NCL's new non smoking police....$250.00 fine

[che5904]

Originally Posted by kirsty_r

What was the fine/penalty before for breaking the rules? I'm pretty sure last year on the EPIC it was pretty hefty? I didn't look properly as it didn't affect us.

Nothing that I know of, people seem to be able to break whatever policy they wish to without any financial consequences. Except of course this one. This new policy with a price tag attached came in Jan. 1/12.

[shelly11]

I think it's a great rule. When you don't smoke the smell is horrible and it's VERY hard to get a room back to smelling like no one has smoked in it.

[che5904]

Originally Posted by shelly11

I think it's a great rule. When you don't smoke the smell is horrible and it's VERY hard to get a room back to smelling like no one has smoked in it.

I believe you are in a minority here on CC. I've read posts from even the most dedicated pro-no-smoking posters who have nothing but praise for NCL and their crew for being able to magically make their room fresh as if no one ever smoked in it.

I personally think they have opened up a whole new can of worms from the pro-no-smoking balcony passengers with having more smokers booking balconies. As one poster wrote above, if their balcony neighbors came out they went inside to finish their cigarette in the privacy of their own cabin, that is now not possible.

[Diamond60]

Originally Posted by DMH15

Just as in smokers, please do not generalize all of us. I do not need to take a chill pill. As I have stated I know NCL's rules and policies and I am very respectful of smokers smoking within those guidelines. Likewise, I would not venture into a smoker's area and be disrespectful. Like in the casino. I know the ropes. I could choose to cruise X, my 2nd fave line, but I love NCL's suite life.

You have many non-smokers who get upset b/c they want to sit in a certain area and it's a smoking area. They start waving and hissing, etc. unnecessarily. If you despise smoke so badly, stay away from that area. I do believe in consideration of the next person. But at the same time, I believe non-smokers should extend the same consideration to smokers. I pay for a suite and I do intend to smoke on my balcony alot since I can't do it in my suite; especially after paying that kind of money. Just hope we (my husband & I) are surrounded by smokers.

I'm going by the reaction of non-smokers on this post so far. If you are not one those who are constantly seeking more non-smoking space, then my statement was not geared to you. There are alot of non-smokers out there that feel their rights (smokeless) should be adhered to, regardless of the rules and regulations; and I don't think that's fair. Before you know it, there will be alot of bickering over the fact that the smokers use the balcony too much (which they've been complaining about that for a long time). All I'm saying is that everyone is entitle to enjoy their cruise and/or land vacations whether you're a smoker or not. Just be considerate of each other.

[shelly11]

Originally Posted by che5904

I believe you are in a minority here on CC. I've read posts from even the most dedicated pro-no-smoking posters who have nothing but praise for NCL and their crew for being able to magically make their room fresh as if no one ever smoked in it.

I'm just speaking from the point of view from someone who used to clean rooms, smoke in a non smoking room is bad!


As far as smoking in the public areas I'm fine with that, do whatever NCL says. I grew up with smokers and my husband used to smoke, I get that you need it. But please don't smoke where they tell you not to. If you don't smoke it stinks horribly and you are making more work for the crew.

[che5904]

Originally Posted by Diamond60

You have many non-smokers who get upset b/c they want to sit in a certain area and it's a smoking area. They start waving and hissing, etc. unnecessarily. If you despise smoke so badly, stay away from that area. I do believe in consideration of the next person. But at the same time, I believe non-smokers should extend the same consideration to smokers. I pay for a suite and I do intend to smoke on my balcony alot since I can't do it in my suite; especially after paying that kind of money. Just hope we (my husband & I) are surrounded by smokers.

I'm going by the reaction of non-smokers on this post so far. If you are not one those who are constantly seeking more non-smoking space, then my statement was not geared to you. There are alot of non-smokers out there that feel their rights (smokeless) should be adhered to, regardless of the rules and regulations; and I don't think that's fair. Before you know it, there will be alot of bickering over the fact that the smokers use the balcony too much (which they've been complaining about that for a long time). All I'm saying is that everyone is entitle to enjoy their cruise and/or land vacations whether you're a smoker or not. Just be considerate of each other.

I agree completely with what you are saying except for one thing. As Donna stated "please do not generalize all of us". You are right not too many on this thread, but I have ran into a quite a few non-smokers on these boards who believe that both sides should try and consider the other.

If you will notice in my posts that I use pro-no-smoking (trying to find a polite word for those who appear to want to abolish smoking and smokers), IMO they should not be grouped with all non-smokers.

[time2cruise1]

Originally Posted by kirsty_r

What was the fine/penalty before for breaking the rules? I'm pretty sure last year on the EPIC it was pretty hefty? I didn't look properly as it didn't affect us.

Once again there is no fine/penalty but just a $250 cleaning fee.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

[time2cruise1]

Originally Posted by shelly11

I think it's a great rule. When you don't smoke the smell is horrible and it's VERY hard to get a room back to smelling like no one has smoked in it.

And that is the reason for the cleaning fee. They have always been able to make every cabin seem smoke free in the past. NCL gets the most benefit from the policy change as they can give the stewards more cabins and still turn around at the same time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

[Diamond60]

Originally Posted by che5904

I agree completely with what you are saying except for one thing. As Donna stated "please do not generalize all of us". You are right not too many on this thread, but I have ran into a quite a few non-smokers on these boards who believe that both sides should try and consider the other.

If you will notice in my posts that I use pro-no-smoking (trying to find a polite word for those who appear to want to abolish smoking and smokers), IMO they should not be grouped with all non-smokers.

I agree w/ you explicitly!!! If you noticed I said, "I'm going by the reaction of non-smokers on this post so far. If you are not one those who are constantly seeking more non-smoking space, then my statement was not geared to you." Only speaking to the inconsiderate smokers and NON-smokers. We all should respect each other's rights whether we like it or not.

I apologize for the grouping. Just get upset when this topic comes up. Have a tendency of overlooking the small percentage of non-smokers who are understanding of the smoker's situation.

[Choochala]

Originally Posted by WolfpackFan

I think this is a great policy. Now if we could just get the smokers to stay on one side of the ship in the outside smoking areas. Two weeks ago on the Spirit they were all over the place. I got a headache multiple days because of them.

And if all the people with BO and stinky feet would stay at the back of the ship, and the people who had caeser salad for lunch go to the front of the ship........ You know, if it's not one thing, it will be another. Can't we just all get along?!

[martinchem]

Smoke if you must just stay away from me!

[nursebubba]

This just amazea me. I grew up with smoking all my life. Then I had a child with terrible asthma. I had to watch year after year them have to stick needles in him for IVs just so he could breath. Smoke is a given. We all know how bad it is for all of us. Even if we would go into a public restroom where a woman had used hairspray or sat near perfume in an airplane he would have an awful attack. I don't usually respond on these posts but I just wanted, even if briefly to bring it back to who it hurts the most.

[cathhduh]

Originally Posted by fletchers5

I usually don't post to much on here. I ask a question or two. Love reading all of peoples posts and reviews.

But, this just kind of popped into my head. When I originally booked my cruise ( we always book inside because we like to spend our money on other things) I didn't know that NCL had changed their smoking policy. Thanks to cruisecritic I found out. So I started looking at changing my booking to a balcony. When I received the quote for the balcony upgrade, I figured it was not worth over $700.00 to be able to walk out onto a balcony to smoke. I would just go to an outside deck.

But on another thread, I saw this $250.00 fine. So I wondered to myself....how many people will still smoke in their cabin and pay $250.00.

This is the only reason I started this thread. Just out of curiosity. Plus it is very interesting to read peoples thoughts. I knew starting this thread it would get heated.

People HATE smoke. Non smokers have rights. Smokers want some rights also. Smoking is LEGAL but yet you can't smoke. Smokers can smoke on their balcony, but then someone complains that it is traveling to their balcony. Not allowed to smoke in your cabin where it WON'T bother anyone else.

Anyways...I really don't want to start a huge fight between smokers and non smokers. I just had a little thought in my head ( smoke in cabin and pay a fine) and was wondering if anyone has done it or thinking about doing it. I NEVER said this was my intentions. I am always the one that is AFRAID to break rules.

I am NOT hoping this thread vanishes. It is quite interesting to read peoples thoughts.

it absolutely will bother other people, my brother has asthma, luckily not as bad as many other people, but you have to figure that second hand smoke will make it through the air conditioning vents and such and make it into the hallways-rooms next to you, what if your neighbor is a 6 year old kid with severe asthma!
i understand you have an addiction- but there are places where you can smoke, and there are places where you cant smoke! just trying to make people see both sides!

[WolfpackFan]

Originally Posted by Choochala

And if all the people with BO and stinky feet would stay at the back of the ship, and the people who had caeser salad for lunch go to the front of the ship........ You know, if it's not one thing, it will be another. Can't we just all get along?!

Actually no, we can't. Not as long as I have to breath someone else's second hand smoke and I seem to have no choice but to move. I had no idea that NCL's official policy was to allow smoking on the open decks wherever people want. I thought they were restricted to just one side of the ship. That explains why the fellow two weeks ago felt okay lighting up right next to me. I moved to get away from him. This conversation has been very interesting to me. I had previously planned on us taking the Gem to NE in 2013, but I think now I will switch back to Princess. I don't remember people smoking as much on Princess. And the bad thing is I really love everything else about NCL. But the smoking two weeks ago bothered me that much.

[dread_pirate]

Most hotels have gone totally non-smoking. Not on balconies, not in public areas inside, and only in designated areas outside.

Why should NCL (or any ship) be different? They're actually more lenient than other places. And yes, there is an "outdoors" on ships - the decks with designated smoking areas. It doesn't matter if it's raining or nasty; you'd have to go out at a hotel, so go out on a ship.

I'm not a rabid anti-smoker - smoke if you must. However, I expect everyone to follow the rules that NCL or any other line have propagated. I'll stay out of your smoking areas if you'll leave your cigarettes in your smoking areas (or unlit in non-smoking areas). Then we can all "get along."

[NLH Arizona]

Originally Posted by Prnsessmoi

My thought when we first booked this cruise (a LONG time ago), since Hubby and I are both smokers, was that if we had neighbors on their balconies we could step inside to smoke. Since when we booked, the staterooms all allowed smoking, and I read here on CC that balcony smoking often could detract from others' balcony enjoyment.

Now we won't have the option to be quite so considerate to our balcony neighbors.

Oh well, at least we had the foresight to book a balcony. And we'll be ON A CRUISE...finally.

You are more than welcome to be my neighbor. I don't like the smell of smoke, so I have purchased a small travel fan so the smoke won't travel towards my balcony. If you don't mind my fan, I won't mind you smoke.

[che5904]

Originally Posted by dread_pirate

Most hotels have gone totally non-smoking. Not on balconies, not in public areas inside, and only in designated areas outside.

Why should NCL (or any ship) be different? They're actually more lenient than other places. And yes, there is an "outdoors" on ships - the decks with designated smoking areas. It doesn't matter if it's raining or nasty; you'd have to go out at a hotel, so go out on a ship.

I'm not a rabid anti-smoker - smoke if you must. However, I expect everyone to follow the rules that NCL or any other line have propagated. I'll stay out of your smoking areas if you'll leave your cigarettes in your smoking areas (or unlit in non-smoking areas). Then we can all "get along."

I've actually had no issue with finding a hotel that still has smoking rooms no matter where I've had to travel to. So your argument doesn't hold much.

I'm not a rule breaker so I have not problem following any of NCL or any other company's rules.

[che5904]

Originally Posted by NLH Arizona

You are more than welcome to be my neighbor. I don't like the smell of smoke, so I have purchased a small travel fan so the smoke won't travel towards my balcony. If you don't mind my fan, I won't mind you smoke.

Great attitude

[emcelh]

Originally Posted by WolfpackFan

Actually no, we can't. Not as long as I have to breath someone else's second hand smoke and I seem to have no choice but to move. I had no idea that NCL's official policy was to allow smoking on the open decks wherever people want. I thought they were restricted to just one side of the ship. That explains why the fellow two weeks ago felt okay lighting up right next to me. I moved to get away from him. This conversation has been very interesting to me. I had previously planned on us taking the Gem to NE in 2013, but I think now I will switch back to Princess. I don't remember people smoking as much on Princess. And the bad thing is I really love everything else about NCL. But the smoking two weeks ago bothered me that much.

They must have changed policy because I remember smoking being restricted to one side of the ship, not that everyone respected it.

[che5904]

Originally Posted by emcelh

They must have changed policy because I remember smoking being restricted to one side of the ship, not that everyone respected it.

Perhaps if the poster could not tell which side was smoking and which wasn't. Maybe the problem wasn't in the passengers that were not adhering to rules but in the lack of signage.

As I stated earlier that on the Star there were signs on the pillars that smokers could smoke there, but the other side only had little signs in the center of tables that had a no smoking sign on them. So if some inconsiderate person set the ashtray over the sign, the innocent (trying to smoke in the right place) wouldn't see it.

I also had a dispute on another thread with a poster who swears there were no signs on the dawn in 2009 and I swear their was. I actually had a photo from the dawn (the one posted earlier in this thread) that showed the smoking section to prove 1/2 of my point, unfortunately because I wasn't in the no smoking section I didn't have a photo of the tiny sign on the no smoking tables.

I think NCL should do a little better at posting designated and undesignated areas.