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Ashes to Ashes

terrygbennett

By terrygbennett,
in Royal Caribbean International

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terrygbennett

terrygbennett

Posted
Posted

I have cancelled my cruise. I am a non-smoker. Not sure why balcony smoking is not allowed while smoking in other areas including the Casino is allowed. If cigarette smoke on a moving cruise ship bothers you, I am sure the smell coming from the ships funnel has to bother you. 21% of Americans still smoke -the numbers are higher overseas according to my research. How will this policy affect the bottom line.... My letter below from corporate.

 

Happy sailing to everyone!

 

 

Dear Terry:

 

Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response.

 

We appreciate your candid and valuable feedback regarding our enhanced smoking policy.

 

At Royal Caribbean International, our priority is to provide an onboard experience that is safe for all of our guests. Onboard policies, including the new smoking policy, are implemented after conducting extensive research to ensure that we continue to provide our guests with the award-winning vacation experience they have come to expect from Royal Caribbean International. Through this process, we found that many guests were displeased with second hand smoke that emanated from guests smoking on their balconies. Many of the policies on our ships are the result of feedback we have received from our loyal guests and consumers. We are confident that this new smoking policy will enhance the cruising experience for our guests.

 

We thank you for the time you have taken to share your concerns regarding this matter. We have certainly taken your comments into consideration, and they have been shared with our leadership team for review.

 

We would appreciate the opportunity to welcome you onboard one of our cruise ships in the future. Regardless of how you choose to spend your vacations, we wish you and your family the best in your future travels.

 

Thank you for contacting Royal Caribbean International.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Customer Service Representative

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ksuds

ksuds

Posted
Posted (edited)

Sorry you had to cancel your cruise due to changing times. Polls would probably indicate that they made the correct decision eliminating smoking in cabins and balconies.

 

Forgot to mention, I've never smelled smoke come from the stacks.

Edited by ksuds
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aurelius180

aurelius180

Posted
Posted

Are you unhappy that smoking is not allowed on the balconies or that it's not allowed on balconies but still allowed someplaces indoors such as the casino? :confused:

 

I get the feeling you're not happy with the smoking ban in general even though you're a non-smoker.

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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

Posted
Posted
Me too, read it twice and am I missing something:confused:.

 

Anyway.

 

Have a great day.

Sea Ya

 

I had a detailed response all set to post but then I realized responding to a post that makes little sense makes even less sense! :rolleyes: So I just agree with your response instead.

 

Thanks! :D

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slyster

slyster

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm with Bob...I'm assuming they are upset that there are other places you can still smoke including the casino. They may not feel RC is doing enough? I'm not sure :confused: I'll be honest, I will avoid the casino just avoid the stale smell of smoke. It just isn't worth it to me and I'm not really someone who enjoys gambling anyway.

Edited by slyster
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iheartbda

iheartbda

Posted
Posted
Just a guess, but I'm thinking the OP is disappointed that the ban on balcony smoking has caused an increase in casino smoking.

After reading the posts several times, I think you got it and I agree.

 

I have often wondered what was going to happen when smoking places became less and less as the smoke in the fewer "legal" places became more and more concentrated.

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
After reading the posts several times, I think you got it and I agree.

 

I have often wondered what was going to happen when smoking places became less and less as the smoke in the fewer "legal" places became more and more concentrated.

We have already seen a large increase in people using the casino as the smoking lounge. I forget which ship, but I've seen signs posted saying no smoking unless you are playing.

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browneyedgirlnb

browneyedgirlnb

Posted
Posted (edited)

They had to start somewhere. I'm relieved that I can at least go to my room now to escape the smell of cigarettes but I do agree that the cloud emanating from the casino now drifts up the stairs to the promenade, making shopping or grabbing a coffee at the cafe or a drink at the bar less desirable to me... but at least now I have the option to go back to my balcony. Prior to the new policy, I couldn't even open my balcony door during the entire cruise if there was a chain smoker next door. That wasn't fair. I'm satisfied that they at least allow us a place to be free of smoke while also allowing those that choose to smoke, a place to do so. Now if they would just enforce it!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Edited by browneyedgirlnb
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Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

Posted
Posted
...If cigarette smoke on a moving cruise ship bothers you, I am sure the smell coming from the ships funnel has to bother you...

 

Nope.

 

We are non-smokers also. I understand and agree that the casino is far too smoky now. On our Serenade cruise, it was absolutely thick and throat-closing. But... we choose to sail Royal because they have a great product.

 

Perhaps another cruise line will suit your needs better.

 

 

.

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Janet524

Janet524

Posted
Posted

I am a non-smoker. I do not enjoy the smell of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke. However, if I stopped going every place where I might catch a whiff of smoke, I'd probably be confined to my house for life.

 

It seems to me that the cruise lines have taken positive steps to restrict smoking to certain areas of ships. IMO, the bottom line is...If you know there's going to be a smoke "situation" avoid that area. Seriously, aren't today's ships large enough for one to find "clear air" somewhere?

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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

Posted
Posted (edited)
We have already seen a large increase in people using the casino as the smoking lounge. I forget which ship, but I've seen signs posted saying no smoking unless you are playing.

 

...and there are gaming areas that are designated as non-smoking - but I don't believe that smoke can read and it tends to ignore the signs and goes where it wants to. ;) Our experience since 1/1/14 agrees with yours regarding it becoming a smoking lounge.

Edited by leaveitallbehind
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dixieva

dixieva

Posted
Posted

I think any revenue lost because of the smoking policy will come from the casino. I always spend a lot of time in there since I love to gamble but now I won't. I have asthma and all of that smoke is really bad in there.

 

I'm all for giving smokers an indoor area to smoke but why make it the casino?? There are more non smokers than smokers these days so that is going to mean less money lost in their casinos.

 

I'm hoping they will begin to get the message and will change the indoor smoking area.

 

I'm still going to cruise but will have to stay out of the casino.

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slyster

slyster

Posted
Posted
I am a non-smoker. I do not enjoy the smell of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke. However, if I stopped going every place where I might catch a whiff of smoke, I'd probably be confined to my house for life.

 

It seems to me that the cruise lines have taken positive steps to restrict smoking to certain areas of ships. IMO, the bottom line is...If you know there's going to be a smoke "situation" avoid that area. Seriously, aren't today's ships large enough for one to find "clear air" somewhere?

 

I agree they are improving, but sitting in a casino to enjoy the games would mean you are catching more than a whiff of smoke. You are literally bathing in it there.

 

I think the issue is folks are going there to find a smoking area. When I used to smoke (quit 2 years ago) I would go into the casino for a smoke break before heading to the show or heading somewhere while on the ship. Now if I can't smoke on my balcony, I'm going to go to the casino for a smoke break if it's closer than finding another smoke area.

 

I woudn't be surprised of the policy is tweaked somehow. I do support smoking areas for smokers. Too bad there isn't a smoking casino and a non smoking casino. Even when one half is supposedly non smoking it's a very strong smell.

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