Official : Celebrity Revamps Smoking Policy Effective 10/1/08

[gregg4]

It's about time. Thank you Celebrity!!!!!

[warmwinds]

Although I think it is wonderful (I'm an ex-smoker, the worst kind of non-smoker) I really do think they should have announced this when they just recently came out with their 2009 itineraries - even though it's not being implemented until October, many people bought their airfare, planned their cruise, took their vacation time with one set of rules - and now the rug is being pulled out from under them.

 

I really don't think it was fair to allow you to sign on thinking one thing and then changing it. If they had done it, like I said, with an announcement when their new itineraries were first coming out that it would start with those bookings, a smoker could have made an informed choice as to whether he wanted to book with Celebrity.

 

If I were a smoker I would be pretty upset. Again, NOT that it is being implemented, but that it is being implemented AFTER a smoker already made a reservation.

[Iggipolka]

Yeay! Fantastic news!

[suz1607]

I just called Celebrity and cancelled three cruises this year so there are some good rooms "up for grabs"! I am really sorry to end a 23 cruise relationship with Celebrity but I smoke,

[marle7]

I just called Celebrity and cancelled three cruises this year so there are some good rooms "up for grabs"! I am really sorry to end a 23 cruise relationship with Celebrity but I smoke,

 

I am about to as well. 3 Royal Suites on three Celebrity cruises.

[zalusky]

I just called Celebrity and cancelled three cruises this year so there are some good rooms "up for grabs"! I am really sorry to end a 23 cruise relationship with Celebrity but I smoke,

 

Thanks for doing that.

[hajekfam]

I knew that it was coming - I figured they were rethinking the policy after the survey we received. It sure took them long enough to do it.

Was anyone else asked to take part in the smoking survey late last year or early this year - not sure exactly when it came out but I am thinking late last year after our Nov-Dec cruises. They asked our opinion on smoking in the cabin, on the balcony, in the lounges, etc. Glad to see they implemented it - I guess enough of us responded to ban smoking in cabins and balconies.

[herb]

it'll be interesting to see how the sales of balcony cabins goes now, since I think many guests chose the balcony cabins as a quick get-away for a smoke instead of the ability to enjoy the open seas.

[zalusky]

I am really glad to see the lounge restriction. I would imagine Rendevous will be non-smoking as it is a pass-through to the restaurant.

 

They said port side of one lounge per ship. I am wondering if they are primarily referring to the upper forward lounge (it seems to have multiple names). However it is a large lounge with many events so it could lead to complaints. There are the little lounges such as the one by the martini bar but its out in the open.

 

Too bad its not laid out more like the princess ships with more lounges.

[gracecarmo]

this calls for a celebration. We will be on the Sept.19-Oct 3 voyage on the Infinity...(I wish we were in on the "non smoking group":mad: ) We do not have a balcony for this Alaskan cruise, but do have a connecting cabin, one of the CS's....hope there are non smokers next door.

 

I wonder how the casino will work out....I read that only the slot machines will be restricted by area?

 

On our last cruise on the Connie this past Feb. there were not really a lot of smokers that I noticed, however, I did notice drifting smoke while on the balcony every afternoon.

 

Thanks Celebrity!:)

[Spender Nui]

I'm glad to hear this. I do wonder about enforcement. How will it be policed?

 

Will the cabin stewards turn in their passengers? I doubt it.

 

Will balcony passengers turn in their neighbors and run the risk of a confrontation? If so how will the offense be confirmed?

 

Will we have unpleasantness between passengers?

 

I all for it and hope it works although I anticipate problems.

[Drew B]

The new policy, created after Celebrity polled past guests, will result in a cleaner, fresher and healthier environment on Celebrity's ships. Designated indoor areas where guests can smoke cigarettes include the port side of one lounge per ship and a designated slot machine area in each ship's casino. The new policy also designates outdoor areas where guests can smoke. These include the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on each ship, the port side of the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Century and on Celebrity's Millennium class of ships, and the port side aft outside of Winter Garden on Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Mercury. Celebrity's new Solstice class of ships, launching with Celebrity Solstice late this year, will follow the new policy beginning with the first sailing. Celebrity Solstice's Lawn Club and the Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking. Violations to Celebrity's smoking policy may result in a $250 cleaning fee charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through the line's guest conduct policy.

 

 

Good for them. I imagine this will silence those who claim that Celebrity is the smoker's line...

 

I doubt I will sail Celebrity any more. I always said that I can live with restricting smoking anywhere on the ship EXCEPT for the casino tables. And the idea of allowing smoking in a slot area only is just silly.

 

a) the smoke will drift from that area all over the casino, anyway, and

 

b) they stand to lose some of the biggest gamblers if they can't smoke at the table

 

I'm hoping that, if and when X sees a MONUMENTAL DECLINE in casino revenues, they will rethink this change, and I'll be able to sail them again. If not, I wish those of you that do the very best.

[Cruisenouvelle]

Hurray !!!! It's wonderful news.... IF they enforce. I personally will have no problems ratting out a passenger in violation....it'll "make my day".

[zalusky]

Good for them. I imagine this will silence those who claim that Celebrity is the smoker's line...

 

I doubt I will sail Celebrity any more. I always said that I can live with restricting smoking anywhere on the ship EXCEPT for the casino tables. And the idea of allowing smoking in a slot area only is just silly.

 

a) the smoke will drift from that area all over the casino, anyway, and

 

b) they stand to lose some of the biggest gamblers if they can't smoke at the table

 

I'm hoping that, if and when X sees a MONUMENTAL DECLINE in casino revenues, they will rethink this change, and I'll be able to sail them again. If not, I wish those of you that do the very best.

 

Actually I have been drifting away to the competition lately. This might just bring me back.

[Drew B]

Are you a big gambler, zalusky?

[Eliger]

Great news!!!

We were thinking about not booking balconies anymore because of the smoking coming from neighbors. But now, I'm looking forward to cruising with a smoke-free balcony. :D

 

Gerry

[Karynanne]

I'm one that is happy that smoking won't be allowed at the tables in the Casino. And I do spend quite a lot of time in the Casino.

[Drew B]

If they are able to maintain their revenues with this change in policy, more power to them. I genuinely AM happy for those for whom this will provide a more satisfying vacation.

[zalusky]

Are you a big gambler, zalusky?

 

:) Good one - Let's just say I am betting this will work just like the bans in various states and Countries for that matter.

 

I have deliberately stayed out of the casinos to the point of going up a level to avoid even walking through them. Now I might venture in.

[kitty9]

Good for them. I imagine this will silence those who claim that Celebrity is the smoker's line...

 

I doubt I will sail Celebrity any more. I always said that I can live with restricting smoking anywhere on the ship EXCEPT for the casino tables. And the idea of allowing smoking in a slot area only is just silly.

 

a) the smoke will drift from that area all over the casino, anyway, and

 

b) they stand to lose some of the biggest gamblers if they can't smoke at the table

 

I'm hoping that, if and when X sees a MONUMENTAL DECLINE in casino revenues, they will rethink this change, and I'll be able to sail them again. If not, I wish those of you that do the very best.

 

 

I have to respectfully disagree with you, Drew. Celebrity started a pilot program of the highly restrictive smoking on Summit's casino last year. I spoke at length with both the casino manager and the head pit boss and they both said that if X saw an appreciable decline in revenue in the casino, they would not implement the policy fleet wide. On that Summit cruise, 14 day Panama Canal, the casino was packed, you couldn't get a seat at tables and they didn't seem to be hurt by the new policy. And, they did enforce this with signs all over the casino, and staff nicely reminding the patrons of this new policy. I play the tables and every single dealer said they loved the new policy---many said that the smoke did bother them and it was nice to work without someone blowing smoke in their face. When we sailed on Constellation in early January, of course they didn't have the same policy as Summit. When I spoke to those staff members, they all said that the policy was working very well on Summit and they predicted that it would be fleet wide in the near future. The pit boss, Jacqui, said that Summit actually saw an increase in revenue in the casino in the months the policy was in effect. So it does appear that with their test ship, the restrictive smoking policy didn't affect the bottom line. And, you could not smell smoke drifting over from the bank of machines where smoking was allowed, unless you were sitting right there.

[herb]

It'll be interesting to see how the European market reacts to this news.

[ionsys]

At the outset, maybe a raft of cancellations for a few weeks by smokers who cherished their verandas

 

But that should easily be offset by a whole host of non smoking folks who have either been on other more lenient lines or are first time cruisers.

 

net net I seriously doubt that Solstice or Equinox for eg will experience weak bookings--quite the opposite--now they stand out more and are differentiated

[Ichiban Nekko]

I am a reformed (the worst kind) smokers and am positively thrilled with RCCL and X going forward with this initiative. This will have DH and I looking again more carefully at itineraries offered by X in the future.

 

As for possible revenue declines as a result of the new policy, I seem to recall hearing and reading about the same kind of discussions when municipalities, states and, probably, countries (such as Ireland) went non-smoking which included bars and pubs.

 

Oh, oh. This is going to make the Casino wayyyyyy too attractive.;)

[zalusky]

It'll be interesting to see how the European market reacts to this news.

 

http://www.epha.org/a/1941 - Smoking bans by European Country

 

If you look at the country wide bans now spreading across Italy, Ireland, GBR, even France is jumping in. I don't see it as a big deal.

 

Asia still has a pretty high percentage and will take a while.

[C 2 C]

But that should easily be offset by a whole host of non smoking folks who have either been on other more lenient lines or are first time cruisers.

 

The latest statistics indicate that about 80% of the population (N America) does not smoke. I've long wondered why 20% of the population should dictate a policy that affects the other 80% in a negative way. Any loss of revenue will be offset by lower maintenance cost and probably insurance costs.