Royal Caribbean Bans Smoking on Balconies

[jstraw20]

Agreed, taking matters into your own hands is potentially dangerous. Just call Guest Services.

[Mrs Cigar King]

We always ask for an ashtray from the room attendant. He will inform them at that time.

[bmac1]

I am sure they will put some type of sign or notice in the balcony cabins saying no smoking on the balcony.

[Zigggypup]

I would send them over a plate of Chocolate covered Strawberry's via room service and a copy of the on board smoking policy :)

 

If they send you back a box of bandages, watch your back !!!

[leaveitallbehind]

Agree with calling guest services. Would not want to get into any discussion with another passenger in that regard.

[Seaworthy01]

It is the passengers responsibility to be familiar with the policies. The question is will there be a zero tolerance rule put into affect. I personally don't think everyone reads the policies, but if you are a smoker and you know that there are limitations no matter where you go now a days, wouldn't you think that the smoker would familiarize them selfs with the smoking policy before they even book? Even if you don't want to read the policy read the FAQ's.

[Langley Cruisers]

To my knowledge there were very few, if any, issues about no smoking inside the cabin once that change came about. I understand enforcing this outside ban may be more difficult - some people will try and sneak in a quick ciggie and try not to be caught - so as a few others have said, I would call Guest Services with the cabin number of the smoking passenger. They would not know who reported them, just that someone did because they are in violation of the rules.

[Zigggypup]

It is the passengers responsibility to be familiar with the policies. The question is will there be a zero tolerance rule put into affect. I personally don't think everyone reads the policies, but if you are a smoker and you know that there are limitations no matter where you go now a days, wouldn't you think that the smoker would familiarize them selfs with the smoking policy before they even book? Even if you don't want to read the policy read the FAQ's.

 

Most repeat Royal Caribbean cruisers would not re-check the policy unless they were told specifically otherwise. New cruisers to RCI would check the policy prior to booking. Only a small percentage read Cruise Critic.

[LindaO]

Two things to remember... on all of the new ships and many of the older ships... there are cameras trained on balconies. These cameras are monitored 24/7 :eek: (Ok.. now that I have the attention of anyone who has done anything on a balcony they never wanted filmed!!)

And... even though we think Royal doesn't have a plan in place to take care of the smoking balcony offenders -- they do... or they will by January 1..

[akcruz]

Even with their lack of communication now, I would bet that signs would be on the balconies or a notice in the cabin at least for the first months or so of sailings so all should be aware of the policy by the time they are in their cabin.

 

As for notifying anyone I agree with others here, no way I would approach another passenger, especially with this new change. A simple call to guest services would suffice.

[Beachin2]

Putting aside everyone's strong feelings on both sides of the smoking policy change, I'm wondering how the balcony smoking ban post 1-1-14 will play out. (Full disclosure: I'm a non-smoker who is pleased with the change but understands that smokers may be upset with the change).

 

For example, if I'm out on my balcony, and I see someone two cabins aft and two decks below who is smoking, and the smell is making it unpleasant for me, I assume that I first shout down to them and politely remind them of the new policy. But let's remember, a small minority of RCCL cruisers actively look at Cruise Critic boards, and many might not know of the new policy. So many smokers might not know of the change. (How often have you read RCCL's policies front-to-back?)

 

Aside from the logistics of "politely shouting" to someone 50 feet away from you, what if they either respond by ignoring you, or with attitude or questioning the new policy? What do you do then? Do you call Guest Services? By the time they send someone to that stateroom, undoubtedly the smoking will have ended. (And this is assuming you can figure out which stateroom to direct them to). Do those people get a warning? What if they deny they were smoking? And given that the new policy doesn't say anything specifically about being forced off the ship for repeated violations (unless I missed somethinge where that is said), who is to say that someone would ever be kicked off even for verified repeated violations?

 

As I said, I favor the new policy, but it might end up causing a lot of grief, ill-feelings, shouting matches, etc. out on the balconies. I'm guessing we'll see a lot of post-January threads about arguments breaking out over this.

 

You must have the most sensitive sense of smell on the planet. You should probably leave enforcing the rules to those that are trained to enforce them though.

[Zigggypup]

Two things to remember... on all of the new ships and many of the older ships... there are cameras trained on balconies. These cameras are monitored 24/7 :eek: (Ok.. now that I have the attention of anyone who has done anything on a balcony they never wanted filmed!!)

 

And... even though we think Royal doesn't have a plan in place to take care of the smoking balcony offenders -- they do... or they will by January 1..

 

I doubt RCI will spend the money to install a camera system so they can see what's happening on everyone's balcony. But time will tell. I would consider that an extension of my cabin and a privacy issue.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

I am sure they will put some type of sign or notice in the balcony cabins saying no smoking on the balcony.

 

This!

[Zigggypup]

You must have the most sensitive sense of smell on the planet. You should probably leave enforcing the rules to those that are trained to enforce them though.

 

Maybe he/she is part hound...............lol

[ryano]

Personally, I would stay out of it and not say anything. I mind my own business though and have never been one to "tattle tale" on anyone. There are other rules that I have seen broken on cruise ships every cruise but I dont go calling up guest services at the least little thing. If its not an immediate danger like someone sitting on the rail, Im staying out of it.

 

Someone else can rat out the perp but it certainly wouldnt be me.

 

Of course I dont stay in balconies anyway so wouldnt even know about it in the first place. Im just saying if I did, Im not gonna rat the person out.

[setsail]

MYOB and leave the running of the ship to the crew:rolleyes:

[Beachin2]

Maybe he/she is part hound...............lol

 

Now now - no flatulence or perfume based jokes - behave!

[Orlandocruiser]

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!:)

[Zigggypup]

Personally, I would stay out of it and not say anything. I mind my own business though and have never been one to "tattle tale" on anyone. There are other rules that I have seen broken on cruise ships every cruise but I dont go calling up guest services at the least little thing. If its not an immediate danger like someone sitting on the rail, Im staying out of it.

 

Someone else can rat out the perp but it certainly wouldnt be me.

 

Of course I dont stay in balconies anyway so wouldnt even know about it in the first place. Im just saying if I did, Im not gonna rat the person out.

 

I like the word "perp". You must be in law enforcement? But I wouldn't label a smoker a perp just because they are smoking in an area that they shouldn't. Alleged perp maybe.....lol

 

Whatha gonna do when the smoking police come for you.......bad boys bad boys.

[ryano]

I like the word "perp". You must be in law enforcement?

 

No, I watch a lot of Law and Order SVU though :cool: LOL!

[Lee & Melissa]

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:

[akcruz]

I doubt RCI will spend the money to install a camera system so they can see what's happening on everyone's balcony. But time will tell. I would consider that an extension of my cabin and a privacy issue.

 

Next time you are on a ship take a look, the cameras are already there. How do you think they have figured out what has happened with some of those that have 'fallen off the ship'.

 

Now, do they monitor them 24/7 no, but they have them on 24/7 and can easily go back to see what is going on.

[Zigggypup]

Next time you are on a ship take a look, the cameras are already there. How do you think they have figured out what has happened with some of those that have 'fallen off the ship'.

 

Now, do they monitor them 24/7 no, but they have them on 24/7 and can easily go back to see what is going on.

 

I know they have camera's that monitor the railings. But they don't have camera's that are geared to see onto everyone's balcony.

[ryano]

But they don't have camera's that are geared to see onto everyone's balcony.

 

Thats a good thing! They would certainly get an eye full from the "balcony club" members! :eek::D:cool:

[culinarc]

I cant believe smokers have not gotten used to this yet. They are constantly being beaten back and quite frankly disrespected sometimes. I quit smoking about 2 years ago and am happy I did for many reasons but one of them is the constant persecution of society today. Keeping in mind that smokers pay considerably more taxes than most, (if you look at the tax on each pack of cigarettes and do the math on what is sold in your state the numbers can be staggering) they get nothing for it other than bad health. They are getting more bad publicity all the time. So I do think there will be problems with this because of such strong feelings on both sides. If the cruise line plans to police it like they do chair hogs, underage drinking, teen curfews, line cutters etc... the new rule will not be enforced and it will on occasion cause animosity among cruisers. It is not going to get easier for people who smoke though. I think it is a no brainer that all lines will eventually have the same policy. I liken it to growing pains within our cruising society but we will get through it hopefully without loosing anybody.