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

[kitty9]

A lot of this is not pressure from non-smokers, but from the insurance industry. They are putting the pressure on cruise lines because of the recent Princess fire that has been ruled as being caused by smoking materials on a veranda. Unless ships balconies are built with materials that aren't combustible, cruise lines will be forced by the insurance companies to prevent smoking in both cabins and balconies. Seeing how many cigarette butts I see on my balcony in the morning, I can tell that many passengers don't heed the warnings given almost daily to not throw their butts over the railings.

[Captain Jake]

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.

 

 

But Celebrities and RCL policies are not moderate by even tolerant non-smokers standards.I would welcome any compromise that would allow one to use their balcony smoke-free.The other cruiselines that have successfully adopted this are not moderatly priced like Celebrity.

[Gonzo70]

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?

 

Most non-smokers can smell cigarette smoke coming from nearby balconies; especially if they are forward or below. The two times I have had balconies I often was unable to use it because of the cigarette smoke from nearby balconies. I certainly will not pay for a balcony or suite on a cruise line that allows smoking on balconies unless it is restricted to a certain area of the ship and a balcony is available far away from that section.

[Iggipolka]

I would absolutely love it if this new smoking policy was implemented. On my recent cruise, I couldn't stand on my balcony or have the balcony door propped open because I had someone who smoked on their balcony right next to mine. The smoke smell drifted directly into my balcony and stateroom. It was not a pleasant experience at all.

[judyfssw]

I agree about smelling smoke if you're a non-smoker. Tonight, we went to see "12 Angry Men" at a theater downtown. One man smoked and the smell came out into the audience. I don't like the smell but it is a life's (in more ways than one)choice. I also can remove myself from the area or ask nicely if the person on the next balcony could refrain from smoking if I'm on my balcony. Maybe a compromise is possible? I think that this is something that we can all try.

[katscruise]

I am a ex smoker and and as far as smoking on the balcony or in a state room I feel it is a matter of safety. That princess fire was caused by a careless person with a cigarette. If you smoke or not you wound not want to be in the cabin next door to that person would you?

[beachdogboarder]

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

 

 

Yes its atrocious.Only half the outside deck and 100% of balconies for smokers who make up less than 25% of cruisers:rolleyes:.Imagine being a non-smoker and having to clean off the tables when the 50% of outside tables designated for thf 75-80% of non-smokers get full:mad:.We have to dip a towell and wipe off a table and we don't even smoke:confused:.Imagine sacrificing for your family to have a nice cabin with a balcony only to to not be able to use due to chain smokers next cabin:(.There is a difference between being anti-smokers and anti-smoking.There are cruiselines out there that are more smoking friendly.Costa comes to mind:cool:

[beachdogboarder]

There is no need for anyone to "flame" others...this is childish. We can have conversation with each other and be civil in discussing this issue.;)

 

I do smoke and feel that I am a considerate person. There should be designated areas for smokers. I do not smoke in my home but use my patio for this purpose.

 

So here it is...let smokers use their verandas, and the designated areas for this purpose. I do agree with the non-smokers for the most part. Fair is fair. No smoking in staterooms, dining areas, public rooms, hallways, elevators.

 

There will be (as it stands now) a significant number of people in my group cruising in May to Alaska...some smoke, most do not. 11 day cruise. At this time, and depending upon circumstances, our group is still in a "go" mode, we'll see.

 

I swore I would not jump in on the smoking issue but here I am:eek:. There should be consideration for non-smokers as for those who do the evil deed.:p Perhaps there is a happy or somewhat tolerant ground for all of us to agree upon. Guess there is not much more to say here...happy cruising to all and to all a good night. Happy Newbie :)

 

But shouldn't non-smokers be able to use and enjoy a smoke free balcony also?:confused: Such beautiful scenery and fresh crisp air from a balcony on an Alaskan cruise disrupted by the unnatural odor of second hand smoke.Perhaps they should set aside a few balconies on one side of the ship for those who must smoke;)

[tbelian]

Perhaps some missed the other discussion(s) of this topic, quite recently, right here on page 1:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=662350

[Cote d'or]

Only half the outside deck and 100% of balconies for smokers who make up less than 25% of cruisers:rolleyes:.

 

Are you sure about this "less than 25%" ? When I read these smoke-threads, every non-smoker on a balcony seems to be surrounded by heavy chain smokers. :rolleyes:

[svillager]

I did not want to post to this thread due to the flaming that such threads cause - but I have to make my voice heard.

 

I AM a smoker and I AM a loyal Celebrity cruiser.

 

In fact, I have done over 40 cruises on Celebrity.

 

I do consider myself a considerate smoker and a considerate person - I don't think smoking makes me a 'bad' person.

 

I cruise approximately 4 - 6 cruises a year on Celebrity - booking 14 night cruises, and I have always remained loyal to Celebrity.

 

When they changed the policy on Azumara - I cancelled several cruises on the Quest, that I had booked.

 

I already have cruises booked thru 2009 - but if smoking is no longer allowed - then I will go elsewhere - and will cancel all of the cruises that I have booked.

 

What is concerning me most right now - is that upcoming cruises which I have booked, and have already arranged airfare and hotels may be at risk - with little concern from the cruise line.

 

Needless to say - I did not receive a survey.

 

However, with the few and rapidly disappearing perks that you receive from Celebrity, combined with head-office changes which take place with little regard to those who have already booked cruises and made travel arrangements - I wonder why I remain loyal.

 

Please don't flame me.

[barbarah33]

Please don't flame me here I just want to know what to expect.

I'm hoping somebody will help me out here: what is the CURRENT smoking policy on Celebrity? I am booked on the Century in late January in a suite; will I be allowed to smoke on the verandah? Yes, I am one of those 'dreaded' smokers. I like to go out on my verandah and have a cigarette every so often while watching the ocean float by. In over 30 cruises nobody has ever asked me to not smoke on mine or to only smoke out there when a neighbor is not on theirs. Then again I am not a chain smoker so maybe it has never really been an issue if I 'step out' on my balcony to have A cigarette once or twice a day. I respect the smoking policies on cruise ships and those who don't smoke, or care for the smell of it, by making sure I am only smoking in the designated smoking areas of a ship.



Earlier this month I was on the Caribbean Princess and they made the casino non-smoking one night as they seem to be 'testing' it out. I didn't gamble that night but I did walk through the casino and I have to be honest - it was much quieter than it was on 'smoking' nights. Whatever any cruise line decides to do is their choice but it will effect my choice of cruise lines if they make it almost impossible to smoke anywhere.

[Gonzo70]

Are you sure about this "less than 25%" ? When I read these smoke-threads' date=' every non-smoker on a balcony seems to be surrounded by heavy chain smokers. :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

 

All it takes is one smoker within several balconies.

[BarbaraB2]

I just received this response from Celebrity regarding their smoking policy.

It is our intention to cater to the wants and needs of

our guests, and at this time we have found that a majority

of our guests approve and support the onboard smoking

guidelines.

[Cruisenouvelle]

happynewbie said, " So here it is...let smokers use their verandas, and the designated areas for this purpose. I do agree with the non-smokers for the most part. Fair is fair. No smoking in staterooms, dining areas, public rooms, hallways, elevators. "

 

No offense, but it's NOT fair if your smoke wafts its way to my nose while I, too, am trying to enjoy my balcony.

 

I notice a trend where smokers suggest that the nonsmokers migrate to the nonsmoking-type cruiselines, ie, Azamara or Oceania. Why ? Why don't the smokers migrate to the lines with less restrictive smoking policies, ie Costa? After all, fair is fair.

[Captain Jake]

happynewbie said, " So here it is...let smokers use their verandas, and the designated areas for this purpose. I do agree with the non-smokers for the most part. Fair is fair. No smoking in staterooms, dining areas, public rooms, hallways, elevators. "

 

No offense, but it's NOT fair if your smoke wafts its way to my nose while I, too, am trying to enjoy my balcony.

 

I notice a trend where smokers suggest that the nonsmokers migrate to the nonsmoking-type cruiselines, ie, Azamara or Oceania. Why ? Why don't the smokers migrate to the lines with less restrictive smoking policies, ie Costa? After all, fair is fair.

 

 

Well said

[Captain Jake]

Are you sure about this "less than 25%" ? When I read these smoke-threads' date=' every non-smoker on a balcony seems to be surrounded by heavy chain smokers. :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

 

I think the point is there a 50/50 chance to have a smoker on either side.Which would equate to 16.7%:D

[Gonzo70]

at this time we have found that a majority

of our guests approve and support the onboard smoking

guidelines.

 

That is extremely dubious. Celebrity is rapidly gaining the reputation of being the smokers cruise line. Not a good reputation in this day and age. Maybe a majority of smokers approve of the onboard smoking guidelines, but most passengers are non-smokers and few non-smokers would agree that allowing smoking virtually everywhere but the restaurants, elevators, and theater is fair.

[sheeng]

But they DON"T support and enforce the stated rules!!! We have all seen the evidence time and time again! I am cruising in 2 weeks and I will not be silent this time. I will be discreet and polite and respectful but I will find a member of staff and ask him to deal with the situation and I will report to guest relations what it was necessary for me to do!

[elena7seas]

I am a non-smoker, married to a smoker. Although he had quit smoking for twenty years, he took it up 5 years ago, and seems to have no desire to quit now. He is a charming, entertaining, intelligent man, and I know for a fact that he will not continue to cruise if cruising becomes completely non-smoking.

 

He has a very stressful job, and I know how relaxed he feels sitting on the veranda having a cigarette and watching the sea. He is a considerate man and never smokes in our cabin. If smoking were to be banned from verandahs, he would find somewhere else to go when he wishes to smoke, but it would be appreciated by him if it was somewhere with a view.

 

I hate the smell of smoke, but I also don't want to be harping about the smoke when we are on vacation, so it would be helpful to me if the Celebrity would impose reasonable limits to smoking in public venues. What I would NOT like to see is smokers relegated to a crowded enclosed inside room with insufficient ventilation. That would only compound what is already a very unhealthy situation. And from a purely selfish point of view, try sharing a cabin with someone who has spent any amount of time in that kind of environment. I would have DH taking five showers a day!

 

From my perspective, it would be great if they would have an outdoor venue for smokers, like the port side of the aft cafe/bar, so that he could smoke, and I could have a reasonable chance of avoiding as much smoke as possible in an outdoor environment.

 

I would suggest that Celebrity restrict ALL smoking environments to one side of the ship so that smokers and non-smokers alike could REMEMBER which side of the ship they should be gravitating towards. :p

 

As an aside, my October 26/07 cruise on the Mercury was the SMOKIEST cruise I have ever been on. There seemed to be no difference to the amount of smoke on the port and starboard sides. I was travelling with 2 other non-smokers, and we took to traversing the ship on the "residential" floors, to avoid the Rendezvous Lounge where the air quality was lethal.

[claud925]

I did not want to post to this thread due to the flaming that such threads cause - but I have to make my voice heard.

 

I AM a smoker and I AM a loyal Celebrity cruiser.

 

In fact, I have done over 40 cruises on Celebrity.

 

I do consider myself a considerate smoker and a considerate person - I don't think smoking makes me a 'bad' person.

 

I cruise approximately 4 - 6 cruises a year on Celebrity - booking 14 night cruises, and I have always remained loyal to Celebrity.

 

When they changed the policy on Azumara - I cancelled several cruises on the Quest, that I had booked.

 

I already have cruises booked thru 2009 - but if smoking is no longer allowed - then I will go elsewhere - and will cancel all of the cruises that I have booked.

 

What is concerning me most right now - is that upcoming cruises which I have booked, and have already arranged airfare and hotels may be at risk - with little concern from the cruise line.

 

Needless to say - I did not receive a survey.

 

However, with the few and rapidly disappearing perks that you receive from Celebrity, combined with head-office changes which take place with little regard to those who have already booked cruises and made travel arrangements - I wonder why I remain loyal.

 

Please don't flame me.

 

Should the situation come down to cancellations, please contact me, as I (and others that I'm in the process of organizing through various channels) plan to follow suit.

 

It is my hope that cancellations made in a well-timed and organized effort would send a message - albeit a tiny and insignificant one - but a message nonetheless.

 

As for a previous poster's suggestion that smokers be the ones to seek out the more smoker-friendly lines such as Costa - I'm there. That's if the nonsmokers don't decide they want that line all to themselves as well.:)

[joelmarj]

I applaud Celebrity if indeed they follow suit as on Azamara! Why should smoking on a veranda be given to the smokers when indeed there is both the safety issue (i.e., way-ward ashes) as well as it imposing on the non-smokers use of the verandas that are down-wind.

 

I'm also more than happy to let the smokers have Costa! :D ;)

[rdhead43]

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

It's about time the rights of non-smokers are finally being represented. I hope Celebrity adopts this policy across the board.

 

 

rdhead43

[Gonzo70]

So its decided; smokers can have Costa :D

[Drew B]

Most non-smokers can smell cigarette smoke coming from nearby balconies; especially if they are forward or below. The two times I have had balconies I often was unable to use it because of the cigarette smoke from nearby balconies. I certainly will not pay for a balcony or suite on a cruise line that allows smoking on balconies unless it is restricted to a certain area of the ship and a balcony is available far away from that section.

 

 

Maybe non-smokers are just more sensitive to the smell. I swear, in the two cruises on which I had a balcony, I never once noticed anybody else's smoke coming onto my balcony, as for my smoke going onto theirs, in a total of 20 days over two cruises with a balcony, I believe I smoked 5 cigarettes total on my balcony. That averages out to one cigarette every 4 days. I could see, though, if somebody had happened to be out when I was and got a whiff, they probably slammed their door, never ventured outside again, and are still complaining about the incessant, non-stop chain-smoking of their inconsiderate neighbor...