New Smoking Policies for Cunard Line?

While I was inquiring about a cruise on Cunard, I had seen there was a sign saying that there is more strict policies now for smokers. I myself am a smoker, and I don't expect to have to be able to smoke on my balcony, but as long as there is designated public areas, I am fine with that. This is what the policy has to say: IMPORTANT INFORMATION - CHANGE TO SMOKING POLICY ON BOARD

Following feedback from our guests and the result of recent customer service research, smoking is no longer permitted in any public area with the exception of Churchills Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of G32 on Queen Mary 2. Pipe and cigar smoking is only permitted in Churchills Cigar Lounge. Electronic cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke, are not permitted in public areas but can be used in staterooms, balconies and designated areas of the open deck. This change has been made for the safety and comfort of our guests. It means that all guests will be able to enjoy full use of their private balconies without the effect of drifting smoke.

To me, this sounds like there is no smoking anywhere...Which is a concern to me! I had called in to Cunard and the person had said there is still designated areas on board for cigarette smoking, however i'm still concerned, as Churchill's only allows cigar and pipe smoking.

The Cruising Queen

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Hi TheCruisingQueen. Cigarette smoking is permitted at designated areas on the open deck, and the upper level of G32. I'm uncertain what hours G32 is open, or if it is opened for those who wish to smoke a cigarette when the decks are off limits due to inclement weather - maybe someone has further information about that? Regards, -S.

This applied to our cruise in August, but there were plenty of people smoking on their balconies. I could see them and smell them. I think the no smoking on balconies rule is really unenforcable.

On this year's world voyage on QE, cigarette smoking was allowed in Churchill's. I was told it depended on who was in charge.

The Cunarder (October 2014 issue) says that smoking is permitted...

On QE and QV in the designated areas of the starboard side of the open areas of Decks 3 and 10.

ON QM2 in the designated areas of the open deck on the aft of Deck 7, the starboard aft side of Deck 8 and the inside of G32 Deck 3L on the port side upper level from 6 pm each evening or when the weather is inclement.

smoking is no longer permitted in any public area with the exception of Churchills Cigar Lounge, designated areas on the open decks and the upper level of G32 on Queen Mary 2.

Do people report it when they smell smoke on their balconies. They probably should as it is possible that it is not cigarette smoke but a real fire.

If the only place you can smoke cigarettes is in a night club then this has gone way past a joke.

I hate cigarette smoke and the smell of it on smokers even when they are not smoking, but this shows how Cunard need to make up their minds. Do they want smokers to sail with them? If they do then they need to cater for them and provide a dedicated room (why can't that be the cigar lounge, empty of smokers most time I pass) where they can smoke away from the other passengers.

David.

Do people report it when they smell smoke on their balconies. They probably should as it is possible that it is not cigarette smoke but a real fire.

I don't know if you are a smoker, but I can assure you that I can tell the difference between cigarett or cigar smoke and any other kind of smoke.

David.

There was a thread about the new smoking policy started by Salacia on here back in May

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2042181&highlight=smoking

I'm on QM2 right now and have observed smokers in the outdoor aft areas. Not having been in G32 this trip I cannot confirm or deny that there is smoking on the upper level.

Maybe I'm misremembering, but it seems the areas mentioned on QM 2 where smoking is allowed/not allowed are the same as they were when we took our first trip on her in early June 2012, though maybe it was allowed on balconies then (?). These definitely were the rules on the voyage we were just on (Oct. 8-16 transatlantic). One morning we came back to our cabin on deck 5, sheltered balcony, when the steward was in there making it up she asked if we smelled cigarette smoke. We did indeed smell it quite strongly, and it definitely wasn't us. She said one of our neighbors must have been smoking on the balcony, and that she would check it out and report it if she found any evidence (ashes). Meantime, she propped open our balcony door and room door to air out our cabin for us. I must say the ventilation in Churchill's must be awful, because the whole area outside it as one entered the Commodore Club reeked. Made me not want to enter the Commodore Club.

I don't know if you are a smoker, but I can assure you that I can tell the difference between cigarett or cigar smoke and any other kind of smoke.

 

David.

No I don't smoke and I can't always tell the difference in the smell. I was in a house fire as a child and am still a little paranoid about fire. I can't even imagine what a nightmare it would be on a ship where there is no chance of a fireman breaking in the window to carry you to safety.

What I am taking is that there is a few areas on board that are designated for smokers? The particular ship I am looking at is Queen Victoria.

TheCruisingQueen

If the only place you can smoke cigarettes is in a night club then this has gone way past a joke.

 

I hate cigarette smoke and the smell of it on smokers even when they are not smoking, but this shows how Cunard need to make up their minds. Do they want smokers to sail with them? If they do then they need to cater for them and provide a dedicated room (why can't that be the cigar lounge, empty of smokers most time I pass) where they can smoke away from the other passengers.

 

David.

Smokers are people as well. Alienating them, and saying "just because they smoke they are not welcome on board as we will not give them a place to do so" is wrong. Cruise ships are for everyone to enjoy, a smoker myself, I believe that smoking should not be allowed on balconies with the risk of fires and such, however designated areas outside away from people or Churchill's should be allowed, so even smokers can enjoy the cruise.

TheCruisingQueen

What I am taking is that there is a few areas on board that are designated for smokers? The particular ship I am looking at is Queen Victoria.

 

TheCruisingQueen

Here's another source confirming what Scrapnana wrote in post #4:

Designated Smoking Areas

Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth

Smoking is permitted on board only in designated areas of the starboard side of the open areas of Decks 3 and 10

*Due to weather and/or cleaning process, these locations may change from time to time.

copied from https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/fleet/posmoking1

(Emphasis mine)

What I am taking is that there is a few areas on board that are designated for smokers? The particular ship I am looking at is Queen Victoria.

 

TheCruisingQueen

The answer is in YOUR first post!

"designated areas on the open decks ";)

Do people report it when they smell smoke on their balconies. They probably should as it is possible that it is not cigarette smoke but a real fire.

Absolutely report it. I agree. While best efforts have been made to fire proof the ships, it is still possible for an errant lit bud to start a blaze. While many smokers might feel assured that they wouldn't be careless, it only ever takes one to ruin everything.

I see this at home nearly every summer. Most Australian bushfires (nearly 200 homes were lost on the outskirts of Sydney last October) are the result of deliberately lit fires or by people throwing half lit buds on the ground.

So, I'd encourage smokers to abide by Cunard's policy. Better safe than sorry.

Without intending to open a debate on the harms of smoking (come on, we all know smokers are killing themselves - it's basically a long, and potentially painful form of self euthanasia), I am grateful for changes to smoking policies on board ships. I'm particularly happy that smoking on balconies is forbidden.

As a non smoker, I want to be able to use my balcony and enjoy fresh air. I have a right to this as someone who has paid for passage on the ship and I shouldn't be subjected to cigarette smoke - which is not possible to escape if you are downwind from smokers on their balconies.

Smoking hasn't been banned on the ship, but it certainly has been limited to areas to ensure the comfort and health of the many passengers who do not smoke and who do not wish to suffer the effects of passive smoking.

For those who wish to flout the regulations: you can be forcibly disembarked if the Captain decides. You can be reported to the Purser's desk. I certainly would report any cigarette smoking on balconies if I happened to observe or smell it. I don't want lung cancer thank you very much.

It may also very well open you to legal action (particularly in litigation-happy USA) should a non smoker passenger later develop health complications. While I am not saying this would definitely happen, given the detailed records kept by cruise lines, it would be possible for a prosecution lawyer to find out who was staying in a particular room, as indicated by the plaintiff. I'd also imagine the cruise line would be in a lot of trouble too, especially if they had failed to stop the offensive smoking.

I long for the day when smoking is eradicated from cruise ships and in public places. It will happen eventually - I am sure. However, until such a wonderful era begins you can inhale dangerous chemicals in specific areas of the ship.

If you do smoke: please use the spaces provided. Don't endanger the health of us non smokers.

I must say the ventilation in Churchill's must be awful, because the whole area outside it as one entered the Commodore Club reeked. Made me not want to enter the Commodore Club.

I always enter the Commodore Club from the other corridor because of the smell outside Churchill's.

To the OP: When you walk the decks it is very obvious where the smoking areas are, as there are ashtrays on the tables. I've been caught out a few times when I thought I'd wander the decks and ended up in a cloud of smoke and had to walk a bit faster than I had intended to! :eek:

If the only place you can smoke cigarettes is in a night club then this has gone way past a joke.

Ok, if we're going to discuss recent fires on ships, do a google search on cruise ship fires. Perhaps you will find, as I did, that the majority of fires on ships is the result of engine room fires. Fire on board a ship is the main concern of any sailor, but let's face the facts please.

By way of background, my Great Grandfather was the captain of a ship that caught fire. He went down with his ship, or more likely he died when the ship exploded. I grew up with an understanding of the danger fire presents to a ship at sea.

Having said that, wouldn't it make sense for Cunard ships to have a dedicated 24/7 smoking lounge for those who wished to smoke a cigarette - one with proper ventilation, not only on the deck, but rather sheltered from the wind and away from those who might be bothered or troubled by those who smoke cigarettes?

Perhaps such a venue would not only any give rest to those concerned, but also be revenue producing if food and beverage was served.

Anyway, don't kid yourself that eliminating cigarette smoking on ships alleviates the threat of fire on board.

Salacia

They say reading comprehension is the first thing to go...

They say that, do they?

On our recent trip, we saw smoking in the upper part of G32 (seemed to be open even during the day) and also on portions of the deck, like just outside Todd English restaurant and portions of the wrap around deck. I saw Churchill's during the day but it was empty. There may have been more smoking areas, but that is all I noticed.

Ok, if we're going to discuss recent fires on ships, do a google search on cruise ship fires. Perhaps you will find, as I did, that the majority of fires on ships is the result of engine room fires. Fire on board a ship is the main concern of any sailor, but let's face the facts please.

 

By way of background, my Great Grandfather was the captain of a ship that caught fire. He went down with his ship, or more likely he died when the ship exploded. I grew up with an understanding of the danger fire presents to a ship at sea.

 

Having said that, wouldn't it make sense for Cunard ships to have a dedicated 24/7 smoking lounge for those who wished to smoke a cigarette - one with proper ventilation, not only on the deck, but rather sheltered from the wind and away from those who might be bothered or troubled by those who smoke cigarettes?

 

Perhaps such a venue would not only any give rest to those concerned, but also be revenue producing if food and beverage was served.

 

Anyway, don't kid yourself that eliminating cigarette smoking on ships alleviates the threat of fire on board.

 

Salacia

I don't believe anyone said ending smoking on ships would stop all potential fires.

I agree that a smoking lounge would be a good idea - so long as it was shut off with proper doors like Churchill's. Maybe the boardroom on the opposite side of deck 9 could be converted?

I don't know if you are a smoker, but I can assure you that I can tell the difference between cigarett or cigar smoke and any other kind of smoke.

 

David.

Kind of a funny story...

Setting: QM2 NY Canada Cruise, around 11 pm ships time, one October evening 2013. A balcony cabin after returning from a bit of fun in the casino.

After opening the drapes to reveal the balcony, she said to him:

"Somebody must be smokin' up a storm on their balcony! Look at that smoke!"

He opened the balcony door, and beckoned her out, saying

"Stick your hand over the railing."

She did, and within a second her hand was soaked.

Not cigarette smoke, she realized.

"Fog", she said feeling extra stupid, "It feels very nice, bit it smells like diesel fuel."

Subsequently, they had various discussions regarding the types of fuel used and their particular "fragrance".

"Maybe there's a morale to this story; it may have something to do with jumping to conclusions", she said.

Signed

She

:o

I wish they would provide an indoor dedicated space for smokers.

I cannot use G32 for very long as the smoke from the upstairs section just refuses to stay there and drifts around setting off my asthma.

A ship that makes so many transatlantic crossings all through the year (meaning there will obviously be days when smoking outside is impossible) should surely be able to provide a comfortable, properly ventilated room for smokers where the smoke cannot affect anybody else.

They say reading comprehension is the first thing to go...

To be accurate, I did mistakenly ommit the word indoors. Sorry.

David.