Discuss Implementation of Smoking Policy

[CDay]

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.

 

That was my thought exactly. :D A little incentive never hurt anyone. Plus it would be revenue generator for Princess. If the steward got $50 for each violation, it would be a $200 profit for Princess. ;-)

Edited March 9, 2012 by CDay

[IECalCruiser]

What I would like to see on this thread is objective experiences on Princess ships after the implementation of the new policy.

 

I don't like cigarette, or especially cigar, smoke but I knew what to expect with the old policy.

1. If I forgot and walked out of the port side of the HC I would just move over to the starboard side or walk through that area of the Lido deck quickly because smoke was usually quite bad near the tables by the windows.
   
2. I never walked through the Casino because the smoke was always bad.
   
3. I did not walk past the Cigar Bar on the smaller Grand class ships because the doors were always open and the smoke was bad in the corridor.
   
4. Smoking was allowed at tables and loungers by the Outriggers Bar near the Terrace Pool but it was not an issue for us on the starboard side.
   
5. We never had significant issues with smoke on the port side of the Promenade and Sun decks.
   
6. We didn't have problems with smokers near our balcony until our last cruise (10th on Princess) when we had a cigar smoker next door to our true aft cabin (this was not allowed under the old policy and was address by the Purser's staff). There was also a cigar smoker in a balcony cabin down the hallway because the smoke smell outside of the cabin was overpowering.
   

I doubt conditions 1-3 have changed but I would like to know the following:

 

1. How are conditions by the Terrace Pool area? Are there more smokers there and more issues with smoke?
   
2. Are there more smokers on the port side of the Sun and especially Promenade decks and more of an issue with smoke?
   
3. Are the port side Emerald deck mini-suites impacted by smokers on the Promenade deck below?
   
4. Is Princess strictly enforcing the non-smoking policy on balconies and in rooms?
   

I can and will co-exist with the smokers but would like to have the current objective facts.

[Working 2 Cruise]

What I would like to see on this thread is objective experiences on Princess ships after the implementation of the new policy.

 

and will co-exist with the smokers but would like to have the current objective facts.

 

Now, that is a reasonable post! Leaving on my cruise tomorrow, and will report back with as accurate information as I can get.

[IECalCruiser]

Now, that is a reasonable post! Leaving on my cruise tomorrow, and will report back with as accurate information as I can get.

I'd appreciate that. Our next cruise will be on the Golden this September.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited March 10, 2012 by IECalCruiser

[nschamp]

From the Emerald Security; smell means nothing. Offender must be seen by crew and/or security with a lit cigarette.

[nschamp]

And yes, smoking space on the Lido effectively seals off the port side area with standing room only at times. The casino and aft are likewise cloudy. For the first time in many many cruises the promenade deck, port, has many smoking visitors.

 

The new policy is a bust and literally not enforceable. Had less problems with the old policy as IMO 90% of the balcony's were never used.

Edited March 10, 2012 by nschamp

[Sandpiper13]

I agree that while the new smoking policy was based on good intentions it now is almost impossible to navigate any where on board without walking through clouds of smoke. Maybe we were just one of the lucky ones but we were never bothered by it on our balcony. Now all the smokers are 'outed' and there still appear to be a lot of them. Maybe we're simply not as sensitive as some but we notice the smoke now and never did before.

[vjmatty]

I agree that while the new smoking policy was based on good intentions it now is almost impossible to navigate any where on board without walking through clouds of smoke. Maybe we were just one of the lucky ones but we were never bothered by it on our balcony. Now all the smokers are 'outed' and there still appear to be a lot of them. Maybe we're simply not as sensitive as some but we notice the smoke now and never did before.

 

Oh boy.... sounds like it might be a case of "careful what you wish for". I'm sailing on a transatlantic with many sea days next month. Over the years I have gone from being a pack-a-day smoker to an only-when-drinking smoker to a one-or-two-a-year, so I sympathize with those in the smoker's camp, paying $10 per pack to be treated as second-class citizens. However it looks like the so-called solution is only going to make things worse. I guess we will see how it goes :rolleyes:

[Mom33]

If I smell smoke in my cabin and on my balcony, Princess will have to deal with it. They can change my room, clean my room extensively on a daily basis or stop the offender.

 

They advertise a smoke free cabin and balcony. They either deliver or risk being charged with false advertising.

[vjmatty]

If I smell smoke in my cabin and on my balcony, Princess will have to deal with it. They can change my room, clean my room extensively on a daily basis or stop the offender.

 

They advertise a smoke free cabin and balcony. They either deliver or risk being charged with false advertising.

 

Well the daily extensive cleaning they do already.... twice a day in fact ;)

 

I'm afraid though if you have a balcony room near a smoking area, Princess might not have to "deal with" anything as long as the smokers are only smoking where they are supposed to be.... there may be no "offender" in spite of most port side balconies being exposed to smoke. Think about it, rather than smokers being intermittently scattered among hundreds of balcony cabins they will all be in the same place, creating a very dense and concentrated zone of smoke.

[Mom33]

I will not be on the port side nor near any smoking sections, so I expect no smoke to invade my cabin or balcony.

 

Deep cleaning means all new linens and drapes removed and cleaned, rug cleaning etc. This is not done regularly. I would make sure my steward knew the room was smoked in prior to my arrival.

[pcsunlover]

I'm a firm believer that we all have a right to enjoy our vacations, smokers and non-smokers alike. I'm also a lucky one who was never bothered by smoke on our balcony. On our last cruise we had smokers all around us and below us and we never smelled enough smoke to bother us. We like to gamble but avoid the casino because of the smoke. No big deal, and it probably saves us hundreds of dollars. We mainly enjoy being on deck where the action is, laying by the pool area most of the day watching movies or listening to the band. But, if we get smoked out of enjoying the outdoor decks too because of this new policy, I guess we'll be looking for a new cruiseline. I'm hoping for the best, but I suppose we'll know after our cruise next month.

[Adventures ahead]

I haven't taken the time to read this entire thread, so maybe someone has mentioned this already.

 

We just returned from the Caribbean Princess and I think that Princess really messed up with allowing smokers on one side of the promenade deck. This has pretty much ruined this deck for me and our friends. You couldn't walk on the "smokers'" side of the ship without holding your breath!!!!!! I can go to an inside gym at home, so I'd really like to be able to walk around the promenade deck to work of the cheesecake.

 

One side of the pool decks is bad enough!! I say, give us (the majority) back the promenade deck and send the smokers to a higher deck!

 

VERY disappointing, Princess, and I do wish that you would reverse THAT decision!

[shanecindy21403]

I haven't taken the time to read this entire thread, so maybe someone has mentioned this already.

 

We just returned from the Caribbean Princess and I think that Princess really messed up with allowing smokers on one side of the promenade deck. This has pretty much ruined this deck for me and our friends. You couldn't walk on the "smokers'" side of the ship without holding your breath!!!!!! I can go to an inside gym at home, so I'd really like to be able to walk around the promenade deck to work of the cheesecake.

 

One side of the pool decks is bad enough!! I say, give us (the majority) back the promenade deck and send the smokers to a higher deck!

 

VERY disappointing, Princess, and I do wish that you would reverse THAT decision!

 

Very simple fix DON'T go on the smoking side. What's really sad is that (we) non smokers got what they wanted no smoking in the rooms or balconies, so now 90% of the ship is off limits for smoking. The other 10% is now going to have a higher concentration of smokers. Personally I've never been bothered on my balcony by it and to be honest most of the time I rarely see people out on the balconies. Princess would have been better off making certain designated cabins smoking instead of corralling all of them together. BTW I still haven't seen a single post about someone actually being charged the 250. The old saying still goes "Be careful what you wish for" LOL.

[Mom33]

Very simple fix DON'T go on the smoking side. What's really sad is that (we) non smokers got what they wanted no smoking in the rooms or balconies, so now 90% of the ship is off limits for smoking. The other 10% is now going to have a higher concentration of smokers. Personally I've never been bothered on my balcony by it and to be honest most of the time I rarely see people out on the balconies. Princess would have been better off making certain designated cabins smoking instead of corralling all of them together. BTW I still haven't seen a single post about someone actually being charged the 250. The old saying still goes "Be careful what you wish for" LOL.

 

Perhaps this is an indicator that most smokers are complying with the ban on smoking in cabins and on balconies. Then again, I wonder if someone fined would actually brag about it.

 

If I find the smoke to be too much on the port promenade deck, then I will do my morning walk back and forth on the starboard promenade.

Edited March 11, 2012 by Mom33

[Charles4515]

Very simple fix DON'T go on the smoking side. What's really sad is that (we) non smokers got what they wanted no smoking in the rooms or balconies, so now 90% of the ship is off limits for smoking. The other 10% is now going to have a higher concentration of smokers. Personally I've never been bothered on my balcony by it and to be honest most of the time I rarely see people out on the balconies. Princess would have been better off making certain designated cabins smoking instead of corralling all of them together. BTW I still haven't seen a single post about someone actually being charged the 250. The old saying still goes "Be careful what you wish for" LOL.

 

No, I think no smoking in the cabins is the absolute minimium. I won't go on any cruise line now that allows smoking in cabins. Like any new policy it could turn out there needs to be tweeks as a result of experience. The changes are less two months old so I would say in a few months Princess can do an evaluation. As far as fines I suspect the first six months they might ease into the fines. Also as far as reports of fines I am not surprised that there are no reports in two months. I doubt many are going to violate the policy and people who are fined probably won't be eager to admit it.

[Mom33]

Just watched the Ruby pull out of Ft. Lauderdale on the webcam. Her port side

was close up as the camera was zoomed in. I took notice that the Promenade deck ceiling is 2 decks high in order to accomodate the lifeboats. Between the ceiling and life boats, I seriously doubt that any portside balcony will be overwhelmed by smoke. It will be trapped on the promenade deck unless wind conditions are just right. :)

[mamaboss]

Just off the Crown Princess. I never smelled smoke at any time except for casino and that was not as bad as I was expecting. So that was good. I do not have a problem with allowing smokers on one side of the ship as I think everyone has a right to smoke if they choose but I had a real problem with allowing it on balconies. It is tough when you pay extra for a balcony and have to go in because of too much smoke. On the deck it is your choice to walk on the smoking side.

[Caribensun]

We had a Starboard cabin and friends coming to see us (on Starboard side) saw 5 people smoking near the burger place, staff did not want to get involved (near hallway to Lido cabins), fortunately we did not smell smoke coming into our GS hallway. Paid for GS and OS suite b2b, Paid for an OS suite and smelled smoke coming from either balcony or inside rooms near us, when staff does not want to do anything about it, why should we pay more.... not anymore will we and we are looking into lux lines. We love the large Princess ships, but at what price?

[1 HappyCruiser]

We had a Starboard cabin and friends coming to see us (on Starboard side) saw 5 people smoking near the burger place, staff did not want to get involved (near hallway to Lido cabins), fortunately we did not smell smoke coming into our GS hallway. Paid for GS and OS suite b2b, Paid for an OS suite and smelled smoke coming from either balcony or inside rooms near us, when staff does not want to do anything about it, why should we pay more.... not anymore will we and we are looking into lux lines. We love the large Princess ships, but at what price?

 

Did you report it to the Pass Service Desk and if so what was their reply about correcting the situation?

[bbaydude]

I'm not a rabid anti-smoking nutcase, but this ship's a floating ashtray! Specifically, our room (as all are now) is non smoking, however this policy was only recently changed, and our room reeked of stale smoke. And no, we could not change because the ship was full. My wife had to get up numerous times during the night to get fresh air. We asked the steward to help, and he did spray some chemicals, but these wore off within a few hours. We even found a cigarette but on our balcony, so we know it was used as a smoking room previously. Secondly, you must walk through the casino to pass fore or aft on that level which means you must walk through the cigarette smoke whenever you need to pass. Also, the doors to the casino are left open, so the entire Piazza, and certainly Crooners bar reeks of smoke. The aft bar also allows smoking , so once again you are inhaling it. Lastly, the outdoor exercise area where you can walk around the ship allows smoking, so if you want to walk around or exercise to get some fresh air you are out of luck, because Princess allows smoking there also! So many people were complaining about the smoke - stay off this ship!

[contentsam]

I'm not a rabid anti-smoking nutcase, but this ship's a floating ashtray! Specifically, our room (as all are now) is non smoking, however this policy was only recently changed, and our room reeked of stale smoke. And no, we could not change because the ship was full. My wife had to get up numerous times during the night to get fresh air. We asked the steward to help, and he did spray some chemicals, but these wore off within a few hours. We even found a cigarette but on our balcony, so we know it was used as a smoking room previously. Secondly, you must walk through the casino to pass fore or aft on that level which means you must walk through the cigarette smoke whenever you need to pass. Also, the doors to the casino are left open, so the entire Piazza, and certainly Crooners bar reeks of smoke. The aft bar also allows smoking , so once again you are inhaling it. Lastly, the outdoor exercise area where you can walk around the ship allows smoking, so if you want to walk around or exercise to get some fresh air you are out of luck, because Princess allows smoking there also! So many people were complaining about the smoke - stay off this ship!

It is like this on all the ships. Only our cabin did not smell of smoke.

[JHKEL]

We also just got off this ship. Never smoked a day in my life but never been all that sensitive to smoke either. I didnt smell any smoke in our room. There was a strong smell in and around churchills on deck 6 forward. The casino wasnt as overpowering to me and I didnt notice it much outside of the casino. Niether my wife or I felt is was an issue.

 

FWIW

 

Jim

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

Hey (and dont flame me about this non-smokers)

 

im wondering what its been like for smokers on princess since they scrapped smoking on the balcony.....

 

If anyone could please advise it would be really appreciated

[coops]

Hey (and dont flame me about this non-smokers)

 

im wondering what its been like for smokers on princess since they scrapped smoking on the balcony.....

 

If anyone could please advise it would be really appreciated

 

I will let you know in 2 weeks. We leave next week on the Grand. But I will still use my Ecig on the balcony and cabin as it is allowed.

Dawn