E Cigarettes

What is oceana's position regarding the use of E Cigarettes on board?

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/faq/

Can I smoke onboard?

For the safety and security of all guests and staff on board, Designated Smoking Areas are available on the forward, starboard corner of the Pool Deck and in the aft, port corner of Horizons. These areas are comfortably furnished and conveniently located near food and beverage areas. Smoking is expressly forbidden in all staterooms and suites, on verandas, or in any areas of the ship other than officially Designated Smoking Areas. Smoking in a stateroom or suite or on a veranda represents a serious fire and safety hazard to all guests and staff. Guests choosing to disregard this policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be subject to additional fees that will be imposed to cover the costs associated with any damage to and the required cleaning of furnishings, verandas and surrounding deck and accommodation areas. All areas other than those specified as Designated Smoking Areas will remain smoke-free. This includes all guest suites and staterooms, verandas, restaurants, public areas, the Casino and all other areas of the ship. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the forward, starboard corner of the Pool Deck. Guests are welcome to use electronic cigarettes in non-dining venues. No electronic cigarettes are allowed in dining venues, including Terrace Café indoor/outdoor and Waves.

What is oceana's position regarding the use of E Cigarettes on board?

Please don't get us started again. Search this thread and you'll see why.

In light of this discussion, I went through my documents for my upcoming cruise and it referred to a "smoking" policy. The smoking policy did not differentiate between old school cigarettes and e-cigarettes, or even reference e-cigarettes. I would suggest checking the ticket contract over the online FAQ, because I'm pretty sure the contract would be the binding document. As far as I can tell, Oceania is treating e-cigarettes like regular cigarettes.

Spoke to Oceania yesterday re my flights on upcoming cruise in July and as an aside just happened to ask rep what the policy is on e-cigs (because I personally feel strongly about not wanting vapors near me and my verandah). She put me on hold to speak to a manager. Manager said they plan on treating it as regular tobacco products - e-cigs in designated smoking areas only. Ask someone today and you'll probably get a different answer. My feeling is why treat it any differently than their current tobacco policy. It's been working for a long time. Don't fix what's not broken. Expanding the areas for e-cigs and upsetting passengers who do not want to be near them is only going to put their personnel in the line of fire from angry guests complaining. Why open up this can of worms. Just keep the original policy in place. In the current limited designated areas.

Agree!

We're on board Marina right now. Upon boarding there was the standard announcement about where smoking is permitted but no mention of e-cigs.

We haven't seen any at all, then again we haven't been near the designated smoking areas. However, the original question on this subject seemed to say that e-cigs would be permitted in "non-dining areas", and we *have* been there. Again, we haven't seen anything.

Mura

Here is Oceania's policy regarding smoking.

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/faq/

Look under the section titled "Onboard"

It says the following:

Guests are welcome to use electronic cigarettes in non-dining venues. No electronic cigarettes are allowed in dining venues, including Terrace Café indoor/outdoor and Waves.

So, the official policy is to allow e-cigarettes everywhere throughout the ship except for dining venues. As long as this is the policy on their website, I wouln't believe what any agent says over the phone.

After journeyman's post I called Oceania again last evening in an attempt to clear up what appeared to be a conflict with regard to their policy on e-cigarette policy. After speaking to a number of individuals I managed to speak with a supervisor (for 30 minutes by the way) who confidently spelled out their stance on this. YES e-cigs allowed throughout the ship (with the exception of dining venues) including your cabin and verandah. This policy was recently handed down from upper management for the enjoyment of their guests and of course Mr. Del Rio approves. She and the others I spoke with before went on to attempt to tell me how harmless these cigs/vapors are. I could not believe it. Years ago we thought tobacco smoking was harmless also. She said it was just recently added to their policy and put on the website. No announcement was made. Of course, they would rather keep it quiet. While guests can walk the other way within other parts of the ship or change their seat in the theater or at the pool if somebody is "smoking" one of these, we have no choice now when it comes to our verandah where we are literally side-by-side with the next guest should they be a user and worse using a scented vapor. On a sold out cruise (which a great many are) we will be stuck with no other place to go and customer service will just pull out their printed policy on the issue. If nothing else, at the very least, O should have not permitted these on the verandahs where they impact the next guest with no place else to go. I find this all very disappointing and will be anxious to see how this plays out on my upcoming cruise. Too bad they did not take the high road on this like Celebrity where their policy is - " smoking not permitted excepted in designated outdoor areas of the ship only. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes". Kudos to you Celebrity. Glad your my other cruise line of choice. Does O think they would gain some new guests with this liberal policy? My thinking is they may lose some of their faithful. While spending much money to sail Oceania I certainly don't want to run the rush of having a chain "smoker" with an incense smell vapor on the verandah next to me and I just have to live with. This is strictly how I feel.

I would like to hear from people currently cruising on O as to how many e-Cigs they have encountered

The policy is there but what is the reality of the situation ???

I will be looking around for them on our cruise

I saw one lady in the GDR using hers between courses on our Jan 2014 cruise

Lyn

After journeyman's post I called Oceania again last evening in an attempt to clear up what appeared to be a conflict with regard to their policy on e-cigarette policy. After speaking to a number of individuals I managed to speak with a supervisor (for 30 minutes by the way) who confidently spelled out their stance on this. YES e-cigs allowed throughout the ship (with the exception of dining venues) including your cabin and verandah. This policy was recently handed down from upper management for the enjoyment of their guests and of course Mr. Del Rio approves. She and the others I spoke with before went on to attempt to tell me how harmless these cigs/vapors are. I could not believe it. Years ago we thought tobacco smoking was harmless also. She said it was just recently added to their policy and put on the website. No announcement was made. Of course, they would rather keep it quiet. While guests can walk the other way within other parts of the ship or change their seat in the theater or at the pool if somebody is "smoking" one of these, we have no choice now when it comes to our verandah where we are literally side-by-side with the next guest should they be a user and worse using a scented vapor. On a sold out cruise (which a great many are) we will be stuck with no other place to go and customer service will just pull out their printed policy on the issue. If nothing else, at the very least, O should have not permitted these on the verandahs where they impact the next guest with no place else to go. I find this all very disappointing and will be anxious to see how this plays out on my upcoming cruise. Too bad they did not take the high road on this like Celebrity where their policy is - " smoking not permitted excepted in designated outdoor areas of the ship only. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes". Kudos to you Celebrity. Glad your my other cruise line of choice. Does O think they would gain some new guests with this liberal policy? My thinking is they may lose some of their faithful. While spending much money to sail Oceania I certainly don't want to run the rush of having a chain "smoker" with an incense smell vapor on the verandah next to me and I just have to live with. This is strictly how I feel.

O management must be "asleep at the wheel"

E-cig bans are spreading NOT retreating:

http://khon2.com/2015/01/14/e-cigarette-ban-becomes-law-on-big-island-could-expand-statewide/

With all of the available research already identifying the harmful effects of e-cigs, you'd think anyone at O with even a correspondence degree in marketing would've figured out what a bad move is allowing e-cigs beyond the boundaries established for other tobacco products.

The policy is there but what is the reality of the situation ???

I suspect... much ado about nothing. :p

While on some level I will agree that it might be much ado about nothing, it also may be much ado about something. Especially if you're the unlucky one to come side by side with the chain "smoker" whether it be on your verandah, the library, any lounge, spa or bar. When the situation arises, it has the potential to spoil the experience of the guest who has spent a substantial amount of money expecting a certain cruise experience that Oceania has offered up until now as well as putting stress on the ship's personnel who will be given the charge of handling these situations as they arise. This will amount to time spent on problems that need not ever have arisen. Goes under the heading of "what were they thinking?"

While on some level I will agree that it might be much ado about nothing, it also may be much ado about something. Especially if you're the unlucky one to come side by side with the chain "smoker" whether it be on your verandah, the library, any lounge, spa or bar. When the situation arises, it has the potential to spoil the experience of the guest who has spent a substantial amount of money expecting a certain cruise experience that Oceania has offered up until now as well as putting stress on the ship's personnel who will be given the charge of handling these situations as they arise. This will amount to time spent on problems that need not ever have arisen. Goes under the heading of "what were they thinking?"

+ 1. What WERE they (not) thinking???

Five years ago, when agreeing to take my first cruise, I spent many hours on Cruise Critic researching the various cruise lines to determine which would be a good fit for our vacation style and habits. We chose Celebrity, in part, for its sharp curtailment of smoking.

Now Elite on that cruise line, we have booked our first Oceania cruise for late next year and are enthusiastically looking forward to it. Our excitement has unfortunately been tempered by this decision to allow use of e cigs on O. E cigs are a helpful way to wean off cigarettes but the vapor still contains harmful chemicals that we non smokers should not be forced to breathe.

We will be monitoring this subject before final payment to see if Oceania re-evaluates - as we hope it will.

I suspect... much ado about nothing. :p

Could not agree more. The steam from e-cigs dissipates within 12 - 24" from where it is exhaled. There is absolutely no way it would reach the next balcony.

Many of us are against smoking. However, ranting about something that has not been proven either way is diluting our cause. I am 100% against second hand smoke but, unless and until I have definitive proof that being further than 2 feet away from someone vaping is harmful to me, I will shut up (other than to state what I have stated herein).

... I called Oceania again last evening in an attempt to clear up what appeared to be a conflict with regard to their policy on e-cigarette policy. After speaking to a number of individuals I managed to speak with a supervisor (for 30 minutes by the way) who confidently spelled out their stance on this. YES e-cigs allowed throughout the ship (with the exception of dining venues) including your cabin and verandah. This policy was recently handed down from upper management for the enjoyment of their guests and of course Mr. Del Rio approves. She and the others I spoke with before went on to attempt to tell me how harmless these cigs/vapors are.

The most recent issue of my alumni magazine arrived in today's mail. One of the articles referred to university research about the dangers of e-cigarettes being conducted by eight faculty members. (The research is being done on both human lung cells and on mice.) The articles states: "...emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue. The investigation suggests that harm begins when the e-cigarette's heating element is activated, turning a liquid solution into an aerosol that mimics cigarette smoke. The inhaled vapors contain heavy metals and other possible carcinogens in the form of nanoparticles.'

'Several leading medical groups, organizations, and scientists are concerned about the lack of restrictions and regulations for e-cigarettes... research confirms that c-cigarettes pose significant health risks and should be investigated further."

The journal where this research appears is titled PLOS One and it accessible online.

Title: "Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung"

URL: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116732

I don't know if this is the first article documenting research about the dangers of e-cigarettes and this research does not take up the issue of second hand smoke. However, I do see this article as a wake up to the folks in management who are tempted to treat e-cigarettes as a different class of cigarette and apply more flexible rules to their use.

The most recent issue of my alumni magazine arrived in today's mail. One of the articles referred to university research about the dangers of e-cigarettes being conducted by eight faculty members. (The research is being done on both human lung cells and on mice.) The articles states: "...emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue. The investigation suggests that harm begins when the e-cigarette's heating element is activated, turning a liquid solution into an aerosol that mimics cigarette smoke. The inhaled vapors contain heavy metals and other possible carcinogens in the form of nanoparticles.'

 

'Several leading medical groups, organizations, and scientists are concerned about the lack of restrictions and regulations for e-cigarettes... research confirms that c-cigarettes pose significant health risks and should be investigated further."

 

The journal where this research appears is titled PLOS One and it accessible online.

 

Title: "Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung"

 

URL: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116732

 

I don't know if this is the first article documenting research about the dangers of e-cigarettes and this research does not take up the issue of second hand smoke. However, I do see this article as a wake up to the folks in management who are tempted to treat e-cigarettes as a different class of cigarette and apply more flexible rules to their use.

---

This study, is one of many, that has been questioned as to their methods, so the moral of the story is...right now, there is no definitive study on the usage or danger of Ecigs. For every article that mentions the harms, there is an opposite article debunking it. Here is the debunking article published right after the one you posted:

http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2015/02/widely_reported_study_on_dangers_of_e-cigs_has_one_little_problem.html

This study, is one of many, that has been questioned as to their methods, so the moral of the story is...right now, there is no definitive study on the usage or danger of Ecigs. For every article that mentions the harms, there is an opposite article debunking it. Here is the debunking article published right after the one you posted:

http://www.realclearscience.com/blog/2015/02/widely_reported_study_on_dangers_of_e-cigs_has_one_little_problem.html

I agree that there is no definitive study on the safety -- or lack thereof -- of e-cigarettes. However, my reading of your link suggests you've picked a rather weak rebuttal. One of the critics of another study -- not the one I cited -- has a conflict of interest and this is clearly mentioned in your link. "Rose admitted that he does have a patent purchase agreement with Philip Morris International, which has an obvious stake in the e-cig market. But despite the apparent conflict of interest, he and Muhkin's analysis does seem sound."

The author's claim that the Rose and Muhkin's criticisms " seems sound" is weakened by the original author's response to the criticism. Sussan states, "This exposure is comparable to what a human e-cig user may be exposed to, after accounting for differences in lung capacity, and is well below one puff per breath." Simply put, Rose, a scientist with a conflict of interest, has distorted the description of the test conditions.

Most significantly, it isn't necessary for us to wait for the definitive study on e-cigarettes to be published and accepted by scientists without a conflict of interest. There are already enough questions about e-cigarettes that they should not be a special category for smokers. Let the existing Oceania regulations about tobacco cigarettes apply to e-cigarettes: Don't let e-cigarettes show up anywhere that tobacco cigarettes aren't also allowed.

The most recent issue of my alumni magazine arrived in today's mail. One of the articles referred to university research about the dangers of e-cigarettes being conducted by eight faculty members. (The research is being done on both human lung cells and on mice.) The articles states: "...emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavorings damage lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in lung tissue. The investigation suggests that harm begins when the e-cigarette's heating element is activated, turning a liquid solution into an aerosol that mimics cigarette smoke. The inhaled vapors contain heavy metals and other possible carcinogens in the form of nanoparticles.'

 

'Several leading medical groups, organizations, and scientists are concerned about the lack of restrictions and regulations for e-cigarettes... research confirms that c-cigarettes pose significant health risks and should be investigated further."

 

The journal where this research appears is titled PLOS One and it accessible online.

 

Title: "Vapors Produced by Electronic Cigarettes and E-Juices with Flavorings Induce Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Response in Lung Epithelial Cells and in Mouse Lung"

 

URL: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0116732

 

I don't know if this is the first article documenting research about the dangers of e-cigarettes and this research does not take up the issue of second hand smoke. However, I do see this article as a wake up to the folks in management who are tempted to treat e-cigarettes as a different class of cigarette and apply more flexible rules to their use.

To switch to crack... no offensive vapors from your crack pipe on your veranda......and you can always shoot up if in doors..............

I agree that there is no definitive study on the safety -- or lack thereof -- of e-cigarettes. However, my reading of your link suggests you've picked a rather weak rebuttal. One of the critics of another study -- not the one I cited -- has a conflict of interest and this is clearly mentioned in your link. "Rose admitted that he does have a patent purchase agreement with Philip Morris International, which has an obvious stake in the e-cig market. But despite the apparent conflict of interest, he and Muhkin's analysis does seem sound."

 

The author's claim that the Rose and Muhkin's criticisms " seems sound" is weakened by the original author's response to the criticism. Sussan states, "This exposure is comparable to what a human e-cig user may be exposed to, after accounting for differences in lung capacity, and is well below one puff per breath." Simply put, Rose, a scientist with a conflict of interest, has distorted the description of the test conditions.

 

Most significantly, it isn't necessary for us to wait for the definitive study on e-cigarettes to be published and accepted by scientists without a conflict of interest. There are already enough questions about e-cigarettes that they should not be a special category for smokers. Let the existing Oceania regulations about tobacco cigarettes apply to e-cigarettes: Don't let e-cigarettes show up anywhere that tobacco cigarettes aren't also allowed.

Regardless of the place in which the current research finds itself, it is clear that many municipalities and regional governments treat e-cigs the same as regular cigarettes and ban them in bars, restaurants and most other public places. See previous posts in this thread for a variety of sources verifying that.

I believe that Oceania has made a significant error in allowing e-cigs. Their marketing research may say differently but, I am convinced that their customer base is fairly well-educated with many individuals including the former restrictive smoking policy as a plus in their choice of cruise line - we certainly did.

At this point, letting Oceania's management know that a considerable number of O loyalists on CC are opposed to this change.

If you are a very frequent traveler, you may have knowledge of Chris Elliott who is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. He also writes a travel column, which we follow in the SF Chronicle. Chris has a website that lists the contact info for corporate executives across the travel (and other) industries, including cruise lines. Here is the link to Oceania contact info:

http://elliott.org/company-contacts/oceania-cruises/

If you are concerned about this O change to allow e-cigs, please send a short note to each person listed indicating something along the lines of...

"Recently, I learned that Oceania Cruises has decided to allow the use of E-cigarettes throughout each of its ships except in dining venues. Ongoing research has shown that e-cigs rival regular cigarettes in producing many similar ill effects for the smoker as well as for those subjected to the second hand vapors. Many municipalities and regional governments have chosen to include e-cigs to their ban of tobacco products.

In looking at the wonderful travel product we have enjoyed with Oceania, please understand that its restrictive smoking of recent years was a significant factor in our choice of cruise line and loyalty to it.

Please subject E-cigarettes to the same restrictions as for all other tobacco products. Thank you."

Perhaps if enough of us say something, things will go back to normal, at least as far as tobacco policies go.

Regardless of the place in which the current research finds itself, it is clear that many municipalities and regional governments treat e-cigs the same as regular cigarettes and ban them in bars, restaurants and most other public places. See previous posts in this thread for a variety of sources verifying that.

 

I believe that Oceania has made a significant error in allowing e-cigs. Their marketing research may say differently but, I am convinced that their customer base is fairly well-educated with many individuals including the former restrictive smoking policy as a plus in their choice of cruise line - we certainly did.

 

At this point, letting Oceania's management know that a considerable number of O loyalists on CC are opposed to this change.

 

If you are a very frequent traveler, you may have knowledge of Chris Elliott who is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. He also writes a travel column, which we follow in the SF Chronicle. Chris has a website that lists the contact info for corporate executives across the travel (and other) industries, including cruise lines. Here is the link to Oceania contact info:

http://elliott.org/company-contacts/oceania-cruises/

 

If you are concerned about this O change to allow e-cigs, please send a short note to each person listed indicating something along the lines of...

 

"Recently, I learned that Oceania Cruises has decided to allow the use of E-cigarettes throughout each of its ships except in dining venues. Ongoing research has shown that e-cigs rival regular cigarettes in producing many similar ill effects for the smoker as well as for those subjected to the second hand vapors. Many municipalities and regional governments have chosen to include e-cigs to their ban of tobacco products.

 

In looking at the wonderful travel product we have enjoyed with Oceania, please understand that its restrictive smoking of recent years was a significant factor in our choice of cruise line and loyalty to it.

 

Please subject E-cigarettes to the same restrictions as for all other tobacco products. Thank you."

 

Perhaps if enough of us say something, things will go back to normal, at least as far as tobacco policies go.

Ditto ! If this is true that Oceania allows e-cigarettes anywhere on the ship, I will have to cancel my cruise!

Regardless of the place in which the current research finds itself, it is clear that many municipalities and regional governments treat e-cigs the same as regular cigarettes and ban them in bars, restaurants and most other public places. See previous posts in this thread for a variety of sources verifying that.

 

I believe that Oceania has made a significant error in allowing e-cigs. Their marketing research may say differently but, I am convinced that their customer base is fairly well-educated with many individuals including the former restrictive smoking policy as a plus in their choice of cruise line - we certainly did.

 

At this point, letting Oceania's management know that a considerable number of O loyalists on CC are opposed to this change.

 

If you are a very frequent traveler, you may have knowledge of Chris Elliott who is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine. He also writes a travel column, which we follow in the SF Chronicle. Chris has a website that lists the contact info for corporate executives across the travel (and other) industries, including cruise lines. Here is the link to Oceania contact info:

http://elliott.org/company-contacts/oceania-cruises/

 

If you are concerned about this O change to allow e-cigs, please send a short note to each person listed indicating something along the lines of...

 

"Recently, I learned that Oceania Cruises has decided to allow the use of E-cigarettes throughout each of its ships except in dining venues. Ongoing research has shown that e-cigs rival regular cigarettes in producing many similar ill effects for the smoker as well as for those subjected to the second hand vapors. Many municipalities and regional governments have chosen to include e-cigs to their ban of tobacco products.

 

In looking at the wonderful travel product we have enjoyed with Oceania, please understand that its restrictive smoking of recent years was a significant factor in our choice of cruise line and loyalty to it.

 

Please subject E-cigarettes to the same restrictions as for all other tobacco products. Thank you."

 

Perhaps if enough of us say something, things will go back to normal, at least as far as tobacco policies go.

Well, I am pleased! I just sent my suggested e-mail to Jason Montague, president/coo of Oceania and he immediately replied (Sunday morning 08:30 PDT!!!):

From: Jason Montague

Date: May 17, 2015 at 8:23:48 AM PDT

To:

Subject: RE: E-cigarettes on Oceania

Thank you for your email, this policy has recently been reviewed and we will be changing the policy to restrict e-cigarettes in all public areas to the designated smoking areas.

Regards,

Jason

Fabulous news! I had written to Mr. Montague before we boarded Marina last month but somehow I had his email address wrong (missing one crucial letter in his name) so of course it bounced back to me. I was planning on writing to his correct address now that I have returned but am delighted that I won't have to!

Mura

GREAT news. Thank you Oceania for manning up quickly to what was obviously a very poor, very potentially unhealthy choice for your guests and obviously unpopular decision Thrilled to hear e-cigs and vapors will be treated exactly as tobacco products and thus use restricted to smoking designated areas only. I am sure that the crew is happy as well as they will now not have to deal with a new set of problems that were bound to arise were this poor policy allowed to stay in place and really could have been avoided. Oceania now back on the high road. Happily looking to many more sailings on my favorite line.