OK, it is time to ask about the new smoking policy now in effect!

[Slam308]

Now that the new policy has taken effect, can anyone tell me if they still allow smoking at the Sky Bar on Voyager or Freedom class ships?

[bugtyler]

Was wondering about the afts balconies as well on the Oasis ship I am referring the aft balconies on deck 11,12 and 14. Prior to jan 1st they had ashtrays on these secret balconies that face the aqua theater. Just trying to confirm current smoking...

[leisuretraveler223]

Was wondering about the afts balconies as well on the Oasis ship I am referring the aft balconies on deck 11,12 and 14. Prior to jan 1st they had ashtrays on these secret balconies that face the aqua theater. Just trying to confirm current smoking...

 

Occasionally, and ash tray would "migrate" to one of the aft balconies of which you speak. However, smoking was never actually permitted out there. There are many accounts of people doing so out there without a problem. But then again, there are many reports of people smoking on stateroom balconies since January 1 without a problem. But it is not permitted on either.

[monctonguy]

Was on EOS, and only two places that you could smoke was at the outdoor bar on the pool deck, in a very specific place, and the casino.

 

Previously, you could smoke outside anywhere on a certain side of the ship. You could also smoke in certain areas of certain bars on the ships as well. Casino had a non-smoking section and it really wasn't that bad there at all.

 

Personally, if I booked a balcony for a cruise and wanted to smoke, I would just pay the $250 fine to enjoy it for the week. Would be just factored into the price of my cruise..lol.

[dixieva]

It is my understanding that the fine of $250 will be for each occurance, in other words it would be daily if you smoke daily and get caught. So not just a one time fee.

[Debde]

Just off Jewel;

One side of the pool deck-about half, and the casino.

 

FYI-we had an aft cabin on Jewel and Summit was backed up to us[as usual] in Puerto Rico and we noticed several folks smoking away on the balcony. And the guy who kept coming out in his underwear but that's another topic!!:eek: Now I did not notice any balcony smoking on Jewel but found it odd to see that on Summit. Wonder if Celebrity has been turning folks in like many here say they will? Also-not being familiar with celebrity-I believe the aft public area must be a smoking section as I saw people smoking up there??

[leaveitallbehind]

Just off Jewel;

One side of the pool deck-about half, and the casino.

 

FYI-we had an aft cabin on Jewel and Summit was backed up to us[as usual] in Puerto Rico and we noticed several folks smoking away on the balcony. And the guy who kept coming out in his underwear but that's another topic!!:eek: Now I did not notice any balcony smoking on Jewel but found it odd to see that on Summit. Wonder if Celebrity has been turning folks in like many here say they will? Also-not being familiar with celebrity-I believe the aft public area must be a smoking section as I saw people smoking up there??

 

Celebrity also does not allow balcony smoking, aft included to my knowledge, and in my understanding typically enforces their smoking policies pretty strongly. Sounds unusual.

 

Not sure what their underwear policy is, however.......:D

[Debde]

Celebrity also does not allow balcony smoking, aft included to my knowledge, and in my understanding typically enforces their smoking policies pretty strongly. Sounds unusual.

 

Not sure what their underwear policy is, however.......:D

 

My thoughts also. Celebrity has had this policy way longer then Royal. We thought maybe the balcony smokers could be e-cigs but when I looked at the public deck above, that's what had me wondering.

 

Now the other policy......IMHO-that needs to be enforced way more then the smoking one!!! LOL:p

[Mrs Cigar King]

Now that the new policy has taken effect, can anyone tell me if they still allow smoking at the Sky Bar on Voyager or Freedom class ships?

 

We were just on the Liberty, no more smoking at the Sky Bar. You can only smoke on the starboard side of deck 12 along the railing. When we first boarded there were no chairs about the free standing ash trays. They did move the loungers over so at least you could sit. Still no place for the coffee cups.

[dixieva]

I am not a smoker (well not any more) and I think the cruise line should provide a comfortable place for smokers to smoke outside. Tables and chairs and ashtrays should be there.

 

I thought I read someplace on the web site that they would provide "enchanced" areas for smokers outside.

 

Guess not!

[niksmom630]

We were just on the Liberty, no more smoking at the Sky Bar. You can only smoke on the starboard side of deck 12 along the railing. When we first boarded there were no chairs about the free standing ash trays. They did move the loungers over so at least you could sit. Still no place for the coffee cups.

 

I would guess Deck 12 to be pretty windy, and by the railing no less! What was your opinion of the areas on Deck 4, or 11 if you visited there? I thought I recalled an reading an earlier post from you following an inquiry to RCI about providing tables and chairs in these areas....was it not the case?

[Mrs Cigar King]

I would guess Deck 12 to be pretty windy, and by the railing no less! What was your opinion of the areas on Deck 4, or 11 if you visited there? I thought I recalled an reading an earlier post from you following an inquiry to RCI about providing tables and chairs in these areas....was it not the case?

 

Yes, the "enchanced" area thread with tables and chairs was mine. I'm hoping that it's just a matter of seeing what is needed in the smoking areas and providing it....soon!

No smoking at all on deck 11. The area behind the diamond club on 14 is no longer a smoking area. We did stop on deck 4, it's the same as before, no little tables. Deck 12 was windy so I didn't stop there often. I'm sure the joggers were not pleased.

At least the casino was comfortable and the cigar lounge.

 

Our next cruise is on the Explorer. We booked our favorite aft JS way before the new policy was announced which just adds a new layer of disappointment.

Any updates on the smoking areas on the Explorer?

[niksmom630]

Yes, the "enchanced" area thread with tables and chairs was mine. I'm hoping that it's just a matter of seeing what is needed in the smoking areas and providing it....soon!

No smoking at all on deck 11. The area behind the diamond club on 14 is no longer a smoking area. We did stop on deck 4, it's the same as before, no little tables. Deck 12 was windy so I didn't stop there often. I'm sure the joggers were not pleased.

At least the casino was comfortable and the cigar lounge.

 

Our next cruise is on the Explorer. We booked our favorite aft JS way before the new policy was announced which just adds a new layer of disappointment.

Any updates on the smoking areas on the Explorer?

 

Well, that is disappointing! I thought I had read in another thread that there was a smoking area on deck 11 also on Indy (which I am boarding shortly). Of all locations, why would they set up a smoking area on the jogging track?????

 

Since the policy is relatively new, perhaps to your point they need some additional time to assess the proper locations and what may be needed in these areas to accommodate smokers?

 

Well, I shall report back following my Indy trip, for anyone who is interested....

[LetsGetWet!]

Sure it does. If I were a smoker and allowed to smoke on my balcony, I would spend the extra fare so I wouldn't have to go to a public deck to do it. But if I'm not allowed to smoke on my balcony, I might decide that the extra fare isn't worth it because I'd have to go to a public deck to smoke and wouldn't spend the time on my own balcony.

 

Yep, and since nonsmokers outnumber smokers about 4:1, they'll snap up all those balconies that the smokers decide to give up!

 

I agree with you 100%. As a matter of fact, I stopped getting a balcony cabin BECAUSE of smokers, I'm so happy that I can enjoy the ocean again :D

[seatraveler1]

Ditto. Politely inform them of the rule then escalate to Guest Services if ignored or challenged.

 

It seems good to say that, but confrontation usually doesn't work. It happened on a Majesty 3 night cruise even talking to them nicely and when they wouldn't stop, we called guest relations and they sent security. Three young Mexican guys from Mexico City in their late 20's sharing a JS next to us harassed us the next two nights by prank phone calls all night, they threw dirty underwear on our balcony, sprayed coke all over the balcony and then threw their shot glasses against the glass sliding door breaking all over the balcony floor.

 

I heard a loud bang during the night and didn't know what it was until stepping out in the balcony the next morning and having broken glass along with the other items under my bare feet. Security came and knocked on their door and told them to stop, but the next night they did the same thing. Security said video showed them nothing from outside of the ship to prove that they did it.

 

The passenger code of conduct meant nothing on that cruise and security was a HUGE disappointment. I would have insisted that they get kicked off of the ship the next day, but we just happed to be in Miami (only a 3 night cruise) so they were getting off of the ship anyway.

 

I'll never confront someone nicely again, but good luck if you do. That was the worst cruise we have ever been on and very disappointed on how it was handled by security.

Edited January 30, 2014 by seatraveler1

[Tucker in Texas]

I am a smoker and understand the new policy about smoking on the balconies was for the best to accommodate the non-smokers and their bottom line. Still, they should attempt to appease the smokers with satisfactory arrangements. I am distressed to hear that, perhaps, this is not happening.

 

I'll be one of those that won't be getting balcony cabins anymore unless the price is about the same with a Diamond+ discount as an ocean view or inside. Didn't mind paying an extra couple of hundred for the balcony when I could smoke on it but now the situation is different.

 

Celebrity provides very nice chairs and tables on Deck 4 for smokers. They had a good, comfortable, area on the pool deck, too.

 

Princess (also, non smoking on balconies) not only provided nice areas for the smokers but, in the morning, one area was stocked with coffee, tea, juice. A crew member was present to keep the supplies going and tidy up. I sent this suggestion to Royal Caribbean when I heard they were going to non-smoking on the balconies. Of course, never heard anything

 

Tucker in Texas