Will Hal Follow ?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Celebrity restricts smoking to one side of the ship, both on the outside public decks and the lounges and Casino. This really helps in the Casino. I'm not saying it eliminates the problems for non-smokers completely, but it sure does help. And I always make sure I walk the right side of the ship to avoid smoke in the public areas where it is allowed.

 

I gave up smoking at 25 so all these years later I still understand how people feel about their right to smoke if they choose. And while I don't want to be anywhere near smoke, I absolutely think it's over the top to disallow smoking in outdoor areas. There's just a limit.

 

But I do think they can make some restrictions as to what outside areas you can smoke so that those who want to avoid it, can.

 

We all know Carnival tried a non-smoking ship ... didn't work.

[eh2zed]

As whole countries, states, provinces, cities, individual employers and business owners all over the world are banning or putting on severe restrictions on smoking, the cruise lines are simply doing it as well to reflect societal standards. Second hand smoke because of particle size is thought to be very harmful. The majority of people are wanting smoke free environments and yes even on beaches.

This societal shift is ongoing, gaining momemtum and likely will result in many more restrictions. Further restrictions on cruise ships is simply good business, nothwithstanding it may disenchant some.

Empirical evidence shows that businesses that went smoke free prior to government restrictions have fared better than those who did it begrudgingly afterwards. I think cruise lines know this and it won't surprise me if one or another goes smoke free all together. The first one out on this will reap great rewards I would guess. This is the experience in other hospitality related fields. Followers do not do as well.

The transition is difficult and fraught with much debate and I feel sorry particularly for WW veterans who were provided cigarettes as part of their rations and have been hooked for most of their lives as well as for those who got hooked by the glamour ads of the 50's and 60's. I am not so concerned about those who got hooked more recently in spite of the known risks.

[gooselace]

Celebrity restricts smoking to one side of the ship, both on the outside public decks and the lounges and Casino. This really helps in the Casino. I'm not saying it eliminates the problems for non-smokers completely, but it sure does help. And I always make sure I walk the right side of the ship to avoid smoke in the public areas where it is allowed.

 

I gave up smoking at 25 so all these years later I still understand how people feel about their right to smoke if they choose. And while I don't want to be anywhere near smoke, I absolutely think it's over the top to disallow smoking in outdoor areas. There's just a limit.

 

But I do think they can make some restrictions as to what outside areas you can smoke so that those who want to avoid it, can.

 

We all know Carnival tried a non-smoking ship ... didn't work.

 

Although I have stopped smoking at times - to visit certain states such as Oregon where there are apparently no areas where smoking is permitted - and to travel with a non-smoking friend, I do look forward to being able to smoke on cruises with my cruise buddy who also smokes.

We are both "old ladies" and are curteous about where and when we smoke.

 

In the past on HAL we particulaly enjoyed smoking in the small Lido area, now forbidden. On sea days there was an portion of the Crow's Nest for smokers. We both enjoyed a pre or post dinner cigarette while I had a drink in the Explorers lounge smoking area near the dining room. And later in the evening there were a couple of lounges with smoking areas. These are now either eliminated or even more limited. So in December we plan to smoke primarily on our balcony. But I do understand that smoke travels whichever way the wind is blowing.

But I don't understand why HAL, instead of prohibiting smoking in cabins and on balconies, can't limit this to one side of the ship, at least for the near future, until all of us smokers die. Those who worry that their cabin might have residual smoke should be satisfied. Smoke and ashes from balconies wouldn't be drifting around or across the ship. My buddy and I wouldn't have to wander around for an hour trying to locate the one lounge that allows smoking and is open at the time (admittedly this only happened last fall on Princess, but I'm anticipating it on HAL this next trip).

[blackbird71]

Just a drive by post :D

 

I just canceled my $10,000 two week Oz to NZ cruise on RSSC Mariner. And by this weekend a post on a forum dealing mainly with RSSC cruiser say 18 full World Cruise passengers have canceled. They listed over $1,000,000 in lost $$ within two days of RSSC notice.

 

RSSC is not HAL and IMHO this may sink the line.

 

It is one thing to say you can not smoke for one hour in a restaurant, another to say you can not smoke in your bedroom.

[RuthlessBoss]

What is ridiculous about this? I think that it is terrible that people can smoke on beaches. The last thing I want when I am relaxing on a beach is to be bothered by cigarette odor. People go to the beach to relax and breath fresh air (especially us city folks). One person smoking on a beach impacts everybody all around them. Also, many smokers on the beach then discard their butt into the sand which in addition to negating the beauty of the beach is also quite hazardous for the environment (i.e. birds eating the butts and being poisoned). Smoking in crowded areas (i.e. beaches, street festivals, parades) are as bad as smoking in bars and restaurants. It will not be long before most communities have such bans. Within 5-10 years smoking will be restricted to isolated areas where non-smokers do not have to suffer as a result of people choosing to purchase and use a highly toxic substance.

I hope your preaching is DONE! I'm so sorry you got that emphysema, asthma, and lung cancer from the few puffs of smoke you've inhaled over time!;)

[Gonzo70]

I hope your preaching is DONE! I'm so sorry you got that emphysema, asthma, and lung cancer from the few puffs of smoke you've inhaled over time!;)

 

I didn't know I was preaching. No, I don't have emphysema or asthma. My grandmother does have serious emphysema and never smoked a day in her life, but was exposed to a lot of seond-hand smoke. I don't think that sticking up for clean. non-toxic air is preaching.

[Gonzo70]

Just a drive by post :D

 

I just canceled my $10,000 two week Oz to NZ cruise on RSSC Mariner. And by this weekend a post on a forum dealing mainly with RSSC cruiser say 18 full World Cruise passengers have canceled. They listed over $1,000,000 in lost $$ within two days of RSSC notice.

 

RSSC is not HAL and IMHO this may sink the line.

 

It is one thing to say you can not smoke for one hour in a restaurant, another to say you can not smoke in your bedroom.

 

Sure they will lose bookings, but they will likely gain even more! Unfortunately they are out of my price range, but otherwise would certainly be looking to book them based on this new policy.

[eh2zed]

Sure they will lose bookings, but they will likely gain even more! Unfortunately they are out of my price range, but otherwise would certainly be looking to book them based on this new policy.

 

Gonzo70 I think is right. There will be a shake out and many will cancel but long term its a good marketing strategy. Likely more will be attracted compared to those that cancel and go elsewhere. Marketing experts watch the trends and adjust their product accordingly in measured steps. Just another next step that others are likely to follow. No cruise line will want to be very far behind the rest on this issue. Its just good business. IMO.

[TedC]

Just a drive by post :D

 

I just canceled my $10,000 two week Oz to NZ cruise on RSSC Mariner. And by this weekend a post on a forum dealing mainly with RSSC cruiser say 18 full World Cruise passengers have canceled. They listed over $1,000,000 in lost $$ within two days of RSSC notice.

 

RSSC is not HAL and IMHO this may sink the line.

 

It is one thing to say you can not smoke for one hour in a restaurant, another to say you can not smoke in your bedroom.

 

Blackbird,

 

I read the post on LCT and "dougburns" stated 12 full WC cruieers have cancelled as well as a couple who were doing two segments. Perhaps you hit a wrong number key - if that was the post you referenced.

 

Do you know anyone who has stopped flying commercialy since the no-smoking ban went into effect? And, just as on planes, you can smoke when you leave a ship in a port. And you can also smoke in designated areas on the ship.

[sail7seas]

If losing $1,000,000 in bookings sinks them, I think they were deeply underwater to begin with. They should be able to absorb that. There are other people who will decide to book with them BECAUSE they made this decision.

 

I'm not knocking $1,000,000 but really......it would be very worrisome if that put them over the edge.

[Gonzo70]

If losing $1,000,000 in bookings sinks them, I think they were deeply underwater to begin with. They should be able to absorb that. There are other people who will decide to book with them BECAUSE they made this decision.

 

I'm not knocking $1,000,000 but really......it would be very worrisome if that put them over the edge.

 

They are owned by Carlson Companies which is one of the world's largest privately owned companies. They have been around for about 70 years. I think that $1,000,000 is likely chump change for them. I certainly plan to try and utilize their brands as my way of thanking them for being among the industry leaders in initiating fair smoke-free policies.

[sail7seas]

Sounds good to me. :) Thanks for the info about Carlson.

[kakalina]

At some point, that's probably what I will do. Smoking is becoming such a hassle anymore. But I hate to have to quit because "society" ... as in the cruise industry ... tells me I have to. I think the best chance of success is when you quit because you WANT to ... not because you feel you are being forced.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Well girl, we did it! We have been smoke free going on our third week!!!:eek: I can't wait to take my next cruise as a non smoker and not have to worry about where I can and can't be, or weather I am bothering others. The new freedom from nicotine is wonderful. :D

[kakalina]

duplicate post

[RuthlessBoss]

Blackbird,

 

I read the post on LCT and "dougburns" stated 12 full WC cruieers have cancelled as well as a couple who were doing two segments. Perhaps you hit a wrong number key - if that was the post you referenced.

 

Do you know anyone who has stopped flying commercialy since the no-smoking ban went into effect? And, just as on planes, you can smoke when you leave a ship in a port. And you can also smoke in designated areas on the ship.

Well, I can fly to the airport and have a ciggy when I get off that 2-3 hour flight. I'll have one before I get on the ship, then have another 1-2 days later at a port, then I can have one when we disembark. In between, I can wake up, get dressed, find a smoking area, go back to the room awhile, go back to the smoking area somewhere on the ship, go back to the room. Now, can you understand what the smoker is feeling? You and others cannot compare airplane travel with long term travel.

[Gonzo70]

Well girl, we did it! We have been smoke free going on our third week!!!:eek: I can't wait to take my next cruise as a non smoker and not have to worry about where I can and can't be, or weather I am bothering others. The new freedom from nicotine is wonderful. :D

 

 

That is great! Congratties on your decision to quit smoking and your success so far. I am sure you will feel a lot better. :)

[sail7seas]

Congratulations, Kakalina. Good going.

 

You have done yourselves the best thing possible. Wishing you continued success with your 'quit'. Three weeks is an excellent start.

[zaandam_2]

i decided i could no longer sail with hal when the ban on smoking at the main pool was put in effect. it was my favorite spot on the ship.

[gooselace]

i decided i could no longer sail with hal when the ban on smoking at the main pool was put in effect. it was my favorite spot on the ship.

 

Hope you've checked out the Grand closely. We were on the Star Princess in Sept. and there was no smoking on the Lido deck (or whatever Princess calla it) at all. We had been told there were ample smoking areas in the lounges etc. Not true - the ones that allowed smoking were rarely open in the afternoon, and when they supposedly were no ashtrays were in evidence. My Platinum cruisebuddy knew where they were kept; would get one while I got the drinks from another lounge. The casino bar only seemed to allow smoking at the bar, not the tables.

 

We were SO looking forward to being back on the Westerdam in December, and now very much fear it will be a similar experience.

[kryos]

Well girl, we did it! We have been smoke free going on our third week!!!:eek: I can't wait to take my next cruise as a non smoker and not have to worry about where I can and can't be, or weather I am bothering others. The new freedom from nicotine is wonderful. :D

Congratulations to the both of you! And you are most definitely right ... being a non-smoker is gonna make your cruising experiences much more enjoyable since you won't have to worry about where you can and cannot smoke.

 

As I said to you before, I probably won't be that far behind you. I just have to get up the motivation to want to quit.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

i decided i could no longer sail with hal when the ban on smoking at the main pool was put in effect. it was my favorite spot on the ship.

It's funny, but I think a lot of people feel that way. I've heard more flack over losing that one area on the ship than about any other spot that went smoke-free.

 

Our group on the Veendam could all deal with the alternating nights in the casino (including those people who tended to spend a lot of time there), but losing that small area under the magrodome was the one thing that absolutely devastated us. That was the primo social gathering spot for smokers and without that, our cruise experience was most definitely impacted. The aft deck is just not the same.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[sail7seas]

kryos wrote:

As I said to you before, I probably won't be that far behind you. I just have to get up the motivation to want to quit.

 

 

You may find it the most liberating thing you can do for yourself. Try it. What is there to lose? Good luck.

 

[kryos]

It is one thing to say you can not smoke for one hour in a restaurant, another to say you can not smoke in your bedroom.

To not be able to smoke in my cabin would be a deal breaker for me. I can deal with restrictions in certain public areas of the ship ... I may not like them, but I can deal with them. But if I was told that I had to go searching for a place to enjoy a cigarette in the middle of the night when I wake up and can't fall back to sleep, well ... frankly, I'd rather just stay home than go cruising.

 

I am somewhat baffled by RSSC's actions here. Maybe there might be some validity to prohibiting smoking on balconies ... the smoke could bother people on adjoining balconies. But why RSSC should restrict people from enjoying a cigarette in the privacy of their stateroom or suite is beyond me.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Marmarjudy]

I thought exactly the same thing until I got a balcony cabin the first time. I was very surprised by how much I could smell the smoke' date=' it drifts with the wind to the cabins above and behind. I thought it would be dissipated much more than it is. I also was surprised to find that there was quite a bit of flying ash. My neighbors did use ashtrays but it gets very windy out there and the ashes would end up on my balcony table and chairs. A few times we also found butts in the morning.

 

Did it ruin my cruise? Nope. But it definitely made me limit my time on my balcony and made the time I did spend there less comfortable. I did not confront my neighbors and ask them not to smoke when I was out there. It is allowed by the cruiseline so they are within their rights.

 

I thought I would post in reply to your question, hopefully in a friendly, non-aggressive manner, to provide information. I'm sure smokers are not intentionally being inconsiderate but rather not aware of how much the smoke and ash does indeed carry to other balconies.[/quote']

 

Thanks for the reasonable post. We are polite smokers. I actually watch the wind direction when I'm on the balcony and butts are never out of place. I have asked balcony neighbors if it bothers them, as I also do in the casino, etc. We NEVER smoke in non smoking areas of the ship or any non smoking land location.

 

We know it's a horrible habit, but it's also an addiction. We've tried, can't break it yet, and we'll keep trying. But, right now, it's our choice.

 

Now if only others would watch how much perfume/cologne they apply so I don't get an instant migraine from that odor, we could all cruise happily together. I've had to leave my balcony because of THAT!

 

Judy

[kakalina]

Judy , if you are truly interested in quitting there is a wonder drug just out called Chantix. That is what my Dr prescribed for me and it is a miracle. I have smoked a pack a day for over 40 years and I haven't even wanted one since my quit date. It's good stuff. Pricey, but then so were cigarettes.