Norwegian Cruise Line Children's Programs

A detailed overview of onboard features and educational programs

A reminder, if your child requires you to keep a beeper, a parent or guardian must stay behind on the vessel during either activity, as beepers do not work off the ship. NCL is able to change diapers or pull-ups, but they leave you with a beeper to alert you to do the duty. Beepers do not work ashore, so parents will have to stay onboard when their children are in our Youth Program. Also, no private or in-cabin babysitting is available on any NCL or NCLA vessels.

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Teen Program   Ages 13 - 17

Teen's Center

The Teen Center is a space designed for teens to hang out and meet friends their own age. The Teen Center offers air hockey, foosball, a video jukebox, televisions, a dance floor and Wii games. Activities and games vary per ship. The Teen Center is also the primary meeting place for the Teen's Crew.

Teen's Crew

The Teen's Crew program is designed around their interests and is supervised by well-qualified, enthusiastic members of the Youth Staff. There are theme parties, sports events, team building challenges, Wii, dining together, games, karaoke, dances and more.

Specifics & Restrictions

Activities are flexible and subject to change based on participants. NCL reserves the right to cancel if no teen shows within the first 15 minutes of the scheduled activity. Teens will meet at the next scheduled activity. Teens not feeling well need to visit the medical center before being admitted to the program. Guardians must alert the Youth Staff of any allergies, medications or special needs of their teen when registering. All Teens are responsible for any personal items brought to activities and events.

NCL strongly encourages that no teenagers go ashore alone in the ports of call.

Teens Safety & Disciplinary Information

Teens are responsible for reporting to their assigned emergency stations in the event of a ship emergency. Crew members throughout the vessel are trained to assist those in need.

Teens participating in Teen's Crew are prohibited from smoking, drinking alcohol, and using profanity while attending Teen activities.

Violence and vandalism will not be tolerated, ever. A Teen exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be asked to stop immediately. If they do not stop, they will be dismissed from the activity. After dismissal, Parents and the ship's Security will be notified.  Teens should be advised that all public areas are under 24-hour surveillance.

Youth Discipline Policy

Four-step discipline policy:

STEP 1: Warning: The Youth Counselor addresses the child and it is explained that his/her behavior is unacceptable and needs to be improved immediately.

STEP 2: Time out: If the child continues to disobey the Youth Counselor, a time out is issued and the parents are notified at pick-up time.

STEP 3: Suspension: If a time out is not effective in eliminating the inappropriate behavior, the parents are located and the child is grounded from the program for 24 hours. The child is then welcomed back, but if there is any reservation on the part of the Youth Counselor a parent may be required to attend with their child.

STEP 4: Dismissal: Once the child is allowed back into the program after the initial dismissal, if any disobedient behaviors continue, the child will no longer be allowed to participate.

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NCL Kid's Programs

NCL revitalizes Youth Program

Posted January 5, 2012.

Norwegian Cruise Line is revitalizing its current youth program and will implement a new best in class program fleet wide. The re-branded program will be introduced on Norwegian Gem in mid-February and will be rolled out to all of the line's F ships subsequently.

The current program will be renamed and the age groups are being redefined to better address the skills and interests of children. The new age groups will be: three to five years; six to eight years; nine to 12 years; along with two teen groups: 13 to 14 and 15 to 17 years. There will also be programming for babies and toddlers ages six months to two years.

The enhanced curriculum tailored to each age group is being produced in conjunction with The King's Foundation and Camps, a United Kingdom-based organization that provides high quality sport and activity programs designed to make a positive impact on children. The new curriculum will also include creative themes, such as circus day, theater/technology/sports and port of call day. The company has engaged Cirque Du Jour, a New York-based company that specializes in teaching children real circus skills such as scarf juggling, ball juggling, plate spinning, clowning and acrobatics. Circus workshops and shows will also be offered for the entire family.

More details of the new youth and teen program will be released in the coming months.

Splash Academy ages 3-12

Splash Academy

Kids are divided into three groups: Turtles (3-5), Seals (6-9), and Dolphins (10-12.)

Turtles (Ages 3-5)

Developmental activities, storytelling, arts and crafts, games, treasure hunts and parades. Turtles practice feather-balancing and do a fun Tiger Act in Circus School.

pride of america kids club

Seals (Ages 6-9)*

Spy/drama games, Wii, crafts, computer games, dance parties, video arcade, pizza-making, treasure hunts, painting, Circus school, games and specialty classes.

Dolphins (Ages 10-12)*

Wii, sports activities, Circus School (stilts, ball juggling, plate spinning), computer games, arts and crafts, video arcade, scavenger hunts and team-building challenges

*6-12 yr. olds are grouped together is low season

Kid's Café

Available on the Norwegian Dawn, Star, Pride of America, Jewel and all future ships. 

The Kid's Buffet features: sandwiches, hot dogs, fruits, yes, some veggies, French fries and cookies. Each itinerary offers a special Kid's Crew Dinner—sorry mom and dad, it's kids only this time. Sign up with the Youth Program staff.

Restrictions

A parent or guardian is required to register kids ages 2-17. After registering, kids can participate as often as they choose. Please let NCL know if your child has allergies or note any medications on their registration. Your child will be assigned to an age group based on his/her age at sailing. If they have a birthday while at sea, only then they are moved up. Sorry, no exceptions can be made—this helps keep your child safe. NCL does not provide one-on-one care within their Youth Programs.

Kids under 13 may not sign themselves in and out. Only a designated adult over 21 may sign them in and out of Kid's Crew. Until our Youth Staff gets to know you, have a photo ID ready for drop off or pick up. No flip-flops or sandals. Proper foot-ware required. Sick children need to see the medical center before coming to the program. There's no charge if your child is well and is allowed to join the activities.

Youth Staff are not included in onboard gratuities. Individual gratuities can be made through the onboard Reception Desk.  

Group-Sitting for Kids

The “Late Night Party Zone” and “Port Play” are both group-sitting services for kid's ages 2-12. The Youth Staff runs these activities in the Kid's Crew Facilities and all the requirements and procedures apply.  The “Port Play” is offered from 9am-5pm and we accommodate those parents booked on Shore Excursions. Sign up is 8pm the evening prior to the desired “Port Party”. The “Late Night Party Zone” is offered nightly from 10pm-1am. The charges are $5.00 per hour, per child, and $3.00 per hour for each additional sibling in the same immediate family. Charges are applied directly to your onboard account. Sign up is 8pm the evening prior to the desired “Late Night Party Zone”.

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Kid's Crew Safety

Every child in the Program receives a Kid's Crew bracelet with their name, stateroom number, emergency station, allergies, and medications listed. If an emergency does occur, Youth Staff are responsible for the mustering of the child in their care and bringing them to safety at the Child Muster Station. There, you can claim your child. All unclaimed children will be taken to the secondary station and distributed to their assigned lifeboat stations.

Youth Program Staff

Youth Program Staff are chosen from education and recreation programs at their universities. They are certified in CPR and have been trained by NCL.

Youth Staff are not included in onboard gratuities. Because our Youth Staff is not included in onboard gratuities, cash gratuities are divided among the staff and greatly appreciated. Individual gratuities can be made through the onboard Reception Desk.   

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