Smoking question...I'm a newbie...please be nice

[waterloogirl]

:) Hello everyone. I have posted two threads so far (everyone has been tremendously helpful) and am quite leary to ask the question I'm about to ask but...here goes...

I have sailed Princess many times and have always had a balcony stateroom...I am a light smoker and would only step out on the balcony to enjoy a puff when my cabin neighbours were not enjoying their balcony at the same time. I know Celebrity has a no-smoking policy now and it includes banned smoking in cabin and balcony. I do understand the interior statement ban and it being enforced; however, am curious if the balcony smoking rule is and can be enforced ... with courteous smoking (as above) only. I'm curious...please don't fire up !! :)

 

My second question (and more pc) is whether or not smart casual is acceptable in the spec restaurant on formal night?

 

Thanks in advance!! Very much looking forward to our first Celebrity sailing next month!!

[BurgerBits]

From what I'm reading here, yes, the ban on balcony smoking is enforced, and the likelihood that you'll have neighbors that 'tattle' is high. Do not assume that the folks 3 doors down who are outside where you can't see them aren't able to smell your smoke.

 

Also - yep, formal dress is requested/required in the specialty restaurants on formal nights.

 

On what ship will you be sailing?

[C 2 C]

I .. however, am curious if the balcony smoking rule is and can be enforced ... with courteous smoking (as above) only. I'm curious...please don't fire up !! :)

 

My second question (and more pc) is whether or not smart casual is acceptable in the spec restaurant on formal night?

 

Thanks in advance!! Very much looking forward to our first Celebrity sailing next month!!

 

If you're from Waterloo we're only 2 hours away and we're "enjoying" wintery weather just like you and really dreaming about a warm cruise.

 

The answer is yes to both questions.

We were on Solstice in December and someone was smoking on the aft balconies. We heard from the Hotel Director that they had been warned of the consequences. The smoking stopped after the second day at sea. Even though many will state the official policy, no one will stop you from enjoying a meal in the specialty restaurant if you are "smartly" dressed. We always dress up for any special occasion and I wear a jacket in the specialty dining area even on casual nights because I'm with my date.

 

Arno

[kitty9]

If anyone narcs you out for smoking on the balcony, and believe me they will narc you out, it is enforced. People say that balcony smoke can be smelled not only by your neighbors but it can be smelled by quite a few other surrounding cabins. And, if your neighbors like to keep their balcony door open, smoke does come into cabins, so they don't have to be sitting outside to smell the smoke.

 

As for smart casual, no, the specialty restaurant follows the exact dress codes of the main dining room. The specialty restaurants are very beautiful and elegant and a wonderful evening especially on formal nights.

[SusieV]

I simply wouldn't feel comfortable in the specialty restaurants in anything less than informal attire and even at that we prefer to dress formally. The service and meal sets the tone for a formal evening and wearing capris or a sundress just wouldn't cut it as far as I'm concerned.

 

The dress code does apply to the specialty restaurants on formal night. It used to be that they were always informal and formal on formal nights, but now they do allow people in smart casual attire on casual nights. We prefer to wear at least informal attire even then.

[waterloogirl]

Thanks everyone!!

 

C2C - yes, from Waterloo and, given the current weather, cannot wait for our cruise :)

 

I'm on the Century sailing Feb 14th!!

 

Happy to adhere to the smoking policy... :)

 

A little dissappointed re: specialty restaurant formal night attire as Princess has no issue with smart casual in alternate dining on formal nights. With this said, our party dresses every evening; however, really would prefer not to pack a suit/ tux and formal dresses!! May just kick it up a notch on formal night as it is an anniversary night and would really love to enjoy the specialty restaurant this evening. From what I have read, I believe the formal night on this cruise is Sunday (second evening)?

[waterloogirl]

sorry...one more question. In the alternative, I believe I read that the buffet offers alternative dining in the evening (al fresco, table clothed dining) for an additional charge. Is this true and can anyone comment on this for me please (i.e. is smart casual ok for this dining option?). Thanks again everyone!!

[hajekfam]

Thanks everyone!!

 

C2C - yes, from Waterloo and, given the current weather, cannot wait for our cruise :)

 

I'm on the Century sailing Feb 14th!!

 

Happy to adhere to the smoking policy... :)

 

A little dissappointed re: specialty restaurant formal night attire as Princess has no issue with smart casual in alternate dining on formal nights. With this said, our party dresses every evening; however, really would prefer not to pack a suit/ tux and formal dresses!! May just kick it up a notch on formal night as it is an anniversary night and would really love to enjoy the specialty restaurant this evening. From what I have read, I believe the formal night on this cruise is Sunday (second evening)?

For Celebrity there are alternatives to formal dining:

The specialty restaurant (Murano on Century) follows the dress code of the dining room. It is a very elegant dining room and menu and dinner takes at least 2 to 3 hours - closer to 3 hours - for a dinner. The atmosphere really makes you want to dress up for dining there.

However, there is alternative casual dining in the evening up in the buffet area - it is waiter service with tableclothes and the food is quite good. This is where they train the waiters for the main dining room. The menu is not the same as the main dining room - in fact a few nights we found it better alternative than the main dining room's menu.

[niborHS]

I think that one thing that may be confusing you is the difference between the alternative dining on Princess, and the specialty dining on Celebrity. On Princess, the alternative dining venues are much more casual than Muranos. On Celebrity, the specialty restaurants used to only allow men in with jackets, which was a step above the main dining room. I always saved my fancier dinner outfit for the specialty restaurant if I was not going on formal night. I will admit though, we are lucky to be women. We get away with a lot more than men do, black slacks and a fancier top with a little beading is what I am going to wear.

[ladyeights]

We just returned from the Solstice yesterday. I was very upset when I found out that smoking was not allowed on balcony and only in 5 designated areas. There is absolutely no smoking in the Casino.

 

I made it through the week!! Obviously, I smoked a lot less. There is smoking on the 5th floor, at the Mast Bar on deck 14 and in the rear of the SKY lounge also on 14. THere is also a corner on the pool deck.

 

Several of the other smoking guests I met at these locations did smoke their balconies. I think after the first warning they charge you $250 and it will be charged to your credit card. Next time I book a cruise, I will check into the "smoking policy". Unless, ofcourse, I have stopped smoking!!!

[molly361]

We just returned from the Solstice yesterday. I was very upset when I found out that smoking was not allowed on balcony and only in 5 designated areas. There is absolutely no smoking in the Casino.

 

I made it through the week!! Obviously, I smoked a lot less. There is smoking on the 5th floor, at the Mast Bar on deck 14 and in the rear of the SKY lounge also on 14. THere is also a corner on the pool deck.

 

Several of the other smoking guests I met at these locations did smoke their balconies. I think after the first warning they charge you $250 and it will be charged to your credit card. Next time I book a cruise, I will check into the "smoking policy". Unless, ofcourse, I have stopped smoking!!!

 

We found the Solstice (not sure about the rest of the Celebrity ships) to be the most smoker un-friendly ship we have ever been on. My husband adhered to the policies but we had neighbors smoking on their balcony the entire week.

[nothriver]

Can I just add that one of the reasons smoking is no longer allowed on the balconies is that there was a fire not too long ago, I believe it was on Carnival, because someone threw a cigarette but off a balcony, it blew into a cabin on another deck where it started a fire. When the smoking on the balcony conversation comes up, I think people need to be reminded of this incident.

[woody14h]

Can I just add that one of the reasons smoking is no longer allowed on the balconies is that there was a fire not too long ago, I believe it was on Carnival, because someone threw a cigarette but off a balcony, it blew into a cabin on another deck where it started a fire. When the smoking on the balcony conversation comes up, I think people need to be reminded of this incident.

 

That was the Star Princess and it was in March 2006. We were next to her in Jamaica and it looked a mess. So the no smoke balcony policy makes real sense. We were on the Solstice and being a non smoker it was a delight.

[Mysticks1]

That was the Star Princess and it was in March 2006. We were next to her in Jamaica and it looked a mess. So the no smoke balcony policy makes real sense. We were on the Solstice and being a non smoker it was a delight.

 

I am also a non-smoker who is happy about the smoking regulations on Solstice. For those who are interested in the Star Princess Fire you can actually read the official investigation report now. I found it very interesting to read the areas showing the response times, etc. http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Star%20Princess.pdf There are lots of unbelievable photos contained within the report of the interior stateroom and hallway damage. The cause of the fire is in section 2.3.2 on page 48.

[mkad1109]

I am also a non-smoker who is happy about the smoking regulations on Solstice. For those who are interested in the Star Princess Fire you can actually read the official investigation report now. I found it very interesting to read the areas showing the response times, etc. http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Star%20Princess.pdf There are lots of unbelievable photos contained within the report of the interior stateroom and hallway damage. The cause of the fire is in section 2.3.2 on page 48.

all I can really say is WOW.Thanks for sharing that!

[choochoocruiser]

I also applaud Celebrity for their new smoking policy. I think (and hope) that this policy will be adopted by the other lines in the future. After looking at the pictures in the fire report, I think I would be much more inclined to report anyone smoking on thier balcony. I did not realize the damage a cigarette could accidently cause.

[Spygirl13]

We are sailing on the Celebrity Summit out of Barcelona on 5/10. Does anyone know about the smoking areas on that ship? My husband likes to smoke a cigar occasionally and will he be able to do that??

[ghstudio]

Designated indoor areas where guests can smoke cigarettes include the port side of one lounge per ship and a designated slot machine area in each ship’s casino. The new policy also designates outdoor areas where guests can smoke. These include the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on each ship, the port side of the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Century and on Celebrity’s Millennium class of ships, and the port side aft outside of Winter Garden on Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Mercury. Celebrity’s new Solstice class of ships, launching with Celebrity Solstice late this year, will follow the new policy beginning with the first sailing. Celebrity Solstice’s Lawn Club and the Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking.

 

I believe that all of their ships (not the xplorer) have a Michael's Pub that allows cigar smoking....

[usha]

I believe that all of their ships (not the xplorer) have a Michael's Pub that allows cigar smoking....

Nope, Michael's Club is now designated as smoke-free.

[Susan-M]

My husband likes to smoke a cigar occasionally and will he be able to do that??

 

Designated indoor areas where guests can smoke cigarettes include the port side of one lounge per ship and a designated slot machine area in each ship’s casino.

 

 

The smoking policy from Celebrity's website:

 

For all Celebrity ships, smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom veranda. Cigarette smoking will only be permitted in designated indoor and outdoor areas of the ship, while cigar and pipe smoking will only be permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking will not be permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, hallway, elevator or corridor. Violations to this smoking policy will result in a $250 cleaning fee being charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through Celebrity Cruises' Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

[PSP]

I was on the Millineum in November and one of the passengers was smoking on her balcony and was reported. They contacted her and she was told that if she continued to smoke on her balcony she would be put off at the next port of call.

[Coadysmom]

We returned this past weekend from 2 weeks aboard the Millie. Cigar smoking was limited to the aft deck of the outdoor cafe on deck 10.

Cigarette smoking was allowed on the port (left) side of the outdoor decks on 10 and 11. Also, indoor smoking was allowed on the port side of the casino and the port side of the Cosmos bar on Deck 11.

[Spygirl13]

It sounds like there are options so I can't understand why anyone would go against the rules and smoke on their veranda. In any case, thanks for the quick respond!