RCCL New Smoking Policy Discussion (merged)

[rsscaptain]

Well since RC changed the rules, I would certainly think you would get your deposit back..........as with the others, let us know how this one turns out.........and keep that old brochure:)

 

LOL Brochure? You mean everyone doen't just use the website for the real information? LOL

 

Love it!

[dc-snoopy]

By saying I don't think so are you saying:

 

1- there WON'T be more smoke in the casino?

2- there WON'T be more smoke drifting from other balconies?

 

and those are not a lose situation for non-smokers?

 

I'm not bashing you.... just curious

 

Frankly this doesn't effect me, my wife doesn't smoke in the cabin ...I'm in the casino for about 45 min per cruise.

 

No...sorry, I included more than I should have. I meant that i don't think it is a lose/lose situation. Although some of the effects that you cite are true, I think the effect of having non-smoking cabins and at least one non-smoking bar will help in the long run rather than hurt.

 

There is a large cry from non-smokers for non-smoking facilities. Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not, the number of non-smokers looking for such facilities is ever growing. There are former smokers who have to avoid the smoke or it induces cravings. There are non-smokers who are allergic. There are non-smokers who think they are allergic. There are non-smokers who claim/want to be allergic. And they comprise a significant majority of travelers (at least American travelers). You will note that there is a trend towards non-smoking facilities. That is because the militant non-smokers are a huge market demographic that corporations are trying to woo to their businesses. I don't delude myself into thinking that there is any corporate altruism for the public health. It boils down to a growing population of non-smokers who will specifically target non-smoking facilities. And unfortunately, that demographic is larger than those who look for facilities that offer smoking facilities. As long as there are options for smokers, you will find the huge group in the middle will go with the flow and will not choose based on this issue at all. But non-smoking facilities are drawing from a larger and growing pool of patrons who care and hence a larger pool of disposable income.

 

For many of us, we cannot choose where we sleep on board, but we can choose where we visit. So, it is more important to have a smoke-free stateroom than any other location on-deck. I can avoid almost all other places.

[DON M.]

Don M is actually correct. The carcinogens in the smoke do not become cancer all by themselves. They must first interact with a human cell, and there very well may need to be certain genetic traits within those cells for that interaction to result in cancer. But if you cut through the technicalities, does it really matter whether the smoke causes the cancer or contributes to the cancer?[/quote

Your clarification is absolutely true. Smoking, a possible risk factor, combined with overwight, high-blood pressure, stress, no excersise, bad genes, bad DNA etc. etc is probably an early death-sentence. 60 min. about 6 years ago did one of those tests where you deduct so many years off your life for certain things- the #1 thing (take off 6 years) was for SLEEPING to much. I will always remember this study, because I should have been dead 5 years ago.

[vator90]

As a smoker, I can live with this. I can STILL smoke in the casino.

[cruisinfanatic]

Sent e-mail asking them about their smoking policy. I asked if I can only afford ocean view, will they be paying the difference for a balcony (I don't think so). Also, reminded them that smokers do not jump overboard. I suggest all smokers e-mail them before this board gets out of hand. Let you know if I get a reply.

Hope you weren't rude. Lots of b*****ng about that around here lately.

[cruisinfanatic]

Hi Sharon

 

I will post the outcome of this and have full intentions of cancelling my cruise. I would never have booked the cruise if this smoking policy had been in place at the time of booking. I would have chosen somewhere I can relax and enjoy my holiday.

 

Chubbas XX

You can't be bothered to go outside to smoke?

[Jeano222]

When I click on those links RCCL says page not available??

[Bakincakes]

As a smoker, I can live with this. I can STILL smoke in the casino.

 

 

Not for long, if the nons have their way.:p

[wenchcat]

I am not a smoker and have not been for over 15 years. This is going to effect my family though. We were going to book another MOS cruise for next August but we were going to bring my MIL to help care for our autistic son. Unfortunately she does smoke. We will now have to look toward another line I think to accomodate her habit. I don't like it but we are not taking our son with us on this year's trip because we did not have help. We finally have talked her into going next year and her only request was that she be able to smoke in her room. Now with the change RCL may lose our cruise.

 

I personally LOVE the new ruling as I don't like the smell of smoke but I am now torn both ways

[TEXASMUNK]

RABID.

 

No matter what, there is a cadre of people who will find fault.

[Marley-Bop]

Cruisinfanatic

 

I just got back off the Navigator where the seas were so rough over the bay of biscay, nearly all of the outer decks were closed for safety reasons. The bars were packed and there was nowhere to sit in any smoking areas, other than stand in the gangways next to a smoking area blowing my smoke over non-smokers, where else is there to go???

 

Anyway, my point is not where to go to smoke, it is they changed the rules not me so can I have a refund please so that I can book somewhere more smoker friendly.

 

Chubbas XX

[Gracie115]

alcheme-

 

no it's not...it's coming from those non-smokers who seem convinced that smoke on the balconies will completely inundate the sides of the ships and make balconies uninhabitable....well that's a bit of an exaggeration but there have been more than a few posts on this thread from those who seem positive that no balcony will be worth occupying ever again.....

 

me? I'm just happy being on a ship....if I smell a little smoke, no problem, I just move away and find a better spot........:) :D

[Jeano222]

That's kind of a scary thought about Cabin Steward saying you did when you didn't. Maybe the cruise line gives a bonus to cabin stewards that report smokers. Oi!!

[The Viking]

If smokers go from inside cabins to balconies, the price will go up because of much higher demand. The number of people who will go with no less than balcony will remain the same and when you add smokers the request for balconies will increase and peice the Cruise Lines can charge more and still fill he balcony rooms.

[AFT_LOVER]

as they are non-smoking in hotels, restaurants, all indoor locations. Even sporting events are nonsmoking. $108/carton for cigarettes too. Over $10 a pack.

 

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:

[cruzin princess]

It seems most of the b----ing has to do with smoking on the balcony. This is outside and I don't understand your complaints.

 

You have a totally smoke-free lounge to go to now and all of the smokers have to either smoke on the starboard side of the ship or on their balcony. Still have to sit in the smoking section of selected lounges.

 

I really am beginning to think that all of you non-smokers just like to hear yourselves talk! Chill out and give the smokers a break.

 

I can honestly say that 99% of the smokers are very courteous and go out of their way to not smoke in small cramped spaces.

 

If you don't like the new rules go to Azamara or Oceania.

[ORANGEinINDY]

.....they have never had anyone fall over board because they smoked too much.

OHH.. you mean cigarettes,.....right??:D .... now I get it:eek: :eek: :D

[Marley-Bop]

who says you can't get a refund. Your cruise is plenty far enogh away to avoid penalies. You could quit too. Food is really very good when you can taste it.

 

 

RCCL UK say I cant have a refund, they have different rules for the UK to the US and thanks for your concerns about my health.

 

Chubbas XX

[Chris3679]

To all of you antismoking zealots who are so quick to gloat about this I suggest you pay careful attention to the feedback you are hearing from smokers because you will soon realize that even though smokers are the minority, RCI needs both smokers and non-smokers to maintain the successful status they currently have. It's a delicate balance and if you eliminate one segement of the population who will go elsewhere to spend their vacation dollars, it will be a financial disaster.

 

I cancelled my cabin on a group cruise for February and it has caused a domino effect. We usually have over 100 people joining our yearly cruise. Even though the majority of the group are nonsmokers, all families in the group have at least one family member who is a smoker and who is now unwilling to cruise.

 

Today I will sell my RCI stock and unsubscribe from all cruise message boards. I called American Express to dispute and refund the "next cruise" option I purchased on my last cruise because I don't expect RCI to offer a refund for their "bait and switch."

 

I noticed that Alice Norsworthy, Senior Vice President of Marketing who is quoted in the Press Release is a transplant from NON-SMOKING Disney so no surprise there. Will we see Mickey Mouse ears on Royal Caribbean's smokestacks soon?

 

The new smoking FAQ's outlining their policy is a joke and sounds too complicated with too many added loopholes to follow on what should be a relaxing vacation.

[Autumnrose]

Agreed...and I just got an email from a friend of mine who is a stockholder for RCI.....she and a group of friends(smokers) are outraged.

 

They are cruising in November,20 of them are going on the same cruise and are taking extra, cheap, perfumes and aftershaves with them and are planning on "marinating" themselves in them. I cannot imagine the smell of that stuff. The crew on that ship will have to fumigate every elevator they get on.

 

Hope no one with asthma is on that ship.:eek:

 

I wouldn't mind going on the cruise. I think I would have fun throwing up on each of them. I hope they make themselves sick by putting on that much perfume because while others can move away from them they will be stuck with themselves. I agree that this is pretty childish. Besides why punish everyone when not everyone has complained about smoke. I am not a smoker and I do not like the smell of it but I can put up with it if I have to. I have never been bothered by cigarette smoke on any of my cruises. Although on my last cruise I wondered into the smoking area and stopped for a few minutes at the railing. I didn't stay long because the evil looks I got from the smokers for envading their area. It's not like I went there complaining about smoking, coughing, or waving my hand in front of my face. I could have cared less. But the looks were unbelievable.

[ChoosinCruisin]

For those of you who have chosen to contact the cruise line, what happens to those of you who have already booked cruises prior to this new rule? Are you "grandfathered" in because your booking date preceded the policy?

[LHP]

I just hope Carnival follows suit SOON so all the smokers don't come over there!

 

As far as enforcement, of course, they can enforce it. They have been doing it for years on Disney, Oceania, now Azamara and even Carnival when the Paradise was non-smoking.

 

All it takes is for a neighbor to complain and as we all know, cruisers are the best at making sure the rules are enforced! Security opens the door...and the stench will give them away. You don't need "butts" when the smell will knock you down.

 

Seriously though, one reason that has not been mentioned has been the increase over the years of complaints of smoke in the hallways. Not even smokers want to sit in a haze of their own waste and open their cabin doors to "air out" their cabin into the hallway. Since smoking is not allowed in the hallways (because to many children are present)... this is the only way to stop that practice.

[mclaire]

Not gonna change a thing, but I couldn't let the new policy pass without a response. We were told upon booking we could smoke in our cabin and just two days ago I received an e-mail saying they had no non-smoking cabins. You can smoke in your cabin and on your balcony! Of course we can cancel and get a full refund but we all (six of us) booked our air already on our own so that would be a problem. I realize we are in the minority as smokers but couldn't RCCL have phased in this new policy by making X number of rooms smoking? Flame away if you must...I'm really not a happy camper (or cruiser) at the moment.

[corona5657]

RCCL UK say I cant have a refund, they have different rules for the UK to the US and thanks for your concerns about my health.

 

Chubbas XX

 

Chubbas, I have been over and over this on the Azamara boards since April. I too am a smoker and when I booked my cruise I was able to smoke in my room and on the balcony. Then when I was switched to Azamara, a letter came stating NO smoking in rooms or balconies. We couldn' switch our dates so we were going. I have found a lot of people do not want to hear about our smoking, etc etc and like I said some get very rude with their comments. Especially the ones who tell me I am gonna die. It will never change. There will always be controversy. Anyway I hope you get your situation worked out. Good luck to you:D

[ORANGEinINDY]

Question from the other side of the pond, does that mean you didn't change the rules? Just wondering:)

I didnt move the goalposts!!!!!

 

Probably more of a term relating to American football.....