Smokers who have booked?

[marle7]

I think if they had left the balconies alone, this would have been a non issue for most smokers.

[coffeebean]

I really don't understand how smoking on your balcony is any different from smoking around the pool or in the casino......except that you are effecting more people at the pool and casino and only 'your next door neighbors' on your balcony.

 

Come on now, think about what you have just said. Think long and hard. OK, it still doesn't penetrate???

 

Folks pay dearly for their balcony cabins and love to sit out there in the clean fresh air, listening to and watching the water. It's not a nice experience if one has to smell and inhale second hand smoke from their neighbor. Hence, the balcony does not get used when the neighbor is polluting the surrounding air.

 

Folks do not pay extra for the deck chairs at the pool. If a non smoker does not want to be subjected to second hand smoke in the pool area, he/she can go to their balcony where the air is guaranteed to be clean and fresh and smelling like the salt air.

 

Non smokers can elect to stay out of the casino if they wish. Again, folks do not pay extra for the use of the casino, hence no harm done if the smokers puff away there.

[Davey Interweb]

I think if they had left the balconies alone, this would have been a non issue for most smokers.

 

And you're probably mostly right. I'm not a smoker, but I'm still bitter over this decision because my mate is. RCI's own policy was perfect, I think, since I won't tolerate smoking in my stateroom to begin with and we've always booked a balcony anyway.

 

Celebrity is still my favorite mainstream line (barely), and aside from an Azamara sailing we have coming up, I fear I'm pretty much done with them simply out of necessity.

 

When Dan Hanrahan, in his infinite focus-group wisdom, claims that "approximately 90% of [our guests] have told us they are non-smokers", he seems to be forgetting their guests who happen to be married to or partnered with a smoker. Whoops.

[blong2200]

Come on now, think about what you have just said. Think long and hard. OK, it still doesn't penetrate???

 

Folks pay dearly for their balcony cabins and love to sit out there in the clean fresh air, listening to and watching the water. It's not a nice experience if one has to smell and inhale second hand smoke from their neighbor. Hence, the balcony does not get used when the neighbor is polluting the surrounding air.

 

Folks do not pay extra for the deck chairs at the pool. If a non smoker does not want to be subjected to second hand smoke in the pool area, he/she can go to their balcony where the air is guaranteed to be clean and fresh and smelling like the salt air.

 

Non smokers can elect to stay out of the casino if they wish. Again, folks do not pay extra for the use of the casino, hence no harm done if the smokers puff away there.

 

COFFEEBEAN: I pay the same amount of money for my balcony as you do and if I want to sit on the balcony and drink my coffee, read a book, and smoke a cigarette I should be able to do that. I think all the smokers are asking for is a balcony to smoke on. Can't we have smoking balconies on one side of ship and non smoking on the other, then everyone would be satisfied and X would make alot more money from book who have booked inside and outsides without balconies who now would want a balcony cabin so they could smoke IN PEACE!

[marle7]

And you're probably mostly right. I'm not a smoker, but I'm still bitter over this decision because my mate is. RCI's own policy was perfect, I think, since I won't tolerate smoking in my stateroom to begin with and we've always booked a balcony anyway.

 

Celebrity is still my favorite mainstream line (barely), and aside from an Azamara sailing we have coming up, I fear I'm pretty much done with them simply out of necessity.

 

When Dan Hanrahan, in his infinite focus-group wisdom, claims that "approximately 90% of [our guests] have told us they are non-smokers", he seems to be forgetting their guests who happen to be married to or partnered with a smoker. Whoops.

 

That's probably correct. If my hubby had received the survey, he would have answered as a non smoker, so it wouldn't take into account the fact that I do. Since he's not going to cruise without me (it's me who drives the cruise thing and plans and books them), he'll go where I go.

[cruisldy]

I think if they had left the balconies alone, this would have been a non issue for most smokers.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. I have been researching a cruise to the Caribbean for next year. We are Diamond with Royal Caribbean, but had been seriously looking at Celebrity, who we have sailed with 3 times previously. However when I saw this new stringent non-smoking policy about to be instituted, since hubby and I are both smokers, however we never smoke in the cabin, just on the balcony, I did an about face and will now look at other cruise lines. I will sail with Royal Caribbean, even with their new non smoking policy, because, at least they still allow the balcony smoking, even though I may book and inside room and only smoke on the open decks and casino.

[Jade13]

The refund thing does seem to be a UK thing. I would fight that one loudly and publicly.

 

Yes you can still smoke on balconies for these two lines, as well as in cabins, although I don't smoke in my cabin anyway. The QM2 is going to be a very different cruising experience I think, but we're looking forward to it.

 

Can the OP fight it through their credit card company?

 

Next time if in the UK, book with a TA in the US and do your own airfare. This has come up before and a number of CC'ers in Europe say they now use online Agencys out of the US. There may have been a cancelation fee from the TA, but maybe $25.00-$100.00 per person, a smaller amount than the entire cruise fare.

[MMDown Under]

Re UK/European/Australian refund of deposit issue, it is not due to the laws of the country of origin.

 

It is due to the Cruiselines fineprint in their international conditions of contract, under which passengers in these countries have to make bookings.

 

It is blatant discrimination. You shouldn't have to fight for a refund of deposit, when the Cruise Company changes their end of the contract. It should be an automatic right.

 

If I change my mind, with my current cruise (with another company), I loose over $1200Aus for non-refundable deposit, plus insurance. If the cruise company changes their policy, and I choose not to cruise under that new policy, they keep my deposit. I don't think so!!

 

Makes last minute bookings look more attractive by the day.

 

As you say, if they graciously refunded deposits, there would not be this loss of goodwill.

[cruzmaven]

I agree. Based on change in policy you should be entitled to 100% refund, no questions asked. Isn't that the whole purpose of announcing the policy six months early?

[blong2200]

Celebrity has 'rules' about bringing alcohol on board.

 

Celebrity has 'rules' about lounge chair hogs.

 

Now Celebrity has 'rules' about smoking areas.

 

As far as I know, the staff has never reported finding alcohol in someone's room( and they have not fined them even if they did) and they certainly don't enforce the lounge chair hog policy....so how do they think they are going to really enforce this new policy without serious enforcing all the rules and policies.

[Addict]

Sorry, but please everyone, dont turn into another smoking debate..

Fact is, we wont get a refund, also...do you know, that Celebrity here wont even notify customers of the new policy. I would never have known had I not been constantly checking online.

Even yet, UK are still saying "oh you can smoke indoors on all port side lounges" etc... its absolutely diplorable!:mad:

Anyway, I can see how easy it is for many to cancel, and suspect many will, for us however... I guess I weighed it all up last night, and PURELY for the sake of my family and friends, I am not going to cancel. HOWEVER, after these two cruises, those will be the last with Celebrity and I am not finished with them yet, a strong letter of complaint is going in.

I will NOT be mocked on board however, and the first non smoker who starts blowing hands at me, coughing etc...is going to hear me for sure!

I will give no notice what so ever about dress codes en route to a smoking area, and intend to fully use the casino area, purely as a smoking area and they wont get one cent from me in those machines.

Those in our party who smoke, will do so without embaressment or care. We wont break any rules, but we wont be made to feel ashamed etc.

I am tempted to change our suites for a much cheaper inside cabin, but then its not fair on our partners. For that reason only, we will keep bookings as they are. It doesnt change how angry we are, we will make the best out of a bad situation.

We''ll have the biggest parties ever in those areas where we can smoke, and from now on, we will sing as loud as we wish, dance as much as we can, and laugh as heartily as we do. NOTHING will deter us from having a good time!:D

Celebrity UK..you are the pits:mad: Would love to see their accounts this year after the southampton sailings...oh..sorry...those finish just before the ban dont they......(wonder why!)

Have fun everyone:)

 

Blondie, we feel exactly the same way. We love(d) Celebrity and when we have finished the cruises we already have booked, that will put us at Elite status - which can then be transferred to RCCL as Diamond status I believe. If we back out of the Celebrity cruises now, not only will we be losing a lot of money (losing deposit and re-booking at higher costs), we will then have to start at the bottom of the rung on RCCL. So we have decided to grin and bear it till we get the equivalent of Diamond status, then we will be "out of here".

 

I pay the same amount of money for my balcony as you do and if I want to sit on the balcony and drink my coffee, read a book, and smoke a cigarette I should be able to do that. I think all the smokers are asking for is a balcony to smoke on. Can't we have smoking balconies on one side of ship and non smoking on the other, then everyone would be satisfied and X would make alot more money from book who have booked inside and outsides without balconies who now would want a balcony cabin so they could smoke IN PEACE!

 

Exactly, we booked an aft CC cabin on Constellation purely for the pleasure of sitting out on the balcony, reading, relaxing, having a drink and a cigarette. Now that privilege has been taken away from us.

 

To some others: I do wish non-smokers would quite complaining. You won the battle - you should be more than pleased and elated, and I am truly pleased for you. However, there are now complaints that it isn't enough and should have been a total ban!! Oh please! Some people are just plain arrogant and believe they rule the world. Sorry to inform you, but you don't. When will you ever be happy and be gracious enough to agree to a compromise!

 

By the way, no one asked MY opinion, and I did not receive a survey!

 

Go for it!

 

Sue

[Gerrym]

 

By the way, no one asked MY opinion, and I did not receive a survey!

 

Sue

 

 

That is because you smoke!

 

:)

[Addict]

That is because you smoke!

 

:)

 

Exactly!!!!!

[Gerrym]

Celebrity has 'rules' about bringing alcohol on board. Don't like that one!

 

Celebrity has 'rules' about lounge chair hogs. Just throw their books/towels/magazines/whatever over the side. Easily the most selfish people on board a ship.

 

Now Celebrity has 'rules' about smoking areas. Good, now I will not have to smell like a stale ashtray when I go out.

 

 

Just my take!

[Host Walt]

Last request...last time.

 

We will close this thread if we have to remove any more posts.

 

Stay on topic. Read the OP and respond to it. We will not tolerate any discussions that involve personal attacks, or diversion of the topic to any other discussions on smoking.

[Drew B]

Maybe its a UK thing, but absolutely no way will they refund us! Thats always ther case here.

 

I don't know how things work in the U.K., but it may be worth consulting with an attorney who handles consumer rights cases. When you booked with X, it was for a specific product that they are now not willing to deliver. Under those circumstances, they should have no choice but to release you of any obligations under a contract that no longer contains the same terms.

[usha]

I agree.

[Drew B]

I think if they had left the balconies alone, this would have been a non issue for most smokers.

 

For me, it's the casino and not the balconies, but I think it's the same point. And I think that if they had even designated SOME balconies as "smoking" (say a section in one rear quadrant so drifting smoke would be less likely to affect anybody in a "non-smoking" section), it wouldn't be such a deal-breaker for smokers. They could have implemented massive, far-reaching smoking restrictions, and if they had done so with a few strategic provisions, they could have kept most of their customers happy. They failed in that regard...

[Karynanne]

For me, it's the casino and not the balconies, but I think it's the same point. And I think that if they had even designated SOME balconies as "smoking" (say a section in one rear quadrant so drifting smoke would be less likely to affect anybody in a "non-smoking" section), it wouldn't be such a deal-breaker for smokers. They could have implemented massive, far-reaching smoking restrictions, and if they had done so with a few strategic provisions, they could have kept most of their customers happy. They failed in that regard...

 

Is it MOST of their passengers that aren't happy with this decision, or just the small percentage that smoke? IMHO, it can't be a compromise. It has to be a definitive policy to address health issues, and the desires (via Smoking Survey) of Celebrity passengers.

[cruisinelsewhere]

To the Op I say this. No I have not cancelled my upcoming cruise even though I could get a full refund. I am going to sail only because it is the Solstice Inaugural and I truly look forward to the ship. Am I happy about going topside with bedhead and sunglasses for my morning fix? NO....but I will. I like the idea of wearing the robe...perhaps I will try it.;) I pay a premium for my balcony so that I can smoke there a few times a day...it is OUTSIDE!!! Will I book Celebrity again? Can't say right now but the glorious sheen of the Inaugural has indeed been dulled for me. And yes, I do not hog chairs, I always dress to at least code or better, I don't smuggle alcohol and I am not in the lower socioeconomic or IQ range, even though I smoke. Furthermore. if I were going to cancel, it would not be to cruise Royal Caribbean...same company that alienated me getting my dollars????? I think not.

[98Charlie]

Blondie007

 

I do hope that you are able to make the best of your cruise. As noted by others, one of the integral parts of your cruise has been greatly modified by the actions of the cruise line. It would seem reasonable for the line to refund your money and go on about their business.

 

Ah - the American way. Democracy at work.

We are actually a republican form of government, as in "to the Republic for which it stands,". Check out article 4, section 4 of the Constitution.;)

 

Charlie

[brigittetom]

I don't know how things work in the U.K., but it may be worth consulting with an attorney who handles consumer rights cases. When you booked with X, it was for a specific product that they are now not willing to deliver. Under those circumstances, they should have no choice but to release you of any obligations under a contract that no longer contains the same terms.

 

If that's the case, why is it okay for the UK to advertise hotel rooms as smoking rooms and when you arrive they announce that all rooms are now non smoking. You are not entitled to a refund and you were never notified of this policy even though you booked 5 months in advance. When you booked this hotel, it was also for a specific product that they are now not willing to deliver. Why should Celebrity be held accountable when hotels are not?

[dfishner]

Our other emergency contingency plan, is to bring electric cigarettes for using in our cabins, on balconies and in all restricted areas. If you do not know what an electric cigarette is, do a search on the web and you will find various different brands on the market. The best one we have found is one which looks very much like a long normal cigarette. The "cigarette" is made up of a rechargeable battery unit, a vapour chamber and a replaceable cartridge and fliter. The cartridges come in strengths of nicotine from zero to normal, and it contains no tar or cancer inducing substances. Those of you who smoke at the casino tables will find this extremely useful so do look into it! It does attract major attention as non smokers do actually think its a real cigarette and its NOT! The difference between an electric cigarette and other nicotine replacements is that you can actually "draw" on this, and it produces what LOOKS like smoke, its not, its a harmless odourless vapour. The end even lights up when you inhale! We use them here in the UK in restaurants etc..still very new so still drawing funny looks, but its certainly the best alternative to standing outside in the pouring rain here in the UK! Do your research on the web and you will find out where you can buy one in your country. As I say, choose the one which looks rather like a long filtered cigarette...

THIS will be our contigency plan for early morning late at night etc on our balconies.

Blondie, thanks for that information never heard about e-cig until I read your post, found some good resources and decided would give it a try. If I like it I will go ahead and book my Soltice cruise and be able to have my coffee and cig on the balcony in the mornings. If I ever meet you on a cruise I owe you a mass amount of cocktails my treat. I do hope things work out well with you. Thanks so much for the information.

[Host Walt]

Last request...last time.

 

We will close this thread if we have to remove any more posts.

 

Stay on topic. Read the OP and respond to it. We will not tolerate any discussions that involve personal attacks, or diversion of the topic to any other discussions on smoking.

 

Frankly, this post was intended to help keep this thread open. Unfortunately many chose to ignore my request. We just removed about 15 posts that were posted after my request that have nothing at all to do with the original post.

 

This thread is now closed.