A poll about smoking on Celebrity

[richsea]

X's finacial standing has been on shaky ground for years, they cannot afford to lose their existing customers.

 

I know that this is off topic, but..........

Decisions such as abandoning Bermuda and greatly curtailing the Caribbean season, as well as the dumbing down of CC perks, indicate that Celebrity not only can afford to lose existing customers, but are consciously making decisions that will lose them.

[chessbriar]

LOL!!! Maybe I've just timed our cruises badly, but in 19 X cruises, I've yet to see one of their ships :D "decaying":D .

We have been reading on these board for years about the poor condition of the ships. I could even see the wear and tear they were not keeping up with. On within the last year or so have they starting making a serious attempt to keep up with the damage guest do by just living on the ship for a week.

 

I know that this is off topic, but..........

Decisions such as abandoning Bermuda and greatly curtailing the Caribbean season, as well as the dumbing down of CC perks, indicate that Celebrity not only can afford to lose existing customers, but are consciously making decisions that will lose them.

Once again, it's about the all might $$$. Bermuda and Caribbean are perfect examples.

They traded the Zenith for 2 ships. The money those two ships will make in Europe during the summer and South America/Antartica during the winter will dwarf their wildest dreams of what Zenith could do.

 

They are sending a ship to Austraila and the fares and revenues that ship will make will far surpass anything the Millie and Mercury could hope to gain in Mexico or Caribbean.

 

They have gone to a longer Eurpean season where they can get bigger fares than trying to fill a ship in the Caribbean during huricane season. I love cruising during huricane season because you can't beat the fares.

 

They moved the Century to Europe because she can make more money during a summer in Europe than she can in the Caribbean.

 

The ships are sailing full, so they must be giving their guests what they want. It just might not be what you want.

 

The CC benefits really do need overhauled. They just don't stack up to what RCCL offers. At the same time, X still can't afford to give the per cabin discounts that RCCL offers their guests. X is getting healthier, but they will need help once the new ships come out.

[tbelian]

At home our deck is more than 100ft from our neighbors deck....

 

The problem is, that number is not always going to be true.. some 'set back ' requirements + lot size would put the 2 decks in much closer proximity.

 

Are you suggesting that if 2 balconies are 'X' feet apart, that should be ok (based on the deck example, and 100' feet of seperation, that's what it seems like?) ...

[cruising with marti]

The problem is, that number is not always going to be true.. some 'set back ' requirements + lot size would put the 2 decks in much closer proximity.

 

Are you suggesting that if 2 balconies are 'X' feet apart, that should be ok (based on the deck example, and 100' feet of seperation, that's what it seems like?) ...

 

LOL, I like it, I like it:D

Phil

[Captain Jake]

Nothing seems to stir the pot more than the smoking issue unless its the darling children.A nice article was posted on the problem with smoke free rooms.20% of Americans smoke compared with 30-40% of Europe.So simple math will tell you that the non-smoking rooms would fill first if 1/2 the cabins were made non-smoking and the the smokers would have no problem finding a smoking room.Also if no non-smoking cabins were available most non-smokers would settle for a smoking cabin.My guess then is not having one side smoking and the other non is because the cruise line doe not want to chase away the non-smokers who would be upset that a non-smoking cabin was unavailable.The fact that the ships are sensitive to the non-smokers is clear by the fact that the smoking areas are being reduced NOT INCREASED.I am pleased with the progress being made by the cruise industry in regard to the rights of the non-smoker but a bit more needs to be done and thats the cabin issue.The minority of smokers who disregard the health of others have little choice but get use to this.Now if only they can do something about toddlers in diapers in the hot tubs-BT

[dkjretired]

I think balcony is pushing the limits on the 'private space ' definition. ...

 

I would respectfully disagree with you since Celebrity used to very clearly have in their smoking policy a distinction between private and public areas and the balcony was considered private. That is why I am thinking the policy posted earlier in this thread is a new policy even though it is not real clear on the balconies but they have always been considered private. If not, why do I pay more for a cabin with a balcony..

[C 2 C]

I believe a new more restrictive smoking policy will be implemented over the next few years. The move towards smoking and non-smoking cabins is being discussed by people who also see the trend towards a healthier life style..(no eating jokes please)

[2Capers]

I believe a new more restrictive smoking policy will be implemented over the next few years. The move towards smoking and non-smoking cabins is being discussed by people who also see the trend towards a healthier life style..(no eating jokes please)

 

It's already happening. We're sailing on the Infinity to Alaska in July. I read on the website that a non-smoking room can be requested, (the idea of a wk in a room where I can smell smoke - couldn't do it!!) So I called X and asked if my room was one of the non-smoking rooms. I was told that a very recent policy change has made ALL of the staterooms non-smoking with the exception of on stateroom balconies. I expressed concern about maybe still being able to smell smoke because it's a recent change and I was assured that all of the rooms have been sanitized and there would be no trace of smoke.

 

Don't know if this is all ships..didn't ask. Was just thrilled to hear about mine!

[katiebeth]

Dear 2 Capers,

 

That would be amazing if it were true!! I have certainly not heard this at all. I wonder if it is true of all of the ships in the Celebrity fleet?

 

I hope it is true, but am a little skeptical based on my experiences with Celebrity "customer service". Their "service" department is notorious for giving different answers to the same question depending on which rep. you speak with. I can't tell you how many times I have had to talk to 4 or 5 representatives (maybe more) before I could nail something down.

 

Their on-board service is very nice, but dealing with the corporate office and customer service is quite a different matter.

 

Nancy

[Dave&Robin]

The problem is, that number is not always going to be true.. some 'set back ' requirements + lot size would put the 2 decks in much closer proximity.

 

Are you suggesting that if 2 balconies are 'X' feet apart, that should be ok (based on the deck example, and 100' feet of seperation, that's what it seems like?) ...

 

No....what I'm saying is even though my deck at home is at least 100ft away from my neighbor I would still be considerate and not do anything that would interfer with his enjoyment of his deck.

 

It has more to do with being aware of other people around you and being considerate of them. Smoking tends to be a hot topic because when someone partakes everyone else in the vicintity is forced to breathe in the second hand smoke where as if instead someone where drinking everyone else could choose for themselves whether to drink or not.

[cruising with marti]

It's already happening. We're sailing on the Infinity to Alaska in July. I read on the website that a non-smoking room can be requested, (the idea of a wk in a room where I can smell smoke - couldn't do it!!) So I called X and asked if my room was one of the non-smoking rooms. I was told that a very recent policy change has made ALL of the staterooms non-smoking with the exception of on stateroom balconies. I expressed concern about maybe still being able to smell smoke because it's a recent change and I was assured that all of the rooms have been sanitized and there would be no trace of smoke.

 

Don't know if this is all ships..didn't ask. Was just thrilled to hear about mine!

 

Funny, I just checked Celebrity's wewb site, and it still states that there is no non smoking cabins.

Phil

[2Capers]

Funny, I just checked Celebrity's wewb site, and it still states that there is no non smoking cabins.

 

 

Phil

 

I was told it was very recent and perhaps the website has not caught up with the change. I'm going to check again.

[hcat]

In fairness to cigar lovers (DH being one of them) they took away Michaels Cigar Lounge where most of the smokers previously congregated (happily poisoning each other) & left a really expensive humidor to sit vacant. Smokers are relegated to their own balcony or the aft deck outside--that's OK in the caribbean but in Canada it was a bit of a chill. On Roylal carib they have a cigar lounge aftre a certain hr at night, with such great air ventilators that by the next day it is completely clear & can be enjoyed by non-smokers...maybe they should provide a better smoking area in exchange for more smoke free areas--I am not a gambler but hate to even walk through the Casino area--- I have already explained the rules on Azarama (or whatever they are calling it) to DH, he is not happy but it is a ship we will try eventually.

[lunan167]

My little contribution to this debate.

 

I have just got back from Summit and am an ex-smoker. I really hate the smell of cigarette and cigar smoke and dislike it being blown over me.

 

That said, it was not really a major issue at all during our trip. We were led to believe (I cannot recall from who or where) that smoking was only permitted on the port side, including staterooms. We had a starboard stateroom and never smelt smoke at all in the companionways on our side (but then again we didn't when we wandered port side either).

 

In the casino and all bars people abided by the rules and only smoked on the port side, so wherever possible we stayed starboard so were not at all bothered. My wife likes the Slots in the Casino and tends to wander around, so frequently ended up port-side, but unless you were immediately next to someone smoking it was not a problem. There was one thing that really did disgust us in the Casino was the dirty filthy habit some smokers had of flicking their ash into the tray at the bottom of the slot where you collect your winnings. There were enough ashtrays!!!

 

Obviously smoking is not permitted in the restaurants, but our table was on the port side of the Cosmopolitan restaurant. As the main central elevators are on the port side when we went to dinner we invariably ended walking through the port side of the Champagne Bar through the smokers, but this was our own fault and we could have remembered to walk across to the Martini (non-smoking) Bar.

 

Other than the Casino ash situation, the only other time that I got a little irritated was when sunbathing on Deck 11. We deliberately chose sunbeds on the starboard side because we didn't want to smell smoke. However, a group of people always seemed to end up near to us and one of them smoked quiet heavily so we could smell it. Now I had a choice; did I politely ask him to smoke elsewhere: did I speak to a crew-member to point out that smoking should only be on the port side; or did I just put up with it and not interfere with his human rights? Yes I took the latter option and just hoped that the cooling Pacific breeze would blow the other way.

 

I did not see any crew member enforcing any non-smoking policy, but then again apart from the situation mentioned above I did not seen anyone breaking it. I may well be mistaken about the port side smoking only rule but it did seem to be that way and maybe it did not apply on the uppermost deck (11).

 

The smoking did not spoil our cruise and I do not think that until cultural and sociological attitudes to smoking trends change, that a complete ban would be appropriate, just a little more consideration and 'policing'.

[2Capers]

Dear 2 Capers,

 

That would be amazing if it were true!! I have certainly not heard this at all. I wonder if it is true of all of the ships in the Celebrity fleet?

 

I hope it is true, but am a little skeptical based on my experiences with Celebrity "customer service". Their "service" department is notorious for giving different answers to the same question depending on which rep. you speak with. I can't tell you how many times I have had to talk to 4 or 5 representatives (maybe more) before I could nail something down.

 

Their on-board service is very nice, but dealing with the corporate office and customer service is quite a different matter.

 

Nancy

 

Oh crap...I think you're right. That's quite a rep for the Svc Dept. BRB.

[Ron & Suzie]

I would only like to have the chance to enjoy a smoke free balcony-----------------Frank:)

Then don't smoke on (your) balcony!--------------Ron

[2Capers]

I'm glad you brought up the inconsistency...you were right. I was just told that the RC ships have gone all non-smoking staterooms, but Celebrity has not switched "yet"; I guess the guy I spoke with last week was mixed up. Anyway, apparently if your stateroom is an "even" number (starboard side) you are in a non-smoking room. We were not (can't believe I wasn't asked what my preference was!!) but I was able to get switched to a room just a few doors down and across the hall. Oh well!

[dkjretired]

It's already happening. We're sailing on the Infinity to Alaska in July. I read on the website that a non-smoking room can be requested, (the idea of a wk in a room where I can smell smoke - couldn't do it!!) So I called X and asked if my room was one of the non-smoking rooms. I was told that a very recent policy change has made ALL of the staterooms non-smoking with the exception of on stateroom balconies. I expressed concern about maybe still being able to smell smoke because it's a recent change and I was assured that all of the rooms have been sanitized and there would be no trace of smoke.

 

Don't know if this is all ships..didn't ask. Was just thrilled to hear about mine!

 

Could you quote that off the website, they still state no non-smoking rooms.

 

I also don't understand how they could possible guarantee you a non smoking room in July. They would have to change a whole bunch of reservations to non smoking on one side of the ship if what you say is accurate. I would not count on a non smoking room, I just don't buy it.

[2Capers]

Could you quote that off the website, they still state no non-smoking rooms.

 

I also don't understand how they could possible guarantee you a non smoking room in July. They would have to change a whole bunch of reservations to non smoking on one side of the ship if what you say is accurate. I would not count on a non smoking room, I just don't buy it.

 

Well...holy crap - you're right. Talk about getting jerked around!! I called back....again. So this is the 3rd person I spoke with. Last wk all staterooms were non-smoking (not) a half hr ago the starboard side was non-smoking (not) and now none of the rooms are non-smoking! I'm glad I was on the board tonight - at least I got it figured out (I think!?). So - latest girl said the port/starboard thing is only on the decks (makes more sense), but that the ships are really going in the direction of less smoking. Apparently the Journey and Quest only have 2 areas where one can smoke and all staterooms are non-smoking. I got my room switched back thankfully as it was in a slightly better location before I changed it. She swore I won't be able to smell smoke...I certainly hope she's right.

[cruising with marti]

celebrity's web site clearly states, No non smoking cabins on thier ships, even numbers or odd.

phil

I am not trying to throw cold water on your up comming cruise, but want you to be aware.

[DC2OC]

Then don't smoke on (your) balcony!--------------Ron

 

But if you can smell it on your balcony its the same

[Dave&Robin]

Then don't smoke on (your) balcony!--------------Ron

 

That sounds fair, so just to be clear......anyone wanting a smoke free balcony will refrain from smoking on their balcony and any smokers will ensure that the smoke and odour is contained on their balcony and doesn't spread to the neighboring ones.....there we go, I think we have solved the problem!

[Drew B]

It seems this poll is running 60/40 which shows that we need to increase non-smoking to at least half the staterooms.Of course someone would think the smokers got the best side of the ship.Some would say the non-smoking was the best side and this would happen on the same cruise........Frank

 

So what? If a non-smoker preferred to book a room on the smoking side, he/she could choose to live with the smoke. If a smoker preferred to book a room on the non-smoking side, he/she could choose not to smoke in the cabin or on the balcony, but rather to restrict his/her smoking to public areas.

[Drew B]

These morons are not giving me diseases,burning my clothes, or interferring with the use of my private space for which I paid a good deal of money. They are not making my hair stink, clothes stink nor are they a fire hazzard to the other couple thousand people or so.

Chair hogs are a pain, tacky dressers are well....tacky dressers, booze smugglers are breaking a rule that does not effect me, they have to deal with their own conscience.

 

Uh, aren't chair hogs BY DEFINITION "interferring (sic) with the use of my private space for which I paid a good deal of money"? Or did you not pay to utilize lounge chairs around the pool?

 

The smoking interferes with my bought and paid for vacation in a clean, nice smelling, free from danger, breathable atmosphere.

 

Well, since you CHOSE to buy and pay for a vacation on a cruiseline that permits smoking, I'm not sure why you put it this way. Shouldn't that be "...my bought and paid for vacation in a dirty, foul smelling, dangerous, un-breathable atmosphere"? If that is not what you wish, you should only spend your money on cruiselines that restrict smoking to your preferences.

[DC2OC]

So what? If a non-smoker preferred to book a room on the smoking side, he/she could choose to live with the smoke. If a smoker preferred to book a room on the non-smoking side, he/she could choose not to smoke in the cabin or on the balcony, but rather to restrict his/her smoking to public areas.

 

I agree.I was just jokingly pointing out that a workable solution would still cause complaints...................Frank