Indoor smoking

[mz-s]

I really thought we were around a decade away from smoke-free Carnival casinos until I heard of these latest strategies of closing the Casino bars and creating smoke-free Casinos. My guess is in a year or so, the smoke-free and smoke casinos will be flipped (that is, the small Casino will be the smoking Casino) and then in another few years the Smoking Casino will go away altogether.

[vwrestler171]

9 hours ago, mz-s said:

I really thought we were around a decade away from smoke-free Carnival casinos until I heard of these latest strategies of closing the Casino bars and creating smoke-free Casinos. My guess is in a year or so, the smoke-free and smoke casinos will be flipped (that is, the small Casino will be the smoking Casino) and then in another few years the Smoking Casino will go away altogether.

I doubt it because if you ask the majority of people, the smoking casino is busy and the non-smoking one isn't.

[mz-s]

On 9/20/2021 at 11:04 PM, vwrestler171 said:

I doubt it because if you ask the majority of people, the smoking casino is busy and the non-smoking one isn't.

 

It is probably more wishful thinking on my part because I am a recovered smoker and being around smoke is temptation.

[crewsweeper]

On 9/18/2021 at 4:31 PM, CruisingFromLA said:

I am not a smoker, but I wish Carnival would build a cigar lounge for smokers and make the casino smoke free instead. There is wayyyyy too many smokers not gambling in the casino taking up seats in front of the machines.  

If you have ever walked by those smoking lounges in Vegas airport that stuff seeps out into the main concourse.

 

I realize for smokers and vapers these restrictions are a pain, but if not for the smell and odor lingering on clothes, I wouldn't mind lounging at some of the newer ships' outdoor smoking areas, versus anywhere on the Lido.

[sgttami]

On 9/18/2021 at 4:44 PM, BlerkOne said:

Hasn't been a problem for Celebrity or Disney.

Hasn't been a problem for Disney.  Of course not.  Disney doesn't have casinos!

[cruisin from vegas]

1 hour ago, sgttami said:

Hasn't been a problem for Disney.  Of course not.  Disney doesn't have casinos!

Exactly!!!!    Compare fare prices of Disney with Carnival..   Carnival  has Casinos, Disney does not!   Carnival was started as a casino line… it’s actually the reason it exists.  Points proven..  

[BlerkOne]

On 9/18/2021 at 7:16 PM, EngIceDave said:

 

Carnival tried smoke free cruises and they failed miserably.

 

With one ship way ahead of it's time (1999-2003). Paradise didn't fail miserably, it still made money, just not enough. Since then, US smokers have declined by some 20% or more - maybe 14% of the US population smokes.

[Bostwick girl]

Just now, BlerkOne said:

With one ship way ahead of it's time (1999-2003). Paradise didn't fail miserably, it still made money, just not enough. Since then, US smokers have declined by some 20% or more - maybe 14% of the US population smokes.

Times have changed a lot since 2003. Maybe Carnival should try a smoke free cruise again. Start with a smaller ship and see how it goes.  
 

[Brkintx]

On 9/20/2021 at 10:04 PM, vwrestler171 said:

I doubt it because if you ask the majority of people, the smoking casino is busy and the non-smoking one isn't.

That was not my experience on the Mardi Gras… the smoking side was smaller but the nonsmoking side was busier every time I spent time in there… which was a lot. 

[hurricane0226]

15 minutes ago, Brkintx said:

That was not my experience on the Mardi Gras… the smoking side was smaller but the nonsmoking side was busier every time I spent time in there… which was a lot. 

Maybe they had better slot machines there or they were paying off more lol

[Computer Nerd]

On 9/18/2021 at 9:06 AM, jetsfan58 said:

My encouragement is for those who have the habit to at least think about quitting. 

Right after you give up being a Jets fan. 😉

[ADD Boy]

So on Vista now is there even a non smoking area of the casino or can you smoke anywhere in there?  I guess I’m an exception as I enjoy gambling but hate smoking. Gonna be aboard next week.  

[HarborHermit]

On 9/16/2021 at 12:50 PM, rebric said:

Now that the casino does not allow smoking for people drinking at the casino bar, does anyone know if there are any indoor smoking areas on the Dream?

 

To answer the original question, the most recent entry from the Carnival website FAQ says that indoor smoking is allowed at the Jackpot Casino if you are "playing at designated slot machines and table games during open hours."

 

The only other smoking areas are on Deck 5 and 11 and are outdoors.

[vwrestler171]

I just got back from a week on Mardi Gras.  The tables on the smoking side were always busy, the non-smoking side tables were not as busy.  That being said, I enjoyed my week at the non-smoking craps table.  It was a premier cruise and I did talk to the casino manager about the 2 sides and he said that while the non-smoking side is bring in more revenue than the smoking side, the revenue per guest in each section is much higher on the smoking side.  

 

My guess is the non-smoking gambler will drop $20 in a machine while walking through.  

 

The casino was also the freshest casino I've been in for a while and only smelled smoking, while directly in the smoking table area.

[Brkintx]

12 hours ago, hurricane0226 said:

Maybe they had better slot machines there or they were paying off more lol

I played in the smoking side also late at night when there was no crowd, but only if what I was wearing was something I didn’t need again on board… I would attribute it more to the smoke concentration than the machines.

 

Some try to indicate that vices beget vices, and casinos will see revenue permanently plummet when they make the move. The reality is that this assumption fails to account for those who would but don’t gamble because of the breathability and smell. As the percent of the population who smokes continues to decline year after year, (just 16% in 2019 - last figures available on usafacts), there are more customers to be gained than lost.
Thus… the real issue isn't the switch to nonsmoking, as long term that will pay off (statistically). The challenge is not seeing a decline while making the transition - as in, how do you convince shareholders to accept lower revenues for the X period of time as the core population shifts when you already have predictability for the current population. And how do you define the X period of time until people don’t associate the casino with death or nasty smelling clothing, etc. If those two things were immediately quantifiable, there would be roll out plans, etc. 

 

Land casinos, when forced to go nonsmoking by localities, go through this and seem to thrive (revenue wise) after the transition, but they don’t have to change the entire population nearby (aka on board), they just have to attract a different segment. This will continue to be a challenge for cruise lines for a long while…  

[mz-s]

Just got off the Freedom on Sunday - granted it was an Ultra cruise but the nonsmoking half of the Casino was often just as busy as the smoking side. It was really nice to be able to find a stool at the Casino bar for once though! I think the Casino bar having a smoking section was the biggest source of much of the smoke smell on Carnival's promenade decks.

 

The problem as everyone knows of course is the nonsmoking side is really not nonsmoking - you'll still smell like a smoker if you spend any length of time in there. As a recovered smoker I could really tell how quickly the smell permeates your senses even if you're just walking the promenade or sitting at the Casino bar to order a drink.

 

Carnival has been reducing smoking sections and moving them in recent years. Not long ago many of the discos on Carnival allowed smoking. Now as far as I'm aware they're all smoke-free. Balconies are smoke free and penalties for people caught smoking on them were recently doubled to $500. Casinos are the next logical step. I'm sure they're keeping their head close to the ground on this.

Edited November 30, 2021 by mz-s

[mz-s]

On 11/14/2021 at 2:50 PM, Brkintx said:

I played in the smoking side also late at night when there was no crowd, but only if what I was wearing was something I didn’t need again on board… I would attribute it more to the smoke concentration than the machines.

 

Some try to indicate that vices beget vices, and casinos will see revenue permanently plummet when they make the move. The reality is that this assumption fails to account for those who would but don’t gamble because of the breathability and smell. As the percent of the population who smokes continues to decline year after year, (just 16% in 2019 - last figures available on usafacts), there are more customers to be gained than lost.
Thus… the real issue isn't the switch to nonsmoking, as long term that will pay off (statistically). The challenge is not seeing a decline while making the transition - as in, how do you convince shareholders to accept lower revenues for the X period of time as the core population shifts when you already have predictability for the current population. And how do you define the X period of time until people don’t associate the casino with death or nasty smelling clothing, etc. If those two things were immediately quantifiable, there would be roll out plans, etc. 

 

Land casinos, when forced to go nonsmoking by localities, go through this and seem to thrive (revenue wise) after the transition, but they don’t have to change the entire population nearby (aka on board), they just have to attract a different segment. This will continue to be a challenge for cruise lines for a long while…  

 

It's going to take a rival line going smoke free for Carnival to make a move. They're not going to be first on this. Of course their competition is likely saying the same thing in their meetings.

[Cushing985]

On 9/19/2021 at 12:30 AM, wkucrprez said:

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-adds-separate-non-smoking-casino-on-three-ships/53411

 

READ THIS!  From John Heald's lips... the money we smokers spend in the casino makes it possible for you non smokers to be able to afford to vacation on Carnival. Smokers outspend nonsmokers in casinos by hundreds of percent. Instead of complaining about smoke inside the casino... you should be going up to a smoker and telling them thank you. They funded your vacation.

 

I just dropped over $15,000 on the Horizon the week of September 4th in the casino. I wouldn't have gotten on the ship if smoking if smoking wasn't allowed in there. I cruise Carnival BECAUSE I can smoke in their casinos. I lay on the Serenity deck during the day and I play in the casino and smoke cigarettes at night. 

 

Gamblers are keeping Carnival afloat right now as they always have. Do you actually Carnival is making a profit off your cruise fare?  I get so tired of the complaints about smoke in the casino on this forum.  If you don't like it...stay out of the casino.  It's that simple. Carnival will continue to cater to guests such as myself... they can't afford not to. The casino knows who I am... and they know I'm a smoker.

 

Smoke 'um if you got 'um!

 

And I appreciate you!

[1025cruise]

59 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

It's going to take a rival line going smoke free for Carnival to make a move. They're not going to be first on this. Of course their competition is likely saying the same thing in their meetings.

Celebrity already doesn't allow smoking anywhere indoors on their ships, including the casino.

[Don Kehote]

I am a dirty, dirty smoker.  I don't even really enjoy it much, honestly.  It's the only vice I have left.

 

That said, if you see me off "enjoying" a cigarette, in one of the designated areas that it's allowed, please keep comments to yourself.  If you feel the need to complain, remember that all you're doing is being a jerk.  A dirty, dirty jerk.  And I'll probably mock you.  Like, badly.

[robc1972]

just off MSC and was surprised a few days in that smoking wasnt allowed in the casino and that the air was nice and clean, instead of the thick choking stink on Royal and Carnival.

[mz-s]

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

Celebrity already doesn't allow smoking anywhere indoors on their ships, including the casino.

 

That is certainly a start, I wonder how big the overlap is between Carnival and Celebrity is however.

 

34 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

I am a dirty, dirty smoker.  I don't even really enjoy it much, honestly.  It's the only vice I have left.

 

That said, if you see me off "enjoying" a cigarette, in one of the designated areas that it's allowed, please keep comments to yourself.  If you feel the need to complain, remember that all you're doing is being a jerk.  A dirty, dirty jerk.  And I'll probably mock you.  Like, badly.

 

I think that's fair.

[mz-s]

On 9/19/2021 at 12:30 AM, wkucrprez said:

https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-adds-separate-non-smoking-casino-on-three-ships/53411

 

READ THIS!  From John Heald's lips... the money we smokers spend in the casino makes it possible for you non smokers to be able to afford to vacation on Carnival. Smokers outspend nonsmokers in casinos by hundreds of percent. Instead of complaining about smoke inside the casino... you should be going up to a smoker and telling them thank you. They funded your vacation.

 

I just dropped over $15,000 on the Horizon the week of September 4th in the casino. I wouldn't have gotten on the ship if smoking if smoking wasn't allowed in there. I cruise Carnival BECAUSE I can smoke in their casinos. I lay on the Serenity deck during the day and I play in the casino and smoke cigarettes at night. 

 

Gamblers are keeping Carnival afloat right now as they always have. Do you actually Carnival is making a profit off your cruise fare?  I get so tired of the complaints about smoke in the casino on this forum.  If you don't like it...stay out of the casino.  It's that simple. Carnival will continue to cater to guests such as myself... they can't afford not to. The casino knows who I am... and they know I'm a smoker.

 

Smoke 'um if you got 'um!

 

 

Your $15k donation I'm sure is greatly appreciated but even in these lean times, $15k is not the difference between feast and famine at Carnival headquarters.

[destiny217]

On 9/18/2021 at 4:10 PM, Earthworm Jim said:

 

Not likely if it would impact casino revenue. As I suspect it would.

Maryland has 5 casinos and all are non-smoking and revenues are higher than ever.

[BlerkOne]

On 9/19/2021 at 8:51 AM, EngIceDave said:

As a non-smoker, you ever tried one?

That weird almost nauseous buzz you get?

 

That's why non's smoke occasionally and while drinking, it's just part of the buzz.

 

That said, buzzed up gamblers is to the house's edge, why do you think they're so willing to ply you with free drinks? The bigger the gambler the better the booze brands and the stronger the drinks.

 

Happy buzzed players are good for the casino

Either you smoke or you don't.