Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[KeithJenner]

Oh, and as an example, your employers are already well on the way to trying to control what you eat, how much you weigh, and how active you need to be.

 

 

I can absolutely guarantee that my employer isn't.

 

 

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[antsnanny]

If the casino becomes one big inside smoking lounge then the next step will be banning smoking in the casino. That is what happened on Celebrity. I suggest that smokers resist abusing the rule about playing.

 

Did Celebrity ban smoking in the casino? I was on the Summit in May and Im pretty sure they allowed smoking.

[cruisinmeme]

As a Non-Smoker let me say that this is an awful policy and will entice me AWAY from NCL, not to it. What they're saying is the casino is open season for smoking. This will drive the non-smokers away from that spot for sure. I wouldn't be surprised to see it keep smokers away too given the amount of smoking that will be going on down there now. And what about the poor employees working down there?!

 

If they wanted to do something constructive they should have set the Casino as smoke free and allow smoking on one side of the open deck area.

 

If this was a new policy intended to appease the non-smoker, they sure didn't think it through.

 

I thought the same thing as a non smoker (former smoker). Can barely bare the casino now. But..... In the policy change it did say active casino players only can smoke in casino. Now who will police people just sitting around in there smoking and hitting the slot once every cigarette is yet to be seen.

[jame_g]

Okay, I get it. So everyone is okay with businesses and employers telling others that they can't smoke, what they can eat, drink, weigh, how active they can be. And I get it that these can be health problems. But is it really anyone else's business? And everyone is okay with it happening to someone else. But they go overboard when it happens to them. So go ahead and think that it's okay to do this, it will only be a matter of time until it happens to you. The US is no longer the land of personal freedoms. It's the nanny state where government, employers, and businesses try to control the things they should stay out of, and stay out of the common sense things they should control.

[antsnanny]

Non-smoker. I think this is a very bad idea. For those that think it's a good idea, just remember that your legal freedoms will be next on the list of things to be banned. Once the door is open, it's hard to shut. Oh, and as an example, your employers are already well on the way to trying to control what you eat, how much you weigh, and how active you need to be. What will be next?

 

I don't think that a cruise lines rules and regulations have anything to do with our freedoms, its just their policy. I do agree our freedoms are slipping away though…

[swedish weave]

Okay, I get it. So everyone is okay with businesses and employers telling others that they can't smoke, what they can eat, drink, weigh, how active they can be. And I get it that these can be health problems. But is it really anyone else's business? And everyone is okay with it happening to someone else. But they go overboard when it happens to them. So go ahead and think that it's okay to do this, it will only be a matter of time until it happens to you. The US is no longer the land of personal freedoms. It's the nanny state where government, employers, and businesses try to control the things they should stay out of, and stay out of the common sense things they should control.

 

It is an application of the "Golden rule". They have the gold, so they make the rules !

 

Seriously -- If you are an "at will" employee, you must follow the rules the employer gives you as long as the rules are within the scope of the law.

[Aquahound]

Did Celebrity ban smoking in the casino? I was on the Summit in May and Im pretty sure they allowed smoking.

 

Yes, it's banned. They banned it about 5 or 6 years ago. You're certainly mistaken about your May cruise. There is no smoking anywhere inside their ships.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Aquahound

[Charles4515]

Did Celebrity ban smoking in the casino? I was on the Summit in May and Im pretty sure they allowed smoking.

 

No, smoking was not allowed in the casino. They banned it several years ago. There was no smoking in the casino on your cruise.

[jame_g]

Yup. Until they do something you don't like. But then, most people feel that it's okay to tell others what they can and can't do until someone tries to tell them what they should or shouldn't do.

[mpk218]

Okay, I get it. So everyone is okay with businesses and employers telling others that they can't smoke, what they can eat, drink, weigh, how active they can be. And I get it that these can be health problems. But is it really anyone else's business? And everyone is okay with it happening to someone else. But they go overboard when it happens to them. So go ahead and think that it's okay to do this, it will only be a matter of time until it happens to you. The US is no longer the land of personal freedoms. It's the nanny state where government, employers, and businesses try to control the things they should stay out of, and stay out of the common sense things they should control.

 

Like lambs to slaughter .. Of course we know this type of behavior is not new.. Welcome to the New America ;)

[Barb Nahoumi]

I completely agree Old Sole! As if the cruising industry is "concerned about the health & well-being of guests and crew" HA! No, they are just jumping on the "police state" bandwagon.

 

Do ships have smaking areas for crew?

[Barb Nahoumi]

Do ships have smaking areas for crew?

 

OOPS spelling error. I meant SMOKING areas.

[Rottweiler Puppy]

Yup. Until they do something you don't like. But then, most people feel that it's okay to tell others what they can and can't do until someone tries to tell them what they should or shouldn't do.

 

A private business should be able to tell their customers what they can and cant do on their property. If the consumer does not like it, they are free to choose another company . I guess your solution is more government? Do you hate a free market and capitalism? An employer should be able to run their company as they see fit with minimal gov intrusion.

 

Anyway back on topic-

 

Unless someone has video of you smoking "vaping" your Ecig. No one would ever know. Heck NCL should sell them with logos onboard. I don't even smoke buy would buy them as gifts to folks I now that do.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Rottweiler Puppy

[mpk218]

Forget fairness. This is all about safety and the cruiselines being forced to put these rules in place

 

The peripheral benefit, which is what the big debate is all about anyway, is that the majority of cruisers do not smoke and don't want to be subjected to it

 

Ships are doing it because they are required to... Non smokers are just benefitting bystanders... Just like the smokers although apparantly not benefitting from it. Or maybe they are.

 

 

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According to NCL corporate in Miami , No such situation exists . No entity is forcing them to do anything .. You keep repeating this same mantra , please produce the link to said mandate...

But only if YOU feel its Fair ;)

[Siora7777]

It's not like smokers can't enjoy their balconies. It will still be out there to enjoy. All of us nonsmokers get balconies for fresh air, to watch the sunrise/sunsets, eat breakfast away from the crowds, and just to make a small cabin feel more roomy. Even a smoker can appreciate what a balcony and cruise ships have to offers whether you can smoke or not. It's not like you can't smoke at all on the ships. It's just now you have to go to a special area. This is the habit you chose, but it is not my habit.

 

As a nonsmoker a smokers bad habit does take away from others around those around you whether you want to believe it or not. Smoke lingers and get's in everyone's space. For years we have had to endure this and still do (Fairs, beaches, casinos, at the front door of every building I want to enter). I don't understand why this is hard to understand.

 

We all have to share the same space. At least now we can avoid areas where we know where people will be allowed to smoke.

 

Gone are the days when you can smoke in a restaurant or a flight. Cruise ships haven't complete taken that away. I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner.

[Aquahound]

Forget fairness. This is all about safety and the cruiselines being forced to put these rules in place

 

The peripheral benefit, which is what the big debate is all about anyway, is that the majority of cruisers do not smoke and don't want to be subjected to it

 

Ships are doing it because they are required to... Non smokers are just benefitting bystanders... Just like the smokers although apparantly not benefitting from it. Or maybe they are.

 

I'm on the no smoking side, but what you just said has me scratching my head. I've been in the USCG 21 years, I am pretty well familiar with SOLAS regulations, and I am connected with CLIA. I know of no such requirement and know nothing of cruise lines being forced to do this. You've already been asked and so far I haven't seen an answer....please tell me where you heard this. I'd like to take a closer look at this supposed requirement.

Edited July 17, 2014 by Aquahound

[Charles4515]

According to NCL corporate in Miami , No such situation exists . No entity is forcing them to do anything .. You keep repeating this same mantra , please produce the link to said mandate...

But only if YOU feel its Fair ;)

 

There is the International Maritime Organization for Safety of Life at Sea. Also known as the SOLAS convention. In short NCL does have to follow the SOLAS regulations and recommendations. If they don't they would not be allowed to dock their ships at ports of 159 countries. Almost all the flag countries are signatorys too.

 

Now think a little logically. Why are all the cruise lines banning smoking on balconies in the last year? NCL eight days after Carnival. It is not a coincidence....

Edited July 17, 2014 by Charles4515

[Aquahound]

Now think a little logically. Why are all the cruise lines banning smoking on balconies in the last year? NCL eight days after Carnival. It is not a coincidence....

 

Passenger complaints, corporate mimicking, and remaining competitive.

 

Like I said in my last post, I know of no such "requirement" for cruise lines to take this measure, and I'm involved with those who enforce regulations. Maybe the USCG hasn't gotten the memo from SOLAS yet, but I doubt it.

[pog27]

In the end I bet this is more about safety than passenger comfort. As a previous poster said it caused a fire on a cruise ship before. I just got off the Getaway last Saturday and witnessed someone on a balcony below me throwing cigs off their balcony multiple times. Sad but true and ruins it for the rest of us. I'm a smoker and enjoy a cigarette on my balcony but would never ever throw one off the balcony.

 

We're booked on the Star Panama Canal for our honeymoon in January and are on the fence about whether to cancel due to the new rule. Before the change we had decided on the cruise but we'll have to re-evaluate now. Our other option is a private island resort in Vietnam where we've been before...and smoking is definitely welcome there.

[RDC1]

There is the International Maritime Organization for Safety of Life at Sea. Also known as the SOLAS convention. In short NCL does have to follow the SOLAS regulations and recommendations. If they don't they would not be allowed to dock their ships at ports of 159 countries. Almost all the flag countries are signatorys too.

 

Now think a little logically. Why are all the cruise lines banning smoking on balconies in the last year? NCL eight days after Carnival. It is not a coincidence....

 

A few years back several cruise lines eliminated smoking in cabins all about the same time. A similar situation with the balcony changes.

 

Considering that they are competing in the same markets, for the same passengers, it should not be surprising that their market research is drawing the same conclusions. You can expect that one company also has a pretty good idea about major changes that other lines are making.

 

The end result is the changes are due to competition and are intended to improve the companies ability to compete and make profits.

 

I expect HAL to also follow, but as with the ban on smoking in cabins, they will probably be about 6 months behind.

 

The reality is that fewer people smoke, more people are used to smoke free environments, more businesses restrict smoking, and more people are concerned about the health impacts of smoking. Bottom line no main stream cruise line wants to be perceived as the smokers cruise line. If there was big money in catering to smokers you would see a brand aimed exactly at that market.

[mpk218]

There is the International Maritime Organization for Safety of Life at Sea. Also known as the SOLAS convention. In short NCL does have to follow the SOLAS regulations and recommendations. If they don't they would not be allowed to dock their ships at ports of 159 countries. Almost all the flag countries are signatorys too.

 

Now think a little logically. Why are all the cruise lines banning smoking on balconies in the last year? NCL eight days after Carnival. It is not a coincidence....

 

So the " Logic" here is for NCL to take all this heat instead of claiming they had no choice and had to follow a mandate ? .. Ahh clear as mud :rolleyes:

[triptolemus]

Exactly how long ago was smoking allowed INSIDE the cabins? Was this limited to balcony cabins, or insides, too? Were there smoking and non-smoking cabins?

 

Genuinely curious...

[RDC1]

Exactly how long ago was smoking allowed INSIDE the cabins? Was this limited to balcony cabins, or insides, too? Were there smoking and non-smoking cabins?

 

Genuinely curious...

 

If I recall correctly it was around 3-5 years ago. Most of the cruise lines allowed smoking in all cabins (balcony, insides, ocean view, etc.). Was a mjaor pain getting a cabin the cruise after a smoker had it. Then in the space of a few months they all announced bans on in cabin smoking.

[cruzsnooze]

Smokers.. do not be alarmed.. Just get a good ecig and you will be fine. There is no way it can be proved you smoked yours inside your cabin. Mine smells like lemon/lime so I was having a gin and tonic with lime. Even on the balcony, you expel so little "smoke" who would be able to see it or detect it?

Are you seriously announcing how to circumvent the new policy the vast majority of people like. I suggest we all bring our cameras/ smart phones on the balcony to take a picture of people (proof) who flagrantly violate this policy to turn into guest services for expulsion from the ship. E Cigs are just as deadly and more testing is still being done to further the facts about their risk.

Edited July 17, 2014 by cruzsnooze

[DISNEY1975]

Well, I wished they would have waited until after my December cruise to institute the new policy, but oh well.

 

As a smoker, I'm beyond used to being banned in many places so this is just another one. I will miss my quiet morning on the balcony, but schlepping up or down flights of stairs to a designated smoking area is certainly nothing I haven't had to do before. So, I'll see how the December cruise goes. If the designated smoking areas are reasonable, I would imagine it will not impact my willingness to cruise again. If it's a giant pain, then I'll probably be looking at different alternatives for future vacations. Not that I imagine that NCL really cares about my decision one way or another.

 

I do hope that now that the new policy has been announced we can stop having stupid smoking debates every week. But somehow I think that is unlikely.

 

I agree. Im used to it, but I am also a considerate smoker. I don't smoke near people, especially when they are not smoking. I would never light up in the casino next to a non smoker, or at a bar next to someone not smoking. I liked my balcony, by myself, especially early morning or before bed.

 

With that said, I simply can not cruise any more :(. Im not rebelling, or taking a stance with the new policy. My reason is I also have a child. I don't smoke near her and I like to go on the balcony, while she is in the room to have a cigarette. I make sure my neighbors are not out there too. I wont leave her in the room alone or go to a bar or casino with her. I wont take her anywhere where there is a group of smokers and have her sit there waiting for me to have a cigarette. The balconies were my haven and now that is gone. :( Sad day for me.