I’m currently sailing on a 12 day to the southeast Caribbean on the Regal.  I decided to splurge for the Premiere package and it is pricey. I thought I read somewhere, in this great community, that on longer cruises a 3rd specialty dining was added to the Premiere package?  Not so here at guest services. Does anyone have insight on this?  
 

Tks

3 hours ago, rslrhu said:

So are the other classes also included in the free classes if you have a package, or are they still extra?  Thanks in advance.

It seems these are all included (unlimited fitness classes) with the Premier Package.

3 minutes ago, walker1887 said:

Hi, I was on the Emerald last December and had the Premier package. I will get the premier package again, partly for the classes. I would take 2-3 each day. None of the classes are too difficult, they are mostly entry level and you can ramp up the intensity on your own if you find that the classes are not difficult enough.

The classes did sometimes get full. I usually got there about 15-20 minutes early, I would put my water bottle and towel on a mat and go use the machines while I waited.

I think you will find that the classes are a fun way to keep active while on the cruise. I also met a lot of nice people who were also in the classes.

Enjoy!!

I would agree, with the unlimited classes with the premiere package, I’m sure you can get more than your monies worth. 

Went to first class.  Basic exercise class, just for stretching. Of course, always good for your body and free as part of my package.  I figure, if I go on a daily basis, it will limit my eating, drinking, and casino time which is also better for me, lol.  I would definitely not pay $30 for each class individually. 

Cruising now, clarification for the question I asked.  The following classes are included in the unlimited fitness classes along with others:

• Pure Barre: a full-body workout focused on low-impact, moderate to high-intensity movements that improve strength and flexibility.
• YogaSix: a full sensory yoga experience accessible to all, with a variety of classes targeting strength, agility, flexibility and balance.
• StretchLab is a unique wellness concept offering assisted stretching sessions with customized flexibility services.

They are group classes.  Only caveat it that you sign up for the classes but you are not reserving a spot. They suggested I come down 15 minutes early as they take the first so many (can’t remember how many).  Those that have the premiere package are free those without pay $30 per class.  There are 17 StretchLab classes spread out over the course of my 12 day cruise. There are 8 Pure Barre and 9 YogsSix classes also. There are also several other Pilates, cycling, and etc that were available before the ones listed above were added.

I will post tomorrow as to what I think of the StretchLab and maybe the YogaSix.

13 minutes ago, tulok said:

Where did you find a list of the classes being offered?

Yoga is not that difficult for beginners as a good yoga instructor will give a variety of levels with each stretch. You can only do what you can do. Balance may be the hardest part as even if I take a couple months off, it takes me a couple of months to get my balance 100% again. But it is great for stretching and balancing.

I’m sorry, I may have spoken too soon without enough information.  I found an article that says “I Tried the NEW Xponential Fitness Classes on Princess” and assumed it was discussing the unlimited fitness classes. I will check when I get on board..  tks. 

1 hour ago, suzyed said:

No. Why would we overpay for the cruise to get OBC unless the OBC was more than the difference in price.
Personally, I pay the same that Princess charges but use a TA who gives the OBC.

While on board, I’ve heard people, with the same room type, mention they paid much more than we did.  I would say they overpaid, but that is relative to timing I’m sure.

9 hours ago, Ombud said:

Yes Future Cruise Compensation (FCC) is my money but it doesn't have OBC. Future Cruise DEPOSIT (FCD) is also my money and it comes with OBC.

 

If the cruise has extended (overnight) stays in a port that has expensive excursions I've gotten a lot more OBC (Lima for instance had an overnight stay, $2000~ overnight excursion to Manchu Picchu, voyage had a very large amount of extra OBC but I didn't have to go to Manchu Picchu to get the OBC.)

 

forget exact amt but it was $××××

Thank you for the info, I always book a balcony room and never have seen offers of more than $100 OBC when I book thru the cruise line or with the large online retailers. I’m a value hunter so I typically set my cruise schedule around the best price.  Where do you find these larger on board credit offerings? The cruise line will get a fair share of my cash thru the drink package, spa, and and other indulgences.  I just trying to learn some added value tips from the savvy cruises on this board.  Tks

Has anyone (age 60+ for comparison) tried the StretchLab classes?  My muscles are very tight and I have pretty much daily aches / pains for which have been told to stretch more and more.  I am considering the Premiere package to possibly take advantage of the unlimited exercise classes and think over my upcoming 12 day cruise I could be pretty stretched out (lol) by the end.  Any thoughts.

Also, I’ve never tried yoga, how difficult is that for a very tight beginner!

Thanks for any info. 

FCC, I consider my money.  Next cruise I have been given $100 OBC and I see the stock ownership shares which I consider free money, just wondering if people are getting $600, $800, or more as I see in posts. If so, just curious why. Tks

How is everyone getting so much on board credit?  Are you overpaying for the cruise?just wondering. 

Just wondering if anyone has any idea what the price would be for the Enclave spa area for a 12 day cruise?  Tku

24 minutes ago, FLAlaska said:

Go to manage booking and click on SPA at the top.  Then hit BROWSE SERVICES.  You should get a list of different categories. On of them is Relaxation Area. Click on that one and you should see View 1 Result

 

Keeps giving me a blank rolling search screen. Nothing comes up.  
 

56 minutes ago, FLAlaska said:

You can find in on the website under your cruise personalizer or manage your booking., Click on SPA and look for relaxation area

When I go to Lotus Spa for information it goes into eternal search mode and nothing comes up. 
 

I’m booked on a 12 day cruise out of Galveston on the Regal next week. I don’t see anywhere online to pre book the enclave or a cost.  Does anyone know what they would charge per person for the 12 day voyage? Do you have to sign up in person at embarkation?  Tks

12 hours ago, TRLD said:

Kind of surprising, though actually not, with the quotes of some sections of document of legalese boiler plate and the definition of gratuities, that certain elements such as the standard 70 hour work week was not mentioned. Or the articles indicating a total income of both salary and pool allocation in the area of 2000 per month or around $7 per hour. 

 

 

This is a shame but I’m sure common for the industry.  A 70 hour work week, with I’m sure splits shifts for a lot of them, for average of $7 per hour with the generous tips from the passengers included.  
 

Maybe this guy and some of his other executives should consider revenue sharing with the poor people.  The gratuity supplements the wages as these fat cats score big:

Carnival Corporation & Management

3 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Boiler plate often says that a company to do lots of things to protect the company. In reality is usually much simpler. Out of the total collected in the gratuity pool most goes out in consistent payments based upon position. As Princess states a percentage is used for bonuses for members in that same pool. While clearly not all would get the same bonus. The compensation payment are not applied to or withheld at the individual levels. After all if it were it is rather unlikely that any of those employees would remain with the cruise or for that matter any company.

 

 

I appreciate your contribution to the conversation. You are very knowledgeable and have either worked for the cruise lines or have been associated with them for some time.  Or, you have way, way too much free time on your hands!

12 hours ago, TRLD said:

First and most important point. The same reason that the option to remove exists is the same reason that one can know that all of the daily gratuity goes to the crew because it is one of the rules in the accounting regulations that allows it to be handled outside of the companies books and be neither revenue or expense. The two main rules as written by the FASB  are it must be adjustable by the customer AND it must be fully distributed to the crew members that are part of the pool. That is why one be certain that the daily gratuity goes to employees.

 

Not the same for 18% service charges. They are not adjustable. And as such are not considered gratuities under the regulations. Princess states that service charges also go into the pool, but that is outside of the regulation. Their distribution is normally under labor relations law, not accounting.

 

That is the language that must be there for the company to be able to meet the requirement under the accounting  regulations.

 

As far as the program management, pretty sure a lot of you have had employment contracts have seen similar language that is included to make sure that one can not sue because an employee did not like their bonus, or the payout. It also provides flexibility for the company to adjust to changes in business without having to change each contract.

 

The key point it what you extracted is that the amount from the pool is not salary, and the company does not make up shortfalls in the pool.

 

 

One should also read  

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.princess.com/html/global/disclaimers/crew-appreciation/&ved=2ahUKEwi1lOOIu8uEAxWhHUQIHbshBY8QFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2daQa1M6Cmchs82xH-awbR

 

Which is the customer facing description of the policy.

 

Especially the second paragraph.

 

They include the removal option because they have to. They, as they should, make that clear to their employees.

 

In the customer facing description they also make it clear that the cruise lines expectations are that there are other avenues to address service deficiencies first and that if one is still dissatisfied with service the option is adjust is there.

 

Thank you for the summary.  While it must be distributed to the employees, it certainly states they can give or not give to certain employees at their discretion?

1 hour ago, TRLD said:

Here are links to 2 examples of Princess employee contract language and terms and conditions.

The paragraph 4 e reference is selected from the first. In the second it is discussed in paragraph 5 I believe.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=http://www.inozemstvo-posao.com/forumattachments/02-Terms_%26_Conditions_of_Employment.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjGvKuGu8qEAxX0_8kDHeWqBbA4ChAWegQIChAB&usg=AOvVaw2e9vhhTZF1pD1E0mXIwTr-

 

https://docplayer-net.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/docplayer.net/amp/44218718-Employment-contract-princess-cruise-lines-ltd.html?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=17089993325557&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fdocplayer.net%2F44218718-Employment-contract-princess-cruise-lines-ltd.html

A few excerpts:

”Discretionary Hotel and Dining Charge Pool”

“Company makes no promise, guarantee, or commitment, and crew member he/she does not expect or anticipate payment by the Company of any compensation beyond the minimum wage guarantee”

”Each and every crew member also agrees to deliver any such volunteer passenger contribution he or she receives from any passenger under any circumstances into the pool immediately upon receipt of the contribution from the passenger”

”Each crew member agrees that the company reserves and has the exclusive right to determine, in it’s sole discretion, the eligibility and number of total crew members entitled to share in the pool”

These excerpts even more state that Princess has the “sole discretion” to run the program any way they want and reward or not reward employees at their discretion.  Also, please note, those cash gratuities are not going directly to the chosen employee (unless you can do it discreetly in private) without them having fear of reprisal.  
 

These, I’m sure, are very good jobs for most of these employees compared to what’s available in their home countries, however, they have no say in how this pool is administered or distributed.  There is no guarantee, per this contract, that all of the Crew Appreciation - automatic charge or cash - is going directly back to the employees as others have previously stated in this thread.

Thank you TRLD for sharing.  

30 minutes ago, 2MellowCruisers said:

I generally don't like to get in to these tipping debates but I did find this article.  It touches briefly on the idea that the automatic gratuities don't go to the crew, the idea of rolling them into the fare, which can be a complicated issue and also touches on removing the auto tips.

 

This seems to be about CCL but may also relate to Princess.  Quotes from John Heald.  I know nothing about this site, or the management structure at the Carnival Corporation or what happens behind the scenes.  I make no warranty about the reliability of this site or the truthfulness of the quotes.  I'm just a person who likes to cruise hopefully will help ease the debating back and forth a little.

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-addresses-gratuity-nonsense/109106

 

One thing I noticed in the article:

”We will continue to allow people to remove gratuities if they wish. We know (because we ask the crew) how many tip in cash instead of the pre-paid amounts. I understand why many wish to do this,” he said. “It is important to remember that lots of people who do remove gratuities tip the same amount in cash or more even and that is wonderful.”

Seems like this would be pretty intimidating to employees from 3rd world countries that are desperate for work?

17 minutes ago, TRLD said:

I would guess you are not since US tax law does not really apply. After all the cruise lines pay little US income tax and certainly not from shipboard operations. The ship board employees that are part of the pool are pretty much entirely not US residents and not subject to US tax either.

 

What is involved is US accounting standards and regulations that the cruise lines must follow because they are listed on the US stock exchange and they are subject to the SEC financial filing requirements.  Something totally different.

Just saw this, thank God they can’t cheat the US government, that would be a new program.

So we all agree to be good team members and pay the crew appreciation (service fee with tax benefits for all to circumvent US tax code).  Does everyone now feel compelled to give more tips to individuals who do a great job (steward, waiter, bartender)?  If so, are we starting a new cruise line expectation / societal expectation of tip the already tipped or you’re a cheap scape in the eyes of those who do?  
 

Charge the fare that it takes to run the ship and pay the employees then passengers can tip when and if they feel like it!  
 

8 hours ago, JeffT237 said:

Jumping in late, but the original question was about the cost of Wi-Fi and a glass of wine?  Got to love CC, all the posts almost always end up in an endless and unsolvable argument about gratuities!

Whose arguing, we’re collaborating on a solution!

8 hours ago, olvrxyzh said:

Since COVID  everything has changed, prices have gone up and employees that have terribly stressful jobs are demanding more money; stewards are responsible for more cabins post COVID due to lack of people applying for such jobs.  Have you ever noticed that most cruise lines don't hire Americans to be stewards because we wouldn't work so many hours for so little money!  I have no problem with the crew appreciation cost.

I agree with what you are saying, but it is not crew appreciation if it is not in addition to their salary.  

If there are so many people that are concerned with what others are doing with their gratuity, I’m sure you can voluntarily add more to the pooled tips to offset your concerns.