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

[mjldvlks]

why not have a designated area of the ship that would have smoking balconies, like the aft

 

Without picking sides, just trying to be practical, this has been suggested many times over the years. As cruisinpeg said, the aft is considered prime real estate and there is no way RCI is going to dedicate that area to a minority slice of the cruising public. Frankly, every area of the ship is going to have some people who prefer to stay in that area so having dedicated smoking balconies on one side or the other or in a certain area appears to me to not make sense for the cruise line from business point of view. I would be willing to bet that the cruiseline has analyzed this option carefully.

 

On a broader front, it seems to me that several recent changes: the change in the smoking policy; the change to allow bringing wine on board; and, the very recent change to the towel policy show that RCI listens and is trying to make changes that appeal to the majority of their market. While I recognize not every change is going to make everyone happy, as a cruise fanatics, I think we should see this trend as encouraging.

Edited January 9, 2014 by mjldvlks

[orville99]

Has anyone noticed if RCCL "enhanced" the smoking area. They had told me they were going to make it more comfortable and increase the ashtray supply.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1913841

 

We will be on the Liberty next week. If anyone has been there since the new policy was instituted, can you post about any improvements. The last time were were on that ship the smoking area on the pool deck was not a comfortable area.

Thanks.

 

On Brilliance, as the week went along, the number and location of ashtrays in the designated smoking areas noticeably decreased. By the last day, there were only two left on the pool deck. On the smoking side of the promenade deck, there was only one left.

Edited January 9, 2014 by orville99

[xprmntl1]

Ok, how about vapor cigarettes or E-cigarettes? My wife is trying to quit smoking and she figured she would have to go to the regular smoking area to use hers. Havent really seen anything regulating these, but I figure rooms are off limits also?

[Aquahound]

why not have a designated area of the ship that would have smoking balconies, like the aft

 

I actually have an answer for that, but to avoid the whole "show me the proof" discussion, I'll just keep it to myself.

[DrD]

Ok, how about vapor cigarettes or E-cigarettes? My wife is trying to quit smoking and she figured she would have to go to the regular smoking area to use hers. Havent really seen anything regulating these, but I figure rooms are off limits also?

 

Technically yes but as you know there's no smell at all, so really you could smoke in your cabin or even on your balcony and no one would know.

 

I can kind of understand why e-cigs would be banned in public, but not sure why they are banned in private, as there's no residual odor of any kind.

[orville99]

Ok, how about vapor cigarettes or E-cigarettes? My wife is trying to quit smoking and she figured she would have to go to the regular smoking area to use hers. Havent really seen anything regulating these, but I figure rooms are off limits also?

 

 

When we were outside, we ended up going to the smoking areas, or "stealth" vaping (since the deck staff had removed almost all of the ashtrays, most of the smoking area was empty, so we went to the end with no ashtrays:)). As for our cabin and balcony...;)

[bchalker]

This is what I was afraid of. I already thought the casinos were smoky...the ventilation system doesn't seem very effective.

 

LOL. Thats perfect for us. We have no use for the tight casinos so the smokers can kill each other off in there. :D

[erfarb]

I actually have an answer for that, but to avoid the whole "show me the proof" discussion, I'll just keep it to myself.

 

I would love to hear your answer if you are willing. You dont need to prove anything to anyone on these boards, but I am curious to know your thoughts.

[Tucker in Texas]

Maybe the ship casinos could research better when thinking that retaining these areas for smoking in some locations is a good idea. There are plenty of non smokers that like to donate to the casino!

 

They wouldn't have to go far to get some figures as there is no smoking in the Celebrity casinos.

 

On Brilliance, as the week went along, the number and location of ashtrays in the designated smoking areas noticeably decreased. By the last day, there were only two left on the pool deck. On the smoking side of the promenade deck, there was only one left.

 

I always carry an Altoids tin with me so I have my own ash tray. I've shared it more than once. Hopefully, by the next cruise I will have quit so it won't be a problem. I'm trying, anyway.

 

I am one of those that did not get balconies on Celebrity or Princess when they banned smoking on the balconies. I can guarantee you that within minutes of smoking my first cigarette in a designated smoking area I will hear a passenger complaining that they were not told they could not smoke on their balcony and that was the reason they got one.

 

Ok, how about vapor cigarettes or E-cigarettes? My wife is trying to quit smoking and she figured she would have to go to the regular smoking area to use hers. Havent really seen anything regulating these, but I figure rooms are off limits also?

 

My understanding is that E-cigs are treated the same as regular cigarettes as far as using them only in designated smoking areas. However, I will admit to "sneaking" out on the balcony, positioning myself in a corner where I couldn't be seen, late at night and early in the morning and having a few puffs. On one TA when the weather was particularly nasty a day or two, I thought I could go out on the balcony and smoke because 1) it was so cold no one would be out to rat me out and 2) the wind would make it near impossible to figure out where the smoke came from. However, I restrained myself and didn't.

 

Tucker in Texas

[Aquahound]

I would love to hear your answer if you are willing. You dont need to prove anything to anyone on these boards, but I am curious to know your thoughts.

 

Oh, alright.

 

Grandeur of the Seas.

 

I'll leave it at that. :)

[Tim,n,Sue]

If they're right next to me, I will politely remind them of the rule and respectfully ask them to put it out. If playing the nice guy doesn't work or they aren't right next to me, yes, I will report them. I would call Guest Services.

 

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

[nelly55]

I am glad there is no smoking in the casino on sailings from Australia. That would be really annoying. When the no smoking policy came into effect here in Aus many people feared the pokies venues would suffer greatly. As it turned out there has been many people that didn't go because of the smoking, so after a small time of adjustment I believe the statistics show that they are now doing even better. Maybe the ship casinos could research better when thinking that retaining these areas for smoking in some locations is a good idea. There are plenty of non smokers that like to donate to the casino!

 

It used to be the same on sailings from the UK, which we loved but I emailed RCI to clarify the new policy and was disappointed to be told that when the sailings from UK resume in May the casino will be a smoking area the same as U.S sailings.

[Mrs Cigar King]

On Brilliance, as the week went along, the number and location of ashtrays in the designated smoking areas noticeably decreased. By the last day, there were only two left on the pool deck. On the smoking side of the promenade deck, there was only one left.

 

Thanks, that's just strange.

I'm going to miss room service coffee and a cigarette on the balcony in the mornings.

[booboojoy]

Possibly people are asking about the policy when they are booking and stating that the only reason that they had a balcony before was because they smoked and now they can't, they won't pay the extra... Just a thought.

 

Jo :)

 

 

EDIT: Oops, just seen post #7 so it is as I thought.

 

soi I guess now the non=smokers will pay extra to have a balcony with no smoke blowing in their face?

[Sherlock43031]

The rep asked me if I wanted a balcony. When I said I didn't because there is no more smoking on balconies, that was his reply.

 

 

how many times do you think RCI will need to hear that before a light goes on?

[BND]

how many times do you think RCI will need to hear that before a light goes on?

 

Wishful thinking. They won't have any problem selling the balconies and this decision will stand. I remember when laws changed concerning smoking in restaurants and bars. Some were so sure that it would backfire. Guess what? It didn't. Revenue increased.

[Roce48]

This is what I have been dreading! I like to play in the casino but have severe asthma and it was pretty bad before the new smoking rules. But at least we had formal nights which were no smoking in the casino. Now that is no longer the case. I usually make a generous "contribution" in the casino but now I'm thinking I'll have to stay out of there.

 

Seems to me that this will cause a loss to the cruise lines since us non-smokers will be avoiding the casino and it will be filled with a lot of folks who are just smoking and not gambling.

 

I guess then that you will have a LOT of extra money that you did not loose in the Casino to upgrade to a better cabin or Suite, or eat in a Specialty restaurant, or leave a bigger tip for the staff! "Generous contribution", oh brother give me a break!

lol ;-)

Edited January 10, 2014 by Roce48

[Roce48]

Wishful thinking. They won't have any problem selling the balconies and this decision will stand. I remember when laws changed concerning smoking in restaurants and bars. Some were so sure that it would backfire. Guess what? It didn't. Revenue increased.

 

Are you really going to tell me that many local Mom and Pop bars have not closed, but are making more money now? Please open your eyes and look around!

[critterchick]

so you always tell them not to sunbath nude or have sex? How about you enjoy your balcony and keep your nose or eyes out of others business.

 

it is what it is..

 

well everyone knows we $20 cigar smokers generally are trailer trash anyways and should be completely banned. if they are smoking they are also probably drinking. but, if you want to chance a punch in the nose go for it.

 

Somebody sunbathing in the buff or having sex in their balcony doesn't impact my enjoyment of my own balcony, unless they are REALLY loud about it. Somebody smoking does. I don't see why you would punch somebody in the nose if you are doing something against the rules that bothers them.

 

On Golden Princess this fall, my neighbor was chain smoking in his cabin and at sailaway. Our cabin steward reported him to management, and a senior officer paid him a visit. The future cruise consultant told me that they get fined on the first warning and if they persist, they are invited to sail on another line. I hope that they also aren't allowed to take their automatic gratuities away out of spite.

 

Are you really going to tell me that many local Mom and Pop bars have not closed, but are making more money now? Please open your eyes and look around!

 

I would attribute that to a prolonged economic slump, not the banning of smoking indoors.

[Sherlock43031]

Wishful thinking. They won't have any problem selling the balconies and this decision will stand. I remember when laws changed concerning smoking in restaurants and bars. Some were so sure that it would backfire. Guess what? It didn't. Revenue increased.

 

what world do you live in just in central ohio a whole lot of bar and grill type restaurants have gone under. most of the ones that have made it added on an outdoor patio aand use those umbrella type heater because a large percent of their business is out on the patio smoking while the inside sits empty.

 

all the people that currently rent balcony cabins and don't smoke will continue to rent and quit the constant complaining. the folks who rented a balcony so they could smoke will opt for the cheaper inside/ov cabins. so who's going to pickup the slack of the smokers?

[bchalker]

Ok, how about vapor cigarettes or E-cigarettes? My wife is trying to quit smoking and she figured she would have to go to the regular smoking area to use hers. Havent really seen anything regulating these, but I figure rooms are off limits also?

 

e-cigs are included in the ban

[bchalker]

what world do you live in just in central ohio a whole lot of bar and grill type restaurants have gone under. most of the ones that have made it added on an outdoor patio aand use those umbrella type heater because a large percent of their business is out on the patio smoking while the inside sits empty.

 

all the people that currently rent balcony cabins and don't smoke will continue to rent and quit the constant complaining. the folks who rented a balcony so they could smoke will opt for the cheaper inside/ov cabins. so who's going to pickup the slack of the smokers?

 

more bullcrap from sherlock. lets just see how much trouble they have selling balconys. prob the same drop celebrity has from their nonsmoking casinos. none at all. oh and about your misinformation go ahead and cite your source for central ohip restaurants closing because smokers were not allowed. what a load of crap.

[goodycruising]

You can argue the economic merits, but the law makers worldwide are by the majority making the areas available to smokers smaller and smaller.

[Mom.to.2]

Oh, alright.

 

Grandeur of the Seas.

 

I'll leave it at that. :)

 

Interesting. Very interesting indeed. I didn't realize a definitive cause had been identified (albeit unofficial.)

 

Thank you for sharing.

[Tommyg74]

Interesting read about second hand smoke and cancer, or the lack of..

 

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/12/05/jnci.djt365.extract

 

 

I still don't see the e cig ban, that is just stupid. Do they really think that people wont use e cigs in their room??