Norwegian Cruise Line has launched two youth and teen programs, Splash Academy and Entourage, which debuted in February on the Norwegian Gem and will join the rest of fleet by August of 2012.
NCL was the first line to offer on-board programs for kids, and its signature freestyle cruising has made it an attractive option for families, earning “Best Overall Cruise” in 2010 by Travel Weekly readers. The cruise line is still striving to make their already family-friendly experience even more appealing by introducing new youth programs and better facilities for passengers big and small.
Norwegian Cruise Line's New Splash & Entourage Programs
The program has expanded to five age groups, each with their own facilities and age-appropriate interactive activities. Splash Academy is the newly designed program for passengers ages 6 months to 12 years, divided into separate groups with tailored programs:
- Guppies 6 months- 2 years
- Turtles 3 -5 years
- Seals 6-9 years
- Dolphins 10-12 years
Youngsters can enjoy an array of themed athletic and creative programs designed to help develop confidence and team-building skills, including soccer, puppet shows, and even improvisational acting classes. The well trained youth counselors have degrees in childcare and sports education, so parents can be confident their children are in goods hands.
Entourage is the new teen program for passengers ages 13-17 years which also features its own set of activities and sports. In the spirit of NCL's freestyle cruising experience, the program provides flexibility, whether it's playing the latest video games on the two-story Wii console, entering a bowling tournament, or hanging out at the exclusive teen-only night club.
Both Splash Academy and Entourage are currently available on Norwegian Gem, and are set to make their way to all other ships by 2013.
New And Exciting Additions in 2013 to Launch on Breakaway
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
Check out NCL's video showcasing what's in store for Breakaway:
Fun Activities for Adults on NCL
While the kids are busy enjoying new activities and programming with Splash and Entourage, adults can take the opportunity to explore their own activities.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers complimentary freestyle dining packages to all of its passengers, and dining upgrades are available for those who want to enjoy a special date night. The upcharge is a reasonable $10-30 per person and offers a choice of Brazilian, Steakhouse, Italian, and French cuisine at different venues.
After dinner, grown-ups can pass the time by enjoying the award-winning Casinos at Sea, pub crawls and wine tastings, spa services, or an evening show.
Programs For the Entire Family on NCL's Fleet
Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruiseline of Legends in Concert, Second City Comedy Troupe, and Nickelodeon, offering performances and shows the entire family can enjoy. Being the first cruise line to bring the circus on board, NCL showcases entertainment by Cirque du Jour. Familys can participate in the interactive "Family Circus" or sit back and enjoy the Cirque Dreams and Dinner show put on by the professionals.
For day time fun or those long days at sea, parents and kids can work together on creative projects like cupcake decorating or pizza making, or join in on a game of dodge-ball or tug-of-war.
For booking and trip planning, see Norwegian Cruise Line.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
