Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[mein18]

It was only a matter of time before NCL banned balcony smoking. I suspect it is only a matter of time before all cruise lines do so. They have clearly determined that such a move is in their long term MONETARY interest, and given the number of serious smokers versus the number of self-righteously indignant non-smokers (not all smokers insist on being accommodated and most non-smokers could not care less about people smoking in non-enclosed areas) it was inevitable who would "win" (although imposing your will on others rather than seeking effective compromise hardly seems like "winning" IMHO).

 

But NCL's new rule as it applies to e-cigarettes and vapor devices is a different story. Now it is impermissible to use an e-cig in your cabin. There is absolutely no health reason, not even a taste reason, for such a rule. And while it will probably be impossible for NCL to enforce this rule because e-cigs leave no odor, residue or tell-tale signs of use, that they would even make such a rule leads me to have lost pretty much all respect for NCL corporate decision makers.

 

The new NCL policy even prohibits e-cig use on balconies. This is not for protecting anyone's health (and, as others have said, if health were the key factor the casino would be smoke free too): e-cig use on a ship balcony can have 0 zero effect on anyone (except the user, of course).

 

So what is the reason behind this new NCL policy? In the new policy NCL says it is because some folks may mistake e-cigs for real cigs and think the policy is not being enforced ....

 

So rather than actually try and accommodate various factions in a reasonable and responsible way, NCL is saying that they woudl rather ban e-cig use than have to deal with irate self-righteous non-smokers who MISTAKENLY think someone is doing something they dislike, under circumstances where neither their health nor their delicate senses are capable of being truly offended.

 

NCL is essentially saying to smokers that they do not care that this new technology is the most promising smoking cessation method yet developed and, at least in non-enclosed areas, completely safe for the non-user. The mere fact that some cruisers may MISTAKENLY become upset upon seeing someone use an e-cig is enough to overcome the obvious and real health benefits of increasing the areas where e-cigs can be used, not to mention the sense of actual accommodation this would demonstrate towrd smokers and e-cig users.

 

NCL should just go totally non-smoking/non e-cig. At least then they could stop the pretense of caring about cruisers health or about accommodating all guests in a reasonable manner. This is all about dollars and the day has been reached when the self-righteous and indignant anti-smokers have more dollars than the smokers. So be it.

 

But when that same analysis leads to an obviously stupid and health impairing rule just so some vocal critics wont be confused, I have to rethink whether this is a cruise-line I want to be on.

 

Skallagrim

 

Well said. Unfortunately these new restrictions are nothing more than the results of the sqeeky wheel syndrome. Although you can see from my previous posts that I use an e-cig and never liked being in an enclosed area where smoke was present even when I smoked, I am getting enjoyment out of those squeeky wheels now complaining because the results of their previous complaining will now cause excess smoke in the casinos and on some designated areas and also downwind of those areas. Putting the smokers aside, I feel real bad for the e-cig users and those non-smokers who for whatever reason have never had any issues on their balconies. Contrary to what is posted here, those 2 categories make up the "silent" majority.

 

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[mein18]

Was a Princess customer until they changed smoking rules. Went to NCL as I enjoyed a smoke on the balcony. Now with new policy after Nov 1, I will go back to Princess.

 

At least on Princess you can enjoy an e-cig in your stateroom but not on balcony makes no sense but netter than NCLs policy

 

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[jackson bernard]

At least on Princess you can enjoy an e-cig in your stateroom but not on balcony makes no sense but netter than NCLs policy

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

 

Nobody will know if you puff an ecig in your room. I do it all the time at work where it is banned and nobody knows. Oh, sometimes I speed on the highway too.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app

[NLH Arizona]

NCL is essentially saying to smokers that they do not care that this new technology is the most promising smoking cessation method yet developed

You are correct, NCL does not care (1) if you smoke, (2) if you don't smoke, (3) if you smoke e-cigarettes or (3) if you are using e-cigarettes to stop smoking. Nor should they. It is a business and they care about their business, not about what someone does in their personal life.

 

I've said, I don't have an issue with e-cigarettes if they are unflavored, but if they were allowed don't you think there would be someone who would smoke those awful smelling ones. And then here we go again, those that have complained (BTW, I'm not one of them}, will start complaining again and we would basically be back to square one, but e-cigarettes would be the issue, not regular cigarettes.

[cocoabeachcruiser]

It was only a matter of time before NCL banned balcony smoking. I suspect it is only a matter of time before all cruise lines do so. They have clearly determined that such a move is in their long term MONETARY interest, and given the number of serious smokers versus the number of self-righteously indignant non-smokers (not all smokers insist on being accommodated and most non-smokers could not care less about people smoking in non-enclosed areas) it was inevitable who would "win" (although imposing your will on others rather than seeking effective compromise hardly seems like "winning" IMHO).

 

But NCL's new rule as it applies to e-cigarettes and vapor devices is a different story. Now it is impermissible to use an e-cig in your cabin. There is absolutely no health reason, not even a taste reason, for such a rule. And while it will probably be impossible for NCL to enforce this rule because e-cigs leave no odor, residue or tell-tale signs of use, that they would even make such a rule leads me to have lost pretty much all respect for NCL corporate decision makers.

 

The new NCL policy even prohibits e-cig use on balconies. This is not for protecting anyone's health (and, as others have said, if health were the key factor the casino would be smoke free too): e-cig use on a ship balcony can have 0 zero effect on anyone (except the user, of course).

 

So what is the reason behind this new NCL policy? In the new policy NCL says it is because some folks may mistake e-cigs for real cigs and think the policy is not being enforced ....

 

So rather than actually try and accommodate various factions in a reasonable and responsible way, NCL is saying that they woudl rather ban e-cig use than have to deal with irate self-righteous non-smokers who MISTAKENLY think someone is doing something they dislike, under circumstances where neither their health nor their delicate senses are capable of being truly offended.

 

NCL is essentially saying to smokers that they do not care that this new technology is the most promising smoking cessation method yet developed and, at least in non-enclosed areas, completely safe for the non-user. The mere fact that some cruisers may MISTAKENLY become upset upon seeing someone use an e-cig is enough to overcome the obvious and real health benefits of increasing the areas where e-cigs can be used, not to mention the sense of actual accommodation this would demonstrate towrd smokers and e-cig users.

 

NCL should just go totally non-smoking/non e-cig. At least then they could stop the pretense of caring about cruisers health or about accommodating all guests in a reasonable manner. This is all about dollars and the day has been reached when the self-righteous and indignant anti-smokers have more dollars than the smokers. So be it.

 

But when that same analysis leads to an obviously stupid and health impairing rule just so some vocal critics wont be confused, I have to rethink whether this is a cruise-line I want to be on.

 

Skallagrim

 

Unless you are using the no nicotene cartridges then that is not correct. There is a nocotene residue exhailed into the air and it will settle and accumulate.

 

California is taking drastic steps

 

Ban the use of vapor products wherever smoking is banned. Among those provisions most likely to impact users are those that would:

 

Permit landlords to ban e-cigarette use in private homes. (Section 2)

Ban e-cigarette use inside or within 20 feet of any public building or in a vehicle owned by the state. (Section 5)

Ban e-cigarette use in hospitals and medical facilities, except in specifically defined rooms where smoking is allowed (Sections 7 and 8)

Declares that the use of electronic cigarettes “is a hazard to the health of the general public,” and would include e-cigarettes in all future smoking bans passed in California. (Section 14)

Ban e-cigarette use in workplaces. Violations would be punishable by fines of $100, $200, and $500. (Section 15)

Ban e-cigarette use in railroads and air carriers. (Section 16)

 

 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0601-0650/sb_648_bill_20130222_introduced.html

[mein18]

Non-smokers take note. Those who use e-cigs are trying there best to eventually be just like you. You should be honored and gloat in that feeling of specialness and know that each one will hopefully be a fellow non-smoler on a future cruise just like you and be another voice for non-smoking on cruise ships in the future. Instead the squeeky wheels are fighting those whose goal is to be just like them (maybe less the voiceterous part). A vote for the e-cig users is a vote for fewer smokers on your future cruises.

 

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[JulieAF]

Bravo. This is one of those issues where most will have strong opinions on both sides of this issue. I grew up with 2 smoking parents (who both died of lung cancer, BTW). After getting out of that environment, I have become very sensitive to cigarette smoke. I am not exaggerating, when someone lights one up in the vehicle in front of me in traffic, I can smell it. Yes I know, ridiculous. Anyway, I am thrilled with the policy, as I did have a previous cruise I enjoyed less because of my neighbors' cigarette smoking. What you did was give them a taste of their own medicine. I rather enjoyed your post!:D

 

Thanks. :)

 

I am also extremely sensitive to, and therefore extremely intolerant of smoke. This new ban will allow us to enjoy our cruises and balconies in the future.

 

Please be sure to write your thoughts & appreciation to management next time you cruise. That goes for all of us who feel SOOO appreciative of NCL and other lines. Keep writing how much the ban means to you.

 

Remain the squeaky wheel! ;)

[SissasMomE]

No... it wasn't a cleaner. It was an AIR FRESHENER/ODOR ELIMINATOR. You don't like my idea? Oh well.

 

<sigh> This is no different than the poster who bragged about blowing smoke in the faces of people who don't smoke. :rolleyes:

[NLH Arizona]

I certainly understand someone being upset by smokers next to them (it would bother me as well), but since it was allowed by the rules, I personally don't feel that two wrongs make a right.

[SissasMomE]

Just browse down the Norwegian thread list for She didn't actually leave the forums....she's still posting in this thread....even after her dramatic swan song.

 

She is a FRIEND, and her reasons for the goodbye were listed in her first post. She has posted here a lot more than than you. She is a very good person, and I take offense at your nastiness directed towards her.

Edited July 26, 2014 by SissasMomE

[Charles4515]

No... it wasn't a cleaner. It was an AIR FRESHENER/ODOR ELIMINATOR. You don't like my idea? Oh well.

 

I like the idea but personally I would never do that because I don't like drama. I prefer getting the policy changed. Which is what has happened.

 

Now I can book balconies on NCL. I had an outside booked last December on Breakaway because I didn't want to book one with the possibility of second hand smoke. I ended up with a balcony anyway with a free upgrade. Guess balconies were not in high demand, maybe because of passengers like me hesitant to book them because of the then second hand smoke policy.

 

Unfortunatly because of the design of Breakaway with the casino being in the center of the public areas, second hand smoke was a problem on that ship in the public areas around the casino. Smoking in the casino needs to be banned.

Edited July 26, 2014 by Charles4515

[JulieAF]

I like the idea but personally I would never do that because I don't like drama. I prefer getting the policy changed. Which is what has happened.

 

Now I can book balconies on NCL. I had an outside booked last December on Breakaway because I didn't want to book one with the possibility of second hand smoke. I ended up with a balcony anyway with a free upgrade. Guess balconies were not in high demand, maybe because of passengers like me hesitant to book them because of the then second hand smoke policy.

 

Unfortunatly because of the design of Breakaway with the casino being in the center of the public areas, second hand smoke was a problem on that ship in the public areas around the casino. Smoking in the casino needs to be banned.

 

In May, I got a balcony (also Breakaway)cheaper than any ocean view as well.

 

The stench by 6,7,8 was appalling. I hope they eventually ban smoking in the casinos too.

[SissasMomE]

I understand you like her. Fine. But why all the drama?

Why does she have to

1. Make a new thread to bring attention to her departure?

2. leave CC and stop posting all her valuable past experiences... just because she can't smoke on a balcony? And,

3. How are you all supposed to miss her if she keeps posting here? :p

 

As she stated in her first post, she had a family emergency some time ago and left the board. People were concerned and started posting threads wondering where she was. I was one of them. She did it to let her friends know why she was leaving. I really don't understand your posts about her. It's almost like you're jealous or something.

[SissasMomE]

I like the idea but personally I would never do that because I don't like drama. I prefer getting the policy changed. Which is what has happened.

 

Now I can book balconies on NCL. I had an outside booked last December on Breakaway because I didn't want to book one with the possibility of second hand smoke. I ended up with a balcony anyway with a free upgrade. Guess balconies were not in high demand, maybe because of passengers like me hesitant to book them because of the then second hand smoke policy.

 

Unfortunatly because of the design of Breakaway with the casino being in the center of the public areas, second hand smoke was a problem on that ship in the public areas around the casino. Smoking in the casino needs to be banned.

 

They did such a great job on the Epic with controlling the smell. I don't understand why they didn't do the same for the Away ships. While it was not smoky on the Getaway, you certainly could smell the smoke all throughout that area. The casino itself is smoky. I had to leave. I never had a problem on the Epic though. Whatever they did on the Epic works, and they should maybe consider doing that on the Away ships.

[Out to sea!]

Some of these statements are just plain silly.

 

Really...I shouldn't have booked my balcony cabin this past May because I knew there would be smokers out there too???!!! Seriously??!!

 

What I did was, when we arrived in Bermuda, I went to the drugstore and bought a can of Lysol spray. When I went out to read on my balcony and the neighbors came out and started their chain-smoking, I started my Lysol-spraying. They were not happy! LOL. They smelled an odor they didn't like, coming onto their balcony space. Wasn't illegal. They shouldn't have minded because I paid for my balcony. And, if the theory posted many times here really was fact, they wouldn't have smelled it anyway because we were moving.

 

LOL!!!!!

 

For someone who is so worried about the health of their family around smokers to book a balcony knowing that smokers will most likely be around them is like walking into traffic with the expectation that the cars will stop to keep from hitting you. Granted, from what I see these days, many people seem to expect just that. Pretty sad. :(

 

BTW, I like the scent of Lysol. I would have asked you to buy more! :)

Edited July 26, 2014 by Out to sea!

[Out to sea!]

This thread is like a bad auto accident you pass. You just can't help looking. I've sworn off it several times so far and just keep coming back.

 

Down South we call it "rubbernecking". :D

[Out to sea!]

It was only a matter of time before NCL banned balcony smoking. I suspect it is only a matter of time before all cruise lines do so. They have clearly determined that such a move is in their long term MONETARY interest, and given the number of serious smokers versus the number of self-righteously indignant non-smokers (not all smokers insist on being accommodated and most non-smokers could not care less about people smoking in non-enclosed areas) it was inevitable who would "win" (although imposing your will on others rather than seeking effective compromise hardly seems like "winning" IMHO).

 

But NCL's new rule as it applies to e-cigarettes and vapor devices is a different story. Now it is impermissible to use an e-cig in your cabin. There is absolutely no health reason, not even a taste reason, for such a rule. And while it will probably be impossible for NCL to enforce this rule because e-cigs leave no odor, residue or tell-tale signs of use, that they would even make such a rule leads me to have lost pretty much all respect for NCL corporate decision makers.

 

The new NCL policy even prohibits e-cig use on balconies. This is not for protecting anyone's health (and, as others have said, if health were the key factor the casino would be smoke free too): e-cig use on a ship balcony can have 0 zero effect on anyone (except the user, of course).

 

So what is the reason behind this new NCL policy? In the new policy NCL says it is because some folks may mistake e-cigs for real cigs and think the policy is not being enforced ....

 

So rather than actually try and accommodate various factions in a reasonable and responsible way, NCL is saying that they woudl rather ban e-cig use than have to deal with irate self-righteous non-smokers who MISTAKENLY think someone is doing something they dislike, under circumstances where neither their health nor their delicate senses are capable of being truly offended.

 

NCL is essentially saying to smokers that they do not care that this new technology is the most promising smoking cessation method yet developed and, at least in non-enclosed areas, completely safe for the non-user. The mere fact that some cruisers may MISTAKENLY become upset upon seeing someone use an e-cig is enough to overcome the obvious and real health benefits of increasing the areas where e-cigs can be used, not to mention the sense of actual accommodation this would demonstrate towrd smokers and e-cig users.

 

NCL should just go totally non-smoking/non e-cig. At least then they could stop the pretense of caring about cruisers health or about accommodating all guests in a reasonable manner. This is all about dollars and the day has been reached when the self-righteous and indignant anti-smokers have more dollars than the smokers. So be it.

 

But when that same analysis leads to an obviously stupid and health impairing rule just so some vocal critics wont be confused, I have to rethink whether this is a cruise-line I want to be on.

 

Skallagrim

 

I asked this before but mostly only got snide remarks (from others, not you) but was this not always NCLs policy? As I stated before, I know on Carnival, e-cigs have always followed the same rules at cigs. I thought it was the same on NCL so it would not be a new policy. I don't necessarily agree with the policy for all of the stated reasons but it is not my policy to make, only to follow.

[Out to sea!]

Nobody will know if you puff an ecig in your room. I do it all the time at work where it is banned and nobody knows. Oh, sometimes I speed on the highway too.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app

 

So you are willing to risk being fired from your job to smoke an e-cig at work? I'm a smoker but rules are rules.

[Out to sea!]

Unless you are using the no nicotene cartridges then that is not correct. There is a nocotene residue exhailed into the air and it will settle and accumulate.

 

California is taking drastic steps

 

Ban the use of vapor products wherever smoking is banned. Among those provisions most likely to impact users are those that would:

 

Permit landlords to ban e-cigarette use in private homes. (Section 2)

Ban e-cigarette use inside or within 20 feet of any public building or in a vehicle owned by the state. (Section 5)

Ban e-cigarette use in hospitals and medical facilities, except in specifically defined rooms where smoking is allowed (Sections 7 and 8)

Declares that the use of electronic cigarettes “is a hazard to the health of the general public,” and would include e-cigarettes in all future smoking bans passed in California. (Section 14)

Ban e-cigarette use in workplaces. Violations would be punishable by fines of $100, $200, and $500. (Section 15)

Ban e-cigarette use in railroads and air carriers. (Section 16)

 

 

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0601-0650/sb_648_bill_20130222_introduced.html

 

Well, California is known as the land of "Fruits & Nuts" so I really expect nothing sane to come out of that state.

[Host Jazzbeau]

For your first post I enjoyed your sense of fantasy. You can smell someone light a cigarette in a vehicle in front of you over all of the exhaust being spewed out by the surrounding cars. Yes, this story belongs in the fiction section of the library.

 

Just because you can't smell it doesn't negate the fact that others can. DW and I immediately hit the "recycle" button on our car AC when we see a smoker nearby. Thanks to the EPA car exhaust is hardly noticeable any more, so cigarette smoke is the only pollutant on the road.

[jackson bernard]

So you are willing to risk being fired from your job to smoke an e-cig at work? I'm a smoker but rules are rules.

 

It takes less than 5 seconds for the steam to disappear. No chance of getting caught. People can't see me unless they get up from their desks or out of their offices.

 

If you use them in the cabin, nobody will ever know

 

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[SissasMomE]

Just because you can't smell it doesn't negate the fact that others can. DW and I immediately hit the "recycle" button on our car AC when we see a smoker nearby. Thanks to the EPA car exhaust is hardly noticeable any more, so cigarette smoke is the only pollutant on the road.

 

I can smell it too. My husband can't and thinks I'm crazy ;) but I can smell it in my car when a car ahead is smoking.

[KeithJenner]

I can smell it too. My husband can't and thinks I'm crazy ;) but I can smell it in my car when a car ahead is smoking.

 

 

I have no idea whether people can actually smell such things, but i wouldn't rule it out.

 

My wife always claims to be able to taste even the smallest amount of things she doesn't like. I used to think she was making it up, but once when I was making her a cup of tea, there was a tiny drop of coffee that dripped into her cup (she doesn't like coffee). It was so tiny that I didn't do anything about it as there was no possible way that someone would be able to taste it in the tea.

 

The wasn't in the room when I made the drink, but have it to her, she took a sip and immediately said that it tasted of coffee. If I hadn't known that she hadn't seen me make it I wouldn't have believed her. I'd have said before that there was no possible way that she could have tasted it.

 

As a result I would never rule these things out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Aquahound]

Just because you can't smell it doesn't negate the fact that others can. DW and I immediately hit the "recycle" button on our car AC when we see a smoker nearby. Thanks to the EPA car exhaust is hardly noticeable any more, so cigarette smoke is the only pollutant on the road.

 

I can smell it too. My husband can't and thinks I'm crazy ;) but I can smell it in my car when a car ahead is smoking.

 

I mentioned that early in this thread as well. You most certainly can smell smoke in your car when the person in front of you is smoking. It's awful. Like you, Host Jazzbeau, we have to put the AC on recycle when that happens. But as proven a few posts back, some smokers act as though this isn't true and want to call shenanigans. Just another example of not knowing (or caring) how much their habit really does affect their surroundings.

[SissasMomE]

I have no idea whether people can actually smell such things, but i wouldn't rule it out.

 

My wife always claims to be able to taste even the smallest amount of things she doesn't like. I used to think she was making it up, but once when I was making her a cup of tea, there was a tiny drop of coffee that dripped into her cup (she doesn't like coffee). It was so tiny that I didn't do anything about it as there was no possible way that someone would be able to taste it in the tea.

 

The wasn't in the room when I made the drink, but have it to her, she took a sip and immediately said that it tasted of coffee. If I hadn't known that she hadn't seen me make it I wouldn't have believed her. I'd have said before that there was no possible way that she could have tasted it.

 

As a result I would never rule these things out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

For whatever reason, I just have a strong nose. Hubby is a FF, and I can smell something burning before he can. I guess my nose is just sensitive like that.