Cigarette smoke on your aft facing balcony from the new crew smoking ar

[mellon1]

Why don't they give a bonus to the crew to NOT smoke?  I know it is a habit and hard to break but maybe that would cut down.  We are scheduled in 2023 for back of the ship mini-suite for a month and we will be on the Grand class ships and we will have to cancel because of the smoke smell.  How sad.  We solely stayed with Princess because of them not allowing smoking on balconies.  Gee are we going to go to smoking and nonsmoking sides of the ship?  I am not happy and neither is DH.  

[c-boy]

sure lets Americanize the international crew,  because that's what's best for everybody .

 

     

[nini]

@Ronnieslady Thank you so much for your reports on your experiences. Because of you and others, many of us can choose to also contact Princess in any way we can and inform them how ridiculous this "policy" is as well as blatantly rude and nonsensical.

We are scheduled to be in an aft cabin on the Grand in March 2023 for about 29 days (TP Crossing).

We have a total of 6 Princess cruises booked for the next two years and ALL of them are aft cabins.

 

So.................. CC people....... let's let Princess know how we feel and what a ridiculous move this is. The smoke moves in the air and it really does not matter "how much space" they have. Crew needs to be returned to their original area.

 

We also love that no smoking is permitted on the balconies....... DUH! Because it travels to the surrounding cabins.

[Ronnieslady]

11 hours ago, caribill said:

 

In addition to the survey, send your concerns to upper management via E-mails.

 

Passengers should not have to experience cigarette smoke on the balconies after booking some of the most expensive cabins of each type on a ship.

Do you or any else knows the email  address for upper management. The one only I know is the customerrelations@princesscruises.com. I sent them several email. All  I got back was them saying they received it. I sent them out several days before my cruise on 11-10.  Still have not heard back from anyone.  The upper guy I talked to on the ship , Giancarlo said that was the right one, when I kept asking who I can email about the issue .  And that they would send it off to the dept. from there.   Might all be a bunch of lip service 🤨

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Ronnieslady

[caribill]

13 hours ago, Ronnieslady said:

Do you or any else knows the email  address for upper management. The one only I know is the customerrelations@princesscruises.com. I sent them several email. All  I got back was them saying they received it. I sent them out several days before my cruise on 11-10.  Still have not heard back from anyone.  The upper guy I talked to on the ship , Giancarlo said that was the right one, when I kept asking who I can email about the issue .  And that they would send it off to the dept. from there.   Might all be a bunch of lip service 🤨

 

 

 

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

[Ronnieslady]

10 hours ago, caribill said:

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

 

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

 

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

 

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

 

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

 

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

Thanks so much these are all good to have on hand & especially for the crew smoking issue.

 

[Steelers36]

On 11/22/2021 at 12:49 PM, Ronnieslady said:

Do you or any else knows the email  address for upper management. The one only I know is the customerrelations@princesscruises.com. I sent them several email. All  I got back was them saying they received it. I sent them out several days before my cruise on 11-10.  Still have not heard back from anyone.  The upper guy I talked to on the ship , Giancarlo said that was the right one, when I kept asking who I can email about the issue .  And that they would send it off to the dept. from there.   Might all be a bunch of lip service 🤨

 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, caribill said:

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

 

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

 

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

 

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

 

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

 

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

 

1 hour ago, Ronnieslady said:

Thanks so much these are all good to have on hand & especially for the crew smoking issue.

 

Mr. Siebaldi is a VP or SVP of the customer experience.  Sorry, I'd have to dig for the exact business title, but he and Jan would be the ones I would target.

 

@Ronnieslady, your efforts were personal to your cause, but many of us are right there in support.  I just rolled my eyes when I read "Corporate decision".  I guess we don't know, but I suppose sometimes they talk to the ship personnel, but often not I suspect.  We have never booked one there, but I certainly realize those are all premium cabins at the rear and to potentially ruin the experience for the big buck cabins makes no sense to me.  I'd have asked why they can't stand out in the windy forward deck that is only for staff.  Or why not use one side of the promenade.  Where did they all smoke before?  Hopefully these Covid-19 protocols will die off soon in the new year.  

 

Mario Siebaldi is Senior VP, Guest Experience & Prod Development.

I think this issue is ALL about Guest Experience.

 

ETA #2:  I think it is irresponsible of Princess not to add a warning to all Aft Cabins (like they do for Obstructions and use of some Balconies (windy) ) that guests may be limited in use of Balconies due to crew smoking area below.  Of course, this doesn't help the folks that booked long ago before they set the area up.

 

Edited November 23, 2021 by Steelers36

[mellon1]

On 11/22/2021 at 10:57 AM, c-boy said:

sure lets Americanize the international crew,  because that's what's best for everybody .

 

     

I do agree with your roll eyes smiley.  Things are out of hand with all that, but Princess needs to do something.  I don't know what, but it's not right.  Wait till they have a fire from the smoking.

[nini]

We book our aft cabins basically years in advance or when the cruise is released for booking.

I suggest that many of us bombard as many titles at Corporate as we can; not just e-mails but certified letters to get their attention.

The crew needs to return to their original smoking area where it was not a bother to the customer.

Without customers, there is no job.

[Ronnieslady]

On 11/22/2021 at 11:06 PM, caribill said:

I do not know the address of the new president, but other addresses include (and you may want to let all of them know):

 

Jan Swartz, former CEO, jswartz@princesscruises.com

 

Collin Steinke, Director of Customer Relations, csteinke@princesscruises.com

 

Kim Baldwin: kbaldwin@princesscruises.com  1-877-888-1869 works for Steinke

 

Negin Kamali, Director of Public Relations, NKamali@princesscruises.com

 

JChernesky@PrincessCruises.com - SVP, Sales

 

MSiebaldi@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

LWarren@PrincessCruises.com - I do not know title

 

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

[Steelers36]

10 minutes ago, Ronnieslady said:

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

first inital+lastname@princesscruises.com.  Would only be an issue if two people with same name.

 

[CineGraphic]

20 minutes ago, Ronnieslady said:

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

 

They have not been good at responding to emails ever since the Medallion nightmares began for many of us, so don't be surprised of you don't hear back from anyone.

[Steelers36]

20 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

They have not been good at responding to emails ever since the Medallion nightmares began for many of us, so don't be surprised of you don't hear back from anyone.

I was getting good response before they started sailing again.  Since then, things have bogged down.  I imagine they are under-staffed in all areas.

[Ronnieslady]

15 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

 

They have not been good at responding to emails ever since the Medallion nightmares began for many of us, so don't be surprised of you don't hear back from anyone.

I agree, but I thought I would send them anyway. 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

I will report what is happening right now. On the Ruby.
 

I boarded the Ruby Nov 22 and will be on until Dec 7. The first 5 days were in A751 (aft PH suite) last 10 days in a Caribe balcony towards the bow. 
Upon boarding I walked back to the aft promenade and found 7 or 8 large cigarette cans lining the promenade from Center to Starboard side. No ropes and only signage that said max 20 people. No indication that it was for crew only smoking. This was the dreaded “new” smoking area. 
 

The starboard side of the promenade towards the aft had 3 of the cig cans and some chairs.  This is the smoking area that has always been there for pax. 
 

Long story short I spoke to the hotel general manager Claudio Mazzini on embarkation day and we had a long discussion.  Apparently the crew were not supposal leave those cans out during the day. And the signage was incomplete. 
 

He had a discussion with the crew he had put in charge of this and now they are following the policy he had put in place that was not being followed when I boarded. The crew are smoking there only at night (after 9) and by 7 am they are no longer allowed there. The area is roped off during their smoking hours but then the cans are removed and the ropes taken down. You can fully promenade and only have to deal with the small pax smoking area you always had to deal with. While in port They must only smoke on the bow. 
 

I only smelled smoke once on my starboard Aloha deck balcony. 
 

Claudio said the smoking arrangements are to satisfy an agreement with the CDC. When I asked him about the casino he actually grimaced (I think he would ban all smoking everywhere if he could). He said that too was part of the agreements made between the cruise line and the CDC. He was not in those negotiations. 

[nini]

@HaveDogWillTravel

Thank you for your time and the report. What is very illogical and nearly funny is:

Where is the crew smoking between 7:01 am and 8:59 pm?

 

Geeeeeeeeeeeeee, maybe they could smoke THERE also during the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am

 

As a paying customer, we like to enjoy our aft balcony during quite a few of those hours between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am!

[Ronnieslady]

1 hour ago, nini said:

@HaveDogWillTravel

Thank you for your time and the report. What is very illogical and nearly funny is:

Where is the crew smoking between 7:01 am and 8:59 pm?

 

Geeeeeeeeeeeeee, maybe they could smoke THERE also during the hours of 9:00 pm and 7:00 am

 

As a paying customer, we like to enjoy our aft balcony during quite a few of those hours between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am!

On the Grand according to the Guest Services Director there is no off time..  The rope on Promenade deck 7 aft stays & different groups of crew are assigned to that area to smoke there all day or nite.   
     I would have been happy if it was not 24 hours a day.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

I will report what is happening right now. On the Ruby.
 

I boarded the Ruby Nov 22 and will be on until Dec 7. The first 5 days were in A751 (aft PH suite) last 10 days in a Caribe balcony towards the bow. 
Upon boarding I walked back to the aft promenade and found 7 or 8 large cigarette cans lining the promenade from Center to Starboard side. No ropes and only signage that said max 20 people. No indication that it was for crew only smoking. This was the dreaded “new” smoking area. 
 

The starboard side of the promenade towards the aft had 3 of the cig cans and some chairs.  This is the smoking area that has always been there for pax. 
 

Long story short I spoke to the hotel general manager Claudio Mazzini on embarkation day and we had a long discussion.  Apparently the crew were not supposal leave those cans out during the day. And the signage was incomplete. 
 

He had a discussion with the crew he had put in charge of this and now they are following the policy he had put in place that was not being followed when I boarded. The crew are smoking there only at night (after 9) and by 7 am they are no longer allowed there. The area is roped off during their smoking hours but then the cans are removed and the ropes taken down. You can fully promenade and only have to deal with the small pax smoking area you always had to deal with. While in port They must only smoke on the bow. 
 

I only smelled smoke once on my starboard Aloha deck balcony. 
 

Claudio said the smoking arrangements are to satisfy an agreement with the CDC. When I asked him about the casino he actually grimaced (I think he would ban all smoking everywhere if he could). He said that too was part of the agreements made between the cruise line and the CDC. He was not in those negotiations. 

 

At least this is much better than first reported.  I do wonder if all ships have same policy - it appears not.  Except for cruising - I think - about the only place I have to deal or not deal with smoke anymore is a casino (and poker tables were always N/S).  Like the land situation, it will have to take all cruise lines to restrict smoking to an enclosed ventilated room (like Churchills) for it to work and not adversely harm business.  On land, people got used to it.

 

 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Steelers36

[Ronnieslady]

On 11/28/2021 at 7:49 PM, Ronnieslady said:

I sent off emails to all of them.  If anyone knows the new President’s email please post it.

Thanks everyone 

I finally heard back from customer relations department a few days ago.   They said it is true, but that  upper management has been discussing the issue. 
           One of those phony answers 🤨
            

[HaveDogWillTravel]

So for 13 days on the Ruby we had full run of the promenade from morning to night. Yesterday we started sailing back in 8 ft swells with high winds. The bow crew area can not be used so we’ve lost the aft again entirely. All day all night. I expect we will lose it again today in our 10 ft swells.
Luca the guest services manager said they were not going backwards but only a temporary change due to weather.
Whatever the reason ugghhhhh. 
Both sides are roped off the same. Here’s a picture of starboard. It’s just at the end of the Emerald deck minis. They don’t smoke until they get past the mirrors so full aft. 
  

Edited December 6, 2021 by HaveDogWillTravel

[Gitmo]

This is so sad, we are starting to second guess our loyalty to this line.  We like it best, but we liked Holland, Oceania, and Holland ALMOST as much.  Unless this is fixed we will be looking around again.

[cheezenip]

Until more of us vote with our $ and complain LOUDLY to management (who rarely listens these days) and publicly complain on high visible boards, changes will  occur slowly with the current Princess management group.

Edited December 6, 2021 by cheezenip

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

So for 13 days on the Ruby we had full run of the promenade from morning to night. Yesterday we started sailing back in 8 ft swells with high winds. The bow crew area can not be used so we’ve lost the aft again entirely. All day all night. I expect we will lose it again today in our 10 ft swells.
Luca the guest services manager said they were not going backwards but only a temporary change due to weather.
Whatever the reason ugghhhhh. 
Both sides are roped off the same. Here’s a picture of starboard. It’s just at the end of the Emerald deck minis. They don’t smoke until they get past the mirrors so full aft. 
  

Have you heard those on Dolphin aft complaining of smoke smells, by chance?

 

[marden1970]

I'm not on Facebook but I understand there is a Princess Forum there.  Have cruisers been posting there about the smoking and how it affects the aft facing balconies and promenade decks?  We will be on the Ruby for 20 days with an aft facing balcony end of March into April (B2B).

[HaveDogWillTravel]

28 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Have you heard those on Dolphin aft complaining of smoke smells, by chance?

 

Not spoken to anyone on dolphin deck.  Only Spoke to someone on Baja Deck. He said the smoke was not a problem that high up.