RCCL New Smoking Policy Discussion (merged)

There is now a new policy that will be launched in 2008.

Check it out!

http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1029186&highlight=

Well, I'm glad it's officially announced now, rather than being rumor. I wonder if they will have new food choices with that "Vitality" program, or if it will simply highlight the healthier choices already on the menu.

One word.....YEAH!!!!:D

Definitely a step in the right direction. It will be even nicer when they disallow smoking on cabin balconies.

I do understand the addiction and I sympathize with smokers privileges becoming stricter. I just don't care to be forced to breathe their second hand smoke. When they are allowed to smoke on balconies, non smokers have absolutely no rights to clean air and the balcony they also paid for becomes useless.

I do not see how they can easily enforce a no smoking policy in cabins, especially ones with balconies. I am a non-smoker and like the policy. I have had smoke fumes come in my cabins in the past either under the doors or through the ventilation system in the bathrooms.

I do not see how they can easily enforce a no smoking policy in cabins, especially ones with balconies. I am a non-smoker and like the policy. I have had smoke fumes come in my cabins in the past either under the doors or through the ventilation system in the bathrooms.

Oh, I'm sure some people will smoke inside their cabins anyway, and get away with it, but most people will obey the rules and smoke only where it is allowed.

I for one, will be very glad to have a non-smoking policy. That has been our one complaint during cruises. The first cruise we took I stepped out on the balcony and the man next door was smoking cigars. So, we couldn't even sit out on the balcony without being inundated with stinky smoke. It seemed that everywhere we went on the ship outside we had cigarette smoke in our face. Of course, we still had a great time on all our cruises, but it would definitely make them more enjoyable. - cb

tinkerme1 :D

Thank you so much for confirming this... I had posted about this change a few weeks ago and folks didnt believe me because I couldnt/wouldnt give my source.

Hip; Hip: Hooray!!!!

But I'm still skeptical about the enforcement of the new rule beginning in Jan. 08. Rccl has a problem enforcing their own rules:D

I wish the casinos would become smoke-free!!!! I know that will never happen because even when NJ went smoke-free in restaurants, the casinos were exempt!!! Well, I guess it save me some money because I only stay in thw casino for about 15 minutes...after that, my eyes get itchy and red, and I sneeze at Least 20 times in a row!!!!! Then I look a mess the rest of the night!

I like the new poloicy too. I am a non-smoker. I have had my room de=smoked a couple of times. I have had OV and insides only. My first balconey is coming up in Jan. This policy should be enforces including charging the previous guest if there is a smoke smell in the room.

I applaud RCI on this new policy. It allows non-smokers such as my wife and I the ability to enjoy more of the ship and not have to worry about breathing in second-hand smoke.

Yet one more reason to sail RCI as opposed to "wherever you go you'll end up smelling like an ashtray" CCL.

So it looks like more smokers will book balcony cabins now.

Yup - what my husband just said. :D

So it looks like more smokers will book balcony cabins now.

You make an excellant point.........if 30% smoke on a cruise, the price of a balcony cabin due to supply and demand just went up.:rolleyes:

Not only will the price of balcony cabins go up but non-smokers will never be able to enjoy theirs. Even a polite smoker will not be so courteous about non-smokers complaining about the smell coming over into their balcony. And the casino will probably be overrun with smokers.......This could really be a mess.

I am definitely in favor of less smoking onboard. Second hand smoke doesn't really bother me, but I don't like it all that much either, so this will definitely make the trip more enjoyable.

I do like, however, that they're leaving some areas where you can smoke. I'm not a smoker, but I enjoy a nice cigar every now and then. ;)

So it looks like more smokers will book balcony cabins now.

We have two concerns with this new policy. The first concern is that it will become more difficult to get a balcony (hadn’t thought about the price yet) and the second is that when we do get one we will not be able to enjoy it due to smoke.

If it is true that most smokers already refrain from smoking in their cabins then maybe we won’t see much of a difference.

Does anyone know if Celebrity is also implementing the new policy?

I for one, will be very glad to have a non-smoking policy. That has been our one complaint during cruises. The first cruise we took I stepped out on the balcony and the man next door was smoking cigars. So, we couldn't even sit out on the balcony without being inundated with stinky smoke. It seemed that everywhere we went on the ship outside we had cigarette smoke in our face. Of course, we still had a great time on all our cruises, but it would definitely make them more enjoyable. - cb

No smoking in cabins = more smoking not in cabins

I am happy to hear of the new non-smoking policy. My husband is asthmatic and second hand smoke can, and often does, trigger a mild attack. We have had good experience in the past with RCCL and cleaning the rooms before the new passengers come on board. We have only had one instance where stateroom smoke bothered us. However, we avoid the areas that permit smoking, and take all precautions necessary like carry the inhalers.

Our first cruise was aboard the Carnival's Paradise, which was the only non-smoking cruise ship. It was a very pleasurable experience. Unfortunately, Carnival complained that sales were down because it didn't allow smoking on the ship. They repositioned her and now she is no longer no-smoking.

Way to go RCCL!

Do you realize that the new smoking policy will probably have the effect of increasing the amount of smoke you will be exposed to in the outside areas?

 

No smoking in cabins = more smoking not in cabins

As long as it's in the designated smoking areas, I don't think that will be a big problem. And I think most smokers already would prefer to smoke in an outdoor area than in a small, enclosed cabin, anyway. So, there may be a slight increase in the number of balcony cabins booked by smokers, but I doubt it will make a big difference, (But I could be wrong.)

I don't believe the doom and gloom predictions that this will make balconies hard to come by or that you will no longer be able to use a balcony w/o being in a cloud of smoke from your neighbors. The latter will continue to be an occasional problem, though, as it is currently.

I don't believe the doom and gloom predictions that this will make balconies hard to come by or that you will no longer be able to use a balcony w/o being in a cloud of smoke from your neighbors. The latter will continue to be an occasional problem, though, as it is currently.

I don't think anyone is predicting doom and gloom........it is an unknown factor until January..........but I have no doubt many smokers who now book inside or oceanview cabins will switch to a balcony cabin.......not all but certainly many.........

I think we'll just have to see how it plays out.......time will tell.

It may not make too much difference. Most smokers don't smoke in the cabins anyway - the smell is unpleasant, even for them.

In my opinion the rule does not go far enough. Instead of making one bar smoke-free, they should have only one bar for smokers and all of the rest smoke free. I object particularly to smoking in bars that are in passageways, like the Schooner Bar on the Vision or Radiance ships.

I hope, at least, that they enforce the ban on smoking in cabins. In my view, there is no greater fire risk than this and fire on a ship is the worst disaster there could be.

As long as it's in the designated smoking areas, I don't think that will be a big problem. And I think most smokers already would prefer to smoke in an outdoor area than in a small, enclosed cabin, anyway. So, there may be a slight increase in the number of balcony cabins booked by smokers, but I doubt it will make a big difference, (But I could be wrong.)

 

I don't believe the doom and gloom predictions that this will make balconies hard to come by or that you will no longer be able to use a balcony w/o being in a cloud of smoke from your neighbors. The latter will continue to be an occasional problem, though, as it is currently.

Best case is that I get one non-smoking lounge, and I've never spent much time in the indoor lounges. Worst case is balconies/suites harder to get/more expensive, more people smoking on balconies, outdoor areas of the ship, etc.

Seems to me like more downside potential than upside potential. Especially, for people like me. i.e. Average non-smoker who doesn't particular like smelling smoke, but isn't all ga ga about eliminating every whiff of second hand smoke.

I don't think the policy change is going to be a drastic change that smokers have to get all up in arms over. We have 1 smoker in our cruising group and he never smoked in his room (his wife doesn't allow smoking in their house, so I guess he's used to that). He either goes to the proper smoking deck (deck 4) or goes to the casino(and loses some money while he's there:eek: ) That's one of the reasons why we always stay on deck 6, just a quick run down the stairs. We often stand outside with him while he is smoking and being outdoors doen't bother me at all....it's just the inclosed places like bars and casinos.