New Kids Program - Camp Discovery

[Coral]

http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/kids-and-teens/

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned earlier but it appears the kids program is getting redone.

 

The Youth & Teen Center design revitalizations are now available on board Grand Princess, and will debut on board Caribbean Princess (Mar 2017), Regal Princess (Apr 2017), Sea Princess (Oct 2017), Island Princess (Nov 2017), Crown Princess (Mar 2018), Golden Princess (Mar 2018), Sapphire Princess (Mar 2018), Sun Princess (May 2018) and Ruby Princess (Dec 2018), plus Star Princess, Coral Princess, Emerald Princess and Royal Princess shortly thereafter. Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Edited January 3, 2017 by Coral

[shredie]

http://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/kids-and-teens/

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned earlier but it appears the kids program is getting redone.

 

I wonder if this means they will be offering upcharge items and activities to tempt the kids. I think I already know the answer.

[jennybenny]

We were just on the Grand and the kids (8 and 13) didn't even want to go to the kids club.

I probably could have enticed them with "something new-go check it out" but I didn't even think to mention it. Hopefully people will comment on it and see if the kids will want to participate next cruise. I knew that had just done that during dry dock....

[easyboy]

This is a welcome development for us who cruise with kids. Hope too there won't be any upcharge.

[mariakitty]

I signed up both of our boys to the kids club last week, but they went up one time and never returned. An overhaul is overdue, though if it has a surcharge we won't bother. One of the big issues is that our boys are 12 and 13. Princess wouldn't let the 12yo join the teen club and the 13yo didn't want to hang out with toddlers in Shockwaves so it wasn't a good fit. Instead they drank mocktails, occupied Explorers and Wheelhouse where there were outlets for their laptops and swam in the pool.

[Colo Cruiser]

I signed up both of our boys to the kids club last week, but they went up one time and never returned. An overhaul is overdue, though if it has a surcharge we won't bother. One of the big issues is that our boys are 12 and 13. Princess wouldn't let the 12yo join the teen club and the 13yo didn't want to hang out with toddlers in Shockwaves so it wasn't a good fit. Instead they drank mocktails, occupied Explorers and Wheelhouse where there were outlets for their laptops and swam in the pool.

 

 

This has been the rule for a long time and they are strict about it.

[shredie]

This has been the rule for a long time and they are strict about it.

 

An "overhaul" won't change that rule.

[john watson]

Looks to be an updated concept and more in tune with modern children and teenagers. Just wonder why they picked the double entendre, Camp Discovery title.

 

Regards John

[shredie]

Looks to be an updated concept and more in tune with modern children and teenagers. Just wonder why they picked the double entendre, Camp Discovery title.

 

Regards John

 

It's a partnership with Discovery TV. That's one reason I'm worried about possible upcharges.

[Cruisin' Chick]

This has been the rule for a long time and they are strict about it.

 

for good reason. How many teens will want younger kids in their group? and how many parents will insist to the staff that their kids are "mature for their age"?

 

When my daughter was in Pirateers (which was renamed Shockwaves), she enjoyed the science-oriented activities. as a teen, she thought the organized activities in Remix were "lame," but she was that age.:rolleyes: She met some other girls her age on the first night when she was 13 and they hanged out together. Two years later on her next cruise, one of those girls was also on the same cruise so they joined up with a third girl and three guys their age.

[sherryf]

I signed up both of our boys to the kids club last week, but they went up one time and never returned. An overhaul is overdue, though if it has a surcharge we won't bother. One of the big issues is that our boys are 12 and 13. Princess wouldn't let the 12yo join the teen club and the 13yo didn't want to hang out with toddlers in Shockwaves so it wasn't a good fit. Instead they drank mocktails, occupied Explorers and Wheelhouse where there were outlets for their laptops and swam in the pool.

 

There aren't any toddlers in Shockwaves! :rolleyes:

[shredie]

There aren't any toddlers in Shockwaves! :rolleyes:

 

Maybe that's why the boy was unhappy, sent to the wrong room.

[silverwillow]

We disembarked from the Sun Princess this morning and will be mentioning in the survey that the kids club programs need an overhaul. I am sure for first time cruisers kids it is super fun and fantastic but my daughter went twice and only with some encouragement on the second visit. She said she didn't want to go anymore because she knows exactly what they do and has done everything.

 

I really hope they make some changes as she did not enjoy this cruise as much as our others.

[caribill]

The news release (inclduing activities for each age group):

 

Princess Cruises Unveils New Look Child and Youth CentresPrincess Cruises has announced plans to expand its Discovery at Sea partnership with reimagined youth centres, including new experiences and centre designs to help young Princess explorers learn, play and create fun memorable memories while on a cruise holiday.

This multi-million investment is currently rolling out fleet-wide through 2017 as part of the cruise line's partnership with Discovery Consumer Products, with the program implementation taking place early this year and new centre designs planned for installation during scheduled ship renovations.

Catering to specific age groups, the new offering will feature three centres where kids and teens can make new friends and participate in a range of specially designed activities.

 

• Two Camp Discovery centres for cruisers ages 3-12, include:
  
  

 

• 
  
  • The Treehouse, ages 3-7(formerly Pelicans): A bright, whimsical forest and animal-themed centre including captivating creatures and hands-on activities for kids to focus on play time, creativity and the world around them.
    
    
  • The Lodge, ages 8-12(formerly Shockwaves): Inspired by the great outdoors, this cozy centre is filled with sports activities and fun places for kids to explore, hang out and lounge.
    
    

[*]The Beach House, for ages 13-17 (formerly Remix) offers a contemporary surf-themed lounge, featuring a cool place for teens to hang out and socialise.

New child and teen centre programming also includes MythBusters science activities with three hands-on challenges, featuring the show's star, Tory Belleci.

In addition, new Camp Discovery destination-themed programs focusing on the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe will immerse young cruisers into the culture, nature and customs of these regions.

Sea Princess will be the first ship in Princess Cruises' Australasia-based fleet to offer the new centres to young cruisers and teens from October 2017. Sun Princess will follow in May 2018.

Princess Cruises Vice President, Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the cruise line was recommitting to its youngest cruisers and their families as part of the Come Back New promise.

"Through the Discovery brands, we have enriching new content to add to our already popular youth offerings and we're excited to incorporate interactive and age-specific design elements to share with our younger cruisers to give them the ultimate onboard experience," Mr Allison said.

Discovery Communications Senior Vice President, North America Licensing and Global Location Based Entertainment Robert Marick said the new youth centres aboard Princess Cruises' ships were a true collaboration between Princess Cruises and Discovery Consumer Products.

"This was a great opportunity to expand our Discovery at Sea partnership to refresh the youth program by incorporating popular shows and immersive activities and designs from the popular Discovery brands," Mr Marick said.

In partnership with Discovery Consumer Products, Princess Cruises introduced Discovery at Sea in 2015 offering memorable holiday experiences for the whole family to enjoy including Shark Week and MythBusters. Interactive experiences are designed to bring to life the nature, wildlife and history of the regions in which guests are sailing. Guests let their imaginations set sail with a variety of activities including stargazing, exclusive Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions and onboard activities.

Key experiences in the new children's programming on offer in the Camp Discovery (ages 3-12) categories include:

Play – indoor and outdoor gaming, sports and physical activities:

 

• Shark Hunters: Investigate mysterious Caribbean sharks on an interactive scavenger hunt
  
• Alaskan Explorers: Hunt for clues to the connections between Alaska's animals and people
  
• Try your skills on PlayStation®, Nintendo Wii™, XBOX Kinect consoles, board games, air hockey and ping-pong
  
• Join dance classes and engage in friendly competitions
  
• Enjoy sports including basketball, mini golf, yoga and miniature Olympics
  
  Discover – places, animals and hands-on experiments:
  

 

• MythBusters Science Activities: Try three hands-on challenges, featuring Tori Belleci from the show
  
• Survive Alaska: Invent tools to survive the harsh environment of The Great Land
  
• Animal Planet uncovers ferocious secrets in Shark Attack, and learn squid anatomy in Just Squiddin' Around
  
• Learn the science of magic or become an engineer for a day with programs from the California Science Center, home of the Endeavour space shuttle
  
• Inspire a love of nature from the regions we sail with Animal Planet Endangered Species activities and our Glacier Bay Jr. Ranger program
  
  Huddle – fun interactions with peers:
  

 

• Extreme Sea Carnival: Caribbean music, dance, trivia and crafts light up the night for the whole family
  
• Wild Alaska Festival: Celebrate Alaskan nature at this family theme night
  
• Discovery at Sea™ theme days with activities inspired by Shark Week and Animal Planet
  
• Talent shows showcase singing, dancing, musical skills and jokes
  
• Theme nights: Include Pirate Night, with eye patch making, tattoos and a treasure hunt; Mexican Fiesta with music, Spanish lessons, traditional dances and costume making; Challenge Night with puzzle, riddle and physical challenges
  
  Create – arts, crafts, science exploration:
  

 

• Make Animal Planet puppets, masks and paintings inspired by regional wildlife
  
• Create a solar system or build a "stomp rocket," inspired by Science Channel
  
• The Greatest Catch: Design your own invention to help you explore the ocean
  
• Compete: Join the Klutz® paper airplane challenge or Lego® boat-building contest
  
• JrChef@Sea: Learn cake decorating and enjoy the results with your family
  
• Klutz art projects: Craft bracelets, velvet art, jewelry and more
  
  Meanwhile, activities for teens at The Beach House (ages 13-17) include:
  

 

• Rock the Boat Party: It's the occasion to dress up, stroll down the red carpet and flash your VIP badge, then enjoy an evening of mocktails, awards and celebrating with friends
  
• Movies: Get your scream on at Scary Movie Night or catch some recent hits at Late Night Movies.
  
• Teen makeovers and glitter tattoos
  
• Dance Classes: Perfect your moves with guidance from one of our crew dancers, then show what you've got at dance competitions and parties
  
• Competitions: Give your skills a workout in our video game tournaments. Or play to win in air hockey, foosball and ping pong tables
  

[san diego sue]

My 4 teen grand kids had a lot of fun on the Ruby Princess Holiday cruise. Three of them were 16 and one 13. The 16 year olds hung together and had a small group of others join them.

The 13 yr old found kids her age and had a really good time.

We hardly saw the kids.We all ate dinner together but most days

they left before dessert and headed up to the Youth center.

I went up to the lounge a few times and it was always packed with kids.