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

[emcelh]

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.

 

I remember signs too and I also thought that the policy stated that smoking was allowed outside on 1 side of the ship. Someone quoted NCL's policy (effective 1/12) earlier in this thread and it doesn't say that any longer if that post is correct. I just wondered if, since you can't smoke in cabins now, they are designating more outdoor areas as smoking.

[time2cruise1]

Whether the $250 charge is a "fine" or "cleaning fee" is irrevelant. The bottom line is that you will pay the charge for smoking in your cabin.

 

Exactly no different then a corkage fee.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

[DMH15]

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:

Now that's funny.

 

I'd rather be near a smoker than someone who has BO or gas. But I'd rather be near someone wearing too much perfume, as long as it's one I like and I like Caesar salad. Ok, I'm wierd.

[tripkat]

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.

 

Do you mean they were smoking all over the place? Wow....how are they getting away with that? I am a smoker but I get that I need to follow the rules...even did on the pretty strict Celebrity Solstice. I find it real unfortunate if I've understood you correctly.

 

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[softsands]

Typical pro non-smoking view. Want and want and want and never satisfied.

 

Not satisfied until its banned from balconies, too.

[NeilD]

Always a fun topic. Next person to open a smoking thread should be flogged. :D

 

As a non-smoker living in California I've been very spoiled. It's very hard for smokers to find a place to practice their habit, and quite frankly it's fine with me. I will certainly respect a smoker's right to smoke in a designated area. I'll move somewhere else. However, the problem with smoke is that it doesn't read signs. It tends to permeate everywhere. On our last cruise we got into an elevator with a person that smelled so much like smoke that it literally made my eyes water. Walking down a reeking hallway isn't pleasant either.

 

I'll defend anyone's right to smoke, just don't include me in it. As stated by someone earlier, a little consideration goes a long way for both parties.

 

Mike - ( who I call the voice of reason). certainly a good point but i've gotten into elevators with a person that smelled so much like perfume that literally made my eyes water. Following them down the hallway isn't pleasant either. That person MAY have been a non-smoker but didn't care.

 

I know..I know there are no rules against perfume, but a little consideration goes a long way....just sayin....

[DMH15]

Boy this is so simple. and I am a smoker. if your in a non smoking room DONT SMOKE. find where you can smoke and smoke. thats what i do. I never light up by people anyway. Ill walk and stand alone and do my thing. its that simple.

 

 

respect non smokers and they will respect you.!!:)

You are way too sensible!

 

As I have stated, I am a non-smoker, never have. Was raised by 2 parents who were heavy smokers. Mom smoked in the shower - no lie! Over 30 years ago she quit cold turkey. She doesn't like it. But here is something interesting. She lives downtown. We were walking to church the other afternoon and she wanted to walk on the south side of Main. When I said "don't you think it will be smoky by the Tavern?", she replied, "maybe a little, but I will probably see a few of my friends to say hi to".

 

I also had a favorite Aunt who smoked. Before restaurants were non-smoking in LA she used to take our family out to dinner and we'd sit in the smoking section. She would be the only one smoking, but that was her thing and we were her guests. And we loved her. I miss her and would give anything to share one more dinner in her company even in a smoke filled room.

 

Do I wish the world was smoke free? Sure, but it's not. How many of us have spouses, partners, parents, children, loved ones, associates or friends who differ in that one smokes, another doesn't? It comes down to respect, boundaries and consideration. And that's in cruising and in life.

 

If you are a radical non-smoker maybe NCL isn't for you. Because as che states, NCL does allow smokers to light up in about 20% of the space. If they are following the rules, IMHO it is rude to make comments, hold your nose, wave your hands or otherwise. I used to be one of those people who thought waving off smoke would convey my dislike to a smoker. I have learned that is wrong. And actually I have learned it is offensive to a smoker who is in a smoking allowed place. Case in point, the casino. I would love a non-smoking casino but on NCL I actually have to modify MY behavior. First, I usually go in the daytime for less crowds. Second, if I am playing a machine I like and someone sits next to me I greet them and say something like "Hey, I know the casino is one of the few places for smokers to hang out, but I sure like it here too. Would it be too much to ask if you can set the ashtray on tge other side? So far 100% of my requests have been met with a friendly compliance. And most of the time we really enjoy each other. High fives when onevof us gets a big win.

 

Now sometimes I think a few smokers wander into non-smoking areas or err. I try and approach the with kindness and most will react that way and apologize. Only a few have been rude or indignant. So, again. So

The world is full of all kinds, smokers, non-smokers, rude, kind, outgoing, reserved, snobby, tolerant and accepting.

[che5904]

If you are a radical non-smoker maybe NCL isn't for you. Because as che states, NCL does allow smokers to light up in about 20% of the space. If they are following the rules, IMHO it is rude to make comments, hold your nose, wave your hands or otherwise. I used to be one of those people who thought waving off smoke would convey my dislike to a smoker. I have learned that is wrong. And actually I have learned it is offensive to a smoker who is in a smoking allowed place. Case in point, the casino. I would love a non-smoking casino but on NCL I actually have to modify MY behavior. First, I usually go in the daytime for less crowds. Second, if I am playing a machine I like and someone sits next to me I greet them and say something like "Hey, I know the casino is one of the few places for smokers to hang out, but I sure like it here too. Would it be too much to ask if you can set the ashtray on tge other side? So far 100% of my requests have been met with a friendly compliance. And most of the time we really enjoy each other. High fives when onevof us gets a big win.

.

 

 

You have changed my outlook so many times on these threads Donna, as I've said before you have given me my compassion back.

 

I spend a lot of time in casinos, probably a lot more than I should ;). I've been asked sort of politely to move my cigarette in a smoking section I could count on one hand. Most are incredibly rude (BTW of casinos I go to have a wonderful no-smoking section with almost all of the same machines - go figure why they insist on sitting in the smoking section). If I got asked like you did above or similarily, I probably would try and refrain from smoking while you sat beside me, or at least cut the amount I smoked and certainly tried to keep it away from you.

[DMH15]

You have changed my outlook so many times on these threads Donna, as I've said before you have given me my compassion back.

 

I spend a lot of time in casinos, probably a lot more than I should ;). I've been asked sort of politely to move my cigarette in a smoking section I could count on one hand. Most are incredibly rude (BTW of casinos I go to have a wonderful no-smoking section with almost all of the same machines - go figure why they insist on sitting in the smoking section). If I got asked like you did above or similarily, I probably would try and refrain from smoking while you sat beside me, or at least cut the amount I smoked and certainly tried to keep it away from you.

I'm sure we would have killed those slots! I believe in positive energy so I wouldn't enjoy myself if I was harboring secret resentment of the person next to me, either in how or how much they were smoking.

 

Last year on the Carnival Paradise, which ironically used to be a smoke-free ship I found this one slot machine I liked. It's the one that has a bonus round where you light up french fries, sodas, hamburgers, etc. It only had one of these machines and it was right in the middle of the casino. I just really loved it and it was on fire for me. I guess, over the course of the trip I encountered about a dozen people who smoked who sat on either side of me. As I stated, all were friendly and accomodating. So, even though there was a non-smoking section, those machines just weren't what I wanted to play. So, I really was at the mercy of the smoker if I wanted to play in their area.

 

This reminded me of a job I had in the late 80's. I worked as a consultant in the school district. I was the only white woman in a department with black women. They were smart, funny, educated, accepting and it was an opportunity to put myself in what previously had been "other people's shoes".

 

In other words, I try to look past the cigarette...

 

Thanks for the kind words.

[sdmike]

Mike - ( who I call the voice of reason). certainly a good point but i've gotten into elevators with a person that smelled so much like perfume that literally made my eyes water. Following them down the hallway isn't pleasant either. That person MAY have been a non-smoker but didn't care.

 

I know..I know there are no rules against perfume, but a little consideration goes a long way....just sayin....

 

Oh, I don't disagree at all! It's all about consideration, whether it's fragrance, smoke, loud music, talking loudly on cellphones, etc. Things would be a lot nicer if people considered the impact of their actions on others. :)

 

I'm fighting this battle with my 15 year old son and Axe cologne. He somehow thinks it's a viable alternative to showering. :cool:

[Richie2pies]

Again, the question. Does anyone know someone who has been charged the $250?

[RDC1]

How will they decide if you smoked in your cabin?

 

Last week on the Star I was in Cabin 9710. I chose it because it was a downwind (further aft) than a handicap cabin, thinking I have seen less handicap smokers I thought it would be a good choice. Not the case, both passengers (appeared very able bodied -but that is for another thread) smoked often. The smell not only wafted onto our balcony but drifted into our cabin if the door was open.

 

We arrived back from a shore excursion and our cabin stunk of smoke from earlier that morning when the balcony door was open.

 

As an x-smoker of 15 years, I don't even mind the smell BUT I certainly don't want to worry about being charged when it was from somebody else's smoking.

 

I suspect that they will do what hotel chains do. If there is sufficient evidence to suspect smoking in a room they can take a swab of a hard surface. Pretty easy to tell. Ocassional smoke entering the room is considerably different from even one cigarette smoked inside a room.

 

The other thing to keep in mind is that now the cruise line has created an expectation that each room will be smoke free with the new policy. Under the old policy there was no such expectation and very little that anyone could do if they arrived at their room and found that the previous occupant smoked. Now there is the expectation and more ammunition for passengers if they should encounter such a room. As such I expect the cruise lines will enforce, if it is detectable to the steward.

[NeilD]

Oh, I don't disagree at all! It's all about consideration, whether it's fragrance, smoke, loud music, talking loudly on cellphones, etc. Things would be a lot nicer if people considered the impact of their actions on others. :)

 

I'm fighting this battle with my 15 year old son and Axe cologne. He somehow thinks it's a viable alternative to showering. :cool:

 

Thats what it all boils down to Mike....consideration...Good luck with the Axe...

[nursebubba]

The one time I had a balcony I was worried about not being able to use it because of the smoke. The people around us smoked but they brought one of those ashtrays that help with the smoke. I wonder how many people do that and how many would use them if the ship provided them

[sadiecat]

Why not just take a can of ozium to spray in the cabin in case smoke gets in from the balcony. That is all the cleaning staff uses to get rid of smoke odor. I know because I asked and I started buying it to use in my car and it works great you would never know I smoke in my car.

[jolgro]

I have astma since I was a baby, then married a man who smokes, but hey I loved him.

I believe USA is the country with the most strict smoke-policy of the world. And it,s fine for me, I think my DH has a different opinion but that is his problem:D

 

The only thing that is strange to me is smoking in Casino,s.

So when it,s about making money, healt isn,t that importent anymore?

[che5904]

I have astma since I was a baby, then married a man who smokes, but hey I loved him.

I believe USA is the country with the most strict smoke-policy of the world. And it,s fine for me, I think my DH has a different opinion but that is his problem:D

 

The only thing that is strange to me is smoking in Casino,s.

So when it,s about making money, healt isn,t that importent anymore?

 

Keep in mind NCL hasn't stated this new cabin policy has anything to do with health.

[sparks1093]

Not satisfied until its banned from balconies, too.

 

There are cruise lines that have this policy.

[che5904]

Not satisfied until its banned from balconies, too.

 

Why not just cruise on with a company that meets your criteria of policies.

 

Never can figure out why people that don't own companies feel it is there need to change things. If I don't like the policies of a company I just put my money toward something that I do. Very simple.

[Diamond60]

DMH15...... OMG! That was so well said. Thank you!

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[sparks1093]

Why not just cruise on with a company that meets your criteria of policies.

 

Never can figure out why people that don't own companies feel it is there need to change things. If I don't like the policies of a company I just put my money toward something that I do. Very simple.

 

That's the wonderful thing about choice!

[che5904]

That's the wonderful thing about choice!

 

I agree

I actually remember a time when people used to basically change the way companies did things with their wallet. If you didn’t like the way a company ran things, policies or rules you just shopped at a competitor. That way a company actually knew what the majority of their clientele wanted.

Now it seems if you complain, whine, or make a big fuss the loudest that a company believes that’s what the majority want and change things because thats the only ones that are yelling (of course those that don’t need change and like the way things are weren’t yelling since there was nothing to yell for). I never used to speak out for smoking areas and rights. I just accepted everything that was changed because I felt that, yes it was fair to have compromises for those who didn’t smoke. Then it got out of hand and went from compromise to power tripping and wanting it all. The squeaky wheel got the grease.

I now feel the need to speak out and say wait a minute we are here and we just like things the way they are, we want our vote counted as well.

 

As much as NCL claims this is "cleaning" of cabins I would fully believe this came from screaming of customers. And the only reason this charge was put in place was to hopefully give an incentive for people to follow this policy. Unlike all of the rest of their policies that so many figure aren't worth following, booze, kids across halls, loungers etc. The problem with putting it in place to appease the screamers as said above it just opened up a whole new can of worms for even those non-smokers who didn't have an issue with cabins because the crew did a fabulous job (so weren't screaming either) and doesn't give the smoker any private space except their balcony, which now will affect more of those who didn't have an issue with inside cabins.

[smeyer418]

I agree

 

I actually remember a time when people used to basically change the way companies did things with their wallet. If you didn’t like the way a company ran things, policies or rules you just shopped at a competitor. That way a company actually knew what the majority of their clientele wanted.

 

Now it seems if you complain, whine, or make a big fuss the loudest that a company believes that’s what the majority want and change things because thats the only ones that are yelling (of course those that don’t need change and like the way things are weren’t yelling since there was nothing to yell for). I never used to speak out for smoking areas and rights. I just accepted everything that was changed because I felt that, yes it was fair to have compromises for those who didn’t smoke. Then it got out of hand and went from compromise to power tripping and wanting it all. The squeaky wheel got the grease.

 

I now feel the need to speak out and say wait a minute we are here and we just like things the way they are, we want our vote counted as well.

 

 

As much as NCL claims this is "cleaning" of cabins I would fully believe this came from screaming of customers. And the only reason this charge was put in place was to hopefully give an incentive for people to follow this policy. Unlike all of the rest of their policies that so many figure aren't worth following, booze, kids across halls, loungers etc. The problem with putting it in place to appease the screamers as said above it just opened up a whole new can of worms for even those non-smokers who didn't have an issue with cabins because the crew did a fabulous job (so weren't screaming either) and doesn't give the smoker any private space except their balcony, which now will affect more of those who didn't have an issue with inside cabins.

 

its much easier to clean cabins were people don't smoke. I don't smoke my wife does. I can tell you that NCL changed ALL the linen duvet and bed covers at the end of a cruise in any cabin where there was a smoker. they changes as much as humanly possible. It took extra time. every hotel, or any place that allowed smoking will tell you not only that it is significantly easier to clean but it also prevents burns on rugs and on beds and a lot of other places.

Now they can assign more rooms to the cleaners and have less problems.

 

BTW the room stewards will warn you before imposing the fine and there are still plenty of places to smoke as long as they allow smoking at least one place inside and you plan your room accordingly...again for my wife not me...

[smeyer418]

I have astma since I was a baby, then married a man who smokes, but hey I loved him.

I believe USA is the country with the most strict smoke-policy of the world. And it,s fine for me, I think my DH has a different opinion but that is his problem:D

 

The only thing that is strange to me is smoking in Casino,s.

So when it,s about making money, healt isn,t that importent anymore?

Holland is stricter all hotels and hotel rooms are non smoking...

[Pikaia]

The only thing that is strange to me is smoking in casinos.

So when it's about making money, health isn't that important anymore?

Yep, it is all about money. Non-smokers tend to spend less money gambling, so eliminating smoking in the casino wouldn't improve revenue much (if at all). See the case study of the Carnival Paradise, which was built and launched as a completely smoke free ship in 1998. After 6 years, Carnival reversed the non-smoking policy. Most believe it was because the non-smoking passengers on the Paradise didn't spend enough on alcohol and gambling to keep the ship profitable.

 

However, if land-based casinos ban smoking indoors, I'm sure the cruise lines will follow suit.