how to deal with neighbors smoking on balconies

[CVU]

It's funny that you wrote that.

I have heard them announce this at EVERY muster drill. :)

Good news, I put that in my comment card every time since the new rule took effect.

We didn't hear it on Jewel on our B4B in Sept. though. We listen very carefully standing out there on the deck and usually the CD reads the old Muster info letter about not throwing cigarettes over the railing to cause a fire. Nothing about no smoking on the balconies.

 

It is mentioned over the PA system Pre-Muster though about no smoking on the balcony but we had not heard it during the Captains and CDs speech at the actual Muster Drill.

 

We usually try for an aft cabin and maybe those smokers think it will just blow toward the water as we move forward? One lady for the whole cruise on Indy right after the new rules, would sit in the far corner of the corner aft and smoke and put her butts in a coffee cup. Indy was terrible then and did nothing with all our complaints. This was days after the new rules too affect. We actually saw her smoking at a sail away when standing at our next balcony rail.

 

We have seen people smoking on Celebrity on their balconies in port when parked next to our ship. Even saw one aft fellow in a corner cabin put his cigarette out and then lit it again when the people went back into their cabin which was by him. Another put her cigarette out in the water drain area of the balcony, then took it inside to put somewhere?

 

Lately we seem to be lucky and have not smelt any smokers, so I hope it continues. It wasn't good the first year or so for us.

Edited January 6, 2016 by CVU

[CVU]

Erm... On my cruise, there is at least 2 non-smoking cards with signage in the cabin once you enter it on the first day of the cruise. 1 card is displayed on the bed, the other on the coffee table. It was a balcony stateroom.

Good news again!

Another suggestion we have given verbally and in our comments. Maybe they are listening?

[davekathy]

On the Jewel recently, we had a few incidents of smoking next door, on the aft. I let it go the first time, wanted to see how frequently it was going to be. The second time I mentioned it to my cabin steward. She said her supervisor had already talked to them, as she had found butts in their toilet. She told me a few days later that they were presented with a $500 charge, for two fines. They tried to say 'they didn't smoke, their friends used their balcony.'

 

I would also report anyone smoking in any non smoking areas of the ship to Guest Relations. Not just balconies. Your story reminded me a very long time ago when my parents caught me with a pack of cigarettes and I claimed they weren't mine. I told them I was holding them for a friend. That got me two slaps along side of the head!

[TravelerThom]

I would also report anyone smoking in any non smoking areas of the ship to Guest Relations. Not just balconies. Your story reminded me a very long time ago when my parents caught me with a pack of cigarettes and I claimed they weren't mine. I told them I was holding them for a friend. That got me two slaps along side of the head!

Many smokers think no one can smell them - WRONG! Some of my friends think I'm crazy when I say that someone is smoking in a car in front of us driving down the interstate. If that car is not going too fast (rare), I pull along side and I have yet to be incorrect. If your parents did not smoke, I would assume your smell even after the fact would have given you away. {NO, I do not throw a fit when a not-at-that-moment-smoking smoker gets in an elevator with me. We all have our vices:cool: (well, maybe not you, but I do)}

[Yarin3000]

Many smokers think no one can smell them - WRONG! Some of my friends think I'm crazy when I say that someone is smoking in a car in front of us driving down the interstate. If that car is not going too fast (rare), I pull along side and I have yet to be incorrect. If your parents did not smoke, I would assume your smell even after the fact would have given you away. {NO, I do not throw a fit when a not-at-that-moment-smoking smoker gets in an elevator with me. We all have our vices:cool: (well, maybe not you, but I do)}

 

 

Ugh you are all too correct about smelling smoke from the car in front of you! Sometimes it is easy to go around them, but if you are stuck in traffic, it is just horrible.

[Droop]

We just returned from a NYE cruise on the Vision. We had a corner aft balcony. There were times when we could smell someone smoking a cigar....and we actually found a cigar butt on our balcony. Cigar smell is the worst. I know the lady next door to us didn't smoke so that was not a problem. I didn't bother reporting it because I know that the crew already have enough on their plate to be bothered by people that could not follow the rules. If it had been persistent then I would have reported it.

 

But one of the things I did notice on the Vision was that there seem to be a lot more smoking areas in the pool area (on both sides). So each time you walked by you would have to smell it. We usually didn't sit out near the pool but if you did that would be a negative. (not to derail the subject of smoking on the balcony).

[Merion_Mom]

On the Jewel recently, we had a few incidents of smoking next door, on the aft. I let it go the first time, wanted to see how frequently it was going to be. The second time I mentioned it to my cabin steward. She said her supervisor had already talked to them, as she had found butts in their toilet. She told me a few days later that they were presented with a $500 charge, for two fines. They tried to say 'they didn't smoke, their friends used their balcony.'

 

And I assume that you mean "cigarette butts". LOL

 

But that would have bothered me even more than the smoking.

 

If they clogged up the sewage line and it affected MY toilet, I would have been very very very very very unhappy.

[Havingfun2010]

In San Juan, prior to pulling away, my next door neighbor was smoking. No problem, I called guest services to remind them of the rule. They had an ash tray and everything ready. Next morning the ash tray was gone, and I never saw or smelled them again. I literally never saw or heard them again which I thought was odd, but maybe they got off the ship...LOL.

 

Same ship, someone from the smoking section walked to the pool bar with a lit cig and the bar tender very promptly told them they needed to put it out.

 

Been very impressed so far with the new policy. Now only if they would ban it in the casino and make 80% of people happy!

[sharpasice]

Hi,

 

Two years ago, we sailed on the Allure for our honeymoon and had a balcony room. At least half the time, I couldn't stay out on the balcony because all I could smell was cigarette smoke -- even when the ship was moving.

 

I should have said something to a crew member, but would it have mattered? Has anyone been successful in stopping troublesome balcony smoking?

 

We're sailing again in a couple of months, with a balcony room again. Crossing my fingers for no smokers nearby.

 

Thanks!

 

On one of our Oasis cruises the people next door were smoking on their balcony. They were foreigners who smoked those no filter, really bad smelling cigarettes. Anyway, long story short, we let our room steward know. He thanked us profusely and said he would let head of housekeeping know and they would take care of it. He said the room attendants are responsible for finding smokers and taking care of the problem and that if the room ended up smelling like smoke he'd be in a lot of trouble. He was glad we did not go to customer service first. The problem was handled very quickly and we never saw (or smelled) these people smoking again.

[Enforcer]

Hi,

 

Rather than reporting the smokers at the first instance why don't you pop your head around the balcony and politely say "do you know that smoking isn't allowed on balconies, one of the reasons is a fire hazard"

 

If it continues then go to guest services, you can tell them that you have spoken to the person and can identify them.

 

Pete

[mark290]

Hi,

 

Rather than reporting the smokers at the first instance why don't you pop your head around the balcony and politely say "do you know that smoking isn't allowed on balconies, one of the reasons is a fire hazard"

 

If it continues then go to guest services, you can tell them that you have spoken to the person and can identify them.

 

Pete

 

Because I have a job. I don't need another one while on vacation.

[davekathy]

Many smokers think no one can smell them - WRONG! Some of my friends think I'm crazy when I say that someone is smoking in a car in front of us driving down the interstate. If that car is not going too fast (rare), I pull along side and I have yet to be incorrect. If your parents did not smoke, I would assume your smell even after the fact would have given you away. {NO, I do not throw a fit when a not-at-that-moment-smoking smoker gets in an elevator with me. We all have our vices:cool: (well, maybe not you, but I do)}

 

I smoked for 26 years and quit in 1991 cold turkey. Best thing I ever did. When I was growing up everyone smoked even on TV. I thought is was the cool thing to do. I don't have problem with smokers as long as they smoke only in the designated areas.

[sfaaa]

Ye of little faith, reporting it in the first instance can be very hit and miss, it depends on the guest services resolve. If you confront (although in a polite manner) the smoker it will highlight their actions are offensive to someone and most people will act positively to it, if they don't you can then report it.

 

Plus you have acted as the bigger person by not just running to guest services, you have brought it to their attention first.

 

Pete

 

No, stay in your lane. Not your job to tell people to butt out on the ship. Let guest service handle it.

[Langley Cruisers]

No, stay in your lane. Not your job to tell people to butt out on the ship. Let guest service handle it.

 

Agreed. Speaking for ourselves, we do not want a confrontation. If it's a cruise of any length, you will see these people again and it just makes it uncomfortable, IMO. Any confrontation or disruption with another passenger is awkward and uncomfortable, as far as I'm concerned. Let the staff handle it.

[drhall]

I'm sailing on my first balcony this winter. I plan to duct tape all the doors shut on my side of the ship, open all the dividers on my deck and enjoy my wraparound, super balcony for as long as I can before RCI throws me off at the next port.

 

But realistically.. courtesy is key. Enjoy your vacation, and understand that others want to do the same. So, whatever side you're on and whatever decision you make-- be friendly and remember that you're only neighbors for just a few more nights of your entire life.

 

Happy sailing!

[Debde]

Hi,

Rather than reporting the smokers at the first instance why don't you pop your head around the balcony and politely say "do you know that smoking isn't allowed on balconies, one of the reasons is a fire hazard"

Pete

 

Don't go there Pete!!! :eek:

[setsail]

Really, you have been stewing about something that happened 2 years ago and because of that you are worried about a future cruise that has not even happened:rolleyes:

 

It's not our job to deal with something that might happen, it's the crews job

[cincicruisers]

I am a chicken. Someone smoking next door I am hoping another guest staying nearby would report. You never know about bad tempers/action these people will do. I am nervous they would be really angry and find ways to get back at me.

[Mapleleafforever]

On our last cruise our neighbors were smoking on their balcony before we even left port. We peeked over the balcony and there was an ashtray and a cigarette pack right there on the table. We called guest services and they were very thankful and they sent someone right up. We got a call 2 days later to make sure everything was still ok and to make sure we called again if we smelled smoke. After that first day we had no issues with smoke.

[negc]

I am a chicken. Someone smoking next door I am hoping another guest staying nearby would report. You never know about bad tempers/action these people will do. I am nervous they would be really angry and find ways to get back at me.

My response probably won't calm your nerves. If that other nearby guest reports the offender, how do you know that the smoker won't blame you? If you are bothered by the smoke or by the fact that they are disregarding the ship's smoking policy, just report them to customer service and don't depend on someone else to do it for you. They will only get themselves in more trouble if they try to retaliate.

[jkbasset]

Hi,

 

Two years ago, we sailed on the Allure for our honeymoon and had a balcony room. At least half the time, I couldn't stay out on the balcony because all I could smell was cigarette smoke -- even when the ship was moving.

 

I should have said something to a crew member, but would it have mattered? Has anyone been successful in stopping troublesome balcony smoking?

 

We're sailing again in a couple of months, with a balcony room again. Crossing my fingers for no smokers nearby.

 

Thanks!

 

Last year the people in the room next to us, were constantly smoking on their balcony. After two days we could not stand that we could not use ours so we told guest services, and that was the end of our problem with the smoke.

[riclop]

Hi,

 

Two years ago, we sailed on the Allure for our honeymoon and had a balcony room. At least half the time, I couldn't stay out on the balcony because all I could smell was cigarette smoke -- even when the ship was moving.

 

I should have said something to a crew member, but would it have mattered? Has anyone been successful in stopping troublesome balcony smoking?

 

We're sailing again in a couple of months, with a balcony room again. Crossing my fingers for no smokers nearby.

 

Thanks!

 

That is why we gave up balconies because of the smoking and door slamming.

[LMaxwell]

First time; call Guest Services.

 

Second time; go to GS and ask to speak to hotel director. Explain the situation and how you paid a premium for a balcony over an interior or oceanview and can not use your balcony.

 

Third time; remove service charges completely; deny RCI that money stream and tell them exactly why you won't be paying a service charge because RCI won't enforce their own smoking rules. (Do suggest having cash on hand to still take care of those workers who take care of you in that case).

 

It's not the guests job to confront another guest. A non-smoking guest no longer has to tolerate being run off their own balcony. You have to go up the chain to get it resolved. If it escalates to a second or third time above fire off emails to every corporate email you can find and let them know how unprofessional their onboard staff was in this scenario. If they don't hear it, they can't change it.

[Rala]

It's not always "no worries". Smoking on the balcony has still been an issue on every one of our cruises since the change in policy.

 

At least she didn't say "it'll be fine" ! :eek::rolleyes:

[F27TW]

Glad you think so... If I smoked and you asked me I would laugh in your face and dump the ash tray on your balcony... That's right the ash tray my room attendant gave me... Thankfully I don't smoke so your lucky [emoji15]

 

 

Hahaha ... I like you !