some form of pay for care. How many vacation locations offer free child care? None that I know of. We did have a free nanny situation many years ago in Jamaica but only during certain hours. That has been maybe, 20 years ago.

 

Some resorts here in Florida have some similar included child camps available but not many. some all inclusives do as well.

[jbiz]

There still seems to be some condradictions as to what is really the rules on the number of kids.As for eventually a pay for care system being put into place. I have been expecting that for a lont time, not just since NCL has a new CEO. In fact I think all liens will implement some form of pay for care. How many vacation locations offer free child care? None that I know of. We did have a free nanny situation many years ago in Jamaica but only during certain hours. That has been maybe, 20 years ago.

 

 

I think there is a fine line between calling it child care and just being a coordinated kids event. My son wants to play basketball when other kids will be there, or other activities, should I have to pay for that above the cruise fare? I sure don't think so.

 

Not saying they won't eventually go there but..

[NLH Arizona]

I think there is a fine line between calling it child care and just being a coordinated kids event. My son wants to play basketball when other kids will be there, or other activities, should I have to pay for that above the cruise fare? I sure don't think so.

 

Not saying they won't eventually go there but..

I disagree with Nita, I don't think NCL will make the children's program a for a fee option nor should they. Cruising is too family friendly to do that and NCL depends on a lot on family's for their passenger base. I think they obviously have to re-look at their systems with regard to the children's programs, so that is can be used by all those that want to use it. Edited May 25, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[legion3]

I disagree with Nita, I don't think NCL will make the children's program a for a fee option. Cruising is too family friendly to do that and NCL depends on a lot on family's for their passenger base. I think they obviously have to re-look at their systems with regard to the children's programs, so that is can be used by all those that want to use it.

 

Not according to Motleycrew, they are aiming for the 18-35 year old party and drinking crowd. ;)

 

Sounds like FDR Wants to change NCL to Oceania or Regent or whatever.

[dna529]

I think there is a fine line between calling it child care and just being a coordinated kids event. My son wants to play basketball when other kids will be there, or other activities, should I have to pay for that above the cruise fare? I sure don't think so.

 

Not saying they won't eventually go there but..

 

Exactly. On our last cruise my 11 year old went to the kids club to meet other kids. He didn't really need childcare. We let him play basketball and walk around with his new friends. I wouldn't pay for it with a now 12 year old.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[Kingofwylietx]

Since you have obviously encountered capacity issues, would it make more sense if NCL had people book their children into the children's' programs at the time of final payment. That way they would know the number of children that would possibly be participating in the children's programs and then they can adjust staffing around those numbers. Don't know if it would work or not, just a thought.

 

I don't know. We didn't normally know in advance when we would use it. It was usually because my daughter wanted to go play there. I would guess, if people are like us, that most use it as needed...vs planned ahead.

 

I wouldn't consider it irritating that we had to wait for someone to exit, it was just something that we worked around.

[NLH Arizona]

Exactly. On our last cruise my 11 year old went to the kids club to meet other kids. He didn't really need childcare. We let him play basketball and walk around with his new friends. I wouldn't pay for it with a now 12 year old.

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

Maybe in addition to the childcare (set programs), they need an introduction program, where they can introduce children of the same ages who don't necessarily want to be in the organized children's programs, but just want to meet others of their age group. And then they can have set times where things like the basketball court, ping pong, etc. are only open for them to play on. This would cut down on the number, in the beginning, of children signing up and give an outlet to those kids who don't really want to attend the children's program. Just thinking, I like to look for solutions.

[motleyfan]

But those would be the reactions not the action. NCL might not consider that when they act to cut cost in one way it might have an adverse reaction elsewhere.

 

Or perhaps they think parents will take their kids on the pub crawl and to the casino and to Bingo. How would the non kid people like that?

 

This is just a wild guess but I don't think kids are allowed in the casino

[cadien]

How many vacation locations offer free child care? None that I know of. We did have a free nanny situation many years ago in Jamaica but only during certain hours. That has been maybe, 20 years ago.

 

The newish Disney resort in Hawaii does not charge additional for childcare.

[Buford T Justiice]

FDR said there's always the arcade if your kids are locked out of splash academy :eek:

[motleyfan]

So many people commenting in this thread with so much self-righteousness and so little clue about child-care safety rules and regulation is disheartening.

 

Cruise lines are given (by the regulating agencies) the maximum capacity as well as the maximum suggested child:care-taker ratio. That max number can be lowered if for whatever reason they don't have enough personnel, even if the physical space is the same.

 

In case you missed the safety drill, in the unlikely event that the ship should be evacuated or an on-board emergency, those people will be wholly responsible for marshaling and shepherding all the kids to safety. It's not you -- in fact, you won't be allowed to go get your kid in the case of an emergency --, or anyone else in the ship, for that matter. The youth leaders and care-takers are the ones to follow safety protocol. They cannot accept more kids than they can handle. It's a simple concept, not sure why people are upset by this.

 

We always travel with both of our kids who are 10 and under. And if I the kids can't get in the club, it's so freaking easy to entertain them in a cruise, really, not understanding the pitchforks and torches attitude.

 

If this is not acceptable to you, fine, cancel your reservation. No need to spew your sour grapes about the $7.95 room service change in every thread that pops up in this forum.

 

Greatest post so far, it seems like the butthurt is strong on this thread lol, people with kids read this post it really does make sense. My advice to everyone with kids now that you know you just gotta be there bright and early. If you're not there early enough your kid may not get his spot, please do not complain if your kid leaves the club and there's no room when he or she gets back.

[legion3]

This is just a wild guess but I don't think kids are allowed in the casino

 

You would be wrong, kids go through the casino all the time, seen them hanging out with smoking parents at the bar and the seats around the bar area.

[motleyfan]

FDR said there's always the arcade if your kids are locked out of splash academy :eek:

 

See that's a bright side

[legion3]

I really want to take my Escape cruise. I really do. But it's one thing after another with NCL. NCL seems to be always on these boards and for the wrong reasons.

 

I should save myself the hassle and just cancel. But I keep hoping most of this overblown, but it doesn't seem to be.

 

I enjoyed my previous NCL trips, but that was then...NOT now!

[motleyfan]

Well you should broaden your horizons.

 

MSC has some of the best entertainment. and the Yacht Club. (like the haven only cheaper)

 

Yeah but like I said all the veteran cruisers told me that no entertainment compares the NCL at sea