Smoking on balconies

[kevink]

Out of curiosity, as I know nothing about cruising on HAL, when they ban smoking in the casino will they still have smoking sections elsewhere on the ship?

 

I was skeptical about the comment about HAL banning smoking on balconies, so I looked it up: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7263.

 

The article lists the designated smoking areas. Only a few of their ships will have non-smoking casinos, according to the article.

[ATC cruiser]

So, what percent of a fire is acceptable to you?

 

 

 

Zero for me...... If it is a added risk, ban it.

 

 

You beat me to it. The post you quoted was one of the dumbest I've ever read on CC

 

 

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[bouhunter]

Ok so take this with a grain of salt because I did lol! My friend is a very funny but mischievous guy. He sailed in a balcony cabin last year and said he could smell someone smoking on their balcony. He didn't care, said it was just a whiff, whatever. However there was a very loud, dramatic, gauche couple near his balcony as well and they would make a giant performance about it all the time. He said the first day they were peering over everyones balcony trying to find the culprit and waving their arms, coughing and generally being a nuisance. So in order to annoy them or put a stop to their antics or probably just to amuse himself, he called and reported their cabin for smoking every time they disturbed him lol. He said she sounded like Edith Bunker yelling 'It ISN'T US!!!' every time security came. I know that's awful but it just made me laugh so hard!:p

 

I love it.

 

I don't think we've had a smoking thread get to 200 posts in a while, may as well help it along.......:D

Edited October 5, 2016 by bouhunter

[tiessa]

Kind of missing the point ... it's not about live and let live. It's a fire hazard and you don't want a fire on a ship. At least one onboard fire that I can remember was caused by some inconsiderate J*&K smoking on a balcony and throwing the butt overboard. The "butt" drafted the ship and ended up causing a fire in some towels left on another balcony. So ... it may be a waste of your time but not mine. I'd rather be safe. Try having some accountability in your life!

 

 

It was never proven that a cigarette caused that fire. I think fire safety is huge. That's why they need to ban hair blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons. I know of 2 incidents personally where hair appliances caused fires.

 

 

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[tiessa]

Agree. I too value my privacy on my balcony. But then I don't smoke and put lives at risk.

 

 

So only non-smokers have a right to privacy? Interesting concept.

 

 

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[tiessa]

IMO a rather ignorant viewpoint and quite dismissive of good people who have moderate to severe allergic reactions to second hand smoke.

 

 

 

As a former and now reformed smoker myself, I fought hard to break a decade long addiction, and while not allergic, I certainly would be furious if I paid money for a balcony and some other person with NO regard for anyone but themselves decided to break the rules. The smoke stinks and I have no desire to smell it anywhere, anytime.

 

 

No one has an allergy to smoking. It is not an allergen. It may be an irritation but it is not an allergy.

 

 

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[moonltnite]

No one has an allergy to smoking. It is not an allergen. It may be an irritation but it is not an allergy.

 

 

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People may not be "allergic" to cigarette smoke, but it definitely can trigger an asthma attack. I have asthma - and second-hand smoke definitely has triggered attacks I've had.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/secondhand-smoke-asthma.html

 

Even beyond all this.... it's against the rules to smoke on balconies on RCI. Period. So anyone that does smoke on a balcony, should be prepared to face the consequences if caught.

[tiessa]

Agree. I too value my privacy on my balcony. But then I don't smoke and put lives at risk.

 

 

I value my privacy and I do smoke responsibly in designated areas. I do not put people's lives at risk. The fact so many on here believe smokers are second class citizens not deserving of privacy is appalling.

 

 

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[tiessa]

People may not be "allergic" to cigarette smoke, but it definitely can trigger an asthma attack. I have asthma - and second-hand smoke definitely has triggered attacks I've had.

 

 

 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/secondhand-smoke-asthma.html

 

 

 

Even beyond all this.... it's against the rules to smoke on balconies on RCI. Period. So anyone that does smoke on a balcony, should be prepared to face the consequences if caught.

 

 

 

I'm glad you agree with me. I have no problems with consequences for rule breakers. And those who violate my privacy by looking onto my balcony can face those consequences. They may scare me and my drink may go flying out of my hand into their faces. You never know.

 

 

 

 

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[poncho1973]

No one has an allergy to smoking. It is not an allergen. It may be an irritation but it is not an allergy.

 

I certainly understand the semantics of allergy vs. sensitivity.

 

Much like there is no such thing as a poisonous snake... only venomous. Poisons are ingested or absorbed, venoms are injected.

 

Poisonous mushrooms, poisonous frogs, poisonous berries.

Venomous snakes, venomous spiders, venomous wasps

 

 

 

However, semantics aside, people have loads of reactions to smoke. It behaves like an allergic reaction, although, you are 100% correct and it's not an allergy. That doesn't change for a second that it doesn't actually cause harmful reactions.

 

If you die from an asthma attack (granted I'm sure 99.9% of reactions from smoke are not fatal) the question isn't "Was that an allergy or a sensitivity??? That's the REAL question!!!!!!!!!! Someone call Sherlock Holmes!!"

 

You knew what they meant and wanted to convey. You just wanted to sound smarter.

[lakemurraykid]

I value my privacy and I do smoke responsibly in designated areas. I do not put people's lives at risk. The fact so many on here believe smokers are second class citizens not deserving of privacy is appalling.

 

 

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Tiessa, thank you for pointing out to all these non-smokers that those of us who do smoke are first-class citizens and they have no right to criticize us.

 

To add my two cents, we are just as entitled as the non-smokers and it really pisses me off to hear them preach as if they are better than us. I've read all these smoking threads and it infuriates me to no end.

 

My husband and I both smoke. Yes, it's a nasty habit and we've tried to quit, but for us, unfortunately, it hasn't worked for us yet. We DO NOT smoke on our balcony or in our cabin. We totally respect the smoking policies that the cruise lines have. We are considerate of non-smokers. We only smoke in the designated areas. Period!

 

Tiessa, I just wanted you to know that you, at least, have my support.

[Doug S]

Did anyone notice that the article posted above about HAL banning smoking, indicated that there would be designated smoking areas in Casinos "FOR ACTIVE SLOT PLAYERS"?

 

The way they phrased it seems to indicate at least an up front intent to only allow players to smoke, and not have the Casino become the ship's new smoking lounge. I think that would be a move in the right direction, but we'll see what is actually enforced in time.

 

Haven't done more than dash through the casino in years due to the cloud of smoke in there. Would be nice to be able to sit and play some slots on a cruise. maybe someday...

[dr.evil]

Fire on any ship is a very bad thing.

 

Chris :(

[troykahack]

Did anyone notice that the article posted above about HAL banning smoking, indicated that there would be designated smoking areas in Casinos "FOR ACTIVE SLOT PLAYERS"?

 

The way they phrased it seems to indicate at least an up front intent to only allow players to smoke, and not have the Casino become the ship's new smoking lounge. I think that would be a move in the right direction, but we'll see what is actually enforced in time.

 

Haven't done more than dash through the casino in years due to the cloud of smoke in there. Would be nice to be able to sit and play some slots on a cruise. maybe someday...

 

Hey, that is a start in the right direction. The Casino has become somewhat of a indoor air conditioned smoking lounge. I think Royal is taking some steps to prevent this. Last cruise on EN, the bar area was also NON SMOKING. Often, many used to like to sit at the bar or around the bar and smoke. I saw many people smoking in the Casino last week on EN when the Casino was closed. You must walk through the Casino to get to the other side, I believe one level of the MDR.

[Relax@Sea]

So, what percent of a fire is acceptable to you?

 

Zero for me...... If it is a added risk, ban it.

 

 

Zero for Me also. But in your world then we should Ban the Galley, Ban the Engines and Ban the Power to your Cabins, Smoking already is banned on balconies.

I was not agreeing or disagreeing I was just bringing awareness to other potential hazards that seemed to be disregarded when there is a bias to smoking or non smoking.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Relax@Sea

[Ocean Dancer]

Did anyone notice that the article posted above about HAL banning smoking, indicated that there would be designated smoking areas in Casinos "FOR ACTIVE SLOT PLAYERS"?

 

The way they phrased it seems to indicate at least an up front intent to only allow players to smoke, and not have the Casino become the ship's new smoking lounge. I think that would be a move in the right direction, but we'll see what is actually enforced in time.

 

Haven't done more than dash through the casino in years due to the cloud of smoke in there. Would be nice to be able to sit and play some slots on a cruise. maybe someday...

 

Celebrity's casino's are smoke free :)

[tlatrice]

Tiessa, thank you for pointing out to all these non-smokers that those of us who do smoke are first-class citizens and they have no right to criticize us.

 

To add my two cents, we are just as entitled as the non-smokers and it really pisses me off to hear them preach as if they are better than us. I've read all these smoking threads and it infuriates me to no end.

 

My husband and I both smoke. Yes, it's a nasty habit and we've tried to quit, but for us, unfortunately, it hasn't worked for us yet. We DO NOT smoke on our balcony or in our cabin. We totally respect the smoking policies that the cruise lines have. We are considerate of non-smokers. We only smoke in the designated areas. Period!

 

Tiessa, I just wanted you to know that you, at least, have my support.

 

I don't think anyone is advocating looking around balcony dividers just to see if someone MIGHT BE smoking. I understood it to be a suggestion to do this is in the event that you smell smoke. And honestly, one doesn't have to 'peek around'. You can go stand at your railing and look to the side and see the next balcony.

 

If you're not the one smoking on your balcony, then the ire isn't directed at you. No one said YOU specifically are not following the rules or that YOU personally were smoking on your balcony. The problem is the people who ARE doing it. The smokers who don't follow the rules - not the ones who do!

[troykahack]

Tiessa, thank you for pointing out to all these non-smokers that those of us who do smoke are first-class citizens and they have no right to criticize us.

 

To add my two cents, we are just as entitled as the non-smokers and it really pisses me off to hear them preach as if they are better than us. I've read all these smoking threads and it infuriates me to no end.

 

My husband and I both smoke. Yes, it's a nasty habit and we've tried to quit, but for us, unfortunately, it hasn't worked for us yet. We DO NOT smoke on our balcony or in our cabin. We totally respect the smoking policies that the cruise lines have. We are considerate of non-smokers. We only smoke in the designated areas. Period!

 

Tiessa, I just wanted you to know that you, at least, have my support.

 

Many of us were once a smoker.... we all should be treated equal.... we thank you for not smoking on the balcony.

 

It is a difficult habit to quit, wasn't easy.... twice I quit, once for 4 years and now for almost 16 years. It really became a hassle for me to smoke. My company banned it on campus, I flew all the time, no smoking on planes and hard to grab one at the airport. It just became more convenient to quit. My SO has offered to buy me a nice cigar on the Islands. I would love one, but I refuse and I know the grasp on the addiction I still have for smoking.

 

I do see smokers who try hard to break the rules, and probably non smokers break rules too..... last cruise, at least 5 times, someone would light up on the non smoking side of the Casino. The crew had them put it out quickly, thank goodness. I never said anything to the smoker. But if they allowed him to stay and smoke in the non smoking side, I would have got up and left. The smoke was as well controlled in the Casino on EN as I have seen and I could play in the non smoking half without being overwhelmed with smoke. But it still remains a fact, sometimes one needs to walk through the Casino to get to another area of the ship, and this is when the Casino is closed for play, and smokers are there.

 

As long as smoking is confined to a out door

Edited October 5, 2016 by troykahack

[lakemurraykid]

Many of us were once a smoker.... we all should be treated equal.... we thank you for not smoking on the balcony.

 

It is a difficult habit to quit, wasn't easy.... twice I quit, once for 4 years and now for almost 16 years. It really became a hassle for me to smoke. My company banned it on campus, I flew all the time, no smoking on planes and hard to grab one at the airport. It just became more convenient to quit. My SO has offered to buy me a nice cigar on the Islands. I would love one, but I refuse and I know the grasp on the addiction I still have for smoking.

 

I do see smokers who try hard to break the rules, and probably non smokers break rules too..... last cruise, at least 5 times, someone would light up on the non smoking side of the Casino. The crew had them put it out quickly, thank goodness. I never said anything to the smoker. But if they allowed him to stay and smoke in the non smoking side, I would have got up and left. The smoke was as well controlled in the Casino on EN as I have seen and I could play in the non smoking half without being overwhelmed with smoke. But it still remains a fact, sometimes one needs to walk through the Casino to get to another area of the ship, and this is when the Casino is closed for play, and smokers are there.

 

As long as smoking is confined to a out door

We recently just got off the Allure about the middle of September. We were in the casino every evening on the smoking side. Right behind the bar stools there were three little tables with four chairs at each one and that was non-smoking. Behind those there were two tables with four chairs each. Only one of the tables was for smokers. The second table did not have a non-smoking designation on it, so people would sit down there and light up. i watched the casino manager and another gentleman walk up to those people and rudely told them it was non-smoking. In my opinion they could have handled that better; they didn't have to be rude. With that, I will say that several of us thought the ventilation was terrible. We all got red eyes and scratchy throats. And no, the red eyes was not from alcohol. LOL A lot of the complainers about the casino are non-smokers, but they always walk through the smoking side. I saw two very small children walk through the smoking side with their parents and they pulled their little shirts up over their nose and mouth. They were way too young to know to do that unless their parents told them to. And, the women are worse than the men. They'll cover themselves with a scarf, their hand, or whatever is available to them and they "pretend" to cough. And yet they'll have on a gallon of perfume, which can be quite offensive.

 

I believe the days of smoking in a casino are going to come to an end and I think it's a shame. But the non-smokers are so over the top on this subject, that the cruise lines will have no choice but to listen to them. And, the cruise lines are worried that these non-smokers will quit cruising on their ships. So in the end it's about the almighty dollar. I am sure it has nothing to do with the health of the smoker.

 

That's my take on it.

[troykahack]

Celebrity's casino's are smoke free :)

 

Ok, good, part of Royal so hopefully Royal will adapt the same policy.

[tiessa]

I certainly understand the semantics of allergy vs. sensitivity.

 

 

 

Much like there is no such thing as a poisonous snake... only venomous. Poisons are ingested or absorbed, venoms are injected.

 

 

 

Poisonous mushrooms, poisonous frogs, poisonous berries.

 

Venomous snakes, venomous spiders, venomous wasps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, semantics aside, people have loads of reactions to smoke. It behaves like an allergic reaction, although, you are 100% correct and it's not an allergy. That doesn't change for a second that it doesn't actually cause harmful reactions.

 

 

 

If you die from an asthma attack (granted I'm sure 99.9% of reactions from smoke are not fatal) the question isn't "Was that an allergy or a sensitivity??? That's the REAL question!!!!!!!!!! Someone call Sherlock Holmes!!"

 

 

 

You knew what they meant and wanted to convey. You just wanted to sound smarter.

 

 

Not at all. People use the word allergy because they think it sounds worse. I like facts. Say smoke irritates you. Say it brings on asthma attacks. It's not about being smart. It's about being factual and honest. I'm sorry you have a problem with that but I know a lot of people do.

 

 

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[troykahack]

We recently just got off the Allure about the middle of September. We were in the casino every evening on the smoking side. Right behind the bar stools there were three little tables with four chairs at each one and that was non-smoking. Behind those there were two tables with four chairs each. Only one of the tables was for smokers. The second table did not have a non-smoking designation on it, so people would sit down there and light up. i watched the casino manager and another gentleman walk up to those people and rudely told them it was non-smoking. In my opinion they could have handled that better; they didn't have to be rude. With that, I will say that several of us thought the ventilation was terrible. We all got red eyes and scratchy throats. And no, the red eyes was not from alcohol. LOL A lot of the complainers about the casino are non-smokers, but they always walk through the smoking side. I saw two very small children walk through the smoking side with their parents and they pulled their little shirts up over their nose and mouth. They were way too young to know to do that unless their parents told them to. And, the women are worse than the men. They'll cover themselves with a scarf, their hand, or whatever is available to them and they "pretend" to cough. And yet they'll have on a gallon of perfume, which can be quite offensive.

 

I believe the days of smoking in a casino are going to come to an end and I think it's a shame. But the non-smokers are so over the top on this subject, that the cruise lines will have no choice but to listen to them. And, the cruise lines are worried that these non-smokers will quit cruising on their ships. So in the end it's about the almighty dollar. I am sure it has nothing to do with the health of the smoker.

 

That's my take on it.

 

The crew on EN also were direct with smokers in a non smoking area. NON SMOKING areas don't have ash trays for one, unless a smoker carried one over. The crew I talked to in the Casino, all I talked to, didn't care for the smoke. They have really no choice, they must work in a smoking environment. We can just leave if it gets too bad. Should second hand smoke be considered part of their job?

 

You know, from my conversation with crew, it will not be the non smoking cruisers that shut down smoking in the Casino, but the rights of those working in the Casino, the right to work in a SMOKE FREE work environment, that will win the day.

[moonltnite]

The crew on EN also were direct with smokers in a non smoking area. NON SMOKING areas don't have ash trays for one, unless a smoker carried one over. The crew I talked to in the Casino, all I talked to, didn't care for the smoke. They have really no choice, they must work in a smoking environment. We can just leave if it gets too bad. Should second hand smoke be considered part of their job?

 

 

 

You know, from my conversation with crew, it will not be the non smoking cruisers that shut down smoking in the Casino, but the rights of those working in the Casino, the right to work in a SMOKE FREE work environment, that will win the day.

 

 

That's how the smoke free Illinois laws passed. It was largely due to workers that wanted smoke free environments. It's great in casinos now. We can play blackjack without being surrounded by smoke! Same for restaurants and bars.

 

 

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[tiessa]

Tiessa, thank you for pointing out to all these non-smokers that those of us who do smoke are first-class citizens and they have no right to criticize us.

 

 

 

To add my two cents, we are just as entitled as the non-smokers and it really pisses me off to hear them preach as if they are better than us. I've read all these smoking threads and it infuriates me to no end.

 

 

 

My husband and I both smoke. Yes, it's a nasty habit and we've tried to quit, but for us, unfortunately, it hasn't worked for us yet. We DO NOT smoke on our balcony or in our cabin. We totally respect the smoking policies that the cruise lines have. We are considerate of non-smokers. We only smoke in the designated areas. Period!

 

 

 

Tiessa, I just wanted you to know that you, at least, have my support.

 

 

Thank you! They want to paint us all with a very broad brush. I guess it's easier to think we are all alike. I smoke. I smoke considerately and only in smoking areas. Most smokers do. I think we all get tired of being blamed for what a few do. It is like blaming all of those who drink for a drunk falling off of a ship rail and going on and on about the drinkers. They would find that nonsensical. And so is going on and on and on about all smokers.

 

 

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[troykahack]

Thank you! They want to paint us all with a very broad brush. I guess it's easier to think we are all alike. I smoke. I smoke considerately and only in smoking areas. Most smokers do. I think we all get tired of being blamed for what a few do. It is like blaming all of those who drink for a drunk falling off of a ship rail and going on and on about the drinkers. They would find that nonsensical. And so is going on and on and on about all smokers.

 

 

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I am not blaming SMOKERS for anything... although I really can't name anyone that smokes that we hang with.... having said that, they have rights too.... I will never say they don't have rights... but I do have the right to complain about SMOKING... I used to SMOKE, it is an addiction, I would probably like nothing more than having a SMOKE, but I don't believe I could just have ONE... some people can, but not me... it was a BAD addiction for me, and I really don't want to go there again. I am not against you, I am against smoking, vape or the real stuff.

 

If you convince them to make all the areas on the ship SMOKING, we will do something else. Many people don't believe in the rules and those that break them make it hard on those SMOKERS that follow the rules.

 

Everyone has rights, this is a debate that needs to be heard... many are debating today by other means and are being heard...

Edited October 5, 2016 by troykahack