Has anyone used the vacation guarentee for a rude neighbor?

[LMaxwell]

I think this is one of the things that is a bigger problem on Cruise Critic than in real life. I understand and sympathize that if it happens to YOU, it will be a big problem and a vacation killer, but I just think it is blown out of proportion here. I'd sure raise a stink, no pun intended, with guest services / security if there was a problem though. don't sweat it though.

[ewenix]

I've had one set of neighbors that weren't really rude as they were just loud and drunk. They were in their 50s or 60s, smoked like chimneys, which was allowed then, and talked to each other like they forgot to put on their hearing aids, slurring their words and dropping F-bombs constantly. After a couple of days DH and I would just laugh and mock them. It's all we could do in that situation. What would we complain about? "Guest services? Hi, this is fyree39 in cabin 7216 and our next door neighbors drink, smoke, cuss and talk loud. Could you please replace them with people that don't use the balcony? Thanks!"

 

Having previously worked in the hotel industry, I'd expect guest services to call or have someone stop by and just ask them to respect their neighbors and please reduce the noise level. Some (a lot) of people get louder after drinking and they often don't realize it.

[JennN]

I think this is one of the things that is a bigger problem on Cruise Critic than in real life. I understand and sympathize that if it happens to YOU, it will be a big problem and a vacation killer, but I just think it is blown out of proportion here. I'd sure raise a stink, no pun intended, with guest services / security if there was a problem though. don't sweat it though.

 

Best reply ever!

 

We had one time where we had balcony and the smoking was so bad, we had to complain. This was before the smoking ban though and Carnival sent them a letter and asked them not to. We wound up going our there only in the wee hours of the AM or really late PM.

 

I am a former smoker - 12 years quit. However, smoke bothers me a ton. I can only go 10 minutes in the casino or just walking through it before I am coughing. So I avoid it and the starboard side of lido. Doesn't ruin my cruise. I have seen people Vaping in the Serenity area though and again, if there is a staffer nearby, I tell them. If not, I move along.

[Guest]

I called once because of smokers next door. They came up right away and talked to them.

[Elaine5715]

OP, ports may be a real concern for you. Smoking is common and uncontrolled in many countries and their tolerance for nonsmokers is nil.

[bluemoon12]

Relax, go, and have fun. You will never know unless you go and try it out. Go with a positive outlook and it will probably turn out wonderful! I have cruised a lot and only once did I have a rude neighbor. She would go out on her balcony, turn the light on, and chain smoke. This was before the ban on smoking on the balcony. The only time we could go out is when she was not out there. She definitely loved to let the balcony door slam also. We still had a very enjoyable cruise and made many memories!

[tonit964]

Loud and obnoxious, smoking, slamming balconies doors, fighting and or any other thing.

 

Just curious. I can not tolerate smoke, and if they are smoking near me, I will get sick plain and simple and will end up in the hospital. This is my first cruise and did not even think about inconsiderate people who break rules. I booked the cruise knowing there was no smoking on the balcony. So has anyone used it for those reasons? And how was the out come?

 

I'm sure if someone wanted to use the Vacation Guarantee within the time limit for one of those reasons, guest services would make sure to put a stop to it.

 

On the Magic recently, on embarkation day, we found the small bathroom glass under the chair on the balcony filled with cigarette butts from the previous guests.

The room steward missed it.

However, we did not smell any smoke on the balcony the entire cruise.

[belkin]

Port (left) side on Lido is nonsmoking, starboard on Lido is not.

 

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/carnival-ship-approved-smoking-areas-pdf.ashx

 

To the OP.... even numbered cabins are on port side and odd are on the starboard side. I would double check and see which side is the smoking side. The info I have says smoking is allowed on decks 5 and 11 port side.

Edited September 11, 2015 by belkin

[dettlja]

I believe that the smoking vs non-smoking side is reversed on the Breeze.

 

I've sailed the breeze 3x and all 3 times smoking was on the port side.

[Drazil65]

We have not had issues with loud neighbors but have run into neighbors (twice) that thought they should smoke on the balcony. First time was right next to us and I loudly said to DH that I was going inside to call GS about the rude person smoking. They went inside their cabin and of course slammed the door :rolleyes:...they did not smoke again that we were aware of. The other instance was a balcony a few down and several nonsmoking people that happened to be outside that night called them out loud, it was quite amusing to hear that door slam as well shortly after the call outs started, no more smoking from that one either.

 

I would suggest that not only do you avoid the casino directly but also the entire hallway area around the casino as its horrendous (the fog walking through the hallway is disgusting) and is eye burning as it gets very crowded with smokers. They crowd around the casino bar and in the casino mostly just to chain smoke while they can so you will want to avoid that entire area I think.

 

Not sure you can avoid smoke the entire trip but if you are diligent you can probably map out the hallways and paths you should take to give you the least amount of contact. On the balcony just call the smoker out, loudly and then actually call GS if you need to. Good Luck!

Edited September 11, 2015 by Drazil65

[cruiseonthebrain]

I'm just curious, how do you prevent this from happening whenever you are out? I encounter smokers near store entrances fairly regularly. While I try to avoid it, it is almost impossible.

 

 

I was wondering the exact same thing. I am an ex-smoker who can't stand the smell- but if the smell made me violently ill and sent me to the hospital, I don't think I would risk being stuck on a ship where it could happen. But to avoid this in everyday life, I suppose OP must have to stay at home a lot and avoid public areas. Bummer.

[CCLCruiser4321]

I think it is a problem maybe nicely talk to them I know this may not work but they say the penalty is $250 cleaning fee so if it's reported and I would get charged would be smoking out there the whole cruise. I personally try to accommodate non smokers as best I can especially if you talk to me about it.

[geoherb]

We had problems on our last Carnival cruise. The first night, a guy was banging loudly on our cabin door after midnight. DH's 85-year-old mother was in the next room. We woke up afraid that something had happened to her. It ended up being a drunk college student thinking his cabin mates had locked him out of the cabin because his card didn't work on our door.

 

A couple of nights later, also after midnight, I had to ask some high school age kids who were loud to move their conversation away from our door.

[katiel53]

We were on Dream July 26-Aug 1 along with my son and daughter-in-law. We had adjoining cabins and on the other side of them, the couple smoked cigs and pot on their balcony frequently. We could smell it every time we went on the balcony.

 

Even reporting it to guest services did nothing as we were told that they needed proof. I guess they wanted us to lean over the balcony and bend around the balcony divider and take their pictures. All they needed to do was send someone up to the balcony in my son's cabin or mine and they could smell it too.

 

Unfortunately they weren't willing to do that. I know there are many who don't follow the non smoking on the balconies and nothing is ever done about it. It's kind of a joke.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

I've only had rude neighbours once in all the cruises I've had. Smoking was allowed at that time so I can't really complain about that part even though they were chain smokers but the worst was that they were very foul-mouthed loud talkers. I"m no prude but it wasn't just swearing, their conversations were of a "personal" nature. I was annoyed because I love being out on my balcony. I said "eww" loudly a few times but they didn't seem to catch on or care.The only positive was that they slept late so I had the whole morning every day out there before they came out.

[uncleg]

OP - If smoke really bothers you, don't go to the casino. The smoke permeates the casino. Even if you play the slots, they put the Smoking and No Smoking slots very close together (one side of the bank might be for smokers and the other side for non smokers). People are supposed to be at a machine/table to smoke, but people will stand around and smoke and the casino workers don't do anything.

 

 

This, I don't mind people smoking were they are allowed to, but I really wish Carnival would install better ventilation systems in these areas. I like the live bands in casino areas, but the smoke just kills my eyes. I just don't understand why they don't upgrade to a better system. I go to hole in the wall biker bars to hear live local bands(as opposed to dead ones :rolleyes: ) I expect cigarette smoke but most if not all have great ventilation systems and the smoke is not noticeable.

[Tutontow]

If you are that worried about some ones behavior, smoking and otherwise, offending you to the point of ruining your vacation before it has even started I suggest another type of vacation.

 

You will be held captive on a ship with thousands of other people and believe me some will hold your personal space with little regard.

 

My wife and I are as easy going as they come but at least once on every cruise we just shake our heads.

 

If you do decide to sail avoid the deck with the casino at all cost. If you don't I guarantee you will wind up in the hospital.

[Miller_KC]

hypothetical I am just getting real nervous on going at one point I was ready to cancel after reading all of the people who just don't care and smoke anyways. To most its just gross, to me it could be life threatening. I don't want to not go. But I don't care to be in a hospital in a 3rd world country either, (no offense to anyone reading this). My PVP assured me that there would be nobody smoking, but after reading this forum it scares the hell out of me.

 

I have never had neighbors that bad. Don't pay much attention to the highly negative comments. It seems there are people on CC that just do not want you to cruise. Your neighbors will just be regular people. Sometimes they might get loud without thinking but the majority do not set out to be un-caring or rude. Politely discussing behavior that is bothering you can usually get it resolved. For the most part a small amount of tolerance and patience gets past the annoyances.

 

I don't like the smell of smoking but I don't have a medical reaction to it and am able to tolerate if I need too. I avoid it when I can but I still go to the casino and such whenever I want to. If you just can't tolerate it then there are a few places you will need to find out about an avoid. The majority of the ship is non-smoking so you should be able to do almost anything you want, but as pointed out the casino will be a problem and the designated outdoor smoking area will be a problem. All showrooms and food serving areas are non-smoking. Even some of the bars are non-smoking.

 

You should be able to have a great time without worrying about what other people might do.

[Roscoe13]

I've sailed the breeze 3x and all 3 times smoking was on the port side.

 

 

That's what I thought. I have always booked on the Port side just to avoid the smoking side but for my upcoming Breeze cruise I deliberately booked on the Starboard side, glad I researched before booking.:eek:

[Bribrittmom]

We were on Dream July 26-Aug 1 along with my son and daughter-in-law. We had adjoining cabins and on the other side of them, the couple smoked cigs and pot on their balcony frequently. We could smell it every time we went on the balcony.

 

Even reporting it to guest services did nothing as we were told that they needed proof. I guess they wanted us to lean over the balcony and bend around the balcony divider and take their pictures. All they needed to do was send someone up to the balcony in my son's cabin or mine and they could smell it too.

 

Unfortunately they weren't willing to do that. I know there are many who don't follow the non smoking on the balconies and nothing is ever done about it. It's kind of a joke.

This is exactly what happened to us on our Breeze

cruise in March. Called guest services and they said they needed proof. We didn't know why someone from guest services couldn't come to our room and step out on our balcony. It was a great cruise but we didn't use our balcony too much. If the policy is no smoking on balconies it needs to be enforced.

[PattBenatar]

This is my first cruise, I don't know if my lungs can handle it personally. I have done everything possible to avoid getting sick. Starboard side the very front of the ship right under the bridge. Trust me I have called the PVP and told him my concerns and even the special needs department. And both assured me to at least try and see if I can tolerate it.

 

I want to cruise, I want to go to places I have never been before, I got the best room over a year ago that I could. Once I am off the boat, if someone is smoking I can just pass them (in a power chair) by and I should be fine. I did spend a lot of money for a 9 day cruise, I understand how smokers have rights as well. I was a smoker for many years. I would never want to infringe on the rights of smokers as I wish they would not infringe on my rights to not have to be locked up in my cabin because of rude smokers. I will try and make sure I keep some heavy antibiotics handy. Thank you for all the advice and encouragement.

[sherilyn70]

I want to cruise, I want to go to places I have never been before, I got the best room over a year ago that I could. Once I am off the boat, if someone is smoking I can just pass them (in a power chair) by and I should be fine.

So, you admit it isn't as life threatening as you would first suggest if are able to safely pass a smoker and not far hospitalization. At this point you're just being a bit paranoid. It sounds like you have never cruises before, I'm not sure why you booked am expensive room with a balcony if you have serious health issues. I would have started with an ocean view to be safe. But since you really wanted a balcony them that is a choice you decoded to take as a risk. Worst case your balcony is unusable, but if policy states no smoking on balconies (I'm not familiar with carnivals current policy) then complain. Or how about explaining your condition to your neighbors and work out am agreement if needed? Very few people are actually jerks and if you are polite and sound legitimate I'm site they'd be happy to try and help you out.

[cblzaccie]

I can tell you the security team on board is pretty good, they take noets and have a board in their office of noted " problem cabins" they will and DO follow up on numerous complaints.

[CocoCandy]

I will tell you that I have smelled pot smoke more than a few times coming from cabins. It was very obvious too. We could pinpoint exactly which cabin ppl were smoking pot in. This has happened to us on more than one cruise.

Most recently on the Triumph last yr.

 

 

We were on the Breeze the last week in August and also smelled pot smoke billowing from the balcony next to us. Not only were they smoking it freely on the balcony as we were sailing away from Montego Bay, they were talking loudly about what good pot it was.

 

It was very annoying as we wanted to be out on the balcony to watch the sail away without having to deal with any kind of smoke. We called guest services, but never found out if they followed up on the complaint. They may have because the neighbors did not smoke any more pot after that day that we smelled or maybe their stash ran out.

Edited September 12, 2015 by CocoCandy

[momof3cruisers]

Why anyone would consider cancelling a cruise because of something they read on Cruise Critic is beyond me. You do realize the number of people who post on CC is small compared to the number of people who cruise, right?

 

I think when you are new to cruising it feels like this board represents everyone who will be on the ship.

 

OP, I have personally never had a big problem with smokers on balconies. I have definitely smelled smoke on the balcony prior to the balcony smoking ban but not since.

 

I would be concerned for you regarding smoke elsewhere. As mentioned, the casino, but also you'll need to avoid the nightclub and some open areas of the decks.