slgjhg Posted September 9, 2006 #1 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi All, Apparently, Celebrity will no longer be offering "Bridg Play and Instruction", on their cruises. Any comments or thoughts? I know many passangers who love their Bridge on sea days, what about you. One more way to not give the passengers something they really enjoy for free!!!! Regards, Shannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babylene Posted September 9, 2006 #2 Share Posted September 9, 2006 One of the reasons we began to cruise in the first place. Where did you hear of this? Our last cruise had 8 seadays and Bridge was what we did. Fortunately our next cruise has only 2 seadays out of 11. If this is true, I hope they reinstate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Sweet Posted September 9, 2006 #3 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi All, Apparently, Celebrity will no longer be offering "Bridg Play and Instruction", on their cruises. Any comments or thoughts? I know many passangers who love their Bridge on sea days, what about you. One more way to not give the passengers something they really enjoy for free!!!! Regards, Shannon This really surprises me, because on our last few Celebrity Cruises there was so many bridge players that some of us had to play in another room. Are you sure about this? If so, how did you hear about it? I will be very upset if they go though with this because I love Bridge and look forward to it on sea days. My husband and I have also found that we always meet the nicest people playing bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slgjhg Posted September 9, 2006 Author #4 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi guys, I am Shannon's husband and I an a Bridge Director for a number of companies, including Sixth Star Entertainment who provides Briddge Directors for a number of cruise lines, including Celebrity. Sixth Star was informed by Celebrity that with t he exception of Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Canal, and one other type of cruise, that they will not be offering organized Bridge. Several of my friends who teach and direct Bridge have had their cruises cancelled. We have cruised Celebrity and enjoyed our Bridge, so naturally we are very sad about this. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted September 9, 2006 #5 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I'm very disappointed to hear this. It's one of the things I really enjoy on sea days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C 2 C Posted September 9, 2006 #6 Share Posted September 9, 2006 First X cuts benefits of the Captain's Club, we hear rumors of the end of the dance-host program, now organized bridge will be cut back... Death by a thousand cuts..:( Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance won't come again And don't speak too soon For the wheel's still in spin And there's no tellin' who That it's namin'. For the loser now Will be later to win For the times they are a-changin'. Dylan would say: "I can't really say that adults don't understand young people any more than you can say big fishes don't understand little fishes. I didn't mean ['The Times They Are a-Changin'] as a statement... It's a feeling." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babylene Posted September 9, 2006 #7 Share Posted September 9, 2006 When we switched to cruising, we really liked it mainly because we stay out of the sun and there is very little else to do at a beach resort....but if Celebrity eliminates the activities...they eliminate one of the main attractions of cruising! We are not interested in the Casino, bingo, trivia, etc. So, it will be back to reading books, just like we did on land.....not too enticing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slgjhg Posted September 9, 2006 Author #8 Share Posted September 9, 2006 It's likely too late for 2007, but maybe a bunch of letters or emails to Celebrity will show interest and perhaps prompt reconsideration. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Sweet Posted September 9, 2006 #9 Share Posted September 9, 2006 It's likely too late for 2007, but maybe a bunch of letters or emails to Celebrity will show interest and perhaps prompt reconsideration. Jay I just called Celebrity to express the way I feel about their decision to eliminate bridge, but the person I spoke to was unaware of the situation. Who at Celebrity knows and is in a position to do something about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetic license Posted September 9, 2006 #10 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hmmmmm. Each ship has a card room. I wonder what revenue-generating activity is going to replace bridge and utilize those dedicated rooms? Seems as though a letter writing campaign is in order --- and quickly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted September 9, 2006 #11 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I sent them an email note yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babylene Posted September 9, 2006 #12 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I also would like to do something. Would you kindly give me the appropriate e-mail address? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb18 Posted September 9, 2006 #13 Share Posted September 9, 2006 This is distressing! I wonder what else they are going to cut back on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 9, 2006 #14 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hmmmmm. Each ship has a card room. I wonder what revenue-generating activity is going to replace bridge and utilize those dedicated rooms? Seems as though a letter writing campaign is in order --- and quickly! Hi Everyone ! While I have no personal interest in Bridge... for those that do enjoy it, I am sorry to hear it is being removed. I am wondering if Celebrity has plans to make this an extension of the Casino.... a Poker Room perhaps ? Just a thought. For those that are upset about this decision, by all means... call and email Captains Club, and let them know how you feel. If enough people let Celebrity know... perhaps they will reconsider. Good Luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slgjhg Posted September 10, 2006 Author #15 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hi again, As I said before, my source is Sixth Star and whoever gives them their marching orders at Celebrity is the source and there can be no doubt as to its accuracy. As to what might take the place of Bridge, it may be as simple as eliminating the Bridge Teacher/Director position and keeping the card room. That would save them the cabin that we occupy. Doesn't seem like very much. I have no firm source for this, but there are whispers that there are plans to install an Internet cafe which is viewed as revenue producing. This would go in the current card room. This RUMOR is spreading about Celebrity and other lines as well. Good luck with your letter writing. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaltiGator Posted September 11, 2006 #16 Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm not looking to defend X's decision here, but one does have to acknowledge that bridge, sadly, is a game whose minions are rapidly diminishing in the U.S. I'm in my 40s and virtually none of my friends even know the basic concepts of the game, let alone have ever played. Yes it's thriving on the Internet, but few of the players I encounter there are American. Yes Bill Gates and Warren Buffet want school kids to learn it (let's hope they put their $ where their mouths are on that one), but in the meantime one is hard-pressed to find American bridge players younger than the older baby-boomers. So X is just acknowledging, I think, that a small and diminishing percentage of its customer base cares about bridge. Having said that, nothing stops bridge players from gathering amongst ourselves in the card room and forming foursomes to play. We witnessed this on Connie, where the card room was daily full of incidental bridge games. (Coincidentally, on our cruise Connie also carried a large group of Australian bridge players who had taken the cruise as part of an organized bridge event - they played duplicate among themselves down in the conference rooms.) But in the card room, score pads and playing cards were handy, you just sat down and waited for other bridge players to come along. The lack of formal instruction and organization may be a blow, but it won't stop hardy bridge fans from finding their game on board. On the other hand, if Celebrity goes so far as to do away with the card rooms, now that would really stink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Sweet Posted September 11, 2006 #17 Share Posted September 11, 2006 Hi Baltigator :) I agree that Bridge is not popular with the younger generation, and could understand Celebrity's decision if their Bridge Program did not attract many of its passengers. However, during our last few cruises, people who came to Bridge Class at the last minute had trouble finding a seat, while the afternoon Bridge game had so many players it was necessary to use an additional room for it. During the sixties, many people learned how to play Bridge in college dorms/fraternity houses and that is supposedly the type of passenger that Celebrity aims to attract. The only possible reason I could think of for this decision is that Celebrity is trying to attract a younger demographic and wants to revamp its programs accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C 2 C Posted September 11, 2006 #18 Share Posted September 11, 2006 During the sixties, many people learned how to play Bridge in college ... that is supposedly the type of passenger that Celebrity aims to attract. How did you find out what my major was?:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Sweet Posted September 11, 2006 #19 Share Posted September 11, 2006 How did you find out what my major was?:D Hi Arno...Great response :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ships R Great Posted September 11, 2006 #20 Share Posted September 11, 2006 We have this problem solved. On our last three cruises (and at least our next two) we have just gone as a foursome and have our own bridge game wherever we like. Usually in the Rendesvouz lounge or the Sky Bar. Helps kill time waiting in airports, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babylene Posted September 11, 2006 #21 Share Posted September 11, 2006 There is no comparison between duplicate bridge and kitchen (party) bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ma Bell Posted September 11, 2006 #22 Share Posted September 11, 2006 There is no comparison between duplicate bridge and kitchen (party) bridge. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick's pal Posted September 11, 2006 #23 Share Posted September 11, 2006 My suggestion to Bridge lovers is to find a production company to bankroll a program on TV. Like Poker and ballroom dancing, perhaps this is what it takes to cause a resurgence in interest?! Personally, I am concerned that the LIBRARY will be closed next. After all, does the target demographic actually "read"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieV Posted September 12, 2006 #24 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Bridge is being increasingly marketed to young people, one reason this cut surprises me. My husband and I play for the Canadian National Junior team and we just returned from the world championships in Thailand. We are actively involved in the promotion of bridge among younger people. Heck, if there are tournament players here I wouldn't be surprised if you know us in real life! We get to a lot of events in the USA as well. I'm disappointed because we were considering applying to becomes bridge teachers with Celebrity. Personally, I'd rather not play on a cruise ship because the standard is more social than competitive and it's not my style, but I think this was a poor decision because I am sure a significant percentage of cruisers enjoy playing while on vacation. What's next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysail2 Posted September 12, 2006 #25 Share Posted September 12, 2006 Congratulations on making the Canadian National Junior team, Susie. That is quite an accomplishment. Our BIL competed on the Canadian National Team in Japan....in 1991...but we still talk about it.....!! Rats, dh won't cruise and here I was woo-ing him with promises of Duplicate Bridge games everyday. Is it true that the players can earn points if a Director is present? Provided that they are still hired to direct games. Their are other cruise lines that hire Bridge teachers and Directors...friends of ours just came back from several contracts of teaching and directing Bridge. They loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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