Gem Nickelodeon and kids activities

[wezie]

Hi. I don't know where I heard it, but is it true that they got rid of Nickelodeon? I am specifically interested in the Gem. Also, if they did, did they replace it with something else? I am just wondering what types of activities they have for children, aside from the camp.

[Sauer-kraut]

Nickelodeon is indeed gone, but the kids clubs activities haven't really changed. There are no more expensive breakfasts to dine with Dora and slime time is gone, but there are other things that will keep the younger set occupied.

[Starflyr3]

Nickelodeon is indeed gone, but the kids clubs activities haven't really changed. There are no more expensive breakfasts to dine with Dora and slime time is gone, but there are other things that will keep the younger set occupied.

 

^^ this

 

And to be honest, it want that visible on jewel class ships to start with. The character stuff was at very inconvenient times and consisted of long lines for a photo op and that was is. Oh, and you had to pay for the pictures.

 

At least, that was our experience last year. The only part of it that I liked was the clap on clap off nightlight that came with the bedtime kits.

[razzzbere]

I too would like some specifics on the kids club if anyone has any....we'll be on the Gem in March over Easter with kids 10, 9 & 8. Just wondering what kinds of activities and if they will do anything special for Easter. Thanks!

[ksmcali]

I'm curious as well. Are they still doing the circus activities?

[Sizzlechest]

And to be honest, it want that visible on jewel class ships to start with. The character stuff was at very inconvenient times and consisted of long lines for a photo op and that was is. Oh, and you had to pay for the pictures.

 

Incorrect. There used to be a Pajama Jam that you had to pay for, but there were plenty of meet and greet events throughout the cruise including a dance party which was 100% free. You were also free to take your own pictures at all the event rather than pay for the ones taken by the NCL photographer.

 

To answer the question: It's been replaced (AFAIK) with nothing, which is pretty standard for NCL these days.

[Carol++]

To answer the question: It's been replaced (AFAIK) with nothing, which is pretty standard for NCL these days.

 

There is a "Guppies" program that is new.

[Starflyr3]

Incorrect. There used to be a Pajama Jam that you had to pay for, but there were plenty of meet and greet events throughout the cruise including a dance party which was 100% free. You were also free to take your own pictures at all the event rather than pay for the ones taken by the NCL photographer.

 

To answer the question: It's been replaced (AFAIK) with nothing, which is pretty standard for NCL these days.

 

Not replaced with nothing. A partnership with The Kings Foundation

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-5/news/news.cfm?ID=6617

 

And I was only relating my experience with Nick, which was disappointing to say the least. It sounded good in theory, but was horribly executed, at least on our cruise last March. The free dance party was limited to a certain number of kids and the meet and greets were only photo opportunities. They never visited the kids club, and I think we saw one of them walk by on deck all of once. And yes, we were looking.

Edited February 7, 2016 by Starflyr3

[fshagan]

The non-profit King's Foundation is handling the kid's programming now according to Cruise Critic: http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=691&pgtype=family

 

The line has joined with sports charity The Kings Foundation to provide kids programming across its fleet. The U.K.-based charity, which focuses primarily on sports, also runs kids programming for the children of the U.S. military worldwide. The program will provide a mix of entertainment and education, with a strong emphasis on keeping the kids active, so the rooms are large and uncluttered, allowing the kids to play a lot of indoor games. Guy Harvey, who designed the ship's hull and is a passionate marine conservationist, has also provided content.

NCL has been working with the King's Foundation for some of the more popular sports style activities on board since at least 2012, and I believe the hiring of the kid's program counselors has been through them. This thread has the earliest review of the program I could find:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2293153

 

Post #11 has this:

I'm on Breakaway now and the programming has completely changed. No more Nickelodeon at all (except the pool area that has not been changed yet). The Splash Academy is focused on athletics, and educational activities. They have been making Volcanoes, designing boats to have a mini regatta, making "dinosaur eggs" and trying to keep them from breaking when they drop them. They've had the usual Pirate parade. They've had a heroes vs villains night. And so much more. I'll post pictures of the Splash Academy schedule, we're on for 2 weeks and they are doing something different every day and night.

[wezie]

I am trying to find out what specific activities they have for children, without them joining the kids camp. Does anyone happen to have any recent Gem dailies?

[dongordon]

I was on the January 22nd cruise with my two grandsons (ages 5 and 8).

 

They hated the kids club and were very bored with it.

I would like to also comment that the two are boys who are sports minded and like physical activities.

They spent less than 5 hours at the kids club on a 10 day cruise.

We let them look at the daily activity list and pick and choose.

Even the ones they picked, they found boring.

 

The kids club was the only negative part of ours and their part of the cruise.

Still, they both rated the cruise a "10 as did we!" :)

 

There was also a large group on board that were obnoxious including their children.

Although annoying and rude, we still had a wonderful cruise.

 

Don