Vaping in Casino on Equinox

[NMTraveller]

There are ways that the vapers tend to get around the sensors.  I have no desire to publish them here...

[clojacks]

I might be missing something here, but in 15 or so Celebrity cruises, the demographic has never struck me as being a Vaping type of crowd. I don't want to get into what a potential Vaper looks like to me, but it sure isn't  a 50's to 70's couple who might be recently retired from good careers. I realize that doesn't represent ALL Celebrity cruisers, but it probably is a pretty significant % of the typical Celebrity passengers. I just don't see the Casino over spilling into the Hallways with Vapers who can't find a slot machine open. To be up front, I would be thrilled if Celebrity banned smoking, EVERYWHERE, but I'm going to speculate there isn't going to be enough Vaping in the Casino for it to even be noticeable 2 slot machine rows over from someone Vaping. Just my 2 cents.

[phoenix_dream]

9 minutes ago, clojacks said:

I might be missing something here, but in 15 or so Celebrity cruises, the demographic has never struck me as being a Vaping type of crowd. I don't want to get into what a potential Vaper looks like to me, but it sure isn't  a 50's to 70's couple who might be recently retired from good careers. I realize that doesn't represent ALL Celebrity cruisers, but it probably is a pretty significant % of the typical Celebrity passengers. I just don't see the Casino over spilling into the Hallways with Vapers who can't find a slot machine open. To be up front, I would be thrilled if Celebrity banned smoking, EVERYWHERE, but I'm going to speculate there isn't going to be enough Vaping in the Casino for it to even be noticeable 2 slot machine rows over from someone Vaping. Just my 2 cents.

IMHO that's exactly the point. Vaping is very popular with the younger crowd.  Celebrity is trying to attract a younger crowd.  So do the math.  Some believe (and Celebrity claims) this trial is due to requests from casino players, with no information to back that up, even on sites or posts from Blue Chip cruisers.  I think it is to try to attract a younger crowd.

[NMTraveller]

11 minutes ago, clojacks said:

I might be missing something here, but in 15 or so Celebrity cruises, the demographic has never struck me as being a Vaping type of crowd. I don't want to get into what a potential Vaper looks like to me, but it sure isn't  a 50's to 70's couple who might be recently retired from good careers. I realize that doesn't represent ALL Celebrity cruisers, but it probably is a pretty significant % of the typical Celebrity passengers. I just don't see the Casino over spilling into the Hallways with Vapers who can't find a slot machine open. To be up front, I would be thrilled if Celebrity banned smoking, EVERYWHERE, but I'm going to speculate there isn't going to be enough Vaping in the Casino for it to even be noticeable 2 slot machine rows over from someone Vaping. Just my 2 cents.

Celebrity is going for a much younger demographic.  They just added waterslides a couple of weeks ago.  Hamburgers in the MDR a month ago, etc, etc.   They seem to be competing with Royal which does have a younger  demographic.

[the penguins]

9 minutes ago, clojacks said:

I might be missing something here, but in 15 or so Celebrity cruises, the demographic has never struck me as being a Vaping type of crowd. I don't want to get into what a potential Vaper looks like to me, but it sure isn't  a 50's to 70's couple who might be recently retired from good careers. I realize that doesn't represent ALL Celebrity cruisers, but it probably is a pretty significant % of the typical Celebrity passengers. I just don't see the Casino over spilling into the Hallways with Vapers who can't find a slot machine open. To be up front, I would be thrilled if Celebrity banned smoking, EVERYWHERE, but I'm going to speculate there isn't going to be enough Vaping in the Casino for it to even be noticeable 2 slot machine rows over from someone Vaping. Just my 2 cents.

It's the table games that will cause the issues.

We play Roulette and will not play if we have to sit next to passengers vaping.

The same will apply to Black Jack, Craps and Poker

[clojacks]

6 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

IMHO that's exactly the point. Vaping is very popular with the younger crowd.  Celebrity is trying to attract a younger crowd.  So do the math.  Some believe (and Celebrity claims) this trial is due to requests from casino players, with no information to back that up, even on sites or posts from Blue Chip cruisers.  I think it is to try to attract a younger crowd.

And a younger demo isn't going to happen overnight. I just think the cancelling cruises etc because of a decision that might not see any actual onboard impact for a few year is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

[the penguins]

4 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

IMHO that's exactly the point. Vaping is very popular with the younger crowd.  Celebrity is trying to attract a younger crowd.  So do the math.  Some believe (and Celebrity claims) this trial is due to requests from casino players, with no information to back that up, even on sites or posts from Blue Chip cruisers.  I think it is to try to attract a younger crowd.

So far there has been no evidence that X  sought anyone's views on this subject before the current trial was started.

Blue Chip did not promote these cruises as "vaping permitted".

Blue Chips claim that Casino Players who vape have indicated that they would like to vape in the Casino is hardly a surprise.I suspect the same passengers would say that being allowed to vape in the theatre, in Al Bacio and on their balconies would also "enhance their enjoyment" 

X did not make any announcements that the trial would take place and did not give anyone the option to cancel.

If it is a  trial so far there has been no indication  of this on board. The notes in the Daily Programme simply refer to the fact that vaping is permitted. Where is the questionnaire seeking passengers views on this specific issue ?

[phoenix_dream]

8 minutes ago, clojacks said:

And a younger demo isn't going to happen overnight. I just think the cancelling cruises etc because of a decision that might not see any actual onboard impact for a few year is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

I would sincerely hope that you are correct.  I really hate the idea of vaping.  But I have to tell you that the younger demo is already happening quite a bit.  On all of our recent cruises (and there have been many) we have seen way more people of a younger age, and way more kids than we ever have before in our 30 years and 75+ cruises on Celebrity, in particular on the Edge class ships.  I also am skeptical of how many people will actually be cancelling a cruise because of this change.  There will be some of course.  But its easy to say something like that on Facebook and harder to get hit with the cancellation fees of doing that.  Once again, I very much hope you are right but I am skeptical.

[the penguins]

9 minutes ago, clojacks said:

And a younger demo isn't going to happen overnight. I just think the cancelling cruises etc because of a decision that might not see any actual onboard impact for a few year is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

If vaping is permitted in the casinos on all ships the impact will be immediate. 

If the "test" ends in vaping being allowed in any  casino we will not gamble in those venues.

If vaping is extended to other areas we will no cruise Celebrity.

 

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said:

I also am skeptical of how many people will actually be cancelling a cruise because of this change.  There will be some of course.  But its easy to say something like that on Facebook and harder to get hit with the cancellation fees of doing that.  Once again, I very much hope you are right but I am skeptical.

You typically don't cancel a cruise.  There are too many fees and a big commitment in time and money.

 

However you sure can select a different cruise line the next time around.  The impact to Celebrity will not be immediate,  but I would expect to see some impact in the next year or two.

[phoenix_dream]

17 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

You typically don't cancel a cruise.  There are too many fees and a big commitment in time and money.

 

However you sure can select a different cruise line the next time around.  The impact to Celebrity will not be immediate,  but I would expect to see some impact in the next year or two.

I guess we'll see.  Or better yet, hope the test fails and it is not implemented.  I just am not sure there will be a noticeable impact if it stays.  I think the younger people who are sailing more and more with Celebrity may just balance out the older and perhaps more loyal people who are deciding to go elsewhere.  Unfortunately, Celebrity is not alone in allowing smoking (or in this case vaping) of some type onboard.  I know there are some lines that still don't allow it in the casino, but many do.  And I've heard some people talk about going to the more premium lines (which often don't allow smoking, or even have a casino) but there really is a pretty significant price difference, as well as overall experience difference so who knows how that will work.

[39august]

I think the key to this is whether those currently on board these two ships are commenting on this "test". I use the comment cards during the cruise rather than waiting for the generic e-mail critique after the cruise. I  have only used these as a complaint once, as my comments are usually to praise a particular service person.  But the one time I had a concern generated amazing response 

[NMTraveller]

19 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

I guess we'll see.  Or better yet, hope the test fails and it is not implemented.  I just am not sure there will be a noticeable impact if it stays.  I think the younger people who are sailing more and more with Celebrity may just balance out the older and perhaps more loyal people who are deciding to go elsewhere.  Unfortunately, Celebrity is not alone in allowing smoking (or in this case vaping) of some type onboard.  I know there are some lines that still don't allow it in the casino, but many do.  And I've heard some people talk about going to the more premium lines (which often don't allow smoking, or even have a casino) but there really is a pretty significant price difference, as well as overall experience difference so who knows how that will work.

I think that they had a market niche that caused most of us loyal cruisers to just book the next cruise without question while on board.  I am not sure that is the case anymore as the differences between the other mass market lines have been minimized.

 

Only time will tell.

 

If they are marketing towards Royal cruisers where does Royal get their replacements from?  Still the same company.

Edited July 16, 2023 by NMTraveller

[MamaFej]

 

51 minutes ago, 39august said:

I think the key to this is whether those currently on board these two ships are commenting on this "test".

 

On one hand, it does seem as if those of us not onboard are at the mercy of the folks who are onboard during the test period, and what they may or may not write in their surveys about vaping in the casinos.

 

On the other hand, it seems pretty clear that this eight week "test" will not result in any acutally useful data. Passengers certainly did not make the decisions to book or not book these few cruises based on a vaping policy they had no way of knowing would be implemented. My second grade students understood the Scientific Method well enough to know that an experiment like this is pointless. I imagine the executives at X do as well. 

No matter what any feedback actually is, X can simply say, "Wow! Our passengers sure do love having vaping in the casinos, we are going to implement it fleet-wide!" I suppose that's true of any policy; it's not as though the surveys are made public. It's just more blatant in this case. 

[MamaFej]

48 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

I think that they had a market niche that caused most of us loyal cruisers to just book the next cruise without question while on board.  I am not sure that is the case anymore as the differences between the other mass market lines have been minimized.

 

Only time will tell.

 

If they are marketing towards Royal cruisers where does Royal get their replacements from?  Still the same company.

The price difference between Celebrity and lines like Azamara, Viking, and Oceania have been minimized as well.

 

I wasn't a Business major, but charging more whilst delivering less seems like an odd strategy to me. Maybe that's why their head-hunters don't have me on speed-dial. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[neverlaysup]

On 7/13/2023 at 10:25 AM, JLMcruise said:

Will be on Mille for 2 weeks in August. Interested to speak with the staff on board and what they think regarding vaping. We have another final payment due on September 1st for the Equinox. We may not be making that final payment and asking for our deposit to be refunded if Celebrity does change the policy and regarding indoors vaping/smoking in the casinos. 

Just off the Millie and there was NO smoking or vaping in the casino. It's still only a test on two S class ships. 

[Gracie115]

9 hours ago, MamaFej said:

 I wasn't a Business major, but charging more whilst delivering less seems like an odd strategy to me. 

 

Truth.    I'm not a business major either....and right now i'm betting the same is true of those making these decisions for Celebrity. Only time will tell if it works....in the meantime we aren't even looking at X sailings anymore, next 3 trips on other lines. (This after 30 plus on X)

[Charles4515]

55 minutes ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Truth.    I'm not a business major either....and right now i'm betting the same is true of those making these decisions for Celebrity. Only time will tell if it works....in the meantime we aren't even looking at X sailings anymore, next 3 trips on other lines. (This after 30 plus on X)

Marketing will spin it as an enhancement. 

[clojacks]

12 hours ago, MamaFej said:

The price difference between Celebrity and lines like Azamara, Viking, and Oceania have been minimized as well.

 

I wasn't a Business major, but charging more whilst delivering less seems like an odd strategy to me. Maybe that's why their head-hunters don't have me on speed-dial. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Unless I am missing something, aren't all 3 of those still significantly more than Celebrity IF you are comparing apples to apples? For us, Celebrity is affordable to regularly sail with their worts and all. The other 3 would be a once to treat ourselves before we are done sailing type experience. I guess what I haven't seen anywhere in this thread, or I have missed it, is WHO out of the mainstream, non-premium lines, doesn't allow either smoking or vaping somewhere designated on board, or doesn't allow it in the casino's...which appears to be the area of concern for a number of posters?

 

I may have mentioned earlier, I am a non-smoker, and one of my happiest memories in adulthood was when it was banned in bars where I lived when younger. 

Edited July 16, 2023 by clojacks

[zitsky]

1 hour ago, clojacks said:

Unless I am missing something, aren't all 3 of those still significantly more than Celebrity IF you are comparing apples to apples? For us, Celebrity is affordable to regularly sail with their worts and all. The other 3 would be a once to treat ourselves before we are done sailing type experience. I guess what I haven't seen anywhere in this thread, or I have missed it, is WHO out of the mainstream, non-premium lines, doesn't allow either smoking or vaping somewhere designated on board, or doesn't allow it in the casino's...which appears to be the area of concern for a number of posters?

 

I may have mentioned earlier, I am a non-smoker, and one of my happiest memories in adulthood was when it was banned in bars where I lived when younger. 

Celebrity is redefining who the mainstream is.  At least in the casino.  I don’t want to see vaping in cabins or balconies.

[clojacks]

16 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Celebrity is redefining who the mainstream is.  At least in the casino.  I don’t want to see vaping in cabins or balconies.

Are you saying Celebrity is not mainstream? I guess you’ve confused me….

[zitsky]

5 minutes ago, clojacks said:

Are you saying Celebrity is not mainstream? I guess you’ve confused me….

I’m saying that Celebrity is redefining mainstream to mean younger passengers who gamble and vape or smoke on the ship inside AND outside of the casino.  I expect this vaping test to be expanded.  No, I do not work for Celebrity.

Edited July 16, 2023 by zitsky

[clojacks]

14 minutes ago, zitsky said:

I’m saying that Celebrity is redefining mainstream to mean younger passengers who gamble and vape or smoke on the ship inside AND outside of the casino.  I expect this vaping test to be expanded.  No, I do not work for Celebrity.

I guess I don't view that as "redefining mainstream". I view it more as broadening their current demographic. I guess I couldn't fault any cruiseline for broadening their current demo, but the slippery slope is to do it without alienating a significant portion of their predominating demo.

[39august]

I believe there are several HAL ships with no smoking or vaping in the casinos.  That will most likely be our next adventure after the 5 X cruises we have booked...when vaping becomes allowed in the casino. 

[NMTraveller]

15 minutes ago, clojacks said:

I view it more as broadening their current demographic. I guess I couldn't fault any cruiseline for broadening their current demo, but the slippery slope is to do it without alienating a significant portion of their predominating demo.

Broadening or changing?  I view it as changing.

 

The more mature demographic seeks a more upscale cruise.

 

There is a reason I switched from Royal.  If Celebrity is the new Royal then it is time to switch to a better line.

Edited July 16, 2023 by NMTraveller