Celebrity might copy Azamara's strict smoking policy...

[florisdekort]

Received an email:

 

Celebrity Cruises is conducting a survey about a potential change in our onboard smoking policy, and we'd love to get your opinion on the subject.

Your answers will help Celebrity provide a better cruise experience. Thank you very much for participating.

 

First question in the survey:

 

Below is a new smoking policy under consideration for implementation on all Celebrity Cruises ships. Please read this paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

 

SMOKING POLICY ON BOARD

 

Smoking is permitted only in two designated areas of the ship. These areas are located in the disco/nightclub on the port (left) side, and on the starboard (right) forward section of the pool deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there. All other areas of the ship are non-smoking. This includes all public rooms, dining venues, theaters, hallways, elevators, outdoor decks, staterooms, suites, and verandas.

 

Don't shoot the messenger!

 

Best Regards,

Floris

[bububr]

We did the Quest and found most if not all complied with the smoking rules. There is however some discussion on the boards about the Crew as they were apparently able to smoke in the officers quarters leaving a smoky smell on Deck 7(?). While I smoke occassionally, Usually in the casino, I actually didn't feel the need to smoke on Quest. For one because the trip was only a 2 nighter and the other reason was that the smoking areas were PACKED with those who needed a fix and there was hardly room to walk by.

 

I could live with or without a new smoking policy.....It won't affect my cruise either way. I for the most part haven't seen people violating the rules as they are currently, although I have read posts about others who have.

 

Thanks for the update!

 

Dave:eek:

[usha]

If Celebrity does copy Azamara's smoking policy, all I can say is

:D :D yippie, yippie, yippie!:D :D

[Charles4515]

Received an email:

 

Celebrity Cruises is conducting a survey about a potential change in our onboard smoking policy, and we'd love to get your opinion on the subject.

Your answers will help Celebrity provide a better cruise experience. Thank you very much for participating.

 

First question in the survey:

 

Below is a new smoking policy under consideration for implementation on all Celebrity Cruises ships. Please read this paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

 

SMOKING POLICY ON BOARD

 

Smoking is permitted only in two designated areas of the ship. These areas are located in the disco/nightclub on the port (left) side, and on the starboard (right) forward section of the pool deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there. All other areas of the ship are non-smoking. This includes all public rooms, dining venues, theaters, hallways, elevators, outdoor decks, staterooms, suites, and verandas.

 

Don't shoot the messenger!

 

Best Regards,

Floris

 

If they did this I would choose to book Celebrity over any cruise line that did not have this policy.

[Muushka]

If they did this I would choose to book Celebrity over any cruise line that did not have this policy.

 

I'll second that.:)

[terrydtx]

If Celebrity does copy Azamara's smoking policy, all I can say is

:D :D yippie, yippie, yippie!:D :D

 

Yes this is great news I sure hope it is implemented by next September!!:D

[judyfssw]

While I applaud it, I have friends that are already booked for next November that will not come on the cruise. I know that they would like a verandah smoking area and if they're provided with those safe ashtrays, it wouldn't be a major problem. Also, to not allow smoking in the casino will be a problem with smokers.

[DaytonGirl]

WooHoo!

 

I wish they would send the survey to me! I so hope they make the change!

[ocngypz]

With Alaska a soft market.. and getting softer... and Europe softening for North Americans due to exchange rates, the beancounters won't be very happy unles they can raise rates.

 

During a recent ta on Cunard, they made the casino entirely non-smoking one night. You could have heard a pin drop in there.

 

With more berths coming online... and Asia and South America in the mix....

I can hear the calculators in Miami now!

[SusieV]

I'm surprised how much smoking seems linked to gambling in the USA. Here in Ontario, all casinos are smoke free. They have outdoor patios for smoking.

 

I haven't heard any complaints.

 

We would be very happy with limited smoking on ships. Our only concern is being able to use our verandah which may become difficult with smokers using the balcony on either side if they cannot smoke in cabin.

 

Just noticed this included verandahs too as smoke free- wow! Might cause some ill will getting it enforced though.

[Charles4515]

I'm surprised how much smoking seems linked to gambling in the USA. Here in Ontario, all casinos are smoke free. They have outdoor patios for smoking.

 

I haven't heard any complaints.

 

We would be very happy with limited smoking on ships. Our only concern is being able to use our verandah which may become difficult with smokers using the balcony on either side if they cannot smoke in cabin.

 

Just noticed this included verandahs too as smoke free- wow! Might cause some ill will getting it enforced though.

 

I don't know if smokers use the casino more because they have impulsive personalities or non smokers don't use the casino because they are used to avoiding it because of smoke. I don't go into casinos because of the smoke. I know it took me a few months to start going out to bars after they made them non smoking here cause I had become used to not going to bars because of the smoke, and I noticed the bars around here were less crowded right after they banned smoking but now they look well used. The same could happen to casinos. They could pick up business from the many non smokers who avoid them because of the smoke. But I can't say for sure.

[Captain Jake]

If Celebrity does copy Azamara's smoking policy, all I can say is

:D :D yippie, yippie, yippie!:D :D

 

 

iit would be great,wouldn't it?

[Gonzo70]

I am glad to hear they are looking into making changes. The current policy is way too unfriendly to non-smokers and out of touch with what has been happening to hotels, bars, even many other cruise lines world wide. I actually have been considering cancelling my Celebrity cruise because of concerns there would not be smoke free areas to relax; this gives me hope I will not have to cancel (I really love the itinerary).

 

I am not sure they have to go as far as Azamara; I do think smokers need their spots as well. I will however be very happy if they provide non-smokers with ample areas to enjoy without having to worry about the health risk, inconveinance (i.e. smoky smelling clothes), and unpleasantness of cigarette smoke.

[Holly2]

Azamara DOES have two smoking areas. Seems like a fair compromise, but then I'm not a smoker.

[DGP1111]

As a non-smoker myself, I applaud the fact that it's even being considered.

[drrich2]

I don't smoke, like smoking or want to be around smoking, but I have some marginal respect for the life choices of people who do, which leads me to wonder who really cares if people smoke on their verandas?

 

I can understand not wanting your stateroom smelling like an ashtray because of the prior occupants, but for your ourdoor veranda?

 

Richard.

[DC2OC]

I would love to be able to use a balcony without being ran out by smoke.There should be areas for smokers to be fair..........Frank

[caliber35]

Azamara DOES have two smoking areas. Seems like a fair compromise, but then I'm not a smoker.

 

As a smoker who has sailed on Oceania, I can tell you that is not an acceptable compromise for smokers. If Celebrity choses to follow the Azamara model they will drive off considerable numbers of loyal customers. I see some lines catering to the anti-smokers, as Oceania and Azamara already have, and some maintaining more moderate policies. Moderation is fine for me. Now we'll see how long this thread remains civil. The last one did not.

[cruise47]

If they did this I would choose to book Celebrity over any cruise line that did not have this policy.

 

I like this new policy.

[Charles4515]

As a smoker who has sailed on Oceania, I can tell you that is not an acceptable compromise for smokers. If Celebrity choses to follow the Azamara model they will drive off considerable numbers of loyal customers. I see some lines catering to the anti-smokers, as Oceania and Azamara already have, and some maintaining more moderate policies. Moderation is fine for me. Now we'll see how long this thread remains civil. The last one did not.

 

I see all the lines eventually following the Oceania model. Non-smokers are now the large majority. If some of the major lines institute the Oceania model the others will have to go along because none will want to be the smokers cruise line. That will drive off the business from the majority who don't smoke.

[tnt10]

Perhaps X could relegate one side of the ship, balconies included, for smokers.

I was recently on RCL, even without their new smokig policy in effect, and the areas delegated to smokers on deck was atrocious! Even had to get a bathing towel and dip it in the pool, just to wipe off the tables in that area. Mind you, there were only 4 tables delagated to smokers. Seems a little lop-sided if you ask me. But then, I am a smoker. I could always smoke on my own balcony!

Makes me feel for the smokers who only budget for an inside or ocean-view room. Not sure what they will do once the new smoking policies go into effect?? Book on other lines??

And for anyone who is interested, there are Cruise lines that have strict policies regarding smoking in only designated areas; Oceana is one that comes to mind.

 

Shall see how this all shakes out......

 

Tim

[Charles4515]

I like this new policy.

 

It's not a policy. Right now it is only a possibility.

[Cal Cruiser]

I would cancel my cruise right away, I feel that if I cannot smoke on my verenda they can not have my money. Also they can also do without the other cruise's I was going to book!

[DC2OC]

As a smoker who has sailed on Oceania, I can tell you that is not an acceptable compromise for smokers. If Celebrity choses to follow the Azamara model they will drive off considerable numbers of loyal customers. I see some lines catering to the anti-smokers, as Oceania and Azamara already have, and some maintaining more moderate policies. Moderation is fine for me. Now we'll see how long this thread remains civil. The last one did not.

 

They are making it more comfortable for non-smokers.They still should give the smokers a place to smoke,but the non-smoker should be able to use their paid space smoke free.Some public area SHOULD be smoking

[greeneg]

I don't smoke, like smoking or want to be around smoking, but I have some marginal respect for the life choices of people who do, which leads me to wonder who really cares if people smoke on their verandas?

 

I can understand not wanting your stateroom smelling like an ashtray because of the prior occupants, but for your ourdoor veranda?

 

Richard.

 

The problem is that you cannot contain the smoke and prevent it from going to my verandah from yours. The net result can be that the non-smoker cannot use their verandah because of the smoker's addiction.

 

The one time that we were fortunate enough to get an aft balcony cabin on an M class ship, it was partially unusable because of the cigar smokers on either side of us.........and yes, we did ask and were cursed for it.