QE Policy

[William Dean]

The reason for this is that Cunard has allocated personnel to inspect all cabins immediately that they are vacated on turn-around days, and one of the things that they 'look' for is "unpleasant odours", which can be caused by (among other things) tobacco smoking by the previous occupier. If any trace of odour is present, an Ioniser Purifier/Ozone Generator or "Air Scrubber" is used in the room to remove all traces of the offending odour. These machines are highly effective, and are used by Restoration Contractors in houses to remove smoke odors after fire damage, musty smells after flooding, and the stench caused by decaying flesh, which cannot be removed by other means.

 

Quite. I had a cabin once that still had the odd trace. So we had another visit from the machine. Everything was fine after that. Otherwise I have never noticed the smell of smoking on any passenger deck or companionway.

 

WD

[thecatcher]

Firstly, I would state that in no way do I wish to start a "smoking vs non-smoking debate" on this thread, but I find your post rather difficult to accept.

 

The reason for this is that Cunard has allocated personnel to inspect all cabins immediately that they are vacated on turn-around days, and one of the things that they 'look' for is "unpleasant odours", which can be caused by (among other things) tobacco smoking by the previous occupier. If any trace of odour is present, an Ioniser Purifier/Ozone Generator or "Air Scrubber" is used in the room to remove all traces of the offending odour. These machines are highly effective, and are used by Restoration Contractors in houses to remove smoke odors after fire damage, musty smells after flooding, and the stench caused by decaying flesh, which cannot be removed by other means.

 

So why should Cunard not "Air Scrub" the cabin (the process takes about 1 hour) rather than leave it "reeking of nicotine" and lose valuable revenue with it un-occupied!

 

Regards,

David

 

If you were not on QE second voyage and in the vicinity of the cabin in question then I guess you would find my post difficult to accept. I can assure you it took days not hours to remove the smell. Nicotine does tend to pollute everything in the cabin not just the air.:)

[philayl]

Philayl, that is very thoughtful of you. I certainly hope the weather cooperates with your plan as in certain conditions, standing on the deck can be an extremely challenging experience. :eek: Regards, Salacia

At times being married to my wife can be an extremely challenging experience!:p:D:D:D

[southwestie]

Firstly, I would state that in no way do I wish to start a "smoking vs non-smoking debate" on this thread, but I find your post rather difficult to accept.

 

The reason for this is that Cunard has allocated personnel to inspect all cabins immediately that they are vacated on turn-around days, and one of the things that they 'look' for is "unpleasant odours", which can be caused by (among other things) tobacco smoking by the previous occupier. If any trace of odour is present, an Ioniser Purifier/Ozone Generator or "Air Scrubber" is used in the room to remove all traces of the offending odour. These machines are highly effective, and are used by Restoration Contractors in houses to remove smoke odors after fire damage, musty smells after flooding, and the stench caused by decaying flesh, which cannot be removed by other means.

 

So why should Cunard not "Air Scrub" the cabin (the process takes about 1 hour) rather than leave it "reeking of nicotine" and lose valuable revenue with it un-occupied!

 

Regards,

David

 

 

Very interesting and nice to know how it is done, this I take is why hotels etc charge quite a high fee to smokers found smoking in non smoking rooms

[zider]

If you were not on QE second voyage and in the vicinity of the cabin in question then I guess you would find my post difficult to accept. I can assure you it took days not hours to remove the smell. Nicotine does tend to pollute everything in the cabin not just the air.:)

Nicotine is a colorless, odorless, organic-based alkaloid, You really should be more careful in your statements

[Dorchester]

Nicotine is a colorless, odorless, organic-based alkaloid, You really should be more careful in your statements

Quite! It does seem that "thecatcher" has been caught out!

 

Regards,

David

[southwestie]

I do believe that "thecatcher" said Nicotine pollutes.

#

Nicotine does tend to pollute everything in the cabin not just the air.:)

but it took hours to red the cabin of the smoke smell??

[archie401]

This just in from Cunard, in direct response to my question to them yet again (yesterday) on what the current smoking policy is for a May 2011 voyage of the QE specifically about cigarettes in staterooms and cigars on balconies:

 

Smoking is permitted in all guest staterooms. Guests who wish to smoke in their staterooms can obtain an ashtray from their room steward. This would include the balconies.

 

That was it. It came from bgarcia@cunard.com, and I made a copy to take with me. I replied to her thanking her for the information and applauding Cunard for listening to its market--ALL of its market.

 

I also aknowledged that any obnoxious behavior can and should be handled by the captain or the purser on a case-by-case basis, for the comfort and safety of all his passengers, inasmuch as it is possible and reasonable to do so.

 

Now, I am assuming that Ms Garcia's response is correct and that the above is the new, official policy. In any event, I will consider it so until the policy is changed yet again--hopefully before my final payment!

[zider]

I do believe that "thecatcher" said Nicotine pollutes.

#

Nicotine does tend to pollute everything in the cabin not just the air.:)

 

but it took hours to red the cabin of the smoke smell??

 

You are correct, Thecatcher also wrote previously! and one particular cabin reeked of nicotine

[KenC]

Very interesting and nice to know how it is done, this I take is why hotels etc charge quite a high fee to smokers found smoking in non smoking rooms

 

Just for the record - In my experience not that many hotels use this sort of device. UK hotels charge fees to smokers who smoke in non smoking rooms as a deterent - it is illegal after all!!! It's not just the air that needs to be 'cleaned' after a smoker, it's the soft furnishings, the carpet and any surface that will absorb cigarette smoke that needs to be cleaned - or the smell masked as it is impossible to properly 'clean' such things at short order.

 

Ken

[southwestie]

Just for the record - In my experience not that many hotels use this sort of device. UK hotels charge fees to smokers who smoke in non smoking rooms as a deterent - it is illegal after all!!! It's not just the air that needs to be 'cleaned' after a smoker, it's the soft furnishings, the carpet and any surface that will absorb cigarette smoke that needs to be cleaned - or the smell masked as it is impossible to properly 'clean' such things at short order.

 

Ken

 

 

Well I wondered this as well, I know when we have had vistors who smoke it does get into the curtains, carpets , I know if we go anywhere even outdoors it gets into hair and clothes, so this device must be a fantastic machine, I thought thats the reason for the charge in hotels.

 

I have to say that while we could really smill smoke in the corridors this voyage, we could not smell it in the stateroom at all

[Salacia]

This just in from Cunard, in direct response to my question to them yet again (yesterday) on what the current smoking policy is for a May 2011 voyage of the QE specifically about cigarettes in staterooms and cigars on balconies:

 

Smoking is permitted in all guest staterooms. Guests who wish to smoke in their staterooms can obtain an ashtray from their room steward. This would include the balconies.

 

That was it. It came from bgarcia@cunard.com, and I made a copy to take with me. I replied to her thanking her for the information and applauding Cunard for listening to its market--ALL of its market.

 

I also aknowledged that any obnoxious behavior can and should be handled by the captain or the purser on a case-by-case basis, for the comfort and safety of all his passengers, inasmuch as it is possible and reasonable to do so.

 

Now, I am assuming that Ms Garcia's response is correct and that the above is the new, official policy. In any event, I will consider it so until the policy is changed yet again--hopefully before my final payment!

 

Hi Archie. Thanks for that info. Quite frankly, I doubt that a copy of Ms. Garcia's email would do you any good if the policy does change on or before your voyage. I'm wondering if Cunard would include a line on booking confirmations with words to the effect that "smoking is permitted in staterooms and balconies, and...". It seems to me that Cunard is fuzzy on when or even if they are going to change this policy yet again, so a clear contractual statement would be all it takes to end the uncertainty. Why Cunard does not clearly state their smoking policy on their website and in their publications is - to me, a least, a mystery.

 

Regards,

Salacia

[thecatcher]

Nicotine is a colorless, odorless, organic-based alkaloid, You really should be more careful in your statements

 

Started out by posting my experience of smoking policy on QE and was not taking a pro or anti smoking line. I find it remarkable that my observation has been challenged by posters who, as far as I know, were not on this voyage.

Zider, please give source for your quote or are you making it up.

 

nicotine

 

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

 

nicotine C 10 H 14 N 2 , poisonous, pale yellow, oily liquid alkaloid with a pungent odor and an acrid taste. It turns brown on exposure to air. Nicotine, a naturally occurring constituent of tobacco, is the active ingredient in tobacco smoke. The amount of nicotine in tobacco leaves ranges from approximately 2% to 7%. In concentrated form, it is used as an insecticide.

[Valentino]

I can confirm that smoking was allowed on QE maiden voyage. We took second voyage and one particular cabin reeked of nicotine just passing the door. This cabin remained unoccupied for the duration of the voyage as passengers would not occupy it. Maybe Cunard have got the message at last.:rolleyes:

 

I believe the "doubters" may be confused over your message that the cabin was not occupied for a week as it reeked and yet you state that it took [ just ] hours to clear the smell in your later statement.

 

Sorry to nit pick but another poster indicated that smoking was illegal in hotels in the UK which is not absolutely true. There are still hotels in the UK that permit smoking in "smoking rooms".

 

Thankyou to the OP who clarified Cunard's policy with regards to smoking. It's not for everyone and some cruisers will be put off by the policy, but as indicated previously, Cunard are fastidious about clearing rooms that smell of smoke and do a marvelous job of keeping them clean and fresh despite the previous inhabitants smoking habit.

[KenC]

......

 

Sorry to nit pick but another poster indicated that smoking was illegal in hotels in the UK which is not absolutely true. There are still hotels in the UK that permit smoking in "smoking rooms".......

 

If you read my post again you will see that I was referring to smoking in a "non smoking" room - which is most definitely illegal!!! There are hotels which offer smoking rooms but these have to be documented as smoking and the designation cannot be chopped and changed to suit guests.

 

Ken

[archie401]

The Cunard Line UK on-line now says (Nov. 21):

 

...Smoking is no longer permitted in any public room with the exception of Churchill's Cigar Lounge (cigars only) and designated areas on the open decks. Smoking is permitted on private balconies.

 

They omit mention (purposefully ambiguous?) of smoking cigarettes in staterooms, and cigars on balconies. Perhaps they are wisely not going to try to police these activities via shoreside policy but leave the serious cases of infraction to the discretion of the captain. In any event, the language has been deliberately modified, as a direct result of the feedback we have received from our guests.

[Dorchester]

The Cunard Line UK on-line now says (Nov. 21):

 

...Smoking is no longer permitted in any public room with the exception of Churchill's Cigar Lounge (cigars only) and designated areas on the open decks. Smoking is permitted on private balconies.

 

They omit mention (purposefully ambiguous?) of smoking cigarettes in staterooms, and cigars on balconies. Perhaps they are wisely not going to try to police these activities via shoreside policy but leave the serious cases of infraction to the discretion of the captain. In any event, the language has been deliberately modified, as a direct result of the feedback we have received from our guests.

 

Hi Archie,

 

On my version it states "public area", but I don't think that one word is greatly significant. Regarding the possible ambiguity of the Cunard Statement, I e-mailed Southampton and received the following somewhat contradictory reply: -

Guests are currently premitted to smoke cigarette's in their staterooms, private balconies and in designated areas of the open decks, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth. This changes in April 2011 after the World Voyages therefore, after 19 April guests will only be permitted to smoke cigarettes on private balconies and designated area's of the open decks. Churchills is essentially a cigar lounge however, from experience, the very few guests wishing to smoke a pipe have been allowed to do so there.

 

Queen Elizabeth has already adopted the new policy of not allowing smoking in staterooms.

 

I hope I have helped to clarify the situation and we look forward to welcoming you on-board.

 

Kind regards

 

Lesley Cardy

Customer Solutions Executive

Cunard Line

Carnival UK

 

 

I presume that the first reference to "Queen Elizabeth" in the above e-mail should actually read "Queen Victoria" - but, as previous e-mails from Cunard have referred to "Queen May", who knows?:confused:

 

Regards,

David

[archie401]

Thank you, David.

 

That message from Cunard looks like it come from a high source, although still confusing, as you suggested. It seems to clarify, however, that the policy is not yet across the board for all three vessels.

 

So, cigarette smoking in staterooms is not currently allowed on the Queen Elizabeth, but all smoking, including cigars, is allowed on balconies, as I read it. And the fleet-wide policy (for now) becomes effective for all three vessels after the QE's world cruise? Yes, I think she meant the Queen Victoria in her reply, otherwise it doesn't make sense.

 

Thank you for your fine leg-work. I guess we'll just continue to watch this since they can, and have, changed it several times.

 

Regards,

Doug

[Dorchester]

After receiving several contradictory answers from various Cunard sources regarding their current (and future) smoking policy, I have today received the following e-mail: -

Thank you for your email.

 

The official smoking policy for all Cunard Ships is as follows:-

 

Currently, guests are permitted to smoke in their staterooms, private balconies and designated area's of the open decks. However, from April 2011 ( after the World Voyages) guests will only be permitted to smoke on private balconies and designated areas of the open decks.

 

Churchill's Cigar Lounge is only available for guests wishing to smoke cigars

 

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.

 

Kind regards

 

Lesley Cardy

Customer Solutions Executive

Cunard Line

Carnival UK

 

Despite not distinguishing between cigar/cigarette/pipe smoking, It would nevertheless seem that this information is at least in line with that currently being given out by Cunard USA.

 

Regards,

David

[William Dean]

After receiving several contradictory answers from various Cunard sources regarding their current (and future) smoking policy, I have today received the following e-mail: -

Thank you for your email.

 

The official smoking policy for all Cunard Ships is as follows:-

 

Currently, guests are permitted to smoke in their staterooms, private balconies and designated area's of the open decks. However, from April 2011 ( after the World Voyages) guests will only be permitted to smoke on private balconies and designated areas of the open decks.

 

Churchill's Cigar Lounge is only available for guests wishing to smoke cigars

 

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.

 

Kind regards

 

Lesley Cardy

Customer Solutions Executive

Cunard Line

Carnival UK

 

Despite not distinguishing between cigar/cigarette/pipe smoking, It would nevertheless seem that this information is at least in line with that currently being given out by Cunard USA.

 

Regards,

David

 

area's

 

And they want us to take them seriously.......

 

WD

[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]

area's

 

And they want us to take them seriously.......

 

WD

And cigarette's in the previously exhibited email.:rolleyes:

[cunardqueen]

Its from shoreside, it MUST be true..;)

Then again its from Ms Cardy.....that, is another story completely....

[patwell]

What a confusing topic this seems to be. So I'll contribute what I received from Cunard just today in the mail.

 

2 weeks or so ago I had emailed Cunard in Southampton requesting clarification of this topic of smoking. Specifically I asked about future plans regarding this. The letter I got today came from the California office, not from Southampton. It would appear that the 2 offices are working from different play books! I quote from the letter.....

 

"Smoking onboard our vessels is, indeed, a sensitive issue and a subject of our ongoing evaluation. We endeavor to accommodate all guests' preferences in this area as equitably as possible. Therefore, currently, smoking is allowed in Churchill's Cigar Lounge and designated areas on the open deck, as well as in staterooms and on all private balconies. Smoking is not permitted in any other inside area of the ship. We truly appreciate your feedback on this delicate matter and have forwarded your remarks to senior management for consideration as we continue to assess smoking laws and our commitment to guests for their comfort." It's signed Anna Marie Streetly, Specialist, Guest Relations.

 

So then...another view point speaking for the company. I read this to say any smoking is allowed in Churchill's, not just cigars. And obviously Ms. Streetly is unaware of smoking being permitted in the dark reaches of G32. And of course there is the word "currently", a real hedge word in my opinion. As to that "as equitably as possible", I guess I don't agree with that one.

 

I know it's a long way between California and Southampton but in this age of technology, don't you think they could get together on this and say the same thing? My letter had no reference to any changes in April and I feel it side stepped my specific question about future plans.

 

As a result we have made no booking with Cunard for next year and will happily spend our travel money with another cruise line and some great land based vacations. An Alaska cruise and wilderness trip is booked and a Round Britain being considered....not on Cunard.

 

Cheers, Penny

Penny’s Affair to Remember QM2 Review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=471053

November 10,2007...the “Affair” continued...did it ever!

 

October 16,2008...the “Affair” goes transatlantic as we sail in tandem with the grand QE2 on her final transatlantic voyage...what a thrill!

 

December 9, 2008....the “Affair” resumes again....Life is good!

 

July 30, 2009....transatlantic again...some “Affairs” just get better

 

August 7, 2009....the “Affair” goes on...this time “home” to Norway

 

Feb. 7, 2010....the “Affair” takes a sunny detour when Penny meets a Princess

 

Aug 14, 2010....the “Affair” returns to Norway, all the way to the top!

 

2011...North to Alaska!! A wilderness tour and cruise....sorry Cunard.

[Dorchester]

And cigarette's in the previously exhibited email.:rolleyes:

But it also says that "Guests are currently premitted to smoke cigarette's".

 

Perhaps Cunard shoreside staff do not have to posses a basic knowledge of English grammar or spelling in order to become a "Customer Solutions Executive"!

 

Regards,

David

[Salacia]

Curious about a department titled "Customer Solutions" as I have not seen it in use prior to postings here. Is "Customer Solutions" in popular use on that side of the pond? :confused: Salacia