smoking prohibited on cabin balcony? HELP!

[NorthernNY]

Hi,

I'm the sister that is Freaking out. When looking for a cruise, the only requirements I had were: 1. warm weather 2. sunshine 3. price 4. a balcony to smoke on. I know smoking is a very hot topic, some people are very against it. I try very hard not to disrepect any ones space. I do not smoke in a non smokers home, I do not smoke in a non smokers car. When on a cruise, when there's a non smoker around me, I try to leave that area, and smoke else where, so I don't bother that person. I feel a cruise is my home away from home, but to respect my non smoking roommates, I go out on my balcony to smoke.

 

I understand that non smokers don't want smoke on THEIR balcony, so they can enjoy it, but I also would like to enjoy it. I can give pretty much most of the ship to the non smoker, but I really wanted my balcony. I haven't had a vacation in 2 years, I only wanted to be able to relax and stare out at the ocean. This is my one and only bad habit. I don't drink, and I'm not loud and obnoxios. I guess my only choice is to now go on this cruise and make the best of it. But on all future cruises, I will be sure to check the smoking policys first, and not just assume that as long as I'm outside I will be fine! I will respect the non smoker, but please try to respect the smoker also.

[jeb9860]

Hi,

I'm the sister that is Freaking out. When looking for a cruise, the only requirements I had were: 1. warm weather 2. sunshine 3. price 4. a balcony to smoke on. I know smoking is a very hot topic, some people are very against it. I try very hard not to disrepect any ones space. I do not smoke in a non smokers home, I do not smoke in a non smokers car. When on a cruise, when there's a non smoker around me, I try to leave that area, and smoke else where, so I don't bother that person. I feel a cruise is my home away from home, but to respect my non smoking roommates, I go out on my balcony to smoke.

 

I understand that non smokers don't want smoke on THEIR balcony, so they can enjoy it, but I also would like to enjoy it. I can give pretty much most of the ship to the non smoker, but I really wanted my balcony. I haven't had a vacation in 2 years, I only wanted to be able to relax and stare out at the ocean. This is my one and only bad habit. I don't drink, and I'm not loud and obnoxios. I guess my only choice is to now go on this cruise and make the best of it. But on all future cruises, I will be sure to check the smoking policys first, and not just assume that as long as I'm outside I will be fine! I will respect the non smoker, but please try to respect the smoker also.

 

I totally agree with you I picked my cabin specifically so I could smoke and watch the view go by. Not all smokers are as considerate as you and I and I also know that there is a smoking area directly next to my cabin - who says those people are more careful with their cigarette butts than I am.

[desertrose64]

I have heard that people do smoke in the stairwells on both side of the aft cabins. But it is not a designated smoking area. And when I called MSC to ask about it I was told that there is no smoking in any corridors or stairwells on the ship because of fire hazards.

 

There are areas of the ship that I will be sharing with the smokers and I booked the cruise knowing this in advance. But I was assured that the balconies were not one of them.

 

To be honest I am more concerned about losing my children on the ship then smelling smoke :eek: lol.

[NorthernNY]

I have also contacted MSC about the smoking policy, I was told the same thing, but when I asked what the penalty was for breaking the rules, she told me she didn't know if there was one.:) I have searched and can not find the answer to this. Does anyone know what the Real Penalty is?

[cruisecluestoo]

We were on the R4 several years ago on a cruise out of Tahiti. It was a non smoking ship.. It was just wonderful. I sure wish they still had that line around . I must say there was still someone out on their balcony sneeking a cigar.They knew when they booked this cruise that it was a non smoking ship but I guess they thought the rules were not for them.

 

Dianecruiseclues

[desertrose64]

A non smoking cruise ship would be so awesome! Apparently Carnival had one but changed the policy shortly after. I think it was a really good idea but probably didn't make enough money to justify it.

[vagabond_b]

Vagabond, How can they enforce the rules without catching the guy at the moment puffing on his cigar on the cabin balcony? They don't have spy cameras out there, so if the people in the adjoining cabins don't complain, the cigar smoker will just keep puffing away.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. I think my point was that the people who choose MSC are less likely to complain and the MSC crew is less likely (than RCCL and NCL crews) to do anything even if they were. Once again, not a problem for me either way, but when they don't make smokers move to the "smoking side" of bars or the decks, it's clear that's not a rule they really enforce.

[donh1]

I agree wholeheartedly. I think my point was that the people who choose MSC are less likely to complain and the MSC crew is less likely (than RCCL and NCL crews) to do anything even if they were. Once again, not a problem for me either way, but when they don't make smokers move to the "smoking side" of bars or the decks, it's clear that's not a rule they really enforce.

 

Whether it be people cutting lines, smoking in non smoking areas, chair hogs, improperly dressed people.. you name it. Employees in the service industry generally would prefer that the customers police themselves and will act on complaints. Something life threatening is another matter but generally speaking crew members have nothing to gain by confronting passengers. In the two weeks I was on the Poesia I didn't see anyone smoking on the nonsmoking side of the lounges. Some of us would have something to say to someone who lights up in these areas of the lounges especially if they were nearby. I'm not going to run across the room to yell at them but I would certainly bark at them and then get up and leave.

[desertrose64]

Donh1,

 

How was your back to back cruise on Poesia?

[donh1]

Donh1,

 

How was your back to back cruise on Poesia?

 

We really enjoyed our cruise. Great value for the money. As with all other cruises we have been on if you went looking for things to complain about you could find them. It was a great experience and I would do it again.

[oncruisecontrol]

As a smoker myself I have to say the thought of sitting in a smoky bar is not my idea of fun and travelling with my kids I would hate for them to have to breathe in the smoke (I never smoke around my kids) and I know we will always have to deal with non-smokers who hate us and I am sure when I give up I will be the worse there is and I am totally respectful of the fact that I choose to smoke and you should not have to share in my choice, but I do not understand how smoking outside can affect anyone, the smoke will disappear in seconds in the ocean breeze.

 

Your attitude is more than commendable. But, to address the last sentence above: I don't think that cigarette smoke outside affects anyone negatively except that non-smokers just despise the smell. I am a non-smoker, but when I go into the casino or the piano bar, I do so fully accepting the smoke even though I do not like it. One of my pet peeves is when I'm in my car and the air conditioner draws in the cigarette smoke from a car in front of me. To me, that smells worse (though likely not damaging to my health) and bothers me more than the smoke filled casino. It may be the same with non-smokers on their balcony: the "trickle" of smoke doesn't really affect them (their health) or make them sick, but that little whiff of smoke drifting onto their balcony sullies the otherwise fresh air they are enjoying. My take on it notwithstanding, I would never complain about cigarette smoke in the out of doors as I believe I wouldn't have a leg to stand on; as you say it dissipates in seconds.

[zijlweg]

Well, if the policy is intended to cut down on the risk of fire...it doesn't work well. I have read many reviews saying that they find cig butts on their balcony in the morning. If they really want to significantly reduce the risk of fire, the only real way is to prohibit smoking ship wide. This is the weirdest policy mix that I have heard of....

 

I would almost bet that Europeans do NOT follow this policy. They are not used to the same level of restrictions that we have in NY. I will be observing this closely on my cruise and will be sure to include my findings in my post cruise review!

 

Kim

 

If you prohibit smoking alltogether...smokers will start bypass the rules..and lit up at places even more dangerous...out of the way corners, stairwells, maids closets etc....

 

imho smoking rules should be clear..but at 90% of the cruise ships they are vague at best.

 

If a smoker sees that the cruise is totally non-smoking he/she will not book the cruise. That's why cruise lines keep it that vague....they simply do not want to lose customers...Smokers tend to drink a little more than non-smokers. $$$ even visit the casino a little more.$$$$$$

 

One more observation: If smoking bothers you: you have a few options: move to place where it doesn't affect you...or if that is not possible tell the smoker gently that you are sensitive to smoke...please do not start huffing and puffing and do other backward things....

 

PS Thanks to Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, BAT etc America is not too bad off.

[donh1]

If you prohibit smoking alltogether...smokers will start bypass the rules..and lit up at places even more dangerous...out of the way corners, stairwells, maids closets etc....

 

imho smoking rules should be clear..but at 90% of the cruise ships they are vague at best.

 

If a smoker sees that the cruise is totally non-smoking he/she will not book the cruise. That's why cruise lines keep it that vague....they simply do not want to lose customers...Smokers tend to drink a little more than non-smokers. $$$ even visit the casino a little more.$$$$$$

 

One more observation: If smoking bothers you: you have a few options: move to place where it doesn't affect you...or if that is not possible tell the smoker gently that you are sensitive to smoke...please do not start huffing and puffing and do other backward things....

 

PS Thanks to Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds, BAT etc America is not too bad off.

How about those persons who die from tobacco related health issues each year. 30,000 Floridians in 2009. There is other opinions...

[NorthernNY]

Has any one who's a smoker recently returned from a cruise? If so, how strict were the crew on smoking in non-smoking area's, most importantly the balcony?

[lddam]

Has any one who's a smoker recently returned from a cruise? If so, how strict were the crew on smoking in non-smoking area's, most importantly the balcony?

 

My wife and I are former smokers, and many say we are the least tolerant when it comes to smoking in unauthorized places. Maybe that's so..let me briefly relate an experience we had.

 

When we were on Poesia (Deck 15) in October, we had an incident with our neighbor who had ordered room service for the morning, and then went out on the balcony to have a cigarette with his coffee. The first time it happened, I spoke over the partition saying something like "Excuse me, I don't mean to be a stick-in-the-mud, but smoking is prohibited on the balconies." In speaking, I tried to not sound belligerent or confrontational. He apologized and immediately put out the cigarette. He must have doused it in his coffee because I heard the hiss, so at least he didn't throw it overboard.

 

Believe it or not, he did the same thing the following morning. That time I called reception and complained. Within 2 - 3 minutes, someone from the ship came to my door to apologize for the inconvenience, and then proceeded next door. Throughout the remainder of the cruise, my neighbor gave me dirty looks whenever we passed in the halls, but he didn't smoke on the balcony any more, either.

 

This episode would lead me to believe that they are, in fact, very strict...at least in response to a complaint.

[desertrose64]

Thanks for that information. I am glad to hear that they enforce their rules.

[jiminy555]

I just disembarked the MSC Musica and smoking was allowed in every bar, the casino, on the outside decks and only discouraged in the cabins. You have plenty of places to smoke, but if you want to on the balcony, I noticed several people above and beside my balcony smoking on several occasions with no ill effects.

 

I was on Poesia Feb. 20-27th, and yes, there are signs in cabin prohibiting smoking on balcony and strongly suggesting no smoking in cabin as well. I smelled smoke from a nearby balcony several times during the week, but it was hard to tell exactly where it was coming from. Designated areas on decks were mostly adhered to, but several times I saw people smoking on the wrong side, they just don't care. They should have cruises dedicated as being smokers cruises, or 100% smoke-free cruises, that's all!

[monicajay]

The most smoking we saw on the Feb 27th sailing was not from clients but MSC employees who congregated in the aft stairwells and smoked. They didn't seem to care which side of the ship they were on. Deck 12, 13 and 14 in the aft corner stairwells were all popular.