Smoking on your balcony is out! Gratuities are going up.

After 8 pages (and still growing), the pot has certainly been sufficiently stirred, all because of an unofficial, unsubstantiated rumor. I am a smoker, but I won't give this whole thing any creedence until it is officially posted on Carnival's web site for all of the world to see. I try my best to be respectful towards the rights of non-smokers, but I would appreciate the same in return. As for making one side of the ship's balconies non-smoking, I'm not sure how well that would work out. As it is now, when a non-smoker books a balcony, he/she knows there is a possibilty that one or more neighbors may be smokers. So let's say all of the balcony cabins that are non-smoking (on whichever side) are booked, but there are still a few available on the smoking side. How long will it take for a non-smoker to decide that they really have their heart set to go on a specific cruise/itinerary, somewhat reluctantly book a balcony cabin on the smoking side, then whine, complain and over-exaggerate how awful it was when their neighbors smoked on their balcony? I, a smoker, don't ask non-smokers to give up their rights to a smoke-free environment. But how many non-smokers will give me the same consideration when I smoke? This is and always will be a no-win situation. There is no compromise that will satisfy everyone. The non-smokers will always be more vocal and uncompromising, and we smokers will always be treated like some repugnant creature that crawled out of a swamp.

Smoking v. non-smoking debate aside, this would be an interesting exercise. I am quite curious as to how much of each side of the ship would sell/sell out.

Back to the original topic, isn't the link to John Heald's post from 2011?

I'm confused.

You do realize the cameras on the balcony would be able to verify that it was you that was smoking on the balcony?:D

There are not camera's on every balcony on a cruise ship. Unless you are leaning out over the rail, you cannot be seen by those around you in other balconies. If there were camera's on all balconies, then I am sure some security folks will be getting an eyeful of the folks joing the "balcony club". :eek:

My apologies if this has been posted before, but I haven't caught up with the thread yet this morning. I saw this posted to another cruise related page to a certain spokesperson. It appears the email did go out yesterday, as noted by the prepaid gratuities.

Smoking v. non-smoking debate aside, this would be an interesting exercise. I am quite curious as to how much of each side of the ship would sell/sell out.

 

Back to the original topic, isn't the link to John Heald's post from 2011?

I'm confused.

Yes. I also went to view this link and did not speak about smoking at all. I'm confused with you.

Just received an e-mail from our TA. Starting in October, smoking will no longer be allowed on balconies:). Gratuities will also be raised to $12.00/day/person:(.

I really hope this is TRUE. It would be great if smoking was was no longer allowed inside the Casino. Most ships don't have the best air circulation systems to handle the overwhelming amount of smoke generated by the amount of smoke in the Casino. Why should the many have to breathe in the pollution of the few to satisfy their habit? I am not addicted to smoking nor do I like breathing in second hand smoke every time I set foot in the Casino! As far as the Balcony situation goes I feel smoking in or near your room can be a fire hazard as well, so I am surprised it is still allowed. Gratuities are well earned by the crew and I am more than happy to pay this small increase!

It stopped on RCI when they changed the smoking policy. There is a $200 fee (each time you are reported for smoking on your balcony) plus you could be put off the ship for disregarding the rules.

 

I'm sure Carnival will have a similar policy.

Personally...I'm thrilled!! I can't see that RCCLs business was hurt when they started their no smoking on balconies....and I think CCLs revenue will increase with this change. I have sailed over 50 cruises.... And the smoke on the balcony has been bad many times! I agree, it does not make sense since the smoker is outside...BUT the fact is....that the smoke really does drift and hover there on the balconies!

I know the smokers are unhappy.... But it's ridiculous to say that non smokers should book inside cabins if they don't want to smell smoke on their balcony!

I,m sure CCL has done quite a bit of research on this before making this change. Yay, Carnival!

It's true. I just saw the letter to TAs.

Will this affect your Cruising choices ? :D

I think there is a compromise in port side balconies are non smoking and starboard are smoking.... How easy is that to make everyone happy???

That isn't a fair compromise. It presumes that 50% of people that book balconies are smokers, 50% are non-smokers, and it's doubtful that's the case.

I'm a non-smoker, but i loathe non-smokers that complain about their rights for fresh air.

I just emailed my PVP and he confirmed that the smoking ban on balconies is true. I have asked for some sort of official announcement and if he provides it I'll share it here.

My next cruise is Oct. 19th and I am happy with this change. I always book balconies and although smoking has never really been a problem, I did notice it occasionally on my last cruise, but I think of it as a safety issue as well. As far as the increase in the gratuities, that doesn't bother me either.

I am not thrilled about no smoking on balconies. Imagine the casino bar, the entire floor would be a fog of smoke if every smoker went there instead of their room. I sincerely hope they ban it on port side though, then people who smoke can book starboard side balconies (if I remember starboard is the smoking side on deck). Non smokers can use the port side balconies everyone happy.

Good idea.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

As a few others have said, as a smoker I try to be considerate of others when smoking. Should I be aware of others on adjoining balconies I extinguish my cigarette. I choose not to smoke in the casino because I acknowledge how uncomfortable the lingering smoke can be in such an enclosed space. I too am annoyed by other smokers who discard their waste with disregard.

I don’t think I would reconsider cruising with Carnival should they choose to prohibit smoking on balconies. Other lines have done so and it doesn’t negatively impact my decision to consider cruising with them.

Smoking can indeed be a significant annoyance to non-smokers. It is my decision to smoke but it is my obligation to try minimizing any imposition on those who do not. In a closely populated space such as a cruise ship this can be a challenge. As such, I make the effort to abide by the rules and (more importantly) be a considerate person.

Wow...thanks for understanding...it is hard..but this is one that affects a large radius around people..I could not air out my close to neighbors home with firework smoke a few days..just the breaks with smoke..same with those darn fancy firepits now so popular...Sarah

I know smoking is bad. I know we should all quit... yada yada. I don't know how they would replace all the tax money the government would lose if everyone quit though. Anyway I am a smoker and usually pretty considerate. Even being a smoker the casino is already very smokey and I won't stay in there long. If that is one of the only places left to smoke I would imagine it would get pretty bad am perhaps lose revenue. I don't know just a thought though.

I guess we will have to stick to land vacations if this goes into effect as DH has no intention of quitting. Oh well we do have to follow rules.

And the letter is where?

 

With this lovely Internet letting me post anonymously, I have a letter saying that carnival is going byog. Bring your own gas, everyone must bring 25 gallons of marine diesel, don't forget it or you can't board, you must also pick up your gas can at the end of the trip or be charged an environmental fee of €250.00 they will not pay for the USD to EURO conversion fees either.

The letter is now posted on page 11 of this thread. Are you starting to believe it now?

This just posted on the Carnival website (under FAQs, searched for "smoking"):

What is the smoking policy?

Effective on voyages departing October 9, 2014, or thereafter, all staterooms and suite accommodations are an entirely smoke free environment, including the outside balcony.

Cigarette and E-cigarette smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas, as well as in our night club, and in certain areas within the casino and casino bar.

Cigar and pipe smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas only.

Note: Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival's cruise ticket contract. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy.

It's now in the FAQs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a nice aft wrap coming available for May 3, 2015 if anybody wants it. If this is true I'll be canceling and going to NCL where I can still smoke on my balcony .

I think for every smoker promising to jump ship for another cruise line, Carnival is going to gain more in new non smoking customers, as well as new balcony bookings with their current customers who normally book inside/OV cabins.

per John Heald on FB, he will confirm/clarify smoking and gratuities at 12:00 EST.....

I've never been able to figure out how smoke can linger on a balcony when the ship is traveling at 21 knots. I think a lot of non smokers are blowing smoke themselves.

It can't....and you're right ;).

Now that this is done, maybe we can turn our attention to alcohol and gluten-free areas!

Why don't we all just sail in individual plastic bubbles.

I guess that proves it for all the doubting thomas's

Excellent !

I'm sure Carnival has crunched the numbers. We don't know how many complaints they have from non-smokers.