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DEL.ICIO.USFitness Classes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At the spa tour I also signed up for two fitness classes, which also are run by an outside company. I signed my husband and myself up for kickboxing for Friday afternoon and then myself up for Pilates on Sunday. Now, I knew I was going to have to pay for spa services, but I was shocked to find out I would have to pay $10 a class per person. You can use the exercise machines for free and there may have been some free fitness classes, but I didn’t see them. Plus, if you don’t show up, you have to pay half.
The kickboxing was fine and it was nice to take a class with my husband. However, the instructor left in the middle of the cool-down to go and swipe everyone’s sail cards. I would have been happy to wait five minutes after the end of the class for her to do that so the class wasn’t interrupted. We did all our Pilates exercises on fitness balls, which was new to me and I really enjoyed it. For that class the instructor stayed with us until the end.
I believe the spinning and yoga classes were the only ones that weren’t full after the first day. Two women showed up at Pilates with the hopes that someone wouldn’t come. They got lucky and got in. I was a little bummed that I had signed up for the Sunday class when it was our only nice day on the trip.
However, it does motivate you to go since you were already obligated.
The aerobics room would hold about 12 people so they were making $120 a class. Is it really worth making the passengers feel nickel-and-dimed to death to get that extra cash? Carnival needs to renegotiate this contract so the company doesn’t need to charge any extra.
Jennifer de la Cruz, director of public relations for Carnival, seemed surprised when I mentioned the charge. She asked if they gave it back to you when you showed up and I said no. She said some classes are at no charge and the concession charges what they feel they need to cover their costs.
Experienced cruisers: Do you normally pay for exercise classes? When do you sign up for these classes and what happens if you don’t show up?
Tomorrow: Let’s talk about the food
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Cruising
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By Ken Schwartz
May 18, 2005 8:43 AM | Link to this
Nearing the end of a 12 day cruise, we were invited to a private party. There were several Officers there as well as the Cruise director and some other staff members.
When I asked one of the staff members what she did she told me she was the ‘fitness chick’ on the ship. I told her that’s the reason we had not met before!
I occasionally will do some free weights but have never taken any of the classes. After all, I am on VACATION!