Norwegian Launches New “Guppies” Program for Children Under Three

Children and teens have always given Norwegian Cruise Line’s youth programs and facilities high marks and now the line has gone a step further by introducing a brand new “Guppies” program to Splash Academy. The expanded children’s program offers interactive programming for kids’ ages six months to three years old and gives parents with children under the age of three the opportunity to engage in a variety of sensory-based programs with them, including baby art, featuring organic, vegetable-based “Wee Can Too” art products, baby “Rhyme Time,” where a storyteller recites popular nursery rhymes featuring puppets, and “Motion in the Ocean,” a parent and baby mini-workout.

Norwegian Cruise Line is also celebrating the successful fleet-wide implementation of its enhanced Youth and Teen programs, Splash Academy and Entourage. The new programs, announced in February of 2012, have received enthusiastically positive reviews from parents and kids, and have made a dramatic impact on the overall family cruise experience. With the new programs, kids and teens have the chance to participate in a variety of innovative events and activities throughout their cruise, specially tailored to their individual age groups. Both Splash Academy and Entourage feature a different theme each day, such as “Rumble in the Jungle,” and “Under the Big Top,” offering new surprises every time the children return to the program.

Kids of all age groups love participating in the sporting activities that were developed through the partnership with The King’s Foundation and Camps, a United Kingdom-based organization. The sports component of the youth programs offers high quality sports activities designed to make a positive impact on the children. Examples include soccer skills; physical challenges; and icebreaker action games. Bowling tournaments, soccer challenges and “dodge ball under the stars” are just a few of the active offerings for teens. The new program also offers the family a chance to play along in a variety of sporting activities including dodge ball, tug-of-war and other exciting family challenges.

One of the most popular aspects of the new program is the circus workshop, developed through the partnership with Hilario Productions’ Cirque du Jour, which offers fun circus activities for the whole family. Through the program, children have the rare opportunity to learn a variety of unique skills such as balancing feathers, juggling, plate spinning and even stilt walking. Classes take place within the youth program, but a family circus school performed in a circus ring, hosted by the Cruise Director, who acts as ringmaster, is also offered.

Parents also enjoy participating in activities and events with their children, including cupcake decorating; pizza making; family game shows; family charades; Family Deck Party; and a special Family White Hot Party. Additional information about Norwegian’s family offerings can be found at NCL.com/family.

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