Smoking Report - Indy - FYI only

[island284]

The ONLY purpose of this post is to give information to those of you who choose to smoke on your upcoming Royal Cruises, specifically the Independence of the Seas 8 day, We were on the1/4/14 cruise.

 

Let’s not start another controversial thread as that is not important at this time. Perhaps both smokers and non-smokers will find the following information helpful.

 

Deck 4, port side: This area has “can type” ashtrays the entire length of the ship. This space is available daily EXCEPT boarding day and debarking day. They are slat/strap type chairs,

 

Deck 11, port side: The smoking section is about midway down (from aft going forward) to the port side towel station. (there is a towel station on starboard.) There are approximately 8 four people tables, 6 two people tables each with the “can type” ashtrays between the tables. No table top ashtrays were found anywhere. There are a few lounge chairs with ashtrays also. I only observed 4 – 6 wall mount ashtrays. The chairs seats/backs are a mesh type material, not the typical slats/strap chairs.

 

Deck 12, port side: There was a wall mount ashtray just outside the glass doors toward the front of the ship above the Solarium. There were a few ashtrays by the bar up there. I saw NO ashtrays in the middle section of this deck.

 

Casino: Smoking was allowed on both Formal Nights on the 8 day cruise.

 

On sea days, late afternoons after leaving islands, the smoking section was not adequate for the number of smokers. It was standing room only.

 

I was amazed to see how many non-smokers CHOSE to walk back and forth on the port side pool deck amongst the smokers. What amazed me more was many of those people had young children with them. No one seemed to be upset or affected by the smoking area.

 

Lastly, I can assure you there WAS smoking on some balconies. One could smell it. I did hear of one man (who was a repeat offender) received a fine of $250. He stated he would contest this charge because the information paper we all received on boarding day stated smoking was permitted on the balconies. (Obviously left over papers but this paper was later reprinted and distributed to some cabins a day or two later.)

 

Again, let’s not discuss this till we’re blue in the face. Let’s leave this as an information only post for those who want to know what to expect.

[lady_cruiser]

Thank you. There are several posters out there asking for information on the new smoking policy. I will now have this link to give them.

[Mapleleafforever]

Thank you for the information. I wonder if people on port side balconies will be able to smell the smoke from the deck 4 smoking section. If there's a lot of smokers in one place I would maybe think that would be possible. Hmmm

[Mark_K]

Lastly, I can assure you there WAS smoking on some balconies. One could smell it. I did hear of one man (who was a repeat offender) received a fine of $250. He stated he would contest this charge because the information paper we all received on boarding day stated smoking was permitted on the balconies. (Obviously left over papers but this paper was later reprinted and distributed to some cabins a day or two later.).

I doubt he'll have much luck contesting it if he continued to do it after being informed of the policy.

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Langley Cruisers]

...As far as "adding information to existing threads" I know of no thread alerting others of what was observed first hand...

 

 

 

That's OK, not your fault. There was a new thread started last night which was merged with yet another smoking thread. Here is that link (and thank you for your report) -

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1969574 <--click here for "the other" smoking thread which actually has another title so I don't blame members for not knowing about it.

.

[suebcoop]

Thanks for the info. I am sailing on the Freedom in 3 weeks and very curious to know if they will have smoking on the port side of deck 11. Previously they have not and we had to go up to deck 12 when by the pool, so I am hoping with the new rules they will now allow it on deck 11 like the other ships. So if anyone just off the Freedom has this info. I would appreciate it.

[travelplus]

The ONLY purpose of this post is to give information to those of you who choose to smoke on your upcoming Royal Cruises, specifically the Independence of the Seas 8 day, We were on the1/4/14 cruise.

 

Let’s not start another controversial thread as that is not important at this time. Perhaps both smokers and non-smokers will find the following information helpful.

 

Deck 4, port side: This area has “can type” ashtrays the entire length of the ship. This space is available daily EXCEPT boarding day and debarking day. They are slat/strap type chairs,

 

Deck 11, port side: The smoking section is about midway down (from aft going forward) to the port side towel station. (there is a towel station on starboard.) There are approximately 8 four people tables, 6 two people tables each with the “can type” ashtrays between the tables. No table top ashtrays were found anywhere. There are a few lounge chairs with ashtrays also. I only observed 4 – 6 wall mount ashtrays. The chairs seats/backs are a mesh type material, not the typical slats/strap chairs.

 

Deck 12, port side: There was a wall mount ashtray just outside the glass doors toward the front of the ship above the Solarium. There were a few ashtrays by the bar up there. I saw NO ashtrays in the middle section of this deck.

 

Casino: Smoking was allowed on both Formal Nights on the 8 day cruise.

 

On sea days, late afternoons after leaving islands, the smoking section was not adequate for the number of smokers. It was standing room only.

 

I was amazed to see how many non-smokers CHOSE to walk back and forth on the port side pool deck amongst the smokers. What amazed me more was many of those people had young children with them. No one seemed to be upset or affected by the smoking area.

 

Lastly, I can assure you there WAS smoking on some balconies. One could smell it. I did hear of one man (who was a repeat offender) received a fine of $250. He stated he would contest this charge because the information paper we all received on boarding day stated smoking was permitted on the balconies. (Obviously left over papers but this paper was later reprinted and distributed to some cabins a day or two later.)

 

Again, let’s not discuss this till we’re blue in the face. Let’s leave this as an information only post for those who want to know what to expect.

 

 

Thank you very much island.

 

As a non-smoker its great to know what to expect and what areas to avoid.

[Langley Cruisers]

Yes, it's obviously time to implore the "Ignore" feature. :D:p

[niksmom630]

Yes, it's obviously time to implore the "Ignore" feature. :D:p

 

My first time having to use it on CC, but do tell where I may find this feature, Langley Cruisers?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[notsomadhatter]

My first time having to use it on CC, but do tell where I may find this feature, Langley Cruisers?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Click on username -> Public Profile -> User List -> Add to ignore list

 

Hope that helps

[Lpppsp]

Thank you for the information, I found it very useful!

[LovesCruising]

OP - thank you for your post - I find having ship specific information very informative.

 

Interesting smoking area was standing room only - must mean most are complying.

 

Hmmm - guest smoking on balcony fined $250. I always thought the $250 was a "cleaning fee" for smoking in the cabin. I would think he was warned first and then continued if he was fined.

[poncho1973]

Thank you very much island.

 

As a non-smoker its great to know what to expect and what areas to avoid.

 

Ditto. I appreciate the heads up about the new policy. I am better informed to avoid what I wish to avoid and allow smokers to enjoy their choice without us crossing paths.

 

Nice thread.

 

 

ETA: nice thread refers only to the OP... it pretty much went in the toilet about mid-way down, but the thought is awesome.

Edited January 13, 2014 by poncho1973

[createcolorfun]

I for one am glad u posted this. My DH is a smoker and while I'm not, I can let him know what to expect. Thanks for posting useful information. Not everyone appreciates info from someone trying to be informative!!!!

[Langley Cruisers]

Just use the vapor cig. No smell, no problem.

 

These are covered in the official policy as well - they are not permitted in non-smoking areas, so technically balcony, cabins, etc.

[missbogota]

Thanks for updating us! Very informative for both smokers and nonsmokers!

[LovesCruising]

Re Vape:

 

These are covered in the official policy as well - they are not permitted in non-smoking areas, so technically balcony, cabins, etc.

 

I knew that would be coming - but in all honesty - you cannot smell them at all

[Mapleleafforever]

Re Vape:

 

 

 

I knew that would be coming - but in all honesty - you cannot smell them at all

 

Even as a non smoker I have no choice but to agree with you. I can't really say anything bad about vaping. I actually don't think it should be as restricted as smoking onboard.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Mapleleafforever

[ckrobyn]

Thanks OP - this thread is informative.

 

I posted on another thread before the ban on balcony smoking came into effect that my biggest fear was people ignoring it and smoking anyways, I literally got laughed at and dismissed. Now I read that it's happening, smoking on balconies continues.....except now there are NO ashtrays!!!! Where are the butts going??? I hope to God not overboard.:eek::eek:

[ncsteeler]

For all the people that have us believing a single wisp of smoke on their balcony ruined the cruise for them, I guess now they will stay on the balcony and never come tot he pool.

[Langley Cruisers]

Re Vape: I knew that would be coming - but in all honesty - you cannot smell them at all

 

Understood; I was just relaying the policy put in place by the line I choose to cruise on. No offense, but it doesn't matter if you can smell it or not. I suppose since they look so much like the real thing, they have decided not to deal with any complaints and just not permit the e-cigs as well.

[A&L_Ont]

Understood; I was just relaying the policy put in place by the line I choose to cruise on. No offense, but it doesn't matter if you can smell it or not. I suppose since they look so much like the real thing, they have decided not to deal with any complaints and just not permit the e-cigs as well.

 

On Oasis in November there was a gentleman using his e-cig two chairs down from my wife, at the beach pool. A waiter stopped and told him that he needed to go to the smoking area. The e-cig man went on a verbal assault/lashing on how he had to educate the waiter to how it wasn't smoking... and how he shouldn't be shunned to the smoking section.

 

The waiter left and shortly after the supervisor of the pool deck came along and then educated the man with the e-cig. The e-cig man finally left, with his wife in tears after she had told her spouse repeatedly to stop embarrassing her. He sounded like quite the jerk, from what my DW said.

 

I could only imagine what the last two days of their cruise was like.

[LovesCruising]

This is what a Mist Fix Vaper looks like

 

http://jandlwholesale.com/image/cache/data/Batteries/mistkettle-500x500.jpg

 

It doesn't look like a cigarette and doesn't light up - I actually saw someone using one at a land resort and had to ask what it was

[A&L_Ont]

Yes I can just think how quiet their trip home was. Hopefully it wasn't a long flight or car ride.

Edited January 14, 2014 by A&L_Ont

[SadmanCruiser]

Thanks for the info Island - we are on the Independence in May and it good to know where I can smoke.