Princess To Drop Bridge Games

[mr green]

Why? Do you think they were the one who made the decision?

Or, do you think they are in a position to act on your complaint?

 

Point being that if enough of us complain a message MIGHT get through to head office, AND the Princess reps who read these boards.

It has been known in the past that Princess HAS yielded to protests on these boards.

 

john

[caribill]

HAL has also just stopped bridge instructors on all cruises shorter than 30 days. Selected cruises (not all) over 30 days will still have bridge instructors onboard. Most of the other mass market lines have stopped bridge instructors completely.

 

Although the instructors are not paid, the free cabins they get are worth quite a bit of money. On an average 7 day cruise, if that cabin is sold instead of given away, the company gets an additional $3,000 or so in revenue. That's an additional $150,000 per year per ship. For the Princess fleet, that comes to an additional $2 Million or so per year.

 

 

 

Think how much more money Princess could save if they eliminated the production shows.

 

o No onboard accomodations for up to 15 performers

o No salaries for up to 15 performers

o No food expenses for up to 15 performers

o No expensive training for up to 15 performers

o No expenses for developing new shows

o A lesser number of musicians required on board

 

Since many people never go to a production show, they would continue to cruise without them being offered. Probably only a relatively few passengers would end up not cruising with Princess because of it.

 

So, a few people would no longer cruise without the bridge instructors, a few people would no longer cruise without production shows, and with each additional onboard feature eliminated a few more people would no longer cruise with Princess.

 

Eliminate enough of what people like on Princess and Princess will save oodles of money. They could then fill the ships with those who like bingo and art auctions, activities that bring $$$ to Princess.

Edited April 3, 2014 by caribill

[msmoger]

Think how much more money Princess could save if they eliminated the production shows.

 

o No onboard accomodations for up to 15 performers

o No salaries for up to 15 performers

o No food expenses for up to 15 performers

o No expensive training for up to 15 performers

o No expenses for developing new shows

o A lesser number of musicians required on board

 

Since many people never go to a production show, they would continue to cruise without them being offered. Probably only a relatively few passengers would end up not cruising with Princess because of it.

 

So, a few people would no longer cruise without the bridge instructors, a few people would no longer cruise without production shows, and with each additional onboard feature eliminated a few more people would no longer cruise with Princess.

 

Eliminate enough of what people like on Princess and Princess will save oodles of money. They could then fill the ships with those who like bingo and art auctions, activities that bring $$$ to Princess.

 

I have to assume you are engaging in a bit of hyperbole. ;) Certainly you can't possibly think the number of passengers that cruise do the opportunity to play bridge is anywhere near the numbers that enjoy the production shows or participate in bingo and the art auctions.

 

I seriously doubt eliminating bridge will have anywhere near the impact in terms of discouraging repeat passengers as would eliminating any of the other offerings you mentioned.

 

Of course that's just my opinion. :)

[pablo222]

o A lesser number of musicians required on board

 

 

Some new shows are being added that use recorded music.

[Colo Cruiser]

Point being that if enough of us complain a message MIGHT get through to head office, AND the Princess reps who read these boards.

It has been known in the past that Princess HAS yielded to protests on these boards.

 

john

 

 

If not yielding at least they do read/listen.

[geoherb]

Bridge enthusiasts will have to start planning on going on bridge cruises. There are plenty of them offered every year. Since my DH doesn't play, I usually don't either. On the Ruby last month, they offered unhosted game play in the Crown Grill every afternoon. I saw several tables of bridge.

[caribill]

I have to assume you are engaging in a bit of hyperbole. ;) Certainly you can't possibly think the number of passengers that cruise do the opportunity to play bridge is anywhere near the numbers that enjoy the production shows or participate in bingo and the art auctions.

 

I seriously doubt eliminating bridge will have anywhere near the impact in terms of discouraging repeat passengers as would eliminating any of the other offerings you mentioned.

 

Of course that's just my opinion. :)

 

I was suggesting that by gradually saving money by eliminating everything else, that all will be left is bingo and art auctions.

 

(Of course the Tina Turner concert will continue to play on MUTS. This will drive people inside to play bingo and go to the art auction.)

[OCruisers]

Bridge enthusiasts will have to start planning on going on bridge cruises. There are plenty of them offered every year. Since my DH doesn't play, I usually don't either. On the Ruby last month, they offered unhosted game play in the Crown Grill every afternoon. I saw several tables of bridge.

 

Unhosted bridge game play was offered on Crown in January. I never went because it was too early in the morning for me. Might have if had been in the afternoon.

LuLu

~~~

[msmoger]

i was suggesting that by gradually saving money by eliminating everything else, that all will be left is bingo and art auctions.

 

(of course the tina turner concert will continue to play on muts. This will drive people inside to play bingo and go to the art auction.)

 

lol!!!:d

[Colo Cruiser]

The old standby, Tina. :rolleyes:

[geoherb]

For me, it's the Barry Manilow concert.

[Joe-Neth]

This is what I just sent. Use your own words, but please do let Princess know what you think.

 

to customerrelati.

Attn:

Adrian Fischer, vice president entertainment

 

 

- I believe that the decision to eliminate bridge directors drastically underestimates the fierce dedication that bridge players have for the game and thus the negative customer reactions.

- I propose a modification of the new policy whereby bridge directors are provided for cruises that have 4 or more sea days.

 

--

Kindest regards,

<your name>

 

I agree, but I think it is more reasonable to work with a %.

4 sea days in 1 week is much. In 3 weeks it's nothing.

 

For instance: There should be a Bridge Director when (e.g.) 40% or more sea days.

 

Reasons for not having a TD? Money!

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree, but I think it is more reasonable to work with a %.

4 sea days in 1 week is much. In 3 weeks it's nothing.

 

For instance: There should be a Bridge Director when (e.g.) 40% or more sea days.

 

Reasons for not having a TD? Money!

 

You are right, it always comes down to the $$.

[pablo222]

Point being that if enough of us complain a message MIGHT get through to head office, AND the Princess reps who read these boards.

It has been known in the past that Princess HAS yielded to protests on these boards.

 

Don't you think it might have a better chance of getting

to 'head office' if you complained directly to them?

 

I see this on ships all the time -- something goes wrong, and

pax complain to the first person they see wearing a name tag.

 

It is generally high entertainment, except for the unlucky person

wearing the name tag.

[dad604]

If this is true, then my days with Princess may be numbered. On my next cruise I will make my thoughts known to the person in charge of 'Future Cruises!'

 

john

 

 

Echoes my sentiments exactly. Have hosted duplicate bridge is one of the main reason we cruise with Princess. I am sending email to public relations.

[JimmyVWine]

Question: (from a person who spent way too many hours in college playing bridge but who has never played onboard a ship)...

 

How difficult would it be for bridge players to organize their own games through roll calls with individuals taking turns serving as directors if duplicate is the game of choice? What value do the ships' bridge directors add that cannot be duplicated (sorry for the pun) by passionate passengers? While cutbacks that net modest returns are always sad to see (like the termination of most sommeliers), it seems that this one can be finessed. (Sorry again). Can't the passion of the players trump the indifference of the management who will no longer do your bidding? (Last ones, I promise.)

[TimeTwoGo]

The assertion from the home office director of entertainment that the numbers of bridge players in organized games is declining is simply bogus. We just finished the cruise around S. America from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles. There were approximately 80-100 bridge players who participated in duplicate bridge every afternoon on sea days. We had a wonderful director (Mel Ward), who also gave excellent lectures every morning. :cool:

 

Most of the players were members of ACBL and there were a respectable number of Life Masters. Having an organized, sanctioned game is a big draw. When the game is self-organized (as on some Celebrity cruises), single players tend not to show up - and tables of 4 players tend just to play social bridge. Not the same experience. When this happens, the participation is small. :(

 

The assertion that numbers are declining does not coincide with my experience (elite on both Princess and Celebrity; diamond on Royal Caribbean) across several longer cruises. Moreover, the numbers of participants is sent to ACBL, but is never reported to the Princess home office. So this assertion is simply made of whole cloth - and we know what that is worth. Apparently, some bozo in the home office has dreamed up this change and now has to make up stuff to fit the plan. This will not make bridge players happy, particularly those of us who are members of ACBL and who play in the sanctioned games when on board. Unlikely we will alternately spend this time in the casino (particularly when smoking is allowed there - PU). :mad:

 

So, instead of encouraging cruising, the company says, who cares about what many passengers want. :eek:

[Loonbeam]

As you noted, this was a longer atypical cruise. From anecdotal evidence, the shorter cruises do not have the same turnout.

 

Even then, if you have 80-100 bridge players daily, how many of them would not have taken that same cruise if bridge was not offered in an organized format? 10? 20? Princess will have no problems replacing those 20 cruisers in cabins.

 

The assertion from the home office director of entertainment that the numbers of bridge players in organized games is declining is simply bogus. We just finished the cruise around S. America from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles. There were approximately 80-100 bridge players who participated in duplicate bridge every afternoon on sea days. We had a wonderful director (Mel Ward), who also gave excellent lectures every morning. :cool:

 

Most of the players were members of ACBL and there were a respectable number of Life Masters. Having an organized, sanctioned game is a big draw. When the game is self-organized (as on some Celebrity cruises), single players tend not to show up - and tables of 4 players tend just to play social bridge. Not the same experience. When this happens, the participation is small. :(

 

The assertion that numbers are declining does not coincide with my experience (elite on both Princess and Celebrity; diamond on Royal Caribbean) across several longer cruises. Moreover, the numbers of participants is sent to ACBL, but is never reported to the Princess home office. So this assertion is simply made of whole cloth - and we know what that is worth. Apparently, some bozo in the home office has dreamed up this change and now has to make up stuff to fit the plan. This will not make bridge players happy, particularly those of us who are members of ACBL and who play in the sanctioned games when on board. Unlikely we will alternately spend this time in the casino (particularly when smoking is allowed there - PU). :mad:

 

So, instead of encouraging cruising, the company says, who cares about what many passengers want. :eek:

[CU64]

Yes I am One of Those, in fact I called Princess last week to make sure that there WAS going to be a director on board, had the answer been NO, I would have found a legitimate reason to cancel my cruise. 19 days without a form of ACBL Bridge would be a no go, so this may be my last cruise with Princess.

 

john

 

There are bridge cruises sanctioned by ACBL and people like Marty Bergen,

Larry Cohen, et al.....one pays extra for the bridge fees......I am trying one in Nov on Oasis by Marty Bergen; I picked this one because I am not overly fond of that ship & could care less about the ports......also it was reasonable price.

Celebrity has one the next week, Nov. 16 out of FLL, ACBL, great ship and more expensive with same itinerary/ Larry Cohen on this one.

[7NT]

In April this year, on a cruise from LA to China, we were told that Princess will no longer have a duplicate director aboard their ships. :mad: We created a petition that was signed by over 80 people on the ship who wanted Princess to continue organized duplicate play and lessons on cruises with >5 sea days.

 

The petition was sent to Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruise Lines. Except for a brief telephone call, it was ignored. This past week, I contacted the Princess customer relations department via email to confirm that the cruise line will no longer have a duplicate director aboard - it was confirmed today with a telephone call to me from Princess. The person calling said the email would be forwarded to management; but, not to expect a reply.

 

Were hoping to have duplicate director on Royal Princess Copenhagen to NYC. No such luck. :mad:

 

I've heard that RCCL still has duplicate directors onboard their ships. Anyone know whether this is true?

 

CONTACT PRINCESS IF YOU WANT DUPLICATE DIRECTOR ON YOUR NEXT PRINCESS VOYAGE!

 

Good Luck,

7NT

[Princess "Elite" passenger with over 40 Princess cruises.] :cool:

[geoherb]

I don't know about Royal Caribbean, but friends of mine just spent 22 days on a Cunard ship directing the bridge program. The wife did the big games and the husband did the beginners. He's the one I talked with. He said they averaged 15 tables of beginners each session. They were on trans-Atlantic/European cruises.

[olvrxyzh]

Which other lines still host bridge? I believe Celebrity stopped doing so in 2012.

 

 

 

I know a director who did it for Royal Caribbean a couple of times this past winter.

[rhblake]

Are bridge directors paid and/or receive free room and board for their services?

[Loonbeam]

It varies but as I understood it, that was the deal for many of them.

 

Are bridge directors paid and/or receive free room and board for their services?

[jasbo49]

Are bridge directors paid and/or receive free room and board for their services?

 

From what little I know, they just received a free cruise. My parents managed to cruise around the world and then some in the 70s and 80s with my dad as a bridge director and my mom doing some kind of crafts. I think it was mostly Princess and Holland America. Sometimes they'd be given an inside room, but as Dad gained stature with Bridge by Goren, they sometimes got a decent oceanview. Of course balconies were basically unheard of then, except for suites.

 

It's kind of sad to see that era ending, because it was such a good post-retirement life for my parents. But I guess it's just another indication that the world's changing and young people have different interests.

 

Jim