A few observations!

[ncat]

Just back from Oasis and wanted to make a few points about little things we noticed: Smoking: this was a big problem for us. Although there were certain areas for smokers, we noticed many selfish people lit up anywhere & everywhere with no regard for anyone (and were never challenged). In most of the social venues - Boleros esp - the smell of smoke was so bad just standing outside, we couldn't bear to go in - really offputting. Maybe we're so used to clean air here in the UK at public entertainment venues but it was really nasty! Sad sunbed hoggers: it was very difficult especially in the lovely Solarium area, to find a free sunbed or our favourite seating - the pods - after @10am in the morning. Despite signs up saying that no towels were to be left on them unattended for over 1/2 an hour, we didn't see any member of staff removing towels despite them having been left for hours. This is a very selfish thing to do and is unfair on everyone. Entertainment bookings: we had missed one of the shows due to a time clash, but because we had already booked it - the system wouldn't allow us to re-book for another time. This wasn't a huge problem as the stand-by queue always seemed to get entry anyway, but is something they should maybe make you aware of. Unfortunately, the evening we attended Hairspray was spoiled by a large group of people travelling together with shouted and hollered to one another all the way through, despite a gentleman asking them to stop - he was jeered for his request. Why do some people seem intent of spoiling things for others? Ho hum! All in all, Fantasic ship, fantastic holiday - have a wonderful time!:D

[Allure2011]

Why do people smoke in public places? I don't get it. They better fix that before I go onto the Allure. Nothing ticks me off more than un-courteous people. They should have one lounge on the ship with closing doors that is just for smokers and that is the only area of the ship they can smoke.

[Tyler80]

As most states are moving toward smoke free restaurants and bars, cruise ships should also move in that direction. Smoking should only be allowed outside and not outside on your balcony.

[lauderdalebob]

Amen, to that Tyler, and cigars should just be allowed in one CIGAR bar and that's it! Period! Never out on the decks or on balconies.

[flynsail]

I have an outside balcony cabin booked for my Feb 20th sailing because I love to be able to sit out on my balcony and look out over the ocean. I've had my fingers crossed ever since I reserved it that the people in cabins on either side of me aren't smokers or I will be SOOOO! dissappointed. That will probably spoil the cruise for me. I know I won't be out there that much but I'm really looking forward to it and hope to be able to breath fresh air while I'm enjoying it. I certainly won't be able to go anywhere near Bolero's unfortunately.

[kokonutkroozer]

I don't know about all RCCL or only Oasis, but I read and confirmed with my PCC upon booking that it is non smoking on the balconies on the port side and smoking on starboard side. I am hoping that this is a new trend that other lines will follow.

 

My one other balcony experience was marred by smokers on either side of me. I really hope that it is not an issue on Oasis.

 

Can anyone else who is back confirm the smoking policy or if anyone on the port side smelled cigarette smoke? Thank you.

[ammcem]

I think I'm in for a shock. We've only cruised with Disney and don't remember having ANY smoke except on my neighbor's balcony on one cruise. All indoor venues are non-smoking before 9pm and very few allow smoking at all. This is my biggest worry for our cruise in March on the Oasis.

[flynsail]

When I booked last March for my cruise this February, the RCCL consultant who I spoke with told me that the port side was non smoking on the whole ship as well as the balconies and was the better side for docking in ports. Boy, after reading all the posts on here, I now realize how wrong he was on all accounts and I kind of feel a little upset because I wouldn't have booked the same cabin had I known what I know now. I've considered changing cabins but I love the ocean views so much that I've kept it and I'll hope for the best.

[mafig]

When I booked last March for my cruise this February, the RCCL consultant who I spoke with told me that the port side was non smoking on the whole ship as well as the balconies and was the better side for docking in ports. Boy, after reading all the posts on here, I now realize how wrong he was on all accounts and I kind of feel a little upset because I wouldn't have booked the same cabin had I known what I know now. I've considered changing cabins but I love the ocean views so much that I've kept it and I'll hope for the best.

 

 

We were on Port side last week. Oasis docked port side in St. Maartin. Port side is also best for sailaway in Ft. Lauderdale.:)

We never smelled smoke on our balcony.

 

Don't worry....it'll be fine.

[JHA65]

You can smoke on an ocean view balcony on both sides of the ship. I have a balcony and I love to go out there and have a glass of wine and a smoke before dinner. If my neighbors told me it bothered them then we work something out so I am not smoking when they are out on there balcony.

 

JHA

[Cruising89143]

You can smoke on the balconies regardless of side of ship. No smoking in any cabins.

[Aqua Bliss]

Bolero's was the worst for us. I think it is a designated smoking area at the bar but every time we walked past it the whole place smelled of smoke. It's too bad because there were a few activities that we wanted to attend but we couldn't even bare to go inside. Looked like a nice lounge too (at least from 20 feet away).

 

We even had an FLL excursion that met/gathered in Boleros at 8am on departure day and there were 3 people smoking away at the Boleros bar. I couldn't stand it and just walked across to On-Air and waited there instead.

[flynsail]

We were on Port side last week. Oasis docked port side in St. Maartin. Port side is also best for sailaway in Ft. Lauderdale.:)

We never smelled smoke on our balcony.

 

Don't worry....it'll be fine.

mafig, Thank's for the encouraging information. I hope I'm as lucky

[MA cruisers]

On our 1/9/10 sailing, in addition to Bolero's, the Schooner Bar was extremely smoky as well.

[alonzo14]

You cannot smoke on any of the inside Balconies like the Boardwalk or Central Park.

[ncat]

Maybe you're not supposed to smoke on them, but I can assure you that people were! :mad:

[alphakitty]

Just back from Oasis and wanted to make a few points about little things we noticed: Smoking: this was a big problem for us. Although there were certain areas for smokers, we noticed many selfish people lit up anywhere & everywhere with no regard for anyone (and were never challenged). In most of the social venues - Boleros esp - the smell of smoke was so bad just standing outside, we couldn't bear to go in - really offputting. Maybe we're so used to clean air here in the UK at public entertainment venues but it was really nasty! Sad sunbed hoggers: it was very difficult especially in the lovely Solarium area, to find a free sunbed or our favourite seating - the pods - after @10am in the morning. Despite signs up saying that no towels were to be left on them unattended for over 1/2 an hour, we didn't see any member of staff removing towels despite them having been left for hours. This is a very selfish thing to do and is unfair on everyone. Entertainment bookings: we had missed one of the shows due to a time clash, but because we had already booked it - the system wouldn't allow us to re-book for another time. This wasn't a huge problem as the stand-by queue always seemed to get entry anyway, but is something they should maybe make you aware of. Unfortunately, the evening we attended Hairspray was spoiled by a large group of people travelling together with shouted and hollered to one another all the way through, despite a gentleman asking them to stop - he was jeered for his request. Why do some people seem intent of spoiling things for others? Ho hum! All in all, Fantasic ship, fantastic holiday - have a wonderful time!:D

 

Just off the 1/23 sailing. I will agree we avoided Bolero's and the Schooner Bars as they are smoking bars, but no problem for us as there were many other locations to hang out without smoking.

 

Yes, the Solarium chair hogs were in full force. :rolleyes: I did however see the pool attendent removing many towels from chairs. We even asked her to remove towels and magazines from one set of chairs that was sitting idle for close to an hour and she thanked me for our help saying she could not catch them all. The pods were difficult to get, but there were only about 10 of them, so that is to be expected I think.

[welove2cruisedou]

I have a Boardwalk balcony and let me tell you if someone is smoking out on their balcony and I have to breathe it in, I will be callin down to guest relations and report them. In Royal Caribbean's brochure it clearly states...smoking is not permittted in any dining venue, theater, hallway, or corridor. Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on Oasis-class Boardwalk or Central Park private balconies:however, it is permitted on private Ocean View balconies of balcony/suite staterooms. A US $250 penalty will be applied to the SeaPass for guests found smoking in staterooms or on the private balconies in Boardwalk and Central Park on board Oasis-class ships... I booked the Boardwalk balcony just so my husband and I could get away from the smokers. So if I see anyone out in these areas, I will be calling guest relations and complaining. If there are designated areas for people to smoke then the smokers should go to those areas, my husband and I will be sure not to go near those areas of the ship. I really hope the casino is not all smoking, my husband likes to go in the casino and he should not have to sit next to someone smoking. People just have some respect for those of us who dont smoke, we would appreciate it if you didnt smoke near us. Thank you..........

[Cruising89143]

There was a non smoking area in the casino but IMO, it was still very smokey over the entire area.

[delacruz]

There was a non smoking area in the casino but IMO, it was still very smokey over the entire area.

 

I don't mean to start a flaming war from the smokers out there, but 40 yrs ago the Surgeon General of the US released the first official report on the dangers of cigarette smoking, and more recently, of 2nd hand smoke exposure.

 

For the mainstream cruiselines to have not followed the lead of many states and cities, and provided for truly non-smoking sections, is still astounding to me. How can they call a small section of the casino 'non-smoking', when the air you are breathing is non filtered in any way from the smoking in the air just feet away?

 

Unfortunately we haven't spent a dime in any ship casino, although DH would love to make his 'contributions'. On Explorer of the Seas, the smoke was so thick in the Casino, we found that the best way to get from the Main Dining Rm to the Theater (all on deck 4, with the Casino between them), was to go up to the Promenade deck, cross over, and go down to Deck 4 again.

 

I am not saying to take rights away from smokers, but to observe the rights of non-smokers equally, and provide well-ventilated areas.

[labadooze]

IMO the only place smoking was an issue was in the casino. One side of the casino is smoke free, but it didn't matter. The smoke takes over the entire space. It was pretty bad last week. I talked to many non smokers that did not gamble because of this. It probably saved me money and for that I'm thankful.

[Guest]

Why don't RCI just throw in a smoking cruise ship, instead of ruining the majority of non smoker's cruises?

[catlady27]

Copenhagen, Skoal, Snuff, Grizzly, there are plenty of smokeless tobacco products to choose from :D. My DH uses Copenhagen and has since the before we met. Do I like it? not really, but given my druthers, I would rather not have smoke :) I have tried several times to get him to quit and he HAS tried to quit but it is not an easy task as, I am sure, all the smokers out there would agree.

 

Hey, I feel for ya, I smoked for many years and quit cold turkey about 25 years ago and it was NOT a pretty site :eek:

[G'ma]

HA!!

 

What a funny thread.

C'mon guys, smoking is a legal activity and until that changes, smokers have the same right to light up in a designated smoking area as you have to avoid said areas.

 

As for the moralizing about smoking dangers and blah, blah, blah.....remember....most people who smoke are adults and are fully capable of making choices for themselves about cigarettes.

 

There are ships where smoking is severely restricted to 1 or 2 outside areas remote from others... If you are sooooo rabidly opposed to the mere whiff of tobacco, try another cruise line.

 

As for a non-smoking vessel? Well, that's already been tried...and it was a complete flop. It operated for 6 years and fell far behind in expected revenue compared to other ships in the fleet. Remember, with cruise lines, it's all about the bottom line.....they would no more exclude a group of smokers than those who are severely obese.

 

Y'all need to get over yourselves.....choose another cruise company. Or, if you insist on staying with a line where the smoking policy is liberal, knock off the complaining.

 

Funny as you guys can be, you do get tiriing.....

[tazdeb]

Why don't RCI just throw in a smoking cruise ship, instead of ruining the majority of non smoker's cruises?

 

I agree, they should make the Monarch of the Seas completely non-smoking. But of course as a trade off they should have no restrictions on smoking on all the other ships. Then all the people who have a problem with smokers could have a ship to sail on.