Liberty smoking + Why Not Today

[tnt10]

It wasn't like that last time it was in FLL

 

 

Perhaps RCI changes things depending on the current market demand.

??

 

Happy Cruisng,

TnT

[Nessa1dc]

I was on the 11/29 cruise on the Liberty, I'm a smoker, and yes, Boleros did smell strongly of cigarettes...because it is a smoking pub. The Schooner, and many other bars were completely NON-smoking and had no smell. The casino had an entire pit for non-smokers with more casino games. My H and I had a balcony room so that we could smoke on our balcony as instructed. RCCL is NOT a non-smoking vessell...we don't have to argue, but be polite to one another. This doesn't have to be a debate. I'm extremely courteous when smoking anywhere. If RCCL became a non-smoking vessel, I simply wouldn't go. I think they are trying to be fair to both sides...and as usual, it wont be enough.

 

BTW - Anything that's profitable...doesn't discontinue.

[Debde]

And Wikipedia is always accurate. :rolleyes:

 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Wikipedia_trustworthy_or_does_it_give_false_information

[Mark_K]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_Wikipedia_trustworthy_or_does_it_give_false_information

So wikianswers tells you that wikipedia is trustworthy -- I'm so relieved, you couldn't get a more impartial, independent endorsement than that. ;)

[Debde]

come on mark-ya gotta have a sense of humor while having a heated debate!!!:p

 

Really-at the end of the day-the smokers will be smoking while cruising and the non smokers will come home to CC and complain!!:D

[FreewayFortune]

We had a beautiful big balcony to go with our JS and smokers around us on their balconies. I'm sensitive to smoke but being outside it didn't bug me. Besides I am fully aware of the smoking policy. But what they should do is provide ash trays because the ash from the smokers on the balconies around ours kept landing on our balcony. Petty maybe but I wasn't overly impressed. Oh well it's not like it marred the Liberty experience or anything. And smoking in other venues wasn't a problem we just avoided them. I think as non-smokers we have to give a little too.

[Gablin]

I was on Carnival's Paradise in the early summer of 2003. We chose the ship because of my granddaughter, who has asthma. In conversation with one of the bartenders, I mentioned that my granddaughter has asthma and that we had chosen the ship accordingly. The bartender, a woman from Romania, has a grown son suffering from asthma, but he smokes! We did discuss treatment options in Romania and in the US.

 

The bartender told us that passengers on the Paradise did not buy as much alcohol, or even sodas, and did not use the casino as much as those on other ships she'd worked on. She thought that it might be that those who are nonsmokers include many people who belong to religions that forbid smoking, drinking and gambling. I had not thought about that, but she said that she sometimes asked people who ordered plain fruit juice or tomato juice in the bar, whether they ever drink. She said she often got the answer that the person's religion prohibited caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and even gambling.

[cruiserbryce]

I guess it depends on how sensitive you are...we are both non smokers and had no issues on Liberty:confused:

[Rala]

We had a beautiful big balcony to go with our JS and smokers around us on their balconies. I'm sensitive to smoke but being outside it didn't bug me. Besides I am fully aware of the smoking policy. But what they should do is provide ash trays because the ash from the smokers on the balconies around ours kept landing on our balcony. Petty maybe but I wasn't overly impressed. Oh well it's not like it marred the Liberty experience or anything. And smoking in other venues wasn't a problem we just avoided them. I think as non-smokers we have to give a little too.

 

They DO provide ashtrays, but you have to ask your steward for one. I can't imagine someone smokimg on their balcony and just letting the ashes fly wherever. That is an inconsiderate smoker! They are probably the same ones who throw their butts overboard when they are finished. As a considerate smoker, behavior like that makes me want to throw their butts overboard!

[Nessa1dc]

Our Steward provided an ashtray for us....and I agree, if I see a cigarette go overboard...I get extremely pissed.

[boaterette]

People leave the ashtrays outside on the balcony because the cabin can't smell of smoke so even though the cigs are out the ashes will blow away. It does not mean that people are flicking their ashes over the side.

[eyeeye]

I got this from wikipedia.

"The Paradise was built to be the world's first completely non-smoking cruise ship. Every step of her construction was done by non-smoking personnel and she was entered into service supported by several anti-smoking and cancer-prevention groups. "No smoking" signs were placed prominently on both sides of the ship and on the stern under the name.

Non-smoking rules were strictly enforced. No smoking materials of any kind were permitted aboard. If anything was seen or found, the passenger was fined $250 and put off at the next port (transportation home to be provided at passenger's own expense). Due to poor revenue, Carnival decided to discontinue the smoke-free ship in December 2003 because non-smokers tend to not drink or gamble as much as those accustomed to smoke."

However, that was in 2003, 6 years later less people are smoking. I wish some cruise company would pull the trigger and go totally non smoking. Marriott did it at their properties. I am sure they are still making revenue as before the ban.

[bbenson]

And I wish cruise ships (and especially airlines) would pull the trigger and let you smoke anywhere, but that's not going to happen SOOOOO you compromise... yes Compromise that pesky little thing where generally both sides are unhappy about it.

 

Now that said I think it's important that smokers respect nonsmokers rights to a smoke free experience as much as possible. Meaning, keep the smoking in designated areas, keep your ashes and butts in their proper places and make sure you put the cigarette out completely. And I think it's important for nonsmokers to let smokers have their smoke full experience as much as possible. now that means if you enter a place that you know is going to be smokey...certain bars, casinos etc, don't gripe about it... you know or at least suspected it was going to be smokey before you went. If you don't like it. Try a totally nonsmoking venue! And don't complain this limits your venues... smokers have to go places they can't smoke all the time, or not go as the case may be and their venues get limited.

 

I think the current smoking policy on RCCL is about right... areas of the outside decks are smoking, balconies are smoking, the casino is most nigts, and certain areas of certain bars are smoking. It's not convenient if you're a smoker but its not completely inconvenient either.... no one is completely happy smoker or non smoker and to me that means it's a pretty good compromise.

[mark290]

I was on the 11/29 cruise on the Liberty, I'm a smoker, and yes, Boleros did smell strongly of cigarettes...because it is a smoking pub. The Schooner, and many other bars were completely NON-smoking and had no smell. The casino had an entire pit for non-smokers with more casino games. My H and I had a balcony room so that we could smoke on our balcony as instructed. RCCL is NOT a non-smoking vessell...we don't have to argue, but be polite to one another. This doesn't have to be a debate. I'm extremely courteous when smoking anywhere. If RCCL became a non-smoking vessel, I simply wouldn't go. I think they are trying to be fair to both sides...and as usual, it wont be enough.

 

BTW - Anything that's profitable...doesn't discontinue.

 

According to you "Anything that's profitable...doesn't discontinue."

However smoking is said to be profitable to the cruiseline yet it

is being discontinued. It has been discontinued in several bars and

in the casino on some nights. At some point in the future (when not if)

it will be discontinued in all inside areas and probably most of the

remaining smoking allowed outside areas.

[MrCruzdoggie]

Time to pull out the Rum Runners and take a seat.....pass the pop corn, please?

 

 

Love it

[Mark_K]

However, that was in 2003, 6 years later less people are smoking. I wish some cruise company would pull the trigger and go totally non smoking. Marriott did it at their properties. I am sure they are still making revenue as before the ban.

At the Marriott you can go outside for a smoke, on the ship doing that would be both a long drop and a long swim.

[babies12]

Cruiselines are designated for a variety of demographics one of which allows smoking. So, I believe this smoking thread is moot point as long as the ships continue to allow it. If you don't like the smell of smoke or are bothered on your balcony, consider a different line geared more towards your needs.

[Bxc53]

Cruiselines are designated for a variety of demographics one of which allows smoking. So, I believe this smoking thread is moot point as long as the ships continue to allow it. If you don't like the smell of smoke or are bothered on your balcony, consider a different line geared more towards your needs.

 

I don't think the thread is moot as cruise lines may see this as feedback.

 

However, your advice is appropriate. After five cruises on different lines, I've found that I can't rely on finding a smoke free experience without significantly restricting where I go on the ship, including my balcony. I feel I paid for use of all the facilities. So, the answer is to vote with my dollars and switch my vacation spending to land based providers who can offer a smoke free experience.

 

Hopefully, one day a cruise line will build a business model that does not rely on self destructive behavior from their customers. Until then, my $ stays on land..

[mikedw]

I use to work for Amtrak and in the 90's you could still smoke in the lounge car onboard the overnight trains, when I use to talk to passengers and tell them that eventually it would be completely non-smoking they thought I was crazy. You all to see the rush at the longer station stops when all the smokers jump out to smoke, it could have been 3 am and 20 below and the people would pile out.

 

I think eventually, the smoking will be phased out completely on ships, a lot of casinos are smoke free now and here in Maryland there is no smoking allowed in any bar or restaurant, even private clubs are non-smoking. The restaurants and bars are actually seeing an increase in business here in Maryland. My wife and I went on the wester Caribbean sailing onboard the Paradise back in 2001 for our honeymoon and it was a great ship.

[Mark_K]

I use to work for Amtrak and in the 90's you could still smoke in the lounge car onboard the overnight trains, when I use to talk to passengers and tell them that eventually it would be completely non-smoking they thought I was crazy. You all to see the rush at the longer station stops when all the smokers jump out to smoke, it could have been 3 am and 20 below and the people would pile out.

 

I think eventually, the smoking will be phased out completely on ships, a lot of casinos are smoke free now and here in Maryland there is no smoking allowed in any bar or restaurant, even private clubs are non-smoking. The restaurants and bars are actually seeing an increase in business here in Maryland. My wife and I went on the wester Caribbean sailing onboard the Paradise back in 2001 for our honeymoon and it was a great ship.

And where are those smokers going to jump outside to on a cruise ship? A cruise ship, if it's completely non-smoking, is not like any hotel, restaurant, casino, etc. on land.

[katiel53]

I agree that Carnival had problems with Paradise and non-smoking. I do, though, feel that since 2003 many more people have decided not to smoke. My husband is one of them. The same people who used to smoke are doing the same things they did previously, albeit without smoking. We/he still go to the casino, pubs etc.

 

I do feel that smokers and non-smokers need to get along on a cruise. Hopefully, if we go out on our balcony and someone next door is smoking and the smoke is drifting over to our balcony, if it becomes offensive to us, we can work out an arrangement with our neighbors. We shall see.

[imsulin]

No, it didn't tank big time. It went pretty well for several years and then got moved to the West Coast and they discontinued it. According to Carnival, its profits were in line with other ships its size and age.

 

I think you're wrong. The CCL Paradise had trouble filling the ship for its weekly cruises, and the drinks/casino revenue was way down the whole time. The reason the Paradise got moved to do 3-4 night cruises from CA was due to low/non profits as a smoke-free ship doing 7-night Caribbean cruises. The minute the Paradise was moved to CA, smoking was permitted. Can you provide that "according to Carnival" quote? Thanks so much!

 

IMO, the reason the CCL Paradise non-smoking ship failed was because they (overnight) made the non-smoking rules so strict! You'd get thrown off for even carrying a lighter! The reason that lines like RCI and Celebrity will be much more successful is because they're "easing" into non-smoking. One step at a time. These are just my thoughts.

[Mark_K]

I think you're wrong. The CCL Paradise had trouble filling the ship for its weekly cruises, and the drinks/casino revenue was way down the whole time. The reason the Paradise got moved to do 3-4 night cruises from CA was due to low/non profits as a smoke-free ship doing 7-night Caribbean cruises. The minute the Paradise was moved to CA, smoking was permitted. Can you provide that "according to Carnival" quote? Thanks so much!

 

IMO, the reason the CCL Paradise non-smoking ship failed was because they (overnight) made the non-smoking rules so strict! You'd get thrown off for even carrying a lighter! The reason that lines like RCI and Celebrity will be much more successful is because they're "easing" into non-smoking. One step at a time. These are just my thoughts.

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

[tnt10]

I don't think the thread is moot as cruise lines may see this as feedback.

 

However, your advice is appropriate. After five cruises on different lines, I've found that I can't rely on finding a smoke free experience without significantly restricting where I go on the ship, including my balcony. I feel I paid for use of all the facilities. So, the answer is to vote with my dollars and switch my vacation spending to land based providers who can offer a smoke free experience.

 

Hopefully, one day a cruise line will build a business model that does not rely on self destructive behavior from their customers. Until then, my $ stays on land..

 

So.... it would be a non-smoking, non-drinking, non-gambling, non-over-eating cruise? All of the above, to some degree or another, are self destructive.

Let the flames explode.....

Happy Cruising,

TnT

[imsulin]

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

 

This article only has a half-hearted few line comments about the demise of the non-smoking Paradise....from Carnival. I worked as a TA during this time, and CCL company reps pretty much said this ship was losing money every week, despite their good intentions. Like I said before - RCI and Celebrity are making it work by eliminating smoking areas one step at a time, instead of all at once, like Carnival did...which was why the Paradise didn't work.