Smoking on balconies

[dwayneb236]

The wife and I were on our balcony one cruise. The divider between our neighbors and our balcony popped open for some reason. When it did we saw a pipe on the table there that looked suspiciously like a crack pipe. My wife and I are both LEO. We've seen them before. We closed the door and told the steward it blew open.

 

Not sure why we didn't report the pipe at that time other than we figured the steward would see it when he re-secured the door. We never had any issues with the neighbors. Never heard or smelled anything.

[ewenix]

For those of you that frequently book balconies, how often have you run across smoking neighbors? Is it pretty uncommon? It would be such a bummer to pay for a balcony and have to put up with smoke.

 

Thanks.

Cricket

 

We've encountered this on 2 of the last 5 cruises. One was really bad. There was a group that would gather on the balcony and smoke (including pot.)

 

They also drank and were very loud out there with the light on (playing a card game) until 2-3am a couple of nights. Overall it was pretty disappointing to have such rude neighbors. It was our first time in a GS and it really dampened the experience. We did report it, and the smoking stopped.

 

The 2nd time we smelled the person smoking and reported it to the cabin steward. It stopped the next day.

[medic368]

I have little tolerance for people who break the rules and put an entire ship in jeopardy by throwing cigarettes overboard since there are no ashtrays on the balconies.

I've heard the fine for being caught smoking on the balcony is $250. If I were a die hard smoker, I'd just pay the $250 upfront and ask nicely for an ashtray. The $250 would simply become part of the cruise cost.

Royal needs a much stiffer penalty.

You can be absolutely certain that if I smell smoke wafting around my balcony I'm going to "catch" this rule breaker and turn them in.

First let me say that I am a smoker and the ability to smoke on the balcony was why I agreed to the extra cost of a balcony on our first cruise many years ago. That said I've always made it a point to talk with people in adjoining cabins about their tolerance for my smoking and if it was an issue for them I avoided smoking if they were out there. Since the ban I have begrudeingly given in and I follow the policy I agreed to when I signed the booking contract.

As for the penalties, on our last cruise our neighbors were constantly smoking and playing very loud "death metal" on a bluetooh speaker. The first time they were caught they were fined/charged $250 cleaning fee. Second offfence resulted in a visit from the Hotel manager who advised them that they would be very unhappy if it happened again. They laughed but low and behold on day 4 the cabin next door was empty. According to our room steward "they and there things were deborded on St Kitts with directions to the airport"

 

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[ckrobyn]

First let me say that I am a smoker and the ability to smoke on the balcony was why I agreed to the extra cost of a balcony on our first cruise many years ago. That said I've always made it a point to talk with people in adjoining cabins about their tolerance for my smoking and if it was an issue for them I avoided smoking if they were out there. Since the ban I have begrudeingly given in and I follow the policy I agreed to when I signed the booking contract.

As for the penalties, on our last cruise our neighbors were constantly smoking and playing very loud "death metal" on a bluetooh speaker. The first time they were caught they were fined/charged $250 cleaning fee. Second offfence resulted in a visit from the Hotel manager who advised them that they would be very unhappy if it happened again. They laughed but low and behold on day 4 the cabin next door was empty. According to our room steward "they and there things were deborded on St Kitts with directions to the airport"

 

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First off, I applaud you for being a considerate smoker :) I wish the same could be said for others.....

Good to hear that RCI stands behind, and enforces their policy and ultimately put these jokers off at the next port.

Edited September 27, 2016 by ckrobyn

[MrsKC08]

 

Exactly why this IS an issue. I'm not a smoker and I don't like to even smell smoke, but the chance of a fire is more of a concern of mine than the other!

[tlatrice]

First let me say that I am a smoker and the ability to smoke on the balcony was why I agreed to the extra cost of a balcony on our first cruise many years ago. That said I've always made it a point to talk with people in adjoining cabins about their tolerance for my smoking and if it was an issue for them I avoided smoking if they were out there. Since the ban I have begrudeingly given in and I follow the policy I agreed to when I signed the booking contract.

As for the penalties, on our last cruise our neighbors were constantly smoking and playing very loud "death metal" on a bluetooh speaker. The first time they were caught they were fined/charged $250 cleaning fee. Second offfence resulted in a visit from the Hotel manager who advised them that they would be very unhappy if it happened again. They laughed but low and behold on day 4 the cabin next door was empty. According to our room steward "they and there things were deborded on St Kitts with directions to the airport"

 

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Wow!!! That's an expensive smoke break!

[shopnagain]

I asked this same question before our first cruise in May. The majority agreed it is rarely a problem. I apparently, am the unluckiest person around. We ended up with a cigar smoker next door. I just didn't go out on the balcony because I didn't want to cause any waves :o but on the last day I did tell my room steward and she took care of it.

On our cruise last week, again, almost every time I went out on the balcony someone was smoking. Unfortunately I couldn't tell where it was coming from so nothing I could do other than go back inside. I avoid "cancer alley" on the pool deck at all costs. And it is a big deal for me. I have never smoked but still ended up with cancer at age 37 so yea, I do try to take care of my health and avoid cancer causing substances!

Booked an interior room for next cruise!

[davekathy]

I asked this same question before our first cruise in May. The majority agreed it is rarely a problem. I apparently, am the unluckiest person around. We ended up with a cigar smoker next door. I just didn't go out on the balcony because I didn't want to cause any waves :o but on the last day I did tell my room steward and she took care of it.

On our cruise last week, again, almost every time I went out on the balcony someone was smoking. Unfortunately I couldn't tell where it was coming from so nothing I could do other than go back inside. I avoid "cancer alley" on the pool deck at all costs. And it is a big deal for me. I have never smoked but still ended up with cancer at age 37 so yea, I do try to take care of my health and avoid cancer causing substances!

Booked an interior room for next cruise!

 

You're a lot nicer person than we are. We would have reported the smoker the first day. Better someone else PO than me. They agreed not to smoke on their balcony before even getting on the ship and know the consequences if they are busted. IMO that's the only warning they should get. Not using a balcony we paid for, no way! Enjoy your next Cruise.

Edited September 27, 2016 by davekathy

[JTBCruiser]

So far we haven't had an issue and been able to enjoy the sea breeze on the balcony. I would report it if someone did smoke and I knew the cabin it was coming from.

[Peachy59]

Just an FYI; the crew smoking area is on deck 5 aft on Voyager and Freedom class ships.

[Retired LEO]

Yep, people watching at it's finest, especially when they come through holding their nose and waving their arms around.

 

I actually had an interesting encounter with an idiot on the Majesty a couple of weeks ago.

I was standing in the casino after dinner having a cigarette while I waited for a bar stool to open up and my favorite bartender to come on duty. :)

This old drama queen was sitting at the bar with a napkin pressed up against her face glaring at me.

The guy next to her (Assuming it was her husband) turns to me and says "You need to take that somewhere else".

I quickly informed him that I was next to an ashtray and the HE was in in the smoking area and I was not going anywhere. Smoking is allowed at the casino bar on Majesty.

The drama queen then started announcing to those within ear shot of what a despicable person I was and blah, blah, blah. That went on for about 5 minutes.

They finally got up to leave and he thought he would try the staring tactic on me in an attempt to intimidate me. Seriously? Not a chance of that happening.

They finally left. Napkin and all. :D

 

It's amazing how idiotic and stupid people can really be.

[champagne123]

I actually had an interesting encounter with an idiot on the Majesty a couple of weeks ago.

I was standing in the casino after dinner having a cigarette while I waited for a bar stool to open up and my favorite bartender to come on duty. :)

This old drama queen was sitting at the bar with a napkin pressed up against her face glaring at me.

The guy next to her (Assuming it was her husband) turns to me and says "You need to take that somewhere else".

I quickly informed him that I was next to an ashtray and the HE was in in the smoking area and I was not going anywhere. Smoking is allowed at the casino bar on Majesty.

The drama queen then started announcing to those within ear shot of what a despicable person I was and blah, blah, blah. That went on for about 5 minutes.

They finally got up to leave and he thought he would try the staring tactic on me in an attempt to intimidate me. Seriously? Not a chance of that happening.

They finally left. Napkin and all. :D

 

It's amazing how idiotic and stupid people can really be.

 

 

Just RIDICULOUS. I have posted many times that I am not a smoker and smoke does not and never will bother me. I grew up with it. (dad). We always had it in:

Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, movie theater's, airlines, buses, EVERYWHERE. Now...you cannot smoke anywhere and I see people outside in snow storms having a cigarette.

 

When people are in the SMOKING SECTION and one has a problem with it..GET OUT..GO AWAY. Don't wave your hand back and forth in front of your face....don't cover your nose with your hands....don't give dirty looks...etc. Smokers have had all their rights pretty much taken away from them and non smokers will NEVER be happy.

 

While I am on a rant...I as so sick of the smoking threads. I don't know what they accomplish other than people complaining about it and saying the same things over and over and over again.

[LeCricket]

Thanks for the input. I am sensitive to smoke and my daughter has asthma so avoiding smoke when we can is important to me. Some of you will understand, some will not or won't care, but it is what it is.

[Trainman-2]

I am still an "evil" smoker!

 

When smoking was banned in the cabins I obeyed the new rules.

 

When smoking was banned on the balconies I boycotted RCI for a year or so but when I came back I obeyed the new rules.

 

Now as smoking areas become more and more limited I limit my smoking only to approved places.

 

 

All I ask of the non-smokers is to leave me in peace in the few smoking areas that remain and avoid all of the coughing and arm waving drama.

[Langley Cruisers]

While I am on a rant...I as so sick of the smoking threads. I don't know what they accomplish other than people complaining about it and saying the same things over and over and over again.

 

SO glad we all have the choice to not click on a thread to open it.

[LeCricket]

SO glad we all have the choice to not click on a thread to open it.

 

 

SO TRUE! I have the right to ask the question, especially as someone new to balconies. If you don't like the thread, keep on truckin'!

[champagne123]

SO glad we all have the choice to not click on a thread to open it.

 

Karen, I am NOT unsympathetic to the non-smokers. I fully understand...but I also understand the smokers side. They are extremely limited now and I truly believe most of them abide by the rules (yes, I know there are rule breakers also) .. If the non smokers would also respect the smokers space, we may have peace. Non smokers have 99percent of the ship. So, why is this a constant problem? In my 10 cruises, I have never once smelled smoke from my balcony. Not once.

[champagne123]

SO TRUE! I have the right to ask the question, especially as someone new to balconies. If you don't like the thread, keep on truckin'!

 

I was not writing this to offend you. You have every right to ask the questions...but there are three smoking threads going on right now. Congrats on your first balcony. You are going to love it, and I truly hope no one breaks the rules and ruins it for you!

[LeCricket]

I was not writing this to offend you. You have every right to ask the questions...but there are three smoking threads going on right now. Congrats on your first balcony. You are going to love it, and I truly hope no one breaks the rules and ruins it for you!

 

Thank you. I appreciate that. :) I'm sure we will have a great time.

[Retired LEO]

Just RIDICULOUS. I have posted many times that I am not a smoker and smoke does not and never will bother me. I grew up with it. (dad). We always had it in:

Restaurants, bars, grocery stores, movie theater's, airlines, buses, EVERYWHERE. Now...you cannot smoke anywhere and I see people outside in snow storms having a cigarette.

 

When people are in the SMOKING SECTION and one has a problem with it..GET OUT..GO AWAY. Don't wave your hand back and forth in front of your face....don't cover your nose with your hands....don't give dirty looks...etc. Smokers have had all their rights pretty much taken away from them and non smokers will NEVER be happy.

 

While I am on a rant...I as so sick of the smoking threads. I don't know what they accomplish other than people complaining about it and saying the same things over and over and over again.

 

I am still an "evil" smoker!

 

When smoking was banned in the cabins I obeyed the new rules.

 

When smoking was banned on the balconies I boycotted RCI for a year or so but when I came back I obeyed the new rules.

 

Now as smoking areas become more and more limited I limit my smoking only to approved places.

 

 

All I ask of the non-smokers is to leave me in peace in the few smoking areas that remain and avoid all of the coughing and arm waving drama.

 

Thank you. Very well said.

I am one of the most considerate people you will ever come across. I would never invade your non smoking areas by lighting up. I respect your rights.

I also have a right to be in the smoking section without the preaching and theatrics. Please respect my rights.

[CVU]

Old Yesterday, 02:45 PM

bogofman's Avatar

bogofman bogofman is offline

Cool Cruiser

 

Join Date: May 2009

Posts: 701

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[We had a chain smoker next door,

The cabin steward beat us to reporting him, the call came though from the steward as we were at customer services

 

Next day I was on the balcony and he poked his head around the balcony asking if I minded him smoking

 

The next day we had to complain again, this time we got a visit from a member of staff, it seems there was no telling him]

 

We had the same thing happen the whole TA and they could do nothing or did nothing.

We let Deck Supervisor know and Front Desk etc. Room att. said Security were to come, he had called them twice but no one came to inspect the cabin he told us on departure day.

 

They a Do Not Disturb sign on their door most of the day. He or they watched movies most of the day too and had the door open and most likely? smoked on the bed -as that was the location of the bed on Oasis Class. It was very bad, ashes blowing onto our balcony under the separation.:(

Edited September 27, 2016 by CVU

[Goodtime Cruizin]

From RCI website...

 

Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of the Guest Conduct Policy.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=333&faqSubjectName=Onboard+Policies&faqId=3101

 

and Consequences

 

Consequences

Failure to act in accordance with this policy may result in:

• Intervention by Security, other management personnel or law enforcement

• Removal of certain onboard privileges, which may include being detained, quarantined

or confined in a stateroom or holding cell

• Confiscation of illegal/contraband/prohibited items (may be turned over to the law

enforcement authorities)

• Denial of boarding on the current or any future Royal Caribbean cruise

• Reporting of the incidents to government and law enforcement authorities for follow-on legal action

• Removal from a ship at the next port of call. Guests removed from a Royal Caribbean

International ship pursuant to this policy, are responsible for their own accommodations and

transportation home, at their expense. Documentation requirements for re-entry into the guest's

home country are also the responsibility of the guest.

 

I doubt that the person's Loyalty Status or Cabin Category would make a difference in implementation of RCI's policy.

 

There you go! Thank You for responding & posting this. I actually leave for San Juan in a couple of days and as such, I just reviewed my e-docs... and sure enough, I found it! I smoke cigars and I'm always considerate when doing so. I wait patiently for everyone to leave their balcony before I fire up. :D I kid. I kid. Seriously though, smokers & non smokers can indeed get along if they really want to. It's a respectful give & take. Most people understand this, but the few extremes from both sides of the issue will unfortunately always push the envelope.

 

To the OP, enjoy your first balcony to the max!

Edited September 27, 2016 by Goodtime Cruizin

[jaspercat]

I normally don't post on a smoking thread, but to the OP -- I too have asthma issues which are mostly caused by my allergies -- cigarette smoke is more of an annoyance for me and I really don't like to smell it. Especially when sitting out on the balcony to enjoy the stars at night and the waves during the day. On one cruise there was what I would call a chain-smoker as it was very constant -- I couldn't tell exactly from which cabin/direction it was coming from so didn't feel I could say anything to GS or the room steward. On other cruise it was somebody smoking a nasty cigar. I don't know why, but cigar smoke does trigger my asthma - and as you and anyone else knows that is not fun. I knew just using my instant-inhaler was not going to work so left the cabin to get some fresh air elsewhere. That happened only the one time, so I suspect someone/others complained.

 

I totally disagree with the poster that the smoke blows away and you don't inhale it -- you (like normal) are So Wrong!

 

I haven't cruised as much as others, but those were the only 2 instances.

 

Have a great cruise and enjoy your balcony!

[Pennstateman]

Seems that there are less and less smoking sections as well as less and less smokers since there are less and less breaths being taken by living smokers .

 

 

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[qanderson]

Just an FYI; the crew smoking area is on deck 5 aft on Voyager and Freedom class ships.

 

 

Is there a crew smoking area on the anthem ?

 

 

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