Discuss Implementation of Smoking Policy

[Sandy Sails]

gsmiles4u is asking this question because we're all meeting up in Skywalkers on our April cruise and some of our roll call group are concerned about smoking being allowed. Can you confirm that smoking IS allowed in Skywalkers? If so, is there another non-smoking place that has fun dancing in the evening? We're bringing our own music - somebody in our group is making a mix-tape with everybody's favorite dance songs. Thanks! :p

[Salty Dawg]

We did not see any smoking during the daytime, but it was allowed when it was open as the nightclub at night. Do not know about smoking when being used as the platinum/elite lounge during the early evening either.

 

The smoking area was by the bar area, but not at the bar itself. I would just have your meet and greet at the opposite end from the bar and it should not be a problem.

 

We'll be back on the Emerald from March 17-27, and can check on the daytime smoking thing for you if you wish.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Salty Dawg
adding info

[Charles4515]

Since the Princess policy allows electronic cigarettes as part of their new smoking policy in some locations I think this CBS article from this morning about an exploding e cigarette is of interest.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57379260-10391704/electronic-cigarette-explodes-in-mans-mouth-causes-serious-injuries/

[jefa]

We were just on the Emerald and I don't think there was such a place. You could smoke most nights in the Casino, the Cigar Room and up on one of the decks on one side of the pool area but I don't think any of the nightclubs or lounges allowed smoking. We were in most of them over the 10 days and I would have smelled it had there been smoking (ex-smoker and sensitive now). I only smelled it in the Casino and up on the open deck.

 

I was on the same cruise as you and, yep Corinne, it was allowed in Skywalkers too!!! Being a smoker, I went to the Pursers Desk for them to highlight my ships map to show me exactly where I could smoke! I also then "made friends" with the chief Safety Officer, who showed me the areas I had missed :D

 

I booked this cruise knowing the new rules, and thinking they would only be good for me, if I had to walk to a smoking area. What I was shocked at was the attitude of the non smokers towards me. I would not dream of smoking where it wasn't allowed, nor did I. But I was verbally abused by a good few people who chose to walk through the smoking areas on their way to the Horizon Court. When I challenged a couple, and told them they could always walk on the other side of the ship, they just said it was too far for them to walk "over there":confused: There were other instances where I was talking happily with people on the Promenade Deck, then would light up a cigarette, and they would then totally ignore me, as though I was a second class citizen.

 

I do wonder what makes people think they have the right to be so completely rude to smokers? I witnessed a good few people in electric scooters who where rather large (dare I say, obese?), eating massive quantities of food, but would I be so rude as to say anything, of course not!!

 

OK, that is all pretty emotive, but that seems to be what happens when smokers are harangued, we get defensive!

 

My observations, such as they are, was that the Casino was used as a smoking room. And it did make me laugh that on my cruise, the double doors on both sides of the Pursers Desk were open at all times, meaning the smoke wafted out towards the Desk. Surely they should have been shut at all times? The area on Lido Deck certainly wasn't big enough for all the smokers trying to congregate there, so the cigarette smoke was intensified in that area.

 

This "problem" of people smoking on the port side of Promenade Deck 7 could perhaps be solved by Princess posting very obvious "Warning!! You Are Entering a Smoking Area" sign?

[IECalCruiser]

As I always say "I don't mind if you smoke as long as you don't exhale!" :eek:

 

Seriously, on prior cruises I have been aware of smoking being allowed on at least some areas on the port side of most open decks, in the Casino and the Cigar lounge. Wasn't aware of Skywalkers but we haven't gone there in the evening when the DJ is there. Never remember smokers there during the daytime when I have gone up there for the view. As a non smoker, I just go to starboard side and avoid those areas if the smoke is too bad. I also avoid the Casino and the cigar bar. Even before the new policy, on the Grand class ships the doors were always open and you could not avoid the smell in the hallway going to the Princess Lounge. Rude comments should not be made to those smoking in the designated areas.

 

Based on comments in this thread, the biggest impact appears to be on the Promenade deck. I never noticed many smokers there on our ten prior cruises but it may be more popular now. Beside possible noise from the show lounge on the port side, that is just one more reason to book a starboard side AD Emerald deck mini-suite if they are available on a future cruise where we decide to book a mini. Otherwise, it appears that the new policy will not significantly impact this non-smoker.

[seafish]

Just off Grand ... you needed a gas-mask in the casino. Obviously being used by many non-gambling smokers (albeit ok location per Princess) even cigars. Was not good.

[aircrest]

I read somewhere on the Princess Site that E Cigs can be used everyplace on the ship except the dining room and show room. I will see if I can find a link

[coops]

Ecigs are allowed on balconys.

Dawn

[aircrest]

Was not from the Princess site.....

 

How are these policies affecting e-cigarette users?

 

Depends on the cruise line.

 

Some are lumping e-cigarette users in with regular smokers and asking them to only use their devices in designated areas while others clearly distinguish between the two and allow e-cigarettes in staterooms and around the ship.

 

On Princess, guests are allowed to use their e-cigarette in their staterooms since they leave no odor and have no known second-hand effects. However, their use is restricted in dining halls and theaters.

[Susie Cruise]

I read somewhere on the Princess Site that E Cigs can be used everyplace on the ship except the dining room and show room. I will see if I can find a link

 

It's in the FAQ Cruise Answer Place:

 

Electronic Cigarettes

The use of electronic cigarettes is permitted in all areas onboard with the exception of dining areas and the Princess Theater. However, should a fellow passenger in the vicinity feel inconvenienced and complain, even after being told the difference between electronic cigarettes and real cigarettes, we will ask the passenger to refrain from smoking the electronic cigarette.

[Retired Educator]

:eek: I travel with my trusty portable oxygen concentrator and have had problems when my balcony neighbors light up. While I LIKE the new policy I think everyone has a right to enjoy their trip... I have simply introduced myself around the "wall" (with my canula on) and explained that there is oxygen in our cabin and ask if we might work out a "plan" so we can all enjoy the balconies we have paid for. So far, I haven't met with anyone not willing to work with us on shared space. After our first few cruises we discovered the "port side" rule and simply avoid the areas we know smoking is allowed. The bottom line is we are all onboard to enjoy and relax and there are options to help keep us from getting our panties in a bunch. When they tell me I can't enjoy an evening cocktail on my balcony THEN I'll be worried. :)

[Ti2m]

It's in the FAQ Cruise Answer Place:

 

Electronic Cigarettes

The use of electronic cigarettes is permitted in all areas onboard with the exception of dining areas and the Princess Theater. However, should a fellow passenger in the vicinity feel inconvenienced and complain, even after being told the difference between electronic cigarettes and real cigarettes, we will ask the passenger to refrain from smoking the electronic cigarette.

 

Great news ... thanks!

[pakarinen]

Don't be so sure that Princess will never ban smoking in the casino. I think they will ban it there. They have done it on Celebrity. I noted that the non smoking casino was full on Celebrity Constellation without smoking. I do agree with you that allowing smoking in the casino is a contradiction.

 

We often noticed a strong odor of smoke by the customer service desk (next to the casino) on the Crown. Not sure if that would ever be sufficient for PC to make the casino a non-smoking area.

 

Just as a side note, the smoking areas were very easy to avoid IME.

[1 HappyCruiser]

We often noticed a strong odor of smoke by the customer service desk (next to the casino) on the Crown. Not sure if that would ever be sufficient for PC to make the casino a non-smoking area.

 

Just as a side note, the smoking areas were very easy to avoid IME.

 

I've often wondered why they didn't add some doors on the casino to keep the smoke away from the service desk. Also the Captains host desk is located nearby & they have to suffer through their whole shift breathing in fumes and from a few conversations with various hosts they are not happy with the situation.

[CC Help Michell]

Hello, everyone!

 

While we certainly understand that discussions of smoking in general can become quite heated, and there are many message boards on the web for those types of discussions, the purpose of this thread is for "cruise-related questions and discussion about Princess's smoking policy."

 

Thanks for helping us keep this a useful information source for all Princess cruisers to either find out about, or report on, implementation of the new policy.

[toberman]

Hello, everyone!

 

While we certainly understand that discussions of smoking in general can become quite heated, and there are many message boards on the web for those types of discussions, the purpose of this thread is for "cruise-related questions and discussion about Princess's smoking policy."

 

Thanks for helping us keep this a useful information source for all Princess cruisers to either find out about, or report on, implementation of the new policy.

 

Thanks for 'Sanitizing' this thread... makes it much more informative.

[hyacinth1]

Here is something that I would like clarification on. I went on someones sight who had a Grand Princess "Patter" paper on. And on the Embarkation day there was a column re: smoking policy and it gave the smoking areas and also as follows

"Although smoking is permitted in staterooms and balconies it is

discouraged .As a safety precaution and a courtesy to the next occupants of your stateroom." This "Patter Paper" was from January 2012!

So I received a letter previously telling me that smoking is not allowed on balconies and the Patter Paper is saying something different!!!

So could this be why there are still people smoking on balconies? And which is correct?

Ignore the underlining that was just what happened when I copied and pasted.

Michell can you answer this one please? Its relevant as I am on Grand Princess in April and I really dont want to upset anyone.

Many thanks

[aircrest]

Possibly it was early Jan before the new rules went into effect

[hyacinth1]

Fair enough. TBH, I received the letter a while ago and did not notice the start date. Just seemed ridiculous to start it mid Jan and not at start of the month. Makes sense though. Thanks for the answer x

[azseas]

can anyone tell me where the designated smoking areas are on the STAR now that the new policy is in effect. Specifically, is there a designated spot in the aft of the ship outside?

[CMHCruiseCouple]

This may not add a great deal to the collective knowledge of the group, but wanted to share our experience on last week's Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Ruby.

 

Our cabin was located on the starboard side of Dolphin deck, rear quarter. We experienced zero smoke on the balcony. As I recall, this was a first and we were appreciative of the improvement.

 

Gatsby's, on the other hand, was so smokey we couldn't enter except on the non-smoking night and once during the afternoon. I don’t mean the casino contained some smokers - we couldn't get within 10 feet of entering the front door without the stench of smoke rolling out! Someone suggested that perhaps Gatsby's has become the defacto smoking lounge. From our experience we agree with that hypothesis. I don’t know an easy solution to this situation. We are not hard core gamblers, but we missed a couple of evenings at the craps table due to the increased smoke.

 

Lido deck smokers stayed in their assigned areas. It appeared nearly full on sea days. The only time we noticed the smoke is if we strayed into that space. No big deal for us.

 

Over all, I see the policy as a great improvement. Not all are going to be happy, but more importantly a lot more of us find Princess cruising more pleasant.

 

Cheers!

[Astro Flyer]

I avoid the angry discussions about smoking & thus have not read all of this lengthy discussion...does anyone know if Princess has a policy yet on E-Cigarettes?

 

I was just reading a story about a flight being diverted despite it not being prohibited by the TSA while the DOT is proposing a ban. The airline's policy is that it's prohibited but not aware if Princess has made any statement about them...thanks.

 

http://travel.usatoday.com/flights/post/2012/02/continental-airlines-unruly-flier-e-cigarette/632950/1?csp=Travel

Edited February 22, 2012 by Astro Flyer

[roe2ship]

I avoid the angry discussions about smoking & thus have not read all of this lengthy discussion...does anyone know if Princess has a policy yet on E-Cigarettes?

 

 

This was posted on page 2:

 

Electronic Cigarettes

The use of electronic cigarettes is permitted in all areas onboard with the exception of dining areas and the Princess Theater. However, should a fellow passenger in the vicinity feel inconvenienced and complain, even after being told the difference between electronic cigarettes and real cigarettes, we will ask the passenger to refrain from smoking the electronic cigarette.

[azseas]

Reposting -- Can anyone who has recently been on the star tell me where the aft designated smoking area was. Thank you!

[Mom33]

Reposting -- Can anyone who has recently been on the star tell me where the aft designated smoking area was. Thank you!

 

I haven't been on the Star since the new smoking policy was put in place, but when I was the last time, smoking was port side of the Terrace pool area aft on the ship. From what I have heard on other Princess ships, it still is.