Solution to the "Smoking on the Balcony" Problem/Debate

[mathgeek1978]

The solution is simple: Make one side (say port side) smoking and the other side (say starboard side) non-smoking. Do you think Carnival should experiment this?

[firefly333]

I dont think they want to be responsible for matching up smokers and non smokers to the right cabins.

 

How would Carnival handle gtys?? Have to call everyone to find out their smoking preference? It would be a hassle for Carnival, so Im thinking they wouldnt agree.

[mathgeek1978]

How difficult is it to ask another question on the booking form: Do you prefer smoking or non-smoking?

 

Just like do you prefer early seating or late seating?

 

The matching up can easily be computerized. Those who book their own cabins can choose smoking/non-smoking themselves.

[firefly333]

How difficult is it to ask another question on the booking form: Do you prefer smoking or non-smoking?

 

Just like do you prefer early seating or late seating?

 

The matching up can easily be computerized. Those who book their own cabins can choose smoking/non-smoking themselves.

 

Would it wind up like the airplanes used to be, if you booked late, and all the non smoking cabins were gone, you had to go sit in the smoking section, .. or not fly?

 

Have a different price for smoking and non smoking cabins .. seems like the demand for non smoking cabins is higher for hotels. So you wouldnt want all one side of the ship to be smoking cabins.

[KruznKel]

How difficult is it to ask another question on the booking form: Do you prefer smoking or non-smoking?

 

Just like do you prefer early seating or late seating?

 

The matching up can easily be computerized. Those who book their own cabins can choose smoking/non-smoking themselves.

 

So it will gty me the cabin I want???

[Irishlinny]

I thought of this a long time ago, as I'm sure Carnival has. However, how do they fill the ship if only a quarter of the people want smoking cabins? The latecoming nonsmokers would have to then book on the smoking side. Then the issue still exists....

[mathgeek1978]

If smoking or non-smoking is an important factor to you and you must have a smoking or non-smoking balcony, then don't book a guaranteed category, but instead select your own cabin.

[mathgeek1978]

I thought of this a long time ago, as I'm sure Carnival has. However, how do they fill the ship if only a quarter of the people want smoking cabins? The latecoming nonsmokers would have to then book on the smoking side. Then the issue still exists....

 

Every non-smoker today is booked in a smoking cabin/balcony (spa cat excepted). If having a non-smoking balcony is important enough for those passengers, then it is their responsibility to book early to secure a balcony on the non-smoking side. The other side is just "smoking allowed" like the way it is now, and it doesn't seem to bother too many non-smokers, as all their ships sail full.

[PA Dutchman]

Do they want to sail with half a side not filled and you know which side it will be. Just like on the lido deck, the smokeing side is always full and the other side is half full. Try again.

[mathgeek1978]

Do they want to sail with half a side not filled and you know which side it will be. Just like on the lido deck, the smokeing side is always full and the other side is half full. Try again.

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

[hubofhockey]

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

 

They already are. Spa balcony cabins are non-smoking. I snapped one up. I was willing to pay extra not to be near any smokers on my balcony. Even the deck below us is non-smoking. We may try a Celebrity cruise and not have to worry about any of this next time.

[okwriter]

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

 

I'm not so sure. If someone can smell smoke from the car in front of them (as posted in the current smoking vs. non-smoking thread) and has to grab an inhaler, then they will be able to smell smoke on the opposite side of the ship (or in the same port...or in the same ocean.) :D

[KruznKel]

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

 

They already have them on the new ships.. Dream.. Splendor and the new Magic.. so where are they all.. they are not only complaining about the balcony it is every where else on the ship they smell smoke... :rolleyes:

[vacruizer]

It comes down to possible unsold cabins for Carnival. Their business model requires them to sail full and while you can come up with general percentages for smokers vs. nonsmokers, they run the risk of not being able to fill cabins at the $$ they want if only one or the other category is left. They don't want to take the chance that when trying to fill the ship close to sailing time they might miss a booking because one or the other category is sold out.

 

Hotels run very differently which is why they were able for many years to offer both - with expected average occupancy of somewhere like 70% and you were doing great.

 

I'm a smoker and I actually wish they could figure something out. Just as the non-smokers don't want to be next to me (i won't smoke in the cabin just as I don't smoke in my house) I get tired of the very loud complaining from the neighbors. And it's never a polite stick your head around and say "excuse me, but I'm really bothered by smoke and is there any way we could work something out where you didn't smoke while i"m out here" but instead is loud, rude remarks about the disgusting neighbors, etc.

 

As a side note, I got a good laugh on my last sailing. We were booked almost all the way aft in hopes that we would bother the fewest people on our balcony. DH lights up the first afternoon and the loud complaining began about how their cruise was ruined AGAIN by having G-Da** smokers next door and how as platinum guests they shouldn't ever have to be next door to a smoker. In the same breath, complaining guy says, "I guess we'll just go to the casino instead of sitting out here." :eek::p

 

Umm, if you are bothered by a stray whiff on a moving ship out in the open air, I'd hate to see you in the casino... :p We noticed over the course of the cruise that if they heard a lighter click the complaining would begin. But if one of us was out there already smoking when they walked out and nothing clued them in, we didn't hear a peep.

 

I do wish Carnival could figure out a way to keep everyone happy on this, though.

[okgirl]

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

 

Were you not around when the Paradise was non-smoking? If Carnival believed it was business model they wouldn't have returned the Paradise to the same rules that the rest of the fleet uses.

 

I don't see them risking sailing even partially empty based on either side of the ship not having guests to fill individual smoking preferences.

[sharecruises]

Were you not around when the Paradise was non-smoking? If Carnival believed it was business model they wouldn't have returned the Paradise to the same rules that the rest of the fleet uses.

 

I don't see them risking sailing even partially empty based on either side of the ship not having guests to fill individual smoking preferences.

 

That is old news over 10 years ago

 

and it was totally NON smoking...I found it a joke that CC even listed Paradise as a "Turkey" however...my guess is that those who "run this" are addicted to smoking <grin>

 

Fact : while 20% of Americans may smoke in many states it is far less 14% in California and 17% in Florida and MY guess is less in south florida than in central/Northern florida

 

states like West Virginia have 28% smokers..and NO laws against smoking:eek:

 

times are changing...the Splendor is a good "model" for the future at Carnival....upper deck side for smoking, part of casino, sports bar and cigar bar and that's all folks....no smoking around the pool or in the disco or piano bar...

yes the "experiment" was well taken and implemented as permanent

 

I think as long as smokers have some places to smoke it will be ok, they will still cruise....I think more ships will move to what Celebrity is doing

 

(and before you tell me to cruise on Celebrity may I tell you to cruise on Asian lines cause they allow smoking and have such a high % of smokers)

 

I do think the "e-cigs" are a good idea...a friend of mine used them even in dining room on Destiny and no one minded....I can't smell anything from them, she wisps out "vapor" and gets her nicotine fix and keeps her hands and mouth busy without making other people uncomfortable

 

that is a good win-win

 

e-cigs are also less of a health hazard to the smoker..none of the cancer causing extra junk in them

[serene56]

Once non-smoking balcony cabins are available on Carnival, you'll be suprised how many people will switch to Carnival from other lines.

 

 

I dont believe that for a minute. A lot of those people have the mind set that Carnival is a party boat and not the cruise experience they get on their line.

 

As for the Paradise---I think if they moved it to different ports instead of doing the same ones year after year after year--it woulda worked better.

People were just tired of the same ole same

[okgirl]

Actually the Paradise was non-smoking as recently as 2004 that's when I was on her. I think the balance of smoking and non-smoking on all ships is about right.

 

I have not smoked in 20 years and no longer enjoy the aroma, but neither am I offended by the current plan.

[jtdlmc]

If the smokers had one side of the ship then the complaint would be that the smoking side gets more sunsets, port views, etc, etc, etc. :rolleyes:

 

BTW - I'm a nonsmoker and I think the nonsmokers are going a little bit overboard these days (no pun intended)!

[CinWin]

I am praying that the people in the cabin next to ours on our Miracle cruise will not be smokers who will be lighting up on their balcony while we are on ours. :( Cigarette smoke makes my chest hurt as it is inhaled into my lungs. The smell of cigars also makes me feel sick. My husband has asthma but isn't affected by smoke like I am. We have sailed twice on the Paradise when it was a non-smoking ship and I loved it because it was smoke free.

Cindy

[StillPooh]

I am praying that the people in the cabin next to ours on our Miracle cruise will not be smokers who will be lighting up on their balcony while we are on ours. :( Cigarette smoke makes my chest hurt as it is inhaled into my lungs. The smell of cigars also makes me feel sick.

If it is such a huge deal for you, why didn't you book 1) a spa cabin, 2) an inside or OV cabin, or 3) another cruise line with no smoking allowed on the balconies? :rolleyes:

[echotumi]

since i paid for it , and um paid for the lighter and cigar and paid alot of taxes on all of it ,, ill be enjoying plenty ,,i did give up cigs some years ago . they dont bug me at all.next thing some folks will want to ban is people with pets and there dander and perfume i wish some folks would wear more of it , there is the x cruise line ,

[Ptown]

It comes down to possible unsold cabins for Carnival. Their business model requires them to sail full and while you can come up with general percentages for smokers vs. nonsmokers, they run the risk of not being able to fill cabins at the $$ they want if only one or the other category is left. They don't want to take the chance that when trying to fill the ship close to sailing time they might miss a booking because one or the other category is sold out.

 

Hotels run very differently which is why they were able for many years to offer both - with expected average occupancy of somewhere like 70% and you were doing great.

 

I'm a smoker and I actually wish they could figure something out. Just as the non-smokers don't want to be next to me (i won't smoke in the cabin just as I don't smoke in my house) I get tired of the very loud complaining from the neighbors. And it's never a polite stick your head around and say "excuse me, but I'm really bothered by smoke and is there any way we could work something out where you didn't smoke while i"m out here" but instead is loud, rude remarks about the disgusting neighbors, etc.

 

As a side note, I got a good laugh on my last sailing. We were booked almost all the way aft in hopes that we would bother the fewest people on our balcony. DH lights up the first afternoon and the loud complaining began about how their cruise was ruined AGAIN by having G-Da** smokers next door and how as platinum guests they shouldn't ever have to be next door to a smoker. In the same breath, complaining guy says, "I guess we'll just go to the casino instead of sitting out here." :eek::p

 

Umm, if you are bothered by a stray whiff on a moving ship out in the open air, I'd hate to see you in the casino... :p We noticed over the course of the cruise that if they heard a lighter click the complaining would begin. But if one of us was out there already smoking when they walked out and nothing clued them in, we didn't hear a peep.

 

I do wish Carnival could figure out a way to keep everyone happy on this, though.

 

Good post! You make some valid points. I also book a balcony because I will not smoke in my cabin as I also do not smoke in my house.

 

I think that mathgeek is at least trying to be proactive with a solution. Even if one side of the ship was designated smoking, you would still get some non smokers who are not bothered by an occasional cigarette, booking with no preference. Kind of like requesting "first available" use to be in restraunts.

 

On a side note, I understood that the major problem with the Paradise was not so much that it did not sail full but that they found that most non-smokers did not spend as much money on drinking and gambiling.

Dave

[idiebabe]

That is old news over 10 years ago

 

and it was totally NON smoking...I found it a joke that CC even listed Paradise as a "Turkey" however...my guess is that those who "run this" are addicted to smoking <grin>

 

Fact : while 20% of Americans may smoke in many states it is far less 14% in California and 17% in Florida and MY guess is less in south florida than in central/Northern florida

 

states like West Virginia have 28% smokers..and NO laws against smoking:eek:

 

 

It maybe old news for the Paradise but it is what is happening on the Ships today. The smoke-free areas of the Ships are dead! The Atrium Bar, Casino Bar that is smoke-free on some ships, the lounges that are smoke-free are dead! The Promendade used to be alive when there was smoking allowed now it only comes to life on Elegant Night other than that....dead! The Lido Bar on the Non-Smoking side of the Ship was closed the entire time on my last several cruises. The Bar on the Smoking side open and busy. They used to have both bars open even after they went Non-Smoking but due to lack of business they now keep it closed. So, where are the anti-smokers because they are not in these non-smoking areas drinking and spending money. They are not in the non-smoking section of the Casino...the machines sit empty!

 

Where are all of you? You must be on your balcony freaking out with fear that your neighbor may light up on their balcony because you sure aren't in these non-smoking areas spending money!!!

 

Though it maybe true that 20 -25% of Americans smoke with them travel non-smokers. The world is made up of Anti-smokers, Smokers and Non-Smokers (those that don't have a problem with cigarette smoke). The Anti-Smokers are actually in the minority when you throw in the percentage of the Non-Smokers who don't object to smoking and travel with smokers.

 

Be careful what you wish for....more restrictive smoking may result in higher fares, cutbacks in quality, etc.

[hamfiveo]

Too complicated imho.... this would generate way too many complaints.

 

I'm not a smoker and the system is fine.