Just off the Crown Princess - some thoughts

[heartofamerica]

[quote name='doodlefan'] how come smokers can blow cancer causing smoke in contained areas like the casino and it's deemed okay and us "anti-smokers" get labelled whiners. :eek:[/QUOTE]

I guess it comes from the militant side of the anti-smoking brigades...you know, you are at sea...out on deck with the blue sky above and the wind from the moving ship...and ten zillion parts of 'fresh air' to every one part of smoke but as you pass give one of those disgusted looks and that ever famous "mock cough". I don't smoke in the restaurant or the casino. I don't smoke in my cabin, but I DO smoke on my balcony. And now I hear that the wisp of smoke that makes it 15 feet or so...after being diluted with FAR MORE "fresh air" in the outdoors, has ruined a cruise for my neighbor. I would love for the CDC to do a study that shows how many people get cancer from breathing "second hand smoke" when at least 15 feet away from a person smoking outside.

Also, I thought that you weren't supposed to leave the door to the balcony opened since it could damage the AC.

[drummondcreek]

It is real easy. If you don't like smoke, book with a cruise line that has more restrictive smoking rules. If you smoke, book with the lines that have less restrictive rules. They both exist in varying degrees.
We aren't going to change the cruise industry by fighting about it here. We will by voting with our pocket books. If you don't like the rules, move on.
If you don't like having lots of kids running around, don't book on Disney. If you don't like lots of over weight guys wearing speedos, don't book on Costa. If you don't like loud parties, don't book on Carnival. There are lots of choices out there. You just have to figure out which one suits you. If smoking on Princess is bugging you, move on to RCI.
That is what we are doing, and putting our energy to relaxing and enjoying a great vacation rather than fighting with someone who is smoking with in the rules. Remember the Golden Rule, "he who has the gold rules". You have the gold. Spend it with the cruise line that meets your needs.

[PescadoAmarillo]

[quote name='Clutterlady']Just did some research, and from what I'm reading, all balconies are smoking. It is not restricted to starboard. Don't understand if you're smoking on your balcony and you have your balcony door open, how do you keep the smoke from going into your room????? Yes, I know, keep the door shut:D[/quote]
I stand corrected, and thank you for setting me straight. I have read widely on these boards earlier in the year where the port side balconies were non-smoking, but I just went back and read corrections to those posts. So I won't be booking balcony cabins on RC either.

As for smoking (or other) smells in cruise ship cabins...we've had one cabin in 29 cruises where there was a noticeable smell at all, and that one cabin was horrendous. We kept our luggage in the hallway and insisted we be moved. Turns out, the passenger services deck knew all about that cabin, and did finally assign us a different cabin, at 10:30pm on embarkation day (and this was a full sailing ship over Spring Break - they always have another cabin available. Just might not be as nice as the one you're leaving).

But prior to that cruise (it was number 20 or so), I used to say that cruise ship cabins had NO odors. Now I completely understand what some people say about cabin smell.

[zacc]

[quote name='sidari']Your comparision of smoking to HIV is one of the reasons many people label anti-smokers as whiners.....they use arguments which have no basis..

Tell that to Roy Castle!!!

oh no you cant because he is Dead ...caused through performing in clubs and other places where he had no choice but to breathe in 2nd hand smoke!

Compromise by all means.

C. Blow smoke in my face .... sure if you did that with me, my 3 lads would have you dangling by your ankles over the side...:eek:[/quote]

Truly a mature response! While performing [B][U]may[/U][/B] have contributed to his illness, to assume it was [B][U]the[/U][/B] cause is an opinion and an opinion only since the origin of the problem actually can't be traced. You are also forgeting that he chose his profession so in fact he did have a choice. And since I am far from rude and would never purposely blow smoke in your face......my lads are bigger than your lads:rolleyes:

[chasinraynbowz]

[quote name='B40 Tha Cruisa']You are pretty stedfast about this. Say I was on the balcony next to you, and I asked nicely: Could you please put that out?
Would you:
A. Say sure, if it is bothering you.
B. Say Hit the bricks, go inside, ill smoke if I want.
C. Blow smoke in my face.[/quote]


I, for one, would say "I am sorry" and put out my cigarette. You have asked nicely and there is no reason for me not to. Most smokers (I would hope) when asked nicely will put their cigarette out. Now if I get yelled at or cursed at, all bets are off.

Like I said earlier, being polite works both ways. If I come out on my balcony and see that you are there, I will not light up. If you are not there, I will. If you do happen to come out, I can either put my cig out or ask you to give me a few minutes. I am happy, you are happy and we can get on with our wonderful vacation.

Unfortunately, you will find very strong opinions on both sides of the fence. Its really too bad we all can't just work together.

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

[quote name='teripp']D. Come up with a compromise.(especially if you were nice) :)
If you expected me not to smoke [U]every[/U] time you were outside then how fair is that to me ?(or anyone else) I would very readily not smoke as much when you were on the balcony or try to smoke when there was no one in your balcony. Then I would have no problem. Compromise is the key. I think I was steadfast because the poster was. I was just copying his (or her...)style... I am told that I am a very courtous smoker so I would not be the issue. I just get annoyed with people who believe it is their right and only their right to do what they want with out compromise at all.[/quote]

I can deal with that... :)

[sidari]

Zacc.....in Roy Castles case it was determined that his illness and Cancer was caused from 2nd hand smoke as was his death!

and in the 60s he would not have known as many didnt at that time that his love of music and performing in smoke filled clubs would in the end kill him...if he had i am sure he would have gone elsewhere.


......my lads are bigger than your lads

didnt realise it was pantomime season.....:D

[cleavesteam]

[quote name='willysgrandma']This is one of my very few complaints about Princess. I can't imagine why they are so behind the times with this - it was very annoying to have to go to the desk to ask for printouts of our invoice. We had an awful time getting receipts for drinks onboard, even though we asked for one every time we gave them our card. Princess does need to step up to the plate with this.

We did the Crown out of San Juan and I have to say, there were many more smokers on that cruise than I've seen on other ships. I think it is because many of the passengers were not from the US and smoking is more prevalent in other countries. We were lucky because our cabin didn't have any smoking odor, but we did note a lot more smokers on deck and especially in the lounges.

Right now, with the US $ at such a low, it is a bargain for people who live outside the US to cruise. Since we US residents are the ones who are more anti-smoking than other countries, you will probably notice a lot more smoking now on ships than in years past.[/quote]I love everything about Princess but the internet situation is my BIGGEST complaint. Not only is it unavailable in the rooms, but trying to get your laptop to work in the internet center is next to impossible even if you follow the directions to the letter. And of course there is no administrator there to assist you.

[F355c5]

[quote name='drummondcreek']It is real easy. If you don't like smoke, book with a cruise line that has more restrictive smoking rules. If you smoke, book with the lines that have less restrictive rules. They both exist in varying degrees.
We aren't going to change the cruise industry by fighting about it here. We will by voting with our pocket books. If you don't like the rules, move on.
If you don't like having lots of kids running around, don't book on Disney. If you don't like lots of over weight guys wearing speedos, don't book on Costa. If you don't like loud parties, don't book on Carnival. There are lots of choices out there. You just have to figure out which one suits you. If smoking on Princess is bugging you, move on to RCI.
That is what we are doing, and putting our energy to relaxing and enjoying a great vacation rather than fighting with someone who is smoking with in the rules. Remember the Golden Rule, "he who has the gold rules". You have the gold. Spend it with the cruise line that meets your needs.[/QUOTE]

Given up ? Glad to hear it --Enjoy RCI== It's No princess LOL LOL

[drummondcreek]

given up isn't the word for it. We enjoyed most of our cruises on Princess. Just time to move on. We moved to Princess because we were attracted by their anytime dining. Now that isn't a big deal for us.
Doesn't mean Princess is wrong, just not right for us anymore.
RCI's Azamara has a pretty strong limited smoking policy. That looks pretty attactive to us so we are going to give it a shot.
I'm sure Princess won't miss us!

[CRUZIN 4 SUN]

[B]I do not smoke[/B], but I can shed some light on this issue. All throughout college (I was on the 7 year plan:eek: ) I waited tables in all kinds of restaurants. We would fight over the smoking sections because:
SMOKERS
1. ordered many more alcoholic drinks = better tips
2. ordered more appetizers and desserts = better tips
3. were more tolerant when the food came out slow or things went wrong = better tips
4. took up the table twice as long as non-smokers = better tips
5. regular diners would request a waiter that took great care of them = better tips

NON-SMOKERS
1. ordered iced tea and water (or my favorite: water with extra lemons and sugar packets to save 2 bucks)
2. ordered just an entree and sometimes split 1 entree between 2 people
3. were pain in the a**es when the food came out slow or things went wrong and complained about everything in an effort to get a comp.
4. usually were accompanied by p.i.t.a. kids that caused us to work twice as hard for half the money
5. tip approx. 2/3 of what smokers tip percentage wise

I can go on and on about this, but you get the picture.

even though I hate smoking and it makes me sick to be around smokers, I bet a ship 50% full of smokers and 50% empty makes much more profit than a ship 100% full of non-smokers.

It's pure dollars and cents for the cruiselines and it won't change in our lifetime. Sorry, but it's the truth.

[NthernLgts]

[quote name='sidari']F355c5...My point is non smoking ships fail. It must have eluded you.


drummondcreek...Their smaller line, similar to Oceanea, Azamara is smoke free other than in two designated smoking areas. No cabins, no balconies, not even in the casino.

seems like almost non smoking ships do not fail!![/quote]

It is way too premature to suggest that either Oceania or Azamara can be declared a success. They both are more in the "jury is out" stage. The CEO of Oceania has already had one run at a non-smoking line and couldnt make it work. It is also fair to note that both of these lines run a very limited number of ships compared to Princess, RCI, or Carnival. Having said that, the ball is in the non-smokers court to make sure they do succeed. This is their opportunity (again) to have an entire cruise line basically be smoke free if non-smokers are willing to show they will support one.

[zed]

There were 5, maybe 6 elipticals and maybe another 5 maybe that had the feet movement but no arm movement. The majority were treadmills and bikes from what I can remember. All the elipticals are stacked to one side of the room near the weights.

I really went at random times. The worst time = mornings, especially mornings of at sea days and toward the end of the cruise when I think people started to feel a bit guilty about all the good food they had consumed.

I had no problems in the early afternoons. Seems most were either still out shopping or at the pool or taking naps etc.


[quote name='Familycruzer11']Sorry to interrupt the smoke/no smoke exchange - but I have a question for the OP..

What time did you try to use the gym? Only 5 ellipticals ?? It my favorite exercise and I am really counting on it so I can otherwise indulge..

Were there smokers in the gym?... okay - just kidding, but I am concerned about best time to go to the gym to get an elliptical..

thx![/quote]

[looking-glassgirl]

Duplicate post

[looking-glassgirl]

[quote name='CruiseDuck']We're booked in this same cabin (B749) for a B2B in April. I have cruised Princess many times before and have never had a cabin that smelled like smoke. I'm hoping that they have taken care of the problem by the time we board. I do not mind people enjoying a smoke on their balcony I just do not want to smell it in my cabin....

Did you you enjoy the extra large balcony? How was the movement in the cabin?

Thanks for the tip about the Wi-Fi in San Juan. Did you pick it up in the cabin or on the balcony?

How was the bed in the cabin? Comfortable or do we need an egg crate?[/quote]

Hi - I am the OP's wife, and other than the smoke, really enjoyed B749. (It either got better as the week went on, or I got used to it.) I think you will really like this cabin. The balcony is amazing, , because you can see off the back and the side. I wish there was a chaise lounger, because it is big enough for it, but we had 4 chairs and 2 little tables. We did the Ultimate Balcony Dining out there which was worth every penny.

There were one or two nights that I woke up and it was a little rocky. Just feels like really light airplane turbulence to me. We never got sick, but the last night we both felt it the most on route back to San Juan. We were able to fall back asleep though. It is a little noisy being on the back when you pull into port - don't know how loud it was elsewhere - nothing intolerable though.

I liked the beds, mostly because the duvet. Might be too hard for some, but I slept like a baby.

We were able to pick up the Wi-fi on the balcony and in the room at the desk, because it is close to the balcony.

Also loved the closet area in this room.

I attached a pic which isn't the greatest but will give you some idea of the balcony.

[dog]

Is B749 cabin and balcony on the Crown the same as C752 on the Grand, Golden & Star and also C752 or C753 on the Crown?

[englishharbours]

[quote name='heartofamerica'] I would love for the CDC to do a study that shows how many people get cancer from breathing "second hand smoke" when at least 15 feet away from a person smoking outside. [/quote]

Well, I guess you could start with my Mom, who never smoked a day in her life, but got lung cancer from my Dad's second-hand smoke, who used to smoke [U][I][B]in the garage[/B][/I][/U] in our house, when she was in the living room 50 feet away. I'll be happy to send you a copy of the Dr.'s report, since you obviously don't believe this happens in real life.

What the smokers are missing here, is that any other habit, be it gambling, eating, drinking, etc., doesn't impinge [B]on the health[/B] of any others besides themselves. And yes, even smoke 15 feet away irritates those that have allergies.

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

[quote name='heartofamerica']I guess it comes from the militant side of the anti-smoking brigades...you know, you are at sea...out on deck with the blue sky above and the wind from the moving ship...and ten zillion parts of 'fresh air' to every one part of smoke but as you pass give one of those disgusted looks and that ever famous "mock cough". I don't smoke in the restaurant or the casino. I don't smoke in my cabin, but I DO smoke on my balcony. And now I hear that the wisp of smoke that makes it 15 feet or so...after being diluted with FAR MORE "fresh air" in the outdoors, has ruined a cruise for my neighbor. [COLOR=red]I would love for the CDC to do a study that shows how many people get cancer from breathing "second hand smoke" when at least 15 feet away from a person smoking outside. [/COLOR]

Also, I thought that you weren't supposed to leave the door to the balcony opened since it could damage the AC.[/quote]

LOL are you kidding? What did you think second hand smoke was? You certainly don't have to be standing right next to the smoker...

[cruzfiend]

[quote name='CRUZIN 4 SUN'][B]I do not smoke[/B], but I can shed some light on this issue. All throughout college (I was on the 7 year plan:eek: ) I waited tables in all kinds of restaurants. We would fight over the smoking sections because:
SMOKERS
1. ordered many more alcoholic drinks = better tips
2. ordered more appetizers and desserts = better tips
3. were more tolerant when the food came out slow or things went wrong = better tips
4. took up the table twice as long as non-smokers = better tips
5. regular diners would request a waiter that took great care of them = better tips

NON-SMOKERS
1. ordered iced tea and water (or my favorite: water with extra lemons and sugar packets to save 2 bucks)
2. ordered just an entree and sometimes split 1 entree between 2 people
3. were pain in the a**es when the food came out slow or things went wrong and complained about everything in an effort to get a comp.
4. usually were accompanied by p.i.t.a. kids that caused us to work twice as hard for half the money
5. tip approx. 2/3 of what smokers tip percentage wise

I can go on and on about this, but you get the picture.

even though I hate smoking and it makes me sick to be around smokers, I bet a ship 50% full of smokers and 50% empty makes much more profit than a ship 100% full of non-smokers.

It's pure dollars and cents for the cruiselines and it won't change in our lifetime. Sorry, but it's the truth.[/QUOTE]

I know you are right, but I wonder why? Do you think it's BECAUSE they smoke, that they are more tolerant and generous?:confused:
I'm a non-smoker and you pegged me right on (except the sugar in the water). I do have to say, I tip [B]at least[/B] 20%

[criuisingurl079]

We had b749 for our Honeymoon on the Crown last June, what a wonderful room and trip! We loved the Crown, our fav ship yet!

We were always RCCL fans, but got bored, not to mention the ships were getting the to crowded feel, b'c all there was to do was walk the promenade with the other 3,000+ people. We tried Princess and Loved it! My parents, same thing, and hated it, so to each their own!

Happy Sails!