RCCL New Smoking Policy Discussion (merged)

[DON M.]

As a smoker who never smokes in the cabin, this new rule does not effect me at all. But, as RCl well knows from its other rules (kids in the Solarium, dress codes, chair hogs, saving seats etc.) making rules is one thing enforcing them is quite another thing.

[SherriZ366]

 

But, why allow smoking on any balconies or outside on any ship. Remember the Princess fire last year, that they suggest started from a cigarette.

 

 

Dave

 

The fire hazard should be considered.

[OGCFreddie]

Hogwash. That just sounds like a child's tantrum.

Actually, It's not hogwash. I don't agree with trishalee's choice to cancel a cruise because of this issue, but some of the things said are very true. No matter how considerate a smoker is, someone will always be there complaining. I went into the dining room once with my cigarettes in my shirt pocket and a couple (who I didn't know) started lashing out at me that I could not smoke in there. I wasn't smoking but the wife that I needed to be tongue-lashed and it was up to her to teach me the rules. On the same cruise, a non-smoker came up to me while I was on deck in the smoking area and started complaining that the smoke was bothering her and her little darlings. Why was she over there anyway??

 

I truly believe that most smokers are very considerate and follow the rules. Like I said earlier, RCI is trying to please all of the people. Unfortunately, compromise is not a word know to a great number of non-smokers. They want it their way, or no way.

[Gracie115]

Do you suppose they will have "smoke police" walking the hallways and banging down the doors of "suspect" violators??? AH, but if they don't no doubt some over zealous passenger will be reporting every whiff of smoke they smell........

 

I run a resort hotel and it is nearly impossible to PROVE someone was smoking unless caught in the act. Charges can be assessed all they want but no credit card company will make them stick if protested by the cardholder unless the merchant can prove the charge is valid. I KNOW this to be true. Without the cig butt and ashes IN THE ROOM...you got NOTHING!!

 

I am a non smoker, I don't care if people smoke on balconies, its never bothered me and all the hollering here about it is absurd. I've spent hours on my balcony and never smelled anything....well, not true.... sitting in some ports the balcony air can smell pretty bad and has NOTHING to do with anyone smoking......more to do with the "local" pollution going on....

 

The no smoking policy is a good one and it will cut down on the problem immensely, leave it at that...there will ALWAYS be violators, but at least RCCL is trying to ease the problem. Quit complaining and try appreciating their efforts rather than find fault with it.

 

Just my humble opinion!!!:)

[Cruising89143]

As usual, the non-smoking crowd is already screaming because the new policy is not enough. It is NEVER enough!

 

I don't intend to "boycott" RCI - If they don't want my business, I'll just go elsewhere. After 15 wonderful cruises with them, we are cancelling our next - a 15 night to Hawaii. As stated above, this is only a widening of the rules already prevalent in restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. I want to spend my vacation enjoying what I enjoy, so we'll be going elsewhere. I always was condsiderate when smoking on our balcony, but I'll bet the fanatic crowd will be going ALL OUT to punish anyone daring to smoke out there in the open air

 

The non-smoking crowd has been so very vocal in the past few years; they seem to have had the time to make it their life's work to kick and scream about their RIGHTS. They don't care about fairness or consideration for anyone's rights except their own - no one else HAS any rights. Bye-bye, RCI. :mad:

 

What about the folks that do not want to be around your second hand smoke on the ship? I personally do not like it. Last week was the final straw for me. I was on a cruise and went to the casino during the day when it was very slow. I went to a slot machine that had no one around it. Next thing I knew here comes a person and plops down one machine away with a cigarette sticking out between her two fingers pointed directly at me. I had to be the one to get up and move due to the smoke going directly in my face. I don't want to breathe the stuff anymore so if you are that upset then so be it. I applaud RCI for taking what I hope is the first step to moving smokers outside to enjoy their addiction.

[DON M.]

This will without doubt, increase the smoking on balconies. Does Rcl have "plastic" dividers. The cruise industry has listed these dividers as one of the top fire hazzards of cruise ships.

[alcheme]

Actually, It's not hogwash. I don't agree with trishalee's choice to cancel a cruise because of this issue, but some of the things said are very true. No matter how considerate a smoker is, someone will always be there complaining.

 

OK. Perhaps I should have elaborated more, because of course you're correct. There are rude people in the world; rude smokers, rude non-smokers, rude people of all walks of life. There are also a lot of considerate people in the world. My eye-rolling at trishalee's post was about the way she chose to describe "the non-smoking crowd" as acting that way. That's just as offensive as suggesting that all smokers are rude and don't care how much smoke they blow in your face.

[Captain Jake]

Actually, It's not hogwash. I don't agree with trishalee's choice to cancel a cruise because of this issue, but some of the things said are very true. No matter how considerate a smoker is, someone will always be there complaining. I went into the dining room once with my cigarettes in my shirt pocket and a couple (who I didn't know) started lashing out at me that I could not smoke in there. I wasn't smoking but the wife that I needed to be tongue-lashed and it was up to her to teach me the rules. On the same cruise, a non-smoker came up to me while I was on deck in the smoking area and started complaining that the smoke was bothering her and her little darlings. Why was she over there anyway??

 

I truly believe that most smokers are very considerate and follow the rules. Like I said earlier, RCI is trying to please all of the people. Unfortunately, compromise is not a word know to a great number of non-smokers. They want it their way, or no way.

 

Actually theres little doubt its the other way around.While I agree the high majority of smokers are courteous to point a finger at non-smokers seems at being less compromising is silly.I find it out of line to be lashed for smoking on the smoking side but its not like the 2 thousand or so non smokers attacked you.Percentage wise the jerks amoung smokers and non are probably equal.Heck I could give you stories about smokers who acted like jerks but it was only a couple out of 500 smokers ,yours was a couple out of 2 thousand non

[SharonCruise]

I have cancelled our cruise slated for November 16, 2008. When I spoke with the PVP to cancel and told her I would like it noted that I was cancelling because of the new smoking policy slated to begin January 2008. She told me that the phone lines have been swamped today with other callers cancelling their cruises or phoning in their displeasure.

 

This isn't a temper tantrum as another poster stated about about someone else's post, it is simply that I CAN smoke in my stateroom (if I so choose) on Carnival and Princess and that will be where I choose to spend my vacation dollars.

 

So if a non-smoker wants 9690 on the Mariner for next November, go snatch it up!

 

Sharon

[negc]

This will without doubt, increase the smoking on balconies. Does Rcl have "plastic" dividers. The cruise industry has listed these dividers as one of the top fire hazzards of cruise ships.

 

I'm not positive but I remember that after the Star Princess fire,when Princess decided that they should add sprinklers to their ship balconies and replace the balconies, flooring, furniture and dividers that were found to be made of flammable materials, RCI reported that their balconies contained materials that were not flammable. Never did see anything from Princess explaining why they used flammable materials in the first place.:( I do wonder if restricting smoking to balconies won't increase the number of incidents where careless folks discard their cigarettes by tossing them over the side.:rolleyes:

[Barb C]

This could be a mixed bag......the balconies will be too hard to get. I'm happy the cruise ships are going in the right direciton but allowing smoking on the balcony seems to defeat the purpose.

[SherriZ366]

I'm not positive but I remember that after the Star Princess fire,when Princess decided that they should add sprinklers to their ship balconies and replace the balconies, flooring, furniture and dividers that were found to be made of flammable materials, RCI reported that their balconies contained materials that were not flammable. Never did see anything from Princess explaining why they used flammable materials in the first place.:( I do wonder if restricting smoking to balconies won't increase the number of incidents where careless folks discard their cigarettes by tossing them over the side.:rolleyes:

Hope that you are right about the non-flammable materials. Has anyone heard anything about sprinklers on RCI?

[Alexru12]

:cool: if you want to smoke in your cabin, all you have to do is... go in the bathroom, turn the shower water on as hot as it will go ....and light up.... smoke goes away with the steam.... didn't anyone sneak smokes as a kid?:cool:

[aqhacruiser]

First, for those that leave their balcony doors open, note that you are violating another one of those pesky rules. There are signs in the staterooms that specifically ask that you not leave your balcony doors open. This costs them a lot of money in environmental controls as the A/C runs and most of that cool air is sucked out into the Caribbean. So, the smoke should only be wafting in when you open and close your door. That amount of smoke is unlikely to cause problems or linger. If you leave your balcony door open, then you are in danger of being charged a cleaning fee **SHOULD** smoke happen to get in and permeate the porous surfaces to the point that someone in the future would complain. Usually, that amount of smoke would not be an irritant.

 

FYI, Marriott does accommodate some smokers. Most facilities have a number of rooms on the first floor that have walk out patios. As long as those rooms are available, they use those to accommodate smokers who can then go out on the patio to smoke. Those patrons can go in and come out and provided they don't leave the patio door open and sit right outside blowing their smoke into the doorway, it doesn't seem to contaminate the room. I have spoken to smokers who have had this option and have yet to hear of anyone that has been charged a cleaning fee for smoking out on the patio.

 

This is just another straw man argument. If you don't break the rules by smoking inside or leaving your balcony door open, then you shouldn't have a problem. If you break either rule and get "caught" then you shouldn't complain. If the policy is that repugnant to you, then as with some of the other smokers, choose another line. I, personally think that the number of smokers affected will be significantly smaller than the roughly 24% of the American public that is reputed to be smokers. I personally think that you are talking about significantly less than 5% of the cruising population will be affected and care. Compared to the significantly larger population of non-smokers who care and who have communicated with RCI, I think that RCI has made the right move for the majority of their business patrons.

 

There may be signs on some RCCL ships about keeping doors closed when A/C is on but its not on all the RCCL ships. There are no signs on the Explorer I can tell you that for certain. There are no rules on any of the RCCL ships saying you must keep your balcony door closed without the A/C on so people will leave doors open when smoking on the balcony. There really is going to be very little change for balcony/suite guests that smoke. The cleaning charges are going to directly impact those that like to smoke that book interiors and OV rooms not the balcony/suite guests. Unlike the Marriot guests that use the patio, guests on ships do not have the luxury of walking/sitting more than 4 feet from the balcony door. I agree with the other poster that said it's just a wink to the balcony/suite guests that book those cabins. They can say to the non smokers we gave you smoke free cabins and still turn to smokers and say you can smoke on all the balconys. Non smokers can't complain about smoke on the balconys as they have smoke free cabins and smokers can't complain they can't smoke as they have all the balconys. I'm sure RCCL thinks they found the perfect solution! :) However smokers and non smokers will continue to fight about it on the board but I've yet to hear anyone complain about either while onboard.:) There is no cruiseship in the world that is ever going to please all it's guests and all they can do is offer a compromise and that's exactly what RCCL did.

[alcheme]

I don't get all the comments from people saying that smokers will just go out on the balcony and leave the door open. I'm not saying that will never happen, but why wouldn't they close their balcony door, while they're smoking. That's the behavior I've always seen from people who smoke outdoors in other settings. They don't leave the door wide open, when they go outside. :confused:

[Cruising89143]

There may be signs on some RCCL ships about keeping doors closed when A/C is on but its not on all the RCCL ships. There are no signs on the Explorer I can tell you that for certain. There are no rules on any of the RCCL ships saying you must keep your balcony door closed without the A/C on so people will leave doors open when smoking on the balcony. There really is going to be very little change for balcony/suite guests that smoke. The cleaning charges are going to directly impact those that like to smoke that book interiors and OV rooms not the balcony/suite guests. Unlike the Marriot guests that use the patio, guests on ships do not have the luxury of walking/sitting more than 4 feet from the balcony door. I agree with the other poster that said it's just a wink to the balcony/suite guests that book those cabins. They can say to the non smokers we gave you smoke free cabins and still turn to smokers and say you can smoke on all the balconys. Non smokers can't complain about smoke on the balconys as they have smoke free cabins and smokers can't complain they can't smoke as they have all the balconys. I'm sure RCCL thinks they found the perfect solution! :) However smokers and non smokers will continue to fight about it on the board but I've yet to hear anyone complain about either while onboard.:) There is no cruiseship in the world that is ever going to please all it's guests and all they can do is offer a compromise and that's exactly what RCCL did.

 

The cruise lines should not even have to post a sign. Common sense should prevail here. How many folks open up their doors at home and leave the AC running?

[Compass Rose]

It is so wonderful thta RCI is finally blasting off into the 21st century! Thank you!

[OGCFreddie]

OK. Perhaps I should have elaborated more, because of course you're correct. There are rude people in the world; rude smokers, rude non-smokers, rude people of all walks of life. There are also a lot of considerate people in the world. My eye-rolling at trishalee's post was about the way she chose to describe "the non-smoking crowd" as acting that way. That's just as offensive as suggesting that all smokers are rude and don't care how much smoke they blow in your face.

My apologies if I misinterpreted your meaning. Thank you for the clarification. Have a good one!!

[aqhacruiser]

Do you suppose they will have "smoke police" walking the hallways and banging down the doors of "suspect" violators??? AH, but if they don't no doubt some over zealous passenger will be reporting every whiff of smoke they smell........

 

I run a resort hotel and it is nearly impossible to PROVE someone was smoking unless caught in the act. Charges can be assessed all they want but no credit card company will make them stick if protested by the cardholder unless the merchant can prove the charge is valid. I KNOW this to be true. Without the cig butt and ashes IN THE ROOM...you got NOTHING!!

 

I am a non smoker, I don't care if people smoke on balconies, its never bothered me and all the hollering here about it is absurd. I've spent hours on my balcony and never smelled anything....well, not true.... sitting in some ports the balcony air can smell pretty bad and has NOTHING to do with anyone smoking......more to do with the "local" pollution going on....

 

The no smoking policy is a good one and it will cut down on the problem immensely, leave it at that...there will ALWAYS be violators, but at least RCCL is trying to ease the problem. Quit complaining and try appreciating their efforts rather than find fault with it.

 

Just my humble opinion!!!:)

 

Exactly, credit cards will never honor the charges unless the ship could prove it was a valid charge namely a person being caught by an employee while smoking in a cabin. I would have preferred that RCCL did not do this as it will cause other issues but it does seem to be a fair compromise for both sides. If too many cancel like we've read here, they will allow smoking again in the cabins. Non smokers may choose to go over to the RCCL Azamara non smoking ships where its not allowed in the cabin or balcony but on limited areas onboard. No one can say RCCL does not offer a completely non smoking option with Azamara.

[DON M.]

The cruise lines should not even have to post a sign. Common sense should prevail here. How many folks open up their doors at home and leave the AC running?

 

Your assuming on all cruises is AC is running?

[Cruising89143]

Your assuming on all cruises is AC is running?

 

Yes I am as I have read too many posts on these same boards about folks leaving their balcony doors open with the AC running. The same thing when I cruised Carnival. They would bring magnets so they could override the sensor. :rolleyes:

[Marley-Bop]

Does anyone know how this new policy will work with UK cruisers. In the UK, once our deposit is paid, if we cancel we lose our deposits. Will RCCL allow refunds of deposits for UK cruisers unhappy about the change in policies?

 

Chubbas XX

[rsscaptain]

The cruise lines should not even have to post a sign. Common sense should prevail here. How many folks open up their doors at home and leave the AC running?

 

Many caribbean hotels are open air and still run air conditioning. Not ideal but done every day. I think people on vacation do lots of things they don't do at home. If I want to open my balcony door, I will open it. I'll also eat that peice of cheesecake that I refrain from at home. :p

[OGCFreddie]

Your assuming on all cruises is AC is running?

From what I've heard, the A/C has nothing to do with it. I'm sure that RCI doesn't like the power wasted, but there was a thread a while back that explained that when the balcony door is open it can cause an unbelievable suction if the cabin door is opened. That can result in towels, papers, passports, etc. being carried out onto the sea.

[SALTYBILL]

Having a smoking section anywhere is like having a PEEING section in the pool.