Discuss Implementation of Smoking Policy

[Mapu]

That is why Celebrity made the casino non smoking shortly after instituting a policy like the one Princess put into effect in January. If you leave the casino smoking with a restrictive policy it is going to become more a smoking lounge than a casino.

 

I totally agree. The casino (especially on rainy or cold sea days) is a smoking lounge with inadequate exhaust equipment.

[1 HappyCruiser]

I totally agree. The casino (especially on rainy or cold sea days) is a smoking lounge with inadequate exhaust equipment.

 

And it's such a simple solution to add some doors to the casino entrance. :(

[Ethel5]

We were on Carnival a few weeks ago and smoking in the casino was limited to those actively playing machines or using table games. You couldn't go in there just to smoke.

[IECalCruiser]

On April 23 Princess introduced a more restrictive smoking policy for cigar and pipe smokers. On Crown class ships smoking of cigars and pipes is confined to the Cigar Bars only; there is NO outdoor venue for those smokers. It is really a farce for Princess to claim that the ships are virtually smoke free when cigarette smoking is allowed in the casino which is a public space. On our recent transatlantic on the Emerald Princess, the cigarette smoke from the casino was not only unbearable but disgusting. While one could argue that you can avoid that area it is not so if you are at the Passenger Service Desk; Captains's Circle desk or anywhere else at that level other than those Princess employees BEHIND the Passenger's service desk. Cruisers on scooters wanting to cut through on deck six to the Princess theater (using the ramp provided) have to pass through the Casino to get to the theater. The smoking policy as of January has moved cigarette smokers to the Casino. The updated more restrictive policy for cigar and pipe smokers has eliminated all outdoor venues for them. The reality is there is no place for them to smoke without cigarette smokers who are also permitted to smoke in the Cigar Bars.

The policy regarding cigar and pipe smokers is not new but was part of the old (Pre January 2012) Smoking Policy. This is the notice from our October 2009 cruise in the Golden Princess in the Patter that stated:

"For those passengers who would like to enjoy a cigar or pipe, Players cigar lounge is located on deck 6. Smoking cigars or pipes outside of this lounge is not permitted."

 

Princess enforced this policy, at least on the Sapphire last year. We had a cigar smoker on the aft balcony next to ours and notified the Passenger Services Desk. The next morning they called our cabin to verify that the cigar smoking had stopped. Several times later in the cruise when we stopped by the Passenger Services Deck, the individual I had talked to the first day addressed my by my name and asked if there were any further problems.

 

With regard to the Casino, they have always smelled strongly of smoke and we avoided walking through them whenever possible. I can't speak of the Crown and her sisters but this was true of the older Grand class ships including the Grand, Golden, Star and Sapphire. Princess appears to have done it right on the Coral/Island. The walkway past the Casino on Fiesta deck is on the side and we have never been bothered by smoke smell there.

 

[h & m]

Just back from a 17 day cruise around the Top End of Australia on the Sun Princess, and happy to report no problems with smoke on the ship.

 

No smoking areas inside, the Casino was smoke free. Smoking permitted on the Starboard side of the Promenade Deck, smoking areas on Port side on Deck 12 (pool deck).

 

Hilary :)

[Charles4515]

Just back from a 17 day cruise around the Top End of Australia on the Sun Princess, and happy to report no problems with smoke on the ship.

 

No smoking areas inside, the Casino was smoke free. Smoking permitted on the Starboard side of the Promenade Deck, smoking areas on Port side on Deck 12 (pool deck).

 

Hilary :)

 

The casino was smoke free? No smoking at all inside? Interesting.......but that may have something to due with Australian law. It is not the current Princess policy.

Edited May 22, 2012 by Charles4515

[Te Aroha]

When we last sailed on the Sun it was the same as reported.

 

No smoking inside at all. They don't have a cigar bar on this ship. Casino is smoke free.

 

The only difference was smoking on the promenade deck, was port side when we were on there.

[Charles4515]

When we last sailed on the Sun it was the same as reported.

 

No smoking inside at all. They don't have a cigar bar on this ship. Casino is smoke free.

 

The only difference was smoking on the promenade deck, was port side when we were on there.

 

I think that is because it is based in Australia.

[Dinosmom]

The problem with that is that they've made one of the few smoking areas one of my favorite places on the ship - the casino. There is no alternative for that. If they had made it one of the bars, then I could use another bar. But by making it the casino it limits my use of the casino because of the additional smokers. That hardly seems fair. I know that they'll never totally eliminate smoking in the casino because they want the smokers to gamble. And I usually have few problems with the gamblers who smoke unless they are sitting right next to me, and then I'll usually get up and go to another table. What really bothers me though is that now additional smokers will accumulate in the casino JUST to smoke, and are not gambling. Those are the ones that could be off somewhere else... in some smoker's lounge or bar... where we wouldn't have to breath the additional smoke.

 

 

I have never been on a Princess ship that didn't have a non-smoking section in the casino.

[Pamster]

I have never been on a Princess ship that didn't have a non-smoking section in the casino.

 

A non-smoking night, maybe, but the Princess cruise we were on did not have a no-smoking SECTION, except for the PokerPro table, which was right next to the smoker's "lounge".

[Pamster]

And it's such a simple solution to add some doors to the casino entrance. :(

 

Not really a solution - may keep the smoke out of the areas outside of the casino - but there is then a build up of even more smoke inside the casino.

[Dinosmom]

A non-smoking night, maybe, but the Princess cruise we were on did not have a no-smoking SECTION, except for the PokerPro table, which was right next to the smoker's "lounge".

 

 

We have been on quite a few of the Princess ships and the casinos on these ships have all had a non-smoking section. Just got back on the 23rd from a cruise on the Emerald and the non smoking section of their casino was on the opposite side of the tables. They had a large selection of machines and just a slight smell of the smoker's side.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Not really a solution - may keep the smoke out of the areas outside of the casino - but there is then a build up of even more smoke inside the casino.

 

And how is that a problem? During smoking times that's exactly what anyone would expect to find in a casino and the people outside the doors should be offered some protection.

[Matcodixon]

As far as smoking and non smoking nights in the casino, how about dividing them equally for each cruise. Every other night is smoke free.

 

Of course there is the question of 5 or 7 night cruises.. Well, the majority should get the extra night, and most often that majority will most likely be non smokers.

 

Just a thought in the intrest of fairness.

[Pamster]

As far as smoking and non smoking nights in the casino, how about dividing them equally for each cruise. Every other night is smoke free.

 

Of course there is the question of 5 or 7 night cruises.. Well, the majority should get the extra night, and most often that majority will most likely be non smokers.

 

Just a thought in the intrest of fairness.

 

That would be more fair than the current 2 nights.

[april47]

Do you think that the rooms below the casino would be smelly?

[Matcodixon]

Do you think that the rooms below the casino would be smelly?

Doubtful, as the casino does not have any windows open to the outside. If there are vents they would most likely exit out on the uppermost part of the ship.

[highheel girl]

Do you think that the rooms below the casino would be smelly?

 

Not at all.

[Kinkacruiser]

My better half is a no-nicotine vaper and in April vaped at the back bar on the Dawn Princess...no problems, though he got lots of looks and questions.

It is a good think that Princess has allowed vaping.

[Charles4515]

There are still some people who still smoke on the balconies but it usually confined to the very late night or early morning (3-5AM) when it's still dark & almost impossible to catch them at it. I noticed it a few times in April and although there's not much anyone can do about it most people are obeying the new rule. Try doing it at 8 AM & they'll be a dozen people calling the Pass deck in a flash.

 

I have gone out on my balcony late night and early morning. Certainly I would be calling if I smelled cigar smoke. As for catching them, they have cameras now. They are there because of the unfortunate people who go overboard. The cruise line can now often determine the circumstances. I think they could also catch someone smoking if there was a call in about it. Also many Princess balconies are not exactly private......

[1 HappyCruiser]

I have gone out on my balcony late night and early morning. Certainly I would be calling if I smelled cigar smoke. As for catching them, they have cameras now. They are there because of the unfortunate people who go overboard. The cruise line can now often determine the circumstances. I think they could also catch someone smoking if there was a call in about it. Also many Princess balconies are not exactly private......

 

First let me say that I do agree with you, but all the security cameras & smoke detectors can't prevent people from sneaking a smoke on the balcony during the late night/early morning hours. They simple don't stand at the railing but sit there with smoking whatever. There's no way to stop it from happening that I can see. The Caribe balconies are secluded near the doorway as are the very top balconies.

(Riviera ?) Calling the passenger desk would get you no where at all unless you could give them an exact cabin location.

[Rufford155]

I am a smoker recently on Grand Princess, Mediterranean, 19 May-02 Jun.

There were plenty of smoking areas - Lido deck forward port, deck 15 aft port (nice comfortable seating) outside the new nightclub, Promenade deck midship starboard, Snookers bar and the casino (except formal nights). I didn't notice any abuse of the policy anywhere so I'd say it's working well.

There was a very large number of smokers, probably because the cruise started in Southampton so the vast majority of passengers were British - unlike other cruises we've been on.

The main snag I could see for non-smokers was that on Lido on sea days, due to the high number of smokers, the smoke tended to drift back to the midship pool area where tables are used by Horizon court diners.

I'd have thought that, rather than concentrate all the smokers in one daytime area like this, smoking on balconies would actually be preferable. At least they'd only be dotted around and, after all, out in the fresh air. Surely the smoke dissipates quickly from a balcony?

Reading some of the posts here it almost seems that some non-smokers sit on their balcony all day and night hoping to catch someone out! In another comment one person couldn't bear just to walk through the casino. Why are they so pedantic and wanting everything their own way? Plenty of things irritate me but life's not perfect, is it? So let's live and let live please.

Conclusion - policy working OK generally so good for everyone, except the few mad fanatics.

P.S. Please don't bombard me with the usual objections, I've heard it all before, I''m trying to be objective here.

[carenero]

What about the use of electronic cigarretes on cruises?

[Charles4515]

What about the use of electronic cigarretes on cruises?

 

It varies by cruise line but Princess is one that does allow them with some restrictions. Pertinent quote below.

 

"The use of electronic cigarettes is permitted in all areas onboard with the exception of dining areas and the Princess Theater. However, should a fellow passenger in the vicinity feel inconvenienced and complain, even after being told the difference between electronic cigarettes and real cigarettes, we will ask the passenger to refrain from smoking the electronic cigarette."

 

I have never seen anyone using them although there have been a bunch of threads on CC about them from CC members who claim to use them. I don't mean just on cruises. I mean I never saw anyone using them anywhere.

Edited June 17, 2012 by Charles4515

[Gloria Ardley]

I am now vaping in an attempt to cut down on the number of cigarettes I used to smoke daily. In my next cruise, I intend to vape in my cabin and on my balcony as well as in other permitted areas (which seem to almost the entire ship!). Princess' policy with regards to e-cigarettes seems to be quite sensible, except for one phase, as my partner pointed out to me: why should another passenger who "feels inconvenienced" by my vaping have the right to require me to stop? The operative word here is "feels", and not "is." Please note that there is no odor, no side smoke, no residue left on the surroundings, no dirt or ash to be disposed of. Certainly nobody would deliberately direct the residual water vapor directly at another person! Why would anyone complain?