Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Royal Caribbean Bans Smoking on Balconies

LauraS

By LauraS,
in Royal Caribbean International

Recommended Posts

culinarc

culinarc

Posted
Posted

It would be an interesting experiment to see how a line having a ship completely non smoking or the other way around might do again. Might be more popular nowadays with all of the interesting and strong opinions. Maybe?http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dave85

Dave85

Posted
Posted
We generally cruise Celebrity and there is a letter on your bed when you get to your room explaining the smoking policy. Now whether people read it or chose to abide by it is a whole other issue!:)

 

This gets my vote for what RCI will do / should do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrsB05

MrsB05

Posted
Posted
And people think that the casinos are smokey now? How much will those people enjoy the casino once there are hordes of people crowded around the casino bar every night? That will be extra special on formal nights.

 

I can under stand the not splitting sides of the ship for smokers and non smokers, but why couldn't they have say 10 aft cabins on each side of each deck designated as smoking balconies? And those cabins would be first come first serve. Another incentive to book early.

 

I am a smoker and I do sympathize with non smokers. I try to be courteous and do my best to stay away from, or down-wind of non smokers. But the bottom line is that smoking (for now) is 100% legal.

 

If I'm offended by drunks... should they ban alcohol? And I think your perfume smells like doggie poo, that should that be banned too. :eek:

 

Having certain staterooms/areas grouped in one spot available to smokers is what I was trying to say earlier but somehow it got interpreted as "an entire side" which of course makes no sense.

 

I agree about the perfume.

 

Maybe Royal will now tackle the issue of people who don't follow the dress codes? Hmmmmm:p:p:p

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrsB05

MrsB05

Posted
Posted
It is a moot point now, but the wording of the old smoking policy left the issue of smoking cigars on the balcony open to debate. However it was perfectly clear that cigar smoking was not allowed in any of the public areas. The new policy seems to have changed that.

"Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships."

"Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**."

The only question I have is will there be designated outdoor areas for cigar smokers on ships that have Cigar Bars? Hopefully they do since I prefer to smoke cigars outdoors. The wording of the above statements seems to say that there will be but we all know what a good job RCI does interpreting their own rules.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought (cigar smoking allowed = matter of debate). Out of curiosity, I'm going to contact Royal directly and simply ASK (for our December 2013 cruise).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LBcruzman

LBcruzman

Posted
Posted
I hope they do personally, but read the corresponding thread on the Carnival board and the sentiment is quite different than the theads on the RCI board!

 

I agree. I also think that Carnival may get a little uptick in bookings from people upset with this. But in the long run, smoking is a big hassle for the cruise lines. Complaints from other passengers, burns in carpets, mess of ashtrays, health hazard for employees, especially the dealers in the casino!

 

In the end if others are successful at getting rid of the smoking problem, Carnival and NCL will too. None of those Cruise Lines want to be known as the Smokers Cruise Line. Big turnoff to non-smokers. Remember, smokers are a very small minority and getting smaller. You don't want to be the cruise line that non-smokers don't want to sail.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jstraw20

jstraw20

Posted
Posted
Absolutely correct here. The people using the long ago Paradise example are grasping for something that isn't there.

 

I'd be more inclined to buy into that if the overall percentage of smokers had plummeted precipitously since '98, but frankly it hasn't. If it had there would already be several 100 percent smoke free cruise ships. Not to say that it won't happen someday but IMO that day is still far, far off.

 

PR aside I'm sure this policy change was crafted with a keen eye on the bottom line and while it is indeed the new norm I wouldn't count on it going much further anytime soon, as long as anywhere from 20-30 percent of the global population still smokes.

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bigque

bigque

Posted
Posted
As a smoker myself I find it very difficult to find the designated areas on ships but I do.

But when I do have my small little area I find it is full of Non smokers taking up what little seats their are and complaining,Oh and the looks!

I am happy to not smoke on my balcony but please do not invade my space naughty boy space ;)

 

If I was a smoker and they were there, I would light up and think nothing about it, and would care less about the looks or anything else!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tiessa

tiessa

Posted
Posted
For the "head's-up" on Wednesday, Sept 4th about the smoking policy change. I called RCI that day and was advised that there was no such change! I then emailed them asking the same question. Much to their credit, RCI emailed us back that same evening apologizing for the earlier misinformation and confirmed there is; in fact; a policy change.....exactly as posted on Cruise Critic.

 

As disappointed as we are with this situation, we will not let it dampen the expectations we have for our FIRST CRUISE. (In April, we reserved a balcony stateroom for 2014) But our excitement has lost it's luster.

 

Since we previously never had the privilege of smoking on our balcony, I suppose we won't actually miss it. But the notion that it WAS available when we booked; and suddenly NOT available; bothers us.

 

WHATEVER........CAVEAT EMPTOR

 

 

I agree. I am disappointed as a smoker and I have been allowed to smoke on my balcony! I never smoked if anyone else was out on theirs to be considerate but it was nice to be able to have a cup of coffee and a cigarette in the morning.

 

I'll not let it spoil my time on my next Royal Caribbean in February. Will there be another? I don't know. This is the encouragement I need to check out another cruiseline like Norwegian. We've always cruised Royal Caribbean but I don't feel the loyalty to them I used to. I think it will be exciting to try other lines and maybe some new itineraries. In any case, I'll not let the balcony smoking question ruin my vacation!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Maryscooking

Maryscooking

Posted
Posted
You don't want to be the cruise line that non-smokers don't want to sail.

 

I really think this is what it came down to for RCI. They are really competing with DCL for family cruisers, and with Disney banning balcony smoking, I figured it was just a matter of time before RCI did the same.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LBcruzman

LBcruzman

Posted
Posted
Not sure if I will ever sail with RCI again.

But if I do could they just charge me the $250 in advance so I could smoke on my balcony.

 

That would be $250 per infringement and possibly being escorted off the ship at the next stop. Don't know how they would do that in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LBcruzman

LBcruzman

Posted
Posted
I'd be more inclined to buy into that if the overall percentage of smokers had plummeted precipitously since '98, but frankly it hasn't. If it had there would already be several 100 percent smoke free cruise ships. Not to say that it won't happen someday but IMO that day is still far, far off.

 

PR aside I'm sure this policy change was crafted with a keen eye on the bottom line and while it is indeed the new norm I wouldn't count on it going much further anytime soon, as long as anywhere from 20-30 percent of the global population still smokes.

 

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

 

But most of that 20-30% (if that number is correct) aren't in the U.S. And I think most of us are addressing U.S. based cruises, not Asian ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tinkerme1

tinkerme1

Posted
Posted
Not sure if I will ever sail with RCI again.

But if I do could they just charge me the $250 in advance so I could smoke on my balcony.

 

Based on the new policy, there may be more than just $250 cleaning fee!

 

"Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the smoking policy. These requests are made to provide a comfortable cruise for everyone. Guest may also inquire at Guest Services for the location of the designated smoking areas onboard.

 

Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of this Guest Conduct Policy."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Feelin' Nauti'

Feelin' Nauti'

Posted
Posted
It seems that many repsonders were happy with the new RCCL, but it seems that they were mainly happy with the thought that now they will get a better deal on balcony prices. Dream on!

 

This also is only another mis-placed victory by some directed at smokers because they are not able to change what really bothers them in life that matters. In other words, there are anti-smoker bullies.

 

This not like smokers are releasing chemical warfare agents. I have to laugh at those who run like babies when smoke gets near them. My friends smoke, but when they visit and wish to smoke we go out on our porch

 

As a non smoker I would rather it be done outside instead of the casino where it becomes overwhelming There must be a way to satisfy all of us. A simple ban on balconies is taking the easy way out for RCCL.

Good one!!!

Releasing chemical warfare agents....

Had to laugh. :D

 

First thing that came to mind ~~ ladies in an elevator and the overpowering stench bellowing from perfume.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LBcruzman

LBcruzman

Posted
Posted
For those smokers who are rushing to cancel their upcoming RCI cruises, I suggest you stop for a moment and really think about that. Just last month Disney announced a no smoking policy on their balconies. RCI followed suit one month later. What is to stop Carnival or NCL to jump onboard next month? So you may perhaps, be giving up a great cabin, at maybe a terrific price, searching for something that no cruise line will be offering soon. Personally, I will be totally shocked if Carnival and NCL do not follow the rest of the mass market companies and ban balcony and indoor lounge smoking soon. It may be that smokers are simply going to have to adapt their preferred smoking habits, and learn to live with these new rules. Canceling all your future cruises seems an awful lot like as my Mother used to say "Cutting off your nose to spite your face!" Take a few days to calmly assess your options before you make drastic changes that cannot be undone. If you really think about it, perhaps you enjoyed your balcony for more then just a smoking location?

 

Just my advice for what it's worth.

 

Great post!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...