Smoking policy

[Sheepdogz79]

Just back from Oasis and despite the fact that 50% of the casino was supposed to be smoke-free, the smell was awful. Something has to be done. We were on Celebrity Millenium and there was no smoking in the casino. What a joy!

 

 

Something can be done, go back to Celebrity

[Muushka]

Sorry to revive this thread, but as someone who just completed our first RCI cruise, we were stunned that smoking was allowed on the balconies. We always cruise Celebrity and we all know what their policy is. We (wrongly) assumed that RCI would have the same policy. Shame on us for assuming that.

 

We were in a JS on FOS last month. Our lovely next door neighbors, both sides, were smokers. One set of them actually backed their chairs against our mutual wall, which allowed the smoke to rise up and over to our balcony. And no matter how fast the ship moved, that smoke came over. I am not afraid of second hand smoke, but the smell is disgusting. We were only able to sit out there about half the time that we actually wanted to be out there. As soon as we went out to sit, inevitably within a few minutes they would come out and smoke.

 

Our fault for not reading the smoking policy.:mad: I figured it was more of a family cruiseline than X, so smoking would not be tolerated. I still don't understand the logic.

 

 

Ahhh... with the ship travelling upwards of 24 knots, I can see how smoke would linger in one place, and not be intermixed with the billions of other air molecules passing by your balcony every fraction of a second. :rolleyes:

 

The ship rarely travels at those speeds. Trust me, when they smoked, so did we.

 

Something can be done, go back to Celebrity

 

I plan on it.

[startwin]

Agreed, 15 pubs went for auction in a small area of South Wales recently with others closing pretty rapidly. Absolutely nothing to do with culture, even the pub owners are saying that the no smoking has killed their trade.

 

 

Whereas where I live in BC the pubs are doing a thriving business since smoking was banned. There was a lot of yelling in the beginning that they would all go out of business, but now the majority of the population can enjoy going into a pub for a drink without choking or eyes streaming. We stopped at our local last night... on a Wednesday night it was jam-packed.

[lifeastrin]

The boleros on the freedom of the seas is non smoking,the bar tender was telling me since they put boleros non smoking boleros been empty and they not making that much money,it group of 100 guest wrote to the hotel director that should put one side of the boleros smoking,i agree smokers pay the same amount as the non smokers and its not fare that the non smokers get to enjoy the whole ship and the smokers only have a little places to go,that on the freedom of the seas,but hopefully it will change some bars arent making money becouse of that

I did chuckle to myself at this. Smokers can enjoy every single inch of the ships as long as they don't have the offending cigarette hanging from their mouths or fingers. Aww bless :)

[teajak]

Something can be done, go back to Celebrity

We already have along with lots of others. The casino and bars are always full so you can't say the policy has hurt revenue. Even being only 2 points from diamond plus won't keep us on RCI. their elite perks are much better also with the free laundry, 90 minutes of internet time, per person and a great cocktail hour. Seems odd since they are the same corporation.:D:D:D:D

[gerif]

Whereas where I live in BC the pubs are doing a thriving business since smoking was banned. There was a lot of yelling in the beginning that they would all go out of business, but now the majority of the population can enjoy going into a pub for a drink without choking or eyes streaming. We stopped at our local last night... on a Wednesday night it was jam-packed.

 

Same here in NJ - oh, the cries of doom and gloom from bars and other establishments when the smoking ban was first discussed. Even with the lousy economy now, the bars are just as packed as ever - couldn't even get a parking spot at our local pub last week.

 

I love spending time in a casino and am thrilled to have found the Empire Casino in Yonkers - totally non-smoking - and it's always packed as well. I know they have non-smoking sections in the ship's casino, but that's like having a non-peeing section in a pool - absolutely no way of containing it for those that do not wish to inhale second hand smoke which is just as lethal as if someone were smoking themselves. A group to which I belong used to allow smoking at our monthly meetings. Even though smokers were relegated to one area, I got sick of having to hang my clothing outside and wash my hair when returning from a meeting as they reeked - also, DH who suffers from asthma and emphysema was unable to attend meetings at all. Finally called a vote and, surprisingly, even many of the smokers voted to ban smoking completely.

 

As someone stated - smokers may go anywhere on the ship they wish - they just cannot smoke everywhere. Not so for non-smokers especially those who are severely sensitive to smoke. Sorry, your right to smoke ends with my right to breathe clean air.

[BillOh]

It's really much more of an issue here in this forum than it is on the ships.

[Muushka]

It's really much more of an issue here in this forum than it is on the ships.

 

I respectfully disagree. I have never discussed smoking on the boards.

 

Only until my vacation was adversely affected by it, did I say anything here.

[jmraggs]

Only until my vacation was adversely affected by it, did I say anything here.

 

I have to agree with you on this part, 50% of my balcony experience has not been enjoyable.

[krewzin]

I have to agree with you on this part, 50% of my balcony experience has not been enjoyable.

 

 

 

Couldn't you just move to the other side of the balcony?

[Muushka]

Couldn't you just move to the other side of the balcony?

 

It would be like moving to the next table when a screaming child is right next to yours. Useless.

 

For the record, I am not a no-smoking militant type. I think that smokers have gotten a raw deal lots of times. When I am out in the open and someone starts smoking, I do not get angry, I just move. Smokers have rights too. I am glad that they are allowed a whole side of the promenade deck, they deserve a place to smoke in peace, without people getting in a huff about it.

 

But when I can't move, because balconies are not that large, it irritates me that because someone is smoking (which I now understand, they have a right to on RCI), I cannot enjoy my own private balcony, one that I paid extra for, one that when we talk of a cruise, that is what we look forward to.

 

Now that I understand the rules of RCI cruise line, if I choose to cruise with them again, I will be prepared.

 

For smokers, who think we make too much of this, think of it this way. You love the dining experience. You spend upwards of 3 to 4 hours per day dining. Add a screaming child, one who has every right to be there in the dining room with you, at the table next to you, for 2 hours a day. You cannot make the child move. The only option you have is to either put up with it or leave the dining room and find some place else to eat. That is how we felt.

[joandian]

I just wanted to add something to this thread. I don't care if people smoke or don't smoke, but I do care where they smoke and appreciate all those who only smoke in allocated smoking areas.

I am severely allergic to cigarette smoke. It cases anaphylaxis, my throat closes up and I can't breathe. This affliction came on suddenly and I had the first attack when we were in Vegas 5 years ago. Since then I've learnt to deal with it as best as I can and not let it stop me from doing what I want to do.

So, I need to avoid cigarette smoke and I don't put myself in the position of going to areas/places where there will be smokers. But, it's not as simple as that. I am so sensitive, I can smell it on peoples clothing, in furniture and just that whiff, will cause me to have a reaction. I'll usually excuse myself if I'm in a group and leave or move if I'm in the theatre or other non-smoking area when someone with 'smokey' clothes sits near me.

After 3 cruises on RCI, we've sailed Celebrity the last 2 cruises and it was ok. There were more smokers on the Baltic cruise but I was able to deal with it. We are going back to RCI and sailing Brilliance in the Med next June and have booked a hump cabin in the hope we won't get much balcony smoke.

As for the 'half bar or half casino' non smoking. It doesn't work. The smell is there in the air, in the furnishings, in the carpet. Would I like all the ships to be totally non-smoking? I'd love it, but smokers have rights too and I can respect that. I just want them to respect others and not smoke in non-smoking areas. Doing so isn't just an inconvenience to others, it could seriously endanger the life of someone.

[ncb106]

It would be like moving to the next table when a screaming child is right next to yours. Useless.

 

For the record, I am not a no-smoking militant type. I think that smokers have gotten a raw deal lots of times. When I am out in the open and someone starts smoking, I do not get angry, I just move. Smokers have rights too. I am glad that they are allowed a whole side of the promenade deck, they deserve a place to smoke in peace, without people getting in a huff about it.

 

But when I can't move, because balconies are not that large, it irritates me that because someone is smoking (which I now understand, they have a right to on RCI), I cannot enjoy my own private balcony, one that I paid extra for, one that when we talk of a cruise, that is what we look forward to.

 

Now that I understand the rules of RCI cruise line, if I choose to cruise with them again, I will be prepared.

 

For smokers, who think we make too much of this, think of it this way. You love the dining experience. You spend upwards of 3 to 4 hours per day dining. Add a screaming child, one who has every right to be there in the dining room with you, at the table next to you, for 2 hours a day. You cannot make the child move. The only option you have is to either put up with it or leave the dining room and find some place else to eat. That is how we felt.

i agree with you,you are the only person that make sence in this thread.

[ncb106]

sometimes i dont understand these smoking threads everybody complains about the smoking but no body complain about when people go to the MDR with shorts,t shirt,look rccl has done a good job with the smoking policy,as of for the balcony sit down and wait becouse rccl is not got have non smoking balcony.

[Karma5]

Going to the MDR in shorts is not a carcinogen, it does not cause cancer and serious health problems. Most places here in NE do not allow smoking such as in hotels, restaurants, public places. Smoking and second hand smoking causes cancer, coronary artey disease, COPD and many other health problems.

Smoking should be stopped everywhere. This will save lives and millions of dollars in health care costs.

[papichulo]

Going to the MDR in shorts is not a carcinogen, it does not cause cancer and serious health problems. Most places here in NE do not allow smoking such as in hotels, restaurants, public places. Smoking and second hand smoking causes cancer, coronary artey disease, COPD and many other health problems.

Smoking should be stopped everywhere. This will save lives and millions of dollars in health care costs.

smoking is never gonna stop so take a chill pills,drinking kill peop le more faster then smoking yOU need to go to A NON SMOKING SHIP RCL IS DOING A GOOD JOB WITH SMOKING

[teajak]

smoking is never gonna stop so take a chill pills,drinking kill peop le more faster then smoking yOU need to go to A NON SMOKING SHIP RCL IS DOING A GOOD JOB WITH SMOKING

You are totally wrong about smoking not going to stop. Look at the gains made in the last few years in all of the US. It has not hurt revenue, the casino and bars on Celebrity are always packed and smoke free. The insurance companies have changed their policies because of the cost of caring for smokers, etc. etc.. Thank heaven for all of these changes, it is a bad way to die.

[jMollys]

Really. Prohibition aka "The Noble Experiment," worked well too. Right.

[GEORGET]

I do not smoke but have cruised a lot, Balconies + mainly,

 

I must be lucky as never been bothered by smoke, smokers, smelly clothes etc.

 

Perhaps it was because i was brought up in the 50's when smog and fog was everywhere.

Cannot remember anybody in our class of 40+ suffering from asthma then.

 

 

I think RCCL have got it right by being tolerrent to Smokers, they have a sister company that is basically for Non Smokers.

 

Here is a observation there are more smokers than people who suffer from the affects of smoke, smokers are also married to Non smokers.

If you stop smokers from cruising and there partners that is a large chunk of the population.

Can they afford to lose any customers in this current climate?

 

Were i live more people die from car emissions than Second hand smoke, nobody says we should ban the car.

 

What i would like to see is that 20% of bars are for smokers and well ventilated and sign posted so those affected by it can avoid, lets face it these ships are enormous compared to 25 years ago.

 

Everybody including screeming kids are intitled to enjoy there vacation with out critics.

As long as we can avoid them.

Be tolerant and enjoy a great way to holiday.

Just my thoughts

g

[wingatesl]

All I have to say as of now is this subject will never go away.

 

This thread will soon be gone and another will take it's place here in the Sacread Halls of cruising. :rolleyes:

Or some kind soul could bump this one so there would be no need to post another!

[madmarti]

Hey, sheepdogz79, you are so right. I hear Celebrity has some beautiful ships, 90% non smoking.:eek:

[Muushka]

I do not smoke but have cruised a lot, Balconies + mainly,

 

I must be lucky as never been bothered by smoke, smokers, smelly clothes etc.

 

Perhaps it was because i was brought up in the 50's when smog and fog was everywhere.

Cannot remember anybody in our class of 40+ suffering from asthma then.

 

 

I think RCCL have got it right by being tolerrent to Smokers, they have a sister company that is basically for Non Smokers.

 

Here is a observation there are more smokers than people who suffer from the affects of smoke, smokers are also married to Non smokers.

If you stop smokers from cruising and there partners that is a large chunk of the population.

Can they afford to lose any customers in this current climate?

 

Were i live more people die from car emissions than Second hand smoke, nobody says we should ban the car.

 

What i would like to see is that 20% of bars are for smokers and well ventilated and sign posted so those affected by it can avoid, lets face it these ships are enormous compared to 25 years ago.

 

Everybody including screeming kids are intitled to enjoy there vacation with out critics.

As long as we can avoid them.

Be tolerant and enjoy a great way to holiday.

Just my thoughts

g

 

Sadly, we could not avoid the smoke puffing over into our balcony. Well we could avoid it, but it meant giving up the reason we cruise and the reason we spend extra money for a balcony. For the record, some people such as myself are not afraid of second hand smoke. I do not like the smell. Period. If I smell it, I have to leave the area.

 

As a someone who is new to RCI, the subject is new to me. Sorry. I won't pollute the thread any more!

 

Carry on...........

[deborahjo]

I guess all of us non-smokers didn't book enough on the Carnival Paradise back when it was smoke free. Even the crew was not allowed to smoke. I applaud Carnival for trying such a bold experiment, even though it failed.

 

I sailed her and am so sad the non smoking ship failed. We loved nothaving smoke all around us. We will see on the Mariner how we like it now.

[EmpressofPurple]

...perhaps RCI could open the casino as non-smoking and after a length of time change it to smoking. That way both sides would have use each day it is open.

 

I think the biggest problem is the balconies. ...Non-smokers should not be subject to the smell of smoke on their balconies, and smokers should have the right to smoke on theirs. I've believed for a long time that balcony smoking on opposite sides of the ship would be a thoughtful, adult compromise that could work very nicely.

 

The most common-sense, non-hysterical, easily implementable ideas stated on any "smoking" thread. Would that RCI would listen!!! It would be SO EASY to make the cabins on one side of the ship non-smoking and the other side smoking, and have people book accordingly. This would make everyone, if not happy, at least happier.

 

I am aware of the bottom-line impact of these decisions; I remember when bars and restaurants in NYC went non-smoking, there was indeed a backlash and sales plummeted... until people got used to the new law, accepted that it wasn't going to change, and started going out again.

 

I am not a big casino person, but I make a point of ALWAYS going on non-smoking night, just to make my "donation" so the ship can say, "See, those nonsmokers do gamble!" I like the suggestion of having the casino nonsmoking every night (first), followed by smoking afterwards, so everyone can use it every day.

 

Yes, I know it's impossible to get the scent out of clothing, carpeting, upholstery, etc. -- on Princess we once had a cabin which had previously been used by smokers, and it was unbearable! They had special cleaning crews come in and shampoo the carpet, wash down the fabric headboards, change the bedcovers, curtains, etc. -- and still the odor lingered. And on nonsmoking nights in the Casino, I certainly smell the leftover tobacco smell everywhere -- but this would be a good compromise, at least for those of us who don't have a anaphylactic reaction to cigarette smoke, actual or residual.

 

And I am of the 40+ crowd, who had two parents who smoked, and spent all of my childhood sitting in the "smoking" section in the movie theatre with them, flying on planes in the "smoking" section at the back of the plane, setting out ashtrays at the dining table for all the adults who smoked DURING the meal (not just at the end)... I lived through it. It wasn't pleasant, for sure, and it probably had some nasty effects on me. But I don't think I'm going to DIE RIGHT NOW if I inhale someone's smoke for a few minutes. However, I almost never pay for a balcony because it just isn't worth it to me to sit next to smokers out there for hours on end.

 

We know better now. There's nothing wrong with restricting when and where people can smoke, and leaning in favor of what is better for our health. I love the suggestion of one side of the ship's cabins being smoking, one side non-smoking. RCI, please do this!!! That way the smokers can wander out for a smoke and not worry about impinging on other people's right to enjoy clean air on their balconies... and nonsmokers can enjoy that balcony that they paid for, too, without having to endure others' secondhand smoke!!!

[2tall]

I love the suggestion of one side of the ship's cabins being smoking, one side non-smoking. RCI, please do this!!! That way the smokers can wander out for a smoke and not worry about impinging on other people's right to enjoy clean air on their balconies... and nonsmokers can enjoy that balcony that they paid for, too, without having to endure others' secondhand smoke!!!

 

As a smoker, I agree with this fully. Since they changed the policy and we can no longer smoke in the cabin (which I understand), we have only the smoking venues around the ship and our balcony in which to indulge our habit. We've tried to be sensitive to our neighbors, though, since they absolutely can't get away from us when we're out on the balcony unless they go inside and close the door. We always talk to them beforehand or as soon as we can to let them know the situation...and tell them that we'll call out (which is annoying, I'm sure but it beats the alternative) when we come out on the balcony to smoke. If they're out there, we go somewhere else (unless we're in our pajamas :o). We've been lucky so far in that it's worked and that our neighbors don't spend huge amounts of time out on their balconies (and have been very gracious to us as well)...but I'm sure that we eventually will be right next to somebody who is out there all the time, doesn't want to go inside for 5 minutes and we won't be able to smoke. If one side of the ship is smoking, then it'll protect the folks who don't want to be subject to it second-hand and we won't have to feel guilty every time we smoke.