Petition NCL (2 year olds in Kids club)

[Keeper420]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

[Karysa]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

 

Most 3 year olds are day time potty trained. This may be the rationale to their thinking.

[Keeper420]

Most 3 year olds are day time potty trained. This may be the rationale to their thinking.

 

understood, but they already have the measure in place (beepers) for this. Plus the other cruise lines start at 2. doesnt this hurt, not help their company?

[Beaver1975]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

 

Then why bring the little darlings along if you feel the need to ditch them? :confused:

 

John

[Beaver1975]

understood, but they already have the measure in place (beepers) for this. Plus the other cruise lines start at 2. doesnt this hurt, not help their company?

 

I am sure they have thought this through and have determined that this works for them. So, many people here think they know better how to run NCL. If so, why not start a competing company and show them how your ideas are so much better?

 

John

[Got Tequila?]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

 

My baby is now 23 years old, but I just happened to be looking at the new kids program and they have a guppie group....I know nothing about it personally, but at least they offer something for this age group.

 

SPLASH ACADEMY FOR KIDS

 

Splash Academy is here and making a big, well, splash. Our new program is specifically designed to engage active and creative kids ages 6 months – 12 years old. Whether it’s learning to juggle at circus school with Cirque du Jour presented by Hilario Productions, working on arts & crafts projects or getting the high score on Wii™, there’s plenty of fun for everyone throughout the ship.

Age Groups

Guppies: 6 mo. - 2 yrs.

Turtles: 3 - 5 yrs.

Seals: 6 - 9 yrs.

Dolphins: 10 - 12 yrs.

[Keeper420]

My baby is now 23 years old, but I just happened to be looking at the new kids program and they have a guppie group....I know nothing about it, but assumed it would be similar to the drop off for kids club. ???

 

SPLASH ACADEMY FOR KIDS

 

Splash Academy is here and making a big, well, splash. Our new program is specifically designed to engage active and creative kids ages 6 months – 12 years old. Whether it’s learning to juggle at circus school with Cirque du Jour presented by Hilario Productions, working on arts & crafts projects or getting the high score on Wii™, there’s plenty of fun for everyone throughout the ship.

Age Groups

Guppies: 6 mo. - 2 yrs.

Turtles: 3 - 5 yrs.

Seals: 6 - 9 yrs.

Dolphins: 10 - 12 yrs.

 

the guppies group is where you would stay and play with your kids. I do this everyday anyway.

[Keeper420]

I am sure they have thought this through and have determined that this works for them. So, many people here think they know better how to run NCL. If so, why not start a competing company and show them how your ideas are so much better?

 

John

 

my reason for concern is that they are moving backward instead of forward. We took our 2 year old on the epic a couple of years ago and he had fun in the kids club, although we only put him in their a couple of times for an hour or two. Also, I don't ditch my kids. But say my wife and I want to do a couples massage, are we supposed to take our 2 year old with us?

[Keeper420]

I was only trying to get an overall feeling if people were upset over this. My son had fun when he was 2 in the kids club on the EPIC. he was looking forward to playing with his younger brother (2 years 11 months) In the kids club when we go on the Breakaway next year.

[Julienatul]

I agree to compete with the other lines (Disney, RCCL and even Carnival) they should offer some sort of nursery or babysitting service.

[slidergirl]

Just a thought: Perhaps there have been enough inconsiderate parents out there who have been ignoring the buzzer and not coming back to the kids center fast enough (or at all) to change their kids' diapers. It only takes a few to mess it up for the rest...

[Karysa]

understood, but they already have the measure in place (beepers) for this. Plus the other cruise lines start at 2. doesnt this hurt, not help their company?

 

Maybe, maybe not. You could look at it from both sides. It may keep families with very young children away but it may attract others who prefer it that way.

 

I am sure they thought this out prior to implementing it.

[meggie711]

Just a thought: Perhaps there have been enough inconsiderate parents out there who have been ignoring the buzzer and not coming back to the kids center fast enough (or at all) to change their kids' diapers. It only takes a few to mess it up for the rest...

 

I was thinking the same. The decision was obviously made for a reason. Working the nursery at my church, I saw enough parents who make the task maddening. I've called parents to come get their child because they threw up all over their clothes, and the parent doesn't understand why the child can't stay and play minus any clothes, only staying in a diaper. That's just one of many examples of some parents who don't always focus on what's best for the child & childcare staff, and focus more on their own enjoyment.

[willysgrandma]

I think their reasoning is three year olds have a bit more in common in a group with up to five year olds than a 2 year old would. They speak well and are pretty much potty trained.

 

2 year olds need as much supervision as an infant and their likes are more tuned to what they would do with a younger group.

 

You are wrestling with what many other parents have had to wrestle with all along - your kids being in two different groups because of their ages. Thousands of other parents have had to deal with this too, so it is nothing unusual.

[Got Tequila?]

Just a thought: Perhaps there have been enough inconsiderate parents out there who have been ignoring the buzzer and not coming back to the kids center fast enough (or at all) to change their kids' diapers. It only takes a few to mess it up for the rest...

 

That could very well be one of the deciding factors. I know of parents who have left their 2 year old, not potty trained, child in the kids club while they both went off on a shore excursion. They didn't know what would happen if the buzzer went off since they left it in their cabin, they didn't want to get caught coming back on the ship with it. Their rationing was that it was only a short 2 hour excursion, a lot can happen in 2 hours...:eek:

[dwjoe]

I am sure they have thought this through and have determined that this works for them. So, many people here think they know better how to run NCL. If so, why not start a competing company and show them how your ideas are so much better?

There's nothing wrong with a cruiser letting NCL know that the loss of supervised activities for 2 year olds is disappointing to them and may lead to them choosing other lines.

 

I gather you think NCL made the right decision. Fine, but your sarcasm about starting another cruise line if you don't like it, is out of place.

[Keeper420]

There's nothing wrong with a cruiser letting NCL know that the loss of supervised activities for 2 year olds is disappointing to them and may lead to them choosing other lines.

 

I gather you think NCL made the right decision. Fine, but your sarcasm about starting another cruise line if you don't like it, is out of place.

 

Thank you! All I wanted to know is if others agreed with me and am considering letting NCL corporate know that I am disappointed and would like them to reconsider, since this hasn't been implemented yet.

[Beaver1975]

I gather you think NCL made the right decision. Fine, but your sarcasm about starting another cruise line if you don't like it, is out of place.

 

I am sorry if you think it out of place, I don't.

 

I don't see it as sarcasm at all. If people constantly come on here and berate NCL for their business decisions and do not offer an alternative then they are not helping the situation at all. I believe some would call it bitching? This me-me entitlement mentality is getting quite boring.

 

John

[ColinIllinois]

I am sorry if you think it out of place, I don't.

 

I don't see it as sarcasm at all. If people constantly come on here and berate NCL for their business decisions and do not offer an alternative then they are not helping the situation at all. I believe some would call it bitching? This me-me entitlement mentality is getting quite boring.

 

John

 

 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion but if I may suggest there is a way to convey that without sounding snarky.

[Keeper420]

I am sorry if you think it out of place, I don't.

 

I don't see it as sarcasm at all. If people constantly come on here and berate NCL for their business decisions and do not offer an alternative then they are not helping the situation at all. I believe some would call it bitching? This me-me entitlement mentality is getting quite boring.

 

John

 

Not to get into a debate, but didn't I offer an alternative (like time limits for non-potty trained kids)? I was not, in any way, berating NCL, but I think as consumers we have a right to say what we like and don't like. NCL, as a company, should listen to its consumers and base its decisions on what consumers wants (within reason). Perhaps they thought changing the kids club from 2-5 to 3-5 wasn't a big deal, and then they start hearing that it is, perhaps they will rethink. Or maybe, even with critisicm it works better for NCL. But at least those who disagree have been heard. Maybe I am the only one who cares. I was just trying to guage reaction. We are still going to take our trip.

[gatime]

I would never leave my young child with a stranger, have you seen the news. To many psycho people out there. Trust no one!

[A1SusieQ]

I understand how you feel even though my children are 8 and 11 now. We have cruised with the kids when they were 2 and always tried to drop them at the camp. They never wanted to go until they were around 4 or 5 years old.

 

If they had been able to go to the camp, I am sure my husband and I would have been able to do things as a couple. As it was in the past, we did most of the activities as a tag-team except for dinner and excursions.

 

We never went to Le Bistro or Cagneys for dinner when the kids were little because I would not want to risk an outburst. So they did lose out on some money there. We didn't spend nearly the amount of money or time in the casino as we do now, because we were always so tired. :rolleyes:

 

I know how difficult it can be to not have any breathing space because you are even sleeping in the same room with the television tuned into the same cartoons.

 

But, there is light on the horizon.. At my girls ages now, they LOVE specialty dining, never distrupt anyone else's meal, look forward to the shows and choose to go to the camp when there is nothing better that interests them.

 

 

So, I will sign your petition and see you (hopefully smiling and childless) in Le Bistro

[palmyrafan]

I have heard that beginning in 2013 the Kids club will move from starting from 2-5 to 3-5 for the young children. I was wondering if people would be interested in petitioning NCL to keep it at 2-5. I think this is very important for a couple of reasons:

 

1) NCL is now charging for infants, so the earlier that they can be kept in the kids club, the better

2) Those with young children, 2 years old is around the time when you start taking vacations with your kids (at least in my experience).

3) Those with 2 young children where one is eligible (over 3) for the kids club and the other isn't (under 3), will be a big deal for splitting the children up.

 

I am obviously not advocating just keeping your small children in the kids club the whole trip, however, parents need a vacation too and the children tend to enjoy the kids club immensely. So its seems like a win-win for an hour or two. Maybe even having a time limit for the little ones to be dropped off would be a good idea.

Just want to see what the consensus of the Cruise Critic members is.

 

Thanks in advance for your input. :)

 

I love little children, DH and I have 6 grandchildren. :D:) But we are against this and here is why: we have watched our kids trying to potty-train the gkids at the age of 2 and it wasn't pretty. There were still many accidents and extra clothes to keep on hand.

 

Can you imagine how many 2 year olds there could be in the kids club who would still be wearing diapers and who would need their diapers changed? Is the staff just supposed to change them or put out an announcement to the parents to come tend their little ones and hope the parents show up or come grumbling back to the club with "don't you know what I was doing?

 

I can't see either one happening. Our (2) 3 year old grandkids still have an occasional accident, but not anywhere near what a 2 year old does. And for any naysayers that would say their kids are all potty trained by 1 1/2 -2, that is usually the exception, not the norm.

 

Just my humble opinion :rolleyes:

[mjkacmom]

I would never leave my young child with a stranger, have you seen the news. To many psycho people out there. Trust no one!

 

Absolutely! All of those stories about child abuse in group daycare, especially in vacation settings! Let me post some links:

[mjkacmom]

Can you imagine how many 2 year olds there could be in the kids club who would still be wearing diapers and who would need their diapers changed? Is the staff just supposed to change them or put out an announcement to the parents to come tend their little ones and hope the parents show up or come grumbling back to the club with "don't you know what I was doing?

:rolleyes:

 

My kids were all pt'd before 3 (all 5 of them), but that's not going to be my point. I think the issue is, up until 2013, non-potty trained toddlers were more than welcome in the kids program on NCL, over the age of 2. The parents were given beepers, and informed they'd be notified if their child needed a change. People seem to be asking for NCL NOT to change their current policy, not implement a new one.