Nonsmoking casino test

[BND]

3 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I think a better question is what’s more important to an individual, their health or their desire to gamble in a smoke filled casino? Last I heard no one was forced to gamble on a cruise ship. 

No one is forced to smoke either, but non smokers are forced to just to go into the casino.   As smoking declines as it has for decades, why should the majority kneel down to the minority?

Edited June 13, 2023 by BND

[poocher]

I understand but I will still hope for the day I don’t have to think “oh s#%#, wrong side of the pool deck again!”  

[ONECRUISER]

Do 4-8 longer Sailings a yr on Radiance Class where they refuel 1-2 times a Cruise. During those days the only place to Smoke onboard is the Casino. Guess only option for them to lite up is go ashore for a Cigarette 

[ONECRUISER]

24 minutes ago, poocher said:

I understand but I will still hope for the day I don’t have to think “oh s#%#, wrong side of the pool deck again!”  

True. When I started Cruising Royal on open Decks and around the pool had a Table with Ashtray for every 2 Lounge Chairs. I miss the Tables, were nice keep personal stuff off the Deck. Back then WJ had Trays for Food/drinks which some thought cafeteria cheap. But it also then used China plates, cups and glass not plastic Cups like now. My 8yr old Son was quite embarrassed when items shifted falling off his tray hitting the WJ Tile transforming his China and Glass into a million pieces...

[poocher]

Just now, ONECRUISER said:

True. When I started Cruising Royal on open Decks and around the pool had a Table with Ashtray for every 2 Lounge Chairs. I miss the Tables, were nice keep personal stuff off the Deck. Back then WJ had Trays for Food/drinks which some thought cafeteria cheap. But it also then used China plates, cups and glass not plastic Cups like now. My 8yr old Son was quite embarrassed when items shifted falling off his tray hitting the WJ Tile transforming his China and Glass into a million pieces...

I was referring to inadvertently walking through the smoking section on the pool deck.

[ONECRUISER]

11 minutes ago, poocher said:

I was referring to inadvertently walking through the smoking section on the pool deck.

I know, after agreeing with you was just adding some Royal Smoking History 

Edited June 13, 2023 by ONECRUISER

[Cruise5life]

9 hours ago, mugtech said:

People losing money gambling helps keep my cruise price down.  Happy to see people getting "free" cruises for giving cash to the casino. My only objection is the placement of the casino so I must walk through the smoke to get to another spot on the ship.

I don’t know what cruise your on that prices are down.    But prices are ridiculous right now.   Cruises I use to get for 2k and now 3.5k and up. It’s a joke.   

[mugtech]

16 minutes ago, Cruise5life said:

I don’t know what cruise your on that prices are down.    But prices are ridiculous right now.   Cruises I use to get for 2k and now 3.5k and up. It’s a joke.   

Prices would be even higher if gamblers did not make their contributions, not saying prices are low, but am also a big fan of bingo for same reason.

[joeyancho]

3 hours ago, BND said:

 why should the majority kneel down to the minority?

I don't know if you notice but this is the problem in America today. 

[nelblu]

5 hours ago, joeyancho said:

I don't know if you notice but this is the problem in America today. 

Amen!

[Cruise a holic]

The non smoking ban in the Casino's hasn't hurt celebrity, royals sister cruise line.  It will not hurt Royal either.  I feel sorry for the staff that has to work in the Casino.  The smoke moves all over the ship and on the other side of the Casino- We don't go in the Casino and perhaps would if no smoking was the rule.

[PWP-001]

30 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

The non smoking ban in the Casino's hasn't hurt celebrity, royals sister cruise line.  It will not hurt Royal either.  I feel sorry for the staff that has to work in the Casino.  The smoke moves all over the ship and on the other side of the Casino- We don't go in the Casino and perhaps would if no smoking was the rule.

Have you reviewed financial performance in the casinos?  How are you defining "hasn't hurt?"

[lovesthebeach2]

13 hours ago, cruise1957 said:

Day one of a cruise we make note of where the casino is and go up or down a floor to avoid going through the smokey haze of the casino. It works for us.

We know the layout of most ships and know how to get around too. But as I mentioned above in this thread, we love the Schooner bar and the casino empties right out to it on Freedom class. So for us, we rarely cruise that class for that reason.

[lovesthebeach2]

8 hours ago, Cruise5life said:

I don’t know what cruise your on that prices are down.    But prices are ridiculous right now.   Cruises I use to get for 2k and now 3.5k and up. It’s a joke.   

Unfortunately everything has gone up considerably in the years post Covid.
 

We stopped a McD’s recently for a quick bite and I noticed the little tiny plain burger that was .99 is now 1.99. That’s crazy….price doubled and portion was smaller. We rarely go out to restaurants to eat because it’s just not worth it.

 

But we instead spend the money on cruises, because although they went up, comparing how much we would spend on land, it still is worth it to us to be on a ship on the water!

[BND]

49 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

The non smoking ban in the Casino's hasn't hurt celebrity, royals sister cruise line.  It will not hurt Royal either.  I feel sorry for the staff that has to work in the Casino.  The smoke moves all over the ship and on the other side of the Casino- We don't go in the Casino and perhaps would if no smoking was the rule.

We were on Jewel last year and will be again this fall and that is an issue in the theater.  When you're in the upper level of the theater, all you can smell is the smoke wafting in from the casino.  And, even when the casino isn't open, the smell of stale smoke lingers in there.  

[BND]

6 hours ago, joeyancho said:

I don't know if you notice but this is the problem in America today. 

Oh, believe me, I know.  

[BND]

9 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Do 4-8 longer Sailings a yr on Radiance Class where they refuel 1-2 times a Cruise. During those days the only place to Smoke onboard is the Casino. Guess only option for them to lite up is go ashore for a Cigarette 

Sounds like a personal problem.  We routinely do 8-12 night cruises out of Baltimore and I have never heard anyone whining about that when they are refueling which they obviously only do in port. 

[time4u2go]

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

The non smoking ban in the Casino's hasn't hurt celebrity

How do you know this?

[Cruise a holic]

28 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

How do you know this?

Ships sail full.  Cannot get a decent cabin if you wait.  Specialty restaurants really booked up. Prices have risen sharply.  By observation 

[time4u2go]

48 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Ships sail full.  Cannot get a decent cabin if you wait.  Specialty restaurants really booked up. Prices have risen sharply.  By observation 

I thought you might have actual data from the cruise line.

[cruise1957]

5 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

We know the layout of most ships and know how to get around too. But as I mentioned above in this thread, we love the Schooner bar and the casino empties right out to it on Freedom class. So for us, we rarely cruise that class for that reason.

We were just on Jewel and we were in the Pit Stop Bar watching the NFL Playoffs, same problem, they should put sliding doors in the casino.

Edited June 13, 2023 by cruise1957

[ONECRUISER]

4 hours ago, BND said:

Sounds like a personal problem.  We routinely do 8-12 night cruises out of Baltimore and I have never heard anyone whining about that when they are refueling which they obviously only do in port. 

I stay onboard most Port days. Doesn't effect me, don't Smoke but those that do sit in Casino Smoking all day. Issue is they Ban it as said there is nowhere onboard to Smoke on Fuel days

[jwlane]

We're just off a week on Allure.  The non-smoking casino was deserted the times I went by.  That said, the smoke level/smell in the regular casino was never offensive.

[PWP-001]

5 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Ships sail full.  Cannot get a decent cabin if you wait.  Specialty restaurants really booked up. Prices have risen sharply.  By observation 

A ship that sails full may not be profitable.

Specialty restaurants can add to profitability-- after subtracting for food and labor costs.

Debt service has risen even more sharply than prices.

 

Your observations overlook the importance of the casino as a revenue center for the cruise line.

 

Yes, people will point out that Disney does just fine, and they've never relied upon casinos; it's not part of their business model.  But anyone who's priced a Disney cruise pre-COVID knows that their fares --in general-- were substantially higher than other brands with casinos.  The Royal business model depends upon substantial revenues being generated in the casino, and that's why their loyalty program treats their top tier players like VIP's.

 

 

[SHIP TRAVELER]

On 6/12/2023 at 10:29 AM, neverbeenhere said:

So, they're thinking us non-smokers need to start blowing cash in the casino??  (I'm an accountant, the chances of this are slim and none, and of course, Slim just left town)

My DH is a retired CPA with a masters in Economics and he still puts up with gambling as an entertainment. I am the one that really gets a kick out of it.  He did insist that I learned how to bet smart (conservatively) at craps, how to play basic strategy at Black Jack and how to play Video Poker with the best statistical choices.  I don't play slots at all. 

I am concerned that there will not even be poor payout video poker available in the non smoking casino being proposed.  I usually don't play on RCL unless there is a non smoking night.  I do play on Celebrity where the entire casino is non smoking and where you can buy credits prior to sailing with a 10% bonus to off set losses.  I take advantage of the cancel anytime Blue Chip Casino cruise prices at 60% off.  I still don't win but I don't lose any more than it costs to eat in a  couple of specialty restaurants.