Royal Caribbean Bans Smoking on Balconies

[MBRN]

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

[toto6]

I still find the new rules to be very disappointing. Of the five cruises we have booked, I'm only looking forward to the one in 2013. After that, I'm not sure. At least we'll be going with friends to make up for the disappointment.

 

I intend to write Adam Goldsteins office asking for more details about what Royal will do for the smokers. Larger, reasonably located areas on the pool deck. Covered and open air. More tables and comfortable chairs, not the ones with the dip that are impossible to get out of. Ash trays on the tables instead of the heavy floor ones that are diffucult to move. Coffee!!! Located close to the smoking sections. What will Royal do when the outside smoking areas are closed due to weather. I do intend to express my appreciation that we can still smoke in the casino.

 

Hopefully there will be a reply that I can post here.

 

Yes please do reply with what information you receive.

We have a B2B in March that I'm really looking forward to. After that time will tell.

[tinkerme1]

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

 

Based on the new policy which will not start until Jan 1, 2014, ALL RCI ships will be included in the policy. There are no exceptions for ships based in Asia except as noted in the policy. Those exceptions are for specific ships and pertain to certain venues where smoking will be permitted.

[Mom.to.2]

Have never been called a mole before.:eek::o

 

I say that with the utmost respect, gratitude, and awe. ;)

[Familygoboston]

Have never been called a mole before.:eek::o

 

Do you have your trench coat and camera pen ;) You always have been spot on information when I need it!:D Also, noticed your new avatar and congrats on the new grandbaby!!!:D

 

As for the new policy...I only have this to say:

 

 

[ahecht]

So Rcl changed the smoking rules here in the usa but not in Asia, wonder why?

 

Same reason they allow smoking in the casino. Gamblers tend to smoke (or vice versa) and most Asian cruises are aimed towards gamblers. Since gambling is illegal in China (outside of Macau), and since China is such a large country, the demand for gambling venues is huge. Macau makes more money from gambling than Vegas, and has the largest casinos in the world. Just look at the reports from any repositioning cruise to Asia: large public areas are closed for the installation of more slot machines and gambling tables. Heck, most of RCCL's retired ships are now full time floating casinos in Asia.

[MrsB05]

For all your extreme perfume smokers........your perfume makes me gag when I get on the elevator with you.........must be as bad as my smoke, could RCL please ban perfume!

 

Ha ha ha!!!!! I totally agree with THIS!

 

Also, please ban screaming children and people who yak on their cell phones on their balconies, keeping me from enjoying an afternoon nap, whether my door is open or not.

[rushedmom]

While I know this makes the smokers angry, I have to say it makes me very happy. I look forward to being out on my balcony and not having to smell smoke or dodge cigarette butts from above (like on my last cruise)

[Snooksi]

 

Not quite sure why it's so difficult for adults to discuss things on here without name calling and making it personal.

 

Neither group causes a problem here.

 

The only problem on this board is the small but loud handful who resort to trolling, bomb throwing, and name calling.

 

EXACTLY!!

 

Yes, I am frustrated. However, I'm so tired of being called a liar (claiming smokers aren't really cancelling their future cruises, etc) amongst many other things. Did you happen to read the other threads and especially the one locked from yesterday? It isn't just a "small handful". If people insist on discussing the topic, why can't there be one thread? Why does there need to be 4 (today).

 

So, I wanted to point out that smokers don't spend thousands of dollars on a cruise just so they can sit on their balconies 24/7 smoking carton upon carton of cigarettes as many non-smokers seem to claim. I understand the non-smokers are happy regarding the policy change, but leave it at that. To claim that EVERY single time they go out on their balconies a CHAIN SMOKING (find it hard to believe that all smokers are CHAIN smokers), inconsiderate smoker RUINED their balcony experience, is exaggeration. And I also find it hard to believe that every single non-smoker just happened to have chain smoking people right next to them. (Except for one non-smoking poster who reminded me he's never experienced smoking from a balcony)

 

Is telling people they are exaggerating name calling? I don't believe so.

 

I don't see why the moderators don't just lock all of these threads. It's ridiculous and I think by now, BOTH sides have made their points and posted plenty of nasty comments.

 

But it will continue, because it always does and I'll just wait to see what's targeted next, because something always is.

[MrsB05]

RCCL did send out an e-mail to TA's yesterday, to notify them of the new policy, so that they could notify their clients.

 

I can't speak to whether or not they notified the people who booked directly with RCCL.

 

So, although they did notify TA's, I heard it HERE first, which is a HORRIBLE way to do business !!

 

I have two cruises currently booked. One direct (which is my upcoming one in December so smoking is still allowed) and one next October booked with a TA.

 

I heard nothing from Royal (but again my next cruise isn't impacted by this) and my TA did advise us of the change for October.

 

I don't smoke. DH smokes cigars from time to time and will miss being able to do so on our balcony.

 

But, he'll survive.

 

I'm betting all lines will eventually do this.

 

I don't get why they don't designate certain balcony staterooms as smoking ok, though, like the ones near where smoking is allowed on the starboard side.

 

Seems like that would be a win win; everyone knows what rooms to book or not to book, depending on what side of the fence you are on.

 

But, no one asked ME!

[bigque]

EXACTLY!!

 

Yes, I am frustrated. However, I'm so tired of being called a liar (claiming smokers aren't really cancelling their future cruises, etc) amongst many other things. Did you happen to read the other threads and especially the one locked from yesterday? It isn't just a "small handful". If people insist on discussing the topic, why can't there be one thread? Why does there need to be 4 (today).

 

So, I wanted to point out that smokers don't spend thousands of dollars on a cruise just so they can sit on their balconies 24/7 smoking carton upon carton of cigarettes as many non-smokers seem to claim. I understand the non-smokers are happy regarding the policy change, but leave it at that. To claim that EVERY single time they go out on their balconies a CHAIN SMOKING (find it hard to believe that all smokers are CHAIN smokers), inconsiderate smoker RUINED their balcony experience, is exaggeration. And I also find it hard to believe that every single non-smoker just happened to have chain smoking people right next to them. (Except for one non-smoking poster who reminded me he's never experienced smoking from a balcony)

 

Is telling people they are exaggerating name calling? I don't believe so.

 

I don't see why the moderators don't just lock all of these threads. It's ridiculous and I think by now, BOTH sides have made their points and posted plenty of nasty comments.

 

But it will continue, because it always does and I'll just wait to see what's targeted next, because something always is.

 

 

And I am a non smoker and 100% agree with you!

[MrsB05]

As an aside, what is the CURRENT policy on cigar smoking?

 

I went to Royal's site and they have the upcoming policy up there now so can't refer to it.

 

I thought it used to say it was ok in outdoor designated areas and all private balconies but someone is telling me Royal banned cigar smoking on balconies "a long time ago", which doesn't make sense since DH's been smoking his stogies out there since 2005 and no one has ever told us he couldn't.

 

:confused::confused::confused:

[knots4crewzing]

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

 

That would be an excellent idea. Have one side of the ship with balconies for smokers. At least make an effort to appease both sides.:)

 

Royal has always been innovative I'm sure they could handle this.:rolleyes:

[Elizanessie]

:eek:What utter rubbish I have smoked for the last 27 years and we have always had balcony's this year I quit smoking so will I now be quieter when I am on my balcony :confused:

 

This stupid comment has got to be up there with the im changing cruise lines and only booking inside cabin comments:rolleyes:

 

What is stupid about saying folks they will only be booking inside cabins because of the change in policy ?

 

I know that my family will be watching the prices of our Quantum cruises very carefully and if/when the inside or outside cabin prices come down to less than our balcony cabin prices...we will be changing cabins and if we cruise again in the future...we will be only booking inside cabins.

[Maryscooking]

I don't smoke. DH smokes cigars from time to time and will miss being able to do so on our balcony.

 

Cigar smoking on balconies was already prohibited.

[TomTN]

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

 

The Casinos on Celebrity ships are non smoking. wonderful!!!:)

[MrsB05]

Cigar smoking on balconies was already prohibited.

 

Wow. We were breaking the law and didn't even know it. Wonder why all our stateroom attendants, who cleaned out our ashtrays, never said anything to us on the four cruises we've been on 2010-2012?

[Familygoboston]

As an aside, what is the CURRENT policy on cigar smoking?

 

I went to Royal's site and they have the upcoming policy up there now so can't refer to it.

 

I thought it used to say it was ok in outdoor designated areas and all private balconies but someone is telling me Royal banned cigar smoking on balconies "a long time ago", which doesn't make sense since DH's been smoking his stogies out there since 2005 and no one has ever told us he couldn't.

 

:confused::confused::confused:

 

Yup, this is true, you probably got lucky that no one nearby called about it. It may be that he was respectful about when others were out and thus avoided raising anyone's ire, but yes, cigars have been restricted for many years! And your attendants don't want to cause you trouble and have you be disappointed!

One thing I'm curious about is IF smokers cancel where do they plan to go instead?

 

It's a serious question, not trying to be a wise guy, but for smokers, are there any cruises where smoking is still allowed? One of the reasons I was thinking of reducing my number of RCL cruises was because they were quickly becoming "the only game in town" for smokers and as a non smoker (but respectful of others) I was starting to look into alternatives more matched to my needs. Im not trying to start a battle but truly wondering where you can go instead?

[akcruz]

A couple of comments directed to nobody in particular.

 

Yes, there are many on here that are exaggerating on both sides of the equation. I think most of us can see both sides and understand where they are coming from. Most, if not all, opinions have been shared, can we now stop simply restating the extremes???

 

As for the discussion that constantly comes up about making one side of the smoking and one side non or something similar while it sounds good on the surface dig a bit into the details and it will never happen. As always "the devil is in the details".

 

How many threads have you seen on her asking which is the best side of the ship for xxxx itinerary. Who gets that side of the ship??? The smokers or the non smokers? This is especially important on itineraries such as Alaska or with the ships that almost always dock on the same side.

 

What happens with families who have a combination of smokers and non smokers? Do they split up on different sides of the ship? Does one "suffer" and go to the side they do not prefer to make the family happy?

 

What happens if one side sells out really well and there are only cabins left on the side you do not prefer? Will the prices need to be dropped to sell them out? Would they need different categories so that the other side does not get price reductions?

 

What about guarantees? Do you now need smoking and non smoking guarantees? If you can't get what you want the value in a guarantee goes way down.

 

I could keep going, but these are the biggies.

 

I am a non smoker who books balconies and has not had issues with smokers. Although I will tell you that some are much more sensitive when it comes to smoke. As an example on a 7 day cruise my DD and I were on the balcony on day 3 while at sea. She commented she could smell smoke, I could not. We looked around (I thought she was crazy) and did not see anyone, then 2 decks down and about 5 or 6 cabins away a gentlemen leaned out on the balcony railing with a cigarette in hand. She was right all along. As I said it didn't bother me and I still could not smell it at all, but the lesson here is it does travel and impact some.

 

I hope we can all get along and those that are on either extreme can calm down a bit so that a productive discussion can go on.

[cruisenfever]

Do you have your trench coat and camera pen ;) You always have been spot on information when I need it!:D Also, noticed your new avatar and congrats on the new grandbaby!!!:D

 

As for the new policy...I only have this to say:

 

 

Detective Clouseau at your service!!

[The Sunset Glow]

[quote name='LauraS']Check out the latest Royal Caribbean News from Cruise Critic:

[URL="http://feeds.cruisecritic.com/~r/site/cc/news/~3/0P3LX4yNsWs/news.cfm"]Royal Caribbean Bans Smoking on Balconies[/URL][/quote]

The way I read it the first paragraph of this article is inaccurate and causing some confusion with regards to the policy for asian-based cruises.

The CC article starts with:
[URL="http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/cruiseline.cfm?CruiseLineID=32"][I]Royal Caribbean[/I][/URL][I] has become the latest cruise line to ban smoking from all cabin balconies -- except for Asia-based ships.[/I]

This statement is incorrect in that it implies that balcony smoking is not banned on asia salings. Balcony smoking is banned on all ships no matter where they are sailing. There are some exceptions to the smoking policy for asian sailings but not for balconies.

Taken from Adam's blog announcement:
[I]Under the new policy, smoking will not be permitted in staterooms and on stateroom balconies fleet wide on all ships. Additionally, all indoor public spaces will be smoke free, with the exception of the Casino, the Connoisseur Club on Freedom and Voyager Class ships, and one designated smoking venue on ships sailing from Chinese homeports.[/I]

The CC article does go on to explain that the balcony smoking is fleet wide but the first paragragh in contradictory and should be corrected.

Yes, it's just a minor detail but if you look at the mutiple posts on here that are confused about the asian smoking poilcy, that confusion could be coming from that one sentence in the article.

Just sayin':cool: Maybe I have too much time on my hands today.......:p

[knots4crewzing]

[quote name='akcruz']A couple of comments directed to nobody in particular.

Yes, there are many on here that are exaggerating on both sides of the equation. I think most of us can see both sides and understand where they are coming from. Most, if not all, opinions have been shared, can we now stop simply restating the extremes???

As for the discussion that constantly comes up about making one side of the smoking and one side non or something similar while it sounds good on the surface dig a bit into the details and it will never happen. As always "the devil is in the details".

How many threads have you seen on her asking which is the best side of the ship for xxxx itinerary. Who gets that side of the ship??? The smokers or the non smokers? This is especially important on itineraries such as Alaska or with the ships that almost always dock on the same side.

What happens with families who have a combination of smokers and non smokers? Do they split up on different sides of the ship? Does one "suffer" and go to the side they do not prefer to make the family happy?

What happens if one side sells out really well and there are only cabins left on the side you do not prefer? Will the prices need to be dropped to sell them out? Would they need different categories so that the other side does not get price reductions?

What about guarantees? Do you now need smoking and non smoking guarantees? If you can't get what you want the value in a guarantee goes way down.

I could keep going, but these are the biggies.

I am a non smoker who books balconies and has not had issues with smokers. Although I will tell you that some are much more sensitive when it comes to smoke. As an example on a 7 day cruise my DD and I were on the balcony on day 3 while at sea. She commented she could smell smoke, I could not. We looked around (I thought she was crazy) and did not see anyone, then 2 decks down and about 5 or 6 cabins away a gentlemen leaned out on the balcony railing with a cigarette in hand. She was right all along. As I said it didn't bother me and I still could not smell it at all, but the lesson here is it does travel and impact some.

I hope we can all get along and those that are on either extreme can calm down a bit so that a productive discussion can go on.[/quote]


No harm in giving it a try!

[bigque]

[quote name='Elizanessie']What is stupid about saying folks they will only be booking inside cabins because of the change in policy ?

I know that my family will be watching the prices of our Quantum cruises very carefully and if/when the inside or outside cabin prices come down to less than our balcony cabin prices...we will be changing cabins and if we cruise again in the future...we will be only booking inside cabins.[/quote]

[B][COLOR=darkorchid]I think they were refering to this statement:[/COLOR][/B]

[QUOTE]
Originally Posted by [B]The Viking[/B] [URL="http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=39836505#post39836505"][IMG]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/IMG][/URL]
[I]I do not care about the smoking,- but smokers tend to be loud on the balcony.

Hopefully this ban will make it less noisy[/I]
[/QUOTE]

[MrsB05]

[quote name='Familygoboston']Yup, this is true, you probably got lucky that no one nearby called about it. It may be that he was respectful about when others were out and thus avoided raising anyone's ire, but yes, cigars have been restricted for many years! And your attendants don't want to cause you trouble and have you be disappointed!


Oh wow! Breaking the law, breaking the law. And he's a CPA :D

He was always careful about not smoking overly much or often.

[Aquahound]

[quote name='akcruz']
As for the discussion that constantly comes up about making one side of the smoking and one side non or something similar while it sounds good on the surface dig a bit into the details and it will never happen. As always "the devil is in the details".
[/quote]

That cliche' has become almost as common on these boards as "a cruise is what you make of it." :rolleyes:

No, a cruise is supposed to be what [B][I]they[/I][/B] make of it, not me, and no, for so many logistical reasons, you cannot make one side smoking and one side non smoking.

JMHO!! ;)