Because of "X the rules," this Princess cruiser won't be switching anytime soon.

[Dena]

We were seriously considering switching to Celebrity because of it's smoking policy even though some of the itineraries were not as good in our opinion. Also, with DH's celiac disease, we prefer to eat in the MDR, yet, unlike Princess, Celebrity closes the MDR for lunch in port. We often stay aboard in port. Finally, no tubs on Celebrity unless we book a full suite. We priced Princess mini suites for less than regular balconies on Celebrity.

 

But, we would have sacrificed all this for a smoke free balcony. Now we will wait at least a year and monitor these boards to see if defiant smokers are sailing Celebrity and if they are being asked to stop or not. In the meantime, we are sailing Princess in a few weeks and taking precautions to minimize the effect of smoke on us. If the precautions work, perhaps we'll just stick with Princess. I don't see much advantage in switching as many have said the food quality is also dropping on X.

[caripoo]

You can book sky suites on Celebrity and get tubs!!! Thats the catagory we normally go for. :o:o

[celebritydave]

We have never had a problem with smoke on the balcony of any Celebrity cruise we have been on. It is not a common problem, and when it is, Celebrity does their best to stop it.

[RodPat]

I say if a slogan is enough to make you not want to sail Celebrity then maybe you should stay on Princess. This is an ad campaign gone bad not the cruise line. I believe most people who don't come on these boards are not trying to pick this thing apart. Life will go on.

 

Pat

[Cruisenouvelle]

Dena, don't write Celebrity off entirely. Its smoking policy is one of the best there is, and I know that when we called the desk to advise of smoking (on two different ships), both were handled quickly with no 'repeat offenders'. It really is nice enjoying a smoke free casino, and a smoke free balcony.

Re: the ad campaign, it's a disaster and I think the suits know it. Look for some tweaking if not an outright change in campaigns.

Happy cruising.

[Dena]

We will not write off Celebrity, but we will take a wait and see attitude.

[Tink3]

Someone posts that "X-ing" the rules would mean all the riff raff comes out and now everyone believes it. Smoking is still not allowed on balconies or in staterooms on Celebrity. They have a designated area for this. If you prefer Princess then so be it but don't post that Celebrity is changing rules to allow smoking on balconies, etc.

[greeneg]

One comment about the smoking policy: our experience has been that it clearly is enforced and they do mean what they say that they do. We have not been run off of a balcony since Celebrity put the policy in place, nor have we had to hold our breath to pass through the Casino.

 

After all the positive comments about the smoking policy, I think that they would be insane to change or not enforce it at this point.

[Sailor Gal]

Now - if they would enforce no chair hogging- we'd be in business!

[Charles4515]

We will not write off Celebrity, but we will take a wait and see attitude.

 

In the last two years I have cruised on Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America and Princess, Royal Caribbean. Celebrity was by far the most smoke free of the above. Carnival was the worst, the smokiest ship. Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean in the middle.

 

In most aspects Celebrity is a notch above Princess.

 

If you want to get away from second hand smoke Celebrity, Azamara, and Oceania are the ones to choose.

 

As far as X the rules, I don't think it means not enforcing the rules. It appears like it is supposed to mean that Celebrity is not the same as the other cruise lines. I think it is a dumb marketing slogan.

 

I had heard rumors that Celebrity was going to eliminate formal nights but it does not appear to mean that either.

[meowann]

We were seriously considering switching to Celebrity because of it's smoking policy even though some of the itineraries were not as good in our opinion. Also, with DH's celiac disease, we prefer to eat in the MDR, yet, unlike Princess, Celebrity closes the MDR for lunch in port. We often stay aboard in port. Finally, no tubs on Celebrity unless we book a full suite. We priced Princess mini suites for less than regular balconies on Celebrity.

 

But, we would have sacrificed all this for a smoke free balcony. Now we will wait at least a year and monitor these boards to see if defiant smokers are sailing Celebrity and if they are being asked to stop or not. In the meantime, we are sailing Princess in a few weeks and taking precautions to minimize the effect of smoke on us. If the precautions work, perhaps we'll just stick with Princess. I don't see much advantage in switching as many have said the food quality is also dropping on X.

 

We just returned from A Princess Panama Canal cruise. I would never say I would NEVER sail Princess again but it does not compare with Celebrity in so many ways. Princess has great entertainment...... but the food was just so so and the buffet was half the size of Celebrity and even the cookies were YUK!!!!

[Fblack]

I just got off the Celebrity Eclipse. There is only one place inside the ship where smoking is allowed. That's an area of the Sky Lounge. We were very happy to learn that and especially enjoyed the non-smoking casino.

[kittyluvrnurse]

Celebrity Sky Suites are not at all comparably priced to any Princess mini-suite. All suites on celebrity are SOOO expensive by comparison to balcony staterooms!

[Casino Player]

We were seriously considering switching to Celebrity because of it's smoking policy even though some of the itineraries were not as good in our opinion. Also, with DH's celiac disease, we prefer to eat in the MDR, yet, unlike Princess, Celebrity closes the MDR for lunch in port. We often stay aboard in port. Finally, no tubs on Celebrity unless we book a full suite. We priced Princess mini suites for less than regular balconies on Celebrity.

 

But, we would have sacrificed all this for a smoke free balcony. Now we will wait at least a year and monitor these boards to see if defiant smokers are sailing Celebrity and if they are being asked to stop or not. In the meantime, we are sailing Princess in a few weeks and taking precautions to minimize the effect of smoke on us. If the precautions work, perhaps we'll just stick with Princess. I don't see much advantage in switching as many have said the food quality is also dropping on X.

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Dena: If you feel comfortable on Princess Cruise Line then stick with it. After all, it is your vacation and you should go with whatever cruise line you are comfortable with.

[librarylady19]

Fine, stick with Princess and breathe in the second hand smoke. If you want a nonsmoking environment, Celebrity is the way to go. I am very sensitive to smoke and did not encounter ANY smoking at all on our wonderful cruise on Summit in December.

Don't be swayed by a misinterpreted and obviously ill thought-out ad campaign. It doesnt mean X has changed its commitment to its policies.

[Gonzo70]

What is this, the sixth thread you have started about the "X the rules" slogan in the last 24 hours? As you have been told on your other 6-7 threads X the rules does not mean Celebrity is not planning on enforcing the smoking restrictions. They have explained that X the Rules has to do with how Celebrity is differentiating themselves as being cutting edge, innovative and raising the bar compared to the competition. It has nothing to do with a permissive attitude towards rule breaking. Unfortunately the new slogan is so prone to misinterpretation that hopefully they will do away with it soon.

[lsw0224]

I have sailed on Royal, Carnival and Princess but never thought about Celebrity until today when I saw the "X the rules" ad. The ad made me come over to this board and check out the line so for me the slogan is great.

[ORV]

I have sailed on Royal, Carnival and Princess but never thought about Celebrity until today when I saw the "X the rules" ad. The ad made me come over to this board and check out the line so for me the slogan is great.

 

What do you feel the message is?

[Solstice23]

Are you kidding ? hotel director we know on Celebrity has stated no rules are changing, and the marketing if you look at it closely is far from what you see it to be

 

We would rather base our choice on experiences, ratings that by the way consistently top princess ( just look at the readers ship awards this month on Conde Nast) when picking Our ship or line !

 

If you are worried about marketing and images etc that go along with marketing then check out the pictures

 

Sanctuary ( fake turf and no open air and a fee)

Lawn club ( fresh grass quiet summed like games open air and great views for FREE)

 

Choice is yours I guess

[fleckle]

One comment about the smoking policy: our experience has been that it clearly is enforced and they do mean what they say that they do. We have not been run off of a balcony since Celebrity put the policy in place, nor have we had to hold our breath to pass through the Casino.

 

After all the positive comments about the smoking policy, I think that they would be insane to change or not enforce it at this point.

Another advantage of Celebrity ships is that you walk around the hallways throughout the ship without encountering the lingering smell of stale smoke.

 

We have been on ships that allow smoking in the cabins where the hallways always reek of that smoke smell, even though smoking in the hallways is prohibited.

[Aquahound]

But, we would have sacrificed all this for a smoke free balcony. Now we will wait at least a year and monitor these boards to see if defiant smokers are sailing Celebrity and if they are being asked to stop or not.

 

Ok, I have to ask. What exactly do you think "X The Rules" means? Do you really think they are saying there are no rules on board? :confused:

 

Maybe this will help. I just got off the Century today. Two balconies down from me was a pipe smoker. He lit up before we even left Miami. I nipped that in the bud immediately and called guest relations. 10 minutes later, I got a call back and was told he was warned. I never saw or smelled him smoking again.

[phoenix_dream]

Dena, you had to have written this post in jest, right? You can't seriously believe a stupid advertising slogan gives the go ahead to create all kinds of chaos onboard?!?!? We love X's smoking policy and even if everyone is not in perfect compliance, it is head and shoulders above others in this regard.

[Oren]

We almost only sail Celebrity due to their non-smoking policy. The most exciting of which is the non-smoking casino which my wife would have never played in since she hates the smoke. Cannot tell you how many times myself and many others walk out or never enter the casino due to the smokiness......not on Celebrity! Princess and Carnival have given us the most problems and we were unable to use our balcony due to inconsiderate chain smoker neighbors. Celebrity, Oceania, and Azamara lines are truly a "breath of fresh air".

[2morecruises]

Anybody who thinks that Celebrity is dumping their rules should just flat out book on another cruise.

 

Yes, "X the Rules" has bugs in its message but come on, lets stop all this crazy thinking.

 

TY for letting me rant.

 

2MC

[phoenix_dream]

Anybody who thinks that Celebrity is dumping their rules should just flat out book on another cruise.

 

Yes, "X the Rules" has bugs in its message but come on, lets stop all this crazy thinking.

 

TY for letting me rant.

 

2MC

I agree. People are losing their sanity over this. Bad choice of words for an advertising campaign? Yes. A decision to let chaos rule? - come on, let's get real.