Caribbean Princess Fitness Center
If you are like me, then the Fitness Center is one of the features you take advantage of on a cruise. It is difficult to find details about the fitness center on a ship, so I am writing some posts about the ship fitness centers I have used recently. My first one was on Sky Princess and now I move to another ship in the Princess fleet, Caribbean Princess. This information was current as of my last sailing in January 2024. As before, I will also go over some information about using the fitness center and what type of activities are normally offered onboard but first, let’s take a look at the important topic of gym etiquette and safety.
Gym Etiquette and Safety
If you are not familiar with how a gym works, there are some gym etiquette and safety items that you should follow when you are in the gym. Most are common sense but the novelty of the gym may have some of these slip your mind.
Read the safety information
Wipe down equipment
See if you need to sign up for the equipment you want to use
Check if there is a time limit for the machine you want to use
Gym equipment can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Even if you have used the same type of machine before, read the instructions anyway. There may be a difference on this particular machine that you are not aware of. If there is an emergency, call 911. There are at least two phones available in the fitness center that I could find.
Wiping down the machine is particularly important on a ship. Not everyone is careful about washing their hands, so take precautions. I recommend you wipe down the machine or equipment before and after you use it. The last person may have forgotten to wipe it down after they were done. The gym will have either disinfectant wipe cloths or they will have paper towels and a spray bottle with disinfectant in it. I recommend you wipe down the equipment and then use a clean hand towel, usually available in the gym, to wipe it down.
Some equipment, especially cardio equipment like treadmills, may have a signup sheet. Check to see if there is one on the machine or maybe one hanging on the wall near the machines. To be sure, you can ask the fitness center staff.
Also with cardio equipment, there is often a posted time limit. This allows everyone a chance to get access to a machine. Usually it is 30 minutes if there is one. This may not be long enough for the workout you do, if so then try to go at an off-peak time where other machines would be available for others to use.
Exercise Equipment
On Caribbean Princess the Fitness Center is located on Deck 16 (Sun Deck) fwd. As Caribbean Princess is an older ship (launched in 2004) the Fitness Center is in a prime location and you will enjoy beautiful views over the bow of the ship as you do your exercises. It is a joy to see the sunrise as do your morning exercise routine.
The Fitness Center on Caribbean Princess is smaller than what you find on larger ships but has all the equipment you would expect to find on a cruise ship. The posted hours for the fitness center are 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The busy hours are between 7-9 in the morning and then around 5-7 in the evening. The entertainment staff tends to use the gym in the evening so you may be surprised how busy it is then. The sign at the entrance states that children under 16 years of age are not permitted to use the facilities unless accompanied by an adult however they are not allowed to use the weights. The diagram below is my rough sketch of the layout of the Fitness Center. I’ll break up the area by defining a set of “zones” and then describe the equipment in each of these zones along with some photos. In the diagram you can see I have defined four zones. I’ll describe each zone and what equipment or activities are available in that zone.
Caribbean Princess Fitness Center Layout
Zone 1
In Zone 1 is where you will find the dumbbells, three adjustable benches, a decline bench, a Precor Ab-X Abdominal Trainer, and a TuffStuff Multi-Functional Trainer high-low pulley machine. The dumbbells available are:
(2) 5 lbs.
(2) 10 lbs.
(2) 15 lbs.
(5) 20 lbs.
(2) 25 lbs.
(4) 30 lbs.
(4) 35 lbs.
(2) 40 lbs.
(2) 45 lbs.
(2) 50 lbs.
(2) 55 lbs.
(2) 60 lbs.
(2) 65 lbs.
(2) 70 lbs.
(2) 75 lbs.
Zone 2
Zone 2 is where you will find the exercise machines and a variety of cardio machines. The machines in this area are:
Precor Triceps Extension
Precore Rear Delt/Pec Fly
Precor Pulldown
Precor Shoulder Press
Precor Chest Press
Precor Abdominal
Cybex Cable Crossover
Precor Leg Press
Precor Leg Extension
Precor Seated Leg Curl
Precor Smith Machine
Adjustable bench
EZ Bar
(2) Cardio Concept Rowing Machines
(2) Cardio Bikes
(2) Redumbant Bikes
(6) Precor Glide Trainers
Zone 3
In Zone 3, overlooking the bow of the ship, there are 20 treadmills and two more elliptical trainers.
Zone 4
Zone 4 is the workout area where they hold the fitness classes. Princess currently has a partnership with Xponential Fitness. They were no longer offering any free classes in the Fitness Center but you will see Zumba and other classes like that on the ship’s daily schedule of events. Those classes are held elsewhere on the ship such as the Piazza. The classes offered in the Fitness Center were, Stretchlab, Yogasix, Club Pilates (Floor Pilates), Pure Barre and Cycle Bar. There is a signup sheet for the classes on a table in this zone. I counted 18 Spin Cycles available. I never saw more than four in a spin class, so there should be plenty of available bikes. There is aslo some smaller weights and exercise accessories in this zone. It is not clear if these are only for the classes or if anyone can use them. If you want to use any of them, I’d just ask if it is OK.
Conclusion
The Fitness Center on Caribbean Princess has everything you may need to keep your exercise routine up while onboard. I have not been on any other Princess Grand Class ships, but from what I can see, this fitness center is very similar to the other Grand Class ships. The equipment is showing its age and I hope they will update some of the older machines. My biggest fear is Princess will relocate the gym and use the space for some other purpose. It is in a prime location and does not generate much revenue.
I hope you have found this blog informative and that it helps you to decide if Caribbean Princess is the right ship for you.