Royal Caribbean should look at the CC homepage poll

[Paul65]

What answer?

 

Your question - "Do we have any responsibility ... ?"

That question could be asked about MANY things we all do in every day life.

Are any of us totally guilt free?

 

Are any of us totally guilt free? I doubt it.

 

Are you suggesting that this fact means that we should all just do whatever the heck we want, regardless of how it might affect others?

[Ocean Boy]

That was a joke....oh and pot smoking is illegal.....last time I checked there was nothing illegal about cigarettes

 

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Forums mobile app

 

We were not talking legalities. RCI bans plenty of things that are perfectly legal. But if you were making a joke... ok.

[WetToes]

Are any of us totally guilt free? I doubt it.

 

Are you suggesting that this fact means that we should all just do whatever the heck we want, regardless of how it might affect others?

 

Not suggesting that at all.

Just kind of remembering that old saying about 'people in brick houses'.

If the 'complainer' is driving a car, using aerosol sprays, mowing their lawn, etc.

These may not be on a cruise ship, ... but they do/can other peoples health.

Seems we pick and choose our gripes to suit 'us'.

[caribbean sailor]

Emotion should not overrule facts. Smoking is harmful to the smoker and any other person that is in contact with second hand smoke. Smoke is a known irritant for a variety of medical conditions of which the person has no control over. Passing briefly through a disgusting cloud of smoke freshly purged from deep inside someone's lungs will stick to a persons clothes until they are washed. Ash, and carelessly disposed of cigs is a huge problem many cities are trying to combat, not to mention the cause of thousands of fires a year.

I have been on a cruise next to a smoker who had no other activity than sitting on the balcony smoking, and we were unable to even open our door in ports without that giant cloud that surrounds all smokers entering our cabin. Fortunately we were able to be moved to a cabin where we could enjoy the fresh Caribbean ocean air.

It will be a huge move forward in society when smoking is limited to locations where only the smoker can suffer for that addiction, and it not be forced on anyone else.

I do not believe having a balcony allows you to engage in any activity that is going to negatively impact another person. And smoking is a voluntary activity that imposes negatively on another traveler.

But I know that due to the sheer number of addicts selfishly looking for their own advantage, the rules will be slow to change, so I just book my balcony, and hope for the best.

 

 

 

I do not believe having a balcony allows you to change the rules. You knew smoking on balcony's was allowed when you booked your cruise.By the way I DO NOT SMOKE.We have had ten Royal Caribbean cruises.I have never had a problem with smoking neighbors.Try to enjoy your cruise,and stop worrying about your neighbors.;) :confused: :)

[dshebert]

So what you are saying we need to make RCCL aware of is the fact that over 50% of those polled have no problem at all with smokers on the balcony. Excellent, I for one commend you as so many people only contact the cruise line to complain or whine and moan about things! How great that you want them to know that a majority of respondents like and approve of how they have chosen to run their business!

 

Hey Jim.....long time no chat. You ready to head back to Pirates In Paradise for some buckets of beer??? Talk care.

[nbsjcruiser]

Almost half of cruisers have a problem with smoking balcony neighbors.

 

Wake up RCI! When I pay ten thousand dollars for a suite, I don't want smoke in my face during breakfast!

 

From a scientific standpoint, polls like that are very inaccurate. The problem with polls like that is that only those who feel very strongly one way or the other participate so you cannot base any assumptions on them. I don't smoke but, I don't see an issue with people having a smoke on the balcony unless the cruise lines deemed it unsafe, as many have. We've been on 13 cruises, many on a balcony, and never have I run into a situation where there were a couple chain smokers out there. A person having a quick smoke out there while I'm in the opposite cabin, no big deal. If I wanted to have a quiet meal on the balcony some time and someone next door was smoking, I'd have no trouble asking if they'd mind putting it out until I finish eating. I actually find most smokers to be very accommodating these days when it comes to stuff like that.

[Paul65]

Not suggesting that at all.

Just kind of remembering that old saying about 'people in brick houses'.

If the 'complainer' is driving a car, using aerosol sprays, mowing their lawn, etc.

These may not be on a cruise ship, ... but they do/can other peoples health.

Seems we pick and choose our gripes to suit 'us'.

 

While it's natural to focus on the things that affect us the most, that doesn't mean that we necessarily ignore other things. This line of argument is a common red herring, which people use when they don't have a good argument about smoking itself.

 

Driving a car, for most people, is somewhat of a necessity. I do think our society and economy will be changing over the coming years to try to reduce our dependence on cars and/or fossil fuels, but that's not something we can accomplish overnight. That said, there are all sorts of regulations and restrictions on automobiles for pollution control and fuel efficiency.

 

Aerosol sprays are much less common these days, because of restrictions and regulations, and those that are still around tend to use different, safer propellants than were used decades ago. I can safety say that I do not use aerosols at all.

 

As for lawn care, I certainly do my best to mitigate the effect on neighbors, which is usually not that hard, since it's only a once-per-week activity during the warm part of the year.

 

So, despite the fact that you're throwing up straw men to try to make your point, I will even argue with your straw men and say that the fact that I drive a care and occasionally cut my lawn does not imply that I don't care about the effects these activities may have on others. :cool:

 

Edit: By the way, I think the old saying you're thinking of is about people in glass houses. But it's an old saying with limited usage. If no one ever complained about anything, because they are not perfect themselves, then all those improvements in auto emissions, for example, would never have happened. Sometimes change is a good thing, and we can't wait for everyone to be without blemish to ask for change.

[04cruises]

Emotion should not overrule facts. Smoking is harmful to the smoker and any other person that is in contact with second hand smoke. Smoke is a known irritant for a variety of medical conditions of which the person has no control over. Passing briefly through a disgusting cloud of smoke freshly purged from deep inside someone's lungs will stick to a persons clothes until they are washed. Ash, and carelessly disposed of cigs is a huge problem many cities are trying to combat, not to mention the cause of thousands of fires a year.

I have been on a cruise next to a smoker who had no other activity than sitting on the balcony smoking, and we were unable to even open our door in ports without that giant cloud that surrounds all smokers entering our cabin. Fortunately we were able to be moved to a cabin where we could enjoy the fresh Caribbean ocean air.

It will be a huge move forward in society when smoking is limited to locations where only the smoker can suffer for that addiction, and it not be forced on anyone else.

I do not believe having a balcony allows you to engage in any activity that is going to negatively impact another person. And smoking is a voluntary activity that imposes negatively on another traveler.

But I know that due to the sheer number of addicts selfishly looking for their own advantage, the rules will be slow to change, so I just book my balcony, and hope for the best.

 

Maybe we should get the cruise lines to only use electric engines as this report will tell you why.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/world-health-organization-says-diesel-fumes-cause-cancer/

[filmstar40]

Dont you guys in the US cruise to have fun and enjoy yourselves????:)

 

How much negativity can one thread contain?

 

We all live in the Nuclear Powered age, eat Genetically modified food that has been fertilised by Acid Rain, breathe in the smog from umpteen millions of Diesel Engines be it bus, SHIP or car.

 

yet the biggest issue is a whiff of cigarette smoke as the Ship does 20 knots through the oggin.

 

Dont figure to me.

[The_Big_M]

Seems we pick and choose our gripes to suit 'us'.

 

Although paul65 put it much better, if you didn't do the above, then that would just make you a serial complainer, and perpetually disgruntled. Not a very effective, or positive state to be.

[CVU]

I've had problems with it more than once. I've had people who go out and start chain smoking so early in the morning that my balcony hasn't been usable. I've had some who smoke so much that my room had the musty smokey odor upon entry even with the balcony door shut. Although the majority of our cruises haven't been affected by smokers on the balcony.

 

On our first cruise we had pot smokers on the balcony next to us. :eek:

 

You have been very lucky. If most people haven't been affected by a neighbor smoking on their balcony, that would tend to show that not many people will be affected when/if they stop allowing it.

 

Gina

Happened to us as well and the balcony was not enjoyable for us, for the whole week on Oasis. Couldn't find a time we could go out there when they were not there chain smoking?:confused:

[nb125]

Dont you guys in the US cruise to have fun and enjoy yourselves????:)

 

How much negativity can one thread contain?

 

We all live in the Nuclear Powered age, eat Genetically modified food that has been fertilised by Acid Rain, breathe in the smog from umpteen millions of Diesel Engines be it bus, SHIP or car.

 

yet the biggest issue is a whiff of cigarette smoke as the Ship does 20 knots through the oggin.

 

Dont figure to me.

 

Trust a Scot for a dose of common sense :)

[nb125]

I'm thinking about doing the same....could you let me know what they answer?

 

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Forums mobile app

 

As promised here is the reply I have received from RCI.

 

I can advise you that we, here in the UK head office, have not been advised of any change in our smoking policy on balcony stateroom accommodation.

 

Of course we are constantly reviewing all our policies and should there be

any amendments then we would ensure that all guests were advised as soon as any changes were to be enforced.

 

At this point in time, as I have said previously, we are not aware of any

changes to the smoking policy.

[graphicguy]

Boy....I really do hate sticking my toes in this mucky water. But, I still can't understand why this is an issue. I'm not a smoker. It's not going to make one iota of difference to me if someone is on their balcony, outside smoking. You live or visit anywhere in a city, and has been pointed out, you're going to smell a whole lot worse than cig smoke.

 

What bothers me even more, though is how some feel compelled to tell others how they must act. Befuddles me.

[reedl]

We don't smoke but have never had an issue with people smoking next to us. I never try to be negative on these boards, but I get really tired of people blasting smokers as if they are the scum of the earth.

No, smokers are not the scum of the earth, but what comes out the cancer sticks is.

There is no 2nd hand smoke issue, you are outside.

No Second hand smoke outside? Give me a break. If my door to the balcony and my neighbor is smoking, it goes into my cabin and stinks. To me smoking is worse than farts.

Let everyone enjoy their cruise. Pretty soon they will ban talking, eating, drinking on balconies as someone will be offended. Let's just all get along and quit complaining about what is not right with the cruise world!!!

Talking, eating are not health risks. Smoking is. See the difference?

[reedl]

I do not believe having a balcony allows you to change the rules. You knew smoking on balcony's was allowed when you booked your cruise.By the way I DO NOT SMOKE.We have had ten Royal Caribbean cruises.I have never had a problem with smoking neighbors.Try to enjoy your cruise,and stop worrying about your neighbors.;) :confused: :)

 

Ah yes, the old "It has never happened to me therefore nobody could possibly have ever had it happen to anyone else!" excuse.

 

Wow!

[WetToes]

Paul65 - You are right. Should have been "glass houses".

[reedl]

I despise cigarette smoking with every fiber of my being, and it does keep me out of the casino . . . But I've never had a problem with a neighbor smoking on the balcony. I've also never had a person in real life mention such a problem.

 

I find it hard to believe that half of all cruisers have had problems with this.

 

You are using the typical argument that is so easily disproved. Personally, I have had two cruises where I was not able to use my balcony because of smoking of neighbors. Of course the front desk hides behind the usual (We cannot help you because of policies, etc.) verbiage.

[Paul65]

Paul65 - You are right. Should have been "glass houses".

 

Well, I just hope you're willing to take responsibility for getting that Commodores song stuck in my head.

 

 

"She's a BRICK.....HOUSE....." :D

[reedl]

Using a similar analysis of a recent opinion poll, approximately 14 registered voters per state approve of the job the President is doing. :rolleyes:

 

You are comparing apples to bananas. A poll conducted using scientific methods is a valid poll. This is something the Republicans learned in the last election when they did not believe the polls. Nate Silver OTOH correctly called all 50 states.

 

Any online poll like the one on the front of this website's page is purely for entertainment purposes. Since the respondents are "self selected" it is not scientific in any way. The data from these "polls" is purely interesting for entertainment purposes, but is not scientific.

 

IT is kind of like reading the responses in messages boards here or anywhere else. The people with the most biased opinions are the ones to speak up, and the people in the middle are usually quiet.

[reedl]

Well, I just hope you're willing to take responsibility for getting that Commodores song stuck in my head.

 

 

"She's a BRICK.....HOUSE....." :D

 

Off Topic, but I saw Lionel Richie sing that song live in 1985 and Tina Turner was the opening act and she strutted on the stage when he was singing that song. Perfect example of a "Brick House!"

[Ocean Boy]

Dont you guys in the US cruise to have fun and enjoy yourselves????:)

 

How much negativity can one thread contain?

 

We all live in the Nuclear Powered age, eat Genetically modified food that has been fertilised by Acid Rain, breathe in the smog from umpteen millions of Diesel Engines be it bus, SHIP or car.

 

yet the biggest issue is a whiff of cigarette smoke as the Ship does 20 knots through the oggin.

 

Dont figure to me.

 

Well, I can tell you this, the pubs in London have become much more enjoyable since smoking in them was banned.;)

 

By the way, what's an oggin?

[Ifoundmydream]

This thread reminds me of a restaurant I went to a few years ago. We were outside in the summer and one table in particular had loads of toddlers and kids running round, dropping chips on the floor, climbing over the chairs etc. They were a real pain. The table next to it has a couple of smokers. When they lit their cigarettes, the parents of these noisy disruptive kids went over and said "do you mind not smoking so near to the children". I couldn't believe it.

 

I can see the arguments both ways as an ex smoker, I can smell smoke on a balcony, but to be honest there are so many other problems when rooms are so close together with outside space, like noise, kids, loud drunken laughter, arguments etc, that really smoking is only one issue.

[Ocean Boy]

This thread reminds me of a restaurant I went to a few years ago. We were outside in the summer and one table in particular had loads of toddlers and kids running round, dropping chips on the floor, climbing over the chairs etc. They were a real pain. The table next to it has a couple of smokers. When they lit their cigarettes, the parents of these noisy disruptive kids went over and said "do you mind not smoking so near to the children". I couldn't believe it.

 

I can see the arguments both ways as an ex smoker, I can smell smoke on a balcony, but to be honest there are so many other problems when rooms are so close together with outside space, like noise, kids, loud drunken laughter, arguments etc, that really smoking is only one issue.

 

That part of your post reminded me of one of the lunches we had in the Windjammer on Oasis.:eek:

[SICruiseGirlNYC]

Dont you guys in the US cruise to have fun and enjoy yourselves????:)

 

How much negativity can one thread contain?

 

We all live in the Nuclear Powered age, eat Genetically modified food that has been fertilised by Acid Rain, breathe in the smog from umpteen millions of Diesel Engines be it bus, SHIP or car.

 

yet the biggest issue is a whiff of cigarette smoke as the Ship does 20 knots through the oggin.

 

Dont figure to me.

 

Like!! I live in NYC and the pollution here is so much worse than any secondhand smoke I might come in contact with on my balcony.

 

I'm am not a smoker and so far my neighbors smoking on the balcony has not bothered me. Unless you are next to a chain smoker most times they are out on the balcony for 10 minutes max and the wind clears the smoke quickly.

 

I travel with a D+ cruiser who is a smoker and I am sure she will rethink her cruise vacations if smoking on balconies is stopped. She tried Celebrity once (didn't know smoking wasn't allowed on the balcony) and never went back.