Splash Academy Capacity Question - Summer Travel Volume

[richg35]

We are sailing 8/9 on the Breakaway. Did the same cruise last year, but without the kids, so pretty familiar with all aspects of the ship.

 

Just got this message from NCL:

 

Norwegian Cruise Line is informing you that sailings across the Norwegian fleet throughout July, August, and September are expecting a high volume of children and teenagers under the age of 18.

All parents are encouraged to register for the Splash Academy and Entourage programs as soon as they board the ship.

 

Is this something they typically do every year when summer break is on?

 

We've dealt with the kids programs on Disney and Carnival during summer trips, and never had any major issues. I'd be surprised if NCL has a higher number of kids than the other cruise lines do during the summer, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

Has anyone ever had problems with Splash Academy being full? If so, what time is the typical rush? We're pretty early risers, so I don't expect any problems, but I'm just curious about what others have experienced.

[jackndiane]

I am cruising 8/1 on the Gem with 3 other families...all have kids under 10. No emails received but we were wondering the same thing because I had heard about there being a cap placed on the amount of kids allowed in to the kids clubs.

[NLH Arizona]

There was a thread about this, but don't know where it is.

 

If I remember correctly, some suggested that you get there 30 minutes prior to it opening and that there will be a line. A few reported that they were turned away. Sorry I don't remember more.

 

Found the thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213057

Edited July 15, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[richg35]

No worries - appreciate the response. I will see if I can track down the other thread.

[NLH Arizona]

No worries - appreciate the response. I will see if I can track down the other thread.

If you look, I found it and attached it for you; it is in red. Edited July 15, 2015 by NLH Arizona

[cadien]

I replied to that thread but on page 5, so I'll recap. We were on a K-12 spring break cruise this year with just over 1,000 kids, including our own. The Splash Academy did have to turn kids away daily, particularly in the 6-9 year old group. And the lines did start 30 minutes before opening, three times a day.

[goin'toalaska]

I would love to hear from others that have been on cruises this summer, or updates from those of you that are going in the next few weeks.

I can pretty much guarantee that, if I have to stand in line with my kids for 30 minutes before camp opens 2 or 3 times a day, I will never cruise NCL again. That is not a vacation to me.

[snorkelmom19]

I'm on the Breakaway leaving this weekend--will let you know what my experiences are when I get home.

[CruzinMagusMo]

I got that email as well and I am cruising on the Gem in August. I will let you know how it goes.

[sljordan1]

We were on the Getaway in June and we received a letter the first day of the cruise stating this. They moved all the 10-12 year olds out of the splash academy and they met each day in the Bliss lounge next to the casino.

 

I was concerned but it was not a problem. There were loads of kids on the cruise and we never waited in line longer than a couple of minutes to check the kids in or out.

 

I think the bigger boats can handle the additional kids and adapt accordingly.

 

I wouldn't be concerned as it was not an issue for us. I have a 3 yr old & 11 yr old. We only used Splash academy on an evening but I didn't hear of any problems during the cruise at any other times.

[chapchap]

So, we're new to NCL...am I to understand that we sign up our kids daily to use the program? We can't sign up prior to a cruise?

[14ersco]

So, we're new to NCL...am I to understand that we sign up our kids daily to use the program? We can't sign up prior to a cruise?

 

On NCL you register your kids for camp starting sometime in the afternoon of your boarding (check the daily for open hours); there is no pre-cruise registration. Each day when your kid wants to go to camp you go there to sign them in just like the other cruise lines. What has been reported on CC is that NCL is now limiting how many kids can get in to camp at anyone time, even if you have your kid registered. It was not like this in the past prior to the current NCL bosses.:mad:

[cadien]

I can't believe they never limited kids in the past. Some of those rooms are tiny.