Cruises for kids that require vaccinations? And ncl experience for kids?

[Rsrcruise]

I have two elementary school age kids who will be vaccinated soon, and we’re toying with the idea of getting back into cruising at some point within the next say two years or so.  I’m looking to find a cruise that requires vaccination for crew and passengers. Cruised twice with Royal, but none since becoming a parent.  We’re looking for programming also that allows parents to be with their kids,  (not just the kids only kids clubs—we’re not likely to use this).  My kids are into learning, science, cooking, those kinds of hands on activities. Any recommendations for us? We’re open to cruising anywhere, but would like to start out considering either Alaska, Caribbean, Canada, or Mediterranean/Northern Europe.

 

We’d also like to know specifically about peoples experience with Norwegian and kids. Thanks!

Edited November 15, 2021 by Rsrcruise
Adding context

[1025cruise]

At this point, all lines require crew to be vaccinated. Most cruises are operating at 85-100% vaccination.

However, within the next year or so, I expect that there won't be any specific requirements.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

we sailed with Norwegian when DS was 7. Jade broke down on day 3 of 10 and we had to go home.

 

We made it up by going on Getaway later. He loved the shows, the rock climbing, the spider net, the ropes course (must be 48" for the adult one, and they have a tiny one for tiny tots), water slides and the trampoline below (under 80# and had minimum like 43" I think):

 

All of us loved the entertainment. All of us hated the MDR and buffet food. It was just awful. We ate a lot of french fries on that cruise, and believe me - we do not cruise to eat french fries. Free crepes were the only redeeming factor, but they overfried them on Getaway.

We also hated the smoke smell which was everywhere in the middle of the ship, on the upper decks, on one side of the Waterfront, and people also smoked on balconies.

These two were a deal breaker for us - we will most likely never sail on NCL again. We'll stick with RCI (great activities and entertainment, average food) and Princess (great food on Regal and newer, good entertainment, no activities for kids per se).

DS doesn't use the kid's club - but he did go one time on the Getaway, because our friends' kid was in the club. They played basketball or something like that outside. As far as I could tell their clubs are very action oriented, outdoorsy (spray your kid with SPF, because they won't), and fun. But our kid just doesn't care for the company of strangers.

[kitkat343]

We sailed on Norwegian.  Their kids club is quite good, but drop off so that might not be helpful for you.  I also found the food in the mdr awful, but had expected that from the reviews.  We had a dining package for the fee restaurants, and were generally quite happy with the restaurants that charge a fee.    Also, most of the food in the buffet was terrible, but we did always find at least one or two good things there (the ethnic food  was very good, as was the roasted meat station where they sliced freshly made roast beef or other large cuts of meat).  

 

We sailed on the NCL star, which is one of the oldest ships in the fleet so it lacked most of the children's amenities you were looking for, but the newer ships have a lot more for children (it was a baltic cruise with a surprisingly large number of children but people generally chose the baltic cruise for the itinerary, not amenities).  

 

I'd sail on Norwegian again but only if the fare was low enough to allow us to purchase a meal package or pay for individual fee based restaurants.  On Cunard, Princess or HAL we can eat for free in the MDR/buffet without a problem.  

 

 Alaska, the Baltics and Norway are wonderful for children, as is Princess' 10 day Panama Canal partial transit if you are on the east coast, since its a really easy flight to Florida.

Edited November 17, 2021 by kitkat343

[Rsrcruise]

Thanks for the great feedback!  Yikes, ironically the biggest dealbreaker may be the smoking/smoke smell.  I’m very allergic to this, so I guess Norwegian is out 😞. 
 

Also very good to hear about MDR issues—I suppose their current special with free specialty dining is a big advantage to consider!

[mjkacmom]

1 hour ago, Rsrcruise said:

Thanks for the great feedback!  Yikes, ironically the biggest dealbreaker may be the smoking/smoke smell.  I’m very allergic to this, so I guess Norwegian is out 😞. 
 

Also very good to hear about MDR issues—I suppose their current special with free specialty dining is a big advantage to consider!

NCL does not allow smoking on balconies.

[Rsrcruise]

Thanks for this—maybe folks aren’t always following the rules on Norwegian, or maybe the smoke was wafting in from elsewhere for the family that posted earlier?  
 

Since Disney announced their vaccination guidelines, it’s on out list, assuming we’re not priced out.  

[kitkat343]

on the norwegian star, we never smelled smoke from our rooms (only near the casino walking past) and I'm really sensitive to it.  glad to hear they are offering a free dining package.  Most of the fee based restaurants were really good.

Edited November 23, 2021 by kitkat343

[sparkygirlfamily]

On 11/22/2021 at 6:26 PM, Rsrcruise said:

Thanks for this—maybe folks aren’t always following the rules on Norwegian, or maybe the smoke was wafting in from elsewhere for the family that posted earlier?  
 

Since Disney announced their vaccination guidelines, it’s on out list, assuming we’re not priced out.  

The prior poster was on Getaway, the casino is in an open 3 deck area called 6-7-8 on the Breakaway class ships.  The Breakaway plus ships have enclosed casinos that the smoke is contained.  NCL is currently the only cruise line sailing with a 100% required vaccination for crew and passengers.  

 

[Rsrcruise]

Thank you so much for this!! Maybe we should consider the Breakaway plus ships.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 11/30/2021 at 10:07 PM, sparkygirlfamily said:

The prior poster was on Getaway, the casino is in an open 3 deck area called 6-7-8 on the Breakaway class ships.

the smoke smell was just as bad on NCL Jade.

[woostergirl]

First time cruiser... Our first family cruise will be a 9 day Celebrity Equinox cruise booked for February and a 7 day RC Navigator of the Seas cruise for March 25. My kids are in 1st grade and 5th grade. I will report back!

[Rsrcruise]

I will definitely be on the lookout!