booger5

On embarkation day you can go and sign the kids up and there is a schedule for every day and the activities they will be doing. We were on the breakway over the summer and kids were given an option on arrival. Stay downstairs for a structured activity or go upstairs and play video games or other similar type things. I also believe they could choose to move around so if tired of games, come downstairs and do the arts and crafts, etc. The staff are super friendly and learn to recognize the kids quick. I am sure they will love it.

On the breakaway over the summer daytime hours included 10am-12pm and 2-4pm so maybe that second time block would help for nap time. It was the slot we almost always missed because it was peak pool hours :). I also highly recommend making sure to take 5 year old first night to meet others. Then they see familiar faces at pool, other splash academy hours, etc.

Was open first week of August the entire cruise. Only caveat was you had to join a queue each day via the NCL app and watch for notifications when it was time to bring your child down. A lot of kids missed out because parents didn't know or understand the process so make sure on the first day you go and visit and make sure you have the app set up to get reservations in each day.

I was at GSC in August and asked for an umbrella/clamshell on board and they had no issue doing it on the ship and there were plenty. They gave me a map to show where they were located and it gave the impression they were central to most things. However, once we got on the island I noticed they are only set up to the very far right of the first beach, away from the food, bathrooms and music. We were traveling with a young child and definitely preferred to be closer to the other amenities and kids so she could play so returned the voucher and were not charged.

Will really depend on the day. We were on the Breakaway out of Miami in August and had boarding group 4 (arrived around 10am also). We did not board until after 12:30 and it was a free for all when boarding did start, groups didn't seem to matter.

HAHA! After Day 1 absolutely. But for folks who haven't taken their kids before, embarkation day is the only chance to see the space when you get your kid registered. I also recommend going and meeting the folks there because it is like Disney world now having to download the NCL ship all, join their wifi, get on a virtual queue and waiting for your spot to being next in line to show up blah blah. Best to get all that information on Day 1 so you are ready for the rest of your trip. On port days that queue opened at 6am so if you wanted in, you had to get up and sign up!

On Breakaway earlier this month and they never left the kids area. It was two floors of stuff to do and plenty of space to move around. They also limit the number of children based on capacity rules so the kids have space to move and play. I personally prefer knowing they are not leaving the secure space. Go the first day when you are allowed in to see the facilities so you are more comfortable.

I was asked about it on a survey I got for a cruise I took this month. Only one question though. Was I familiar with the site.

On the breakaway in August it was the same as jeninindy mentioned above.

On the Breakaway last week and several days there was a noodle station in the Garden Cafe at both lunch and dinner times. Think omelette station but a chef preparing a noodle bowl with your preferred ingredients.

Thank you for the feedback. I will try to post on TripAdvisor as well. We figure worst case we will see what is offered once we get off the ship but I am more of a planner >.<

Our NCL cruise at the beginning of August had a major itinerary change so St. Thomas is probably the only port we will do a ship sponsored excursion if there is one worth it. We found one that peaked our interest, but the reviews are from 2014-2015 and googling the name hasn't helped much. Anyone who has been there more recently have any insight? Not opposed to going private but was trying to take advantage of their $50 off excursions in at least one port. The name of the excursion on NCL is "PowerCat Snorkel & Beach" and goes to Honeymoon beach which was appealing to us based on reviews we have read here. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. We are traveling with a 7 year old who only has experience snorkeling in a pool at the moment so that is our one limitation.