Because Princess upgraded us to balconey they may have lost us to Celebrity

[Dena]

Princess upgraded us to a balcony. DH liked it so much that he won't sail without one. However both of us agree that we will not pay extra for a balconey unless we can be assured we will not smell smoke while using it. So, clearly, Princess just lost us as customers.

 

 

We have never sailed Celebrity before and after reading all we can about it on these boards, we still have a few questions which we will be posting soon.

 

One of the reviews we read stated that smoke can be smelled on a few of the balconies that are near one of the few smoking areas on Celebrity. Does anyone know which cabins these are and how to avoid being assigned to them?

[mahdnc]

The designated smoking areas are on the port (left) side of the ship. Book your balcony cabin on the starboard side.

[Dena]

The designated smoking areas are on the port (left) side of the ship. Book your balcony cabin on the starboard side.

 

Thanks!

[dforeigner]

The designated smoking areas are on the port (left) side of the ship. Book your balcony cabin on the starboard side.

 

That is usually the rule for smoking on the Promenade deck while on board a Princess ship. Although this rules is subject to change depending on who is running the show on each particular ship.

 

Princess allows smoking inside all their staterooms and their respective balcony regarless of location.

[jackdiamond]

I am a non smoker; and, on our ten night Ruby Princess cruise this April I was not disturbed by smoke. We have now become committed ten night Equinox (AQ) cruisers; and, I have not become disturbed by smoke on this venue either. Perhaps, it is because I have always been upwind of said smoke, or more than likely it is because I do not sweat the small stuff. Make no mistake, I do not countenance second hand smoke; and when potentially affected by same, I avoid it, but I do not allow the subject to be one that would create undue anxiety in my personna.

[Fblack]

I also am pretty much committed to Celebrity 100%. We have done 44 cruises on most cruise lines and a B2B on HAL 2 years ago sealed it for us.

 

In the 24 days we were on the Westerdam, we could almost never enjoy our balcony. There were always smokers all around us on their balconies. So we went back to Celebrity and on the last 3 Celebrity cruises we were never bothered by smoke. We even canceled a Seabourn cruise because they allow smoking in cabins and balconies.

[rocket screen]

We're both non-smokers who always seem to be on the port (smoking) side when booking a balcony. Smoke has never been a problem.

[Kathie44]

Dena, the X smoking policy as described in the current brochure says: "For all Celebrity ships, smoking will no longer be permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom veranda. Cigarette smoking will be permitted only in designated indoor and outdoor areas, while cigar and pipe smoking will be permitted only in designated outdoor areas. Smoking will not be permitted in any dining venue, theater, hallway, elevator, or corridor."

It is so wonderful to be on such smoke restricted ships. Even the casino has a very small corner for smoking. The only problem is that lets me stay longer and lose more money, lol.

Where smoking is allowed, I have trained myself to stay away from those port side areas.

[KruzPrincess]

Princess upgraded us to a balcony. DH liked it so much that he won't sail without one. However both of us agree that we will not pay extra for a balconey unless we can be assured we will not smell smoke while using it. So, clearly, Princess just lost us as customers.

 

 

We have never sailed Celebrity before and after reading all we can about it on these boards, we still have a few questions which we will be posting soon.

 

One of the reviews we read stated that smoke can be smelled on a few of the balconies that are near one of the few smoking areas on Celebrity. Does anyone know which cabins these are and how to avoid being assigned to them?

 

Yeah, I don't think cruising on Celebrity guarantees that you won't have smokers on balconies. I'm traditionally a Princess cruiser and have never had a single smoking problem on Princess (knock on wood). I'm trying Celebrity for the first time just to see what it's like...and I got a good deal. Last night I read probably 10 reviews for the ship I'm going on and more than half of them said they had problems with smokers on the balconies. I hope I love Celebrity and I hope you enjoy them as well, but I'm not holding my breath with the no smoking part of it. LOL.

[greeneg]

One main difference is that on Celebrity, if you notify Guest Relations and they or their staff can identify the offenders, they will put a stop to it. If they don't, you take it right up the chain to the Hotel Manager.

 

By and large, Celebrity is serious about their restricted smoking policy; they should be, my guess is that they have gained a lot more customers than they have lost because of it.

[cruisestitch]

There is no smoking inside the casino on any X ship any more, AFAIK. There is a door nearby to an outside deck where smokers can duck out and access the port side but no smoking inside anymore.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

So smokers can only book on the port side of the ship?

 

Just curious but what about smoking cigars? Can they be smoked on the balcony's?

[cruisestitch]

There is no smoking in any stateroom or on any balcony on Celebrity.

 

Cigars may be enjoyed at a couple of outdoor locations.

 

This is not to say that some people choose not to follow the rules, but they are subject to fines if they are caught, which is likely given that there are cameras, neighbors and staff who are all on the alert to those who might choose to smoke on their balconies.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Yeah, I don't think cruising on Celebrity guarantees that you won't have smokers on balconies. I'm traditionally a Princess cruiser and have never had a single smoking problem on Princess (knock on wood). I'm trying Celebrity for the first time just to see what it's like...and I got a good deal. Last night I read probably 10 reviews for the ship I'm going on and more than half of them said they had problems with smokers on the balconies. I hope I love Celebrity and I hope you enjoy them as well, but I'm not holding my breath with the no smoking part of it. LOL.

 

On our last (and first) Celebrity cruise we had not one whiff of smoke. At last! :)

 

A lot of the no smoking part of it comes from people reporting people who smoke on their balconies...the more vocal the non-smokers are, the harder it is for people to ignore the rules. Considering that 20% of the American population smokes, and 80% does not, it's crazy to allow the much smaller majority of smokers to infringe on the cruise you may be taking specifically to get away from the smoke. The problem with smokers is that they pollute in a wide area, much more than their own balcony, and they often are/want to be/pretend to be oblivious to the fact that to a non-smoker it just plain stinks.

 

That's why we choose Celebrity, and as another poster said, there are cameras, other people on balconies and staff who are all poised to be sure the rules are followed. I'm one of them.

[greeneg]

So smokers can only book on the port side of the ship?

 

Just curious but what about smoking cigars? Can they be smoked on the balcony's?

 

Absolutely no smoking on the Balconies. Not cigarettes and particularly not cigars. Nada.

[wineluvr]

One main difference is that on Celebrity, if you notify Guest Relations and they or their staff can identify the offenders, they will put a stop to it. If they don't, you take it right up the chain to the Hotel Manager.

 

By and large, Celebrity is serious about their restricted smoking policy; they should be, my guess is that they have gained a lot more customers than they have lost because of it.

 

We smelled cigarette smoke coming from the balcony below us on Solstice last year and notified the guest relations desk. Within five minutes a security officer came to our cabin and asked to walk out on our balcony. He too smelled the smoke and said he would immediately address it. Within an hour we received a phone call stating that they had advised the guests below that smoking was not allowed and would result in a $250 cleaning fee if it happened again. He asked that we notify guest relations if we smell smoke again. I was glad to see that X took the policy seriously. We had a smoker in our group and they felt there were ample places to smoke onboard without offending others.

[Snorkel2Much]

Princess upgraded us to a balcony. DH liked it so much that he won't sail without one. However both of us agree that we will not pay extra for a balconey unless we can be assured we will not smell smoke while using it. So, clearly, Princess just lost us as customers.

 

 

We have never sailed Celebrity before and after reading all we can about it on these boards, we still have a few questions which we will be posting soon.

 

One of the reviews we read stated that smoke can be smelled on a few of the balconies that are near one of the few smoking areas on Celebrity. Does anyone know which cabins these are and how to avoid being assigned to them?

I can only speak for the Solstice class, but there is an outdoor smoking area on the port side only of Deck 5 just aft of the midship elevators. There are several balcony staterooms on Deck 6 that are directly above that area. Pull up a deck plan on the Celebrity website and you'll see the area next to "Celebrity Destinations".

[Sarasa]

I'm also eagerly awaiting my first mostly smoke-free Celebrity cruise on the Eclipse :). Here's a snippet from my compilation of Eclipse facts re which public areas permit smoking:

 

• Port side of Sky Observation lounge on deck 14
  
• Port side of the Pool deck on deck 12
  
• Starboard Side of the Sun Deck, Deck 14
  
• Deck 5 portside, promenade, midship - where chairs, tables and ashtray are provided.
  
• Sunset Bar, starboard side, Deck 15 aft. (This area is recommended for Cigar and Pipe Smoking)
  

I believe this was info from one of the letters left in the staterooms so I don't know if it applies to any of the other ships.

[Dena]

We smelled cigarette smoke coming from the balcony below us on Solstice last year and notified the guest relations desk. Within five minutes a security officer came to our cabin and asked to walk out on our balcony. He too smelled the smoke and said he would immediately address it. Within an hour we received a phone call stating that they had advised the guests below that smoking was not allowed and would result in a $250 cleaning fee if it happened again. He asked that we notify guest relations if we smell smoke again. I was glad to see that X took the policy seriously. We had a smoker in our group and they felt there were ample places to smoke onboard without offending others.

 

You did the right thing. Were there any consequences to you from the smoker. I imagine if he were on the next door balcony (rather than below), there would be no doubt about your identity. Do you feel Celebrity made an effort to protect your identity.