Smoking in cabins on balconies, irrespective of cruise line.

[Sweetpea711423]

I understand there are some who are opposed to smoking on the cabin terrace, but for my husband and me it is an important part of our selection of cruise line. Actually we would prefer if smoking were permitted in the cabin as well. We recently returned from a cruise on Silversea, booked before they adopted a more restrictive smoking policy, and while we decided not to cancel, it certainly had a negative impact on our experience. We are now booked in the Grills for next year on both eastbound and westbound crossings. We have sailed in the Grills with Cunard in the past, including when it had a more liberal smoking policy (which of course we liked best). Hopefully there will not be any further restriction on the Cunard smoking policy, or unfortunately we would need to consider changing our plans. (Indeed, we originally had a cruise on Crystal planned for next year, but cancelled that when Crystal changed its smoking policy.) I know it is impossible to please everybody, but it does appear that Cunard is trying to take a middle road.

[Andiamo]

I understand there are some who are opposed to smoking on the cabin terrace, but for my husband and me it is an important part of our selection of cruise line. Actually we would prefer if smoking were permitted in the cabin as well. We recently returned from a cruise on Silversea, booked before they adopted a more restrictive smoking policy, and while we decided not to cancel, it certainly had a negative impact on our experience. We are now booked in the Grills for next year on both eastbound and westbound crossings. We have sailed in the Grills with Cunard in the past, including when it had a more liberal smoking policy (which of course we liked best). Hopefully there will not be any further restriction on the Cunard smoking policy, or unfortunately we would need to consider changing our plans. (Indeed, we originally had a cruise on Crystal planned for next year, but cancelled that when Crystal changed its smoking policy.) I know it is impossible to please everybody, but it does appear that Cunard is trying to take a middle road.

 

I'm with you Sweetpea. I am presently booked for the December Caribbean. Final payment is due in September. I believe when a policy like smoking is to be changed, enough notice is given. Having said that, without quoting anything, they can do as they please and have an on-board switch-a-roonie. Before I make that payment, I hope to get some form of half-butt assurance (no pun intended) that will not happen.

 

I book Grills for a few reasons. The real biggie for me is going out on the veranda, reclining on that steamer lounger, having my tea in the morning, or night cap at the end of the evening and enjoying the moon on the water, with a smoke. I will not continue to pay double or more for my single occupancy if that is taken away. I know it is just a matter of time before I will have to give up any ship travel. Until then, I can only hope Cunard either keeps the present policy in place, with enough buyer beware warning of such policy, or, as mentioned above, give enough notice so a trip with them can be cancelled.

 

Jeanne

[Whitemarsh]

I'm with you Sweetpea. I am presently booked for the December Caribbean. Final payment is due in September. I believe when a policy like smoking is to be changed, enough notice is given. Having said that, without quoting anything, they can do as they please and have an on-board switch-a-roonie. Before I make that payment, I hope to get some form of half-butt assurance (no pun intended) that will not happen.

 

I book Grills for a few reasons. The real biggie for me is going out on the veranda, reclining on that steamer lounger, having my tea in the morning, or night cap at the end of the evening and enjoying the moon on the water, with a smoke. I will not continue to pay double or more for my single occupancy if that is taken away. I know it is just a matter of time before I will have to give up any ship travel. Until then, I can only hope Cunard either keeps the present policy in place, with enough buyer beware warning of such policy, or, as mentioned above, give enough notice so a trip with them can be cancelled.

 

Jeanne

 

Sounds lovely, I too enjoy an early morning or late evening smoke just before going to bed. Such a nice way to start and end the day. :)

[NeilT66]

Sounds lovely, I too enjoy an early morning or late evening smoke just before going to bed. Such a nice way to start and end the day. :)

 

A little ironic isn't it? A member of the Fashion Police engaging in an unfashionable pursuit ;)

 

(I gave up 4 years ago but defend your right to smoke)

[Whitemarsh]

A little ironic isn't it? A member of the Fashion Police engaging in an unfashionable pursuit ;)

 

(I gave up 4 years ago but defend your right to smoke)

 

Unfashionable? Looks pretty cool to me :)

 

[NeilT66]

Unfashionable? Looks pretty cool to me :)

 

When I started smoking, around 55% of men and 45% of women smoked - it's now down to about 20% for both men and women. I'd say it's now become very unfashionable.

 

[source: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/lung/smoking/lung-cancer-and-smoking-statistics#percent]

 

I still defend your right to smoke though!

[Louise D]

Unfashionable? Looks pretty cool to me :)

 

 

I don't know how Patsy managed to consume endless amounts of Bolly and Ciggies, fully indulged her wicked ways and yet never aged beyond 39.

[Whitemarsh]

When I started smoking, around 55% of men and 45% of women smoked - it's now down to about 20% for both men and women. I'd say it's now become very unfashionable.

 

[source: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/lung/smoking/lung-cancer-and-smoking-statistics#percent]

 

I still defend your right to smoke though!

 

I don't think we can mix health related issues with the term fashionable - in terms of style - without confusing the issue. What your referring to, perhaps, is smoking's unpopularity.

 

As an example, just because a (seeming) majority of people are overweight these days, it doesn't therefore follow that being fat is fashionable.

[Whitemarsh]

I don't know how Patsy managed to consume endless amounts of Bolly and Ciggies, fully indulged her wicked ways and yet never aged beyond 39.

 

Good genes. Great plastic surgeon. Fantastic scripts. :)

[Dianacm]

This is one of those subjects where many of us have to agree to disagree.

 

Very few smokers will book passage where smoking is banned for obvious reasons. I will readily admit there are those in the anti-smoking brigade who are against it simply because they think smoking is bad and should not be allowed, on ships, or in any publicly shared space.

 

As for me, I don't consider myself anti-smoking, but rather, anti-breathing someone else's smoke. Even fervent Libertarians adhere to the "let me do what I want as long as I don't harm others" policy. Yes, I've read the rules and understand smoking is allowed on balconies. I get it, I've made my choices and I'd never complain about it to smoking neighbors. And, let's face it, everyone who books a cruise tacitly agrees to breathing second hand bunker oil smoke if you are anywhere near the stern on virtually any ship-I'm not an expert, but my guess is breathing that gunk is far worse than whatever might waft across from your neighbor's balcony.

 

Still, as many have suggested on this thread: the trend is toward restricting smoking. First generally, then in the privacy of one's cabin. Soon, I suspect, it will be banned on balconies. How long can nations which require graphic photos of diseased lungs and worse to appear on packs of cigarettes keep that from happening? A few years? Maybe.

 

I wish Cunard would provide a compromise: an elegant, well-ventilated smoking lounge, with amenities, a great view and a balcony, that would be a destination, rather than a naughty room.

 

Probably a non-starter b/c it might not be an income-generator. But if I were a smoker, that's what I'd be lobbying for, because sooner or later, balcony smoking will be banned, just as it has Been everywhere else.

 

Or so I think, but as has been mentioned before on this thread, I'm an idiot.

[Whitemarsh]

This is one of those subjects where many of us have to agree to disagree.

 

Very few smokers will book passage where smoking is banned for obvious reasons. I will readily admit there are those in the anti-smoking brigade who are against it simply because they think smoking is bad and should not be allowed, on ships, or in any publicly shared space.

 

As for me, I don't consider myself anti-smoking, but rather, anti-breathing someone else's smoke. Even fervent Libertarians adhere to the "let me do what I want as long as I don't harm others" policy. Yes, I've read the rules and understand smoking is allowed on balconies. I get it, I've made my choices and I'd never complain about it to smoking neighbors. And, let's face it, everyone who books a cruise tacitly agrees to breathing second hand bunker oil smoke if you are anywhere near the stern on virtually any ship-I'm not an expert, but my guess is breathing that gunk is far worse than whatever might waft across from your neighbor's balcony.

 

Still, as many have suggested on this thread: the trend is toward restricting smoking. First generally, then in the privacy of one's cabin. Soon, I suspect, it will be banned on balconies. How long can nations which require graphic photos of diseased lungs and worse to appear on packs of cigarettes keep that from happening? A few years? Maybe.

 

I wish Cunard would provide a compromise: an elegant, well-ventilated smoking lounge, with amenities, a great view and a balcony, that would be a destination, rather than a naughty room.

 

Probably a non-starter b/c it might not be an income-generator. But if I were a smoker, that's what I'd be lobbying for, because sooner or later, balcony smoking will be banned, just as it has Been everywhere else.

 

Or so I think, but as has been mentioned before on this thread, I'm an idiot.

 

There's an unofficial one, it's called Churchill's. No balcony, but it's very nice all the same.

[NeilT66]

I don't think we can mix health related issues with the term fashionable - in terms of style - without confusing the issue. What your referring to, perhaps, is smoking's unpopularity.

 

As an example, just because a (seeming) majority of people are overweight these days, it doesn't therefore follow that being fat is fashionable.

 

I think you're in denial, as I was for 38 of my 40 years smoking. Hopefully, one day, you will get fed up with it as I did and give up with ease.

 

Until then, I defend your right to smoke.

[brigittetom]

If cigarettes did not produce smoke, this would be a non-issue. Unfortunately, smoking is a habit that "pokes its nose" into other people's business whether they like it or not..

 

 

Not true. People like me started bringing E-Cigs on board. The anti smokers were offended just by the sight of them. Last I heard, they are banned in public rooms also. No smoke, no second hand smoke, no smell, yet still offensive. Go figure.

 

I'd love to know how anti smokers always end up with 24/7 chain smokers on the balcony next to them. With the 20 some balcony cabins we've had, we rarely are out there the same times as our neighbors. I have to wonder why all these chain smokers who never leave their balconys book a cruise to begin with. Seems it would be cheaper to stay home and smoke on the stoop.

[Salacia]

salacia It was the QE North Cape cruise ending 15 July 2013.Not only was he visible to us and many others on decks 5-6-7-8 but also the bridge as the balcony was for'ard.

 

 

Wow.

For artists, it isn't easy to find a live mode, posing au naturale. How nice that some pose at no charge - except that it might be much more appreciated in a studio setting. :)

 

I must remember to bring my drawing supplies on my next voyage!

Cheers, -S.

[transatlantic fan]

Not true. People like me started bringing E-Cigs on board. The anti smokers were offended just by the sight of them. Last I heard, they are banned in public rooms also. No smoke, no second hand smoke, no smell, yet still offensive. Go figure.

 

I'd love to know how anti smokers always end up with 24/7 chain smokers on the balcony next to them. With the 20 some balcony cabins we've had, we rarely are out there the same times as our neighbors. I have to wonder why all these chain smokers who never leave their balconys book a cruise to begin with. Seems it would be cheaper to stay home and smoke on the stoop.

E-Cigs are not banned.

[MadScientist_01]

E-Cigs are not banned.

 

Not banned per se, but put under the same restrictions as normal cigarettes i.e., must only be used in smoking areas. As someone who switched to e-cigs to help me give up smoking I find this particularly cruel, forcing me into an area that makes it more likely that I will take up smoking again.

 

So for e-cig users the balcony is absolutely vital - yet a fellow cruiser once saw me leaning on the balcony railing using my e-cig and proceeded to do the whole coughing/pronouncing loudly that they couldn't possibly stay on their balcony with all the smoking going on - even odder because my battery had run out so the e-cig wasn't even working, I was just sucking on the thing to soothe the craving :confused:

 

I did consider making his life a misery for the next few days but I figured that he probably managed to do that all on his own so why bother :cool:

[ToadOfToadHall]

Not true. People like me started bringing E-Cigs on board. The anti smokers were offended just by the sight of them. Last I heard, they are banned in public rooms also. No smoke, no second hand smoke, no smell, yet still offensive. Go figure.

 

I've had the very same conversation on another forum (not a cruise forum).

 

I think it's because when people see an e-cig their brain "tells" them they can smell smoke - of course they are imaging it.

 

And being "offended" is now actually an occupation. People put it on their CVs.

 

Occupation : Professionally Offended.

[brigittetom]

Yes, I think the world was a lot nicer when we were taught to keep our nasty opinions to ourselves. :D

[transatlantic fan]

Not banned per se, but put under the same restrictions as normal cigarettes i.e., must only be used in smoking areas. As someone who switched to e-cigs to help me give up smoking I find this particularly cruel, forcing me into an area that makes it more likely that I will take up smoking again.

 

So for e-cig users the balcony is absolutely vital - yet a fellow cruiser once saw me leaning on the balcony railing using my e-cig and proceeded to do the whole coughing/pronouncing loudly that they couldn't possibly stay on their balcony with all the smoking going on - even odder because my battery had run out so the e-cig wasn't even working, I was just sucking on the thing to soothe the craving :confused:

 

I did consider making his life a misery for the next few days but I figured that he probably managed to do that all on his own so why bother :cool:

 

Well the rule must have changed in the last 3 weeks then because many people were using them in the Golden Lion and the casino 3 weeks ago.

Maybe it was the fact they were black with a Blue light.

But i did ask a member of staff who said they are NOT Banned and many of the staff now use them.

[sfb]

And being "offended" is now actually an occupation. People put it on their CVs. Occupation : Professionally Offended.

I agree with you. An example that has nothing to do with smoking. On another thread a poster has remarked negatively about the reported attire of a passenger. 1. They have not seen the passenger. 2. The incident took place in a restaurant they do not visit. 3. Aboard a ship they are not on. 4. During a voyage they are not taking. However they sound professionally offended.

Cheers.

[brigittetom]

Well the rule must have changed in the last 3 weeks

 

No, they made that announcement way back, shortly after I bought my E-cig. After I was loudly confronted by an irate man in the casino, I never attempted to bring it out again. It was declared somewhere in their smoking rules. I never bothered to see whether it was enforced or not and I've never personally seen any used on the ship.

 

The biggest insult was being told, very rudely, in Churchills that cigarettes were no longer allowed. Thru out the entire b/b crossing, the same attendant would breeze into Churchills and light a cigarette behind the pole by the door. I wasn't about to turn her in but I was hoping someone else would. Six months later, she was named "EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH". Obviously, it wasn't because of my high rating. :D

[transatlantic fan]

Do you allow the use of electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas on your ships?

 

Yes, we allow electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas, as long as they do not emit a 'smoke like' vapour, even though this vapour may only be harmless water mist.

In our opinion, cigarettes which emit a 'smoke like' vapour look no different from a real cigarette and if fellow passengers believe that someone is smoking this may result in potential confrontation and unnecessary interventions by staff

[Summergee]

I have suggested to Cunard that they make port side staterooms non smoking and starboard side staterooms smoking as smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the promenade deck (deck 3) on Queen Victoria. My comments have been passed on..

[brigittetom]

[quote

In our opinion, cigarettes which emit a 'smoke like' vapour look no different from a real cigarette and if fellow passengers believe that someone is smoking this may result in potential confrontation and unnecessary interventions by staff

 

 

Well, they've got that right. They are pointing out that people are offended by the "appearance" of smoking irregardless if the smoke bothers them or not. That would explain a lot of the balcony complaints. Not all.....but a lot.

[MadScientist_01]

Do you allow the use of electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas on your ships?

 

Yes, we allow electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas, as long as they do not emit a 'smoke like' vapour, even though this vapour may only be harmless water mist.

In our opinion, cigarettes which emit a 'smoke like' vapour look no different from a real cigarette and if fellow passengers believe that someone is smoking this may result in potential confrontation and unnecessary interventions by staff

 

Have just taken a look at that on the Cunard FAQ and it is definitely a change from the rules last year, which only allowed e-cig use in smoking areas - happy days and a sensible policy step by Cunard :D may still require a little stealth when exhaling but far more sensible.

 

+1 to Cunard for taking this step when many places are still backwards in the way they deal with e-cig users