New Smoking Policy ruins Cruise

[bogofman]

Recently returned from a 13 night cruise to Iceland on Adventure of seas.

The cruise itself was good except for the new change to the smoking policy we were not aware of when booking the cruise.

 

Apparently this policy has been applied to all Voyager and freedom class ships.

 

The change itself theoretically seems to be a change to allow smokers an inside space to now smoke since they have lost the ability to smoke on their balconies.

 

RCI have introduced smoking in the casino, now the problem, for those guests who don't smoke or have problems with breathing smoke. The layout of the voyager and freedom class ships with the casino having the spiral staircase leading to the royal promenade acts as a chimney for the smoke from the casino. directly next to this stair exit are two of the most popular bars, we found this very difficult o frequent these bars when the casino was open and smoke was dissipating out of the stair well and even spreading as far as the promenade café.

 

The casino also has large open doors at either end and the smoke bellowed out into the Schooner to such an extent that we never used this bar the smell was just too much. My Wife suffers severe migraines and cigarette smoke is one of the triggers (these migraines can last several days)

 

I find it hard to believe that RCI have not realised this would happen with this layout of ship with large open spaces.

 

There were not that many smokers in the Casino and the smoke travelling outside was very bad, I can only imagine what it would be like when the ship has a lot of smokers on board.

 

How can RCI force their casino workers to work in smoke filled environments for long hours, I though the laws had changed to not allow this?

 

The consequences of this new policy are:

 

We never used the casino

we spent a lot less money on drinks due to the loss of venues

Are seriously considering alternative cruise lines that do not have inside smoking.

 

I personally would have preferred to let the smokers smoke on their balconies and NOT allow smoking in the public spaces inside the ship.

 

What do other think?

[reallyitsmema]

Smoking has always been allowed in the casino, it was not introduced with the new smoking policy.

[gjkubel]

And this ruined your cruise? Seems a bit over-dramatic....

[voyager70]

Smoking has always been allowed in the casino, it was not introduced with the new smoking policy.

 

This. Also, policy is in place on all ships, not just Freedom & Voyager class.

[nbsjcruiser]

Recently returned from a 13 night cruise to Iceland on Adventure of seas.

The cruise itself was good except for the new change to the smoking policy we were not aware of when booking the cruise.

 

Apparently this policy has been applied to all Voyager and freedom class ships.

 

The change itself theoretically seems to be a change to allow smokers an inside space to now smoke since they have lost the ability to smoke on their balconies.

 

RCI have introduced smoking in the casino, now the problem, for those guests who don't smoke or have problems with breathing smoke. The layout of the voyager and freedom class ships with the casino having the spiral staircase leading to the royal promenade acts as a chimney for the smoke from the casino. directly next to this stair exit are two of the most popular bars, we found this very difficult o frequent these bars when the casino was open and smoke was dissipating out of the stair well and even spreading as far as the promenade café.

 

The casino also has large open doors at either end and the smoke bellowed out into the Schooner to such an extent that we never used this bar the smell was just too much. My Wife suffers severe migraines and cigarette smoke is one of the triggers (these migraines can last several days)

 

I find it hard to believe that RCI have not realised this would happen with this layout of ship with large open spaces.

 

There were not that many smokers in the Casino and the smoke travelling outside was very bad, I can only imagine what it would be like when the ship has a lot of smokers on board.

 

How can RCI force their casino workers to work in smoke filled environments for long hours, I though the laws had changed to not allow this?

 

The consequences of this new policy are:

 

We never used the casino

we spent a lot less money on drinks due to the loss of venues

Are seriously considering alternative cruise lines that do not have inside smoking.

 

I personally would have preferred to let the smokers smoke on their balconies and NOT allow smoking in the public spaces inside the ship.

 

What do other think?

 

If inside smoke does indeed cause those problems for your wife then you should consider your options but they'll be limited. I'm not aware of any cruise line that does not allow inside smoking. Certainly the mainstream lines allow it and with the casino being the money maker that it is, no way you'll see it banned there any time soon. It does seem some ships are worse than others. I found the Indy to be quite good in fact. Even the Casino was tolerable I found. The NCL Pearl casino was pretty bad. For the most part I've found smoking not an issue for me. They are generally very accommodating people on the ships and they pretty much follow the rules. If its something that is really affecting you I find it can be avoided for the most part but if its as bad as it is for your wife then perhaps you need to consider your options.

[OKC Cruisers]

Uh, wait...smoking has been allowed in the Casino on every Royal Caribbean ship I have ever been on. Same goes for the other cruise lines I have been on. :confused:

[akcruz]

Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino or outside balconies. I believe it is one of the most strict on smoking and a good choice for those with issues as your wife has.

 

Sorry to hear this spoiled your cruise experience. If you have not done so already make sure RCI is aware of your displeasure. If enough do so, maybe they will change the policy to be like their sister line, Celebrity????

[cruisenfever]

RCI have introduced smoking in the casino, now the problem, for those guests who don't smoke or have problems with breathing smoke.

Smoking has always been allowed in the Casino except on formal nights. If you are cruising to, around or from Australia, then this changes and there is no smoking in the Casino.

[nelly55]

Smoking has always been allowed in the casino, it was not introduced with the new smoking policy.

 

On cruises from UK smoking was NOT allowed in the casino before the change in policy.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I agree that the casino is MUCH smokier than it used to be. I am not a smoker and found it to be too much on our last cruise. I spent little time in the casino.

 

I had one experience where I was playing my favorite slot machine and a women rolled up in her walker [the kind with a seat]. She sat right beside me at the end of the row of slot machines and began chain smoking. I gave her my best "teacher look." I perfected that glare over many years--but, it did not have any effect on her. :p I looked around. there were several others in the casino standing around smoking, but not gambling.

 

I can not say it ruined my cruise. that would be pretty hard to do--I love to cruise.:D

 

It will be interesting to see if this hurts the RCCL bottom line.

[Bozo]

Celebrity does not allow smoking anywhere inside the ship including the casino and balconies only in some areas on the open decks.

[Bobal]

This is the first time I've commented on any smoking thread since I know how they usually turn out :rolleyes:

 

However, I think it's worth making the point that since the new smoking laws were introduced the casino has become the one indoor venue where people can smoke. I have noticed that the casinos now seem more smoky and, particuarly on Allure earlier in the year, the casino was being used as a smoking venue by people who were not gambling and smoke could be smelt in the stairwells a couple of floors above. This is something I've never noticed before on a cruise.

 

On an Iceland cruise - which would have cooler climates - it's quite possible that more people were smoking in the casino than would have been in the past, as it's the one place they can smoke indoors and unfortunately the design of Voyager class ships would cause the problem related by the OP.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Bobal

[Havingfun2010]

I agree that smoking should not be allowed inside period, however, the "new" smoking policy changes the fact that "all" inside space with the exception of the Casino is smoke free, where the old policy, smoking was permitted in at least half of the bars on board, on balconies etc. The new policy is much more restrictive, and it is like taking steps. It goes from bad, to better, to best. It is much more better now, than it ever was. As far as the design of the ship? The ship was designed when smoking was allowed all over the ship, including staterooms! You can't change the design for a policy change.

 

Just like state laws, and policies, smoking has become increasingly more restrictive. State laws seem to follow the same "step" process. However, you can smoke in a casino on land still.

 

Give it time, and it will change. I believe soon all indoor activities will be smoke free. It will happen.

[Merion_Mom]

This is the first time I've commented on any smoking thread since I know how they usually turn out :rolleyes:

 

However, I think it's worth making the point that since the new smoking laws were introduced the casino has become the one indoor venue where people can smoke. I have noticed that the casinos now seem more smoky and, particuarly on Allure earlier in the year, the casino was being used as a smoking venue by people who were not gambling and smoke could be smelt in the stairwells a couple of floors above. This is something I've never noticed before on a cruise.

 

On an Iceland cruise - which would have cooler climates - it's quite possible that more people were smoking in the casino than would have been in the past, as it's the one place they can smoke indoors.

 

I saw this before the no-smoking-on-balconies change. Smokers have always used the casino as their smoking room, even when not gambling. In my experience, this isn't new.

[Adayatatime]

Gambling, smoking ..... Why not put all the bad habits together :D

[Gopher1934]

Recently returned from a 13 night cruise to Iceland on Adventure of seas.

The cruise itself was good except for the new change to the smoking policy we were not aware of when booking the cruise.

 

Apparently this policy has been applied to all Voyager and freedom class ships.

 

The change itself theoretically seems to be a change to allow smokers an inside space to now smoke since they have lost the ability to smoke on their balconies.

 

RCI have introduced smoking in the casino, now the problem, for those guests who don't smoke or have problems with breathing smoke. The layout of the voyager and freedom class ships with the casino having the spiral staircase leading to the royal promenade acts as a chimney for the smoke from the casino. directly next to this stair exit are two of the most popular bars, we found this very difficult o frequent these bars when the casino was open and smoke was dissipating out of the stair well and even spreading as far as the promenade café.

 

The casino also has large open doors at either end and the smoke bellowed out into the Schooner to such an extent that we never used this bar the smell was just too much. My Wife suffers severe migraines and cigarette smoke is one of the triggers (these migraines can last several days)

 

I find it hard to believe that RCI have not realised this would happen with this layout of ship with large open spaces.

 

There were not that many smokers in the Casino and the smoke travelling outside was very bad, I can only imagine what it would be like when the ship has a lot of smokers on board.

 

How can RCI force their casino workers to work in smoke filled environments for long hours, I though the laws had changed to not allow this?

 

The consequences of this new policy are:

 

We never used the casino

we spent a lot less money on drinks due to the loss of venues

Are seriously considering alternative cruise lines that do not have inside smoking.

 

I personally would have preferred to let the smokers smoke on their balconies and NOT allow smoking in the public spaces inside the ship.

 

What do other think?

 

I no Longer smoke but I do get sick of how so many "not all" none smokers want it Only their way all the time. It is a large ship do you expect to control everything to your liking. You must work for the government they also like to control everything.

[caribbean sailor]

And this ruined your cruise? Seems a bit over-dramatic....

Also someone saying the smoke bellowed out of the casino,seems a bit over dramatic. :D

Edited June 26, 2014 by caribbean sailor

[Hlitner]

The policy of allowing smoking in cruise ship casinos (Celebrity is one exception) has probably saved me thousands of dollars over the years :). Although I enjoy playing Blackjack (which can be quite profitable for the casino) I have taken a personal pledge of not gambling in any casino where I can smell smoke (be it active or stale). As a result, I no longer gamble on any cruise line except for Celebrity (no smoking in their Casinos). So we thank the cruise lines for allowing smoking in casinos.

 

Hank

[Adayatatime]

I find those who gamble moaning about those who smoke very hypocritical.

 

Gambling addiction has massive repercussions for that person and others. I'm surprised it hasn't been banned altogether on cruise ships.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Adayatatime

[PompeySailor]

Where do the crew smoke on Celebrity ships, or do Celebrity only employee non- smokers. Very interested on an answer for this, as no-one ever mentions or complains about the crew smoking or smoke drifting from the back of the ship up to their balconies.

Their smoking area is at the back of the ship. And all their smoke would drift up to all of those balconies that are the prized ones at the back., just like on Royal.

Just interested that is all.

Happy Days.

[ryano]

Im a past smoker of 25 years that quit cold turkey 5 years ago this month. Im probably more anal about being around cigarette smoke than MOST non smokers who have never smoked before. I absolutely cannot hardly tolerate it now.

 

But "ruin" your cruise? Come on now. Dramatic much?

 

Funny thing is, I love the smell of a good pipe tobacco and the smell of most cigars.

[Adayatatime]

Im a past smoker of 25 years that quit cold turkey 5 years ago this month. Im probably more anal about being around cigarette smoke than MOST non smokers who have never smoked before. I absolutely cannot hardly tolerate it now.

 

But "ruin" your cruise? Come on now. Dramatic much?

 

Funny thing is, I love the smell of a good pipe tobacco and the smell of most cigars.

 

Congrats xx I'm a none smoker, and I understand why you would find it hard. Personally because I have never smoked I don't have that trigger and I don't mind the smell of smoke at all.

 

And like you. Pipe tobacco reminds me of my late great uncle and cigar smoke reminds me of christmas. Lovely.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Adayatatime

[caribbean sailor]

I agree that the casino is MUCH smokier than it used to be. I am not a smoker and found it to be too much on our last cruise. I spent little time in the casino.

 

I had one experience where I was playing my favorite slot machine and a women rolled up in her walker [the kind with a seat]. She sat right beside me at the end of the row of slot machines and began chain smoking. I gave her my best "teacher look." I perfected that glare over many years--but, it did not have any effect on her. :p I looked around. there were several others in the casino standing around smoking, but not gambling.

 

I can not say it ruined my cruise. that would be pretty hard to do--I love to cruise.:D

 

It will be interesting to see if this hurts the RCCL bottom line.

 

 

Funny why would you think your teacher look would have an effect on anyone,except your own ego. Smoking is allowed in the casino. :D :rolleyes:

[gnocchi_mommy]

On cruises from UK smoking was NOT allowed in the casino before the change in policy.

I sailed from the UK in 2011 on IOTS and smoking was allowed in the casino. I realize this is a different class ship- but the homeport didn't seem to matter?

[Adayatatime]

I agree that the casino is MUCH smokier than it used to be. I am not a smoker and found it to be too much on our last cruise. I spent little time in the casino.

 

I had one experience where I was playing my favorite slot machine and a women rolled up in her walker [the kind with a seat]. She sat right beside me at the end of the row of slot machines and began chain smoking. I gave her my best "teacher look." I perfected that glare over many years--but, it did not have any effect on her. :p I looked around. there were several others in the casino standing around smoking, but not gambling.

 

I can not say it ruined my cruise. that would be pretty hard to do--I love to cruise.:D

 

It will be interesting to see if this hurts the RCCL bottom line.

 

Maybe she was trying to stop you gambling.