Discuss Implementation of Smoking Policy

[Talisker92]

From BassetMom:

"It's true that reducing the smoking areas will increase the number of smokers in that area, and consequently the amount of smoke in that area. So Princess' new policy will result in more smokers congregating in those limited smoking areas."

This is the unintended consequences of the new policy. As stated before, most smokers and non-smokers are considerate, but there is always going to be a fringe of militant non-smokers that will persist in the windmill act.

My response to them is to enjoy your smoke free balcony and stay away from areas where there is smoking.

Edited March 3, 2012 by SJGOCH

[Pamster]

From BassetMom:

"It's true that reducing the smoking areas will increase the number of smokers in that area, and consequently the amount of smoke in that area. So Princess' new policy will result in more smokers congregating in those limited smoking areas."

This is the unintended consequences of the new policy. As stated before, most smokers and non-smokers are considerate, but there is always going to be a fringe of militant non-smokers that will persist in the windmill act.

My response to them is to enjoy your smoke free balcony and stay away from areas where there is smoking.

 

The problem with that is that they've made one of the few smoking areas one of my favorite places on the ship - the casino. There is no alternative for that. If they had made it one of the bars, then I could use another bar. But by making it the casino it limits my use of the casino because of the additional smokers. That hardly seems fair. I know that they'll never totally eliminate smoking in the casino because they want the smokers to gamble. And I usually have few problems with the gamblers who smoke unless they are sitting right next to me, and then I'll usually get up and go to another table. What really bothers me though is that now additional smokers will accumulate in the casino JUST to smoke, and are not gambling. Those are the ones that could be off somewhere else... in some smoker's lounge or bar... where we wouldn't have to breath the additional smoke.

[Quilter n Cruiser]

From BassetMom:

"It's true that reducing the smoking areas will increase the number of smokers in that area, and consequently the amount of smoke in that area. So Princess' new policy will result in more smokers congregating in those limited smoking areas."

This is the unintended consequences of the new policy. As stated before, most smokers and non-smokers are considerate, but there is always going to be a fringe of militant non-smokers that will persist in the windmill act.

My response to them is to enjoy your smoke free balcony and stay away from areas where there is smoking.

 

I hope we will be able to enjoy our balcony smoke free on our upcoming cruise, but because we have a mini suite on the port side aft I fear it may be impossible and we can't change the location as the cruise is sold out.

[CruisinMinnie]

I have wondered why the Promenade deck (where people walk their mile (or more) a day is a smoking area. I don't smoke, but wish there was a nice, comfortable place (maybe one indoor and one outdoor) for smokers to enjoy their smokes without that confrontation issue. That being said, I do appreciate the smoke free staterooms and balconies.

[1 HappyCruiser]

I have wondered why the Promenade deck (where people walk their mile (or more) a day is a smoking area. I don't smoke, but wish there was a nice, comfortable place (maybe one indoor and one outdoor) for smokers to enjoy their smokes without that confrontation issue. That being said, I do appreciate the smoke free staterooms and balconies.

 

Other than one side of the promenade deck there isn't many other places outdoors where they could put them.

[cayugashue]

I just returned from my cruise on Grand Princess. I am a non-smoker and much appreciate the new smoking policy. With that said, I walked thru, near, around the smoking areas and was not bothered by the smoking at all. I think the layout of the designated smoking areas was well defined and respected by everyone. The casino did get a little overwhelming at times, so I chose to visit the casino when it wasn't so crowded.

[SiBreeze]

We just returned home from the Emerald. One night we were awakened by the smell of cigarette smoke in our cabin, about 2am. Since smoking has been banned in the cabins and on balconys I questioned the steward about what happens if folks are smoking in their cabins. He told me that only if the passenger is caught with a lit cigarette in their hands will he call his supervisor. Even if their cabin wreaks of smoke they will do nothing. His response was "I am here to make money. If I report someone for smoking they will get mad at me and not leave me a tip. They might even make bad remarks on the comment cards and then I will be in trouble with my supervisor. On the ship, I SEE NOTHING".

 

We also attended the Chef's Table. The paperwork says that "closed toed shoes are required." One woman had on open toe shoes and another had sandels where her entire foot was exposed except for a tiny 1/4" strap that went across her foot. Nothing was said and both women entered the kitchen.

 

Again the same thing happened with the UST. 11 folks showed up wearing sneakers as instructed. One woman had on flip flops. The guide looked at everyones feet and then said to her "I guess you will be ok".

 

We were also seated with a gentleman on formal night, in the MDR, who was wearing a short sleeve sport shirt, no tie or jacket.

 

What the heck is going on here??????????

 

If Princess is unwilling to enforce their own rules, why should anyone else follow them. :confused::mad::rolleyes::eek:

[paul929207]

Princess does not enforce any other rules, why should the smoking rules be different. Dress code, bringing alcohol on board are suggestions, not rules.

[flamomo]

I understand what you are saying, SiBreeze. It IS frustrating that Princess publishes their "rules" and then does not enforce them. It simply reinforces the belief of the ones who believe "it's MY vacation and I will do/wear what I want" that it is okay to do so. This lack of enforcement will lead to the gradual erodsion of the aura onboard that shows that Princess has higher standards than some other cruiselines that permit total freedom of choice.

I can also see where the steward is coming from ...... he's working to earn as much as possible to send back home for his family. And apparently the attitude that he will not report violations unless they reach a certain level of flagrance is acceptable to Princess.

As for the closed toe shoe requirement for the Chef's Table ....... that is so inconsistent from ship to ship. It seems it is more "encouraged" than required. IMO, it should be the same for ALL ships .... either required or not!

All in all, it does not speak well for Princess. Heaven forbid that they enforce their own "rules" and upset a passenger!!!

Edited March 9, 2012 by flamomo

[chrysalis]

I don't think that one should put the onus on the steward to enfore the smoking rules. That is hardly their job.

 

It would be good to know what the Costumer Service Desk said when the OP reported it.

[-Lew-]

 

I don't think that one should put the onus on the steward to enfore the smoking rules. That is hardly their job.

 

It would be good to know what the Costumer Service Desk said when the OP reported it.

That's what I did on our February 6th cruise on the Emerald. I provided a cabin number to Purser's Desk personnel on the phone and nothing happened. Smoking continued on that balcony throughout the cruise.

 

I believe Princess makes rules knowing a great many cruisers will follow them and are not concerned at all about those who don't.

 

Lew

[JimmyVWine]

Just think for a moment how many complaints there are here on this board about Princess "relaxing" its rules. Now, stop and think how many people have stopped cruising with Princess because of that. Some, I'd guess, but not a lot. Now imagine how many posts there would be if Princess took a jack-booted approach to rules enforcement and started kicking people out of the UST, denying seating to people who wanted a special meal at the Chef's Table, and perhaps most contentious of all, started telling 1HappyCruiser that he was banished to the buffet on formal night. Yes, those are the rules....but strict enforcement would have this board, every other board, yelp, and who knows what else lighting up like a switchboard. Far more people will leave Princess if the rules are strictly enforced than if they are "relaxed". And if you are running the business, your prime objective is to garner repeat customers and positive word-of-mouth advertising. Princess has clearly concluded that they come out ahead with relaxed rules than with strict enforcement. If that is not your style, then Princess is tacitly inviting you to sail elsewhere.

 

Now, as for the smoking, that is indeed a problem. What I would have done, and I urge all others to do, is if you confront the same situation, go one level over the cabin steward's head and approach someone of greater authority. Tell that person that you don't want to bother your cabin steward with this for fear that this might put them in an awkward position, so you are taking the complaint directly to the supervisor. I very much understand where the cabin steward is coming from. But that doesn't mean that you should suffer. Unlike all of the other complaints that the OP mentioned, this particular complaint has a direct impact on others and is not merely aesthetic.

Edited March 9, 2012 by JimmyVWine

[Potstech]

If someone was continually smoking in the room next to me and the staff did nothing about it I would be at the front desk hollering for a cabin change. Then I would let everyone I know or meet what the situation is. When the cruise was over I would be writing a letter to Princess calmly explaining what had happened and let them take it from there. Sorry I am an ex smoker and have had 2 heart attacks directly related to my smoking. I do not care if someone smokes in designated areas because then I can avoid them. But when they invade my space they are causing me health problems and the ship better take that into consideration.

 

Yes they would lose passengers if they started to enforce some of the rules BUT once word got out it might just allow others who would not cruise Princess to reserve a cruise to enjoy a ship with less problems than some other cruise line. It could be a double edged sword.

[luv2travel77]

I do hope the OP had made a complaint to Princess or at least the stateroom steward's supervisor about the smoke. The OP should also mention that the stateroom steward acknowledged the issue and chose not to do anything about it.

 

But as for the open-toe shoes, I guess it is mainly for the safety of the people on the tour. If that persons gets her toes squashed somehow (i.e. another fellow passenger stepping on her toes) then she can't blame Princess for that.

[Tralynn]

What someone is wearing, or not wearing doesn't have any bearing on my enjoyment so I don't let that bother me......But, having asthma, the smoke in the cabin would be a big deal to me. Now that there is a rule in place to prohibit it, I would have gone straight to the front desk to have the issue resolved. I wouldn't even care how it was resolved. They could either simply enforce their own rules, or move me to a different cabin. I just want to be able to breath without gasping on my cruise. For me, it's not a matter of ruining someone else's cruise. If your smoke doesn't enter MY room, it's not my business, if you're smoking on deck where I can get away from you, it's none of my business......but if your smoke enters my cabin and I'm going to have difficulty breathing, it's going to have to get resolved.

[geoherb]

According to Princess's smoking policy, "Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account." I bet if the cabin stewards got a cut of this then they'd be a lot more willing to report any violations.

[Charles4515]

Really? You would threaten the steward just because he didn't want to report a passenger? Theses workers are trying to make a living and to make everyone happy who they come in contact with. If you have a problem as op says they did then they need to take it to the higher in command.

 

Leave the poor stewards alone, they are just trying to make a living. Geesh.

 

I agree with your reasoning. The smoking rules should be enforced but the cabin stewards are not the crew I expect or others should expect to be the enforcers. I would call the pursers desk if smoke as bothering me from a cabin or balcony.

[coops]

I agree with your reasoning. The smoking rules should be enforced but the cabin stewards are not the crew I expect or others should expect to be the enforcers. I would call the pursers desk if smoke as bothering me from a cabin or balcony.

 

Thank you, I totally agree.

Dawn

[blueridgemama]

I work in a hospital where there is no smoking allowed on any part of the hospital buildings or grounds. I have no problem politely confronting offenders of the smoking policy. Everyone, including patients, gets one reminder of the smoking policy and the second offense gets a visit from security. I understand that you don't want to have to be a policeman while on vacation but if offenders are not confronted then they will contine to offend. I say call security and let them handle it.

[vjmatty]

I don't think that one should put the onus on the steward to enfore the smoking rules. That is hardly their job.

 

Totally agree.... anything confrontational should be the job of security or management, they are trained to handle confrontations. Stewards are not.

[vjmatty]

I do hope the OP had made a complaint to Princess or at least the stateroom steward's supervisor about the smoke. The OP should also mention that the stateroom steward acknowledged the issue and chose not to do anything about it.

 

As stated in earlier posts, it really shouldn't be the steward's job to act as tobacco police. Their training is in hospitality, which is the polar opposite of the confrontational nature of security and management positions. Not to mention it creates a conflict for the steward if two of his or her passengers are at odds.

[Mom33]

We just returned home from the Emerald. One night we were awakened by the smell of cigarette smoke in our cabin, about 2am. Since smoking has been banned in the cabins and on balconys I questioned the steward about what happens if folks are smoking in their cabins. He told me that only if the passenger is caught with a lit cigarette in their hands will he call his supervisor. Even if their cabin wreaks of smoke they will do nothing. His response was "I am here to make money. If I report someone for smoking they will get mad at me and not leave me a tip. They might even make bad remarks on the comment cards and then I will be in trouble with my supervisor. On the ship, I SEE NOTHING".

 

 

If Princess is unwilling to enforce their own rules, why should anyone else follow them. :confused::mad::rolleyes::eek:

 

My response to the steward in this situation would be disappointment in his service to me, take matters into my own hands at customer service, and skip his tip.

 

Princess has gained many new cruisers because of the new smoking rules. They have also lost smokers.So it is a wash.

 

Each cruiser that sails with Princess, does so knowing the new smoking rules. If they are disturbed in their cabin and balcony by smoke, and picked this cruise to avoid the smell of smoke in their cabin and balcony, then they have a right to compensation if Princess doesn't follow through.

[DesrtDrmr]

I agree with Mom33 that if a steward or his supervisor refused to enforce the rules that affected my right to clean air in my cabin/on my balcony, I would simply remove our tip and tell him/them why. It would seem to be better to call passenger services or security rather than put the steward on the spot though.

We have had problems on our balcony only once, but that time we totally could not use our balcony and could not leave our slider open at all. We might as well have saved the money we spent for a balcony. Every time we opened that door, clouds of smoke rolled in our cabin, and it did cling to drapes and soft goods in the cabin. We could not, in 14 days, sit on our balcony. We are both ex smokers, and it took a lot, and a long time to quit, but now we prefer non smoke smelling hair, clothes, and surroundings. The funny thing is that we never smelled all that smoke when we smoked. We had to paint our entire house when we quit! :)

Smokers have their rights, and their places to smoke, and I promise not to wave my arms if we trail through, but I do wish the Casino could be used for smoking and not smoking , every other night. We enjoy the casino also, and I am thinking that we will not like it so much if it is a smoking lounge. We'll try it when we can, and see.

[rcacace]

We just returned home from the Emerald. One night we were awakened by the smell of cigarette smoke in our cabin, about 2am. Since smoking has been banned in the cabins and on balconys I questioned the steward about what happens if folks are smoking in their cabins. He told me that only if the passenger is caught with a lit cigarette in their hands will he call his supervisor. Even if their cabin wreaks of smoke they will do nothing. His response was "I am here to make money. If I report someone for smoking they will get mad at me and not leave me a tip. They might even make bad remarks on the comment cards and then I will be in trouble with my supervisor. On the ship, I SEE NOTHING".

 

 

If Princess is unwilling to enforce their own rules, why should anyone else follow them. :confused::mad::rolleyes::eek:

 

If he's so afraid of losing his tip for not enforcing the rule then he should also be afraid of losing my tip for non enforcement + an explanation on the comment card that he was the cause of it. There should be a neutral party to enforce the rule so he doesn't get involved, namely the Hotel General Manager.

[jefa]

As a smoker who cruised Princess last month, knowing the smoking rules, I would have been disgusted to smell smoke in areas not allowed. Not least because I made sure I only smoked where I was allowed.

 

Not sure that I would insist on compensation, but I would certainly insist on the fine being imposed!!! Perhaps Princess ought to be a bit more specific as to just who this infringement should be reported to.

 

With regard to the casino, on my cruise it did become the smoking room, purely I think, because there really was very few other places that could accommodate the amount of smokers comfortably. Without looking back through my Patters I do believe there were 3 non-smoking nights out of ten.