RCCL banning smoking on verandahs as of Jan. 1, 2014

Thought other RCCL cruisers whom smoke on their verandahs might be interested to know that as of Jan. 1, 2014 they will only be permitted to smoke in designated areas onboard RCCL ships, which will no longer include their private balconies.

I'm sure many non smokers will be pleased with the news but smokers, like my husband, may choose to consider sailing with other cruise companies which still cater to ALL cruisers, not just a select group.

When I called today, to book our next cruise, I just happen to ask which side - port or starboard - was cosidered the smoking side (as I can never remember) and was given the "No smoking" news. Since I had yet to hear this nor see posted on any of the boards I asked if RCCL was advising cruisers of this new policy when they booked.....suprisingly, I was told that "unless people specifically asked about smoking on their balcony, they (RCCL reps) were not mentioning the new rule". "Not mentioning"...aka decieving customers, in my opinion, does not promote good customer relations nor return customers.

This has already been posted, but it's the best news I've heard. This is the first step in banning smoking on ships completely. Might take a 3-6 more years, but it's coming.

Yes, this new January 1, 2014 policy was announced a couple of months ago and as you can guess, has gotten very mixed reviews here on CC. Sorry you were surprised to learn of this when trying to book and I guess RCI should probably ask the question at the time of booking "are there any smokers in your party?" rather than let customers stumble across it on their own. :(

Thought other RCCL cruisers whom smoke on their verandahs might be interested to know that as of Jan. 1, 2014 they will only be permitted to smoke in designated areas onboard RCCL ships, which will no longer include their private balconies.

I'm sure many non smokers will be pleased with the news but smokers, like my husband, may choose to consider sailing with other cruise companies which still cater to ALL cruisers, not just a select group.

When I called today, to book our next cruise, I just happen to ask which side - port or starboard - was cosidered the smoking side (as I can never remember) and was given the "No smoking" news. Since I had yet to hear this nor see posted on any of the boards I asked if RCCL was advising cruisers of this new policy when they booked.....suprisingly, I was told that "unless people specifically asked about smoking on their balcony, they (RCCL reps) were not mentioning the new rule". "Not mentioning"...aka decieving customers, in my opinion, does not promote good customer relations nor return customers.

Where´s the News :confused:

This has been discussed on the boards ad nauseum for weeks.

Here's the thread on it

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1909297&highlight=smoking

"Not mentioning"...aka decieving customers, in my opinion, does not promote good customer relations nor return customers.

The policy is clearly written on their site and it was all over the internet, including here. You asked a question and they answered it. It's kinda hard to call that deception. Why would they otherwise tell anyone? It's one of a thousand ever changing policies. How are they to know which ones are a big deal to every individual passenger? :confused:

We received notice via email of this new policy a couple of months ago - we cruise 3-4 times a year with RCCL and yes I smoke, but instead of arguing the point it just gives me more reason to quit, I will not stop cruising because of this, all lines will eventually ban It all together, just a matter of time, I do enjoy a good smoke, but I enjoy cruising more, and hey, if it makes me quit, I can save enough every year for another cruise!

This has already been posted, but it's the best news I've heard. This is the first step in banning smoking on ships completely. Might take a 3-6 more years, but it's coming.

Never never happen.

It has been tried, and it has failed.

Since I had yet to hear this nor see posted on any of the boards I asked if RCCL was advising cruisers of this new policy when they booked.....suprisingly, I was told that "unless people specifically asked about smoking on their balcony, they (RCCL reps) were not mentioning the new rule". "Not mentioning"...aka decieving customers, in my opinion, does not promote good customer relations nor return customers.

Silly.... If they mentioned EVERY rule and regulation that 'may' impact a person booking a cruise, you would never get off the phone. The rules are plainly listed on the web site and contract. It is up to the customer to read them.

Perhaps we need to cut the OP a little slack on this. Yes the "deceiving customers" comment was a bit much but let's give the benefit of the doubt. First, the new policy is not exactly headline news on the RCI web site nor has it been; you have drill down into the On Board Policies FAQ's to find it - that assumes you were concerned the policy may have changed since your last cruise and went looking. Second, you can see by the OP's post count and join date that they don't spend hours every day/week on CC like some of us, in fact, their last post prior to today was almost two years ago so why would they come here looking for a smoking policy change when none was suspected? Lastly, judging by the consternation the policy change caused on this board a few months ago, it is a pretty big deal in the larger scheme of RCI policy changes and something (in the interest of good customer service) you would think that RCI would want to specifically point out to customers at the time of a new booking, at least until the policy is actually in effect and more institutionalized with their customer base.

Never never happen.

 

It has been tried, and it has failed.

There are Cruise Lines that have recently gone smoke free and are doing just fine.

If you are referring to the Carnival ship that was smoke free that was years ago. Smoking has gotten much more socially unacceptable since then. Royal will go smoke free, it is only a matter of time.

Guess the OP didn't get the email sent out on September 9. :eek:

Dear Friend,

In consideration of ongoing guest feedback and evolving industry standards, Royal Caribbean International is revising its onboard smoking policy, effective for all sailings departing on or after January 1, 2014.

Under this new policy, all indoor public spaces will be smoke free, with the exception of the Casino and the Connoisseur Club on Freedom and Voyager Class ships and one designated smoking venue on ships sailing from Chinese homeports. In the Casino, there will be designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

Additionally, smoking will not be permitted in the staterooms or on stateroom balconies. Outdoor smoking areas will be designated on the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships.

Indoor smoking areas permit tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Cigars and pipe tobacco can be enjoyed in designated outdoor areas, or in the cigar club on the ships that offer this venue.

Please consult our Smoking Policy on our website for more details.

Royal Caribbean International is committed to continually enhancing the guest vacation experience. To find smoking venues and areas while onboard, please consult your Cruise Compass, or visit Guest Services, where we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

. First, the new policy is not exactly headline news on the RCI web site nor has it been; you have drill down into the On Board Policies FAQ's to find it - that assumes you were concerned the policy may have changed since your last cruise and went looking.

All you need to do is put "smoking policy" in the Search Box on the RCI Home Page and you will have your answer.:)

Guess the OP didn't get the email sent out on September 9. :eek:

 

Dear Friend,

 

In consideration of ongoing guest feedback and evolving industry standards, Royal Caribbean International is revising its onboard smoking policy, effective for all sailings departing on or after January 1, 2014.

 

Under this new policy, all indoor public spaces will be smoke free, with the exception of the Casino and the Connoisseur Club on Freedom and Voyager Class ships and one designated smoking venue on ships sailing from Chinese homeports. In the Casino, there will be designated smoking and non-smoking areas.

 

Additionally, smoking will not be permitted in the staterooms or on stateroom balconies. Outdoor smoking areas will be designated on the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships.

 

Indoor smoking areas permit tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Cigars and pipe tobacco can be enjoyed in designated outdoor areas, or in the cigar club on the ships that offer this venue.

 

Please consult our Smoking Policy on our website for more details.

 

Royal Caribbean International is committed to continually enhancing the guest vacation experience. To find smoking venues and areas while onboard, please consult your Cruise Compass, or visit Guest Services, where we will be happy to assist you.

 

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you aboard soon.

We cruise regularly with RCI and didn't get the e-mail. Would not have known about it, except for CC.

Your granddaughter is really growing up Patti, great photo.

I'm sure many non smokers will be pleased with the news but smokers, like my husband, may choose to consider sailing with other cruise companies which still cater to ALL cruisers, not just a select group.... nor see posted on any of the boards....

As stated, this has been discussed here for months. Sorry you missed it and are upset, but since we all do have a choice with whom to cruise, I'm sure you and your husband will be checking out some of the other lines.

There are Cruise Lines that have recently gone smoke free and are doing just fine.

 

If you are referring to the Carnival ship that was smoke free that was years ago. Smoking has gotten much more socially unacceptable since then. Royal will go smoke free, it is only a matter of time.

Which cruise lines are currently completely smoke free?

Perhaps we need to cut the OP a little slack on this. Yes the "deceiving customers" comment was a bit much but let's give the benefit of the doubt.

I was ready up until that comment Joe. She could have asked. It's been discussed here and on other boards.

We are diamond plus with RCL and did not recieve the Sept. 9th email. Just spoke with a rep yesterday to have balcony discount added to balance due, and she made no mention of new smoking policy.

I already knew thanks to CC.

Which cruise lines are currently completely smoke free?

Well Celebrity recently announced that they consider their ships smoke free environments. But because they know some of their guests smoke they will allow smoking only in designated outdoor spots.

When they say smoke free they include e-cigs. Fines of $250 will be placed on your onboard account for violating their policy.

Disney, Cunard and Royal Caribbean have also recently made major changes toward nonsmoking (including e-cigs) ships

This is what I mean by smoke free cruise lines.

You use the term completely nonsmoking. Limiting smoking to only a couple of out of the way outdoor spots seems smoke free to me.

Thought other RCCL cruisers whom smoke on their verandahs might be interested to know that as of Jan. 1, 2014 they will only be permitted to smoke in designated areas onboard RCCL ships, which will no longer include their private balconies.

I'm sure many non smokers will be pleased with the news but smokers, like my husband, may choose to consider sailing with other cruise companies which still cater to ALL cruisers, not just a select group.

When I called today, to book our next cruise, I just happen to ask which side - port or starboard - was cosidered the smoking side (as I can never remember) and was given the "No smoking" news. Since I had yet to hear this nor see posted on any of the boards I asked if RCCL was advising cruisers of this new policy when they booked.....suprisingly, I was told that "unless people specifically asked about smoking on their balcony, they (RCCL reps) were not mentioning the new rule". "Not mentioning"...aka decieving customers, in my opinion, does not promote good customer relations nor return customers.

Just spoke with a rep yesterday to have balcony discount added to balance due, and she made no mention of new smoking policy.

I'm baffled as to why some of you think they would or should do this. :confused: When you book a balcony, do the reservation agents tell you to keep the slider closed for the AC, or tell you not to throw anything overboard, or tell you not to leave clothes hanging? Of course not. These are on board policy issues. You'd be on the phone all day and wait times would be hours if agents discussed all policies with you. That's why they have a website.

We are diamond plus with RCL and did not recieve the Sept. 9th email. Just spoke with a rep yesterday to have balcony discount added to balance due, and she made no mention of new smoking policy.

 

I already knew thanks to CC.

If I can't smoke on my verandah, then, I'll just smoke on my lanai. Problem solved!:D

Never never happen.

 

It has been tried, and it has failed.

If you're referring to the Carnival Paradise, it sailed for six years as a non smoking ship. If I'm remembering correctly, it was explained by the company that they discontinued the non smoking ship not because of a lack of bookings, but because of the trouble in recruiting and retaining non smoking employees for that ship.