Change to RCI smoking policy - effective today

[jandjfun]

Yes, many have died of drunk driving, that is why it is illegal. Seems to me that Christopher Reeves wife died of lung cancer (who never smoked) but played in smokey clubs which contributed to her death. So yes, people do die of 2nd hand smoke. Drunk driving is illegal, kills others, so does 2nd hand smoke. You do the math!

Lung cancer is caused by many other things than 2nd hand smoke. My point is, if people go to bars and complain about the smoke killing them, I find that ODD, since they are going to drive thier cars after drinking. I think we should outlaw bars! But I know that won't happen because the law makers for the most part all drink!

[Mike&Nancy]

While I'm looking forward to dealing with less smoking on the Brilliance, I am concerned about the option to smoke on the balcony. I've experienced that before and for a non-smoker it makes being on your balcony very difficult. I think I'd just as soon people be allowed to smoke in their rooms!

 

 

You can say that again, because as a smoker, I hardly ever smoked in my room. Knowing now that I can't, I have a feeling the smoking will intensify on my balcony.

 

I can almost bet that smokers will smoke MORE on their balcony than they ever did before, so no one wins.

[Taters]

Here are all of you non-smokers congratulating yourselves on being so upright in our society. Puhlease! I was nearly accosted by one "gentleman" as I was walking back to my cabin on Brilliance with a five-carton pack that I bought in the ship's store. (I sailed on the transatlantic Dec. 2 - 17.) This man was not even hesitant to ask me what was in my box (the nerve!) and then was shocked that the ship would sell such a thing to me and even had the cajunas to ask me if what I was carrying was LEGAL! Oh boy... Until tobacco becomes an illegal commodity, keep it to yourselves! You have your way... No one disrespects your RIGHT to clean air! Happy now? I was shocked at the 2nd class treatment I recieved on Brilliance. The staff would not even clean up any outside smoking areas on the ship. I had to beg for a rag to clean up a table for myself a couple of times.

 

I think that the smokers need to stick up for themselves. Or RCI needs to quit selling cigarettes.

 

Flame away,

 

Taters

[Merion_Mom]

Here are all of you non-smokers congratulating yourselves on being so upright in our society. Puhlease! I was nearly accosted by one "gentleman" as I was walking back to my cabin on Brilliance with a five-carton pack that I bought in the ship's store. (I sailed on the transatlantic Dec. 2 - 17.) This man was not even hesitant to ask me what was in my box (the nerve!) and then was shocked that the ship would sell such a thing to me and even had the cajunas to ask me if what I was carrying was LEGAL! Oh boy... Until tobacco becomes an illegal commodity, keep it to yourselves! You have your way... No one disrespects your RIGHT to clean air! Happy now? I was shocked at the 2nd class treatment I recieved on Brilliance. The staff would not even clean up any outside smoking areas on the ship. I had to beg for a rag to clean up a table for myself a couple of times.

 

I think that the smokers need to stick up for themselves. Or RCI needs to quit selling cigarettes.

Flame away,

 

Taters

Wegman's just announced that they will no longer sell tobacco products.

[Taters]

Wegman's just announced that they will no longer sell tobacco products.

 

 

Who is Wegman's? Are they the tobacco vendor for RCI or possibly the folks who stock the RCI stores? Do you have a link for this report?

 

Thanks,

 

Taters

[Taters]

Wegman's just announced that they will no longer sell tobacco products.

 

OK - So I did a Google search and it turns out that Wegman's is located over 5 or 6 states from Virginia to New York. No affiliation with RCI that I can see. And your point is?...

 

Taters

[Merion_Mom]

OK - So I did a Google search and it turns out that Wegman's is located over 5 or 6 states from Virginia to New York. No affiliation with RCI that I can see. And your point is?...

 

Taters

 

It has to start somewhere. Yes, RC is still selling cigarettes. I don't know of anyplace that HAS sold tobacco that is NO LONGER doing so.

 

Wegman's is starting the process.

 

Sorry if my mentioning this doesn't meet with your approval.

 

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--wegmans-tobaccosa0104jan04,0,3374662.story

[SheilaSailAway]

Wegman's is a supermarket.

[Captain Jake]

Lung cancer is caused by many other things than 2nd hand smoke. My point is, if people go to bars and complain about the smoke killing them, I find that ODD, since they are going to drive thier cars after drinking. I think we should outlaw bars! But I know that won't happen because the law makers for the most part all drink!

 

 

You are assuming that most people who go to bars have one too many.Besides we have sobriety checks points here.By the way starting FEB 1 smoking will be banned in bars in Maryland as is already is in Delaware.YIPEE so we will be able to go to the pub,enjoy a sunset without second hand smoke

[Shipyard Cruiser]

After reading some of the post I think it must suck to be a smoker right now:D

[craykclan]

We are smokers at least for right now. I don't know if we will be when our cruise comes around in June. But we will smoke only in the areas that we can and then of course on our balcony. There will only be one lounge that we can't smoke in on our cruise and at least one night in the casino that will be smoke free, so that night we will do something else. I don't see a big problem for smokers on our cruise at least. I will enjoy it no matter what.

[vermonter16]

Oh my god....I can't believe this.... I chain smoke and I have to smoke in my room or sleep on the one particular side of the ship you can smoke on.... This just sucks! I'm sick and tired of people getting down on smokers...I really am...

 

haha - I actually do smoke but have never smoked in my cabin before. My husband likes to have a cigar in the evening and I'll have my cloves. We normally either go to a smoking lounge (I think the last cruise we were on was Carnival and they had a Cigar bar) with our friends or sit out on our balcony. The only change I see is no smoking in the cabins. I can live with that.

[JoeD]

CC had many more smokers on this board before RCI changed their smoking policy. They do not post here anymore because they will no longer sail with Royal Caribbean and have found other places to share their cruise experiences. So you can all continue to preach from your soap boxes on the dangers of smoking/secondhand smoke and it will remain irrefutable because you are talking mostly amongst yourselves.

 

Think about this though. If there are that many people who will no longer be sailing with Royal Caribbean.......people who were loyal RCI fans, many of them diamond/diamond plus members ---what do you suppose will happen in the future when smokers realize that they are treated like 2nd class passengers? I think you will be complaining more about the increased costs of cruising to compensate for the lost revenue from smokers. I doubt the profit loss will be evident in the beginning due to the fact that some smokers will be unaware of the new smoking policy. When these uninformed smokers realize just how difficult and uncomfortable it will be to cruise for 7 days with the possibility of inclement weather, they will be staying away in droves.

 

A perfect example is what happened today and the reason I am here. Our group of over 100 people are planning our annual reunion cruise. For the last 10 years, we have always sailed with RCI. The group is made up of mostly nonsmokers. I mentioned the new smoking policy to them and they requested written proof to provide to interested family members who will be influenced by this change. I am here to copy and paste the information to send to them. Once everyone has this information, I'm sure we will re-think our vacation plans.

 

It's a delicate balance and if RCI eliminates one segement of the population who will go elsewhere to spend their vacation dollars, it could be a financial disaster.

[vermonter16]

Hi JoeD - we were on a Carnival cruise last year and smoking was allowed in the cabins.... To be honest - I prefer Carnival over RCCL but RCCL had a great itinerary on the Serenade that we couldn't pass up this year.

 

Although this doesn't affect my husband and I it will affect our friends who smoke a heck of a lot more than we do. I don't like the smoker bashing either so I try to make light of it because I don't think anyone can really change any one else's mind. I'm just glad that our country had the tobacco industry back 'in the day' so that the tobacco states could do well economically. It wasn't too long ago and people needed it to survive.

 

Anyway - good luck with your family reunion!

[katiel53]

CC had many more smokers on this board before RCI changed their smoking policy. They do not post here anymore because they will no longer sail with Royal Caribbean and have found other places to share their cruise experiences. So you can all continue to preach from your soap boxes on the dangers of smoking/secondhand smoke and it will remain irrefutable because you are talking mostly amongst yourselves.

 

Think about this though. If there are that many people who will no longer be sailing with Royal Caribbean.......people who were loyal RCI fans, many of them diamond/diamond plus members ---what do you suppose will happen in the future when smokers realize that they are treated like 2nd class passengers? I think you will be complaining more about the increased costs of cruising to compensate for the lost revenue from smokers. I doubt the profit loss will be evident in the beginning due to the fact that some smokers will be unaware of the new smoking policy. When these uninformed smokers realize just how difficult and uncomfortable it will be to cruise for 7 days with the possibility of inclement weather, they will be staying away in droves.

 

 

 

It's a delicate balance and if RCI eliminates one segement of the population who will go elsewhere to spend their vacation dollars, it could be a financial disaster.

 

 

You could be right initially. I don't think this is going to be any different than when people were told they could no longer smoke in the dining room on a cruise. Then people were told by their cities they couldn't smoke in bars etc. Initially perhaps the smokers decided against cruising or going to the bars, but then the non smokers decided it was great for them, so they started cruising more and going to bars more. Somehow, the smokers followed, even without being able to smoke there.

 

I am a reformed smoker, the worst kind for sure, and I think the non-smoking policy is a start, but there is still a long way to go. I am hoping that the people in the cabins next to me are either non-smokers or if their smoke blows my way, they and we can arrange something that is fair to both of us. In the past we have had smokers next to us and we didn't have any problems so I am not anticipating any.

 

I do wish that RCI would ban cigars from the balcony though. Even without the smoke drifting anywhere the smell is still out there. I'm looking forward to my cruise and I don't foresee any problems with smokers on the balconies.

 

I do believe that in a couple of years or less, there will be no smoking on all ships and the people who said they would never sail again because they couldn't smoke, will either stay true to their beliefs or smoke when in port if they are allowed. Only time will tell what happens. I know how difficult it is to quit and until one is ready, nothing will help.

[Sue L]

CC had many more smokers on this board before RCI changed their smoking policy. They do not post here anymore because they will no longer sail with Royal Caribbean and have found other places to share their cruise experiences. So you can all continue to preach from your soap boxes on the dangers of smoking/secondhand smoke and it will remain irrefutable because you are talking mostly amongst yourselves.

 

Think about this though. If there are that many people who will no longer be sailing with Royal Caribbean.......people who were loyal RCI fans, many of them diamond/diamond plus members ---what do you suppose will happen in the future when smokers realize that they are treated like 2nd class passengers? I think you will be complaining more about the increased costs of cruising to compensate for the lost revenue from smokers. I doubt the profit loss will be evident in the beginning due to the fact that some smokers will be unaware of the new smoking policy. When these uninformed smokers realize just how difficult and uncomfortable it will be to cruise for 7 days with the possibility of inclement weather, they will be staying away in droves.

 

A perfect example is what happened today and the reason I am here. Our group of over 100 people are planning our annual reunion cruise. For the last 10 years, we have always sailed with RCI. The group is made up of mostly nonsmokers. I mentioned the new smoking policy to them and they requested written proof to provide to interested family members who will be influenced by this change. I am here to copy and paste the information to send to them. Once everyone has this information, I'm sure we will re-think our vacation plans.

 

It's a delicate balance and if RCI eliminates one segement of the population who will go elsewhere to spend their vacation dollars, it could be a financial disaster.

 

The only real difference is that you can no longer smoke in your cabin. I did a poll on these boards when the new policy was first announced and only a couple people were planning on canceling because of the new policy, it was a very insignificant number (like 3 or 4 people, not percentage points) so I am unsure where or what you are basing your theories on. Most of the smokers (in the poll) didn't smoke in their cabins anyways and that was a extremely high number in the high 80%'s so again it really wasn't some big dramatic change.

[bubbadog]

blah blah blah,:rolleyes:

[HuskerBlu]

You don't know what rules and/or penalties RCI has put into effect for the room stewards and crew. If the next person in the room complains about linens and furniture that smells like smoke they will know the room steward didn't do his job. The fine can be added to the credit card after the room has been inspected.

 

If only it really worked that way. Do you honestly think they'd be that severe? I really doubt it. They'd rather keep you happy so that you'll return or get others to return, rather than fine you and make you upset.

 

I wish they'd put on huge fines though.

[teajak]

Hi JoeD - we were on a Carnival cruise last year and smoking was allowed in the cabins.... To be honest - I prefer Carnival over RCCL but RCCL had a great itinerary on the Serenade that we couldn't pass up this year.

 

Although this doesn't affect my husband and I it will affect our friends who smoke a heck of a lot more than we do. I don't like the smoker bashing either so I try to make light of it because I don't think anyone can really change any one else's mind. I'm just glad that our country had the tobacco industry back 'in the day' so that the tobacco states could do well economically. It wasn't too long ago and people needed it to survive.

 

Anyway - good luck with your family reunion!

Would you also say people need to survive as applies to drug dealers? There is no difference, smoking is just as addictive, and kills as many people. Yes I know it is legal but only because the tobacco lobbists spread so much money around to legislaters and the amount of tax the states receive is huge.On the other side of the coin you have the tremendous cost in health care for smokers.

[HuskerBlu]

Hi JoeD - we were on a Carnival cruise last year and smoking was allowed in the cabins.... To be honest - I prefer Carnival over RCCL but RCCL had a great itinerary on the Serenade that we couldn't pass up this year.

 

Although this doesn't affect my husband and I it will affect our friends who smoke a heck of a lot more than we do. I don't like the smoker bashing either so I try to make light of it because I don't think anyone can really change any one else's mind. I'm just glad that our country had the tobacco industry back 'in the day' so that the tobacco states could do well economically. It wasn't too long ago and people needed it to survive.

 

Anyway - good luck with your family reunion!

 

Yes, I too am glad our country had the tobacco industry "back in the day" so that many people could be enslaved and beaten and murdered while farming an incredibly damaging plant (to the environment and to the people themselves).

 

It is wonderful because of how those slaveholders did well economically. They needed to survive.

[amybear912]

Would you also say people need to survive as applies to drug dealers? There is no difference, smoking is just as addictive, and kills as many people. Yes I know it is legal but only because the tobacco lobbists spread so much money around to legislaters and the amount of tax the states receive is huge.On the other side of the coin you have the tremendous cost in health care for smokers.

 

I think you are confused... vermonter16 was saying that the states who grow tobacco needed the money to provides for their economic health... Back in the day, tobacco was what kept some states "fiscally" alive...

 

And yes, even drug dealers need to survive economically... otherwise there wouldn't be a supply and demand for narcotics - someone survives off of that type of living and they pump their money into our economy - right or wrong, that's how our economy is designed...

 

Smokers have tremendous health costs... so do alcoholics, people who are overweight, people who have chronic conditions... In this day and age, health care is costly and living a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee that your health costs will be low over your lifetime... There are tons of healthy people everyday who are given the surprise of a lifetime when a major health condition arises... we are human beings, not robots... we weren't meant to last forever.

[JoeD]

The only real difference is that you can no longer smoke in your cabin. I did a poll on these boards when the new policy was first announced and only a couple people were planning on canceling because of the new policy, it was a very insignificant number (like 3 or 4 people, not percentage points) so I am unsure where or what you are basing your theories on. Most of the smokers (in the poll) didn't smoke in their cabins anyways and that was a extremely high number in the high 80%'s so again it really wasn't some big dramatic change.

 

 

I remember that poll and that some expressed concern over what happens when the weather is bad. I am a member of other groups where there are many more smokers than there are on CC who can freely express their feelings about cruising without being flamed or deleted. They follow the current bans and they are not inclined to spend their money on a cruise where they are made to feel uncomfortable for a week. RCI also has an inconsistent policy on different ships. There are very few designated areas to smoke on the ship as it is now. I was on a cruise last year when it rained for 6 of the 7 days. The outdoor areas including the balconies with high winds were not a solution for smokers and most bars with smoking sections were closed during the day. I always thought it would be fine to just smoke on my balcony before this cruise and now realize that it is not possible on every cruise.

 

I am basing my theories on the people in these other groups and on my particular situation where over one hundred people will be looking for a different cruiseline for our reunion.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I think you are confused... vermonter16 was saying that the states who grow tobacco needed the money to provides for their economic health... Back in the day, tobacco was what kept some states "fiscally" alive...

 

And yes, even drug dealers need to survive economically... otherwise there wouldn't be a supply and demand for narcotics - someone survives off of that type of living and they pump their money into our economy - right or wrong, that's how our economy is designed...

 

Smokers have tremendous health costs... so do alcoholics, people who are overweight, people who have chronic conditions... In this day and age, health care is costly and living a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee that your health costs will be low over your lifetime... There are tons of healthy people everyday who are given the surprise of a lifetime when a major health condition arises... we are human beings, not robots... we weren't meant to last forever.

 

The drug dealer part fits I think.

 

As smoking is really a legal drug habit wrapped in a whole lot of smoke.

[Sue L]

I remember that poll and that some expressed concern over what happens when the weather is bad. I am a member of other groups where there are many more smokers than there are on CC who can freely express their feelings about cruising without being flamed or deleted. They follow the current bans and they are not inclined to spend their money on a cruise where they are made to feel uncomfortable for a week. RCI also has an inconsistent policy on different ships. There are very few designated areas to smoke on the ship as it is now. I was on a cruise last year when it rained for 6 of the 7 days. The outdoor areas including the balconies with high winds were not a solution for smokers and most bars with smoking sections were closed during the day. I always thought it would be fine to just smoke on my balcony before this cruise and now realize that it is not possible on every cruise.

 

I am basing my theories on the people in these other groups and on my particular situation where over one hundred people will be looking for a different cruiseline for our reunion.[/quote

 

Every RCCL ship I have been on has covered smoking areas (lifeboat deck, pool deck ) etc where there are plenty of places to smoke even in inclement weather, so I don't think you theory holds up. There were plenty of places to smoke if I wanted to and even if bars were "closed" most have no walls or door that would bar you from going in a having a smoke.

[teajak]

I guess now I have heard it all "even drug dealers need to survive economically" The supply and demand comes from the addiction factor. God help us all if our ecomomy depends on the drug dealers.