Smoking on balconies

Carnival has just banned smoking on balconies and will impose a $250 fine on guests who do so. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5906

Any chance that Seabourn will be included?????

What is interesting is the following statement by Carnival. Wonder who Seabourn's management is listening to and how they can take a different position.

"Effective October 9, 2014, the cruise line will ban all smoking on cabin balconies; the line already prohibits smoking in cabins. According to company spokesman Vance Gulliksen, the change to the line's smoking policy is in response to "the preferences of a majority of our guests." Additionally, the updated policy is consistent with most other major cruise lines' smoking policies"

Carnival has just banned smoking on balconies and will impose a $250 fine on guests who do so. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5906

Any chance that Seabourn will be included?????

My guess - either, with luck, it would be included or the powers that be will wait to see how much, if any, impact, it has on Carnival sales.

My experience in the UK that refraining from smoking is now becoming more a matter of good manners rather than the law.

Smoking on a Seabourn balcony is more intrusive than smoking in the room.

Tony

But smoking on the verandah doesn't leave a think in the furniture, drapes and rugs. In other words it won't cost them anything to removes that stink.

Let's all hope Seabourn will follow suit VERY soon.

Wasn't it just a few years ago when a fire started on one of the Princess ships from a cigarette on the verandah. Between the danger of smoking no the verandah and the nuisance it causes to those who do not smoke who are in adjacent rooms it amazes me that smoking would be permitted.

Keith

Couldn't agree more.

I also think about the fire potential of throwing cigarette 'butts' off of the verandahs or over any of the ship's rails. Explanations of the dangers and admonitions against this are included in the life boat/security drill.

I certainly would be in support of eliminating smoking on balconies. However, I do think that smokers will smoke. The question is where. If they are going to sneak onto their balcony and now smoke there without benefit of ashtray [to extinguish the cigarette] I wonder whether this would increase the likelihood of still burning cigarettes being thrown overboard.

Yes, I am aware that many lines have designated outdoor areas for smoking. These, of course, depend on the discipline and cooperation of the smokers.

I also think about the fire potential of throwing cigarette 'butts' off of the verandahs or over any of the ship's rails. Explanations of the dangers and admonitions against this are included in the life boat/security drill.

 

I certainly would be in support of eliminating smoking on balconies. However, I do think that smokers will smoke. The question is where. If they are going to sneak onto their balcony and now smoke there without benefit of ashtray [to extinguish the cigarette] I wonder whether this would increase the likelihood of still burning cigarettes being thrown overboard.

 

Yes, I am aware that many lines have designated outdoor areas for smoking. These, of course, depend on the discipline and cooperation of the smokers.

Some forward thinking cruise lines are very pro-active on smoking violators. The following comes from Oceania's web site:

Smoking in a stateroom or suite represents a serious fire and safety hazard to all guests and staff. Guests chosing to disregard this policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be subject to additional fees that will be imposed to cover the costs associated with any damage to and the required cleaning of furnishings, verandas and surrounding deck or accomodation areas. All areas other than those specified as Designated Smoking Areas will remain smoke-free.

We have sailed with cruise lines that have eliminated smoking on their verandahs and it has not been an issue. From time to time someone tries to smoke and it is reported quickly. Most cruise lines have a policy on that too. Smoke once there is a warning. Smoke a second time and you are off the ship.

To not implement a rule for fear that someone will break the rule I think is unwise. It's 2014 and I can't imagine why any cruise line would allow smoking on a verandah for both the safety, and health of guests along with the nuisance that it creates for the majority of the guests who are non smokers to begin with.

If Carnival can do this then it is amazing that Seabourn would be behind them as opposed to have not led on this one.

Keith

As I stated, I am in favor of no smoking on balconies. I am glad to learn that some cruise lines have forward thinking policies for violators. Keith, the latter is what I had in mind with my statements. I wasn't suggesting that a rule not be implemented out of fear but that one anticipate that there may be violations. I also like a smoking room such as Crystal has. Most cruise lines have had to move to the no life boat drill/no sail because some folks didn't follow rules about attendance. And I think that we all have observed other 'rules' violated without penalty. .

Paula, I agree. The key is to enforce it. This is one of those rules that is easy to enforce. IMHO because this is safety. My experience is some items that are more challenging to enforce related to guidelines but once you implement no smoking that is really easy to enforce. Even Carnival when they went years ago with a no smoking ship (which they eventually abandoned but that had to do with the challenge of occupancy reates) would enforce the policy by removing passengers from the ship.

I also agree that a smoking room such as the ones that are on Crystal and Silversea are the way to go.

This really is an issue that they need to just implement. To me aside from the nuisance it's one of those items that if there was a fire caused by someone smoking on the verandah that everyone would say well why wasn't the rule in place. Why one wouldn't be pro-active on this amazes me. I think back to the way the Princess ship looked after that fire and it is truly amazing that no one was hurt and even that one could have been catastrophic. And it really is such a nuisance to non smokers.

Keith

I have followed this thread with interest because I am curious one day about trying Seabourn out but there's one deal-breaker for me, and that's the smoking issue. I took the time to write to Seabourn and I'm most impressed that they answered me within the day! That's great customer service. I didn't get the answer I hoped for, of course, but I haven't a doubt that industry pressure will cause Seabourn to reevaluate. It's inevitable. This is what I said, with their reply following--

Message: Dear Sir or Madam, My husband and I love cruising and thus far we have stayed with the RCI ship family of Royal Caribbean, X, and Azamara,with Azamara far and away being our favorite. However, much to our dismay Azamara has blocked off weeks and weeks for charter cruises and this has prompted us to look at similar lines. I must say that we feel we'd be a good fit for Seabourn with one glaring exception that is a deal-breaker: the smoking issue. We cannot tolerate smoking on the verandas or inside ships. We've had to make a bit of a bend in our preferences in that RCI ships still allow it in their casinos but we're not gamblers so it's easily avoided. I am writing you today because I have read that only this week both Carnival and NCL have banned smoking on verandas and inside (save the casinos), which makes me hope that Seabourn might make a similar announcement in the near future? We would be delighted to try your lovely ships if you could be more proactive in safeguarding our lungs. Based on all I read and see, I think banning smoking on your ships would align your policies with that of other luxury lines...and make you so much more attractive to a whole new passenger base. Like my husband and me. Thanks for your time.

Dear Mrs. N.,

Thank you kindly for contacting Seabourn Cruise Line regarding our current smoking policy. Your thoughtful and heartfelt feedback is greatly appreciated, and will be forwarded to our upper management for review. At this time we have not been advised of any plans to forbid smoking on our verandas; however, the perspective of our guests, both current and prospective, is highly valued and will be taken into consideration as we continue to evaluate this policy.

If you should have further questions or concerns, please do contact us. We appreciate that you have taken the time to reach out, and we do look forward to possibility of welcoming you aboard in the future.

Best Regards,

______________________________

Faith

Seabourn

PHONE: 800 929 9595

EMAIL: seareservations@seabourn.com

seabourn.com

The above response from Seabourn is essentially the same as they have been saying for over 2 years. The new White House press secretary couldn't have said nothing any better.

dln929,

Firstly, I do hope that you will join a Seabourn cruises soon, or as soon as the company finally bans smoking on verandas and at the Observation Bar (where it is allowed after 20:00). Seabourn offers a unique product which is the reason we return often and do not bother with other lines.

Kiawahdon is right with his observation. Now... if Faith of Customer Service was in upper management there, maybe head of marketing or higher, she could save herself the trouble of issuing these wordy excuses and in just a few words deal with this outstanding matter once and for all:

"Effective XX/XX/2014 Seabourn ships will expand its no-smoking policy to verandas and the Observation Bar in line with the wishes of the majority of our customers and the industry's luxury cruise market segment. Smoking will, however, be permitted in the XXX designated area(s)."

Go Faith!

I am almost completely perplexed as to why Seabourn continues to allow smoking on balconies and in the Observation Bar. And now we have the evidence that parent Carnival has pursued a more healthy non-smoking policy. However I am not completely perplexed...perhaps Seabourn continues to favor a small number of faithful smoking travelers, and thinks that the revenue from them trumps the lost revenue from the non-smokers who scorn Seabourn.

Maybe Seabourn Management has not conducted a thorough and balanced cost benefits analysis?

They might start off with the definition of environmental costs (as taught in business schools, by the way) which is more holistic and complex than some may want to consider...

But at present, and simply based on conjecture, I guess Seabourn now thinks:

No policy change + catering to those who smoke on verandas and after 20:00 in the Observation Bar

is more valuable/profitable/acceptable/sensible than

a policy change + catering to those who want smoke free verandas and Observation Bar + attracting new business from those who agree with the aforementioned + consistency with the luxury cruise segment + the parent's own policy + risk of fire mitigation thinking.

This scenario is not complete by any means given that no one but Seabourn Management knows what they believe.

Go figure.

Happy sailing!

We are currently on the Quest and overall there are very few smokers, even in the designated public areas. There is a handful of people who use the Sky Bar designated area and one pipe smoker who sits where he should outside The Square on the rear deck. We haven't seen anyone smoking in the Observation Bar but as the weather gets cooler as we head further north that may change.

However, our next door neighbours smoke on their verandah early in the morning and at other times too. Unfortunately we are downwind from them so we are forced to share their smoke. It actually makes our verandah unuseable for periods of time. I do plan to join in the chorus of protests to Seabourn about this but I'm not holding my breath like I have to when trying to enjoy our verandah. Grrrrr.

Hello everyone--one of the reasons I included my e-mail and response is that it has the address to which you may contact Seabourn and let them know of your displeasure with their current smoking policies. Write to them! I have no idea whether Seabourn watches this forum (as Azamara and X do for those forums) but even if they do, there's nothing like a personal letter/e-mail. Perhaps if they get enough letters they will reconsider their stance.

Even NCL has now banned smoking on balconies of of November 2014. It's only a matter of time.

We are currently on the Quest and overall there are very few smokers, even in the designated public areas. There is a handful of people who use the Sky Bar designated area and one pipe smoker who sits where he should outside The Square on the rear deck. We haven't seen anyone smoking in the Observation Bar but as the weather gets cooler as we head further north that may change.

 

However, our next door neighbours smoke on their verandah early in the morning and at other times too. Unfortunately we are downwind from them so we are forced to share their smoke. It actually makes our verandah unuseable for periods of time. I do plan to join in the chorus of protests to Seabourn about this but I'm not holding my breath like I have to when trying to enjoy our verandah. Grrrrr.

Dear Wombat (one of my favorite creatures): I feel your pain. The same thing happened to us on the Sojourn. Our smoking neighbor was smoking on the verandah day and night and using her walker the rest of the time to get to the smoking area behind Seabourn Square. Go figure.

From Cruise Critic today.

Where oh where is Seabourn???

Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

Beginning November 2014, smokers won't be able to light up on their cruise ship balconies when sailing Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian is the second major cruise line in eight days to extinguish cigarette smoking on cruise ship balconies.

From Cruise Critic today.

Where oh where is Seabourn???

 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

Beginning November 2014, smokers won't be able to light up on their cruise ship balconies when sailing Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian is the second major cruise line in eight days to extinguish cigarette smoking on cruise ship balconies.

Can't be long now surely.

One can only hope.

I emailed Seabourn Reservations to ask about smoking on verandas and also mentioned my Nov., 2014 and Feb., 2015 reservations. I said I would hate to have someone in an adjacent cabin ruining my veranda usage because they chose to smoke while I was trying to breathe clean air.

The response I received was the usual one- about the current policy and balancing the needs of guests (presuming that many nonsmokers don't mind

having carcinogenic smoke waft across their verandas and in their faces?) and then there was something that I have not seen before.

Now... I may be reading too much into this but the response said that there is no change planned re the current smoking policy before the Nov. cruise.

Could that possibly mean that there WILL BE one for 2015? Or was this reservations person just being specific about my next cruise and did not know what to say about 2015?

I hope that change is a-comin' in 2015!

Happy sailing!