Smoking on your balcony is out! Gratuities are going up.

[Beachdiva1979]

We'll personally I don't smoke and I am very happy with the changes going into effect. I also don't mind the half smoking/ half non smoking balconies as a compromise.

 

 

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[Jane2357]

I'm gloating - oh yes I am!!!:D I knew this day would come because too many people like me walked away due to the smoking policy on Carnival. For every smoker that cancels there will be people like me who will now return. GREAT job Carnival!!!

[luvtheships]

GREAT NEWS! But, I wish it was a total smoking ban.... it's time to try again.

 

Sit tight

 

 

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[Out to sea!]

I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong but isn't Hal under the ccl corporate umbrella?

 

Just askin' and yes I know they are individual subsidiaries

 

 

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They are under CC (Carnival Corporation) umbrella, same as CCL (Carnival Cruise Line).

[Billy RTBA]

GREAT NEWS! But, I wish it was a total smoking ban.... it's time to try again.

 

At some point in the future all cruise lines will be 100% smoke free. Also smoking in any public place will be banned. It is just the way it is going to be and no amount of fighting back and forth will change it.

[barbatkins]

as a "wicked ex smoker" , I am really thrilled with the change, but it totally blows my mind that so many of you would cancel cruises....and give up cruising on a line you have enjoyed... because now you have to smoke in designated areas...

 

I understand it is disappointing to you.... But when I started cruising in the mid 80's..you could smoke in your cabin. I don't remember this much ruckus when they stopped allowing that.

 

You can still smoke....you just have to go to the designated areas...

[Billy RTBA]

as a "wicked ex smoker" , I am really thrilled with the change, but it totally blows my mind that so many of you would cancel cruises....and give up cruising on a line you have enjoyed... because now you have to smoke in designated areas...

 

I understand it is disappointing to you.... But when I started cruising in the mid 80's..you could smoke in your cabin. I don't remember this much ruckus when they stopped allowing that.

 

You can still smoke....you just have to go to the designated areas...

 

That monkey can be very demanding!

[Vanessa L]

This is true and the best news in some time! Even though my August cruise will not be effected, I am so thrilled with this that I will book balconies exclusively now!! SO happy that Carnival decided to follow in RC's footsteps! Good for them!

 

In other news, since the world seems hell bent on pushing smokers into some tiny corner of a Motel 8, at what point does smoking become more important than trying to quit? I've heard that quitting is harder than quitting heroin, but with more and more places deciding that smoking is not allowed, it seems to make sense that eventually attempting to stop would make sense. My 2 cents only. YMMV.

[JWGrayson]

I just saw the email and came here to see if it had been post and as I suspected it had been and has gotten a LOT of attention.

 

The tipping is from $11.50 to $12.00 pp. So, it will cost my wife and me an additional $1.00 per day.

 

I am please with the smoking changes, but would have liked to see it ship-wide. I know a lot of folks have complained about smoking on the balconies, so I expect that new restriction will be well accepted. John

[tattoos]

Thank you, thank you, Carnival, for having the guts to ban smoking on the balconies. Apparently, they listened to the voices of the non-smokers who yelled out loud and clear. Carnival's action to make the Paradise a non-smoking vessel was many years ago. Times have changed and as the public becomes more educated about the risks of smoking and second hand smoke, we have finally turned the corner on this issue and feel that Carnival is making the right decision, finally.

 

There is no way Carnival or any other cruise line is going to make one side of the ship smoking and one side non-smoking, the logistics of doing this would be a nightmare. If only half of the rooms are booked on the smoking side, they will try to book their "smoking" rooms with non-smokers and I would never stay in a smoking room.

 

We were booked one year on the Fascination in a stateroom that had just been vacated by a smoker(s). The stench in that room was so horrible, nothing the room steward tried worked in the least to eliminate that stench, sanitizing machine, washed and changed all bedding, washed the walls, shampooed the carpet, changed the curtains, etc. Good thing it was a three night cruise because we slept on deck every night...that's how bad it was in that stateroom.

 

You can bet your last money that all other cruiselines will follow Carnival's lead in the not too distant future.

 

Now if we can convince Carnival that banning smoking in all interior spaces, including the casino, would be a smart move. I think this will be the next step for Carnival and will probably be announced within the next year.

 

HOORAY!!

[Vanessa L]

This is not a rumor (thank God!!), it's already on the website:

 

What is the smoking policy?

Effective on voyages departing October 9, 2014, or thereafter, all staterooms and suite accommodations are an entirely smoke free environment, including the outside balcony.

Cigarette and E-cigarette smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas, as well as in our night club, and in certain areas within the casino and casino bar.

Cigar and pipe smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas only.

Note: Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival's cruise ticket contract. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy.

 

 

Voyages departing October 9, 2014 onward; the total amount is $12.00 per guest, per day and breakdown as follows:

• Stateroom service team $3.90 per day

• Dining room service team $6.10 per day

• Alternative services team* $2.00 per day

(*galley, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members)

[Linerguy]

You can still smoke....you just have to go to the designated areas...

 

Exactly, but for some, it's never enough...some people think they are above the rules and just smoke wherever they want. They're the ones I have a problem with.

[meglet]

Barbatikins, as a former smoker, you must remember how much cigarettes become a part of the routine of the day. Relaxing with a glass of wine, enjoying the scenery (and a butt.) Waking up with morning coffee, enjoying the early morning air (and a butt.) The closest I can compare the feeling to is if you're a big coffee drinker, imagine someone telling you that you can not have coffee in your cabin( and I'm fine with the no smoking in cabins,) you can not have coffee, which is a legal activity on your balcony. There are only a few areas on the ship in which you may drink coffee.

 

I know there's no such thing as second hand coffee damage, but smokers will not pay big money to have their leisure and relaxation time and patterns so curtailed.

 

At least the 1/2 and 1/2 ship is worth trying and not just dismissing out of hand.

[EZ4]

You can bet your last money that all other cruiselines will follow Carnival's lead in the not too distant future.

 

 

 

Carnival is not leading here. They are following.

[sammee]

Barbatikins, as a former smoker, you must remember how much cigarettes become a part of the routine of the day. Relaxing with a glass of wine, enjoying the scenery (and a butt.) Waking up with morning coffee, enjoying the early morning air (and a butt.) The closest I can compare the feeling to is if you're a big coffee drinker, imagine someone telling you that you can not have coffee in your cabin( and I'm fine with the no smoking in cabins,) you can not have coffee, which is a legal activity on your balcony. There are only a few areas on the ship in which you may drink coffee.

 

I know there's no such thing as second hand coffee damage, but smokers will not pay big money to have their leisure and relaxation time and patterns so curtailed.

 

At least the 1/2 and 1/2 ship is worth trying and not just dismissing out of hand.

 

That's a pretty good comparison, plenty of people "have" to have their coffee, me included. It gives you the same feeling if you can't have it.

[cruiseman_tx]

Carnival is not leading here. They are following.

 

So true. Carnival is definitely not a trend setter.

[tkportersat]

Yep...some are a tad on the dramatic side. I have had smokers on the balcony next to mine and have not noticed it one bit. If you go looking for trouble though you will usually find it. I am a non smoker but my parents smoke. Honestly I wish they would stop but they aren't so I don't bring up the subject anymore. Just glad the start date is after my parent's August cruise to Alaska, they can have one last hurrah.

 

I've never been able to figure out how smoke can linger on a balcony when the ship is traveling at 21 knots. I think a lot of non smokers are blowing smoke themselves.

[everywhere]

I do not or have not smoked, however, i have chosen to live in a major metro area that has smog and air quality alerts quite often. Would be pretty foolish if I complained about a bit of smoke when we are cautioned about going outside where we live

[GottaLuvCruising]

A smoke-free balcony is heaven on earth! Thank you, Carnival for FINALLY getting with the program!

[Big Tillie]

This is the email I received from Carnival a few minutes ago. Happy to see the ban on balcony smoking.

 

 

July 8, 2014

 

Greetings folks!

 

We know your bags aren't packed yet, but it's not too early to start thinking about your cruise. So, we'd like to take this opportunity to provide you some important information regarding changes to our smoking policy and gratuity guidelines.

 

As part of our continuing commitment to keep in line with the personal preferences of our guests, all staterooms and suites, inclusive of the balconies, will be an entirely smoke-free environment. This change is consistent with the policy of most major cruise lines and will be implemented on October 9, 2014, or any new voyage departing thereafter.

 

Smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas, as well as in our night club, and in certain areas within the casino and casino bar.

 

Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival's ticket contract.

 

We are hopeful you will see this as an enhancement to your onboard experience. Please know we are committed to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for all our guests.

 

We also wanted to let you know our gratuity guidelines will be increasing from $11.50 to $12.00 per person per day with voyages departing October 9, 2014, and onward. Guests who have pre-paid their gratuities as of July 7, 2014, will not be affected by this change.

 

While gratuities are automatically added to your onboard Sail & Sign account as a convenience, tipping is always at your discretion. Please feel free to adjust, up or down, as you please by visiting Guest Services.

 

We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your cooperation in adhering to our new smoking policy. Most importantly, we look forward to welcoming you aboard!

 

Sincerely,

 

Vicky Rey, CTC

Edited July 8, 2014 by Big Tillie

[grooveynurse]

I'm not much for complaining on a normal basis. However I think that this is crap. I smoke like 2-3 cigs a day. Period. I'm totally ok with the limited smoking areas on the ship, but the balcony is taking it too far! I mean....REALLY people? Some of the perfume and body odor people carry around with them gags me....can we ban smelly people too? As I nurse I fully understand the dangers of smoking, but this has taken it too far.

 

I'm not sure why Carnival couldn't have allowed smoking on the balconies on one side of the ship or even just the back half. It makes all of the sense in the world, I have several friends and family members who do not smoke, yet smoke does not bother them and I'm sure they would book a smoking side.

 

I hope the nonsmokers like all of the gambling I will be joining them for...cigarette in hand...penny slots of course:) That casino is about to get nasty really fast!

 

Being a smart consumer, I called and downgraded both of my two booked cruises to interior rooms.....saved a TON. Rant over.

[Taters]

According to the Carnival contract, we can pretty much be kicked off the ship for anything that Carnival wishes to kick us off for. With that in mind I am going to continue to smoke on my balcony. I don't do it much, but I will and that will be that. Good luck enforcing this, Carnival. And oh - I will not be cruising again after the two I currently have booked.

[Big_G]

Too bad Carnival didn't give Cruise Critic the heads up early. They could have cut and pasted the locked Royal thread over here on the Carnival board and nobody would have been the wiser. Right down to the cancelled cruises, exploding eCigs, half smoking sides of the ship, and the empty casino if they banned smoking there too. There was more but the list is way too long. :D

[scm1848]

Just cancelled our November 1 cruise due to this change in policy. Thankfully, we were outside the final payment time. We've re-booked a Dec. 1 cruise on NCL for less money and 2 days longer. The only detriment is the loss of 2 islands I really wanted to see. Oh, well . . . We do vote with our money.

[medic123]

I don't understand the reason for including e-cigs! :confused: