1 HappyCruiser

Its going to force those who do not share to buy 2 packages because of those who steal (some call stealing sharing).

Honest folks pay for the theives of the world

:cj

Isn't that always the way things work? So take advantage of it while you can. ;)

A little drink sharing is like being a little pregnant. Either it's wrong or it's not. I'm not saying it's wrong to be pregnant, of course, just it's just either you are or you aren't.

 

For purposes of illustration, let's take it to the extreme and say that, out of 3,000 adults on board, they sell 1,500 drink packages and those they sell them to share drinks with the other 1,500, who consume as much as those who legitimately have the package. If the cruise line was expecting to make X (no pun intended:p) amount of revenue based on typical consumption of 3,000 people, they have to charge double the amount they would if everyone played by the rules. In reality, the losses are not 50%, but they do factor in a certain amount of loss from drink pilfering into the cost of the package, same as a store figures a certain amount of loss from shoplifting and passes those costs on to the customers, one of which is me. So everybody, please stop saying that your sharing drinks does not affect me. It may not be a huge amount, but it's money out of my pocket to pay for your drink. And it's precisely why it's now mandatory on RCI that if one person in the cabin buys a drink package, the other person must purchase it, as well.

 

I predict that when (not if) Celebrity decides to initiate the same policy, there will be a great cry of outrage from those who feel that they are being taken advantage of by the big, bad cruiseline. If you don't like their product under the terms they're offering, don't buy it.

What you say about increasing prices is so true. People should realize that if those like like sharing a little every now and then it's going to ruin a good thing for the select few who share a little without paying the now exorbitant prices they now charge.

I have never "smuggled' alcohol on and yes it is wrong as well.

Don't most people? I though they did considering their drastic liquor prices.

When I purchased a soda package last year, they told me it was OK to share! It was part of the sales pitch on board!

You're just doing what a majority of the people do anyway but most just won't admit to it.:D

Wow that's really strange that they have swapped smoking sides of the promenade on the Ruby. We been cruising Princess loyally for 15 years and it's always been port side for any smoking, except balconies when it was allowed. This could really put some people who have booked the Ruby on the wrong side, both smokers and non smokers. I wonder if anyone has noticed smoke rising up from the promenade if they had a balcony above or if it's a mute point.

 

Beachbum

If some people noticed it on the Emerald deck port side I'm sure the same problem will exist on starboard side as well. It's just the confusion of having to know which ships will change & which ones won't and not being taken by surprise. :(

That would be really good. Especially since the outdoor smoking areas seem to be on port side - except for the promenade deck ?? I think they're in a state of 'flux' right now trying to see what works best. I'm thinking, like someone previously posted - they don't want people smoking port side on the promenade deck due to refueling while in port. Just a thought.

But that's only for a short period on the embarkation day.

Thank you soo much for this info as we are booked in an Emerald Deck mini for our cruise in October and have worried about the smoke from the Promenade deck ruining our enjoyment of our balcony. I have puzzled as to why Princess just didn't move the smoking area more mid ship as there would be no balconies above that area.

I only hope they standardize the smoking sides on the promenade deck for all ships or at least post the locations on their web site so people can check before booking.

All I can say is that it very aggravating to have one ships smoking area different than the others. If they change it on the Emerald then change the rest of them also & make it well known before people book a cabin thinking there's no smoking below them. The smoke does rise upward from the promenade deck but how far it goes is yet to be determined.

no doubt they should make both in cabin cabin buy the package

:cj

If they did that the price would no doubt be cheaper per person.

 

If the theft problem continues, they will do what other cruiselines have done and require people who are traveling together to both buy a package.

Since the prices they now charge reflect people already taking advantage of sharing we might as well take advantage of the package while it lasts. ;)

We had a Starboard cabin and friends coming to see us (on Starboard side) saw 5 people smoking near the burger place, staff did not want to get involved (near hallway to Lido cabins), fortunately we did not smell smoke coming into our GS hallway. Paid for GS and OS suite b2b, Paid for an OS suite and smelled smoke coming from either balcony or inside rooms near us, when staff does not want to do anything about it, why should we pay more.... not anymore will we and we are looking into lux lines. We love the large Princess ships, but at what price?

Did you report it to the Pass Service Desk and if so what was their reply about correcting the situation?

I have wondered why the Promenade deck (where people walk their mile (or more) a day is a smoking area. I don't smoke, but wish there was a nice, comfortable place (maybe one indoor and one outdoor) for smokers to enjoy their smokes without that confrontation issue. That being said, I do appreciate the smoke free staterooms and balconies.

Other than one side of the promenade deck there isn't many other places outdoors where they could put them.

Didn't know that - good to know. Perhaps you could wait and rent a clamshell once you got on the island as well? Reason I wonder is that if I'm not mistaken - anything you book in advance on the Cays is non-refundable.

I really don't know but I've seen money exchange hands to the attendants on the clam shell side. Maybe it was just a tip I've seen them giving the attendants? Why not just see if you can get a spot in the shade first and then decide if you want a clam shell? The only thing is that the free seating is to the left when you exit the tenders & the clam shells are to the right which means checking out the free side first. They're removed all the free seating on the clam shell side last year. The only reason I can think of is that they wanted to force people into renting the clam shells since there are no more free seats to be had.

Also people who rent the clam shells are a little particular about their placement & want to be up front near the water. This means getting there early in the morning since they are the first to go.

Can you rent floats, kayaks, etc once your get there or do you need to secure every before hand

You sure can- all you need is your cabin card to charge it.

We were at PC last year on the Crown and because we had missed Roatan due to weather' date=' it seemed that 99% of the passengers wanted to tender in and it took us about 2 hours to make it to the beach. That being said, I really wish I had rented a clamshell because there wasn't an available lounge chair to be found (sun or shade)!

 

DH and I did wade in about knee deep in front of the clamshells and it was quite rocky. I really wish we had brought watershoes so we could have explored more.

 

Enjoy your cruise![/quote']

 

As of last year around Nov. they removed all the free chairs on the clam shell side of the island. If you had gone to the other side there would have been free chairs available although I can't vouch for a shady spot.

Just arrive before noon and there are plenty of places to camp out under the shade of a tree or under a pavilion. No need to spend the extra money for something totally unnecessary.

There are plenty of rocks on the clam-shell side but even the other side still has some.

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/44843/2213637510103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

There's still shade even if you don't rent a clam-shell but has been cut back somewhat as of last year. Just know that if it's a hot day & there's no breeze they do get warm & many people wind up in front of them just to get cool.

As said, book on the starboard side. The have been some reports of problem areas for balconies right above the promenade deck port side (towards the rear) and the cabins port side on the lido deck from smoke being sucked into the hallway.

We often noticed a strong odor of smoke by the customer service desk (next to the casino) on the Crown. Not sure if that would ever be sufficient for PC to make the casino a non-smoking area.

 

Just as a side note, the smoking areas were very easy to avoid IME.

I've often wondered why they didn't add some doors on the casino to keep the smoke away from the service desk. Also the Captains host desk is located nearby & they have to suffer through their whole shift breathing in fumes and from a few conversations with various hosts they are not happy with the situation.

For example:

 

 

We've only utilized the perk 2 or 3 times & never seen anything like that....only some veggies, dip & cheese.

The perk isn't all that great a bonus. The most people I've even seen there is maybe 20 or so.

This doesn't quality as a charm but at one time it was offered by Princess in one of their jewelery shops.

http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv147/OLD_CRUISER/DSC09465.jpg

Just wonder how many times I will get turned in for using the e-cig on the balcony

It's not that smoking the e cigarettes will cause a problem it's just that seeing the smoke will encourage regular smokers to light up also.

We bypassed a balcony and chose a window suite when we found out hubby would no longer be able to enjoy his one-a-day cigar on the Princess balconies. While we were conveniently located to the Fiesta deck cigar lounge, it was the only place he was allowed to smoke them. The bar had such insufficient air handlers that I was unable to sit and join him if the bar was full. In an outdoor venue, I would have gladly kept him company. :(

 

We will not likely choose Princess again. Not so long as other lines continue to allow smoking on the balconies.

I think you might be happier on HAL since it's somewhat similar to Princess & still allows smoking on balconies although I'm not sure about cigars.

Although I am NOT a smoker, are you not infringing on their right to smoke? Why not just have one side smoking and the other not? Seems fair. Of the 5 cruises I have been on...NEVER have I been on my balcony and had problems. Seems that the new rule will make the casino smokier.

You've been quite lucky. Many people pay extra for a balcony & are denied use of it most of the cruise because of smoke. That doesn't seem quite fair, does it?

Yes the casino is a lost cause & probably will become the smoking room for a quick puff if a smoker doesn't want to travel far.