No duplicate bridge on celebrity cruises

[hughdm]

As far as bridge not being something a majority of passengers participate in, what activities besides eating and drinking, DO interest a majority of passengers? If a majority is required, there wouldn't be very many activities available. As far as paying a director or giving away a cabin, I wouldn't think that would be required. A healthy discount would be enough in most cases.

 

Concerning what we do on vacation vs. at home, why should that be a criterion? If we enjoy it and you don't, we can play and you can skip it.

[caladezi]

Why not hire a director and charge a fee for those who want to play to cover the cost. There is an extra charge for many classes on ships and if a cost is involved by the cruise line there is a fee charged for the class. Since such a small minority of passengers want this, there is no reason that the cost for a director and special equipment should be paid by all others. When a cruise line gives away a cabin for a director the bottom line is that the cost of that cabin has to be reflected in the bottom line and prices go up.

[Miss SeaBee]

I'm not a bridge player, so maybe there is something about the game that I don't understand, but why would you need a full-time director and a designated cabin to offer bridge games? My parents were avid bridge players when I was growing up, and hosted many large bridge parties with their bridge club. No one was a director, they just got together and played bridge in one another's living rooms. All I recall them needing were tables and chairs, standard playing cards, and score cards/pencils. Couldn't you do this anywhere? And isn't there a game room/card room on most Celebrity ships? I'm just confused.

[Miss SeaBee]

Oh, and they apparently needed lots of alcoholic drinks, too, but I think those are readily available on board as well! ;)

[6andy6]

I seriously thought this thread was a joke when I read the title. Unbelievable.

 

Yes so did I.

 

People still play bridge? Is this a perculiarly US game these days cos I don't see it as being big in the UK or Australia.

[6andy6]

I seriously thought this thread was a joke when I read the title. Unbelievable.

 

Yes so did I.

 

People still play bridge? Is this a perculiarly US game these days cos I don't see it as being big in the UK or Australia.

[BILINDA]

We were on the Constellation trans-Atlantic sailing that prompted this original posting and enjoyed the opportunity to play duplicate bridge for a few hours each day thanks to the ingenuity and efforts of few of the players. There was almost no effort on the part of. Celebrity to facilitate bridge during our prior cruise to Hawaii , with 10 sea days . Guest relations initially did not even post it on the community board, however after numerous requests they did so.

 

At a minimum Celebrity could at least provide a designated space for bridge, social and/or duplicate, and publicize the necessary info on the community board and in the daily activity sheet. Providing duplicate boards and cards ( these have been on many Celebrity ships in the recent past) would be greatly appreciated. This would enable guests the opportunity to organize a duplicate game if sufficient interest and knowledge were present .

 

Providing a qualified Director to coordinate duplicate bridge on extended sea day cruises , although ideal, seems no longer within the realm of Celebrity's Corporate culture . For those of us who enjoy bridge as well as cruising with Celebrity it would be nice to see Celebrity providing a minimum level of positive support as described above to faciliate the playing of bridge for those guests who desire to do so. Is the company doing so well that they can readily dismiss the views of these guests?

[WhansaMi]

We were on the Constellation trans-Atlantic sailing that prompted this original posting and enjoyed the opportunity to play duplicate bridge for a few hours each day thanks to the ingenuity and efforts of few of the players. There was almost no effort on the part of. Celebrity to facilitate bridge during our prior cruise to Hawaii , with 10 sea days . Guest relations initially did not even post it on the community board, however after numerous requests they did so.

 

At a minimum Celebrity could at least provide a designated space for bridge, social and/or duplicate, and publicize the necessary info on the community board and in the daily activity sheet. Providing duplicate boards and cards ( these have been on many Celebrity ships in the recent past) would be greatly appreciated. This would enable guests the opportunity to organize a duplicate game if sufficient interest and knowledge were present .

 

Providing a qualified Director to coordinate duplicate bridge on extended sea day cruises , although ideal, seems no longer within the realm of Celebrity's Corporate culture . For those of us who enjoy bridge as well as cruising with Celebrity it would be nice to see Celebrity providing a minimum level of positive support as described above to faciliate the playing of bridge for those guests who desire to do so. Is the company doing so well that they can readily dismiss the views of these guests?

 

I must admit, I don't think that the company should spend the funds necessary for a paid/comped director, but I think it is infinitely reasonable for them to designate an area for such, and provide cards, if there is enough demand on a particular cruise.

 

I don't play bridge, but I do play most other card games. I will be on a TA next December, and would love to find others to play with, so I do understand. I hope that the cruise line will try to work toward finding a reasonable resolution for you.

 

Best wishes.

[Clydesmom7865]

We were on the Constellation trans-Atlantic sailing that prompted this original posting and enjoyed the opportunity to play duplicate bridge for a few hours each day thanks to the ingenuity and efforts of few of the players. There was almost no effort on the part of. Celebrity to facilitate bridge during our prior cruise to Hawaii , with 10 sea days . Guest relations initially did not even post it on the community board, however after numerous requests they did so.

 

At a minimum Celebrity could at least provide a designated space for bridge, social and/or duplicate, and publicize the necessary info on the community board and in the daily activity sheet. Providing duplicate boards and cards ( these have been on many Celebrity ships in the recent past) would be greatly appreciated. This would enable guests the opportunity to organize a duplicate game if sufficient interest and knowledge were present .

 

Providing a qualified Director to coordinate duplicate bridge on extended sea day cruises , although ideal, seems no longer within the realm of Celebrity's Corporate culture . For those of us who enjoy bridge as well as cruising with Celebrity it would be nice to see Celebrity providing a minimum level of positive support as described above to faciliate the playing of bridge for those guests who desire to do so. Is the company doing so well that they can readily dismiss the views of these guests?

 

Is it really necessary to focus so many resources on such a narrow interest? As someone who cruises and doesn't play bridge why would I want some of the revenue and space focused only on one small portion of the total number of passengers on the sailing? If they start pouring resources like that into every group that demands it they would quickly run out of space and personnel on the ship. IF they are going to focus on bridge why not a crocheting group? What if the yodelers on board want to belt out a few tunes? Should Celebrity book a director with musical coaching skills and provide sheet music? It is a slipper slope to start down.

 

I would definitely support a quiet area with cards and board games provided that no one group with a single focused interest could tell any passenger on board they can't use the area because it is only for those interested in playing competitive tiddly winks from 9-12. By all means bring cards, score sheets, pencils, and anything else your preferred entertainment requires. Just don't ask me as a passenger to give up access to anything or divert staff attention so that your needs alone are the ones met.

[Can'tstopcruising]

I have been on Celebrity cruises, where they offered arts & crafts. The cruiseline had a special person giving the class. They either had a free cruise or a reduced fare .

 

Arts & crafts to me are like a kid's activity. Nothing compared to duplicate bridge.

 

If they can hire someone for Arts & Crafts, they can hire someone for bridge.

[Christine Frances]

Sorry to sound dumb, but what is a "Bridge Director" and what does he do? Why does he have to be "hired"?

[Clydesmom7865]

I have been on Celebrity cruises' date=' where they offered arts & crafts. The cruiseline had a special person giving the class. They either had a free cruise or a reduced fare .

 

Arts & crafts to me are like a kid's activity. Nothing compared to duplicate bridge.

 

If they can hire someone for Arts & Crafts, they can hire someone for bridge.[/quote']

 

The difference is regardless of skill level, EVERY passenger can do arts and crafts projects regardless of age or gender. When it comes to card games if you haven't been taught then you aren't going to do well. Hiring someone for a game that maybe there is enough interest for isn't good business sense.

 

While this particular cruise did eventually generate 90 passengers interested, it started with 7 originally. Certainly not enough to warrant their own space, supplies, and director. Even with 90 people playing bridge that is still only 4% of the total passengers. I am certain from a business perspective Celebrity requires a minimum percentage of interest before supporting an activity.

[OCruisers]

While (as mentioned earlier) we have no desire to play DUPLICATE bridge on a cruise, always great to meet others who enjoy playing more casual bridge so we can play with them later elsewhere if we wish. A time posted for bridge players to meet is a good thing! :)

 

LuLu

~~~~

Edited December 26, 2012 by OCruisers

[Can'tstopcruising]

The difference is regardless of skill level, EVERY passenger can do arts and crafts projects regardless of age or gender. When it comes to card games if you haven't been taught then you aren't going to do well. Hiring someone for a game that maybe there is enough interest for isn't good business sense.

 

While this particular cruise did eventually generate 90 passengers interested, it started with 7 originally. Certainly not enough to warrant their own space, supplies, and director. Even with 90 people playing bridge that is still only 4% of the total passengers. I am certain from a business perspective Celebrity requires a minimum percentage of interest before supporting an activity.

 

We have been on many Celebrity cruises with bridge lessons in the morning and duplicate in the afternoon and both were very well attended each time.

 

If 1000 pax wanted to play duplicate, it would surely present a problem!

 

On our last few cruises, I befriended the arts & crafts instructor and she insisted I attend to support her because there was not much interest. On any given cruise, I have seen far fewer pax attend arts & crafts than duplicate bridge.

[mathgeek1978]

Sorry to sound dumb, but what is a "Bridge Director" and what does he do? Why does he have to be "hired"?

 

I also have the same question... Isn't the captain the director of the bridge? Why do we need to hire another bridge director? :p

[JanineM]

I have been on Celebrity cruises' date=' where they offered arts & crafts. The cruiseline had a special person giving the class. They either had a free cruise or a reduced fare .

 

Arts & crafts to me are like a kid's activity. Nothing compared to duplicate bridge.

 

If they can hire someone for Arts & Crafts, they can hire someone for bridge.[/quote']

 

Yes - they provide some sort of reduced fare, but then those who participate also PAY FOR THE SUPPLIES. We were on a TA and there was a series of watercolour painting classes. We paid for our supplies.

 

I'm perfectly happy to pay for additional specialised activities on a long cruise with a lot of sea days ... bridge players could certainly do the same.

[SusieV]

Sorry to sound dumb, but what is a "Bridge Director" and what does he do? Why does he have to be "hired"?

 

Because generally people don't like to work for free?

 

The director is the one who makes the game run smoothly. He/she presets the deals, knows the Laws if there is an irregularity, designs the movement, and scores the game at the end. You have to take a course to become an accredited director.

 

Bridge is quite popular across Canada, the US, and throughout Europe, for those who think it's a dying game. The world championships were in France just a few months ago and my husband won a medal there :D

[Can'tstopcruising]

Susie, I know you and your husband are champions. (Congrats to him!) We are very average players. Still, we miss the bridge on the longer cruises with many seadays.

 

Waterbaby, I have gone to ARts & Crafts on many cruises and never had to pay anything. I guess it depends on the cost of the materials.

[Christine Frances]

Because generally people don't like to work for free?

 

The director is the one who makes the game run smoothly. He/she presets the deals, knows the Laws if there is an irregularity, designs the movement, and scores the game at the end. You have to take a course to become an accredited director.

 

Bridge is quite popular across Canada, the US, and throughout Europe, for those who think it's a dying game. The world championships were in France just a few months ago and my husband won a medal there :D

 

 

Thanks for the explanation! I have no clue about the game lol

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[chefcaw]

We were on the transatlantic December 1. The activity manager was very helpful in getting cards, boards, green felt for the tables and some score sheets to me. I set the beginning days of bridge and left the last days for the group to sort out. There was no compensation for my doing this. I was told that Celebrity agreed to provide the equipment and place on most days to play but not a director, paid or otherwise. I was happy to assist the play but was not willing to give up my vacation to doing the directing. I do think that there are enough people to have bridge provided on the repostioning cruises as an interest group.

[stanjj111]

On our TA last year on RCCL they had bridge classes and duplicate in the PM that we enjoyed.

[gsrunyan]

I love the game-I play several hours a day on the computer. However, I gave up duplicate many years ago because I found some folks take the game too seriously. When I was a senior in college, almost 50 years ago, I used to play each week at the local YMCA whenever I could find a partner in my rooming house. One night, A husband got mad at his young wife for incorrect bidding (they got low board on the hand) and threw his cards in her face. :eek: Too much!! I never played duplicate again.

 

I wouldn't want such bad behavior to ruin our cruise.

 

Glenn:cool:

[smtcan]

On our recent Princess cruise there were bridge lessons in the morning and organized play in the afternoons on sea days. They seemed to be quite popular but the provision of hosts for this took the place of a second lecturer, so the destination speaker (who was excellent) was the only one. We really missed the stimulating speakers that we have enjoyed on previous cruises with Celebrity and other lines. I don't know if this is usual on Princess, but it didn't appeal to us.

Sheila

[skittl1321]

I'd personally much rather play Munchkin, Carcasonne, Settlers of Catan, Killer Bunnies, or even just a basic like Life or Monopoly. I plan to bring my own of a couple of these and hope DH and I can find someone to join us to play.

 

These are my kind of games :) Carcasonne travels very well, so we plan to bring it when we go on the Xpedition. We usually travel with a few card games too: Quiddler, Monopoly Cards, Fluxx and other cruisers often join us.

 

 

For those who want to play bridge- can you not just bring the things you need yourself? If you ask the cruise director they will likely publish a notice in the papers to alert other cruisers to a time to play bridge. A passenger can act as 'bridge director'.

Edited March 1, 2013 by skittl1321

[ghstudio]

While it's now gone, Michael Bayley participated here and answered a few questions himself. If I'm not mistaken, one of the questions asked about reinstating duplicate bridge on board and he said he would look into it.

 

As far as I know, nothing has changed, and there still aren't any ship offered bridge teaching or tournaments.