Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[luvtheships]

Was just on the phone with my CAS PCC and he said no way in hell does NCL ban smoking in the casino not that he really knows but I happen to agree with him he said it's like banning coffee at dunkin donuts which I totally agree with.

 

Sounds like he was just giving you his personal opinion.

 

Bet he felt the same way about balcony smoking too

 

Reality is that things cruisers said will never happen have happened.

 

I don't make these changes.

 

 

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Edited July 22, 2014 by luvtheships

[graphicguy]

For good or ill, I doubt there will be a total ban on smoking on board. I asked earlier if the ships would quit selling cigs in the liquor store. The ships must to a pretty good biz selling cigs, as some said. As long as they're making money on cigs, I don't think they'll ban smoking.

 

The cruise lines seem to be shifting the smoking venues....from balconies (which I didn't have a problem with) to the casinos (which will increase the amount of smoking).

 

Someone mentioned that they can build a little entertainment area for smoking. But, I can just hear some passengers say....."hey, why do the smokers get their own space and we don't?"

 

Sigh....no one's happy in this scenario.

[cruznbelle]

there are outdoor smoking areas on the star. CS doesn't have a clue apparently

 

YIKES! I certainly would hope so... isn't the Star like the Dawn? We were on the Dawn for NY Eve - one whole side on the lido was smoking per normal...

 

Having just signed up for one of those SG suites on the Star for the 14 day Fjords/North Cape trip next June - this would be a deal breaker :(

 

I'll email my TA but would appeciate if anyone finds out anything further on this - I was just getting ready to purchase Business Class tickets next week to Copenhagan having secured our pre-cruise hotel this week. That would really take the cake - as none of this qualifies under trip insurance unless we buy the cancel for any reason - ouch :eek: I really should stick to less advanced planning - this is the 3rd piece of news in a month that points to bad timing for this cruise for us... yet I'm already emotionally invested in the itinerary - sigh :confused:

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Sounds like he was just giving you his personal opinion.

 

Bet he felt the same way about balcony smoking too

 

Reality is that things cruisers said will never happen have happened.

 

I don't make these changes.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

No you do t make the changes. NCL does. Yes the comment he made about no ban in the casino was his opinion which is exactly what I said in my previous post but he never said absolutely no about the balcony ban. When I asked him he said he had not heard it yet he never said it would be like banning coffee in dunkin donuts about the balcony he said it about the casino which again is His personal opinion one which I agree with.

 

Let me tell you something I go to Atlantic city often and they built a casino a couple years ago called Revel. They said no smoking at all in the entire hotel, casino, etc. that lasted about 3 months they lost so much money trying to do that they can't get themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into. They are bankrupt now and looking to sell. Gamblers like to smoke it's an addictive habit both vices I guess.

[emcelh]

No you do t make the changes. NCL does. Yes the comment he made about no ban in the casino was his opinion which is exactly what I said in my previous post but he never said absolutely no about the balcony ban. When I asked him he said he had not heard it yet he never said it would be like banning coffee in dunkin donuts about the balcony he said it about the casino which again is His personal opinion one which I agree with.

 

Let me tell you something I go to Atlantic city often and they built a casino a couple years ago called Revel. They said no smoking at all in the entire hotel, casino, etc. that lasted about 3 months they lost so much money trying to do that they can't get themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into. They are bankrupt now and looking to sell. Gamblers like to smoke it's an addictive habit both vices I guess.

 

I agree with you. I like to gamble and I was a heavy smoker until I quit 8 years ago. If the smoke in a casino was really thick I couldn't take it (even as a smoker) and I would leave for awhile. If the casino becomes the smoke filled horror that some are predicting because of chain smoking 1 cent at a time slot players, even serious players, whether or not they smoke, won't want to be in there, let alone the staff. I doubt they would revert to allowing smoking on balconies again so I wonder what the next step will be.

[sjbdtz]

For good or ill, I doubt there will be a total ban on smoking on board. I asked earlier if the ships would quit selling cigs in the liquor store. The ships must to a pretty good biz selling cigs, as some said. As long as they're making money on cigs, I don't think they'll ban smoking.

 

The cruise lines seem to be shifting the smoking venues....from balconies (which I didn't have a problem with) to the casinos (which will increase the amount of smoking).

 

Someone mentioned that they can build a little entertainment area for smoking. But, I can just hear some passengers say....."hey, why do the smokers get their own space and we don't?"

 

Sigh....no one's happy in this scenario.

 

 

Don't forget... the ship also sell booze by the bottle in its store, but you cannot consume it on-board.

 

Could wind up the same with cigs...yes, you can buy on board, but need to wait until next port to light up.

 

 

 

.

[NLH Arizona]

No you do t make the changes. NCL does. Yes the comment he made about no ban in the casino was his opinion which is exactly what I said in my previous post but he never said absolutely no about the balcony ban. When I asked him he said he had not heard it yet he never said it would be like banning coffee in dunkin donuts about the balcony he said it about the casino which again is His personal opinion one which I agree with.

 

Let me tell you something I go to Atlantic city often and they built a casino a couple years ago called Revel. They said no smoking at all in the entire hotel, casino, etc. that lasted about 3 months they lost so much money trying to do that they can't get themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into. They are bankrupt now and looking to sell. Gamblers like to smoke it's an addictive habit both vices I guess.

I was just on a road trip to Colorado and went to Black Hawk casino, where the casinos are non-smoking. The casino I was at was packed; I guess it is just what the gamblers are use to. I don't think that the majority of gambles smoke anymore....when I go to Las Vegas I don't see the number of smokers, like I did 5 years ago. Also, Celebrity's casinos, which are non-smoking, are packed in the evening. Edited July 22, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[mein18]

I think NCL is still figuring this all out. I was told on The Star, the only public place to smoke would be the casino -- they don't have a cigar bar on that ship. Plus the casino isn't opened when in port.

 

I think it would've been wiser for NCL to make a smoking area somewhere outside for smokers and make the casino non-smoking. I don't know where outside, but it seems like having all the smokers only having the casino space is a bad idea -- and the casinos will probably be worse then they already are with smoke, as many have said.

 

I know other ships have other areas outdoors, but I guess some ships don't.

 

They will have designated outdoor areas. A smoker does not have to go to the casino to smoke

 

 

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[catlady461]

We were on the Gem in March and went to the pool deck since there has always been smoking on one side . When I asked which side was smoking I was told they changed their smoking policy and smoking on the pool deck was no longer allowed. Only smoking was at the Bali Hai that was 2 decks up and very small. Told them I would go back to my suite and smoke on my balcony(would make a drink from my bar setup and they lost a few drink sales).

Apparently they were changing their policies then.

 

No problem I have cancelled my suite for February on the Gem and going to Hard Rock Punta Cana DR.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I was just on a road trip to Colorado and went to Black Hawk casino, where the casinos are non-smoking. The casino I was at was packed; I guess it is just what the gamblers are use to. I don't think that the majority of gambles smoke anymore....when I go to Las Vegas I don't see the number of smokers, like I did 5 years ago. Also, Celebrity's casinos, which are non-smoking, are packed in the evening.

 

 

Maybe New Jersey has more smokers I dunno I just know what happened to the revel casino they resally tried completely non smoking and it was a bust that they changed it a few months later but the damage was already done so alas they are bankrupt.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

We were on the Gem in March and went to the pool deck since there has always been smoking on one side . When I asked which side was smoking I was told they changed their smoking policy and smoking on the pool deck was no longer allowed. Only smoking was at the Bali Hai that was 2 decks up and very small. Told them I would go back to my suite and smoke on my balcony(would make a drink from my bar setup and they lost a few drink sales).

Apparently they were changing their policies then.

 

No problem I have cancelled my suite for February on the Gem and going to Hard Rock Punta Cana DR.

 

 

You do know the hard rock is no smoking in rooms but they are not strict about it however they have beautiful big balconies that you can smoke on and smoke at the pool and in the casino. That place was my best vacation ever can't wait to go back again

[jensan]

I agree.

And what is the reason for banning e-cigarettes in the staterooms? There is no smoke, no smell and nobody to see it and believe it is a tobacco thing.

[catlady461]

GERI C I can live with just smoking on my balcony. I spend most of my time in the casino so its not a problem. Just like to have one with my coffee in the morning and one with a drink at night. Also when I made my reservation they asked if I wanted a smoking or non smoking room so we will wait and see.

Looking forward to not having BIG BROTHER telling me what I can do.

[Out to sea!]

That means 2 related people right?

 

Hmmm. I guess it ok

 

What about this scenario:

 

Smoker 1: hey you total stranger do you want to pretend to play the slots with me so we can both smoke?

 

Smoker 2: yeah great, we will beat Ncl at their own game just lets pretend we are family ok?

 

Or alternate scenario:

Smoker 2: are you our of your mind? This is ridiculous I don't need a smoke that badly.

 

Lol

 

 

 

 

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All I can say is that I never, ever try to game people or a company. So yes, when I saw a couple, I mean a man and wife (or possibly a boyfriend and girlfriend). Not two people who have never seen each other before attempting to game the system.

[EyeSeaEwe]

I agree.

And what is the reason for banning e-cigarettes in the staterooms? There is no smoke, no smell and nobody to see it and believe it is a tobacco thing.

 

SOME ecigs have no smell. SOME do have nasty additives such as liquid nicotine and worse. Just making a clarification is all.

[Out to sea!]

Customer service @ NCL told me there were no outside places for smokers to go on The Star -- only the casino. But I'm hoping they just didn't know where outside. I'm sure it will vary from ship to ship.

 

Yes, I'm sure that is incorrect. On the Epic, you could smoke outside on Deck 10, port side and at the back of the ship, starboard side. I have not been on the Star so I could not say where it is but I will bet it is somewhere near the pool.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

GERI C I can live with just smoking on my balcony. I spend most of my time in the casino so its not a problem. Just like to have one with my coffee in the morning and one with a drink at night. Also when I made my reservation they asked if I wanted a smoking or non smoking room so we will wait and see.

Looking forward to not having BIG BROTHER telling me what I can do.

 

I'm so jealous lol. I rather be going to the hard rock than on my next cruise I absolutely loved it. Free wifi free calls to the USA I also got cells phones for all 6 of us to use free!!!! Free stocked liquor in your room free everything. We got picked up at the airport dropped back off at the airport a scooter for free because i have mobility problems and all for $275 a night for 2 people? Why am I going on a cruise? Lol have a great time. I will be going back there can't wait. Do you have a host you use? I can give you the name of mine if your a gambler.

[Out to sea!]

I hear you. I do gamble, enjoy the casino. I've never had a problem with smokers in the casino. This may change things.

 

But, as you've noted, for some there is no compromise. Either the smokers demand to sit at a penny slot and slow play so they can smoke (in your example). Or, some of the non-smokers state they don't want smoking anywhere, and now their casino experience won't be as good. There is no middle ground for either side, it seems.

 

As you state, common courtesy should rule. I hope it does anyway. I offered another compromise....that is let the smokers use their ecigs. Even there, no one wants to give in one iota to compromise.

 

This will be an issue for a long, long time....until both sides compromise. Until then, no one, on either side, is going to be happy. This is true not only on NCL but all the rest of the cruise lines, too.

 

I'm not sure what middle ground you are looking for. All I care about is people following the rules, whatever they may be. Smokers smoking on the balcony do just that (until 01 Nov). Gamblers smoking and playing at a slot machine again are following the rules as written. What more do you want? Non-smokers have over 95% of the ship as it is........how much more compromise needs to be done by the smokers (because I sure as hell don't see any compromise from the non-smoking camp)?????

[mommyto2girls]

You do know the hard rock is no smoking in rooms but they are not strict about it however they have beautiful big balconies that you can smoke on and smoke at the pool and in the casino. That place was my best vacation ever can't wait to go back again

 

Got a call from Corporate in Miami today (as per a request I made to my CAS rep) They have a script "they will never allow e-cigs on balconies. They have new ships coming out with new designs and this is all a work in progress. The GV has smoking on the deck because of the outdoor square footage and there will be less smoking in the Casinos in the future, they will strictly enforce their policies". They admit they have been inundated with CAS/Platinum long time cruisers who are not happy but they believe "we can never please everyone"

"The new ship designs may bring new things "(maybe like the genius design of the Casino on the BA). I am sad that this has become a nah nah we won situation, but after 13 years on these boards not shocked.

 

NLH Arizona stay away from that sunscreen spray those Zinc and Titanium particles go straight to the lungs..I was not trying to be sarcastic, sorry you had to be.

 

We are off to Hard Rock Punta Cana Presidential Suite and first class airfare for less than our cruises cost this winter.

 

Safe sailing everyone

[Out to sea!]

Sounds like he was just giving you his personal opinion.

 

Bet he felt the same way about balcony smoking too

 

Reality is that things cruisers said will never happen have happened.

 

I don't make these changes.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Very true and it's causing some people to leave. Now, NCL (and the other lines) will have to see if non-smokers will fill that void. If they don't, things just may change back (never say never........remember prohibition back in the 20's..........and that was an act of Congress, not just a cruise line's rules).

[mommyto2girls]

GERI C I can live with just smoking on my balcony. I spend most of my time in the casino so its not a problem. Just like to have one with my coffee in the morning and one with a drink at night. Also when I made my reservation they asked if I wanted a smoking or non smoking room so we will wait and see.

Looking forward to not having BIG BROTHER telling me what I can do.

 

catlady461..We were told all rooms are non smoking and all balconies were okay to smoke as long as balcony door was closed.

[cruznbelle]

I feel better about opinions on the Star - I couldn't imagine no outdoor smoking but stranger things have happened - apparently it's up to ship management to have the final say what public areas are designated as smoking or not. I swear someone told me about their cruise where they couldn't smoke for the entire day on ship - can't remember who but they had booked an inside and was something similar - no smoking except casino and casino was non smoking that day. So only balcony folks could light up... dang - can't remember specifics but never say never and always avoid always.

 

Guess I'll simply wait until the policy goes into effect to see what Star does before I do anymore planning that foregoes cancellation options.

[Charles4515]

Was just on the phone with my CAS PCC and he said no way in hell does NCL ban smoking in the casino not that he really knows but I happen to agree with him he said it's like banning coffee at dunkin donuts which I totally agree with.

 

 

Last week it was claimed NCL wouldn't ban smoking on balconies.....

[catlady461]

MOMMYTO2GIRLS I could be happy just smoking on my balcony after all its not like on a ship it is unusable at times. I was just saying I booked on line and it asked about smoking and non smoking. We have planned our trip for my birthday 11/9 and we got business class air for less than our cruise.

I am happy.

We are holding onto our cruise on the Spirit for Jan 2016 but if things don't change we will be cancelling that one too and will return to Hard Rock.

My money is good anywhere.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Got a call from Corporate in Miami today (as per a request I made to my CAS rep) They have a script "they will never allow e-cigs on balconies. They have new ships coming out with new designs and this is all a work in progress. The GV has smoking on the deck because of the outdoor square footage and there will be less smoking in the Casinos in the future, they will strictly enforce their policies". They admit they have been inundated with CAS/Platinum long time cruisers who are not happy but they believe "we can never please everyone"

"The new ship designs may bring new things "(maybe like the genius design of the Casino on the BA). I am sad that this has become a nah nah we won situation, but after 13 years on these boards not shocked.

 

NLH Arizona stay away from that sunscreen spray those Zinc and Titanium particles go straight to the lungs..I was not trying to be sarcastic, sorry you had to be.

 

We are off to Hard Rock Punta Cana Presidential Suite and first class airfare for less than our cruises cost this winter.

 

Safe sailing everyone

 

 

Oh when are you going?? I need to make plans lol. I just booked a trip to Vegas today for mid August imagine you can smoke everywhere there they have no non smoking in the casino I go to and there is never a problem there good ventilation I guess. My DH gonna kill me I also booked first class flight but I couldn't resist lol