Smoking on Balconies

[kevinyork]

Hi Kevin,

I would suggest that if you can smell smoke then you have in fact breathed it in although I would agree with you that the passive smoking issue is probably no worse than standing on a street in any town.

 

For me though I want fresh air when I go on to the balcony and not to have to smell smoke. When I walk down the corridor to my cabin I don't want it to smell like a pub from years gone by. This view it would seem is shared by the majority. I don't suggest that smokers shouldn't be allowed on ship, just that they should have better places to smoke that don't come into conflict with other passengers.

 

Cheers

BR

 

I do agree with you in that you shouldnt have to "smell like a pub' but I am not sure passive smoke from the next balcony would do that. In cabin smoking though is a different thing and a no no. However, a balcony is an outdoors space and is relatively private and I just feel that some cruisers make a bigger issue of smoking than is really the true picture. They may get a whiff of smoke but then again may get a whiff of black smoke from the funnel on deck.

 

By the way, Im a non smoker. I just dont like the way some cruisers are totally intolerant to some other groups and want everything 100% their way. My sister smokes when she cruises with us (normally on the adjacent balcony on lines where she is allowed to) and I have never smelled it or noticed it. We are generally at sea and smoke dissapears pretty quickly.

 

 

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[Skintman]

I think that some comments are a bit over the top about a little bit of smoke. The effect of someone smoking on the balcony next door is surely minimal.

 

I'm sure you will breath in a lot worse walking around any city, with car/bus fumes etc. :eek:

[ibfishing2]

I think that some comments are a bit over the top about a little bit of smoke. The effect of someone smoking on the balcony next door is surely minimal.

 

I'm sure you will breath in a lot worse walking around any city, with car/bus fumes etc. :eek:

Thank you!

[raiders@1938]

I imagine this post will stir up a hornets nest among the smokers who read this but I think many will also be able to relate to some of the things I have mentioned, probably the silent majority. I intend to bring this matter up as a shareholder in the company and push for change and equality with other Carnival Group ships.

 

 

 

I don't post much but felt compelled to do so this time.

 

While you are bring it up with your fellow "shareholders", I would like for you to share with them that, in a ever changing world where people are fighting for their rights, smokers will continue to fight for their right to smoke also.

Most smokers try to respect the space of "non-smokers", but "non-smokers" forget that we also have rights.

[ibfishing2]

I agree!

[AnnieC]

Anyone who has their enjoyment of a balcony ruined by someone nipping outside for the odd fag has a problem. It's OUTSIDE, for goodness sake, exactly where the smokers have been driven by the emotive sanctimonious claptrap spouted by the over-sensitive looking for an excuse for a good old moan. Even the most determined health fanatic doesn't pretend there is a health risk, so now we're getting subjective and talking about unpleasant smells.

 

How on earth did the objectors cope before 2007 and how on earth do they manage in European ports where just about everyone seems to light up?

 

BTW, I don't smoke.

[Freecall]

Anyone who has their enjoyment of a balcony ruined by someone nipping outside for the odd fag has a problem. It's OUTSIDE, for goodness sake, exactly where the smokers have been driven by the emotive sanctimonious claptrap spouted by the over-sensitive looking for an excuse for a good old moan. Even the most determined health fanatic doesn't pretend there is a health risk, so now we're getting subjective and talking about unpleasant smells.

 

How on earth did the objectors cope before 2007 and how on earth do they manage in European ports where just about everyone seems to light up?

 

BTW, I don't smoke.

 

Well that sounds like you have a bit of an agenda on the subject.

 

We all need to be a bit tolerant but one of the problems is that as some lines have introduced stricter rules (eg. Celebrity) then the heavy smokers have gravitated towards lines such as P&O which do not have such policies.

 

This results in a disproportionate number of heavy smokers on P&O ships.

 

.

[Gettysburg]

Which is what puts me off getting a balcony!!

[Scriv]

On our recent cruise on the Oriana, I noticed the designated areas for smokers so as a non-smoker and very sensitive to it, I kept away from there. I think it was the Starboard side?

 

I found it very easy to avoid smokers, but I did wonder whether the balconies on the Starboard side would pick up on it and have to say that it would really spoil my holiday if I had forked out for a balcony then smelt smoke every time I went out on it.

[April65]

We have just come back from a two week cruise on Ventura. I was concerned before we went that I would have a smoker on the balcony next to us as I can't stand the smell of smoke. I was lucky, as we didn't. But, we obviously had one a few balconies along, because every time we left our cabin and walked down the corridor we got outside their cabin and it stunk. If I were the next person on board, in that cabin, P&O would have been looking for another cabin for me. I'm not against other people smoking, but not if it effects other people. Consideration needs to be taken. For instance, when we walked along the deck, we avoided Starboard, as we knew it would smell of smoke. The area given to smokers is a large area, so no excuse for not being able to smoke. In my opinion, smoking should be banned on balconies, purely because it is too close to sleeping accommodation. Your cabin is your bedroom, I can't imagine many smokers smoke in their bedrooms at home.;)

[kevinyork]

Your cabin is your bedroom, I can't imagine many smokers smoke in their bedrooms at home.;)

 

 

Really! Do they all get out of bed and head into the back garden? Isnt post-coital the most likely time for someone to light up?

 

 

 

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[rubydoobydoo]

Really! Do they all get out of bed and head into the back garden? Isnt post-coital the most likely time for someone to light up?

 

 

 

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Really, I thought that only happened in old movies when smoking was socially acceptable :p.

 

All I can say is YUK

[Blackrat]

Of course it was always going to happen. For those objecting, please re read my posts. I am not suggesting for one minute that smoking should be banned and there are many smokers who take care with where and how they smoke but it is true that there are some who couldn't care less.

 

I don't object to having smoking rooms or for that matter smoking on the prom deck. The main problem is with those who smoke with their balcony doors open so that smoke is sucked back into their cabins and through the air con system. Not only does the corridor smell but adjacent rooms as well. If as a non smoker you were to inherit a smokers room and object, I am fairly certain there would be no option to move you to a different cabin.

 

It's all about balance and being fair. If as a smoker you believe that other people shouldn't be affected by your smoke then you are wrong, if as a non smoker you believe that all smoking should be banned then you too are wrong.

 

At the moment the balance is not correct, smokers are not the majority of passengers so should not expect to have the majority of the areas available to them but they should expect some places where they can follow their habit in comfortable surroundings without hassle from non-smokers.

 

For those worried about P&O losing customers if smokers were restricted further, the same suggestion was made with smoking in pubs. Not only did that not come true but they attracted customers who would previously avoid smoke filled pubs. Can't say I've missed smelling like an ashtray after a visit to a pub.

 

BR

[jeanlyon]

I was about to say the same thing. We had an inside cabin on our last cruise, but the smell from a balcony cabin on the same just down the corridor was pretty strong. either they are smoking in their cabin or as you say, leaving the door to the balcony open which would have the effect of the smoke going into the cabin.

[raiders@1938]

The next thing that became apparent was that the smokers were indeed smoking on their balconies but with their balcony doors open. This meant that in places the bedroom corridors of Lido deck stank of cigarettes. The air conditioning system in our room also smelled of cigarettes from time to time, this coincided with poor weather and it begs the question whether people were only partially outside on these days.

 

I removed my "red" contacts and focused on the meat of your post. I have no problem with some restricted areas. I believe that smokers in general don't have a problem with that.

Imagine having to stand in a designated area to drink and enjoy a glass of wine. Most smokers don't mind having a designated area, but we want a comfortable (outside) area available as well as a weather protected area.

 

Blackrate, Thanks for not making this a rant and rave post. Civil discussion can go a long way.

[Blackrat]

 

Blackrate, Thanks for not making this a rant and rave post. Civil discussion can go a long way.

 

Your welcome

 

BR

[kevinyork]

 

It's all about balance and being fair. If as a smoker you believe that other people shouldn't be affected by your smoke then you are wrong, if as a non smoker you believe that all smoking should be banned then you too are wrong.

 

At the moment the balance is not correct, smokers are not the majority of passengers so should not expect to have the majority of the areas available to them but they should expect some places where they can follow their habit in comfortable surroundings without hassle from non-smokers.

 

BR

 

But they (smokers) dont have the majority of areas available to them. They have one side of the pool deck, one side of the prom deck and their balcony if they have one. They dont have anywhere inside to smoke at all so its hardly 'the majority of areas'

 

Also, whilst talking about minorities, be cafeful not to stray too far, if all minorities had to settle for second best where would we be? Gays? Blacks? Disabled? Since they are not 'the majority' then how would they be impacted upon? (And I count myself in one of those minorities)

 

It could be turned around and said if as a P&O passenger you are not happy about smoking on balconies then go on a cruiseline that doesnt allow it!

 

I can walk along a corridor and smell perfume from a cabin or food from someone having room service.......should I moan about both of these too?

 

 

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[Blackrat]

But they (smokers) dont have the majority of areas available to them. They have one side of the pool deck, one side of the prom deck and their balcony if they have one. They dont have anywhere inside to smoke at all so its hardly 'the majority of areas'

 

Also, whilst talking about minorities, be cafeful not to stray too far, if all minorities had to settle for second best where would we be? Gays? Blacks? Disabled? Since they are not 'the majority' then how would they be impacted upon? (And I count myself in one of those minorities)

 

It could be turned around and said if as a P&O passenger you are not happy about smoking on balconies then go on a cruiseline that doesnt allow it!

 

I can walk along a corridor and smell perfume from a cabin or food from someone having room service.......should I moan about both of these too?

 

 

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Hi Kevin, well it is possible for all the balconies to be occupied by smokers, on the Ventura this makes up the majority of the ship.

 

Of course it depends on your perspective, I only mention the above to play devil's advocate. Linking rights of minority groups to smokers is a point that I would not have brought up, I don't think you would be thanked for that one.

 

Ok, how about being noisy then? If I am the neighbour from hell next door to your cabin and playing loud music on the balcony and shouting from the balcony to my other half in the shower I think you might be justified in complaining about it but why? The principal is that I would be having an impact on your holiday that would be deemed unacceptable by the majority of people. I argue that I like to shout and you can hardly hear me above the wind and engine noise, people at the pool can shout and scream....well I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.

 

People aren't allowed to smoke in aeroplanes or public buildings at all these days for precisely the reasons I mention and there are places where you cannot smoke outside either. I think my suggestion of leaving the current deck spaces and an inside smoking room free for smokers would be an improvement on what they have now. In return cabins, including all balconies should be smoke free.

 

One last thing, its not a moan, I was interested in getting feedback from as many people as possible before taking it forward to the company. If I am in the minority I wont do it.

 

Cheers

BR

[rubydoobydoo]

:rolleyes: I doubt our little discussion on here will influence P & O either way so I guess the smokers can carry on doing what they are doing, they are not breaking any rules after all.

 

If you are being bothered by smoke on your balcony I guess you could give them a taste of their own medicine and eat plenty of beans :D

[shot2bits]

Hmm, not too bigoted then? I smoke a pipe but would not dream of polluting anyone else's space. My OH is a none smoker and a child minder so smoking in our home is out of the question and I don't. Similarly, on a cruise, if the balcony next door is occupied, I won't light up. If the P&O policy is to allow smoking on the balcony then that's it. Get over it and move on. If you don't like it then go on another line. Would you also ban the disabled as they get in the way, or pensioners because they may be a bit slower? I doubt it. As someone else said earlier, a little tolerance and thought and maybe we can all rub along nicely.

[shot2bits]

Anyone who has their enjoyment of a balcony ruined by someone nipping outside for the odd fag has a problem. It's OUTSIDE, for goodness sake, exactly where the smokers have been driven by the emotive sanctimonious claptrap spouted by the over-sensitive looking for an excuse for a good old moan. Even the most determined health fanatic doesn't pretend there is a health risk, so now we're getting subjective and talking about unpleasant smells.

 

How on earth did the objectors cope before 2007 and how on earth do they manage in European ports where just about everyone seems to light up?

 

BTW, I don't smoke.

Well put! Bye the way, I was relying to Simonpjd in my previous post!!!

[Cruise_lover11]

We have been in balcony rooms where we could smell the smoke inside our room when next door was smoking, like it was coming in! I suffer from asthma so it wasn't very pleasant for me. I think that one side of the ship should be smoking and one side non smoking or at least avoid putting non smokers and smokers next door to each other. I definitely like the idea of smoking being banned from balconies altogether.

[Blackrat]

We have been in balcony rooms where we could smell the smoke inside our room when next door was smoking, like it was coming in! I suffer from asthma so it wasn't very pleasant for me. I think that one side of the ship should be smoking and one side non smoking or at least avoid putting non smokers and smokers next door to each other. I definitely like the idea of smoking being banned from balconies altogether.

 

Many people think it but unlike you are not prepared to say it because they are worried about being seen as racist/anti-old people/anti gay/anti mobility impaired. (see previous comments)

 

I should add that one of my best friends is an old, black, lesbian in a wheelchair that smokes, she's quite gay as well. I still think smoking should be kept away from balconies and have put a number of questions to P&O now in relation to this.

 

BR

[Cruise_lover11]

Don't get me wrong, I do think smokers have a right to have somewhere to go where smoking is permitted but I think smoking on balconies can be an issue when its affecting other people. Princess and Celebrity must have good reason to not allow it. It's ok when people are considerate of others but not on when the balcony door is left open if this is done especially for the next person using the room.

[GHDPeter]

In Australia all the cruise ships based here dont allow smoking on balcony, in cabins or inside bars, casinos and restaurants. Smoking is only permitted in DOSAs (designated outdoor smoking area)

 

I think alot was the result of local smoking laws.

 

Have you read the Star Princess reports?

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11975460/ns/us_news-life/t/cigarette-eyed-cause-cruise-blaze/

 

http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/star%20princess.pdf