Smoke free ships

[jackdiamond]

What do you suppose would be the reaction to Celebrity establishing a couple of smoke free seven night cruises out of either Port Everglades or Port of Miami?

I am aware that Carnival attempted this many years ago on the Sensation; and, apparently it did not do well. However, I believe that times have changed; and, that there is a significant difference between the demographics of the passengers who cruise these lines.

[cruzeluver]

It was the Carnival Paradise that originally sailed as a 100% smoke-free ship. It did so every sailing and the challenge was that it was difficult to book groups as invariably any group would have at least one or two smokers who would not be willing to sail on a smoke-free ship.

 

However, I do think with the changing times Celebrity could do well with a couple of smoke-free sailings as opposed to every sailing being smoke free.

[phoenix_dream]

Interesting question. I think many smokers already avoid Celebrity because of its strict policies. But is it enough that Celebrity would take the chance of a completely smoke free cruise? Not sure. If they have a few particular cruises that routinely easily sell out (maybe for example those around Spring Break) those might be the ones to test the concept. In this day and age I suspect they could fill the ship on some cruises. I think in the end though it would be difficult to have a mixed policy - too much chance of people (and TA's) being confused and ultimately unhappy if the policy on their cruise was not to their expectations. They could also tick off their remaining loyal smoking passengers. I myself would love it:)

[Muushka]

As a non-smoker who detests the smell of it, I think Celebrity has gone far enough with limiting smokers.

I also think it would be confusing trying to fill the 'smoking ship' and the 'non-smoking' ship.

 

I am very grateful for the policy that they have in place.

[Gonzo70]

I would love to see a smoke free ship (or two, or three...), but am happy enough with Celebrity's current policy. While some of the smoking areas are not in ideal spots (i.e. on S-Class ships smoke drifts into a portion of the Solarium and I have to inhale smoke while using the jogging track), it is easy enough to avoid most cigarette smoke when sailing Celebrity.

[cb at sea]

It didn't work when Carnival tried it...and they soon changed the policy on that ship!

[Gonzo70]

It didn't work when Carnival tried it...and they soon changed the policy on that ship!

 

That has ZERO bearing on whether or not it would work now. Smoking restrictions and bans were quite uncommon when Carnival did that experiment. Also it did work for a period of time, but eventually sales declined. While the nonsmoking policy was a factor, other factors existed such as it was one of the oldest ships and had a relatives weak itinerary. In current times a nonsmoking ship is far more likely to have lasting success, especially if the itineraries are nice and varied (to attract repeat customers) and is on a newer ship. That said, I think we are 2-4 years away from seeing a mass market line operate a smoke free ship.

[dkjretired]

That has ZERO bearing on whether or not it would work now. Smoking restrictions and bans were quite uncommon when Carnival did that experiment. Also it did work for a period of time, but eventually sales declined. While the nonsmoking policy was a factor, other factors existed such as it was one of the oldest ships and had a relatives weak itinerary. In current times a nonsmoking ship is far more likely to have lasting success, especially if the itineraries are nice and varied (to attract repeat customers) and is on a newer ship. That said, I think we are 2-4 years away from seeing a mass market line operate a smoke free ship.

 

Paradise was a brand new ship when it was introduced as non smoking. As a matter of fact, Carnival insisted that no smoking was allowed even when the ship was being built. Vendors, etc were not allowed to smoke and if you were even caught with smoking materials you were requested to leave at the next port. I remember following it on these boards at the time. One of the major reasons it failed was lack of revenue from alchohol and the casino. This was back in the mid 90s and as you infer that was ages ago in the smoking issue. Who knows if it will work now.

 

I will say that last week on the Summit I hardly noticed anyone smoking on the ship. I did notice one thing in the casino perhaps as a result of them switching over to non smoking in that venue. There are no high denominiation slot machines, highest I saw was $.10. Of course you can bet a lot on those machines but no standard high roller machines.

[phoenix_dream]

There does seem to be an interesting correlation between smoking and gambling that I never quite understood. Just got back from my annual trip to Vegas and I would have to say that in most casinos probably 75% or more of the patrons were smoking. Blows my mind. I love to play the machines (small time; nothing major) and never smoked in my life. I never really understood the link - I know they are both risky ventures, but they are so far removed from each other in activity and reward system I don't get the link.:confused:

[Gonzo70]

Paradise was a brand new ship when it was introduced as non smoking. As a matter of fact, Carnival insisted that no smoking was allowed even when the ship was being built. Vendors, etc were not allowed to smoke and if you were even caught with smoking materials you were requested to leave at the next port. I remember following it on these boards at the time. One of the major reasons it failed was lack of revenue from alchohol and the casino. This was back in the mid 90s and as you infer that was ages ago in the smoking issue. Who knows if it will work now.

 

 

It remained smoke free until December of 2003; after years of sailing smoke free bookings declined as people wanted to sail on newer ships and not repeat the same tired itinerary. There was also issues with decreased revenues in the casino, alcohol and group bookings, but this was far from the only factor. That it remained smoke free for so many years back then (when smoking restrictions were for more scant and nonsmokers were more accepting of being in a smoky environment) provides credence that in today's world a smoke free ship would likely do quite well.

[Gonzo70]

There does seem to be an interesting correlation between smoking and gambling that I never quite understood.

 

Frequent smoking and gambling both are addictive behaviors; generally people who have addictions rarely are addicted to one item only, but several (i.e. they have an addictive personality rather than an addiction to an individual thing). There are personality traits such as thrill seeking and focusing more on instant gratification than long term ramifications that permeate various behaviors (such as gambling) as well as use of mind altering substances (alcohol, cigarettes, illicit substances, caffeine etc.). In severe cases there likely is also some type of biological predisposition to addictive behaviors that can manifest in a variety of ways.

[phoenix_dream]

Frequent smoking and gambling both are addictive behaviors; generally people who have addictions rarely are addicted to one item only, but several (i.e. they have an addictive personality rather than an addiction to an individual thing). There are personality traits such as thrill seeking and focusing more on instant gratification than long term ramifications that permeate various behaviors (such as gambling) as well as use of mind altering substances (alcohol, cigarettes, illicit substances, caffeine etc.). In severe cases there likely is also some type of biological predisposition to addictive behaviors that can manifest across a variety of behaviors.

Good points. I guess I am lucky to be able to confine my thrill seeking to just well-contained gambling (although if you knew how long I have waited to hit a jackpot at times I'm not sure instant gratification applies:))

[jackdiamond]

It was the Carnival Paradise that originally sailed as a 100% smoke-free ship. It did so every sailing and the challenge was that it was difficult to book groups as invariably any group would have at least one or two smokers who would not be willing to sail on a smoke-free ship.

 

However, I do think with the changing times Celebrity could do well with a couple of smoke-free sailings as opposed to every sailing being smoke free.

Thank you. It may be that it was the Paradise.

[jackdiamond]

Interesting comments. One of the reasons I suggested Lauderdale or Miami is the fact that Florida has been very active in attempting to create a smoke free environmnet everywhere. For example when viewing a Rays game you will notice that the players are now chewing bubblegum whereas just a while ago it was chewing tobacco. As a matter of fact, I recall, while playing ball many years ago, making a great catch which landed me on my stomach and forced the tobacco chew into said stomach. AFter aspirating my stomach contents and leaving the game, I threw away the rest of my Brown's mule; and, I never chewed again.

[firemanbobswife]

As much as it would personally please me to have a ship smoke free, I am among those that are happy with the designated smoking sections. I have family members that smoke and there's no way they could have joined us on the cruises that they did not being able to go a whole day without. They had no problem going to the specific areas. I think it's a nice compromise.

[jconeil]

I have to hope smoke free sailing will come. In the meantime, until the smokers die off, and children become used to smoke free environments everywhere, we are stuck with other's bad habits. I'm just glad X and a few other cruise lines have restrictive enough policies that seem to pretty much mirror the percentage of smokers/non. My only gripe is that smoking is still allowed in shared areas, like outdoor dining and bars. I like the "sunset" type bars too, but can rarely enjoy sitting there because of the smoke. Forget trying to eat outdoors. Ugh.

[OCruisers]

interesting question. i think many smokers already avoid celebrity because of its strict policies.

 

Very True !

[Essiesmom]

I seem to remember that when Paradise was smoke free, that included the crew. I think it would be difficult to recruit a non-smoking crew today...I seem to remember also that the Renaissance ships may also have been smoke free...EM

[wwcruisers]

Personally, I would love a non-smoking ship! :cool:

However, we sometimes sail with friends who smoke. They always comply with the smoking policy on X, but I don't think that they could kick the habit for a whole cruise.

[dmwnc1959]

I was on the inaugural cruise of the Paradise out of Miami and it was absolutely glorious to be in a completely pristine and smoke free environment. :D Until we are lucky enough to have that again more cruise lines should adopt the same policies as Celebrity Cruises. Or at least totally ban smoking in ALL indoor parts of the ship.

[Asko]

I would love a non-smoking ship! :cool: However, my husband smokes the pipe. He loves to sit on the balcony with a cup of coffee and his pipe in the morning. On Princess he was allowed to do that (I think they changed their policy as well).

So I ordered an e-pipe over the internet and it arrived yesterday. My husband is quite impressed, it looks like a normal pipe but no smell whatsoever!! This way he still can "smoke" his pipe with a cup of coffee on our Celebrity Cruise in December! Problem solved :)

Maybe they should only allow e-cigarettes, e-pipes... :cool:

[Lard Greystoke]

There does seem to be an interesting correlation between smoking and gambling that I never quite understood. Just got back from my annual trip to Vegas and I would have to say that in most casinos probably 75% or more of the patrons were smoking.

 

My own take is that all three behaviors, smoking, gambling, drinking, involve external stimulation. What this says about the internal environment I will refrain from speculating.

 

Whether such a venture would succeed might depend on how the cruiseline covers its costs. It would probably have to rely on higher fares. If it had to raise revenue by alcohol and gambling, the ban on smoking behavior would likely make it harder to encourage drinking and gambling behavior. As mentioned, the link between these compulsions seems pretty obvious.

[3littlepigs]

If they want to try it out they could test drive it here. We have no smoking in any buildings (including the casino), at any sporting or other events, largely nowhere in public!

I would think a non-smoking ship sailing out of Sydney would sail full every time!

[tercar]

will there truly be anywhere on this earth that you can go where it is completly smoke free???? surely, all of you who hate the smell of smoke so much, must encounter smokers throughtout your daily lives, I know we do, going in and out of work we have smokers, standing at the bus stop, out door places in town, outside the local pub its everywhere, and I cant see anyone getting away from it completly unless the live as a hermit x

[orchestrapal]

I would love a non-smoking ship! :cool: However, my husband smokes the pipe. He loves to sit on the balcony with a cup of coffee and his pipe in the morning. On Princess he was allowed to do that (I think they changed their policy as well).

So I ordered an e-pipe over the internet and it arrived yesterday. My husband is quite impressed, it looks like a normal pipe but no smell whatsoever!! This way he still can "smoke" his pipe with a cup of coffee on our Celebrity Cruise in December! Problem solved :)

Maybe they should only allow e-cigarettes, e-pipes... :cool:

 

I believe I read a post on CC (use search) that all E cigarettes and pipes are also forbidden in and non smoking areas.