NCL's Children's Programs: Splash Academy and Entourage
By Alara Shannon, Marketing | January 01, 2013 ( Comments)
Norwegian Cruise Line is an extremely family friendly cruise line – their comprehensive youth program is one of the best at sea, and was recently expanded to provide activities for children under the age of two and a wider range of fun for tween and teen cruisers.
This complimentary onboard program is divided into two groups – Splash Academy designed for kids 6 months to 12 years old and Entourage for teens 13-17.
Splash Academy
Age Groups
Guppies: 6 mo. – 2 yrs.*
Turtles: 3 – 5 yrs.
Seals: 6 – 9 yrs.
Dolphins: 10 – 12 yrs.
**At least one parent must attend with the child
Splash Academy Hours of Operation
Embarkation Day: 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Port Days: Departure* from Port to 10:30 pm
Sea Days: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm
*Departure Time varies from ship to ship based on itinerary.
Splash Academy Activities
CIRQUE DU JOUR: Juggling. Spinning. Tumbling. Your kids will learn and perform all kinds of cool tricks in a family circus show presented by Hilario Productions.
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS: Supervised by kid-friendly youth counselors, these innovative arts and crafts programs are fun, educational and where your child’s imagination can run wild.
THE KIDS’ CENTER: Here, kids are the center of attention. With lots of activities, age appropriate Wii™ games and a surround sound cinema, your kids will never want to leave.
Port Play
Children 3-12 are eligible for Port Play, a free group-sitting service when the ship is in port. A minimal fee is charged only during meal times.
Port Play is run by the Youth Staff in the Splash Academy Facility.
Hours of Operation
Port Day: Arrival into Port – Departure from Port
Overnight In Port: Arrival in Port – 8 pm
Fees
$6.00 per child/per meal during scheduled meal time per the activity booklet.
The fee is charged to your on-board account. Parents are encouraged to sign up in advance.
Entourage
Age Groups
13-14 yr olds
15-17 yr olds
Entourage Activities
SPORTING ACTIVITIES: Basketball. Ultimate Frisbee. Rounders. Triangle Ball. Some of over 20 interactive sports around the ship that NCL developed with King’s Camps to encourage teamwork, bonding and confidence building.
THEMED EVENTS: Between watching scary movies for vampire night to singing your favorite pop songs while playing an air guitar to a nighttime pool party, there’s something exciting happening every night.
THE TEEN CENTER: Chill in the teen lounge with vending machines, flat-screen televisions, PlayStation® 3, air hockey, pinball and more. Then dance the night away to the beats of a video jukebox.
Late Night Fun Zone
If you would like to have a romantic dinner for two, or see a late-night comedy show, kids are able to hang at Late Night Fun Zone – open every night for a small fee. There is no in-room babysitting available.
Hours: 10:30pm – 1:30am. If no children are signed up or dropped off by 11:30pm, the center will close for the evening.
*Sign up: By 8pm the day before for either group sitting service.
TIPS: It is recommended that you register your child as soon as you board the ship in the Splash Academy facility. Any Youth Staff on board the ship can assist you.
Kids will find a slew of fun throughout the ship. They can twist their way down a waterslide in the Aqua Park, or splash in the Kids Aqua Park, and then head inside to play Wii on a two-story screen.
Or gather the whole family together for Family Fun Shipboard Challenges, Family Circus Show, Family Movie Night, Family Pizza Making, Family Scavenger Hunts, Family Building Block Hour, Game Show Challenges, and Family Poolside Challenges. In addition, look for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Nickelodeon™ activities on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Gem.
Two new ships are launching: in 2013 it’s Norwegian Breakaway, and for 2014 we can expect Norwegian Gateway. The newest additions and cruise line features include:
- Two dedicated decks for the Splash program
- New hassle-free check-in system where parents can simply swipe their key card and enter a password
- Customized, spacious areas for each age group, including kid-friendly furniture and interactive design elements
- New entertainment technology including video game stations and consoles, movie lounges, touch-screen jukeboxes, and video arcades
- Dedicated deck for Entourage teen program featuring night-club facility, gaming consoles, arcade center, lounges, and refreshment areas
- New two-story, five-slide waterpark
Good to Know:
- The Youth Staff of NCL are carefully selected and must have a university degree. All staff members are certified in CPR & First Aid.
- A one-time registration form is required to be completed by a parent or guardian for each child age 3-17 – children/teens can then participate as frequently as they choose – please note fees apply to Port Play (during meal times only) and Late Night Fun Zone. Norwegian requests that you please let the Youth Staff know if your child has allergies and/or is taking any medications by noting this on the Registration Form.
- A Family and Youth Welcome Social is offered on Embarkation Day. The Youth Program Manager will provide useful information in regards to on-board Family Activities, Youth Programs, Port Play and Late Night Fee Based Services, Shore Excursions, along with safety information, policies and procedures. Please refer to the Youth Program Activities Booklet for the time and location.
- Identification bracelets are issued to children ages 3-12 when signed into any of the youth programs. This bracelet is worn by the child while under the supervision of the Youth Staff. (Except on the Epic. A bracelet is issued to the child and worn for the entire cruise.)
- Once registered by a parent or guardian, only the four authorized adults 18 years of age or older may sign children ages 3-12* in and out of Splash Academy. The authorized adult, 18 years of age or older, must be listed with proper signature on the Registration Form. Please have your Key Card* (and Child’s Key Card if sailing on the Epic) ready for drop off and pick up. *In the event the key card is forgotten or lost, a Photo ID is necessary to pick up the child.
- *Kids 10-12 can be authorized by their parents to sign themselves in and out of program after 2 hours of active participation in the program. If authorization is not granted, only a designated adult 18 years of age or older may sign the 10-12 year old in and out of the program. A parent must sign in the child on the first visit. This authorization ends nightly at 10:30 pm and does not apply to Port Play or Late Night Fun Zone. Late Night fees will begin at 10:45 pm.
- If your child is in diapers, Norwegian Youth Staff are not able to change diapers or pull-ups. You will be given a beeper or handy phone so you can be alerted when a change is needed. Beepers and handy phones do not work ashore, so at least one parent will have to stay on board.
- Children must remain in their designated age group, no exceptions will be made. If your child is celebrating a birthday on the cruise that will move them into a higher age group, they will be able to participate in that age group from embarkation day. For example, a child turning six during the cruise is welcome to register for and participate in the 6-9 year old age group beginning embarkation evening.
- Although one-on-one care is not provided, Norwegian Youth Staff can adjust activities for those children that require special care. Advance notice is helpful to the onboard staff by contacting your travel agent.
