The A, B, Seas Of Norwegian Cruise Lines
A cruise expert and her family sailed with NCL to learn more about this "freestyle" cruise line's family programs.
Norwegian Cruise Line proves it is not always "hardware" that makes a trip memorable for families. We sailed to Alaska on the Norwegian Wind [editors note: this ship has been retired] and our daughter did not seem to notice the tiny youth room because she was having so much fun with the warm youth counselors, other kids and engaging activities.
Norwegian Cruise Line is one of the few lines, along with Carnival, that allows pre-schoolers as young as 2-years-old to participate in its youth programs. NCL youth counselors will not change diapers, but they do give parents a beeper to alert them when they need to come change their babies. At Camp Carnival your kids do not have to be potty-trained in order to participate in these youth programs, although you do have to supply diapers and toiletries to the youth counselors.
The Norwegian youth program operates with four age groups, "Juniors" for ages 2-5-years old, "First Mates" for ages 6-9-years-old, "Navigators" for 10-12-year-olds, and "Teen" for 13-17 year-olds, on the first evening of every cruise, at sea, and on port days. The 6 to 12-year-olds consolidate during the off-season when fewer children are sailing, and are divided for age-appropriate activities.
Kids enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor games; added perks include a T-shirt for decorating and a chef's hat for creative cooking class.
The 2,224-passenger Norwegian Dawn debuted in December 2002 with many family-friendly facilities. Like its sister ship, the Norwegian Star, she boasts a very large 5,834-square-foot themed activity area.
The T-Rex Kids' Center on the Norwegian Dawn features a playroom with games and large soft toys, a ball pit filled with hundreds of multi-colored balls, and a jungle gym with slides and tunnels. Additionally, the children's room includes a cinema room, a separate nursery and sleep area for the toddlers and pre-schoolers, arts and crafts area, and computer terminals. Located directly underneath the center is the T-Rex pool, which features a dinosaur themed pool, water slides, wading pool, kids' Jacuzzi, and playground equipment. The ship also features a Kids' Café, which is a kid-sized food area including children's favorites such as hot dogs and hamburgers and they even serve veggies to make sure the kids get some healthy foods in their bellies as well.
The Teen Club is an exclusive teen hangout decorated like a 1950's diner and also doubles as a teen disco. Video Zone with its many arcade games is a teen favorite too.
The line's new itineraries in the Hawai'ian islands have proved very popular with families, too, and these ships offer even more facilities for young sailors, including family penthouses and villas. Designed in an Americana theme to celebrate the first U.S. flagged cruise ship in over 50 years, this ship is filled with patriotic fun.
SMOOTH SAILING: Due to the smaller youth rooms on most NCL ships, the program is very activity-oriented. Alexandra still talks about the pajama party, a game called "Moose on the Loose" with an Alaska theme and the Family Olympics.
Another highlight was the park ranger at Glacier Bay, who really brought the surrounding beauty to life for Alexandra. Since the ships are mid-sized, the number of children aboard is not overwhelming. There is no private babysitting, but late night group babysitting is an option. Our cabin had a privacy curtain so that Alexandra had her own little corner, and we could read in bed once she had gone to sleep.
Also NCL's "Freestyle Cruising" allows you to dress how you want, eat where you want and do exactly what you want, making it a most memorable vacation.
ROUGH SEAS: However, food is not NCL's strongest point -- it is good but not gourmet. We hear the line is committed to changing this so that the many new restaurants offering freestyle dining choices, some of which warrant a premium fee, are truly a worthwhile "night out."
Overall, though NCL caters to a mass market audience, their world-wide itineraries, such as their European and South American cruises, draw a more world-wise clientele.
