Royal Caribbean Bans Smoking on Balconies

[Elizanessie]

Of course I will Liz.:D

 

That's great,thanks:D... so I will concentrate on the 100 plus jobs loss at RCCL UK office :(

[dmcdo]

So Rcl changed the smoking rules here in the usa but not in Asia, wonder why? Also why not make one side of ship for smokers to smoke on balcony and the other side non smoking? Of course no place would ever make a casino fully non smoking due to that fact that money would be lost, can't loose that casino money!!!! Maybe people should start emailing and sending letters to RCL about the policy and see if they will change it to satisfy both smokers and non smokers. I wonder if the next rule they change is how much you can drink in a day because lets face it not everyone loves to have their balcony quiet time interrupted by a neighbor who is loud due to alcohol. Well that's my rant for the day. Please be kind. thank you

 

I agree ,If they made one side of ship balcony's smoking and when you book they can tell you smoking or non smoking . That way you have a choice So if some one gets drunk and obnoxious are they not allowed to drink on cruise ?????.Think about it ,It is the same concept .

[gerif]

Celebrity's casinos have been smoke-free for years and they are hardly sitting empty. I agree that this is all about money. These changes are not being made because the suits are so concerned about our health.

 

Totally agree - we would spend MUCH more time in the casino if it were non-smoking. I can stand a bit more, but DH has asthma and emphysema so 15 minutes is about his limit. You really can't gauge things by the one (formal) non-smoking night they have now - the place still stinks to high heaven. We have several casinos within a 1-2 hour drive but always patronize the one that is 100% non-smoking as we can spend hours there with no problems. Guess what? It is always packed and they just added a huge new wing. Not hurting for business in the least that I can see.

[cruzeluver]

So Rcl changed the smoking rules here in the usa but not in Asia, wonder why? Also why not make one side of ship for smokers to smoke on balcony and the other side non smoking? Of course no place would ever make a casino fully non smoking due to that fact that money would be lost, can't loose that casino money!!!! Maybe people should start emailing and sending letters to RCL about the policy and see if they will change it to satisfy both smokers and non smokers. I wonder if the next rule they change is how much you can drink in a day because lets face it not everyone loves to have their balcony quiet time interrupted by a neighbor who is loud due to alcohol. Well that's my rant for the day. Please be kind. thank you

A higher percentage of Asian cruisers smoke, thus why they are not changing for the Asia-based ships.

Celebrity has had smoke-free casinos for years and they seem to do quite well. Last Celebrity cruise it was darn near impossible to get seats for three card poker and roulette.

The one side smoking and one side non-smoking idea would never work. For one thing, smokers are far less than half the population. Also, once the non-smoking side fills up, how many non-smokers would be willing to stay on the smoking side?

These changes are not about our welfare at all, but about money. If they thought for one second this would hurt revenue, the would not do it.

[Aquahound]

Celebrity's casinos have been smoke-free for years and they are hardly sitting empty. I agree that this is all about money. These changes are not being made because the suits are so concerned about our health.

 

The thing is, RCI is a different animal than Celebrity. I really don't see RCI going smoke free in the casinos anytime soon. Just look at recent history. Not long ago, RCI made the casinos smoke free on formal nights. This was on all their ships, as far as I know, and is still in play on many ships. But it was very short lived on Majesty. They almost immediately abolished the formal night smoking ban on that ship, which is one of RCI's cash cows. As long as RCI is in the business of 3 night booze cruises, I just don't see an all out ban in the casinos.

[gerif]

I agree ,If they made one side of ship balcony's smoking and when you book they can tell you smoking or non smoking . That way you have a choice So if some one gets drunk and obnoxious are they not allowed to drink on cruise ?????.Think about it ,It is the same concept .

 

Not sure if you've read any of the comments on this proposal, but let me try once again. If about 20% of the population are smokers, there will be a lot more available balconies available on the smoking side. What non-smoker in their right mind is going to book one of them and risk having their pricey vacation ruined (I know it can happen now, but the odds would be much greater if MOST of the other balconies house smokers)? So much for your theory. With respect to the obnoxious drunk - if it is that bad they will be put off the ship and possibly banned for life from the cruiseline.

[Maryscooking]

The thing is, RCI is a different animal than Celebrity. I really don't see RCI going smoke free in the casinos anytime soon. Just look at recent history. Not long ago, RCI made the casinos smoke free on formal nights. This was on all their ships, as far as I know, and is still in play on many ships. But it was very short lived on Majesty. They almost immediately abolished the formal night smoking ban on that ship, which is one of RCI's cash cows. As long as RCI is in the business of 3 night booze cruises, I just don't see an all out ban in the casinos.

 

I think it is hard to judge just based on the one non-smoking formal night policy they have now. The availability of all the "smoking nights" means that smokers can just avoid the casino for one night. But if it was entirely smoke free all the time, they would have no choice if they wanted to gamble.

 

Also, I think many people don't know, or forget, that there is a non-smoking night in the first place. And like someone else mentioned, it still stinks when you walk in, so you might not even realize that it is technically non-smoking night.

 

I don't think it will be anytime soon (like within the next year) but I do think a non-smoking casino is in RCI's future.

[The Sunset Glow]

I think it is hard to judge just based on the one non-smoking formal night policy they have now. The availability of all the "smoking nights" means that smokers can just avoid the casino for one night. But if it was entirely smoke free all the time, they would have no choice if they wanted to gamble.

 

Also, I think many people don't know, or forget, that there is a non-smoking night in the first place. And like someone else mentioned, it still stinks when you walk in, so you might not even realize that it is technically non-smoking night.

 

I don't think it will be anytime soon (like within the next year) but I do think a non-smoking casino is in RCI's future.

 

In the new policy the casino non smoking formal nights are no longer:(

[dixieva]

In the new policy the casino non smoking formal nights are no longer:(

 

 

Really? I have not heard that.

[coordinator23]

Woke up this morning with a question or two in my head. Since RCL is discouraging/not allowing smoking on the balconies (even e-cigs), does that mean that they will discontinue selling cigarettes on board (and making a profit)? Also how are they going to police all the people who say "screw it" and smoke their e-cigs in their cabins? They leave no residue. Also will they post big signs for smoking areas that say, "Non-smokers enter at your own risk. You do not have the right to venture into a smoking area and make comments and cough and choke and give smokers a dirty look. They belong here and not you"

At any rate, we'll never find out. Dh is smoker, I am not. And yes - we are not cruising in March for his birthday and we are not booking a large, extended family vacation later next summer/fall. Life is full of choices; we choose to book elsewhere (Holland does allow balcony smoking - not just NCL and Carnival) We will start the year off 7 days shy of D+, and will be starting over on another line.

[The Sunset Glow]

Really? I have not heard that.

 

It's in the FAQ section.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Onboard+Policies&faqId=5703&faqSubjectId=333&faqType=faq

[bigeagle12]

Removed

[Maryscooking]

In the new policy the casino non smoking formal nights are no longer:(

 

Yeah, that is a bummer.

[Aquahound]

Since RCL is discouraging/not allowing smoking on the balconies (even e-cigs), does that mean that they will discontinue selling cigarettes on board (and making a profit)?

 

They sell booze that can't be consumed on board, so why wouldn't they sell cigarettes that still can be smoked on board? :confused:

[bigeagle12]

Great now the money I would have used in the casino I can put towards the upgrade to a balcony :-)

[The Sunset Glow]

Woke up this morning with a question or two in my head. Since RCL is discouraging/not allowing smoking on the balconies (even e-cigs), does that mean that they will discontinue selling cigarettes on board (and making a profit)? Also how are they going to police all the people who say "screw it" and smoke their e-cigs in their cabins? They leave no residue. Also will they post big signs for smoking areas that say, "Non-smokers enter at your own risk. You do not have the right to venture into a smoking area and make comments and cough and choke and give smokers a dirty look. They belong here and not you"

At any rate, we'll never find out. Dh is smoker, I am not. And yes - we are not cruising in March for his birthday and we are not booking a large, extended family vacation later next summer/fall. Life is full of choices; we choose to book elsewhere (Holland does allow balcony smoking - not just NCL and Carnival) We will start the year off 7 days shy of D+, and will be starting over on another line.

 

I find this statement very ironic.......

 

Your choices become very limited when they are controlled by a powerful addiction.

 

Good luck with HAL. They have a fine product if it suits you.

[The Sunset Glow]

Yeah, that is a bummer.

 

I agree.:( We only went there on formal nights or during really slow times early in the day. Guess we'll save some money.:D

[SHSLIM]

A scary thought walking up to the pool deck at 6:30 in the morning and seeing a group of smokers in there robes, no make-up, hair not done yet getting there morning cig!!!.oh it's not only about cig smoke and perfume,on my way into my office about 2 hrs ago i was behind a dodge diesel pu at a light and when to took off he sent a big cloud of black smoke right into my truck.but that won't ruin my day and neither did a smoker next to me on the balcony of our cruises.

[Bigtex1622]

We were planning another Jamaican Cruise for early next year.

I wanted to try the new Virtual cabin,

so was getting one of them and a balcony to smoke on.

We usually get a suite, but now no need to cruise RCI.

I am so thankful NCL is coming to Galveston.

I wanted to try them, with no virtual cabin,

we can go ahead and get a suite.

I like it when whole family can be in one room.

 

:(

[Aurora2143]

A scary thought walking up to the pool deck at 6:30 in the morning and seeing a group of smokers in there robes, no make-up, hair not done yet getting there morning cig!!!.oh it's not only about cig smoke and perfume,on my way into my office about 2 hrs ago i was behind a dodge diesel pu at a light and when to took off he sent a big cloud of black smoke right into my truck.but that won't ruin my day and neither did a smoker next to me on the balcony of our cruises.

 

Oh and I imagine the next thing that will be added to the list of complaints would be the morning breath in the elevators. LOL!

[Langley Cruisers]

...Your choices become very limited when they are controlled by a powerful addiction.

 

Ahh, but I think the addiction is also a choice, albeit a difficult one to break in most cases.

[coordinator23]

I find this statement very ironic.......

 

Your choices become very limited when they are controlled by a powerful addiction.

 

Good luck with HAL. They have a fine product if it suits you.

 

 

DH, less than a pack a day. Me none a day. Has nothing to do with the "addiction" part of it. More the intolerance of others. Next step, for all of you out there who have now lost most of your cause, is to demand a fragrance free ship. I know my daughter has allergies to some fragrances (epi-pen type reactions). New soap box to get on and demand that people not be allowed to wear perfumes in the elevators, at shows, MDR etc.

[The Sunset Glow]

Ahh, but I think the addiction is also a choice, albeit a difficult one to break in most cases.

 

Yes, that's what I meant by "Ironic".;):D

[Langley Cruisers]

Yes, that's what I meant by "Ironic".;):D

 

 

:):):)

[The Sunset Glow]

DH, less than a pack a day. Me none a day. Has nothing to do with the "addiction" part of it. More the intolerance of others. Next step, for all of you out there who have now lost most of your cause, is to demand a fragrance free ship. I know my daughter has allergies to some fragrances (epi-pen type reactions). New soap box to get on and demand that people not be allowed to wear perfumes in the elevators, at shows, MDR etc.

 

As you said "Life is full of choices". You choose to allow cigarettes to control yours. addicted or not. Giving up a great cruise line and nearly D+ status for smoking. That's your "choice". Good luck.