I really wish RCI would change their policy about smoking on the balconies!

[north29]

And I saw this beautiful woman setting alone and without escort, looking for love or great companionship and she was smoking, I would not even consider any adventure with her. I often wonder how my wife felt about my bad smokers breath when we were dating.

Having said that, some smokers are considerate, and some are not. Some smokers allow smoke, ashes and butts blow in to other peoples space, food, or what ever, no matter where you are is not polite. Unfortunately we non smokers have no control who will share the next cabin.

 

Possible solution, maybe not a great one but better, make every other balcony/cabin a smoking choice. Since the smoking is on the balcony only, it would not effect the cabin and furniture.

[Langley Cruisers]

I am hoping our balcony neighbors on our cruise in May DO NOT smoke! We have spent a Hugh amount of money on this trip and my favorite thing is to sit on my balcony in the morning with my coffe and in the evening. Cigarette smoke will ruin it for me!!

 

I absolutely understand and empathise with you; we spent an extraordinary amount of money on our Med cruise last summer. I know what you are saying. However... please try not to spend your time worrying about this. Since you knew the policy before booking and it still applies now, there is nothing you can do about it if your balcony neighbors are smoking. The time spent beofre your cruise can be used for more constructive activities... like getting excited instead of worried.

 

Like I said, I hear you. But please don't let smoke "ruin it" for you. OK? Try? :)

 

Bless you and have a great cruise.

.

[Lottycruiser]

This is such a hot topic and there is no right or wrong , being a non smoker it does bother me that I have to put up with smoke and it cheeses me off no end but on the other hand smokers want to be able to enjoy their ciggys on their balconies , rightly so , maybe have a smoking and non smoking side for balconies , if you wanted your choice of side then book early , if not then you have to take what comes and adhere to the rules for your side of the ship .

[cruiseguy1016]

I THINK (maybe I'm wrong) the solution would be to limit smoking to one side of the ship. Currently smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the ship on the outside decks. Why not make starboard side balconies (or even the cabins themselves) smoking and port side balconies non-smoking? It would be like in a hotel, you could request either a smoking or non-smoking cabin.

 

 

 

Edit - Lottycruiser, we posted at the same time. It looks like we think along the same lines

[yogimax]

One solution is to book a Boardwalk or Central Park balcony on Oasis or Allure.

 

I do hear the concern of the OP and think we all can rest assured that it will simply be a matter of time before "Corporate Royal Caribbean" extends their policy on Celebrity to RCCL.

 

A couple of years ago, I was brutally flamed for daring to suggest that Carnival would soon ban smoking from their cabins. "Never happen," "They depend on smokers" and on and on and on.

 

Well it finally happened. It's simply the inevitable as we move closer to a smoke-free environment. Latest statistics from here in NYC showed a smoking rate of 16% of the population. Thet means that 84% do NOT smoke. See the trend?

[setsail]

A suggestion from a non smoker. If it bothers you that much book a balcony all the way forward, the wind carries the smoke back most of the time.

 

Also on Indy the crew area is right below that cabin on deck5 and the crew are out there smoking all the time,day and night, on their breaks. We had 7708(other side) on LOTS and never smelled smoke or had a problem, but the crew was out there.

[ChevyCruiser]

I don't mind that people smoke, I mind that they exhale! The basic fact is that when someone smokes, it impenges upon the breathing zone of everyone else around. So they are not just killing themselves, they are trying to take the rest of us with them.

 

There is no denying the fact that smokers not only stink up themselves, but stink up the world around them.

[dln929]

Oh dear. It wasn't my intention to start the week out on the RCI forum with a fight over smoking!!! I should add a little more information. We were on the Indy out of Southampton, which caters primarily to a British passenger base. The Brits smoke like fiends. We were on the Voyager last October and we were NEVER bothered by ANYONE smoking (though of course there were smokers on board), and we were on our balcony a lot. In contrast, I was really surprised at how many smokers there were on the Indy. The first night we went to the Cleopatra Lounge, I remarked to my husband that I wasn't aware the lounge was a smoking venue. The smoke cloud coming in from the outside smoking-side deck made it smell like it was. Yes, it was that strong. At all hours, too. :( So it was just a little annoying to get no relief from it on our fabulous balcony. Honestly, I'm not a rabid anti-smoker crusader, but the level of smoking on the Indy was over the top. Occasional whiffs of smoke here and there one can deal with, no problem. But a huge nearly constant smoke haze? That's a whole 'nuther story. It got stinky on the Indy in a way I have never experienced before. It wasn't so much the smoking as the sheer amount of smoke coming from the allowed smoking areas.

 

For me, the moral of the story is to never book another cruise out of the UK. Maybe it was just this one particular cruise that attracted such legions of smokers and it wasn't typical, but judging by the steady traffic that the duty-free smoke shop on the Promenade got, I don't think so. The smoking issue on RCI won't keep me from sailing on their ships but I will take a pass over sailing from Southampton.

[Artemis908]

I had a roommate once that smoked, we had a balcony she would use and when it was cold she was occasionally smoke by the windows. As long as the ash tray is used (so no flying cigarette butts) and it's not excessive I don't see a problem. The smoke and smell goes away pretty quickly since you're outside. Of course if you have someone who smokes a pack a day and so is always on the balcony and smoking, that can present a problem. I wonder if it'd be better to just talk to the neighbor and see if they have a typical time they are smoking and just avoid that time, I don't know.

[Mark_K]

Second hand smoke causes more problems than just the lungs.............

Yes, it causes interminable arguments on message boards.

[DaQuix]

That's the problem with you non smokers. Give you an inch and you want the whole ship.

How kind of you to "not begrudge" the smokers . As if they need your permission.

 

I bet those smokers would not only like to keep on enjoying smoking on their very own, bought and paid for, balcony but they are wishing they could still smoke in the same bought and paid for cabin. Wasn't that long ago that the non smokers were whining that the cabins stink... and it's not as if the smokers won't be able to smoke.. they can smoke on their balcony.

All you ever hear about is inconsiderate smokers...I think it is the non smokers who are inconsiderate.

 

I mean, who wouldn't want to run up or down to deck four every time you want a smoke, eh!

Gotta make sure you have the whole back "aft" corner of the ship to yourself!

 

 

EMc

 

Is this a freaking joke?

 

Sorry, the rest of the world doesn't want to smell and listen to you commit suicide with each and every puff.

 

PS, 2nd hand smoke has been shown to cause CANCER.

[pearlie]

on the Navigator, we had a couple on the next balcony who smoked coughed, hacked, hockered and spit over the side, for hours during the night, 4am, just what ya wanna hear.. So finally day 3 or 4 , i opened the balcony door, and asked them to give us a break... they did, eventually....

[Pushka]

Not gonna happen! LOL

 

Anyway, FWIW I wish RCI would eliminate smoking on balconies, BUT I understand unless and until they do, smokers will be on their balconies and they are entitled to smoke there. Personally, I'd rather have them allow smoking only on the balcony only as opposed to in-cabin as well.

 

Which is why it should be banned on balconies. Obviously there is a lot of money (taxes) for governments and companies to sell cigarettes. Is there any other activity that an individual can do that creates such a health hazard for others in the vicinity? Nope.

 

Just hope we don't get an inconsiderate smoker, and hacker next to our balcony. Or we will have to reciprocate with kind gestures to them to return the favour.

 

The trouble is, while most are considerate, like all things in life, there are some who don't give a toss as to how their bad habit affects others.

[bplazo]

I have never had a problem with people smoking on their balconies. I do not think that RCCL should change their rules just because some people do not like it.

[DaQuix]

I agree. I'm not a smoker either, but I don't agree with forcing another paying passenger to walk to a certain deck. Keep in mind many smokers are old school and from another generation, and many have mobility issues. My grandpa smoked, and died of a smoking-related illness, so I completely understand the risks and dangers involved. But to discriminate isn't the answer, either.

 

This isn't discrimination against race, or gender, or disability. This is discrimination against someones choice to slowy kill themselves and in the meantime, force it into the lungs of nearby innocent people.

 

The IARC in a group study: "The group of 29 experts from 12 countries found second-hand tobacco smoke was carcinogenic to humans and that typical levels of passive exposure have been shown to cause lung cancer among people who have never smoked... non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are between 20% and 30% more likely to develop lung cancer."

 

Meaning, every single time your father puffs on his cigarette and inhales carcinogens in his lungs, he is also exhaling those same carcinogens into the air where innocent bystanders lungs are inhaling and increasing their likeliness of cancer.

 

THAT is my problem with smoking. If smoking did not have this affect, and it only smelled - NO PROBLEM! Smoke to yours heart content on your balcony and do it all day. I actually don't mind the smell of cigarettes. But I wouldn't my child to be standing on the balcony I paid for, inhaling carcinogens because the smoker below couldn't take an elevator to a designated smoking spot where everyone can slowly kill each other together.

[Langley Cruisers]

A suggestion from a non smoker. If it bothers you that much book a balcony all the way forward, the wind carries the smoke back most of the time.

 

 

Yes, we did that on Brilliance - booked the farthest forward cabin we could - 1000 right next to the Bridge, as it were. Smoke was not an issue, but our loud drunk neighbors definitely were. You just never know what you're going to get. :p

[05mak05]

I THINK (maybe I'm wrong) the solution would be to limit smoking to one side of the ship. Currently smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the ship on the outside decks. Why not make starboard side balconies (or even the cabins themselves) smoking and port side balconies non-smoking? It would be like in a hotel, you could request either a smoking or non-smoking cabin.

 

 

 

Edit - Lottycruiser, we posted at the same time. It looks like we think along the same lines

. Here is another plea for allowing smoking on one side of the ship. We've also had aft balconies where the cigar and cigarette smoke drift straight up. On RCI, we've found hump balconies to avoid the problem. So far, anyway. I care about my lungs, too. We'd book Celebrity if there was a ship out of Galveston. For our family Christmas cruise, we've booked the Crown Princess starboard.

[yogimax]

. Here is another plea for allowing smoking on one side of the ship.

 

Nice suggestion, but it doesn't work.

 

The cruiseline would have no idea how many cabins to designate smoking or non-smoking. It would be a logistical nightmare to change the designations for every single cruise. Nor could you block off a certain number of cabins on a permanent basis since RCCL needs to fill those cabins and cannot let them remain empty because there may be more or less smokers than planned.

[obsessedsc]

If only a smoker had to get a good whiff of a smell that is offensive to them (like smelling the sewage smell in their cabin) for a week and then maybe they would understand that to nonsmokers that don't smell that smell all the time and arent used to it, it is very offensive. To me it is even offensive when i can smell it on someone's clothes. I agree that having a section of cabins designated as smoking cabins would please more passengers! I hope and pray that we do not experience this on our cruise. It's our first balcony and we are looking forward to the views and the smell of the sweet salty air!

[Tiggercat]

I agree! Or at least have smoking cabins on one side of the ship. If you do not smoke it is a real nuisance to be by someone smoking on their balcony...and I used to smoke!!

[TEXASMUNK]

No agreement has been reached.

 

Continue all.....as the famous Rodney King once said, 'Can't we all get along?"

[05mak05]

There aren't many places left anymore for smokers. Casinos, areas on cruise ships ... where else? I remember the outcry when city codes prohibited smoking. I suppose a few went out of business but most seem to be managing just fine. Having staterooms on one side of the ship does seem like it could present problems ... how about one particular deck on only one side?

Those of us that do not smoke should be able to enjoy smoke-free balconies.

Yes, it's a hot issue but not any more so than when other establishments made adjustments to prohibit smoking. I think cigarettes in Texas are now over $6 a pack. It's such a waste of time and money.

[lah66]

We have paid big bucks for aft balconies that we could not use. Last year on the NCL Sun, we had to have them duct tape the connecting door. Our neighbors were chimneys and their smoke was rolling through our door. that was when smoking was still allowed in the cabins. Ick.

We are giving an RCI aft a try next week and if we smell smoke enough that it disrupts our vacation, I will swear off balconies forever...or just start cruising Celebrity only!

[Lottycruiser]

Oh dear. It wasn't my intention to start the week out on the RCI forum with a fight over smoking!!! I should add a little more information. We were on the Indy out of Southampton, which caters primarily to a British passenger base. The Brits smoke like fiends. We were on the Voyager last October and we were NEVER bothered by ANYONE smoking (though of course there were smokers on board), and we were on our balcony a lot. In contrast, I was really surprised at how many smokers there were on the Indy. The first night we went to the Cleopatra Lounge, I remarked to my husband that I wasn't aware the lounge was a smoking venue. The smoke cloud coming in from the outside smoking-side deck made it smell like it was. Yes, it was that strong. At all hours, too. :( So it was just a little annoying to get no relief from it on our fabulous balcony. Honestly, I'm not a rabid anti-smoker crusader, but the level of smoking on the Indy was over the top. Occasional whiffs of smoke here and there one can deal with, no problem. But a huge nearly constant smoke haze? That's a whole 'nuther story. It got stinky on the Indy in a way I have never experienced before. It wasn't so much the smoking as the sheer amount of smoke coming from the allowed smoking areas.

 

For me, the moral of the story is to never book another cruise out of the UK. Maybe it was just this one particular cruise that attracted such legions of smokers and it wasn't typical, but judging by the steady traffic that the duty-free smoke shop on the Promenade got, I don't think so. The smoking issue on RCI won't keep me from sailing on their ships but I will take a pass over sailing from Southampton.

 

I am a Brit and I can honestly say that I find it amazing that you think the British are a nation of smokers , I have to disagree , we are shocked when we visit other European countries at the amount of smokers especially in public places , we have a strict policy over here of no smoking in public places , bars , restaurants , in fact anywhere indoors , cigarettes cost a lot of money over here and have forced many people to quit smoking , we visit other countries and wish they too had smoking bans in public places ,as I hate sitting in a smokey place . I am on Indy soon so I will see for myself but I really am amazed that you saw so many smokers onboard .

[Lottycruiser]

Nice suggestion, but it doesn't work.

 

The cruiseline would have no idea how many cabins to designate smoking or non-smoking. It would be a logistical nightmare to change the designations for every single cruise. Nor could you block off a certain number of cabins on a permanent basis since RCCL needs to fill those cabins and cannot let them remain empty because there may be more or less smokers than planned.

 

They wouldn't have to change anything apart from stipulate that no smoking on one side , they then leave it up to the passengers , if they want a smoking or non smoking side they need to book early to get one , if they don't then they have to lump it and not complain either way , simples .