A suggestion to modify the smoking policy. Feedback, pls!

[m steve]

since there are abour 25% smokers they could book the balcony cabins in 1/4 of the ship. Of course non smokers will then say that that was their favorite cabin and demand everyone move. I don't smoke. My partner does and we pay extra for the balcony so she can smoke outside. We try to book aft cabins so not to disturb others. She doesn't smoke in the house at home or in our cars. There was a smoking bar on HAL last year that had 4 tables and the bar for smokers. If a non smoker took one of the smoking tables(there was a sign on each table) and we came in I politely asked them to choose a non smoking table and never had a problem. Some people are trained to be considerate and others seem only to want things done their way. We used to cruise on X but now use HAL and Princess. When a smoker wants that first cigarette in the day, I think it's unreasonable to demand that they get dressed and then take an elevator to the smoking deck area. I understand some people are alergic to smoke. I also know there are people who just love to complain about other's habits.

[GaryNFla]

since there are abour 25% smokers they could book the balcony cabins in 1/4 of the ship. Of course non smokers will then say that that was their favorite cabin and demand everyone move. I don't smoke. My partner does and we pay extra for the balcony so she can smoke outside. We try to book aft cabins so not to disturb others. She doesn't smoke in the house at home or in our cars. There was a smoking bar on HAL last year that had 4 tables and the bar for smokers. If a non smoker took one of the smoking tables(there was a sign on each table) and we came in I politely asked them to choose a non smoking table and never had a problem. Some people are trained to be considerate and others seem only to want things done their way. We used to cruise on X but now use HAL and Princess. When a smoker wants that first cigarette in the day, I think it's unreasonable to demand that they get dressed and then take an elevator to the smoking deck area. I understand some people are alergic to smoke. I also know there are people who just love to complain about other's habits.

 

 

Thanks for a very fair and rational reply to this post. I smoke and wish I didn't and I am currently taking Chantix so hopefully I will be smoke free by my next sailing. I have seen so many posts making the smokers look like 2nd class citizens with no regard for them at all.. It was very refreshing reading your post..Thanks

[snausman]

Thanks for a very fair and rational reply to this post. I smoke and wish I didn't and I am currently taking Chantix so hopefully I will be smoke free by my next sailing. I have seen so many posts making the smokers look like 2nd class citizens with no regard for them at all.. It was very refreshing reading your post..Thanks

 

Good Luck to you, I hope it works for you! Thank goodness there are products out there if you should want to try them.

[pspercy]

. . I am currently taking Chantix . .

 

Good luck, the original Nicorette did it for my wife & I, but any way that works for you is well worth it in the end :)

[Tony UK]

Dear all

I speak as an ex-smoker and as most of us know we are probably the most critical of smoking!

 

Personally I would prefer no smoking, BUT understand the business reasons for not going this route. I'm OK with the present policy except for one area - On the solstice a smoking area on deck 5 is outside the bistro - not pleasant viweing ehen eating. Deck 5 is also one of the nicest and quitest sitting out areas, but usually one side summy and one side not. The position of the smoking zone is a prime spot on this deck. An area where people go on deck after eating in one of the many eateries on this deck. I guess it doesnt really matter where the smoking spot is, so could it not be repositioned to another spot?

[Cruisenouvelle]

"What are your thoughts? What reasons can you think of why this would not work? For those who like the present smoking policy, would this make you less likely to cruise with X? If you don't, would it make you more likely? And please let's not let this degenerate to a discussion on the evils of smoking/the rights of smokers. "

 

My thoughts are... it's not a good idea. I like the present policy, and messing (I was going to type a stronger word,) around with it as you suggest would make me NOT want to stay w/ Celebrity as my cruiseline of choice. As suggested above, there are plenty of options for smokers that want to enjoy a smoke in their cabin(s) or on their balconies...Costa welcomes you !

 

 

[fleckle]

I've made this suggestion on a few other threads, but not received a lot of feedback, so here goes again:

 

............Make the port side of the ship smoking, and the starboard side nonsmoking. Those expressing no preference would be assigned to either side as needed to fill empty cabins, probably starting with the smoking side, but reassigned to the nonsmoking side if necessary. Smokers could smoke on the verandah, or possibly even in their cabin. ......................

As the saying goes, it ain't gonna happen. Most Celebrity passengers are very happy with the current policy of smoke-free cabins and balconies. Your suggestion would essentially be a giant step backwards.

 

Look at the restaurant and hotel industries. Only a decade ago it was rare to find restaurants and hotels that were totally non-smoking. Now they are commonplace.

 

Just as there are still hotels that offer smoking rooms, there will probably still be cruise lines that permit smoking in cabins a decade from now. It is a matter of choosing the niche that is right for each of us and compromising when traveling with family or friends whose wants/needs/lifestyles are different from our own.

 

We have some family members who unsuccessfully tried to give up smoking for health reasons numerous times. They were always grumbling and complaining about the restrictive smoking policies wherever they went, futilely offering suggestions such as yours. They finally did manage to quit smoking simply because smoking became so inconvenient that they decided the pleasure they derived from it was no longer worth the hassle and aggravation.

 

As for the possibility of the anti-smoking policies being reversed, does anyone remember a Woody Allen movie called Sleeper?;)

[raudacruise]

I promised myself not to do this but here goes.

 

I am not surprised by the overwhelming majority of those that have posted in favor of the smoking changes. Its been in place for long enough that smokers have decided to go elsewhere. Also, most smokers are not confrontive, they realize they have an addiction that brings out confrontation - why deal with it so they have moved to another line.

 

Has this been profitable for =X=. I'm sure they don't know yet. Their revenue has take a hit but is it because of the economy or the smoking restrictions? I'm sure their execs are scratching their heads on that one. If it was a great success then RCCL would do the same. Or maybe that is the plan, smoking ships vs. non-smoking ships. Beats ideas of half of one ship smoking and the other half fuming :D.

 

Please, no flames, except for those that say I was stupid to enter this debate :rolleyes:.

[dkjretired]

I promised myself not to do this but here goes.

 

I am not surprised by the overwhelming majority of those that have posted in favor of the smoking changes. Its been in place for long enough that smokers have decided to go elsewhere. Also, most smokers are not confrontive, they realize they have an addiction that brings out confrontation - why deal with it so they have moved to another line.

 

Has this been profitable for =X=. I'm sure they don't know yet. Their revenue has take a hit but is it because of the economy or the smoking restrictions? I'm sure their execs are scratching their heads on that one. If it was a great success then RCCL would do the same. Or maybe that is the plan, smoking ships vs. non-smoking ships. Beats ideas of half of one ship smoking and the other half fuming :D.

 

Please, no flames, except for those that say I was stupid to enter this debate :rolleyes:.

 

You are right and I think the jury is still out on the casino. Although they may have attracted numerous people who would not normally enter the casino, what affect has it had on the high rollers. If you check out any of the land based casinos you will find that invariable the high roller areas are all smoking. There is a reason for this and that is where the money is made...

[ehfl]

Wouldn't it make sense to fill the smoking cabins from the aft of the ship forward? This would accommodate any percent of smokers/non-smokers. And the smoke would always be blowing backwards (except when the ship was stopped).

[pom]

First off, I know this topic is going to open a can of worms, and I can't believe I am getting into this...

 

I am allergic to cigarette smoke, as a lot of others are. I was glad that Celebrity instituted their new non-smoking policy. I also think it probably helps with insurance rates if smoking is not permitted in the staterooms.

 

Your proposal for making one side of the ship smoking (either port or starboard) does not take into account that a lot of people choose a particular side of the ship relative to the itinerary of that cruise. How would that accomdate them if the side they preferred to book a cabin on was smoking and they were non-smokers?

 

Celebrity's policy seems to be working just fine, if it ain't broke.....

 

 

I have to agree 100% on what you are saying, I too can not be around smoke and I am very glad that they did this. And yes I would like many others have said, that they would start cruising on ships who had this policy.

 

As I am one of those choose the side depending on where we are going, and this would make me mad if i ended up on the side where someone was smoking beside my cabin.

[hajekfam]

Wouldn't it make sense to fill the smoking cabins from the aft of the ship forward? This would accommodate any percent of smokers/non-smokers. And the smoke would always be blowing backwards (except when the ship was stopped).

 

On the Millennium class, the aft cabins are coveted and the first to sell out. They are the ones with huge balconies. If every cabin was identical, it might work, but the cabins and verandahs are not identical. In fact, the large family view cabins are aft.

[Ma Bell]

I think Celebrity has this just right. There are places for smokers who can manage their habit. I also think it would be incredibly rude for people to sit in a smoking area and then complain.

[siskokid]

I am a smoker and wish to add that I agree with X new smoking area’s. I do not agree with smoking on a balcony or in rooms.

I understand that safety at sea is more important than my smoking habits.

All rooms and balconies should be non smoking. P/S I am on the summit 31/10/2009 and in an aft cabin and as much as I want to enjoy it I do not want to force some one else to go inside because of my smoke.

[pom]

I am a smoker and wish to add that I agree with X new smoking area’s. I do not agree with smoking on a balcony or in rooms.

I understand that safety at sea is more important than my smoking habits.

All rooms and balconies should be non smoking. P/S I am on the summit 31/10/2009 and in an aft cabin and as much as I want to enjoy it I do not want to force some one else to go inside because of my smoke.

 

 

Hi Sisokid

 

What you had said is so true, I just wish others would think along the same line of thought.

[scottbee]

...

What are your thoughts? What reasons can you think of why this would not work? For those who like the present smoking policy, would this make you less likely to cruise with X? If you don't, would it make you more likely? And please let's not let this degenerate to a discussion on the evils of smoking/the rights of smokers.

 

It comes down to economics, why would a cruise line reserve 1/2 the ship for the less than 1/5th (North American stats) of the population that smoke? Even Austria at 36% is still only just over 1 in 3. The costs for a cruise line to allow smoking in cabins, balconies goes up based on insurance, and cleaning costs.

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_dai_smo-health-daily-smokers

[raudacruise]

It comes down to economics, why would a cruise line reserve 1/2 the ship for the less than 1/5th (North American stats) of the population that smoke? Even Austria at 36% is still only just over 1 in 3. The costs for a cruise line to allow smoking in cabins, balconies goes up based on insurance, and cleaning costs.

 

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/hea_dai_smo-health-daily-smokers

 

You have to look at this from a total view, not just one statistic.

 

First, there are "mixed" marriages, one smoker and one not. If one set their foot down about the smoking restrictions they may go on another line.

 

Second, smokers tend to be (until they die out) older with more discretionary time and money.

 

Third, by your own posting Europeans have a significantly higher smoking rate and Celebrity does have a significant number of European cruises/customers.

 

As I posted before, Celebrity because of the economy I'm not sure they can tell for sure whether or losing or gaining passengers. There has been significant discounting on some cruising but who knows why?

 

Given how much they have put into the program I seriously doubt a significant change to the program but Carnivals experiment lasted longer than this before it fizzled.

 

It is the bottom line - but I doubt anyone knows what the impact is yet.

[FinelyCruising]

 

As I posted before, Celebrity because of the economy I'm not sure they can tell for sure whether or losing or gaining passengers. There has been significant discounting on some cruising but who knows why?

 

On the March Solstice everyone did their utmost best to contain it. I could not manage but a passing by of the Lawn Deck on Solstice briefly while DH stayed to enjoy a Cigar and I enjoyed the idea of those who perfected the indulgence and relaxation of smoking their favorite.:)

[siskokid]

Hi Pom,

I wish some people would relax and learn to help other and not hinder them.

I know there are smokers that don’t care about other people, but on the other hand there are smokers that would like to respect others and will try to minimize there smoke so not to affect others.

I look for designated area’s to smoke and some times my D/G who does not smoke will join me with a drink.

One thing we both enjoyed on our last cruise with Carnival on the Freedom (western med cruise) was the cigar lounge where you could smoke and have a drink and relax.

[CaribbeanBound]

You can't smoke cigarettes in the dining room.

Can you still smoke salmon?

[A Sixth?]

You have to look at this from a total view, not just one statistic.

 

First, there are "mixed" marriages, one smoker and one not. If one set their foot down about the smoking restrictions they may go on another line.

 

Second, smokers tend to be (until they die out) older with more discretionary time and money.

 

Third, by your own posting Europeans have a significantly higher smoking rate and Celebrity does have a significant number of European cruises/customers.

 

As I posted before, Celebrity because of the economy I'm not sure they can tell for sure whether or losing or gaining passengers. There has been significant discounting on some cruising but who knows why?

 

Given how much they have put into the program I seriously doubt a significant change to the program but Carnivals experiment lasted longer than this before it fizzled.

 

It is the bottom line - but I doubt anyone knows what the impact is yet.

 

:cool::cool::cool: ya right. Home grown experts are in tune with the market and requirements and X are not doing their homework... LMAO!!!!

 

BTW Carnival had a smoke free-ship when you could still smoke in restaurants in most States. Being right doesn't mean you had the timing done exact.... ask... (make your own quip up here...)

[scottbee]

You have to look at this from a total view, not just one statistic.

 

First, there are "mixed" marriages, one smoker and one not. If one set their foot down about the smoking restrictions they may go on another line.

True, but there are also plenty of smokers who refuse to smoke inside, or somewhere where they might bother someone. It probably cancels each other right.

 

Second, smokers tend to be (until they die out) older with more discretionary time and money.

I doubt this to be true. Lots of things I've seen have just the opposite. Certainly on my longer cruises, where there are people with more discretionary time and money, there have been fewer smokers, which would appear to contradict your claim.

 

Third, by your own posting Europeans have a significantly higher smoking rate and Celebrity does have a significant number of European cruises/customers.

Still only slightly over 1/3

 

As I posted before, Celebrity because of the economy I'm not sure they can tell for sure whether or losing or gaining passengers. There has been significant discounting on some cruising but who knows why?

Celebrity are in the business to make money. If they feel they're gaining in terms of both new & repeat customers, and saving in terms of cleaning/hassle costs, they'll implement a more restrictive policy. The fact that Celebrity has a stricter policy than say RCCL or Carnival, would back up my point previously, that those with higher income/more time are less likely to smoke.

[nomo4iz]

Yes, tobacco use is indeed a socioeconomic indicator.

 

I think Celebrity will bow to the demands of the more affluent market they attract and go completely smoke free. It's only a matter of time.

[mahalogirl]

I am a smoker, and my boyfriend is not. Although I am allowed, I would never smoke in such close quarters as the cabin, but I do want to be able to smoke on my balcony. We get an aft cabin so I can smoke with the least impact on my neighbors. I think it is great for non-smokers that there are ships/lines with restrictive policies about smoking on their balconies, but I would never purchase a cruise on such a ship. I have a quit date set of January 1, 2010, and pray I can make it, but in the meantime, I will continue to smoke in designated areas, regardless of who glares.