Smoking peace talks ....

[shaun07]

I realize the balcony smoking issue is a topic of much debate and passion from both sides of the balcony, myself included (I smoke) .I think for the most part we can all agree we love NCL and their product. So its time we stopped bickering and arguing and call a truce, and hold peace talks.

 

The threats of "I will never sail with NCL again if the balcony smoking continues" or " I will never sail NCL again if they ban it" gets us nowhere. Please lets not start another debate about why smoking is bad or why it's my right to smoke, because that solves nothing.

 

There is no may to make everyone happy but maybe we can come up with a compromising idea for NCL of which most people would be happy.

 

My idea is to make one side of the ship or the back half of a side smoking.

I am sure someone can easily come up with a better solution.

 

Lastly, lets try and solve the balcony crisis before me move on to tackle the casino :)

[Macadian]

Fair comment. For your suggestion to work, a question in the booking proceedure would have to be along the lines of 'Are you or any occupant of your stateroom smokers'? I doubt their is a sufficient smokers to occupy one side of the ship, most passengers being non smokers? This would also limit smokers as to which State rooms they might want to book. Which deck/s would be involved?. Someone (non smoker) will ineviatablly be beside/above/below this smoking state room area.....and you still have the smoke polluted Casino to consider which permeates for a fair area in its vicinity. I see this as a potential nightmare for the cruise line and a logistical no win situation. Far better they just ban smoking on balconies...that way it is at least managable.....and non smokers avoid the Casino area as much as possible. Do not mean to be negative to your suggestion, as I have thought of this possible solution too but dismissed it for the reasons given above.

[drumexpert510]

I just posted this on the other thread about this same thing but it is relevant to here as well and goes along the lines of what you are saying...

 

Ok everyone... listen to this and listen good.

 

Why because of your decision to smoke and kill yourself do I have to be affected?!?!?!

 

You have a right to smoke right? Well I have rights too and it includes not being subjected to YOUR SMOKE...

 

Oh god forbid if someone tells a smoker to not smoke somewhere, but why is it ok for you to blow your smoke my way and no one cares about that. Why do I have to watch where I go or stay away from public areas BECAUSE OF YOUR DECISIONS??!??!

 

Ok, so with that said... Here is a solution...

 

MAKE NON SMOKING SECTIONS IN THE CASINO!

I don't care if some one thinks they might be empty... who cares! If you want the option to smoke I want the option to not be around it without compromising my cruise experience.

 

As with the balconies... this is very simple as well. Since we are specifically talking about NCL ships. most of them have 3 rows of balconies or more.

 

Make the lower of them a smoking preference row. All the middle rows no preference rows. But if you specifically request no smoking then that would be the top row. Its a very simple concept, its like smoking and non smoking sections ina restaurant or bar. I say have the top row be non smoking so there is 1) separation from smokers and non. and 2) So the smoke is less likely to reach the deck.

 

So no... this is not perfect but if you want me to compromise about your smoking because you are an adult and have rights then ALL you smokers need to compromise as well.

 

ITS VERY SIMPLE AND THIS WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF THE ISSUES!

[shaun07]

I just posted this on the other thread about this same thing but it is relevant to here as well and goes along the lines of what you are saying...

 

Ok everyone... listen to this and listen good.

 

Why because of your decision to smoke and kill yourself do I have to be affected?!?!?!

 

You have a right to smoke right? Well I have rights too and it includes not being subjected to YOUR SMOKE...

 

Oh god forbid if someone tells a smoker to not smoke somewhere, but why is it ok for you to blow your smoke my way and no one cares about that. Why do I have to watch where I go or stay away from public areas BECAUSE OF YOUR DECISIONS??!??!

 

Ok, so with that said... Here is a solution...

 

MAKE NON SMOKING SECTIONS IN THE CASINO!

I don't care if some one thinks they might be empty... who cares! If you want the option to smoke I want the option to not be around it without compromising my cruise experience.

 

As with the balconies... this is very simple as well. Since we are specifically talking about NCL ships. most of them have 3 rows of balconies or more.

 

Make the lower of them a smoking preference row. All the middle rows no preference rows. But if you specifically request no smoking then that would be the top row. Its a very simple concept, its like smoking and non smoking sections ina restaurant or bar. I say have the top row be non smoking so there is 1) separation from smokers and non. and 2) So the smoke is less likely to reach the deck.

 

So no... this is not perfect but if you want me to compromise about your smoking because you are an adult and have rights then ALL you smokers need to compromise as well.

 

ITS VERY SIMPLE AND THIS WOULD SOLVE A LOT OF THE ISSUES!

 

I think the top deck would have to be smoking as smoke rises

[lambchoplady]

One suggested change: since smoke tends to rise, I'd put the smokers on the top of your "configuration', rather than the bottom.

[punkincc]

Actually, the casino issue might be the easiest to solve. I'm no HVAC expert, but it surprises me that the proper ventilation systems cannot be installed in the casinos which, while not totally eliminating smoke, would greatly alleviate the problem of smoke and smells wafting into adjoining halls and venues and make the air while in there more breathable.

 

I don't seem to notice this problem in land based casinos, and I am sensitive to smoke. There are negative air systems, the hospitals use them, which suck air in rather than out, when doors are open, and probably other high efficiency systems which could be installed.

 

Perhaps NCL did a cost analysis of what it would take and decided the cost was not worth eliminating the constant gripeing and bad press they get from non smokers.

[drumexpert510]

yes i know smoke rises but it also dissipates....

 

Yes a few people are on balconies but MOST people are on the deck.

 

and if the ship is moving which it is a majority of the time. then it will be blown back before it rises too much .

[drumexpert510]

but to be honest I don't care how its done... just that it is done and there is an improvement and a compromise.

 

Put non smoking preference on the bottom row... I don't care.

 

Im not unreasonable... I just want a solution to all this fighting.

 

admit it. most balcony claims are about people next to them smoking. this would solve that.

 

Bottom line we are all adults and have rights. So smokers... I acknowledge yours so acknowledge mine!!!

[shaun07]

yes i know smoke rises but it also dissipates....

 

Yes a few people are on balconies but MOST people are on the deck.

 

and if the ship is moving which it is a majority of the time. then it will be blown back before it rises too much .

 

If it dissipates then why do we have so many arguments about it. I feel if someone is smoking on a moving ship I don't see how the smoke really bothers anyone but I guess it does. So alternating decks would not really work.

[shaun07]

but to be honest I don't care how its done... just that it is done and there is an improvement and a compromise.

 

Put non smoking preference on the bottom row... I don't care.

 

Im not unreasonable... I just want a solution to all this fighting.

 

admit it. most balcony claims are about people next to them smoking. this would solve that.

 

Bottom line we are all adults and have rights. So smokers... I acknowledge yours so acknowledge mine!!!

 

I acknowledge your right ....thats partly why I started this thread

[ColinIllinois]

Just curious as a point of discussion. What is exactly is smokers "rights" or non-smokers "rights" and who exactly grants them these "rights".

 

Think about it.

 

~ subliminal message....GO CARDINALS! ~

[shaun07]

Maybe making the top half of one side of the ship smoking. ( the side which allows smoking on the public decks) This would cover most categories of cabin.

[NLH Arizona]

Making any part of the ship (cabins, balconies, etc.) smoking, would not be a wise move financially for any cruise line. What happens if there are more non-smoking passengers, than smoking. They will have to be placed (if they agree) in a smoking section (can you imagine the complaints) of the ship or those cabins are not filled by the cruise line. If you make one row (say the lowest) smoking, what happens to those on the row above them, they will smell the smoke, just as they do now. If you make the top row smoking, many will complain, because that is where "the best" cabins are. Same goes for the back of the ship, the aft penthouses are prime real estate.

 

My point being, when you make one portion of the ship smoking, the company could lose revenue, because non-smokers wouldn't want to be put in the middle of a bunch of smokers. And, also, since cruise lines purposely put certain cabins on certain decks, the complaining would be rampant if some non-smokers couldn't get the cabin they always cruise in or some smokers couldn't get the cabin they always cruise in.

 

I've only been on one NCL cruise (I have two booked) and usually cruise Celebrity and really enjoy not having smokers on the balcony next to me or smokers in the casino. I know full well what NCL's smoking policy is and I will, like I did on my first cruise, take a small battery powered fan to use if my neighbor smokes (to blow the smoke back at them) and I do gamble and put up with smoke in the casino. I just wish that smokers would be a little more considerate. And smokers, please don't be upset if I wave the smoke away, when you have your cigarette next to me or blow the smoke in my direction, especially when there is no one on the other side of you and you could have easily put your cigarette on the other side.

 

BTW, I don't like the smell of overpowering perfume, but at least I can say something like "what kind of perfume is that, it is great. Do they have a less overpowering version", but can't say to a smoker "boy I love to smoke, but that cigarette smoke is really stinky, is there a less stinky cigarette". I smoked for 16 years (have been smoke free for 32 years) and until I quit smoking, I never understood how bad I smelled from the smoke. Unfortunately, smokers, just like those that douse themselves in perfume, can't smell what others do, thus they don't understand why others are complaining.

[shaun07]

Making any part of the ship (cabins, balconies, etc.) smoking, would not be a wise move financially for any cruise line. What happens if there are more non-smoking passengers, than smoking. They will have to be placed (if they agree) in a smoking section (can you imagine the complaints) of the ship or those cabins are not filled by the cruise line. If you make one row (say the lowest) smoking, what happens to those on the row above them, they will smell the smoke, just as they do now. If you make the top row smoking, many will complain, because that is where "the best" cabins are. Same goes for the back of the ship, the aft penthouses are prime real estate.

 

My point being, when you make one portion of the ship smoking, the company could lose revenue, because non-smokers wouldn't want to be put in the middle of a bunch of smokers. And, also, since cruise lines purposely put certain cabins on certain decks, the complaining would be rampant if some non-smokers couldn't get the cabin they always cruise in or some smokers couldn't get the cabin they always cruise in.

 

I've only been on one NCL cruise (I have two booked) and usually cruise Celebrity and really enjoy not having smokers on the balcony next to me or smokers in the casino. I know full well what NCL's smoking policy is and I will, like I did on my first cruise, take a small battery powered fan to use if my neighbor smokes (to blow the smoke back at them) and I do gamble and put up with smoke in the casino. I just wish that smokers would be a little more considerate. And smokers, please don't be upset if I wave the smoke away, when you have your cigarette next to me or blow the smoke in my direction, especially when there is no one on the other side of you and you could have easily put your cigarette on the other side.

 

BTW, I don't like the smell of overpowering perfume, but at least I can say something like "what kind of perfume is that, it is great. Do they have a less overpowering version", but can't say to a smoker "boy I love to smoke, but that cigarette smoke is really stinky, is there a less stinky cigarette". I smoked for 16 years (have been smoke free for 32 years) and until I quit smoking, I never understood how bad I smelled from the smoke.

 

Right now I think they lose money from non smokers and could potentially lose even more if they banned it.

 

This is not a smokers against non smokers issue. This is a smokers versus people on balconies who are bothered by smoke issue. I think the biggest minority here is actually the people that are bothered by smoking on balconies.

 

As i said there will be no perfect solution that makes everyone happy. My suggestion would at least give people options to both be able to smoke and to avoid smoke.

[dinkydee718]

Making any part of the ship (cabins, balconies, etc.) smoking, would not be a wise move financially for any cruise line. What happens if there are more non-smoking passengers, than smoking. They will have to be placed (if they agree) in a smoking section (can you imagine the complaints) of the ship or those cabins are not filled by the cruise line.

 

First off OP, I actually just posted this same idea then came and read it here. Great minds....

 

I disagree that making one side of the ship smoking would be an issue. Right now the whole ship is smoking and they fill it up so IMO all it would mean is that those who oppose being on a balcony near someone else who may be smoking would choose the non-smoking side if there was availability. If not, they'd book a different date or deal with it and book on the other side of the ship.

 

Anyone who smokes would definitely take the side of the ship where it was permitted. If that side fills up and they don't want to book a different date, they could still book on the non-smoking side and then smoke in the casino. It's better then if the whole ship were non-smoking!

 

It's called compromise...or as OP says..."a truce!"

[NLH Arizona]

Right now I think they lose money from non smokers and could potentially lose even more if they banned it.

 

This is not a smokers against non smokers issue. This is a smokers versus people on balconies who are bothered by smoke issue. I think the biggest minority here is actually the people that are bothered by smoking on balconies.

 

As i said there will be no perfect solution that makes everyone happy. My suggestion would at least give people options to both be able to smoke and to avoid smoke.

But right now, they have no way of knowing if they are losing money, but would if they had the shiped diced up into smoking and non-smoking cabins; they could then see what the reprecussions would be to their decision.

 

I have to disagree, I think there are more people that have a problem with smokers on the balcony next to them. You just don't hear them, because they are either less vocal or not on cruise critic.

 

Sorry, but still don't think it would work nor do I feel any cruise line would consider it for revenue reasons.

[NLH Arizona]

First off OP, I actually just posted this same idea then came and read it here. Great minds....

 

I disagree that making one side of the ship smoking would be an issue. Right now the whole ship is smoking and they fill it up so IMO all it would mean is that those who oppose being on a balcony near someone else who may be smoking would choose the non-smoking side if there was availability. If not, they'd book a different date or deal with it and book on the other side of the ship.

 

Anyone who smokes would definitely take the side of the ship where it was permitted. If that side fills up and they don't want to book a different date, they could still book on the non-smoking side and then smoke in the casino. It's better then if the whole ship were non-smoking!

 

It's called compromise...or as OP says..."a truce!"

Or book on another cruise line, thus lose of revenue. I don't think the smoking side would be the one to book up and that would be the problem. What non-smoker wants to be surrounded by smokers, that would be worse than it is currently for them.

[itzmered]

but to be honest I don't care how its done... just that it is done and there is an improvement and a compromise.

 

Put non smoking preference on the bottom row... I don't care.

 

Im not unreasonable... I just want a solution to all this fighting.

 

admit it. most balcony claims are about people next to them smoking. this would solve that.

 

Bottom line we are all adults and have rights. So smokers... I acknowledge yours so acknowledge mine!!!

 

It does not matter what solution they come up with there will still be complainers. If they pick a group of cabins that are smoking then there will be some non smoker that will complain that "my favorite cabin was turned into a smoking cabin and it ruined my cruising experience" or " my favorite cabin is a non smoking cabin and it ruined my cruising experience" no matter what they do someone is going to be unhappy.

 

It is a simple solution, there are many cruise lines out there with many different degrees of smoking policies. Pick the cruise line that fits your needs and quit complaining

[Bobbye]

I realize the balcony smoking issue is a topic of much debate and passion from both sides of the balcony, myself included (I smoke) .I think for the most part we can all agree we love NCL and their product. So its time we stopped bickering and arguing and call a truce, and hold peace talks.

 

The threats of "I will never sail with NCL again if the balcony smoking continues" or " I will never sail NCL again if they ban it" gets us nowhere. Please lets not start another debate about why smoking is bad or why it's my right to smoke, because that solves nothing.

 

There is no may to make everyone happy but maybe we can come up with a compromising idea for NCL of which most people would be happy.

 

My idea is to make one side of the ship or the back half of a side smoking.

I am sure someone can easily come up with a better solution.

 

Lastly, lets try and solve the balcony crisis before me move on to tackle the casino :)

 

Norwegian did try that years ago. It didn't work.

[shaun07]

Norwegian did try that years ago. It didn't work.

 

did they try it with balconies or with inside the cabins?

[Bobbye]

At that time they permitted smoking in the cabins too. It was supposed to be non-smoking on one side for both inside and on the balcony.

[shaun07]

At that time they permitted smoking in the cabins too. It was supposed to be non-smoking on one side for both inside and on the balcony.

 

I can see why that didn't work as the cabins would smell like smoke. If they just did it for balconies that wouldn't be an issue.

[put me on a ship]

but to be honest I don't care how its done... just that it is done and there is an improvement and a compromise.

 

Put non smoking preference on the bottom row... I don't care.

 

Im not unreasonable... I just want a solution to all this fighting.

 

admit it. most balcony claims are about people next to them smoking. this would solve that.

 

Bottom line we are all adults and have rights. So smokers... I acknowledge yours so acknowledge mine!!!

 

But smokers HAVE been forced to acknowledge non-smoker rights. Smoking inside (except casino) is now a no-no, smokers have been forced outside, and now, non-smokers want to take away the balcony too (which happens to be outside!)? And then what? Non-smokers will complain about the outside smoking areas because it's too smoky! This really is a never ending argument, and IMO there are some non-smokers who will complain about smoking no matter what!!!

[shaun07]

But smokers HAVE been forced to acknowledge non-smoker rights. Smoking inside (except casino) is now a no-no, smokers have been forced outside, and now, non-smokers want to take away the balcony too (which happens to be outside!)? And then what? Non-smokers will complain about the outside smoking areas because it's too smoky! This really is a never ending argument, and IMO there are some non-smokers who will complain about smoking no matter what!!!

 

Unfortunately some people are never happy unless they have something to complain about. I believe there can be a compromise that makes the majority happy

[brianosaur]

The complaint from non-smokers is that we should not be subjected to your smoke if we are on our balconies.

Go to a bar with a closed door and vent system and smoke as much as you desire.

 

Just because an area is 'outside' does not make smoke magically vaporize into nothingness when you exhale. It travels to the balcony next door.

 

Not quite sure why some smokers can't comprehend this fact? One does not need a PhD is meteorology and physics to grasp the concept.

Does the addiction to smoking and desire to do so override a sense of good judgement?

 

Just because you WANT to smoke doesn't make you justified in your argument that it wont or shouldn't affect other people on adjacent balconies.

The only thing justifying your argument is that NCL permits it.

 

Your argument would also support my right to play gangster rap on my radio - at volume level 10 - on my balcony.

Pounding bass, Cuss words & female degradation lyrics! Woo hoo! Its all good. I WANT to play it. Stop complaining about my music!

 

Why should that bother anyone?! Its on MY balcony!