NOn smoking cruise test run

[purescottish]

Sorry........ Just wanted to jump in and wish Lushpuppy all the best from a fellow "jock"

 

I have been a 30 a day person for 29 years, and went on Champix 3 weeks ago........ I have not smoked for 4 days now and it feels great..... and I have saved already, more to spend on Freedom in July

 

fingers crossed for you

 

wendy

x

[marle7]

We did ask was this a permanent thing, and the answer was no, only for this cruise. BUT, if you are a smoker and found this out at boarding point, mmmmmmm...can guess the outcome!

.

 

I think it's a very good idea to do a non smoking test cruise run. Market it. Sell it, see how well it sells. Sail it, and see how it plays. But Don't spring it on unsuspecting people at the last minute. That is not a particularly good PR move for them. At least Celebrity gave notice of their policy, allowing people for the most part (except those from the UK) to stay or go elsewhere.

 

Lush, I have my pills, but haven't started them yet. Email me when you get going and we can be quit buddies. :D

[boop3]

Hey there Girl- It is me Nora (from Syracuse)

I have been smoke free for a whole week today. I had my last cigarette late on Monday

the 9th after we left Antigua and put on the patch. I had acupuncture on the 11th by the guy on board. I think that helped a lot.

Dan is still smoking but I have banned him to the basement and bathroom with the fan on.

 

Good Luck! I know you can do it. I will email you soon.

Give our love to the hubby and the rest of the clan

 

Nora

[IrishCC]

Okay, I have had enough for one day, so please dont shoot the messenger:D

I thought maybe someone else would have it mentioned it on here, but not as yet ..so here goes...

 

We were told on our last explorer cruise, that the cruise going out on Feb 13th, was to be a test pilot non smoking cruise. They were going to ban smoking in all indoor lounges including Dizzys, The Casino and Chamber.:eek:

 

The Barmen were not too happy about it. It seems their tips and takings are way down now in the Schooner Bar since it went non smoking, and they were dead against it.

 

I am only repeating the talk on board. (one was an officer who quoted this) We asked several members of staff and they confirmed it, but lets see what the cruisers say when they return.

Personally (for all my opinion is worth), as there are to be over 1000 kids on board, maybe this was just a good time for RCI to have a non smoking family cruise.

We did ask was this a permanent thing, and the answer was no, only for this cruise. BUT, if you are a smoker and found this out at boarding point, mmmmmmm...can guess the outcome!

As I say, dont shoot the messenger!!

Just for those of you who DO smoke, and it does make a difference to your vacation, suggest you keep an eye on upcoming events.

 

As I say, dont take this as Gospel, lets see what the Explorers sat when they return.

It sounds like heaven!!! . . .also we heavily tip the schooner bartenders . . .and we don't smoke!!

[Gonzo70]

I think it's a very good idea to do a non smoking test cruise run. Market it. Sell it, see how well it sells. Sail it, and see how it plays. But Don't spring it on unsuspecting people at the last minute. That is not a particularly good PR move for them. At least Celebrity gave notice of their policy, allowing people for the most part (except those from the UK) to stay or go elsewhere.

 

Lush, I have my pills, but haven't started them yet. Email me when you get going and we can be quit buddies. :D

 

I have to agree with Marle here. As much as I am in favor of the growing trend towards increased smoke free areas, I feel that ample notice should be granted for any major policy change. It is not fair to smokers to suddenly spring significant restrictions which may have impacted their decision to book that particular cruise.

 

Good luck to those that posted that are in the process of quitting or about to quit. :)

[dirtgirl]

We basically camped out in the Schooner Bar on the Vision, and it was non-smoking. It was the first time I could enjoy the Schooner Bar. It was a happening place.:p And we tipped the bartenders really well. They made our week!;) Although it could have been because of that martini they named after me...:rolleyes:

 

Good luck to all of those that are trying and have quit.:)

[Pacific Sandy]

Hi - We just returned from a b2b on Rhapsody in Australia.

 

The Australian government has forced all Cruise Ships to follow Non-Smoking laws when sailing in Australian waters. That means, no smoking anywhere indoors. There was smoking allowed outside on one side of the Ship - Deck 4 and the Pool Deck.

 

The interesting part was - nobody cared. It has become such an accepted practice to smoke outside only.

 

I say - well done Australia - I wish every Country was as progressive and responsible.

[G'ma]

Do you have a source for the above statement?

 

Just the facts please:D

 

I recently retired after 32 years in the travel industry. At the time Paradise was first built as a nonsmoking vessel.....I (and many others) were there. We received the promotion material and all information and material during it's nonsmoking lifetime...information that travel agents and others in the industry receive as a part of doing business.

 

When the decision was made to standardize Paradise with the rest of the fleet, we were advised....and we were advised many of the reasons; the ships redeplyment, the disposition of reservations that had already been taken as a nonsmoking ship, the policy about changes and all other info that agents need to operate.

 

The sources you seek aren't available. If you google, or go to CruiseDiva, you'll be privy to the announcement and press release made by Bob Dickinson that Paradise was no longer a nonsmoking ship. Reasons weren't given as they won't release revenue information to the public nor to the agency community, for that matter.

 

So, somewhere in the Web, you'll probably find exactly what you are looking for.....but, you'll need to do your own research.

[Happy ks]

That would be SueL. She is the one who told me about Chantix for my hubby. He went on it and didn't smoke for 4 months...then went off of it during our Indy cruise and started having a couple of cigs on the balcony. :(

 

He'll be going back on Chantix. It's expensive, but its better than smoking.

 

 

Yes :) I came back onto CC tonight and saw her name almost immediately!

 

Good luck to your husband with his second try. It will be the very best gift he can give to you and your children, which is more years as a family :):)

[Lushpuppy]

Sorry........ Just wanted to jump in and wish Lushpuppy all the best from a fellow "jock"

 

I have been a 30 a day person for 29 years, and went on Champix 3 weeks ago........ I have not smoked for 4 days now and it feels great..... and I have saved already, more to spend on Freedom in July

 

fingers crossed for you

 

wendy

x

Hi Wendy! How encouraging thanks! How long before your stop date did you take the champix? Hearing lot of good reports! What was your experience of it? Thanks so much!

[realtreebar]

I have my first meeting with my stop smoking councelor tomorrow:) I vowed after this cruise I would make a serious attempt. So sticking to my vow, and had arranged this before my cruise so that as soon as I returned, I would go for it...here goes:eek:

 

So next cruise, hoping to be a non smoker!

 

 

I also proclaimed my last smoke on our last cruise!:eek: and so goes the plan rome was not built in a day and every morning i get up it gets a little tougher and also a little better as the day wears on just hard to kick a habbit for over 20 years and with any luck will be smoke free by the next cruise in january2010 :) smoke free 5 days now!

[MAZANDSTEVE]

I think if they are to do this it should be known when the customer books his/ her trip. its not really fair to tell them at the port.

On a good note, I quit smoking 3 days ago using the patches and finding it really easy, so will be a non smoker on my up and coming cruise.:D

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I recently retired after 32 years in the travel industry. At the time Paradise was first built as a nonsmoking vessel.....I (and many others) were there. We received the promotion material and all information and material during it's nonsmoking lifetime...information that travel agents and others in the industry receive as a part of doing business.

 

When the decision was made to standardize Paradise with the rest of the fleet' date=' we were advised....and we were advised many of the reasons; the ships redeplyment, the disposition of reservations that had already been taken as a nonsmoking ship, the policy about changes and all other info that agents need to operate.

 

The sources you seek aren't available. If you google, or go to CruiseDiva, you'll be privy to the announcement and press release made by Bob Dickinson that Paradise was no longer a nonsmoking ship. Reasons weren't given as they won't release revenue information to the public nor to the agency community, for that matter.

 

So, somewhere in the Web, you'll probably find exactly what you are looking for.....but, you'll need to do your own research.[/quote']

 

The problem is I read lots of stuff like this.

 

I'm sure what you say is true

 

But seldom if ever to I see any thing about the Paradise that sits a real source.

 

Same thing with the notion that smokers spend more money.

 

Why the complete lack of sources for this kind of info?

 

How many years sense the Paradise returned to smoking?

 

With the samller number of smokers I wonder how it would work today.

 

Source: http://www.injuryboard.com/national-news/smoking-rates-in-the-us-decline-below-20-percent.aspx?googleid=251544

[Mark_K]

Since people asked, this is what Carnival said:

 

“The Paradise’s smoke-free concept was very much a success,” De la Cruz said. “Financially, it actually outperformed what it would have done

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

[getoutthere15]

I quit smoking 8 months ago and just returned from my 18 cruise on the Explorer and to be honest the smokers on the decks, at the casino and smoking bars are alot friendlier then the non smokers. It almost makes me want to start smoking again.

[Aladdin22]

We were on Independence last May, sailing out of Southampton, UK and definitely NO smoking in casino - brilliant! You could only smoke on top floor of the nightclub and the cigar bar inside, and one side of certain decks outside.

 

Hope it stays the same, as we are on same ship this April.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Since people asked, this is what Carnival said:

 

“The Paradise’s smoke-free concept was very much a success,” De la Cruz said. “Financially, it actually outperformed what it would have done

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

 

Thank you for providing a source.

 

Just the facts please:)

[rcacace]

We don't sail RCCL very often but if they offered even one smoke free cruise every now & then I would definitely go out of my way to sail on board. If the smokers knew upfront about the smoking ban I can't see why there should be any complaints.

It sounds as though RCCL is at least entertaining the idea of providing some relief from smoke on a limited basis & hopefully it would prove to be successful. :D

[FL_Cruiser64]

What I don't understand is why they kept it smoke free for six years if it was doing so poorly? Did the revenue drop off the last year or two (some have suggested it failed because the itineary became stale and people wanted to try out newer ships, so they lost repeat business), or was it poor all six years?

 

 

I think to gauge the success of a program in cruising you need a few years. Cruising has so many factors such as time of year, weather (active hurricane season or not), economy etc that no cruise line can really determine after a year or two if a program may be successful.

 

In business - when you start one or make dramatic changes or implement new policies - you usually have a business plan which includes the short term (usually under 5 years), the medium out look (usually around 5 years) and the long term.

 

I recon that the Paradise lost money (whatever the reasons are) over at least 4 or 5 years.

 

The reasoning of 'same old boring itinerary' is ridiculous. Every cruiseline runs the same old boring itineraries and they are selling out and for the most part make profits. How often do change Freedom and Liberty (except Western and Eastern) their ports? Answer is never.

 

The Paradise lost money. Why? Who really cares.

 

You can view a lot of things as testing. I find it hilarious that with every test non smokers jump up and dow and scream "yeah here we go".

 

I could cite the Grandeur of the Seas as an opposite test: I was allowed to smoke in the Schooner Bar. Maybe they are testing if the Schooner Bar is more profitable? Who really knows.

 

What I find ridiculous in this whole argument is that the only ones who are quietly playing by the rules are the smokers. For non smokers it is never enough and they are the only ones making an issue out of everything.

 

RCI will make its decision based on profitability not because someone prefers something or not. If they put in non smoking cruises - wonderful, then I hope all the whiners will meet on that sailing.

 

If they go all non smoking one day - fine by me too. If I still smoke I quietly look for another cruise line. I make my choices, I take responsibility for the choices I make.

 

RCI has a currently smoking policy and that's it. You either play by the rules or you find another line, just as I would do.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Since people asked, this is what Carnival said:

 

“The Paradise’s smoke-free concept was very much a success,” De la Cruz said. “Financially, it actually outperformed what it would have done

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

 

Someone should have asked De La Cruz why Carnival stopped this program.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I think to gauge the success of a program in cruising you need a few years. Cruising has so many factors such as time of year, weather (active hurricane season or not), economy etc that no cruise line can really determine after a year or two if a program may be successful.

 

In business - when you start one or make dramatic changes or implement new policies - you usually have a business plan which includes the short term (usually under 5 years), the medium out look (usually around 5 years) and the long term.

 

I recon that the Paradise lost money (whatever the reasons are) over at least 4 or 5 years.

 

The reasoning of 'same old boring itinerary' is ridiculous. Every cruiseline runs the same old boring itineraries and they are selling out and for the most part make profits. How often do change Freedom and Liberty (except Western and Eastern) their ports? Answer is never.

 

The Paradise lost money. Why? Who really cares.

 

You can view a lot of things as testing. I find it hilarious that with every test non smokers jump up and dow and scream "yeah here we go".

 

I could cite the Grandeur of the Seas as an opposite test: I was allowed to smoke in the Schooner Bar. Maybe they are testing if the Schooner Bar is more profitable? Who really knows.

 

What I find ridiculous in this whole argument is that the only ones who are quietly playing by the rules are the smokers. For non smokers it is never enough and they are the only ones making an issue out of everything.

 

RCI will make its decision based on profitability not because someone prefers something or not. If they put in non smoking cruises - wonderful, then I hope all the whiners will meet on that sailing.

 

If they go all non smoking one day - fine by me too. If I still smoke I quietly look for another cruise line. I make my choices, I take responsibility for the choices I make.

 

RCI has a currently smoking policy and that's it. You either play by the rules or you find another line, just as I would do.

 

You need to read this as was posted a few post above including the comments from Carnival.

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/21/travel/tr-ntb21

[Elizanessie]

When the Independence started sailing from Southampton last year there were very few places you could smoke, your balcony or couple of outside areas out on deck...and one deck of the disco that was it. This didnt suit me as smoker so I cancelled my 14 night ressie.

 

I think as the season moved along more places were added but that was too late for me.

[crusinmama06]

We were on Independence last May, sailing out of Southampton, UK and definitely NO smoking in casino - brilliant! You could only smoke on top floor of the nightclub and the cigar bar inside, and one side of certain decks outside.

 

Hope it stays the same, as we are on same ship this April.

 

It wasn't that way last week. Smoking was allowed in the casino. There were ashtray stands next to almost every row of machines. And the caisno bar had ashtrays.

[rcacace]

I think to gauge the success of a program in cruising you need a few years. Cruising has so many factors such as time of year, weather (active hurricane season or not), economy etc that no cruise line can really determine after a year or two if a program may be successful.

 

In business - when you start one or make dramatic changes or implement new policies - you usually have a business plan which includes the short term (usually under 5 years), the medium out look (usually around 5 years) and the long term.

 

I recon that the Paradise lost money (whatever the reasons are) over at least 4 or 5 years.

 

The reasoning of 'same old boring itinerary' is ridiculous. Every cruiseline runs the same old boring itineraries and they are selling out and for the most part make profits. How often do change Freedom and Liberty (except Western and Eastern) their ports? Answer is never.

 

The Paradise lost money. Why? Who really cares.

 

You can view a lot of things as testing. I find it hilarious that with every test non smokers jump up and dow and scream "yeah here we go".

 

I could cite the Grandeur of the Seas as an opposite test: I was allowed to smoke in the Schooner Bar. Maybe they are testing if the Schooner Bar is more profitable? Who really knows.

 

What I find ridiculous in this whole argument is that the only ones who are quietly playing by the rules are the smokers. For non smokers it is never enough and they are the only ones making an issue out of everything.

 

RCI will make its decision based on profitability not because someone prefers something or not. If they put in non smoking cruises - wonderful, then I hope all the whiners will meet on that sailing.

 

If they go all non smoking one day - fine by me too. If I still smoke I quietly look for another cruise line. I make my choices, I take responsibility for the choices I make.

 

RCI has a currently smoking policy and that's it. You either play by the rules or you find another line, just as I would do.

 

It sounds as though you feel deprived if they even offer one cruise as a test just to see the response or perhaps you can see the handwriting on the wall & think of it as another restriction forthcoming. I doubt if we'll even see a total non smoking ship on RCCL but at least their listening to the public's requests any trying to something to appease both sides & still make a profit.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I, for one, would like to see smoking not allowed inside the ship and all cabins.

 

Smoking would be allow in marked areas on deck.

 

I think this is the direction things might be moving to.

 

But that's just my opinion, what's yours?