Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Cruise Line has begun issuing letters to spring break cruisers with conduct reminders.
- The letters cover policies on drinking and casino ages, stateroom occupancy, and onboard behavior.
- The policies are not new, but serve as reminders during a busy and often rowdy time for cruising.
With the hectic spring break season just getting underway, Norwegian Cruise Line is issuing reminders to embarking guests about stateroom occupancy, drinking ages, and casino participation, as well as general onboard behavior.
Guests boarding Norwegian Joy have received such a letter, and while it’s not dated to a specific sailing, it’s likely that similar letters will be issued throughout the fleet during the next few weeks. The spring break period, generally in March and April, is often seen as both a busier time to sail as well as one that may be rowdier with more outrageous behavior.
“We’re so glad you’ve chosen to spend your spring break with us. This voyage is all about sun soaked days, easy nights, and making the most of every moment at sea,” the letter begins. “To help keep the experience smooth, safe, and enjoyable for everyone on board, here are a few helpful reminders as you settle in.”
Up first is the note that every stateroom must have at least one guest age 21 or older. This means that two teens or even two 20-year-olds cannot room together with an older adult in the same stateroom.
College groups traveling together will want to be aware of the age policy and plan who is in which stateroom accordingly.
The letter also covers the legal drinking age, including how guests 18-20 years old can still get beer and wine with the appropriate parental consent. Parental consent forms can be completed at the Guest Services desk.
Casino gaming ages and onboard conduct, such as noisy hallways, running in public areas, jumping and diving into pools, and the ever-infamous deck chair saving (aka “chair hogs”) are other policies covered in the letter.
The letter concludes with a gentle reminder to “dress comfortably and appropriately” for the various dining rooms and specialty restaurants onboard. Cruise Hive has recently reported on several updates Norwegian Cruise Line has made to the dress code for different restaurants in an effort to preserve the desired atmosphere.
But what do these reminders really mean for guests onboard Norwegian Joy and other NCL ships? Because the cruise line is highlighting these policies at embarkation, it is likely that crew members and onboard security may be watching more closely for violations to ensure a safe, smooth cruise for everyone aboard.
Read Also: Should You Avoid Going on a Spring Break Cruise?
Interestingly, the letter does not mention prohibited items of any kind. Guests should always review their cruise line’s policies to be sure they aren’t packing something that might be confiscated or even cause bigger problems.
Norwegian Joy is currently homeported from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Caribbean sailings (the perfect spring break cruise length!). In mid-April, the ship will move to Miami for three short sailings before repositioning to Seattle for the Alaska season.
The 167,725-gross-ton, Breakaway-Plus Class ship can welcome 3,883 guests aboard and is also home to roughly 1,800 international crew members.
Are These Rules New for Spring Break?
It should be noted that none of the guidelines highlighted to guests in these welcome letters are special restrictions for spring break sailings.
In fact, these are all standard policies for Norwegian Cruise Line and can be readily found on the cruise line’s website or in the official guest ticket contract, which all travelers agree to when booking their cruise.
Special attention is simply being drawn to the most commonly asked questions, such as drinking age or casino gambling age, for the spring break season, as well as ensuring that everyone is aware of conduct policies onboard.
Cruise Hive has regularly reported on unpleasant incidents onboard cruise ships or even in cruise terminals, including individual fights and all-out brawls, none of which are tolerated at any time of year.
As spring break season heats up, it is likely that other cruise lines will take similar steps to ensure good behavior and comfortable sailing onboard for all guests, whether by issuing letters, intercom announcements, pre-cruise emails, or other reminders.
