Features and Activities

Every minute that children spend in the youth programs on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship is carefully supervised by a staff of youth counselors from leading universities and organizations. Prior to coming aboard, they attend a special training course on team-building, communication skills, safety, and working with children who have special needs. Consequently, they have developed a fantastic array of activities for kids.

These include circuses, crafts, parades, sports, games, stories, and parties. Moreover, there are campouts with flashlights and tents, along with cooking classes where children can create fun-shaped pizzas or pancakes. Other activities consist of T-shirt painting, face painting, and poolside root beer floats, along with treasure hunts and sandcastle competitions ashore.

Notably, there are shore excursions designed specifically for families. The regularly scheduled daytime programs in Splash Academy and Entourage are complimentary for children and teens, providing an enriching experience.

However, there is a Port Day Meal Fee for the supervision of children during meal times. Depending on the ship’s arrival into port, Port Day Meals may include a combination of breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.

The Late Night Fun Zone is a group-sitting, drop-off, fee-based service for children aged 3 to 12 years. Run by the Youth Staff inside Splash Academy, Late Night programming extends the daily themes. The operating hours are nightly from 10:30 pm to 1:30 am, with fees calculated on a per child/per hour basis.

Complimentary Youth Programs Package

Alongside regularly scheduled hours on sea days, the Norwegian Cruise Line’s program is available on some evenings and port days. Parents should check the youth activity schedules for their specific cruise to know the dates and times. Detailed activity schedules are provided on embarkation day, showcasing activities within the Guppies Programs (Hosted Activities/Open Play), Guppies Nursery (Escape), Splash Academy, and Entourage for each age group.

Kids are divided into three main groups: Guppies (6 months to 3 years), Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12 years), and Entourage (ages 13 to 17). Splash Academy includes three distinct age groups: Turtles (3-5), Seals (6-9), and Dolphins (10-12).

• Guppies Programs (ages 6 months to 3 years) – This program allows parents to engage with their young children, fostering growth and development. The schedule may vary by ship and itinerary. Only the Norwegian Escape has a Guppies Nursery offering a drop-off program, while other ships provide activities and toys for young children with their parents.
• Turtles (ages 3-5) – Activities for Turtles include storytelling, T-shirt painting, arts and crafts, face painting, magic shows, and Circus at Sea. Both outdoor and indoor games ensure hours of endless fun.
• Seals (ages 6-9) – Onboard, Seals engage in wacky cooking classes, decorative T-shirt painting, sing-alongs, and poolside root beer float parties. The “Kid’s Crew” program also organizes on-shore activities like treasure hunts and sandcastle competitions, including Circus Skills and Show featuring scarf juggling, plate spinning, devil sticks, and rope spinning.
• Dolphins (ages 10-12) – Dolphins have the opportunity to test their skills at video games and embark on treasure hunts around the ship. Evening activities include pajama parties, movies, and camp-outs under the stars.
• Entourage (ages 13-17) – This group is entertained throughout the day and evening. Daytime activities feature pool parties, volleyball, basketball, and trivia contests, while evenings are filled with Broadway-style shows, themed parties, and line dancing events.

Note that program details and age groups are subject to change, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for all participants.