Ever Been Fined For Smoking In Your Cabin?

[kcwingwalker]

NCL states in their 2014 smoking policy that $250.00 cleaning charge will be added to your account if you smoke in your cabin.

 

SMOKING

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in public areas where there is a No Smoking policy in force; simply because these cigarettes look so realistic and therefore other guests’ perception is that we are not enforcing the No Smoking rule. Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

 

Now the question is does anyone know how NCL enforces this policy? Is this fee daily or for the entire cruise? Some on the Carnival board say you will be fined daily and if you continue to smoke in your cabin you can be told to leave the ship.

 

I'm curious because recently I read a Jewel or might have been Pearl review and it mentioned that the suite had a fresh flower arrangement with cigarette butts in the water.......that's not nice!

 

So does anyone know how this works?

Edited January 20, 2014 by kcwingwalker

[che5904]

I purposely get a balcony cabin so I have somewhere I am allowed to smoke. I'm a rule follower and therefore never been fined, because I wouldn't smoke in my cabin if the rule said no.

 

I would only assume that what you read on the carnival board would be no different than NCL. Fined and then if you refused to abide by their policy could be asked to leave the ship.

 

Although, how would they know you were smoking in your cabin? Probably smell it? That being the case if you were already caught what is saying that it was a new cigarette smell, that you were breaking the rule again.

 

I do know that not everyone is rule followers, so there are probably those that do but they actually give a bad name to the rest of us that abide by the rules (painted by the same brush). But I doubt a steward would turn those people in and after they left, did their magic that they did prior to the policy to do a good job of cleaning the room. Room stewards hope that passengers will leave additional tips at the end of their stay, they won't usually do anything that might jeopardize that by starting an issue with one of their passengers. Unless for some reason an adjoining cabin complained.

 

As for the review that you read this in. I didn't read it but that very well may not have happened at all, who knows.

[kcwingwalker]

I agree about following the rules and the review I read was definitely written by a complainer. So as you say it may not have happened.

 

Still hoping that someone will reply with some first hand experience.

[artist47]

I purposely get a balcony cabin so I have somewhere I am allowed to smoke. I'm a rule follower and therefore never been fined, because I wouldn't smoke in my cabin if the rule said no.

 

I would only assume that what you read on the carnival board would be no different than NCL. Fined and then if you refused to abide by their policy could be asked to leave the ship.

 

Although, how would they know you were smoking in your cabin? Probably smell it? That being the case if you were already caught what is saying that it was a new cigarette smell, that you were breaking the rule again.

 

I do know that not everyone is rule followers, so there are probably those that do but they actually give a bad name to the rest of us that abide by the rules (painted by the same brush). But I doubt a steward would turn those people in and after they left, did their magic that they did prior to the policy to do a good job of cleaning the room. Room stewards hope that passengers will leave additional tips at the end of their stay, they won't usually do anything that might jeopardize that by starting an issue with one of their passengers. Unless for some reason an adjoining cabin complained.

 

As for the review that you read this in. I didn't read it but that very well may not have happened at all, who knows.

 

I agree with you on all points. Especially the latter --- i'm a rule follower too, and I've never had a steward who would jeopardize extra tips on this....I do think that sometimes a housekeeping supervisor , in the course of checking cabins either prior or during a cleaning process, definitely would turn in the guests name for the dreaded "list".

 

I've never smoked in my cabin simply for reasons of fire hazard. But on several cruises, a steward has noticed my cigarette pack laying around and discreetly placed an ashtray on the desk for my use. In turn, I placed an envelope with his/her name on it with a 10er inside. Granted this was prior to these new policies, but I would bet that if the steward is treated properly by the guest, they would find a similar "code of silence".

[che5904]

I agree with you on all points. Especially the latter --- i'm a rule follower too, and I've never had a steward who would jeopardize extra tips on this....I do think that sometimes a housekeeping supervisor , in the course of checking cabins either prior or during a cleaning process, definitely would turn in the guests name for the dreaded "list".

 

I've never smoked in my cabin simply for reasons of fire hazard. But on several cruises, a steward has noticed my cigarette pack laying around and discreetly placed an ashtray on the desk for my use. In turn, I placed an envelope with his/her name on it with a 10er inside. Granted this was prior to these new policies, but I would bet that if the steward is treated properly by the guest, they would find a similar "code of silence".

 

But really is that not like any other broken rule on the ship that room stewards or other employees turn a blind eye to. I'm sure a room steward does not turn guests in that they find rum runners or liquor bottles not purchased onboard. I'm sure they don't turn in those who book rooms adult/child and then put the kids in their own cabins or whatever other policy one decides to break.

[kcwingwalker]

I don't think I would depend on the "code of silence". Why should the steward jeopardize his job for a passengers convenience? If the housekeeper found that a steward was willing too overlook a blatant infringement of rules for a few $$$, I would expect he would be put off the ship.

 

As already said the rules have changed and so must we:)

[artist47]

But really is that not like any other broken rule on the ship that room stewards or other employees turn a blind eye to. I'm sure a room steward does not turn guests in that they find rum runners or liquor bottles not purchased onboard. I'm sure they don't turn in those who book rooms adult/child and then put the kids in their own cabins or whatever other policy one decides to break.

Yes, I quite agree with you! (sorry if I wasn't clear that I was agreeing with you.)

 

You're right....I have had a few stewards help me out on my "bottles of medicinal" on occasion....I guess the cl is saying that smoking is different because of the smell....but as a former property manager I can tell you that smoking in a cabin for a week, is nowhere near the damage sustained by a tenant smoking in an apartment like a chimney, for 10 years....this is easily remedied by a product made by Sunrise Industries called "Fire Bomb"...it's a canister that literally destroys all odors...it was designed to use in homes that had sustained fire damage.... It works just like a "bug bomb" for roaches etc...you shake it up, flip the top, set it down and leave the room for an hour.....so, this particular policy kinda irritates me...they're making it seem as though it will cost them 250 to clean the room..not so at all. That's a lie. These canisters are about 13 dollars a piece. Not cheap, I grant, but the fine is not justified by any means....it's insulting to my intelligence.

[artist47]

I don't think I would depend on the "code of silence". Why should the steward jeopardize his job for a passengers convenience? If the housekeeper found that a steward was willing too overlook a blatant infringement of rules for a few $$$, I would expect he would be put off the ship.

 

As already said the rules have changed and so must we:)

 

 

I wouldn't depend on it either -- never really have. As I said, even though I am a smoker, I have never smoked in my cabins for reasons of fire safety. ( I never smoke in my bedroom at home either for the same reason.)

 

I was just saying, I can imagine this scenario happening...

[che5904]

I don't think I would depend on the "code of silence". Why should the steward jeopardize his job for a passengers convenience? If the housekeeper found that a steward was willing too overlook a blatant infringement of rules for a few $$$, I would expect he would be put off the ship.

 

As already said the rules have changed and so must we:)

 

As I pointed out in my other post. Stewards do it all the time. They wouldn't lose their job over it unless they did not follow up on someone's complaint. All they need to do is turn a blind eye and claim they didn't see anything or smell anything. How could any management prove that you had to have smelled or seen something, impossible.

 

They aren't jeopardizing for "passenger convenience" anymore than they do that when someone brings in rum runners and leaves them out in plain site. They are doing it, in hopes of not upsetting their guests and possibly getting a tip at the end.

 

I agree everyone should follow rules when they change. But guess what, they don't and the threads on these boards make that perfectly clear. So much to the point that somedays I feel like I'm on a board with rebellious teenagers that feel rules are just suggestions and are very proud when they break them (sorry the Mother coming out in me ;)).

[che5904]

Yes, I quite agree with you! (sorry if I wasn't clear that I was agreeing with you.)

 

 

Sorry you did make it clear, I was just adding to it.

 

so, this particular policy kinda irritates me...they're making it seem as though it will cost them 250 to clean the room..not so at all. That's a lie. These canisters are about 13 dollars a piece. Not cheap, I grant, but the fine is not justified by any means....it's insulting to my intelligence.

 

Oh me too, not because I care about the cost because I don't intend to ever have to pay it. But IMO smokers that break the rules are being fined. It's the only policy that I can think of on the ship that actually has a fine and not just a hand slapping.

[artist47]

Sorry you did make it clear, I was just adding to it.

 

 

 

Oh me too, not because I care about the cost because I don't intend to ever have to pay it. But IMO smokers that break the rules are being fined. It's the only policy that I can think of on the ship that actually has a fine and not just a hand slapping.

 

Agreed....I cannot think of any time that a passenger has ever been fined (or even put ashore) for, shall we say, "overindulgence" at the bars. Even when it was disturbing to me, and upsetting to me, and I complained...no...never! Not even the time some dumbass vomited all over my lovely new Italian, Forzieri shoes! LOL

[che5904]

Agreed....I cannot think of any time that a passenger has ever been fined (or even put ashore) for, shall we say, "overindulgence" at the bars. Even when it was disturbing to me, and upsetting to me, and I complained...no...never! Not even the time some dumbass vomited all over my lovely new Italian, Forzieri shoes! LOL

 

LOL well I try to avoid those types. ;)

[artist47]

LOL well I try to avoid those types. ;)

 

I do too...NOW...LOL!

 

Ya know come to think of it: NCL would make more $ giving out fines on people who drink too much, than people who smoke in their cabins. Wonder why they don't start???

[punkincc]

It works just like a "bug bomb" for roaches etc...you shake it up, flip the top, set it down and leave the room for an hour.....so, this particular policy kinda irritates me...they're making it seem as though it will cost them 250 to clean the room..not so at all. That's a lie. These canisters are about 13 dollars a piece. Not cheap, I grant, but the fine is not justified by any means....it's insulting to my intelligence.

 

You would think the risk of death caused by a fire at sea by a careless cabin smoker would be enough of a deterrent to encourage smokers to stick to the rules and stay on the balcony for their smoke! But apparently not so. IMO the $250 fine is meant as a deterrent only, not as a mere cleaning fee to remove a smell.

 

The fine is totally justified IMO.

[cruisinmeme]

If I smoked I would worry more about my neighbors that have a keen nose and reported the smell. Being a former smoker I can smell it a block away.

[punkincc]

I do too...NOW...LOL!

 

Ya know come to think of it: NCL would make more $ giving out fines on people who drink too much, than people who smoke in their cabins. Wonder why they don't start???

 

I know you probably speak in jest, but overindulgers do not risk my life. Cabin smokers do. It was never intended to be a revenue raiser for NCL.

Edited January 21, 2014 by punkincc

[artist47]

You would think the risk of death caused by a fire at sea by a careless cabin smoker would be enough of a deterrent to encourage smokers to stick to the rules and stay on the balcony for their smoke! But apparently not so. IMO the $250 fine is meant as a deterrent only, not as a mere cleaning fee to remove a smell.

 

The fine is totally justified IMO.

 

I'm not arguing with anyone and if you had my other post you would know that I agree with you on the issue of safety. My point was simply that the way it is worded, makes it seem as though this is the cost of cleaning the cabin. That is all I meant.

[punkincc]

I'm not arguing with anyone and if you had my other post you would know that I agree with you on the issue of safety. My point was simply that the way it is worded, makes it seem as though this is the cost of cleaning the cabin. That is all I meant.

 

Agreed....I cannot think of any time that a passenger has ever been fined (or even put ashore) for, shall we say, "overindulgence" at the bars. Even when it was disturbing to me, and upsetting to me, and I complained...no...never! Not even the time some dumbass vomited all over my lovely new Italian, Forzieri shoes! LOL

 

I read all your posts. You equate someone vomiting on your Italian shoes with smoking in a cabin, which is a serious safety violation.

 

Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" on this light hearted conversation. I just hope everyone thinks about the reasons for some of the rules which some may consider to be just an inconvenience.

[MCAT48]

Really it doesn't state that you cannot smoke in your cabin but if you do you will be charged $250.

[punkincc]

Really it doesn't state that you cannot smoke in your cabin but if you do you will be charged $250.

 

Nor does it state that you cannot smoke in a bathroom or the MDR, but NCLs policy states pretty clearly where smoking IS allowed. If a cabin is not on the list, then smoking is not allowed. The smoking policy would be pretty long if they had to list every place smoking is NOT allowed.;)

[artist47]

I read all your posts. You equate someone vomiting on your Italian shoes with smoking in a cabin, which is a serious safety violation.

 

Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" on this light hearted conversation. I just hope everyone thinks about the reasons for some of the rules which some may consider to be just an inconvenience.

 

Oh good grief...you are putting words in my mouth. That is not what I meant at all, and you have seriously mis-paraphrased me, which is extremely rude.

 

I already stated further up, that I would never and never have, smoked in my cabin, and I stated very explicitly that the reason for that is fire safety. For god's sake, get over yourself.

[MCAT48]

Nor does it state that you cannot smoke in a bathroom or the MDR, but NCLs policy states pretty clearly where smoking IS allowed. If a cabin is not on the list, then smoking is not allowed. The smoking policy would be pretty long if they had to list every place smoking is NOT allowed.;)

 

it states public places and dining venues are smoke free so they do not have to list a bathroom or mdr. The fact they say you will be charged 250 for smoking in your cabin can be argued that it means it's an option if you are willing to be charged 250$. Anyway i would never want to risk being charged 250$

[artist47]

it states public places and dining venues are smoke free so they do not have to list a bathroom or mdr. The fact they say you will be charged 250 for smoking in your cabin can be argued that it means it's an option if you are willing to be charged 250$. Anyway i would never want to risk being charged 250$

 

Agreed....what happened to common sense???

Like I said earlier, I have never, and will never, smoke in my cabin. It is a fire hazard...I never did it even when it was "legal". I don't smoke in my bedroom at home either....for the same reason.

 

I think part of the original question, and its a good one is: is this charge a daily charge, or one time at the end of the cruise? That is apparently a bit unclear.

But completely agree with you: if it is not listed as a smoking area, one is expected NOT to smoke there, and civilized people wouldn't.

[che5904]

Really it doesn't state that you cannot smoke in your cabin but if you do you will be charged $250.

 

I never noticed that before, I actually had to go and look it up. Well isn't that just the oddest way to phrase something.

 

Doesn't change the fact for me that I know what they were trying to say, but you are very right. Some could very well argue that.

[che5904]

smoking in a cabin, which is a serious safety violation.

 

Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" on this light hearted conversation. I just hope everyone thinks about the reasons for some of the rules which some may consider to be just an inconvenience.

 

When NCL brought this rule out, they were very vocal on why this put this in place. They put it in place because of passenger complaints. They did not state anything about "safety".