Sky Princess Fitness Center
For me the Fitness Center is one of the most important features I look at when choosing a ship. It is difficult to find details about the Fitness Center on a ship, so I’ve decided to make some posts about the gyms on the ships I have sailed on recently, starting with Sky Princess. I will also go over some information about using the Fitness Center and what type of activities are normally offered onboard.
Gym Etiquette
If you are not familiar with how a gym works, there are some gym etiquette 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 there is a 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.
Wiping down the machine is particularly important on a ship. Not everyone is careful in 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 Sky Princess the Fitness Center is located on Deck 17 aft starboard side, right next to the smoking area (ugg). The placement follows the trend in newer ships of placing the Fitness Center in an out of the way area (Virgin Voyages ships being the exception to the rule, as you would expect). Traditionally you would find the Fitness Center on a high deck overlooking the bow. But this is prime real estate, so now you find that area is used for revenue generating venues such as premium lounges.
The Fitness Center on Sky Princess is pretty large. On the published deck plans, the layout of the Fitness Center is not correct. 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 Zone A, B, C and D along with the Fitness Studio to the side, next to the changing areas.
Sky Princess Fitness Center Layout
Zone A
In Zone A you will find a good selection of exercise machines along with a scale. (The scale is definitely broken, there is no way I weigh that much, lol)
Zone B
Zone B is where you will find the dumbbells and a high-low pulley machine set in a little alcove.
Zone C
In Zone C you will find a wide range of cardio equipment.
Zone D
Zone D is a small workout room with a good selection of equipment.
Fitness Studio
The Fitness Studio is where they conduct all the fitness classes. The classes are now branded from the company Xponential+. The selection will include yoga, barre, (mat) pilates and stretch. These are now all paid classes. If you have the Plus Package, two classes are included and for Premier, they are unlimited.
Conclusion
The Fitness Center on Sky Princess will not disappoint. It is one of the best and biggest I’ve seen on a ship. I do like that the Studio is closed off so people are not walking though the area to get to another part of the gym and also you can hear the instructor a little better as there is no competition with the other noise in the gym.
