what location would YOU suggest for a smoking lounge?

[fleckle]

On a side note, I laughed so hard when I read the comment about the glass enclosure for smokers. The first image in my head was animals in a cage. The second image was of the swirling smoke filled glass cube where people were groping around trying to find a way out because the smoke was too thick.

LOL! That is what a lot of land restaurants installed when required to provide a separate enclosed area with a separate ventilation system for smokers. Since the smoke was pulled right out by the exhaust system, we never did get to see your visual of swirling smoke filling the enclosure. :D

 

As the number of smokers decreased and laws changed, most restaurants have gone entirely non-smoking. We ate at a TGI Friday's a few months ago that still has a glass enclosure around the smoking section. On travels around the USA we have had breakfast at some pancake places that have them too.

 

It wasn't that long ago that airports also had those glass-enclosed areas for smokers in the departure lounges, before they banned smoking completely.

[A Sixth?]

That would be true only while they're not smoking, so in effect it seems to be faulty logic. Actually they both have access to all public areas on the ship, the non-smoker just needs to decide if they can and are willing to put up with the areas where smokers will be and the smoker will need to abide by the rules in the area where smoking is not allowed.

 

It's not rocket science.

 

Another thing that no one else has brought up is that perhaps X is purposely having the Elite events there hoping that the smoke will drive many out, therefore reducing the amount of drinks they need to provide for free. Revenue management indeed.

 

Interesting point about reducing the Elite visits by making them unattractive to the vast majority, who are non smokers....

 

The "Rocket science" point is that non smokers no longer has to put up with foul air. The sixties are over. No more smoke aloud in airplanes, McDonald's or public buildings.

 

Cruise ships are just now getting with the times... better late than never.

[ORV]

ORV -- Oh I really hate to think that this is some sort of sinister policy to drive some people out of the Elite events, but you bring up a point that has not been considered before.

 

 

I was only half serious, just figuring the angles.

[SuiteTraveler]

Bang on.

 

Why should a smoker effectively get the use of 100% of the ship and non-smokers 90%.

 

My sentiments exactly - and especially when smokers are a minority of less than 10% on Celebrity - that's not fair to the more than 90% of non-smokers onboard. I hate it when I can't use a ship's casino or a bar because of someone smoking in there. It's not fair to me. I'm not doing anything to prevent them from using the area, but I'm supposed to be OK with them preventing me from using the area because this small percentage of people have a self-induced addiction to smoking...somehow, that doesn't seem fair, does it?

[ORV]

My sentiments exactly - and especially when smokers are a minority of less than 10% on Celebrity - that's not fair to the more than 90% of non-smokers onboard. I hate it when I can't use a ship's casino or a bar because of someone smoking in there. It's not fair to me. I'm not doing anything to prevent them from using the area, but I'm supposed to be OK with them preventing me from using the area because this small percentage of people have a self-induced addiction to smoking...somehow, that doesn't seem fair, does it?

 

Not quite sure of the point here as Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino.

 

Keep in mind the areas that are non-smoking far outweigh the ones that are. Time to take off the blinders. Just stay out of the smoking areas and you'll be fine.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

My sentiments exactly - and especially when smokers are a minority of less than 10% on Celebrity - that's not fair to the more than 90% of non-smokers onboard. I hate it when I can't use a ship's casino or a bar because of someone smoking in there. It's not fair to me. I'm not doing anything to prevent them from using the area, but I'm supposed to be OK with them preventing me from using the area because this small percentage of people have a self-induced addiction to smoking...somehow, that doesn't seem fair, does it?

 

If Celebrity were to alienate that less than 10% of their customer base, that would represent a huge loss. It could be and has been argued that the losses from banning smoking altogether would be outweighed by the influx of new customers that are grateful for the change. But since X already has the lion's share of customers for whom the smoking policy is a critical issue, the number of new customers would not be huge. That day is coming, but it's not here yet. Carnival tried it with one of their ships, didn't work. In the meantime, they have to accommodate the smokers in a way that will provide the most overall satisfaction for everybody.

[SuiteTraveler]

Not quite sure of the point here as Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino.

 

Keep in mind the areas that are non-smoking far outweigh the ones that are. Time to take off the blinders. Just stay out of the smoking areas and you'll be fine.

 

 

Trust me, I don't have blinders on - if I did, I would be dead - that is how dangerous secondhand smoke is to someone with asthma.

[SuiteTraveler]

If Celebrity were to alienate that less than 10% of their customer base, that would represent a huge loss. It could be and has been argued that the losses from banning smoking altogether would be outweighed by the influx of new customers that are grateful for the change. But since X already has the lion's share of customers for whom the smoking policy is a critical issue, the number of new customers would not be huge. That day is coming, but it's not here yet. Carnival tried it with one of their ships, didn't work. In the meantime, they have to accommodate the smokers in a way that will provide the most overall satisfaction for everybody.

 

In the meantime, I can NEVER attend ANY Elite events because of the smoking allowed in the lounge. Afterall, the rights of smokers are more important than those of non-smoking passengers who cruise frequently, spend lots of money onboard and support Celebrity, right?

[Zoey]

Not quite sure of the point here as Celebrity does not allow smoking in the casino.

 

Keep in mind the areas that are non-smoking far outweigh the ones that are. Time to take off the blinders. Just stay out of the smoking areas and you'll be fine.

 

Smoke travels/wafts into the NON smoking areas.

[blong2200]

The problem with your solution - that non-smokers stay away from areas that allow smoking - is that some of the areas, the lounge in particular, is a public venue with entertainment and activities that non-smokers enjoy. Because of the smoking that goes on there, some people are prevented from enjoying those activities because of the smoking that is permitted there. The difference with smokers and non-smokers is that smokers can chose to wait until later to smoke and still enjoy the activities, while non-smokers can't chose to wait until later to breath, forcing them to either endure the unpleasant air or leave and not enjoy those same activities. That is clearly unfair to the non-smokers.

 

The sky lounge on Celebrity is HUGE and stretches all the across the front of the ship, and has about 15 tables for smokers on the left side of the room. There usually is no entertainment in that room, except trivia, etc. I think the non smokers can surely find a place far enough away from the smokers to enjoy the room.......unless of course it is bad weather and lots of people are packed in the room just lounging and reading. I do however, agree that Celebrity (RCL) could put better ventilation in that lounge. Smoking is not allowed in any 'entertainment' areas ie: bars, dance clubs, casino, etc. Celebrity could also solve this problem with the non smokers vs. the smoker by having one side of the ship with balconies for smokers. I imagine they would make more money because all the smokers would book the balcony rooms so they could smoke somewhere where they weren't annoying others.

 

This issue has been 'beat to death' for years now. I doubt it is going to change.

[Ma Bell]

It's time to wake up and realize that smoking in public places is just not going to be tolerated any more. We all know it's just not good or healthy for anyone to be around.

 

If people want to smoke in their own homes or out somewhere away from others, go for it. Unfortunately it's an ugly habit that many times leads to a horrible death. I watched my mother die from lung cancer and it's something you would never forget or ever want anyone you love to experience.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

In the meantime, I can NEVER attend ANY Elite events because of the smoking allowed in the lounge. Afterall, the rights of smokers are more important than those of non-smoking passengers who cruise frequently, spend lots of money onboard and support Celebrity, right?

 

I never said it was perfect. Elite events are usually held in Michael's Club, where smoking is not allowed. It's when they have more Elites than they can shake a stick at that it gets moved to the Sky Lounge, which, coincidentally, allows smoking. They should move the indoor smoking venue to another location. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

Aaaaand we're back to the original topic.;)

[spursdebs]

Trust me, I don't have blinders on - if I did, I would be dead - that is how dangerous secondhand smoke is to someone with asthma.

 

I can not go near anyone who has been smoking just the smell on their clothes triggers an asthma attack for me .....i did have to laugh tho on our cruise i would get up early and go for a walk and see the smoking area and the smokers in their wheelchairs, on their scooters with their walking frames etc the irony amused me.

 

debs

[excitedofharpenden]

i did have to laugh tho on our cruise i would get up early and go for a walk and see the smoking area and the smokers in their wheelchairs, on their scooters with their walking frames etc the irony amused me.

 

debs

Sorry debs, I don't think that is a very kind statement to make.

 

Phil

[spursdebs]

Sorry debs, I don't think that is a very kind statement to make.

 

Phil

 

all entitled to our opinions Phil, world would be a very boring place if we all agreed on everything and i leaned a long time ago not to get into arguments on forums just not worth my time or energy, I will stand by my comments and observations.

 

debs

[cruisestitch]

Steve wrote:

 

"I never said it was perfect. Elite events are usually held in Michael's Club, where smoking is not allowed. It's when they have more Elites than they can shake a stick at that it gets moved to the Sky Lounge, which, coincidentally, allows smoking. They should move the indoor smoking venue to another location. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

Aaaaand we're back to the original topic.

__________________

Steve"

 

Thanks for my morning smile --

 

I was telling a friend yesterday about this discussion and he came up with this as a suggestion -- take a non-verandah stateroom, make it a smoking lounge, and charge admission to it to make up from the lost stateroom revenue. Entry would be via any Sea Pass card and the number of times a smoker used the lounge would be tied to that account. At least that's a novel idea:)