Smoking On Your Balcony But Our Vacation!!

[Ski-Lady]

Yes, another thread about smoking! But I wanted to let people know what can and did happen when we had neighbors smoking on their balcony.

 

We just returned last night from a short (5 day) cruise on the Independence. This was a cruise I had booked for my partners birthday as a surprise. To make extra special I had booked a GS.

 

The cabin was beautiful and I may have made a mistake because Jim is always going to want a suite now and I can't afford to cruise like that on every cruise.

 

Anyway. We are experienced cruisers and know the things to make our cruises great. The first day on board we got to our cabin about 1:00 and went out on our balcony to watch the work being done on the dock. Immediately we notice someone smoking one deck down and one cabin forward and someone in the suite next to us (forward). We have had people smoking on boarding day before and know what to do so we left our balcony closed the door and I called Guest Services and complained. In the past this always solved the problem. Not so lucky this time.

 

Later that evening we went out to find our next door neighbors smoking again. I said something about smoking not being allowed on balconies to my partner loud enough for our neighbors to hear and left our balcony but had a smell of smoke in our cabin. We got ready for dinner and left to go the CL and DL before dinner. As we were leaving we told our cabin steward about the smoking. He assured us he would tell the deck supervisor and someone would talk the smokers.

 

The next day was a sea and we spent the day around the ship and enjoying our down time. I did notice a smoke smell outside the couple of time we were on our balcony. I wasn't sure where it was coming from, next door or the cabin below us who had been smoking the day before. We decided to just let it ride but did mention to the concierge someone in our area was smoking but not sure exactly sure where.

 

The next morning at 6:00am I smelled smoke when I went out on our balcony again. I wasn't sure if it was our next door neighbors or the people below. Closed the balcony again and stopped at Guest Services to report the problem on the way to my workout. They noted that I had complained before and our neighbors had been warned. Guest services promised they would address the problem. Later at breakfast we meet the people two cabins forward of us and found out they had also complained about the smoking by our neighbors. I felt reassured that I wasn't just being "one of those people" who constantly complains. We left the ship for our day in Cozumel and enjoy a beach day. I did notice that Jim seemed tired and his breathing was a little labored. Yes, Jim has some pulmonary problems that usually are not a problem but can go bad quickly so I kept a close eye on him. Jim only ate salad and fruit and had no alcohol on our beach day because we know salt and alcohol can make things worse if thing start going south for him. By the end of our beach day Jim seemed better as we headed back to the ship. Back in our room out on our balcony the smell of smoke again! We got off the balcony and decided to go to the DL to spend time on the balcony there to get away from the smoke. I stopped at the CL to complain yet again. The concierge, Felix, again noted there had been numerous complainants by people about the smoking and they would talk to our neighbor again. At the end of our night again the smell of smoke on our balcony and in our room from us opening our door with the smoke outside. That night I noticed Jim's breathing becoming more labored but he assured me he was okay and upped some of his meds.

 

The next morning at 6:00 am I'm out on the balcony and hear our neighbors come out and light up. I look around the divider and confirm that yes they are smoking. Really, still! I checked on Jim who is still sleeping and sounding more rattled with his breathing. I'm off to my workout and then stopped at the CL after to talk to Felix about the smoking problem. He checks and tells me our smokers have been warned by phone, by the deck supervisor, and by letter. Said he would let Guest Service know yet again. Back at the cabin I wake Jim, who never sleeps this late. Worried about him I ask if he wants to cancel our beach day in Costa Maya. He says he is tired but want go ahead and pushes some extra meds again. At breakfast we ran into our now friend, 2 door forward of us, and they relate that they also smelled the smoke and complained to Guest Services. We are off to our beach day at Maya Chan. Jim is still tired but seem to be getting better as the day goes on although he only sat on the beach. Another day of fruit and salad for lunch and no alcohol. Back on our balcony after our beach day our smoker came out again and lights up. Jim start coughing and the rattles with his breathing are back. I get Jim to take more meds, lay down to rest for awhile, and I'm worried. I'm off to Guest Service and upset. I tell guest service we STILL having problems with smoking and it is affecting Jim's health. They again checked the record and many phone calls are made to the deck supervisor, hotel director, and security while I'm standing there. After 20 minutes they tell me are setting up a meeting with security and our neighbors and they are so sorry. Back at the cabin Jim is starting to struggle with his breathing and I know there is no way we are making it to Chef's Table tonight. I get Jim to again take more meds. I don't want to upset Jim so I run down to talk to Felix about not being able to make it to our dinner. Felix is worried and asks if he should call medical. I tell him I'll let him know. Back at the room Jim is worse and agrees it is time to go to medical. I called Felix and told him to meet us, we are going to medical. He met us at the elevators and expressed down to medical but Jim collapses before we can get off. Medical rushed us in and know this is serious! Quick tests prove what I already knew, Jim's lungs were filling up with fluid and there was fluid around his heart. We are now in a life threatening event. They needed to start IV drugs to try to stop the cascade that Jim was having. Calls were made to bridge to tell them there may be a possible evacuation. I'm now panicked but trying hard not to show it. Bottom line: Luckily the IV drugs worked along with the oxygen Jim they put Jim on. We spend 6 hours in medical and they agree to let us go back to our room only if we promise to come back first thing in the morning for more tests and Jim stays on the oxygen they supplied us with. The doctor told me what saved Jim's life is that we had started the extra drugs before we went to medical. I spent the rest of the night staying awake listening to make sure Jim's breathing was okay.

 

Our last day is a sea day and we were sure to get back to medical to make sure Jim is going to be okay. I am relieved to know the drugs have worked amazing well and Jim will be alright but he needs to spend the day just resting. Not the day we had hoped but I am just glad the crisis has passed. I run into our room steward who is very worried and tells me the whole crew knows what happened and everyone is mad. Our neighbors have been charged a $500 cleaning fee. They don't care, they are smoking! What can RCI do? Our next day we are back in FLL and getting off the ship. He asks us to please not open the balcony door so Mr. Jim does not get sick again. So now Jim needs to rest and we can't even use our balcony.

 

I do find out from Felix that we can get in to Chef's Table on the last night to make up for the night we had to cancel. I ran into our friends on the other side of the smokers and Find out that they ended up canceling the whole Chef's Table Tuesday night because without us there wasn't enough people. So how many people have been affected by these rude smokers?

 

I did talk to the doctor on Wednesday about everything that happened. He told me that even though Jim's problems were most likely caused or contributed by the smoking he couldn't prove it and he has to charge us for the medical treatment. So now we have a $1800 on board medical bill. Not something I planned on. Luckily we have cruise insurance but we still needed to pay and will have to wait to be reimbursed. He did tell me he sent an email to Miami about the whole situation and RCI needs to do something more about the smoking policy. He told me corporate was going to meet with him on Thursday when we got back to port. Who knows what will happen.

 

I do have to say everyone we talked to tried to help and I can't fault the crew. Jim received excellent medical care and I have no doubt they saved his life. The medical crew treated not only Jim but myself great. The doctor spent much time talking to me and even gave me his email so I can report back to him how Jim is doing. He wants to know what Jim regular doctor has to say when he sees Jim today. The doctor let me use his phone to call Jim's regular doctor to make appointment with him before we even left the ship.

 

One last thing. Thursday morning as we were docking I went out on balcony again and there was smoke! As we were leaving one of smoking neighbors was out in the hall railing on our poor room steward about the cleaning fees they had been hit with. No doubt RCI will remove them.

Edited December 9, 2016 by Ski-Lady

[Sky616]

Wow, so sorry this happened to you. I think I physically would have went to their cabin. I wouldn't have put up with it. That is just unacceptable. Hope Jim is feeling much better. I just don't get these people who smoke on their balconies. If you're that addicted just stay home.

[moopetguy]

I'm relieved to read that things turned out mostly OK in the end, but what an ordeal that was! So many people affected and inconvenienced because of selfish repeat rule-breakers who weren't even willing to accept the consequences of their actions (the cleaning fee), never mind having zero consideration for their impact on others.

 

RCI should just remove those people from the ship. The rules are clear. Apart from possibly causing medical emergencies like this, the risk of a fire is real (when people toss butts overboard, the wind can carry them back onto the ship...it has happened before).

 

Let them complain and/or never return...it's not as though RCI won't find other passengers to fill the berth in the future!

[cruiselvr04]

So sorry all this happened on your vacation. Hope Jim is much better and glad the ships Doctor took good care of him.

 

As for smokers regardless if it contributed to Jims down turn in health or not, if you don't obey the rules they should not be allowed to sail with the line again. Harsh yes but they will do it again as they were warned, fined and did not stop.

 

There is a place on the ship for smoking period. I feel sorry for the next people who stayed in the room. It's very hard to get all the smoke out on turn around day if not impossible.

 

I am not against smokers. You may smoke your lungs out in designated areas. I just want to breath fresh sea air on my balcony.

[troykahack]

So sorry for your problems with smoking. I can't handle too much myself.

 

Most smokers today are courteous... but some are not and ruin cruises of others.

 

All smoking needs to take place in a designated OUTDOOR smoking area. On our last cruise, we were waiting on dock for a tour to start and a couple of people in the group were smoking and it was blowing right at us. I went and asked them if they could take it downwind. They complied and moved.

 

A warning is not enough... first offense $1000 and next off the ship. And if it gets bad enough, I will knock on their cabin door.

Edited December 9, 2016 by troykahack

[2tall]

Although the medical bill was hefty, it's great that the team managed to get your partner's symptoms under control. That episode would have scared me senseless.

 

I do not understand why people refuse to follow the smoking rules. I'm a smoker and, sure, I loved being able to smoke on my balcony but it's been banned so up to the upper deck or down to the promenade we go. If we can follow the rules, so can everybody else. It seems like Royal should take a more aggressive stance on this since I'm hearing more and more incidents of people ignoring the rules.

[troykahack]

Only thing worse than having a smoker on a balcony is a smoker who smells like a dirty damp astray and boards the packed elevator. We had this happen about 5 times on Serenade. Saw some of the same people sitting at the Casino Bar and not playing.

 

This should be banned as well.

[easyboy]

So sorry about your experience. No doubt the smoker caused your partner's medical problem. Clearly however, RCI's inaction further aggravated it. It already turned out into a life & death situation that the line's security people should have taken the lead. It is very frustrating that a mere cleaning fee was all the cruise line has taken on the insensitive offending guests. No thanks to the medical team. They were paid for doing their job. I hope Jim is fully recovered.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[moonltnite]

Second-hand smoke can be a hazard to those sensitive to smoke (and I have asthma - and can relate) - even outdoors.

 

Here's a link to an article about a study done at Stanford on this topic:

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2007/may9/smoking-050907.html

and some other related articles:

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/121-a229/

http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201002-0294OC

 

If someone is sensitive and/or has pulmonary disease, even a small amount of inhaled smoke can set them off. My dad had COPD - which he developed from years of smoking - and any smoke near him could cause breathing issues.

 

I know that we'll be reporting any smoking that we can smell from our balcony on our upcoming cruise in March. I'm hoping we are lucky and no one smokes in balconies near us! Our cabin is quite a ways forward, so I'm hoping that helps.

[Ski-Lady]

I need to hear from a doctor who can show me where second hand smoke from outside air can cause this. Because I'm disbelieving.

 

Is your partner very obese? If so, it is more likely the ocean/sea distilled water causing fluid retention in the lungs, not second hand outdoor smoke. Talk to a doctor if he's obese because cruising may not be the best idea due to the water on board being desalinated but not 100% salt free. Even the coffee can cause this issue.

 

I took a large buddy on a cruise and he had similar sissies but no medical emergency. He takes a plethora of drugs to control his health issues related to his obesity and two of the pills say no added salt and his doctor told him no cruises due to desalinated water leading to a risk of fluid retention.

 

Smoking in balconies is wrong. Those cruises were a-holes. But I am doubting they put him in a medical situation.

 

No Jim is not obese. He is carrying maybe an extra 10-15 lbs but over all in good health. He works out 5 days a week for a min of 90 minutes.

 

We cruise experienced cruisers, this was our third cruise this year and we are Diamond.

 

Jim only drinks bottled water on board because we know about the salt contributing to the pulmonary problems. He also takes care to stay away from the soups and salty dishes. He eats mostly salads, veggies, and fruit while we are sailing.

 

Like I said, we cruise a fair amount and this is the first time we have had problems with flash pulmonary edema while cruising. This is also the first time we have had a continued problem with smokers. We did have a flash issue one time before when where were in NOLA. That case was caused by the food.

 

It may not be the only cause but I truly believe the smoking at least contributed to the problem. The doctor also believed it did to, he just couldn't say diffidently.

[rkd1]

Contact Michael Bailey's office, we had the same situation on our cruise last year. We were in an aft balcony and our neighbors smoked the whole time. We reported it time after time to no avail. We finally e- mailed his office and got a very nice resolution.

[reedl]

On my last Allure cruise in 2013, smoking was allowed, and it was awful. Luckily my last two cruises in balconies did not have any smokers so I did not have to do anything.

 

But had this happened to me (even without the health issues), I would be asking for the Hotel director after the second time of nothing happening.

 

I would be quoting to them the smoking policy that is on the website that says this:

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.

Unless the smoking stops in the first couple days, I would go up the chain of command until it stops.

[troykahack]

On my last Allure cruise in 2013, smoking was allowed, and it was awful. Luckily my last two cruises in balconies did not have any smokers so I did not have to do anything.

 

But had this happened to me (even without the health issues), I would be asking for the Hotel director after the second time of nothing happening.

 

I would be quoting to them the smoking policy that is on the website that says this:

 

Unless the smoking stops in the first couple days, I would go up the chain of command until it stops.

 

It is also a fire hazard to some degree.

[Trainman-2]

My Wife and I are both smokers but we never smoke in non-smoking areas.

 

Sorry about your husband's problems.

 

I suggest that you make an appointment with a first class pulmonologist to see what can be done in the event your husband encounters second hand smoke in the future.

 

Also,

 

File a claim with your own health insurance but also send a copy of the bill from the ship to RCI and ask to be reimbursed.

[troykahack]

My Wife and I are both smokers but we never smoke in non-smoking areas.

 

Sorry about your husband's problems.

 

I suggest that you make an appointment with a first class pulmonologist to see what can be done in the event your husband encounters second hand smoke in the future.

 

Also,

 

File a claim with your own health insurance but also send a copy of the bill from the ship to RCI and ask to be reimbursed.

 

Thank you for not smoking on your balcony.

[gerif]

I need to hear from a doctor who can show me where second hand smoke from outside air can cause this. Because I'm disbelieving.

 

Is your partner very obese? If so, it is more likely the ocean/sea distilled water causing fluid retention in the lungs, not second hand outdoor smoke. Talk to a doctor if he's obese because cruising may not be the best idea due to the water on board being desalinated but not 100% salt free. Even the coffee can cause this issue.

 

I took a large buddy on a cruise and he had similar sissies but no medical emergency. He takes a plethora of drugs to control his health issues related to his obesity and two of the pills say no added salt and his doctor told him no cruises due to desalinated water leading to a risk of fluid retention.

 

Smoking in balconies is wrong. Those cruises were a-holes. But I am doubting they put him in a medical situation.

 

Thank you for your medical opinion. DH has COPD and suffers terribly if confronted with smoke. I have no doubt but that the prolonged exposure OP's partner was subjected to would have put him in the hospital. FYI, he is slightly underweight.

 

OP - you were more than patient than this Italian from Jersey ever would have been. Hmm, smoke on the next balcony - must be a fire! And I would have acted accordingly - ice bucked, water - AND an urgent call to security.

[davekathy]

...And if it gets bad enough, I will knock on their cabin door.

 

We would insists security be knocking on the smokers door. You may encounter a very pleasant person or a real jerk. Not worth it to me. I'd rather have the smoker pissed off because of complaints about the smoking than me. No way would we not be able to enjoy our balcony because of the smoker. GS would get really sick of my voice and face if it continued.

Edited December 9, 2016 by davekathy

[davekathy]

My Wife and I are both smokers but we never smoke in non-smoking areas...

 

We know and have been around a lot of smokers just like your wife and you. Very considerate. But it takes only that one jerk that doesn't care. Special!

[grouchomarx]

Sorry to hear the OP's experience with severe illness while traveling, how awful. I will admit, I was hoping the story would end with "and the smoking couple were confronted by an angry mob....." or at least that they got thrown off the ship at the next port. Better luck on your next cruise.

[troykahack]

Sorry to hear the OP's experience with severe illness while traveling, how awful. I will admit, I was hoping the story would end with "and the smoking couple were confronted by an angry mob....." or at least that they got thrown off the ship at the next port. Better luck on your next cruise.

 

That would work for me..... I like angry mob. It seems to be permissible all the time if you just watch TV.

 

Maybe we are entitled to be an angry mob.

[Snit13]

I need to hear from a doctor who can show me where second hand smoke from outside air can cause this. Because I'm disbelieving.

 

 

Not being snarky, but where have you been for the past 40 or so years? Have you looked at a cigarette pack and read what it says?

 

My DH has been fighting LUNG cancer for 2 years and I have COPD. We are both x-smokers. Look where it got us.

 

You can talk to our doctors at Mayo Clinic, U of FL or in Orlando and they will all tell you you don't have a clue what you are talking about. My next lung scan is Tuesday and I am hoping for the best. DH had surgery at Shands in Gainesvill yesterday, the 4th method doctors have tried to kill his cancer.

 

We would have been in serious trouble had they been our next door cabin neighbors. I am here to tell you day 1 I would have had security, head of Guest Services, head of Housekeeping and the Hotel Director in my GS to deal with the issue.

 

As someone else said, if all all else failed, an ice bucket of water may have helped.

 

To OP, God Bless You and hopefully your partner will have a successful recovery from this unnecessary ordeal.

[Ski-Lady]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

 

I do understand that there are 2 sides to every story and then the truth, which is why I tried to only state the facts and keep my opinion out in the original post.

 

I do believe RCI tried to deal with these people. They followed the protocol outlined for dealing with smokers. 1. call, 2. contact by deck supervisor 3. letter 4. letter with threat of cleaning fee 5. contact with cruisers by security 6. cleaning fee. All this was over a 5 night cruise. After the 4th day. we were at sea and there was no way they could be put off the ship. Our room steward told us if this had been a longer cruise they would have been put off the ship. If someone is willing to pay the cleaning fee on a short cruise I do understand there isn't much more RCI can do. My only hope is they will be banned from cruising on RCI again.

 

Now my opinion. I do feel that after the first day these people made a point to smoke while we were out on the balcony. Maybe trying to provoke a response directly from us. I refused to take the bait. This is why I called guest services and dealt with Felix. Guest services, Felix and even Rey, our room steward keep telling us what was going on, phone call, letter, security ect..

 

I will send an email to RCI Miami outlining what happened. We shall see what happens.

 

We have enjoyed cruising with Royal and have another cruise booked with them in March but I think it is time to move on to Celebrity at this point.

[troykahack]

WHAT!!!!

 

I thought it was one warning until $250/500

 

This is absolutely..... never mind but you know my thoughts.... six tries before a cleaning fee they are likely to get off their bill

 

I like the Angry Mob idea.... like I say, I feel entitled to it now...

 

Hey, and I am not one to not give my opinion...

Edited December 9, 2016 by troykahack

[ducklite]

It's ridiculous that Royal allows them to even stay on board after repeated warnings. They should put them on a no-cruise list. Of course they won't, because they are too worried about losing a fare. But what they don't realize is that they will likely lose a lot more from those who were disrupted by the repeated violations of Royals policy with no repercussion.

[troykahack]

It's ridiculous that Royal allows them to even stay on board after repeated warnings. They should put them on a no-cruise list. Of course they won't, because they are too worried about losing a fare. But what they don't realize is that they will likely lose a lot more from those who were disrupted by the repeated violations of Royals policy with no repercussion.

 

Look, people should continue to complain. Best to start writing you Congress Person. We now have a Congress and WH run by one party.

 

I have already sent letter to all, to make it law, all ships sailing from US Ports should be non smoking..... (Regulation I know, but it will save money)

Edited December 9, 2016 by troykahack