Vaping "test" over?

[edgee]

13 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

They need to clearly identify itineraries where it's going to be allowed.  Waiting until you are onboard is not acceptable.   Then people can actively boycott those itineraries.

From the tone of the correspondence above, it looks like they have made up their mind. My upcoming Sept. 2 cruise on Infinity may be my last. Was looking forward to a week on Ascent in February, but looks like that may not happen. I do hope they give adequate notice if vaping is to be permitted, so that folks can vote with their feet and cancel before penalty periods kick in.

Edited August 18, 2023 by edgee

[hammo]

We  have a cruise booked for 2025 February - are we able to cancel this without penalty as we paid our deposit before this ridiculous experiment comenced .?  We like the casino on our cruises but vaping is a deal breaker for us and is as intolerable as smoking .

[NutsAboutGolf]

7 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

What "Overall guest feedback"?  This response from Celebrity is total horses**t.

 

The correct non-vaping guest population to survey are non-vaping/non-smoking gamblers.  I'm sure if you ask a non-vaping gambler who never enters the casino whether vaping in the casino would negatively impact their cruising experience, of course the answer is no.

 

Unfortunately it looks like vaping in casinos is a done deal.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, many of us knew it was a done deal; almost anything they pilot becomes a reality.  This is also why they most likely removed the signs, alleviate guest services and shore side customer service from the complaints

Edited August 18, 2023 by NutsAboutGolf

[Julma]

13 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

Received this response to my email concerned that smoking in casino and other areas would return. 
 

The pilot for vaping in casino is a test that is currently taking place in the casinos on the Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse through August 20th. It is a test at this point, and all feedback is being taking into consideration, so again, thank you. We are conducting an 8-week test on two ships to measure the impact vaping may have on the overall guest experience. Our casino players have indicated that being able to vape while playing would enhance their gaming experience. Overall guest feedback indicates that guests who do not vape do not feel vaping in the casino would negatively impact their experience. In casinos on itineraries where e-cigarette smoking is allowed, there will be visible signage designating the areas for both vaping and non-vaping guests. We have adapted the air circulation in the casino to allow the use of vapes. It is still not possible to allow vaping in the staterooms and we ask for your compliance to help us ensure a comfortable environment for all our guests.

 

 Rest assured, we will maintain things smoke-free for the enjoyment of all passengers onboard.

 

"Rest assured" cracks me up.  This is still listed as the first line in Celebrity's Code of Conduct statement.  "For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our Celebrity ships are non-smoking. Hookahs and other types of water pipes are prohibited from use under this non-smoking designation."  

[gfkcruiser]

13 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

What "Overall guest feedback"?  This response from Celebrity is total horses**t.

 

The correct non-vaping guest population to survey are non-vaping/non-smoking gamblers.  I'm sure if you ask a non-vaping gambler who never enters the casino whether vaping in the casino would negatively impact their cruising experience, of course the answer is no.

 

Unfortunately it looks like vaping in casinos is a done deal.

 

 

 

 Never asked me!

[NutsAboutGolf]

5 minutes ago, gfkcruiser said:

 Never asked me!

 

To be fair, they probably didn't "ask" anyone (lol)

[39august]

hammo- Cancellation rules may be different for you than in the US, but we can cancel without penalty anytime before final payment due date. 

[wrk2cruise]

14 minutes ago, 39august said:

hammo- Cancellation rules may be different for you than in the US, but we can cancel without penalty anytime before final payment due date. 

 

Not if you have a non refundable deposit.  With NRD the penalty would be anywhere from $100 pp to the full deposit amount depending on when you booked.  Any remainder would be FCC which would be useless if poster is not going to sail Celebrity due to their vaping policy.

Edited August 18, 2023 by wrk2cruise

[Islander500]

On 8/16/2023 at 8:51 PM, BCHappyGal said:

Have it on my To Do list to phone Celebrity and ask -- but work both today and tomorrow is busy so will be at least Friday before I have a chance

 

I have already done research and have my list of alternative ships / lines which are smoke/vape free

Omg.  Was just thinking to do this.  Please share if you haven’t already.  Not to end of thread yet so if it’s posted, I’ll find it. Ty 

[39august]

If you have non-refundable deposit, of course you lose the deposit amount if you cancel before final payment. If the deposit is all you've paid, there is nothing more to lose.  

[TeeRick]

On 8/17/2023 at 3:40 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Reportedly the vaping permitted sign was removed and it was "word of mouth".  Also, reportedly was on the non-E-Class "E" ships, Equinox and Eclipse; perhaps I missed its also trialed on the Summit

It is unclear what outcomes of this vaping test will be the deciding factor.

 

Many here say increased casino revenue.  But zero or 1-2 vapers in the casino (reported by most of the on ship reports here) cannot really enhance revenue unless they are very high rollers - and only stay there because of the allowance of vaping.  This does not seem to be a real high probability outcome (like slots !).

 

Perhaps the real increase in revenue for Celebrity is from all of the cruisers here cancelling and losing their deposits to Celebrity😀.  Those who signed up and got good fares who cancel- Celebrity will sell your cabins at higher prices.  Perhaps to folks who do not have as many loyalty benefits as you.

 

It only impacts Celebrity if there is a meaningful reduction in bookings over time.  So far the ships are in high demand and sailing full.

 

[NutsAboutGolf]

17 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

It is unclear what outcomes of this vaping test will be the deciding factor.

 

Many here say increased casino revenue.  But zero or 1-2 vapers in the casino (reported by most of the on ship reports here) cannot really enhance revenue unless they are very high rollers - and only stay there because of the allowance of vaping.  This does not seem to be a real high probability outcome (like slots !).

 

Perhaps the real increase in revenue for Celebrity is from all of the cruisers here cancelling and losing their deposits to Celebrity😀.  Those who signed up and got good fares who cancel- Celebrity will sell your cabins at higher prices.  Perhaps to folks who do not have as many loyalty benefits as you.

 

It only impacts Celebrity if there is a meaningful reduction in bookings over time.  So far the ships are in high demand and sailing full.

 

 

Thanks for the laugh!  I don't care either way, yet what does interest me is what was the process of implementing this policy as a pilot and then deciding to implement it fleet wide?  Because we need to find this high roller and get them to change the lobster from spiny to Maine 🙃

[edgee]

On 8/17/2023 at 7:16 PM, gfkcruiser said:

Received this response to my email concerned that smoking in casino and other areas would return. 
 

The pilot for vaping in casino is a test that is currently taking place in the casinos on the Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse through August 20th. It is a test at this point, and all feedback is being taking into consideration, so again, thank you. We are conducting an 8-week test on two ships to measure the impact vaping may have on the overall guest experience. Our casino players have indicated that being able to vape while playing would enhance their gaming experience. Overall guest feedback indicates that guests who do not vape do not feel vaping in the casino would negatively impact their experience. In casinos on itineraries where e-cigarette smoking is allowed, there will be visible signage designating the areas for both vaping and non-vaping guests. We have adapted the air circulation in the casino to allow the use of vapes. It is still not possible to allow vaping in the staterooms and we ask for your compliance to help us ensure a comfortable environment for all our guests.

 

 Rest assured, we will maintain things smoke-free for the enjoyment of all passengers onboard.

 

Such BS. If vaping us so harmless and folks do not object, then why do they feel the need to have separate tables for vaping? Having a non smoking (or non vaping) area in a casino is like having a "no peeing" section of a pool!

[NutsAboutGolf]

12 minutes ago, edgee said:

Such BS. If vaping us so harmless and folks do not object, then why do they feel the need to have separate tables for vaping? Having a non smoking (or non vaping) area in a casino is like having a "no peeing" section of a pool!

 

Where did you see they're having separate tables?

[edgee]

2 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Where did you see they're having separate tables?

"In casinos on itineraries where e-cigarette smoking is allowed, there will be visible signage designating the areas for both vaping and non-vaping guests." I interpret "areas" to mean separate tables. However, I guess it could also be read that vaping and non vaping people will share the same area...but then why would you need signage? 

[The_Big_M]

Whatever happened to their "abundance of caution" they use to justify actions such as health measures like requiring the wearing of masks during covid?

 

 

[jelayne]

I don’t believe vaping be will on “identified itineraries”. My money is on vaping goes fleet wide by 9/1.  

Edited August 19, 2023 by jelayne
Typo

[39august]

I say fleet wide by Aug. 21!

[edgee]

1 minute ago, 39august said:

I say fleet wide by Aug. 21!

I have written assurance from the casino department that vaping will not be allowed on my Sept 2 cruise...but, then again, who knows????

[Luvcrusn]

3 minutes ago, edgee said:

I have written assurance from the casino department that vaping will not be allowed on my Sept 2 cruise...but, then again, who knows????

and if it is, then what?

[edgee]

1 minute ago, Luvcrusn said:

and if it is, then what?

I would deal with it. It is a very port intensive cruise...likely I will spend less time in the casino than usual anyway. Initially there will likely be little vaping in first few cruises after rule change..will take time for the word to get around. 

[39august]

What ship, please?

[NutsAboutGolf]

55 minutes ago, edgee said:

I have written assurance from the casino department that vaping will not be allowed on my Sept 2 cruise...but, then again, who knows????

 

39 minutes ago, 39august said:

What ship, please?

 

Corporate can overrule them

[edgee]

27 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

 

Corporate can overrule them

Corporate also confirmed to me in a phone call that if it us implemented it would be a while after trial ends this weekend. However, I will not take any if these assurances as gospel and I would not be at all surprised if it's allowed on my upcoming cruise. I will enjoy my cruise either way. 

[phoenix_dream]

If this is really going to go fleetwide, and it sounds pretty much like it is, I guess I need to spend more time reading the Alternatives to Celebrity thread!  I've always loved Celebrity - 20+ years and 70+ cruises).  Two of the things I enjoyed a lot were dining (which by most accounts has gone significantly downhill) and relaxing in their smoke free casino on sea days.  When booking a suite (can only afford Sky, if any) I also enjoyed having an assigned butler even though I did not utilize him/her all that often.  So much for those things!  They've also cut down considerably over the years on live entertainment in the lounges as far as number of hours performing - another thing that I enjoy a lot, which I noticed even before the current cutbacks.  Then there are the shows on the non-Edge class ships which have been there for years and years - and as a general statement all the better guest entertainers going to the new ships.  Sigh. 

Life goes on and all that and yes, those of us who can afford cruises at all are fortunate.  But for the first time since 2003 I am going to check out other lines (full disclosure, I've done a couple Royal cruises in that timeframe as well). I've about had my fill of the charge double while reducing the product approach.   I'm not the demographic they want anyway, but maybe if enough of us loyalists move on it will have an impact.  I am crazy enough to have around 7 more cruises booked in the next year and with non-refundable deposits I will probably keep them and hope against hope that some of these changes backfire and reductions and changes are reconsidered.  Will I have a good time on them regardless?  I will certainly intend to do that.  But I am going to check out some other lines for future sailings.