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

[Captain Jake]

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...

 

 

That is very true,especially for ex-smokers.Back in the early 80's just after I quit smoking I had friends over who at the time still smoked.The next day when I would venture into the TV room I stunk of stale smoke.Funny thing is that I never noticed the smell when I smoked.For most people,and I mean nearly all, the way you smoke Drew would not be an issue but some have had the bad luck to be stuck next to cigar smokers,or chain smokers,who know the few who light a cigarette with their last one.If the put in a port/starboard smoking/non-smoking it might ruffle a few feathers to start,but hey no system is perfect.By the way I'm sure there is a thing or two that would upset you if you got a whiff of,taste of look of,ect,ect so lighten up a bit; like you smokers,us non-smokers ain't all bad....Except for them blasted Dallas Fans (just kidding):D

[tbelian]

they probably slammed their door, never ventured outside again, and are still complaining about the incessant, non-stop chain-smoking of their inconsiderate neighbor...

 

Yup, exactly. Tell me this doesnt happen .... :D

[claud925]

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...

 

:D :D :D

[Captain Jake]

Yup, exactly. Tell me this doesnt happen .... :D

 

Tell me ;what doesn't happen?

[wvufan]

We too applaud this policy and hope it is place in effect as soon as possible.

 

With all due respect to my smoking friends, smoke is not simply a non desirable smell for many of us-it is a threat to our health. I am all for adequate areas where folks can get their fix as long as those areas are segregated and the air does not circulate outside of those areas.

 

On each of our cruises, I have noted on the comment card that I seldom spent money in the the casino because of the smoke. I am aware that there is supposedly a non smoking area in the casino, but that is usually often and flagrantly ignored by smokers, and there are not adequate table games. Besides, there are no barriers and that is like having a no peeing section in a swimming pool:D .

 

We would favor a line that enforced the proposed smoking policy.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[Captain Jake]

We too applaud this policy and hope it is place in effect as soon as possible.

 

With all due respect to my smoking friends, smoke is not simply a non desirable smell for many of us-it is a threat to our health. I am all for adequate areas where folks can get their fix as long as those areas are segregated and the air does not circulate outside of those areas.

 

On each of our cruises, I have noted on the comment card that I seldom spent money in the the casino because of the smoke. I am aware that there is supposedly a non smoking area in the casino, but that is usually often and flagrantly ignored by smokers, and there are not adequate table games. Besides, there are no barriers and that is like having a no peeing section in a swimming pool:D .

 

 

 

 

We would favor a line that enforced the proposed smoking policy.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

 

In all fairness I believe in the casino people are wandering around to find that right slot to play and simple miss the smoking,non-smoking sign

[Drew B]

By the way I'm sure there is a thing or two that would upset you if you got a whiff of,taste of look of,ect,ect so lighten up a bit;

 

 

Lighten up? Am I coming off intense? I didn't realize that. Sorry.

 

As for things that upset me to get a whiff/taste/look of, I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and when I see somebody's dinner where it looks like the animal it came from (e.g. most poultry on the bone, especially things like cornish game hens or most shellfish unless the meat has been removed from the shell), I feel like I'm looking at a corpse. I find it quite revolting. However, I've never once asked them to ban meat eating on Celebrity. I haven't even asked them to have a separate dining room so that I wouldn't have to be exposed to the carnage... I just enjoy my experience and try not to let what others do ruin it for me too much.

[CruiseParty]

Lighten up? Am I coming off intense? I didn't realize that. Sorry.

 

As for things that upset me to get a whiff/taste/look of, I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and when I see somebody's dinner where it looks like the animal it came from (e.g. most poultry on the bone, especially things like cornish game hens or most shellfish unless the meat has been removed from the shell), I feel like I'm looking at a corpse. I find it quite revolting. However, I've never once asked them to ban meat eating on Celebrity. I haven't even asked them to have a separate dining room so that I wouldn't have to be exposed to the carnage... I just enjoy my experience and try not to let what others do ruin it for me too much.

 

I guess its not clear-there is a huge difference between things that you have moral issues with--eating meat or hunting (which I despise) vs. smoking and selling bullets at K-Mart (Oh boy here come the NRA nuts). The latter can both kill me. Watching someone eat meat is offensive-not deadly (except of course to the animal);)

[CruiseParty]

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.:)

 

Percentage of the U.S. adult population that smokes:

• 1965: 42.4%

• 1970: 37.4%

• 1974: 37.1%

• 1980: 33.2%

• 1985: 30.1%

• 1990: 25.5%

• 1995: 24.7%

• 2001: 22.8%

• 2004: 20.9%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (latest figures available)

 

Rights???????/ Here is what the CDC says

 

Secondhand smoke exposure causes heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults

 

Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their heart disease risk by 25–30% and their lung cancer risk by 20–30%

 

Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack.

 

People who already have heart disease are at especially high risk

 

Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms in children and slows their lung growth

 

Secondhand smoke causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks in children.

 

There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure. Even brief exposure can be dangerous.2

 

Smoking causes cancers of the bladder, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx (voice box), esophagus, cervix, kidney, lung, pancreas, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia.

 

Stopping is HARD but You CAN quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones. The resources listed below discuss the benefits of quitting and provide helpful guidance.

For additional support in quitting, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to local resources, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); TTY 1-800-332-8615.

 

You can thank me on the next cruise!:D

[Drew B]

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.

 

What makes you say that? Carnival and Princess are every bit as permissive of smoking. HAL too, I believe. Combined, those lines represent a huge percentage of the world's cruising industry.

 

Just because people on a Celebrity message board talk endlessly about this issue as it pertains to Celebrity, that does not mean that the overall cruising marketplace shares that same obsession. If an anti-smoker is researching and looking for a desirable line, they may find Oceania or Azamara or Disney and think they are better. However, I doubt they would look at Celebrity as worse, considering that Celebrity's position is very much the AVERAGE for the industry. It is not way off on a radical side of the issue.

 

I would like X to move a bit towards the non-smoker-friendly side of the spectrum by creating many more areas in which smoking is not allowed (including half of the cabins/balconies). However, if they went too far the other way and made it too smoker-unfriendly, I'd switch to Princess or Carnival. Smoking policy is but one of the many things that would go into making a cruise decision, but for those for whom it is a pivotal issue, vote with your pocketbooks. That will send a much stronger message than a survey or an e-mail.

[claud925]

CruiseParty - I don't recall asking for your (or anyone else's) advice.

[Drew B]

I guess its not clear-there is a huge difference between things that you have moral issues with--eating meat or hunting (which I despise) vs. smoking and selling bullets at K-Mart (Oh boy here come the NRA nuts). The latter can both kill me. Watching someone eat meat is offensive-not deadly (except of course to the animal);)

 

This thread (and, in fact, all the smoking threads) focus on smoking both as a health risk and as an offensive, unpleasant habit. I personally DON'T believe that limited exposure to cigarette smoke over a short period (say, two weeks per year) CAN kill you. I just don't believe it. If that is the argument, I'll have to bow out, as I cannot be convinced of it without detailed scientific evidence. Beyond that, I would then want to compare that evidence to the threat of death from other environmental agents that we all face every day (on a cruise or not).

 

Therefore, I can only really address the offensive/unpleasant issue. I empathize with those who find cigarette smoke noxious. I don't enjoy subjecting them to it, and I will generally go out of my way to minimize any exposure from me. Likewise, I would hope they might empathize with any discomfort exposure to their dinner causes me, and I would hope they wouldn't go out of their way to wave it in my face. I would NOT expect them to refrain from eating what they like, though. In the same way, I'll be considerate to a reasonable degree, but I'm not going to NOT smoke in areas where it is permitted because somebody finds it unpleasant.

[caliber35]

CruiseParty - I don't recall asking for your (or anyone else's) advice.

 

Roxanne - Did you really expect this thread to become any less of a bashing party than the last one? My question is, why are they picking on Celebrity? The smoking policies onboard X are actually more restrictive that most of the other major lines, as pointed out by Drew. They are very much in line with the mainstream and are not the line of choice for smokers. That honor would go to Cunard, where smoking is still allowed in the dining room on the QE2. Funny, but you don't read any bashing on these boards about them!

[Shipyard Cruiser]

What makes you say that? Carnival and Princess are every bit as permissive of smoking. HAL too, I believe. Combined, those lines represent a huge percentage of the world's cruising industry.

 

Just because people on a Celebrity message board talk endlessly about this issue as it pertains to Celebrity, that does not mean that the overall cruising marketplace shares that same obsession. If an anti-smoker is researching and looking for a desirable line, they may find Oceania or Azamara or Disney and think they are better. However, I doubt they would look at Celebrity as worse, considering that Celebrity's position is very much the AVERAGE for the industry. It is not way off on a radical side of the issue.

 

I would like X to move a bit towards the non-smoker-friendly side of the spectrum by creating many more areas in which smoking is not allowed (including half of the cabins/balconies). However, if they went too far the other way and made it too smoker-unfriendly, I'd switch to Princess or Carnival. Smoking policy is but one of the many things that would go into making a cruise decision, but for those for whom it is a pivotal issue, vote with your pocketbooks. That will send a much stronger message than a survey or an e-mail.

 

 

Just want to know.

 

Are you a smoker?

 

Do you work for a tobacco company?

 

Thanks:)

[greeneg]

" I personally DON'T believe that limited exposure to cigarette smoke over a short period (say, two weeks per year) CAN kill you. I just don't believe it. If that is the argument, I'll have to bow out, as I cannot be convinced of it without detailed scientific evidence."

 

Drew, sorry friend, you are simply wrong. There is, as has been demonstrated many times, more than adequate evidence to support the CDC's positions as stated above by Cruiseparty. Believing something, how ever strong the belief, does not make the belief fact. In this case, I'm sorry, but your belief is clearly incorrect and not supported by scientific fact.

 

To paraphase David Brinkly, " That's the way it is, Good Night."

[DC2OC]

Roxanne - Did you really expect this thread to become any less of a bashing party than the last one? My question is, why are they picking on Celebrity? The smoking policies onboard X are actually more restrictive that most of the other major lines, as pointed out by Drew. They are very much in line with the mainstream and are not the line of choice for smokers. That honor would go to Cunard, where smoking is still allowed in the dining room on the QE2. Funny, but you don't read any bashing on these boards about them!

 

uh,this is the Celebrity board:rolleyes:Actually Drew said they are average not more restrictive.RCL is more retrictive than Celebrity and they are considered the party ship of the corperation

[caliber35]

uh,this is the Celebrity board:rolleyes:Actually Drew said they are average not more restrictive.RCL is more retrictive than Celebrity and they are considered the party ship of the corperation

 

Yes, this is the Celebrity Board, however if you visit the other boards, nowhere will you find as much bashing as here. Something for you to consider is that Celebrity attracts a more International and older crowd than RCL. That is most likely the reason why they are hesitant to change their smoking policies, just as they are unlikely to relax their fixed seating times and formal dress codes. I have never seen so much pressure on a line to change their policies. I happen to enjoy the higher level of service, fixed seating times, formal attire and their current smoking policies. If I did not, I would would give my business to another cruise line!

[Shirley and Les]

Ocean Pollution - Global Shipping and the Cruise Industry

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean-going vessels are one of the largest mobile sources of air pollution in the world.Photo: NOAA

 

Ships transport 90 percent of the world's consumer goods, including computers, cars, shoes, clothes and toys. People and the environment pay a high price for these cheap goods in the form of cancers, breathing problems and premature death from inhaling air toxics in ship engine exhaust. Ships burn tons of fuel per hour, generating 3 to 4 percent percent or more of human-generated global warming gases -- more than commercial aviation. Container and cruise ships also pollute the oceans and coastlines by dumping sewage, dirty graywater, and garbage directly overboard. Because the shipping industry is under-regulated, these environmental and public health impacts will escalate tremendously as global trade triples over the next two decades -- until new air pollution and no-discharge laws are enacted by national and international bodies.

Emissions and Bunker Fuel

Ships generate 15 to 30 percent of the world's smog-forming emissions.

• Bunker fuel burned by ships is 1,000 times dirtier than highway diesel used by trucks and buses.
  
• A single ship coming into harbor produces the smog-forming emissions of 350,000 new cars.
  
• Ship engines are far dirtier than on-road engines due to lack of regulation.
  
• The International Maritime Organization has lagged far behind in revising outdated regulations for ship emissions.

Human Health

• Ship exhaust contains harmful air toxics that cause cancer, respiratory illness and premature death.
  
• Ship air pollution often disproportionately harms poor people of color who live near ports.
  
• More than one in 10 children has asthma in the world's biggest port cities.

Climate Change

• Ships burn tons of fuel per hour, generating large volumes of global warming gases and black carbon that contribute to climate change.
  
• Researches are finding that the black soot from ship smokestacks settle on polar ice sheets and help cause melting.
  
• The world's shipping fleet generates about four percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions.
  
• The shipping industry burns 300 million tons of bunker fuel per year.

I copied the above information from the earthjustice.org website.

It strikes me that anyone with pulmonary issues or asthma concerns would do well to stay away from cruise ships as a general policy. Debate about whether or not a waft of cigarette smoke has a secondhand effect seems to be a nonissue in the big picture.

Those engine exhaust stacks (with the big "X" identifier") will be present on your cruise ship. Unless the ship is floating dead in the water, they will be emitting hazardous exhaust fumes. A smoker may or may not light up in your immediate vicinity.

A letter to the Celebrity on their policies with regard to air pollution from engine emissions might be a better option.

I gave up the habit about three years ago.

Les

[Drew B]

Just want to know.

 

Are you a smoker? - YES

 

Do you work for a tobacco company? - NO

 

Thanks:)

 

I'm not sure what you mean by the question. I am very much in favor of more smoking restrictions. I am happy to adjust my smoking habits to fewer locations for the benefit of those who don't wish to be exposed to my smoke. I just don't want the ultimate result to be that I and other smokers get pushed out of the line entirely. I know that people can compromise and co-exist if there is a willingness to do so.

 

 

Drew, sorry friend, you are simply wrong. There is, as has been demonstrated many times, more than adequate evidence to support the CDC's positions as stated above by Cruiseparty. Believing something, how ever strong the belief, does not make the belief fact. In this case, I'm sorry, but your belief is clearly incorrect and not supported by scientific fact.

 

I simply don't believe that there has ever been, in the history of the world, an individual who has had only limited exposure to cigarette smoke for a couple of weeks a year and who has died as a result. Show me this person! If you show me such a person, I bet we could dig and discover that he/she was also exposed to smoke (not to mention other carcinogens) at some point in the other 50 weeks a year.

 

I'm not even saying that the exposure during the 2 weeks couldn't cause some harm or couldn't contribute to death along with myriad other things. I'm simply saying that there is not, has never been, and will never be a person who DIES from breathing in a little smoke on a cruise who would have otherwise been perfectly healthy. If you do believe that to be the case, we'll have to agree to disagree.

[DC2OC]

Yes, this is the Celebrity Board, however if you visit the other boards, nowhere will you find as much bashing as here. Something for you to consider is that Celebrity attracts a more International and older crowd than RCL. That is most likely the reason why they are hesitant to change their smoking policies, just as they are unlikely to relax their fixed seating times and formal dress codes. I have never seen so much pressure on a line to change their policies. I happen to enjoy the higher level of service, fixed seating times, formal attire and their current smoking policies. If I did not, I would would give my business to another cruise line!

 

But the older crowd actually smokes less (due to ex-smokers)which is why they are strongly considering it.The new ship has a Aqua Class another sign of the health demands of the older cruiser.If you want to see bashing go over to the RCL or Carnival boards.The Celebrity board is lame in comparison.While I agree that smoking policies need to change I also believe that open seating is unavoidable which I will have to adapt too since I enjoy assigned seating.

[Hootsie]

Oh, I really hope this policy goes thru!!! We came really close to rebooking with another cruise line after I talked to a friend that just got back from a Celebrity cruise and I heard how smoky it was. Unfortunately, we couldn't get all of us on the ship we wanted with the same ports. We are going with all of my DH's family and booked 7 cabins for 15 people.

 

If it doesn't go thru, I pray my balcony is a place I can enjoy because we are spending over $10,000 for two of them for the girls and DH & I and if I have to deal with smoke, I will be so upset.

[fllady]

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!

 

I second that. My husband is disabled and enjoys sitting on the balcony and smoking a cigarette with his coffee or aftr dinner drink. If they take that away then thats the end of cruising for us.

[joelmarj]

While someone may find meat offensive, your option is to ask for a table of two and then you are not subjected to other "meat-eaters". But if you are going to smoke on your balcony and the smoke blows to mine, then I have no alternative for using my balcony. That is imposing on me, and yes I believe it is a health risk.

 

There are also people with asthema and other pulmonary issues that can fall very ill from the smoke, so I still don't understand why the smokers rights to puff away should take precedence.

 

I am all for having public areas restricted for the purpose of smoking, but still do not believe balconies should be considered acceptable.

[Drew B]

While someone may find meat offensive, your option is to ask for a table of two and then you are not subjected to other "meat-eaters".

 

I'd be just as close to adjacent tables as your balcony is to an adjacent balcony. There is no more barrier to sight in the dining room than there is to smoke on the balcony. It would be very difficult for me to ever dine on a cruise ship and be guaranteed that I wouldn't see foodstuffs that I find repugnant. And yet, I'm not asking everybody else to change to accomodate me...

[Hootsie]

I'd be just as close to adjacent tables as your balcony is to an adjacent balcony. There is no more barrier to sight in the dining room than there is to smoke on the balcony. It would be very difficult for me to ever dine on a cruise ship and be guaranteed that I wouldn't see foodstuffs that I find repugnant. And yet, I'm not asking everybody else to change to accomodate me...

 

I don't think the smell of meat will hurt you. LOL. Then again, I could be wrong but I am an RN.

 

I don't like drunks on the ships either but you know what, they're just having fun and they don't hurt me, so more power to them. As for smokers, stay out of my clean air. Smoke all you want, but keep it away from me.