NCL - Cruising with Children - any restrictions?

[Rosie Cruzin]

 

NCL Jewel 23 July 2006 Mediterranean

 

We have just booked our first ever cruise on the Norwegian Jewel especially for our 6 year old daughter who is so excited that she told her teacher she was going on a cruise even before we had booked it! Has any one taken a young child on such a cruise and does anyone know if there are any restrictions to children going in the numerous bars / public rooms or any other restrictions? We have never been on a cruise before and will be staying in Barcelona before sailing. We would also be interested in any views regarding taking a child on excursions or any other top tips for kiddie cruising.

Thanks Mr & Mrs J – Chester, Great Britain.

 

[2Cruise4Ever]

Congratulations on booking your first cruise!!! You'll be hooked for life. We took our two children, ages 2 and 7 last year on NCL Dawn out of New York. We loved it so much we're going again next June (2007). There are so many activities for all of you, you'll probably be a little overwhelmed. I've never been on the Jewel, but have heard very positive reviews. NCL has a kids club that your daughter will fully enjoy. Go to www.ncl.com and you'll find details of the program.

 

Each day you'll receive a newsletter called the Freestyle Daily. It's loaded with information on activities and specials and any restrictions that apply. Your daughter will not be allowed in the casino and any bars that are considered 18 years and older will be noted on the Freestyle Daily. And, there might be an "Adult Only" pool indoors that she will not be allowed into. There is one on the Dawn, not sure about the Jewel.

 

You will have an absolutely fabulous time as will your daughter!

 

Enjoy! :D

[Rosie Cruzin]

Thanks for that, we are really looking forward to the trip and hope it will be the first of many.

[2Cruise4Ever]

You'll have a blast. I forgot to mention the link to my pictures in my signature. You'll see how much fun the kids had. Tell your daughter she's in for the time of her life. The cruise itself is fantastic, but to go to the Mediterranean too???? That's even better. What an experience. She'll remember it for the rest of her life (as will you).

[Host CMLA]

We have just booked our first ever cruise on the Norwegian Jewel especially for our 6 year old daughter who is so excited that she told her teacher she was going on a cruise even before we had booked it!

You may want to visit the Family Cruising board on Cruise Critic too. There you'll find others that travel with their kids and what tips they have. Here's a link: Family Cruising

[sailorsixx]

You may want to visit the Family Cruising board on Cruise Critic too. There you'll find others that travel with their kids and what tips they have. Here's a link: Family Cruising

I checked this out & it was so helpful. Thanks much.

[DrivesLikeMario]

We started cruising with our kids about 6 years ago and already our sons have been on 13 cruises with 2 more booked for the near future.

 

Something I learned is that it's very important to bring some things from home like:

 

action figures (or if it's a girl, Barbies)

coloring books, markers & crayons

an empty journal (can be just a simple paper notebook) for her to draw pictures of what she has seen or write about her experiences

a stuffed animal or buy a new one on the trip

an iPod

Nintendo DS and games

Benadryl (to put her to sleep so she can get on the new time zone) :grin

Travel games and a deck of cards

computer games (if you're bringing a laptop)

extra batteries for the computer and/or Nintendo DS

 

Don't put too much pressure on her to go to the kids' program. Our youngest son wasn't interested in going until he was about 8 yrs. old.

 

Remember that a lot of the wonderful sites you'll see in Europe will be drop-dead boring to a child her age, so try to find something fun for her to do each day on those tours, even if it's something as small as her getting to decide where you get gelato & what flavor everyone has to eat.

 

They'll have a kids' menu in the dining room. If your waiter doesn't provide one for her, ask. Room service is a great alternative for families with kids.

 

Go over basic etiquette with her:

 

-Don't go into the buffet barefooted or in her bathing suit without a cover-up.

-Teach her not to run on the ship unless she's jogging on the jogging track. ;)

-If you have a balcony cabin, lay down Mom & Dad's Balcony Law right away and re-inforce it ALL the time. Positively reinforce her by telling her how responsible she's been by respecting the rules.

-Encourage her to make friends with other kids her age on the cruise.

 

My sons have met other kids from all over the world and still talk about some of them. Cruising is a wonderful learning experience for kids. My kids eyes are wide open; they see a much broader, interesting world because of the travel they've done. Kudos to you for taking her! :)