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

[SuiteCruiser]

I am an ex-smoker, so get that you like to have a cigarette while still in pajamas, but I walked by an inside cabin door last week, and ended up smelling like an ashtray.

 

No one gets how bad places and people smell until they stop smoking, there's no tricking anyone. A tiny bit of smoke blowing in from a balcony would not cause a fine. If you are standing by the balcony door and blowing the smoke outside because it's raining or because you don't feel like stepping onto the balcony, that will still stink up the place enough that they will know it.

[flashdog_1]

Take a chill pill non-smokers! You got most of your wishes. Smokers, now can only smoke on their balconies, casinos and limited number of public areas. I remember when smokers smoked ALL OVER the ship. Smokers have rights too. So let's be fair to everyone. MHO.

 

I'm totally with you. I do not smoke but I sure used to. But my daughter and husband do not smoke and do not even allow me to smoke on our balcony. So I just find all the signs where it says, "You can smoke here" with a little arrow pointing to the ashtray, usually just outside some major exit doors on the port side of the ship (I think it was port).

 

So non-smokers, if you are on a ship where there's a smoking side and a non-smoking side, please use the non-smoking side and let the smokers enjoy themselves. Everyone will be happier abiding by the location for smoking rules. amen

[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.

[che5904]

So basically you are saying you should be allowed to smoke anywhere you wish and spoil the cruise I paid for. How selfish can you be.

 

Nice putting words in my mouth, but that isn't what I said at all, basically or otherwise.

 

And truthfully I have enough mouth of my own and don't normally need someone speaking for me, you or anyone. Thanks anyway. :rolleyes:

[SteveH2508]

Oh no :eek: Not the plank. Would I get a better view from there :D :D

 

Yes - smoking is not banned there - BUT - it does make your smokes soggy and hard to light! :D;)

[che5904]

Yes - smoking is not banned there - BUT - it does make your smokes soggy and hard to light! :D;)

 

:D :D Where's that darn like button when you need it.

[time2cruise1]

When you factor in the air-fare home from wherever they put you off the ship then it does not seem so clear cut :rolleyes:.

 

That is not a possibility. They make it clear that the $250 is not a fine but rather a cleaning charge if you elect to smoke in your cabin on NCL. It is no prohibited by rather only subjected to the cleaning fee unlike some other cruise lines rules.

 

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

[cruizecrazygramma]

I am sure this will start a heated discussion.

 

You have to book a balcony in order to be able to smoke ( I know you have to smoke on the balcony, not in the cabin).

 

If you smoke in your cabin you will be fined $250.00. Is this per day or for the whole cruise?

 

If you normally book an inside cabin, upgrading to a balcony would cost you at least $700.00 more ( for 2 people). What if you smoked in your inside cabin. You would be fined $250.00.

 

This would be a lot cheaper than booking a balcony just in order to smoke.

 

Has anyone smoked in a cabin and been fined since the new rules???????

 

 

I believe I read that the fine of $250 is a "per incident" charge.

[WolfpackFan]

Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

 

Can someone clarify to me what NCL's official policy is regarding smoking in the open areas on deck? I guess I thought it was just one side of the ship only, but two weeks ago on the Spirit they had smoking allowed signs on both sides of the Promenade Deck. On the pool deck they only had ash trays on one side, but by days end people had moved them all over the place plus I saw people smoking on both sides. One plopped right down next to me in a lounge and lit up and I thought I was on the non-smoking side. I moved. To me this is a very, very big deal. The smoke two weeks ago bothered me a great deal. As much as I love NCL, I may have to switch cruise lines because of this. It just seemed to me that there was a whole lot more people smoking on the Spirit than I've seen on Princess and Disney.

[time2cruise1]

I believe I read that the fine of $250 is a "per incident" charge.

 

That is not what it says in the official policy I pasted above. It is not a FINE but rather a cleaning charge that they would only need to do once.

[che5904]

Can someone clarify to me what NCL's official policy is regarding smoking in the open areas on deck? I guess I thought it was just one side of the ship only, but two weeks ago on the Spirit they had smoking allowed signs on both sides of the Promenade Deck. On the pool deck they only had ash trays on one side, but by days end people had moved them all over the place plus I saw people smoking on both sides. One plopped right down next to me in a lounge and lit up and I thought I was on the non-smoking side. I moved. To me this is a very, very big deal. The smoke two weeks ago bothered me a great deal. As much as I love NCL, I may have to switch cruise lines because of this. It just seemed to me that there was a whole lot more people smoking on the Spirit than I've seen on Princess and Disney.

 

"public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account."

 

The Star had smoking on the port side of the pool area and no smoking on the starboard of the pool area only. The smoking side had signs like the ones on every 2nd pillar in the photo below that stated "you are welcome to smoke here". The starboard side had no smoking symbols on the tables in that area. Otherwise all open decks except where designated or as in the quote above from NCL's FAQ.

 

 

 

I think each ship is set up differently. On the Star there were no wall ashtrays on the starboard side of the promenade deck, but there were no signs posted, I just assumed the lack of ashtrays was a sign they wanted us on the other side. On the Dawn there were ashtrays on both sides of the promenade deck except near the pub. Did you ask any of the crew in the pool area if the ship had a no-smoking area by the pool?

[DMH15]

Take a chill pill non-smokers! You got most of your wishes. Smokers, now can only smoke on their balconies, casinos and limited number of public areas. I remember when smokers smoked ALL OVER the ship. Smokers have rights too. So let's be fair to everyone. MHO.

 

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.

[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. :o

 

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

[shamrock58]

I don't book anything below a balcony anyway, so I have no intention on smoking in my cabin or booking anything less than a balcony in the future.

 

I'm sure anyone that would consider breaking this policy are the same people who think breaking any policy on NCL is OK. You either respect a company's rules or you don't, I seriously don't think the money is a deterrent one way or the other. Quite simple IMO.

 

Hey maybe if they have success charging for this broken rule, they will consider charging for all rules that passengers break like booze smuggling, chair hogging etc etc etc. :p :D

 

Chair hogging and smuggling booze are not detrimental to other peoples health. These actions might infringe on others peoples comfort, but I could suffer that but not a smokie stateroom. Yuk :mad:

[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.

[che5904]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?! :confused: