Disappointed in balcony smoking on Solstice

[The Viking]

I just returned from Solstice 1/16 to 1/23. I was thrilled in the lack of smoke throughout the interior of the ship. Never went to the Sky lounge, since I knew it was allowed there.

 

Sorry if I am repeating previous posts, but there are so many I haven't read.

 

You missed out on great evenings and entertainment by not going to the Sky lounge. Smoking is only allowed on one side, is you sit in the opposite side, you need a very good sense of smell to notice any smoke.

[luvbluseas]

That is too bad that some rude people caused you to not be able to fully enjoy your balcony. I agree that X needs to remove the outdated signs and place a clear sign about smoking on balconies being strictly prohibited. They also need to have strict consequences for somebody making a second violation; if someone is busted once by ship security and makes a second violation IMHO they should be debarked at the next port.

 

 

I agree 100%, this is a very serious offense as a fire on the ship is one of the most dangerous things that can happen.

[hulamoon]

This is a disturbing, I switched cruise lines to avoid smoke and asthma attacks.

 

I also booked on AQ, starboard and below the pool. I didn't realize there would be smoking at the pool.:(

[rotaryscotty]

You can smell smoke from hump stateroom balconies if there is no breeze. The smokers in the designated area on deck five are right below you. I've had two trips on the Solstice and one on the Equinox and have never smelled smoke while the ship was moving. Guess I'm lucky.

 

If there is no breeze? You DO know the ship is moving at 20 knots, right????:confused:;)

[dmwnc1959]

If there is no breeze? You DO know the ship is moving at 20 knots, right????:confused:;)

 

Don't forget that the breeze created by a ships forward speed is easily countered by the actual direction and speed of the true wind creating a 'relative' wind speed and direction. To emphasize the point; if a ship is going 16 knots forward yet the true wind speed and direction are from it's stern at an equivalent speed it creates the illusion of very little wind or breeze thus allowing cigarette smoke to travel in any direction it wants and not always from bow towards the stern. Also if the true wind direction is from the port side those cabins on the starboard side may find themselves in a void of directional breezes allowing cigarette smoke to travel straight upwards as it dissipates.

[celle]

I was on the starboard side. Still an issue. At times I could see people on deck 5 smoking, went down, and in fact there were ashtrays there, so I assume that the new rule is both sides of deck 5 are now acceptable for smoking.

 

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We did a South America cruise with Celebrity. Although smoking was mostly allowed on the port side of Deck 5, when the ship was bunkering (taking on fuel) on the port side, smokers were directed to smoke on the starboard side, not on the port side - obviously because of the danger of fire during fuel transfer.

 

I'm not taking sides on the debate on this thread - I'm a non-smoker married to a smoker who does abide by Celebrity's rules.

[Denny01]

This is a disturbing, I switched cruise lines to avoid smoke and asthma attacks.

 

I also booked on AQ, starboard and below the pool. I didn't realize there would be smoking at the pool.:(

 

This thread is putting some very questionable info. Although there may be some instances of people breaking the rules and smoking where they aren't allowed and even putting ashtrays in nonsmoking areas, smoking is Not allowed on the Starboard side of the ship and not allowed on the Starboard side of the Outside Pool. And smoking is allowed on the Port side of the Sky Lounge but it was very minimal. That's why some think there was no smoking in the Sky Lounge.

 

Now people will report legitimately that someone lit up where smoking is not allowed and others will sound as if they spent every moment on their veranda scanning for smoke but violations are minimal. Put things in perspective. I just finished my second Princess cruise - lovely. But out room smelled of smoke p, had a few instances of smoke wafting onto my balcony, the casino was very smoky except for a few nonsmoking nights and just walking by the cigar bar was 'an experience' in being reminded what it was like back before most places became nonsmoking.

 

Loved the cruise and people insist on that forum that it isn't a problem - it wasn't for them. We'll enjoy our next Princess because of the neat itinerary and with a good group of friends but our complaints about Celebrity need to be in perspective.

 

There will be violations but it isn't the norm. Almost All smokers are considerate and follow the rules but there are a few, just as there are the obnoxious nonsmokers causing others problems on a cruise due to bad manners.

 

The chances of being bothered by smoke is minimal and the crew will take care of issues in almost every case for those times rules aren't followed.

 

Den

[Sherrie74]

I also am allergic to many things other than smoke. I was at least hoping that that inside my cabin I would not have to worry about this factor.

 

MC wanted an inside room but I wanted a balcony (6195 - Solstice-obstructed view) so I could have "air and a chair". What could you want more than having a very soft breeze blowing while asleep.

 

I am now upset knowing that I may be annoyed by smoke waffing into our room and now especially knowing that we are port side. Wish I had seen this post prior to booking but at least I know what to possibly expect and learn for next time.

 

For a first cruise .... just hoping I will get hooked like many others on this site.

[true45]

Sherrie,

On Jan Eclipse, we had 6169 (cabins are equivalent to Solstice) with balcony. I was so concerned after reading these type posts that we tried to change cabins (none available). I can happily say we never smelled smoke on our balcony -- yes, we were on the port side. Don't worry -- sometimes there is an issue as noted in the thread, but sometimes there is not -- don't let it ruin your cruise.

[hulamoon]

That is reassuring.

 

Thank you, I do not like to police fellow passengers not following the policy, nor compain about them, so I hope Celebrity decides to step up and handle these issues without me having to ask them to do so.

[teajak]

That is reassuring.

 

Thank you, I do not like to police fellow passengers not following the policy, nor compain about them, so I hope Celebrity decides to step up and handle these issues without me having to ask them to do so.

It isn't a problem, they won't know someone is smoking on the balcony unless you call guest realations. We did and the assistant housekeeper was up to our room in 5 minutes to confirm that we called then went to the other cabin and informed them of the policy, one warning then a $250.fine. If they don't know it they can't help you. Thank goodness they enforce it.:D

[tally10]

I just attended a seminar given by a director from NCL. I asked why they allow smoking in most places on their ships. He told me that smokers actually prefer NON-Smoking ships because the cabins are fresher, cleaner, without burn holes in the linens, and furniture, etc. Smokers enjoy smoking in the cleaner cabins. He added that NCL would not be changing their smoking policy because a non-smoking policy on a ship doesn't work (in his opinion). I would like to think that it DOES work to some degree on Celebrity (except for allowing smoking on the best place on their ships: the sky observation lounge).

[Denny01]

I just attended a seminar given by a director from NCL. I asked why they allow smoking in most places on their ships. He told me that smokers actually prefer NON-Smoking ships because the cabins are fresher, cleaner, without burn holes in the linens, and furniture, etc. Smokers enjoy smoking in the cleaner cabins. He added that NCL would not be changing their smoking policy because a non-smoking policy on a ship doesn't work (in his opinion). I would like to think that it DOES work to some degree on Celebrity (except for allowing smoking on the best place on their ships: the sky observation lounge).

 

The NCL Dir has a point about a non-smoking ship if they are referring to the complete ship, but the rest of the statement makes no sense. A smoker wants a non-smoking room so they can smoke in a cleaner atmosphere?? Right. Many smokers do prefer non-smoking rooms because they are cleaner but they don't smoke in them. Silly And self-serving statement by an NCL staff.

 

Den

[bellybutton530]

The sad thing about smoking on balconies is that (IMHO) most people who do choose to smoke on balconies KNOW that it is prohibited. They just choose to ignore the rule.

[terp4life]

The sad thing about smoking on balconies is that (IMHO) most people who do choose to smoke on balconies KNOW that it is prohibited. They just choose to ignore the rule.

 

I did not expect this post to stir up controversy, just a heads up to people. I agree with what the pp said. That was sort of my point as well. I read over and over on this board reviews from people who said they loved never smelling smoke on their balconies. So that is what I expected. Did I set myself up for disappointment, maybe. I honestly could not see the smokers. So I had no one to report with the exception of one instance. I did not stand there all day looking for someone to report, but when I smelled something, I stood up looked around for a minute, found no source and went back to reading my book.

 

I think there are some people (not all smokers just some) who think it is a silly rule or who think they are above the rules, or who honestly believe smoking on a balcony will not affect those around them, and therefore it is fine regardless of rules. Some of these people are just being smarter and staying out of sight IMO. I just was hoping to let people know, not everyone experiences the complete lack of exposure to smoke on their balcony. It did not ruin my cruise. It was not severe enough to prevent me from using my balcony, nor bothersome enough to require me to use my inhaler. But it was quite noticeable on a daily basis.

 

To the poster who said I missed out on the sky lounge, I did look at it from outside, and it seemed similar to the one on Millennium to me, which was also smoking on one side only when I was on it. I could always smell smoke. I am extremely sensitive with asthma and allergies (same reason I do not go to the perfume store - don't even walk near that one) and I can smell smoke others may not notice. Not sure why - might come from growing up with parents who smoked and having been exposed for my first 14 years. I smell it in my car when I am at a red light next to a smoker.

 

Happy cruising to all. I am happy to cruise X and will continue to do so, this did not turn me off. They are still the most strict line I know of and I recommend them for this reason (and many more) on a regular basis.

[Sabbycat]

Allowing smoking in various areas around the ship (the worst being Sky Lounge) is one rule I'd like to X, that's for sure.

 

Is this new? When last I travelled on the Equinox in Sept 2009, this was not the case.:confused:

[tally10]

Is this new? When last I travelled on the Equinox in Sept 2009, this was not the case.:confused:

 

We had to leave our CC party on the Eclipse last May because the heavy smoke on the smoking side of the sky observation lounge was really making it hard for my wife to breathe. We used to enjoy the similar counterpart on the Independence of the Seas (non smoking area) and were really sad that they designated the best indoor area for viewing as half a smoking area. We were told it was like this on all of the S Class ships (sadly).

[PartyAllDaTyme]

I did not expect this post to stir up controversy, just a heads up to people.

 

Don't feel bad, any thread on the subject of smoking/dress code/alcohol smuggling/chair hogs typically turns quickly to comments and countercomments. It's inevitibale.

[ORV]

Don't feel bad, any thread on the subject of smoking/dress code/alcohol smuggling/chair hogs typically turns quickly to comments and countercomments. It's inevitibale.

 

 

Don't forget tipping.

[fleckle]

We had to leave our CC party on the Eclipse last May because the heavy smoke on the smoking side of the sky observation lounge was really making it hard for my wife to breathe. We used to enjoy the similar counterpart on the Independence of the Seas (non smoking area) and were really sad that they designated the best indoor area for viewing as half a smoking area. We were told it was like this on all of the S Class ships (sadly).

It would be expensive to do, but they could install a glass enclosure for smoking with a good ventilation system in a section of one side of the observation lounge, similar to the glass-enclosed smoking lounges they had at airports before they banned smoking completely. That would eliminate the problem of smoke drifting across the room and would not obstruct the view.

 

Of course they could just require smokers to step outside to smoke, as done at most other public venues these days, but apparently Celebrity wants to provide a comfortable indoor smoking area for passengers who still smoke. As more smokers are now turning to e-cigarettes, at least in public, maybe this will be less of a problem in the future.

[drcpa]

My wife and I took our first cruise in 2009 on the Solstice (I mean our first cruise ever, not just our first on the Solstice) and loved every aspect of the cruise.

I agree with many of you who have said the smoking policies are unclear (or perhaps I should say we just missed them).

Back then my wife smoked and (innocently, I swear) lit up on our balcony.

All of a sudden hundreds (okay, perhaps it just seemed like that) disembodied voices from all over the ship started to yell at her to put the cigarette out...that it was against the rules, they were allergic, etc.

Of course, we were suitably mortified and she refrained from smoking unless we were in a designated area.

We NEVER smelled smoke at any time on that cruise unless, of course, we were on that part of the smoking deck.

[jcrandle]

We had to leave our CC party on the Eclipse last May because the heavy smoke on the smoking side of the sky observation lounge was really making it hard for my wife to breathe. We used to enjoy the similar counterpart on the Independence of the Seas (non smoking area) and were really sad that they designated the best indoor area for viewing as half a smoking area. We were told it was like this on all of the S Class ships (sadly).

 

A non-smoking area of a room makes as much sense as a non-peeing area of a swimming pool.

[tally10]

A non-smoking area of a room makes as much sense as a non-peeing area of a swimming pool.

 

I totally agree with you. There were other smaller venues and lounges they could have designated for smokers. Just a shame they designated this lovely area as half smoking, half non-smoking. It just doesn't work for people bothered by smoke.

[paulsang]

but apparently Celebrity wants to provide a comfortable indoor smoking area for passengers who still smoke.

 

Again, the Sky lounge is THE ONLY air-conditioned place on the ship for guests to smoke. Every other entertainment venue is smoke-free. The Skye Lounge is a great bar and, except for people with severe allergy, it really isn't that bad. Out of all the other bars and lounges, is it really too much to ask to just let them be?

 

:eek:

[donaldsc]

There are some hotels where they charge you $250 if you smoke in your room. On a cruise, if you smoke in a forbidden area, they should charge you 10 times that and then make you walk the plank.

 

They say that they can not tell where the smokers are. They have smoke alarms in airplane lavatories so it should not be a problem putting them in balconies.

 

DON