I am booked on the Spirit this summer for a trip to Alaska. My 11 year old and 13 year old will be traveling with me. I know the youth programs were removed but I can't find information on what kids can and can't do. Has anyone actually taken kids around this age on the Spirit lately? I can only find one review and it was terrible (https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=691145 I'm curious to know the other side of this story because it seems extreme).
Our family has been on several cruises. I never look at the ship before I book (always choose based on dates, itinerary, price, etc.). We've mostly sailed on smaller ships (largest was the Breakaway). We booked this in late Spring 22. I don't think the Spirit had even started sailing again when we booked and there was almost no information available since the 2020 dry dock. We chose this cruise because we will be with a larger family group (but only kids). It was the best option for the group as a whole (dates and itinerary) and there really wasn't another option that would work for everyone.
When I called to book (after others in the group had already booked) I was told by my PCC about the situation with the youth programs. Since we had recently been on a cruise (when all youth programs were still shut down) it didn't really seem like a big deal. The kids didn't seem to miss going and they made friends with other kids their age. Now that the Spirit has been back to sailing for several months it seems everything I read is that it is extremely unfriendly for kids to the point that many say kids aren't allowed at all (not true). We can't change our cruise but I want to be prepared so we can make the best of it. I'm hoping since it's a summer cruise we won't be the only family on board.
The kids are generally well behaved (I promise). None of us are night owls and late night clubs/ bars aren't our scene. We have excursions planned for most ports to fill time during the days we aren't at sea. It's Alaska and I've talked to them about how this one might feel different compared to the other cruises we have done.
The information on the NCL site doesn't go into much detail about the situation (other than saying that youth programs aren't offered). What areas other than Spice H20 are off limits to under 18? Will they be allowed in all the restaurants (they are foodies and enjoy the dining options on cruises)? What about shows? I know comedy shows can be a little rough so we'll skip those.
We are a golf family. Can they use the driving range? Are movies shown in the Atrium or anywhere on board? Trivia? I know there isn't a library but what about crossword puzzles and/ or sudoku? These are all things they enjoyed last year when the youth programs were closed on all the ships. Will it really be all that different this time?
