Sailing with a 12 year old

[classy_cruiser]

I’m sailing without children but I agree the lack of communication isn’t right and I hope they reopen the kids clubs or provide an opportunity for rebooking.  Not having them open will impact everyone on board

[rimmit]

8 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Understood but early November is now different from mid December 

I think the aggravation here amongst parents (myself included) was that when we booked they stated that when kids were on board that they would “definitely” be open.  
 

The response was not “Well,  we just arent sure.  They may or may not with how things are going.”  It was a very definitive “The ship will be functioning as normal regarding the kids club.  When kids are allowed on board the kids club will be open with no restrictions.”

 

It was a very definitive response with zero room to waffle.  Given RCI and CCL have opened their kids clubs and those kids arent even vaccinated, it standed to reason given the “definitive” response by NCL reps that it would be open.  Since Late October when kids could get the vaccine, when I asked there hasnt been any significant change since then except Omicron, but that really hasn effected cruise operations outside of the Jade.

 

So from everyones perspective, NCL was selling a product in which nothing has really changed from when they were selling it,  but just flat didnt deliver said product despite advertising it, continuing to advertise it, and giving zero indications that it is was not going to be there.

 

Everyone understands that sailing during a pandemic is a crapshoot,  but this does not appear to be a “shifting pandemic” related change.  It was simply a “We said we were gonna offer this, but sorry we’re not” situation.

[SliderNc]

43 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

But what has changed? In November it changed to fully vaccinated kids under 12 can sail and go to the kids clubs. A month later they are saying fully vaccinated kids can sail but there won’t be any kids clubs. Who would’ve seen this coming? Why close the clubs? Other lines not only have clubs open, but kids are not even required to be vaccinated.

Can you provide the statement where they said they could go to kids clubs?  I'm feeling like it is an assumed thing that if they are allowed onboard that those areas would be open and I'm sure they are not.  I've looked over their site and can't find anything that says this.  This is the problem that everyone in this thread is talking about.  Lack of communication.

 

NCL policy of 100% vaccinated passengers probably drove them to keep the smaller kids facilities closed until they could sail.  Now that they could sail, they are determining the need based on the capacity of those age ranges for each cruise.  I have no doubt they will open in time as more kids 5-12 are vaccinated and cruise with their families and NCL sees the numbers grow.  My guess is that most ships will have theirs open come Spring Break time.

 

[ggTexasGal]

Here's a thought...

Perhaps NCL has been unable to staff enough experienced/qualified "child care givers!"

[rimmit]

7 minutes ago, SliderNc said:

Can you provide the statement where they said they could go to kids clubs?  I'm feeling like it is an assumed thing that if they are allowed onboard that those areas would be open and I'm sure they are not.  I've looked over their site and can't find anything that says this.  This is the problem that everyone in this thread is talking about.  Lack of communication.

 

NCL policy of 100% vaccinated passengers probably drove them to keep the smaller kids facilities closed until they could sail.  Now that they could sail, they are determining the need based on the capacity of those age ranges for each cruise.  I have no doubt they will open in time as more kids 5-12 are vaccinated and cruise with their families and NCL sees the numbers grow.  My guess is that most ships will have theirs open come Spring Break time.

 

There was no specific statement but I had no less than 3 conversations with NCL reps prior to booking.

 

 And continued to confirm on about a bi weekly basis.  They had a very definitive response each time.

 

Thankfully, 4 days before Final Payment I contacted them one last time and they changed their tune.  I came on here and various posts seem to confirm their abrupt change.  It felt very bait and switch and had I not called one last time I would have been blindsided as well.

 

Again, I think it ‘s the fact we feel deceived.  Had they been less definitive in their response, I dont think anyone would be upset,  but they were VERY assuring that the kids club would be open for drop off EVERY time I contacted them, and it seems the same for other parents as well.  
 

This is not a case of parents not doing their research.  This is a case of NCL just doing a 180.

[rimmit]

2 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

Here's a thought...

Perhaps NCL has been unable to staff enough experienced/qualified "child care givers!"

I dont think anyone is questioning why they arent open as it is likely lack of staffing in that they didnt bring them back.  The question is why continue to confirm that it will be open if they dont have staff???   I think thats the aggravation.

[raitch]

I understand that they likely didn’t have kid care staff back on board but as soon as it was announced that kids 5+ could be vaccinated the clock started ticking.  NCL knew that 5-6 weeks after that date, kids 5+ would be fully vaccinated and back on board.  So they had time.

 

I completely understand that we’re cruising in a pandemic and anything can happen.  We will roll with it.  Our kids have lost out on so much in the past almost two years that they would also like to have some semblance of normalcy, that’s all.  
 

It’s a bummer.  We’re still looking forward to getting onboard in 11 days.  

[familytradition]

1 hour ago, raitch said:

I understand that they likely didn’t have kid care staff back on board but as soon as it was announced that kids 5+ could be vaccinated the clock started ticking.  NCL knew that 5-6 weeks after that date, kids 5+ would be fully vaccinated and back on board.  So they had time.

 

I completely understand that we’re cruising in a pandemic and anything can happen.  We will roll with it.  Our kids have lost out on so much in the past almost two years that they would also like to have some semblance of normalcy, that’s all.  
 

It’s a bummer.  We’re still looking forward to getting onboard in 11 days.  

Yes to all of this! I have not told my 9 year old daughter yet. We booked 15 days out after doing the math on when she’d be fully vaccinated. Read: we made the final payment while everything is saying all passengers must be fully vaccinated (✔️), and NCL is 100% vaccinated so you can be free to enjoy your cruise (👏). Several days later, we were alerted to the no drop off option.
 

Try to follow this analogy I have had spinning in my mind—an adult gets vaccinated so they can cruise on NCL because they love its [pick one: shows, bars, activities]. They follow the rules, get vaccinated, pay, and get excited. Then they learn that the [show, bar, activity] isn’t available. Pick something else to do, right? Unfortunately, there are no other options for the child to do without parents…parents who now need to reconfigure their scheduled activities that revolved around splash academy hours, parents who were just as excited for date nights as the kids were for hanging out and playing with other kids, parents who paid for a NCL cruise and  realize they should have switched cruise lines. I’ve got a 16 year old who doesn’t know he’ll be babysitting while his parents get to go one their one dinner date. I’m not breaking that news to him yet, either. I’m still hoping and praying that it will change by Sunday! 

[sparkygirlfamily]

I understand that there is disappointment for those who were counting on drop off child care.  I personally made the decision that even if Splash Academy was open that we would be skipping Splash this cruise.  The quarantine of passengers on Breakaway due COVID exposure in Entourage among the teens onboard over Halloween from NYC to Bermuda (before breakaway COVID in New Orleans) resulting in families moving cabins and being isolated for their entire cruise opened the discussion with my daughter and is what I suspect prompted the shift of plans for Splash Academy.  Splash was on target to open up until that halloween cruise.  We've been having the discussion with my daughter a) I'm not sure that Splash will open b) if it does open she will wear a mask c) it it does open I'm not sure the risk outweighs the benefit on a once in a lifetime cruise.  Just because NCL is saying 100% vaccinated so you can be free to enjoy your cruise doesn't negate the layered public health mitigation measures of which vaccination is only one component.  

[rimmit]

59 minutes ago, sparkygirlfamily said:

I understand that there is disappointment for those who were counting on drop off child care.  I personally made the decision that even if Splash Academy was open that we would be skipping Splash this cruise.  The quarantine of passengers on Breakaway due COVID exposure in Entourage among the teens onboard over Halloween from NYC to Bermuda (before breakaway COVID in New Orleans) resulting in families moving cabins and being isolated for their entire cruise opened the discussion with my daughter and is what I suspect prompted the shift of plans for Splash Academy.  Splash was on target to open up until that halloween cruise.  We've been having the discussion with my daughter a) I'm not sure that Splash will open b) if it does open she will wear a mask c) it it does open I'm not sure the risk outweighs the benefit on a once in a lifetime cruise.  Just because NCL is saying 100% vaccinated so you can be free to enjoy your cruise doesn't negate the layered public health mitigation measures of which vaccination is only one component.  

Definitely a risk to use the kids club in this day and age, that’s for certain.

 

From my experience on these long cruises , TAs and Repos,  the number of kids is literally near zero.  On the Breakaway on a Northern Atlantic TA my 2 kids were 2 out of 6 kids that were elligible to go to Splash and this was PRECOVID.  Post covid I cant even imagine the numbers now.  On other TAs and repos I have never seen more than 20 kids EVER.    The counselors literally stalk you the moment you board the boat to see if your kids want to come to the kids clubs.  The handful of kids on the ship always get pulled to stage as a volunteer for the variety acts in the theater so thats nice for them.

 

I suspect that there will be nearly zero as well on the Star, so that will definitely help you mitigate the risk of using Splash in the current climate if its open if you choose to.  Splash tends to be 1 on 1 babysitting on these longer cruises during the school year and the counselors and kids get pretty attached.  We’ve even run into the counselors when they’ve hopped to other ships before and they still remember my kids (for better or worse. Most likely worse.  Lol).

Edited December 15, 2021 by rimmit

[gmkgks]

On 12/12/2021 at 12:55 AM, CruisingBeans said:

Well this is a bit disappointing to hear! I have 7 and 10 year old daughters who I raced to get vaccinated so we could cruise. My 10 year old daughter is an introvert and won’t care as much about Splash Academy but did like the parties. Now my 7 year old daughter is the extrovert and loved meeting other kids. 
 

I haven’t got the email yet. But if anyone is on the Encore sailing 12/26/21 with kids around those ages and wants to meet up at the pool or one of those Feel Free Play, let me know!  

I’m holding out hope that the reason those of us with holiday sailings have not gotten the letter is that they will have drop off programs (as advertised when we booked) for the holiday sailings that always are full of kids and especially now with the timeline that kids under 12 can be vaccinated. 

[Shayhooper]

We got of the Escape on Saturday so I thought I would circle back on this topic.  After searching my email, I did find that NCL emailed us on December 8th saying that the kids club would be closed but they would be offering activities.  While on the ship, to their credit, they did try to schedule some activities for the younger kids but most of them were in the Skyline Lounge which is right next to the casino so it was smoky.  My daughter did go to a few of the family times at the teen lounge but there were never kids her age when she went.  Additionally, the ropes course and mini golf was closed so that was a bummer for her as well.

 

The trip was amazing but for her she was really disappointed that she didn't find any other kids her age to hang out with and it really put a damper on her vacation.  Hopefully NCL is working to get this issue resolved.

[Arizona Packer Backer]

1 hour ago, Shayhooper said:

The trip was amazing but for her she was really disappointed that she didn't find any other kids her age to hang out with and it really put a damper on her vacation.

I'm sorry to hear that! I really feel for all of the kids the last couple of years, missing out on so much. And honestly, this just makes me more frustrated with NCL. There's a lot of people that are still willing to cruise and travel despite the pandemic, so I hope NCL makes more of an effort with the younger kids as we head into the holidays, and then spring break.

 

As they say, "Do it for the children!" 😂

[familytradition]

I just got off breakaway today. My daughter loves splash academy, but we did not go into splash academy free play hours. I just found it so odd to require adults to stay with the kids and increase the number of people in that space.
 

The spa, however, did have the no-parents-allowed kids pamper party. The irony of the adult-only place with no youth counselors having a kids-only event and a kids-only place with youth counselors having a parents-required rule just blew my mind.