Seems Royal caribbean is still losing bookings,because of smoking band.

Just an FYI to all you people who say they are giving plenty of notice...last week on the Oasis you could smoke in Boleros and they stopped it this week. So they are taking it away before the Jan 1 deadline.

Apples & oranges.

RC has often adjusted which public facilities allow smoking and which are non-smoking. (Cf. The pubs on the Royal Promenade)

It wasn't an easy decision for them...they are Diamond with RC.

See? This proves it. ;)

See the aviation industry. It's a matter of TIME!

They must not be canceling our cruise im still waiting for a price drop. So all you smokers on Jan. 18th Indy cruise cancel soon so we can get a price drop:D Nothing against smokers I just quit 3 weeks ago so far so good.:)

They must not be canceling our cruise im still waiting for a price drop. So all you smokers on Jan. 18th Indy cruise cancel soon so we can get a price drop:D Nothing against smokers I just quit 3 weeks ago so far so good.:)

I am also looking at my next cruise for a better cabin location. So far, doesn't look like there are any cancellations. Any smokers cancelling midship on the 3/11 EX cruise let me know. I also was a smoker, now a nonsmoker for many years.

Just a thought but maybe they should have made one side of the ships balcony smoking and the other non. Just my 2 cents. It doesn't bother me but thought this would accommodate both smokers and non.

The ships for March aren't booked solid so why are you waiting on smokers to cancel? Sounds like you really aren't booking double the cruises you promised Royal if they would stop the smoking. I have a cruise that was already booked and it will be the last with Royal. Feel free to book what would have been the 3 balcony cabins our family always books. They'll be available this summer. Predicting that other cruise lines will follow is really not something you need to concern yourself with, unless you have nothing better to do with your time except interfere in the decisions of other cruisers.

We don't buy into the premise that the cabin/balcony smoking ban is a bad thing.

1) There is not a smoking ban on RCI cruises - just a ban smoking in cabins/balconies.

2) Just as many people may very well want to cruise more (us included) knowing there are less smoking locations on board as though who resent the smoking reduction.

3) We just had friends book on a future cruise in 2014 with us, and one of them smokes regularly. Their response when we brought up the lack of smoking access in cabins/balconies: "no big deal as long as I can go someplace to smoke".

Perhaps this is an over-stated "issue" that really doesn't mean much to most folks.

My husband and I are not fans of smoking either, but I have never been bothered by people smoking on their balconies. In fact this last cruise our room was next to my parents and we had adjoining balconies where they could open the partition so we can share a large balcony and still didn't notice their smoke at all. The only place it sometimes bothered me was the casino.

It's not just the smoke. We just got off the Allure a couple of weeks ago. We were dock at a port on a fairly calm day. Had some cigarette ash fall on our balcony from above. Not very pleasant.

We go out of Baltimore the same week each January. Usually book at the last minute and get a great price because the kiddies are back in school right the holidays and traditionally, it's been a slow week for cruising.

Cruise is already sold out and has been for a while. If we had waited until the last minute this year, we would have been out of luck.

I don't know if the economy is picking up, cruising in general is picking up or if the non-smoking policy is driving sales but things are looking good for RCI.

From my perspective, I don't believe that the Smoking Band has hurt them at all :rolleyes:

Seems Royal Caribbean smoking policy is costing them.Could have been handled better. :)

Despite your unfortunate typo. I haven't seen any greater number of sales and prices seem to be firm.

Thanks for pointing this out because I get a little mad when people say RCI give enough notice of changes so that those who wish to change their plans don't lose anything, because from the minute we book in the UK, any change we make costs and if it is as a result of a RCI corporate decision, we just have to suck it up. That's unfair.

This is not correct. I told them exactly why I was cancelling and received my deposit back. Under ABTA rules they have changed our expectations of the holiday we booked and are required to refund any monies paid.

:eek:

This is not correct. I told them exactly why I was cancelling and received my deposit back. Under ABTA rules they have changed our expectations of the holiday we booked and are required to refund any monies paid.

My parents were scheduled for August 2014 (Alaska). They cancelled when I told them the news of the new smoking guidelines and rebooked with Carnival. They smoke, I don't.

Ah yes, the use a single example of an item to prove the item. Saying that since one person who you know did something means that everyone does it is like saying that since someone you know made a billion dollars, everyone makes a billion dollars.

Agreed. Also smoking has become an almost socially unacceptable habit and is not allowed in and near public buildings and venues so I fail to see what the rationale is that it that should be allowed on balconies. If I understand the policy there is still one side of the ship that has a smoking area. What cruise line are people supposedly flocking to?

My guess would be NCL and CCL.

My guess would be NCL and CCL.

and HAL... which will be next to join the 21st century? It is just a matter of time. (That really irritates the smokers that live near De Nile) ;)

And? I just stated a fact..that is all. Why do you find it necessary to try to debate each thing I post on this thread? Have a nice day :mad:

Ah yes, the use a single example of an item to prove the item. Saying that since one person who you know did something means that everyone does it is like saying that since someone you know made a billion dollars, everyone makes a billion dollars.

Huh? Handled better how? Notification was given long befor anyone was in a penalty phase. Precisely what facts is your statement based upon?

I was never notified. I only hard of the change in policy on here.

I was never notified. I only hard of the change in policy on here.

What rock do you live under?

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And don't forget about those folks who only booked inside cheap cabins and will now book balconies that they can actually use.

Or those people that booked balconies and suites so they could smoke and now will be booking cheap insides!

Tucker in Texas

This is not correct. I told them exactly why I was cancelling and received my deposit back. Under ABTA rules they have changed our expectations of the holiday we booked and are required to refund any monies paid.

That's interesting and I think they have done the right thing by you (and hopefully any others in the UK who want to cancel). I'm not sure it is a clear cut case under the ABTA Code, though - it would have to amount to a "significant change" in the arrangements and you can still smoke on the ship. I'm glad they didn't argue that, though :)

Don't panic, people. They only have a smoking band on certain ships and itineraries. Most times, the bands have to abide by the same smoking rules as everyone else. :cool:

Don't all Bands smoke ? It's a rock n roll thing.

......yea.....have you ever seen Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones in concert? He has a smoke hanging from his lips while playing if not there then lodged in the neck of his guitar . Now Bing Crosby use to smoke a pipe.....does that count?

I, being in law enforcement know a lot of people who have died from the pipe . Oh wait we are still talking about tobacco and not crack .:eek:

I wish they would ban people that feel the need to bathe in perfume :eek::D

Or make them sit on one side of the ship !:p