Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[richstowe]

I am upset at the smoking ban on the balconies

 

I prefer smokers to stay on their balconies to smoke because I never book one and believe smokers should be segregated although I do worry about the inconsiderate smokers who flick the butts off the balcony

 

Also apologizes to the non smokers who want a balcony for my opinion on this

Interesting.

I guess I having been following your philosophy during my last 4 cruises.

2 were balconies with Celebrity and 2 were non-balcony with Carnival.

I was no longer annoyed with smokers diminishing my balcony enjoyment when on Celebrity

and also enjoyed the more limited smoking areas while on Carnival ships.

[Skubi]

We also talked about the casino and she said the active player rule will be enforced .

 

I'm sure they did and those that wish to believe that, are more than welcome to.

 

A couple of points.

 

If I contacted anyone at Norwegian about policies in place that I might be concerned about, I'm pretty sure I would get the response that said "oh yes, by all means we enforce that policy". And just because this is a health related issue, doesn't say much about follow through. In the last 2 years I have seen threads upon threads (and one on the go now) about swim diapers and NCL staff turning their back or no one enforcing it. I have also seen threads and threads about water bottle filling from the buffet. Same thing, some have been told but most claim to never see a staff member correcting this. Both health related IMO.

 

I know a lot of people working that are almost a professional in "looking busy" but accomplishing little. I'm sure it is very easy for most smokers to wander around the casino smoking and looking interested in possibly trying a machine or a table game, while using the casino only for a smoking room. A quick "oh yes I'm just waiting for that ... machine to free up" Also there are many land based casinos that offer free or cheap buses to casinos, free or discounted lunches just to get these (known as penny players) to their establishment, thinking if they get them there they will eventually play more. So it's a small loss for a potential larger in the future gain. So having a non-playing smoker, to the casino, gives them the opportunity to wow them with bells and whistles to become a player.

 

So don't be surprised if this is just another policy that is not corrected by staff. Because I highly doubt it will be any different than 95% of policies for Norwegian, that appear to be just suggestions.

[BaseballMomof4]

I sent an E-mail to Kevin Sheehan asking NCL to re-consider their decision to ban E-cigarettes on the balcony. Within 2 days I received an E-mail back from a lady from the Executive Office | Resolution Specialist.

 

Frankly I think trying to ban e-cigarettes is a non-starter. How would they enforce it? Oh, you smelled Swedish fish? That's just my air freshener!

[Warm Breezes]

Many non smokers are of the opinion that smokers choose to smoke. It simply is not true they are compelled to they are addicted to it and have to have that cigarette. They need sympathy and emotional support. Hopefully, some have families who love them enough and worry about them enough to convince them to end their addiction. But make no mistake about it, it is very difficult.

 

I'm sorry I don't agree. Many, many people have quit smoking over the last few years as public smoking restrictions have become more and more prevalent, health warnings have become more prominent, and the prices have gone up. I've known many who have. Yes it may be difficult, but it is not impossible. It is their choice to pick up that first cigarette. It is their choice to pick up the next one. And if it continues, then it is their choice to stop or not. It may not be easy, but thousands who have stopped have proven that it is still a choice.

Edited August 6, 2014 by Warm Breezes

[NLH Arizona]

I'm sorry I don't agree. Many, many people have quit smoking over the last few years as public smoking restrictions have become more and more prevalent, health warnings have become more prominent, and the prices have gone up. I've known many who have. Yes it may be difficult, but it is not impossible. It is their choice to pick up that first cigarette. It is their choice to pick up the next one. And if it continues, then it is their choice to stop or not. It may not be easy, but thousands who have stopped have proven that it is still a choice.

You are right, quiting smoking is not impossible, it can be done. I decided to quit, smoking 3 packs a day, because I was tired of, what I considered, being sick....coughing up a lung. The difference between those that say they can't quit and those that have quit, is that those that quit wanted to. You can try and try to quit, but until you are ready and really want to quit, you will always be a slave to that cigarette. Is it easy, no, but anyone can do it, if they want it bad enough.

[luvtheships]

You are right, quiting smoking is not impossible, it can be done. I decided to quit, smoking 3 packs a day, because I was tired of, what I considered, being sick....coughing up a lung. The difference between those that say they can't quit and those that have quit, is that those that quit wanted to. You can try and try to quit, but until you are ready and really want to quit, you will always be a slave to that cigarette. Is it easy, no, but anyone can do it, if they want it bad enough.

 

I too totally agree

 

However I am sensing that smokers now feel entitled to be a protected class due to their "addiction"

 

This idea was not totally unexpected with our new entitlement and spread the wealth among all philosophy in the country.

 

It is a shame that we sunk so far that we drink kool aid by the barrel

 

I really think everyone is so afraid of offending some " class of protected people " that we have all become zombies and never let it be said " intolerant" even when our health is at stake

 

For goodness sake lets get back to reason and logic and enlightened thinking and stop going back to the dark ages..

 

if you are reasonable and logical, means public smoking should be limited..... Because it can kill those around you.....

 

Not just because I say it should be limited.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited August 6, 2014 by luvtheships

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I've sent 2 e-mails with no reply. Perhaps only the non-smokers in favor of the ban are receiving feedback. Would like to hear from any smokers who heard back.

 

Also - I thought we (smokers and non-smokers) got along pretty well. Reading these posts I'm dismayed at the responses of the some of the posters. Sad it's come to this.

 

I wish everyone smooth sailing.

 

 

I heard back from Mr Sheehan himself and I am a smoker. So hang in he still may contact you.

[violettewaits]

Food for thought. I was curious about why the All inclusive package only benefits those who would purchase unlimited alcohol package so I did a little research and found: 5% of Americans are heavy drinkers (5 or more drinks per day for a man and 4 or more for a woman). 20% of Americans smoke. Now here's where it gets interesting; 80-95% of heavy drinkers are smokers (not the other way around.) If I was a company trying to make money I would certainly want the heavy drinkers in my bars vs drinking on their balconies with alcohol they may have brought aboard. Perhaps coincidental that the new AI pkg which only benefits a heavy drinker is introduced at the same time smoking on balconies is banned and may be a way to keep the heavy drinker, AKA ship's money maker, on board vs switching to an AI Land based vacation. The majority of smokers who are not heavy drinkers...you may have the heavy drinker to thank for kicking you off the balcony and to all of you who undoubtedly will have more smoke to deal with in common areas of the ship, you too may just have the heavy drinker to thank.

 

Except that the Unlimited Beverage Package has been around for a very long time prior to the roll-out of the "no smoking" ban, and really, if you're just in it for the booze, it's much cheaper to add on the UBP alone rather than bother with the expense of all the other "extras."

[BaseballMomof4]

I too totally agree

 

However I am sensing that smokers now feel entitled to be a protected class due to their "addiction"

 

This idea was not totally unexpected with our new entitlement and spread the wealth among all philosophy in the country.

 

It is a shame that we sunk so far that we drink kool aid by the barrel

 

I really think everyone is so afraid of offending some " class of protected people " that we have all become zombies and never let it be said " intolerant" even when our health is at stake

 

For goodness sake lets get back to reason and logic and enlightened thinking and stop going back to the dark ages..

 

if you are reasonable and logical, means public smoking should be limited..... Because it can kill those around you.....

 

Not just because I say it should be limited.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I don't think anyone wants "special" treatment because they are a smoker. I think it is more along the lines of "equal" treatment.

 

I am allergic to heavy perfumes - should I attempt to have them banned or should I simply walk away? The logical response is, walk away. This too could be considered a health threat but it is simply silly to ask a cruise line to ban such a thing. It is called TOLERANCE of others.

 

As much as we all like to consider the cruise OUR vacation, the vacation also belongs thousands of others as well.

[NLH Arizona]

I don't think anyone wants "special" treatment because they are a smoker. I think it is more along the lines of "equal" treatment.

 

I am allergic to heavy perfumes - should I attempt to have them banned or should I simply walk away? The logical response is, walk away. This too could be considered a health threat but it is simply silly to ask a cruise line to ban such a thing. It is called TOLERANCE of others.

 

As much as we all like to consider the cruise OUR vacation, the vacation also belongs thousands of others as well.

What would you like to see as far as equal treatment? Should the majority or miniority have precedence when making rules or laws?

 

As far as perfumes, I personally don't like when someone douses themselves in it, but the difference is that there are no rules against it. I wish there were, but there isn't.

 

Yes, the vacation also belongs to thousands as well, so I ask again, who should be given precedence when making rules, the minority or the majority. NCL told me yesterday, that 10 percent is a good number with regard to their smoking passengers. So do we make the rule to accomodate 300 out of 3,000 passengers. All ask the question a different way. I'm always trying to lose weight, so say 300 passengers are on a diet, should they stop serving desserts because they either (1) have no willpower or (2) just don't want to see them?

Edited August 6, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[pieshops]

Answer was private:

 

Disclaimer: This e-mail is intended only for the person addressed. It may contain confidential information and/or privileged material.

Please do not copy or use it for any purpose nor disclose its contents to any other person.

 

Thats just idiotic, why post it on a public forum if you are not going to explain, just silly

[DMH15]

I don't think anyone wants "special" treatment because they are a smoker. I think it is more along the lines of "equal" treatment.

 

 

 

I am allergic to heavy perfumes - should I attempt to have them banned or should I simply walk away? The logical response is, walk away. This too could be considered a health threat but it is simply silly to ask a cruise line to ban such a thing. It is called TOLERANCE of others.

 

 

 

As much as we all like to consider the cruise OUR vacation, the vacation also belongs thousands of others as well.

 

Ah, but you can smoke and then walk through a non smoking area the same as a perfumed person. It is not like they are walking about the ship spraying their perfume at you. So your analogy is incorrect. If you want a "no perfume ship" it would also have to be "no smoking ship" as well.

[Skubi]

Thats just idiotic, why post it on a public forum if you are not going to explain, just silly

 

Cool Hand Luke's quote "What we have here is a failure to communicate" :D

 

Was your "and?" meaning and what was the response to that question that poster asked Norwegian? or did your "and?" mean "so what's your point of telling us you wrote Norwegian and got an answer"

 

I'm thinking that poster probably interpreted it to be the 2nd and therefore gave a sarcastic response since they had quoted who they were responding to and what it was about.

 

Just a guess. ;)

Edited August 6, 2014 by Skubi

[BaseballMomof4]

What would you like to see as far as equal treatment? Should the majority or miniority have precedence when making rules or laws?

 

As far as perfumes, I personally don't like when someone douses themselves in it, but the difference is that there are no rules against it. I wish there were, but there isn't.

 

Yes, the vacation also belongs to thousands as well, so I ask again, who should be given precedence when making rules, the minority or the majority. NCL told me yesterday, that 10 percent is a good number with regard to their smoking passengers. So do we make the rule to accomodate 300 out of 3,000 passengers.

 

I am not a drunk, but I am not trying to ban drunks. I don't douse myself in cheap perfume, but I am not trying to ban those who do. I am not banging the headboard at 3:00 am keeping my neighbors up, not trying to ban them either.

 

There are myriads of behaviors that are obnoxious. In 2005 you could smoke in your cabin. They changed that. So smokers paid the higher price to accommodate the non-smokers and bought balconies. Why can't there be a section of balconies that are classified smoking so that the smokers can still enjoy a cruise vacation and non-smokers could have advance knowledge they may be close to an area that accommodates smokers and base their decision on that? That would give smokers and non-smokers alike an equal opportunity to enjoy their vacation. Why does it have to be all or nothing.

 

Funny, I never was polled by Carnival or NCL. Show of hands smokers - how many of you got that poll? Unless every cruiser was questioned, their poll is not going to be completely accurate and I am pretty sure after these bans take effect they will find they have far more folks on the pool deck than they anticipated.

[Skubi]

Funny, I never was polled by Carnival or NCL. Show of hands smokers - how many of you got that poll? Unless every cruiser was questioned, their poll is not going to be completely accurate and I am pretty sure after these bans take effect they will find they have far more folks on the pool deck than they anticipated.

 

Not saying I'm a smoker or non-smoker but no I've never been asked any time whether I did or not by Norwegian. On any cruise, before or after.

[BaseballMomof4]

Ah, but you can smoke and then walk through a non smoking area the same as a perfumed person. It is not like they are walking about the ship spraying their perfume at you. So your analogy is incorrect. If you want a "no perfume ship" it would also have to be "no smoking ship" as well.

 

No, my analogy is not incorrect. You can avoid the smell of smoke just as easily as you can avoid the stinky perfume. What I am saying is I don't put my distaste for others proclivities above their desire to indulge themselves, I simply avoid or walk away from whatever it is I find distasteful because I recognize that it is just as much their vacation as it is mine.

 

Unfortunately, smokers are not afforded that same consideration.

[Sailor_Sally]

Why can't there be a section of balconies that are classified smoking so that the smokers can still enjoy a cruise vacation and non-smokers could have advance knowledge they may be close to an area that accommodates smokers and base their decision on that? That would give smokers and non-smokers alike an equal opportunity to enjoy their vacation. Why does it have to be all or nothing.

 

 

The rules have changed on most of the ships so either accept cruising with new restrictions or book Hal before their rules also change . No cruise line that has gone non smoking on the balcony has modified to some rooms that are smoking . Give up your crusade !

[NLH Arizona]

I am not a drunk, but I am not trying to ban drunks. I don't douse myself in cheap perfume, but I am not trying to ban those who do. I am not banging the headboard at 3:00 am keeping my neighbors up, not trying to ban them either.

 

There are myriads of behaviors that are obnoxious. In 2005 you could smoke in your cabin. They changed that. So smokers paid the higher price to accommodate the non-smokers and bought balconies. Why can't there be a section of balconies that are classified smoking so that the smokers can still enjoy a cruise vacation and non-smokers could have advance knowledge they may be close to an area that accommodates smokers and base their decision on that? That would give smokers and non-smokers alike an equal opportunity to enjoy their vacation. Why does it have to be all or nothing.

 

Funny, I never was polled by Carnival or NCL. Show of hands smokers - how many of you got that poll? Unless every cruiser was questioned, their poll is not going to be completely accurate and I am pretty sure after these bans take effect they will find they have far more folks on the pool deck than they anticipated.

They won't make some balconies smoking, because it is not cost effective for the cruise line. This has been suggested for years and if any cruise line thought it would be cost effect, they would have done it a long time ago. It is not all or nothing, they are not saying you can't smoke, they are just telling you where you can smoke.

 

No one was polled. People put it on their surveys, they write, they call, they email, etc. NCL told me that they had an overwhelming amount of complaints about smoking on the balconies. Is it every customer, no, but I'm sure it was enough for them to come to the conclusion that most don't want smoking on balconies.

 

I'm sure that (I disagree because I've never seen more than 15 or so people on Celebrity's pool deck smoking at one time and don't forget their casino is non smoking as well), if there are more people in the smoking area than anticipated, the ship has the autonomy to increase the size of the smoking section on the pool deck, which would, IMHO, be appropriate.

[NLH Arizona]

No, my analogy is not incorrect. You can avoid the smell of smoke just as easily as you can avoid the stinky perfume. What I am saying is I don't put my distaste for others proclivities above their desire to indulge themselves, I simply avoid or walk away from whatever it is I find distasteful because I recognize that it is just as much their vacation as it is mine.

 

Unfortunately, smokers are not afforded that same consideration.

Actually, when you get into the elevator or sit next to someone, after you had a cigarette, no one can avoid the smell and in my opinion, the smell of smoke is much worse than the smell of an over doused lady with perfume, which BTW I don't like either. I actually commented to one cruise line, that they should have in their daily paper to be considerate when applying perfume...nothing happened. I never new how bad I smelled until I had quit smoking for about 6 months. Edited August 6, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[CasinoCruzGirl]

All this hatred yes hatred back and forth is crazy. I as a smoker have made adjustments for my November 30th cruise. It's not the end of the world. There are some posters on here well one in particular who is so full of hate for smokers it's very apparent and they need to stop generalizing. Not all smokers are slobs or inconsiderate. Some of us get it. I'm looking so forward to my cruise. How many smokers actually smoke in their house? I'm guessing not to many. I don't because of my son. DH is a smoke when he drinks type of smoker but we made adjustments because it was not fair for our son to smoke in the house. So what's so different about making adjustments on a cruise? Don't get me wrong would I rather be able to have my cigarette with my coffee on my own balcony you bet but I can't do that come November 1. Do I think it was a stupid ban? Yes but we gotta so what we gotta do.

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Actually, when you get into the elevator or sit next to someone, after you had a cigarette, no one can avoid the smell and in my opinion, the smell of smoke is much worse than the smell of an over doused lady with perfume, which BTW I don't like either. I actually commented to one cruise line, that they should have in their daily paper to be considerate when applying perfume...nothing happened. I never new how bad I smelled until I had quit smoking for about 6 months.

 

Are you suggesting smokers take a shower after each smoke? Lol. How about the person who farts near you ya think that smells like roses?

Edited August 6, 2014 by FootballParent

[pieshops]

Cool Hand Luke's quote "What we have here is a failure to communicate" :D

 

Was your "and?" meaning and what was the response to that question that poster asked Norwegian? or did your "and?" mean "so what's your point of telling us you wrote Norwegian and got an answer"

 

I'm thinking that poster probably interpreted it to be the 2nd and therefore gave a sarcastic response since they had quoted who they were responding to and what it was about.

 

Just a guess. ;)

 

Don't think so but I will give the benefit of the doubt. I meant what was the response from the letter she got back.

 

If it was the other option the response would have not have made sense.

 

So lets have it, what was the response to the letter?

[Ewoodspark]

Thats just idiotic, why post it on a public forum if you are not going to explain, just silly

 

Hoy fettler, less of the idiotic please. My reply was to Beau4 who had asked had anybody received a reply to Mr Sheehan who had commented on the latest smoking rule change to be suspect. I replied that I had received a reply. I am however not prepared to divulge the contents of the reply after being asked not to by NCL.

Might be silly to you Pieman, but not to others.

[BaseballMomof4]

The rules have changed on most of the ships so either accept cruising with new restrictions or book Hal before their rules also change . No cruise line that has gone non smoking on the balcony has modified to some rooms that are smoking . Give up your crusade !

 

LOL - not on a crusade, was just answering a question that was directed to me. Not old enough for HAL :p

 

I have already made plans to accommodate my vacations for the next year, sadly none of which will include cruising, but I have all inclusives that are more accommodating to ALL for December and a land based vacation for next summer in Europe so it's all good. ;)

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Hoy fettler, less of the idiotic please. My reply was to Beau4 who had asked had anybody received a reply to Mr Sheehan who had commented on the latest smoking rule change to be suspect. I replied that I had received a reply. I am however not prepared to divulge the contents of the reply after being asked not to by NCL.

Might be silly to you Pieman, but not to others.

 

 

I was told the same thing