There *is* a cruise line with no smoking policies

[YYC F/A]

I realise that there are several threads now with various 'anti-smoking' debates. Rather than post a reply to each one, I wanted to make just one post that everyone concerned with the subject could reference.

 

Several people have (somewhat self-righteously in many cases) stated that if there was a cruise line offering a smoke free environment, they would quit Celebrity and redirect business to this other company.

 

There is in fact a company, Oceania Cruises, who have stringent non-smoking policies. Smoking is prohibited in *all* public areas, *AND* in cabins *AND* on balconies. There are, however, 2 small 'smoking rooms' seperate from the public areas.

 

Oceania is a premium cruise line, and you can read more about their existing smoking policy and the company at their website.

 

For what it's worth, IMHO, smoking will not (and should not) be completely banned altogether. Will not - because it would detrimentally affect the cruise lines businss. Should not - because, even taking into account the safety/second hand smoke/courtesy concerns, there ARE other ways around the issue; for instance, the provision of 'glassed in' contained smoking rooms that allow smoking, but are a fully contained environment, similar to what you see at some US airports. This deals with all the concerns and issues, whilst still providing those who would like a cigarette somewhere to go to have one without upsetting others or providing a potential safety concern.

 

Blanket attacks on 'smokers' and branding them as a 'safety hazard' is reactionary and emotive. I realise that this is a hot topic (excuse the pun), but rather than stamping up and down and demanding knee jerk reactions, blanket smoking bans etc. let's take some time to:

 

a) let the investigators on the Star do their job

b) let the industry digest the results

and

c) let the industry come up with some creative solutions where appropriate (perhaps similar to Oceania above).

[noblepa]

About six years ago, we sailed on Carnival's Paradise, which, at the time, was entirely non-smoking. Passengers were required to sign an agreement at embarkation that they would not smoke on board. If you were caught with smoking materials, whether or not you were actually smoking, you would be put ashore, with no refund. They really did this.

 

It was wonderful. No smoke anywhere on the ship; in the casino, the lounges, on deck, no where.

 

When Carnival re-assigned the Paradise to 3 and 4-day Mexican cruises out of Long Beach a couple of years ago, they dropped the no-smoking rule. Some have claimed that the ship didn't make money, but it was full the one time we sailed on her.

 

While there would seem to be plenty of non-smokers who would book passage on such a ship, it was never duplicated on any of the Carnival-owned lines. Apparently, it is still a niche market.

 

I have always wondered why the cruise lines don't offer non-smoking cabins. Hotels have done this for years and it doesn't seem to have hurt their business.

 

Paul Noble

[herb]

 

There is in fact a company, Oceania Cruises, who have stringent non-smoking policies.

 

Oceania is a premium cruise line

 

If they're willing to lower their prices I'd be willing to sail with them ;)

[Danno]

they dropped the no-smoking rule. Some have claimed that the ship didn't make money, but it was full the one time we sailed on her.

 

 

Paul Noble

 

Smoking-drinking-gambling...this trio seems to always go hand in hand in hand...remove one link and the other two won't survive. Governments found this out years ago, that's why they are heavily promoted, and taxed!!

[YYC F/A]

If they're willing to lower their prices I'd be willing to sail with them ;)

 

And therein lies one of the real reasons behind the cruise lines reticence to ban smoking. Drinking, Gambling (and on Carnival and such like.. Partying) are all 'hand in hand' with smoking. These, however, are important sources of revenue.

 

Carnival found this with the Paradise.

 

Remove smoking, see a drop in onboard revenues from the above as a result... and prices will inevitably rise.

[Joanandjoe]

And therein lies one of the real reasons behind the cruise lines reticence to ban smoking. Drinking, Gambling (and on Carnival and such like.. Partying) are all 'hand in hand' with smoking. These, however, are important sources of revenue.

 

Carnival found this with the Paradise.

 

Remove smoking, see a drop in onboard revenues from the above as a result... and prices will inevitably rise.

 

Fine, try "no smoking" on a few ships, and charge some premium (say, 10%) for being on a no smoking ship. Joan and I would be much more likely to go into bars and the casino if there were no smoke there; but we're well aware that, overall, drinking and gambling go down when there's no smoking.

 

Why haven't we tried Oceania, then? Pure, dumb, bad luck with their itineraries. In 2004 we had a 19 day vacation window, and no Oceania cruises fit within the window--they all started or ended outside the window. We managed to do a 17 day trip (3 days land, 14 on the ship) on Windstar during the window: pure good luck on Windstar's timing. We couldn't fit in any of Oceania's cruises in 2005 or 2006 for the same reason--there was nothing we wanted at a time we could sail. We're now waiting for the 2007 Oceania May, June, and November schedules to come out. We WILL try them as soon as possible.

[Fblack]

And Oceania is going to be tougher on violators.

 

 

"Tim Rubacky of Oceania Cruises said his cruise line immediately implemented a policy of "zero tolerance" for smoking in areas of the ship that are designated as non-smoking and will strictly enforce its fleet-wide. While passengers were never permitted to smoke in cabins or on balconies, those who were previously caught or reported by other passengers were merely sent polite and gentle reminders of the cruise line's policy. Effective immediately, anyone caught smoking in a non-designated area will be thrown off Oceania's ships and no exceptions will be made, Rubacky said. The cruise line does permit smoking in a small area on the top passenger deck."

[newmexicoNita]

A couple of issues come to my mind on this one: first, many of us whether smokers or non do not argue about smoking and non smoking areas on ships, but totally non smoking ships. Oceania is not a non smoking vessel, many of those here and on some of the other boards are asking for all ships to be totally non smoking, What about the crew? How hard to you think it would be to hire 1000 non smoking crew members? The second issue, of course is the cost of Oceania: for the majority of todays cruisers their prices would make it impossible for them to cruise. these are just some thoughts. NMNita

[TEXASMUNK]

NMN leaves emotion at the door and brings logical rational thought to the conversation

[ocngypz]

 

While there would seem to be plenty of non-smokers who would book passage on such a ship, it was never duplicated on any of the Carnival-owned lines. Apparently, it is still a niche market.

 

I have always wondered why the cruise lines don't offer non-smoking cabins. Hotels have done this for years and it doesn't seem to have hurt their business.

 

Paul Noble

 

 

NCL did it a number of years ago. It didn't work.

[Lane40]

Renassiance did it and it took me almost 6 months to get my money back when they went belly-up 2 weeks before our cruise. Would love to see that happen to all the individuals screaming for a smoke free cruise line. They complain of dying early from second hand smoke....wonder how fast they would die from a stroke if their smoke free cruise line bit the dust 2 weeks before their cruise? :)

[dkjretired]

About six years ago, we sailed on Carnival's Paradise, which, at the time, was entirely non-smoking. Passengers were required to sign an agreement at embarkation that they would not smoke on board. If you were caught with smoking materials, whether or not you were actually smoking, you would be put ashore, with no refund. They really did this.

 

It was wonderful. No smoke anywhere on the ship; in the casino, the lounges, on deck, no where.

 

When Carnival re-assigned the Paradise to 3 and 4-day Mexican cruises out of Long Beach a couple of years ago, they dropped the no-smoking rule. Some have claimed that the ship didn't make money, but it was full the one time we sailed on her.

 

While there would seem to be plenty of non-smokers who would book passage on such a ship, it was never duplicated on any of the Carnival-owned lines. Apparently, it is still a niche market.

 

I have always wondered why the cruise lines don't offer non-smoking cabins. Hotels have done this for years and it doesn't seem to have hurt their business.

 

Paul Noble

 

Carnivals Paradise was pretty much full but they were not making the revenue from alchohol or the casino.

 

Below is a link to cruiselines policies on smoking. There is a good explanation within the story as to why they don't have non-smoking cabins.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=225

 

 

I find it funny that the title of this thread is "there is a cruise line with no smoking policies" and yet in the article on the other board about Oceana, they admit to violating their own policies.

[dspencer]

We were looking at cruises while Carnivals Paradise was doing the no smoking thing.

What put us off was the age and size of the ship and the fact it was 3 star rather than 4.

We went for Carnival Victory/Triumph instead.

 

Smoking does not bother me on ships much.

Would prefer it not in cabins but don't hang out in bars or casino much anyway.

 

Probably would more if it was smoke free.

[CaroleSP]

About six years ago, we sailed on Carnival's Paradise, which, at the time, was entirely non-smoking. Passengers were required to sign an agreement at embarkation that they would not smoke on board. If you were caught with smoking materials, whether or not you were actually smoking, you would be put ashore, with no refund. They really did this.

 

It was wonderful. No smoke anywhere on the ship; in the casino, the lounges, on deck, no where.

 

When Carnival re-assigned the Paradise to 3 and 4-day Mexican cruises out of Long Beach a couple of years ago, they dropped the no-smoking rule. Some have claimed that the ship didn't make money, but it was full the one time we sailed on her.

 

While there would seem to be plenty of non-smokers who would book passage on such a ship, it was never duplicated on any of the Carnival-owned lines. Apparently, it is still a niche market.

 

I have always wondered why the cruise lines don't offer non-smoking cabins. Hotels have done this for years and it doesn't seem to have hurt their business.

 

Paul Noble

Our trip on the Paradise was full, as well. I still remember coming aboard and listening to the people in front of us; one said to the other when did you stop smoking and the person answered today. I wonder how that worked out.

[tserface]

Carnivals Paradise was pretty much full but they were not making the revenue from alchohol or the casino.

 

When I read this I laughed a bit at the thought that people who smoke may also be dumb enough to gamble and drink too much :rolleyes: ... I wonder if there is a real correlation?

 

Tom

[dkjretired]

When I read this I laughed a bit at the thought that people who smoke may also be dumb enough to gamble and drink too much :rolleyes: ... I wonder if there is a real correlation?

 

Tom

 

I live about 70 miles from Atlantic City and from my observations if you want to play a particular slot machine on a busy night, go to the non=smoking areas and you will probably get to play that machine. They usually are virtually empty and a couple of the casinos had areas that were non-smoking and eliminated them after at period of time.

[Susan-M]

Many hotels, restaurants and other public establishments have gone "smoke-free" and business is thriving. Some cruise lines will eventually follow suit. Three cheers for Oceania for their restrictions - and thank you YYC for bringing it to our attention:)

[surfklutz]

If they're willing to lower their prices I'd be willing to sail with them ;)

 

They are really very reasonable. Check their rates and I think you will be surprised.

[surfklutz]

SeaDream is also smoke free. The only place you can smoke is topside on the fantail - no public rooms, no staterooms and only where the smoke is blown away behind the smoker. Very nice!

[newmexicoNita]

They are really very reasonable. Check their rates and I think you will be surprised.

I am a TA and neither Oceania or SeaDream are reasonable. I am always amazed when I am lucky enough to find someone who is willing to put that kind of money into a week long cruise. Anyone who does feel these lines are reasonable must be accustom to booking suites. We have to remember many people who cruise settle for inside cabins or basic outside. NMnita

[Charles4515]

When I read this I laughed a bit at the thought that people who smoke may also be dumb enough to gamble and drink too much :rolleyes: ... I wonder if there is a real correlation?

 

Tom

 

I don't smoke and I don't gamble. The correlation is that I don't like second hand smoke and it irritates me so I could never stay in a casino long. The same with smokey bars. So it becomes a habit not going to casinos or smokey bars. Now that we have no smoking in bars recently in my county, I have been to bars agian although not much yet because it takes a while to break the habit of not going to bars. But I have been going more often. If casinos were non smoking I think over time I would go on a ship. I think the correlation between smoking and gambling could have been self-fufilling, non-smokers not gambling because the smoke drove them away. It drove me away.

[chronic travelitis]

DH and I booked an inside cabin on Oceania for a Med cruise this summer and got in on a special that was a really good deal. His brother and wife decided to join us at a later date and the cost was much higher for them. We've sailed on a lot of lines based on the itinerary and pricing and find you can get good deals on any of the lines at different times.

[surfklutz]

I am a TA and neither Oceania or SeaDream are reasonable. I am always amazed when I am lucky enough to find someone who is willing to put that kind of money into a week long cruise. Anyone who does feel these lines are reasonable must be accustom to booking suites. We have to remember many people who cruise settle for inside cabins or basic outside. NMnita

 

Reasonable is a relative term -isn't it? I sailed on SeaDream on one particular voyage for about $1200 p/p for a week - that was a steal. Oceania has great rates to exotic destinations that warrant higher per diems. I can't imagine a travel agent who can't see the value for some people in these luxury lines. With most of the luxury lines, it is all inclusive - so you pay for everything upfront and very little at the back end. With traditional cruises, you pay for 1/2 the cruise upfront, then the other 1/2 when you get your bill at the end of the cruise- but you are probably not paying significantly less that the luxury lines.

 

Just crurious NMnita - have you ever "recommended" a high end cruise to your clients?

[newmexicoNita]

Reasonable is a relative term -isn't it? I sailed on SeaDream on one particular voyage for about $1200 p/p for a week - that was a steal. Oceania has great rates to exotic destinations that warrant higher per diems. I can't imagine a travel agent who can't see the value for some people in these luxury lines. With most of the luxury lines, it is all inclusive - so you pay for everything upfront and very little at the back end. With traditional cruises, you pay for 1/2 the cruise upfront, then the other 1/2 when you get your bill at the end of the cruise- but you are probably not paying significantly less that the luxury lines.

 

Just crurious NMnita - have you ever "recommended" a high end cruise to your clients?

Have I? or course. I have: 2 clients that just did SeaDream last NOvember, another couple did Radisson SEvern Seas last year and several doing Radisson this year. Yesterday I booked 3 SeaDream cabins for Europe this summer. I could continue this, but you certainly get the picture. All inclusive or not they are much more expensive. I am certainly not knocking them, but if you really believe the average family or even couple can handle the prices you are out there somewhere. All inclusive or not, they still run 50 to 100% more than mass marketed lines. Most people do not run up tabs that double the cost of their cruise while on board. You may, but this is not the average cruiser. BTW if you sailed SeaDream for $1200 per person you must have sailed totally off season and bribed them or something. Of course I am only kidding about that, but when I booked my clients last November it was $1900 per person and that was an interline rate. Normally they sell for about $4000 per person, per week. Of course there are always specials. Every line has them. You hit a really great deal. Good for you.NMNita

[STUR]

About six years ago, we sailed on Carnival's Paradise, which, at the time, was entirely non-smoking. Passengers were required to sign an agreement at embarkation that they would not smoke on board. If you were caught with smoking materials, whether or not you were actually smoking, you would be put ashore, with no refund. They really did this.

 

It was wonderful. No smoke anywhere on the ship; in the casino, the lounges, on deck, no where.

 

When Carnival re-assigned the Paradise to 3 and 4-day Mexican cruises out of Long Beach a couple of years ago, they dropped the no-smoking rule. Some have claimed that the ship didn't make money, but it was full the one time we sailed on her.

 

While there would seem to be plenty of non-smokers who would book passage on such a ship, it was never duplicated on any of the Carnival-owned lines. Apparently, it is still a niche market.

 

I have always wondered why the cruise lines don't offer non-smoking cabins. Hotels have done this for years and it doesn't seem to have hurt their business.

 

Paul Noble

I have relatives who have sailed on Carnival Paridase (NON SMOKING) When New As Far As non smoking it was great But still Carnival Not Up Scale enough for them (Never Again Carnival)

 

STUR DAYTON,OHIO