Email from Royal RE:smoking

[evelyn51]

[quote name='cjdixon4']Caffeine will soon be restricted to the Starboard side of the ship....[/QUOTE]



As long as they still provide great food I'll be aboard!

[evelyn51]

[quote name='greygoose66']Only going to increase the problem in my opinion.... unfortunately there are still a lot of passengers who smoke. Now they will all be in a confined to smaller areas and the smell will be horrific to those who complain. No more disco..... no more balcony (really people sit and chain smoke 24/7???? give me a break!), what next no smoking in the cigar lounge.... I think the complainers are sniffing too much "bunker oil" exhaust fumes on their balconies......[/QUOTE]



If they (smokers) are abandoning ships in search of lines with more smoking venues, I think that's where you will find the "increased problems".

[TC1957]

My wife and I are both non-smokers. We do not like people smoking around us as the smell lingers. That said, I just avoided areas where there were people smoking.

There are a lot of non-smokers who complain about the smell. But in my experience there are many more smokers who complain when their "rights" are further limited. My advice to them is to get ready to complain more often. If it really is that important to you to smoke on the ship, go to a line that allows it...just like non-smokers who utterly detest being around smokers stay out of certain areas.

You can whine and complain all you want...it isn't changing back. People should not expect to always be able to do whatever they want when they are on someone else's private property...and that is exactly what a cruise ship is...private property. I can assure you that if RCI felt this change would have an adverse material impact on thier bottom line it would never have been made.

Now...can we stop beating this dead horse?

[tiessa]

[quote name='evelyn51']I'm a non smoker have only sailed the lines with the LEAST available smoking venues. Celebrity, RCCL, and Disney. Does this explain it? ;)[/quote]


RCCL has had a very lenient smoking policy and will until Jan. 1 so no, that doesn't explain it but it doesn't matter.;)

[alohavictoria]

Just received the email. I do thank RCCL for the advance warning, but like cool cruiser and others, I am a smoker, but try to be considerate. I can't say I've ever seen a smoker smoke in the non-smoking areas on my cruisers and just can't imagine doing so. But, if I can't have my morning cup of coffee and smoke a cigarette outside on my balcony, then they have lost another customer.
It would have been nice if they could have set aside rooms in the back of the ship - perhaps near where the other public outdoor venues are to try to accommodate all of the passengers.

[Loralu]

[quote name='halos']I wouldn't worry about that.
Do you really think complaints from non smokers are what caused this to happen??
It's about money. No business makes any decision unless it will save them some or earn them more. For whatever reason, higher insurance rates/clean up after smokers or lack of bookings from people (the majority of which) who are non smokers, this is about the $$$ smokers cost the cruise line.
And the casinos make the cruise lines money...so I can't believe (although it wouldn't bother me any) that any cruise line will ever eliminate smoking in the casino.[/QUOTE]
[B][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Red"]
I could not agree more!!!! Well said![/COLOR][/FONT][/B]

[Dalewhale]

[quote name='Loralu'][B][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Red"]
I could not agree more!!!! Well said![/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/QUOTE]

They have in Australia and the cruise industry here is booming!

[Dalewhale]

[quote name='Dalewhale']They have in Australia and the cruise industry here is booming![/QUOTE]

[quote name='Loralu'][B][FONT="Arial Black"][COLOR="Red"]
I could not agree more!!!! Well said![/COLOR][/FONT][/B][/QUOTE]

Sorry I meant to quote the post above this one....

[Midwestgal]

[quote name='eaglerockers@msn.com'] I don't think I'll be sailing with Carnival, ever.[/QUOTE]

Just curious have you ever sailed Carnival?

I think it's wrong not to let people smoke on the balcony, I'm not a smoker and I can hardly smell it when my friend sitting next to me smokes, even if its the balcony next to ours the wind blows it away.

[My6Dogs]

Wonder what the "punishment" will be for the one who smokes on their balcony anyway.... Especially if their neighbors are not around to complain... Like 2 or 3 in the morning.

WALK THE PLANK YOU STINKY SMOKER! :-)



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[evelyn51]

[quote name='tiessa']RCCL has had a very lenient smoking policy and will until Jan. 1 so no, that doesn't explain it but it doesn't matter.;)[/QUOTE]


You are considering Norwegian &. Hal perhaps because they have "More" Smoking venues than Celebrity, Rccl, and Disney?.

[Mrs Cigar King]

Well, I'm still disappointed with the decision. Mr. King and I have been considering our plans. I have an email from a lady in Royal's corporate office that she is still researching my concerns and will get back to me. Hopefully soon so we can make a decision.
Just to alert my fine smoking friends, I did see in the faq section that smoking is allowed in the casino during operating hours. Not a good plan in my opinion so hopefully it's something that will change based on the weather. If the outer areas are closed off, some place should be available for those short times.
FWIW-I think allowing e-cigs on the balcony would go a long way to sooth my disappointment.
Now, I've been following these threads since the announcement came out. Many posts have been very reasonable. Many more have been nasty and insulting. Come on you flagitious non-smokers, keep it civil and polite.

[cruisingram1]

[quote name='createcolorfun']question: How many people are ex smokers and how many have never smoked?
If you were an ex smoker, do you have more empathy for current smokers? or do you dislike smokers more?
Just wondering....
Myself, i'm an ex smoker, glad I quit, but I still have empathy for current smokers as I know what it's like to go through withdrawals.
thanks![/QUOTE]

Ex-smoker. It's been 30+ years. Lots of reasons to quit but main reason was to keep my kids 'second-hand' smoke-free.
And now I prefer to be second-hand smoke free. I do feel for the smoker. Been there, done that. But not enough to breathe second hand smoke. I never go to the casino as it's really smoky so if all the smokers abandon RCCL ships it might bring more non-smokers in.

I am reading that many smokers only use their balcony a few times a day and thus feel they hardly impact others. Unfortunately those are the same times many others, including me, use them. First thing in the morning. Before dinner. At night before turning in.

That said I was thrilled my next-door balcony neighbors this July were non-smokers given my cruise previous to that had smokers rendering the balcony unusable during those key times of the day.

I honestly can't figure how smoke can negatively impact a balcony while the ship is moving. But it does. I could smell the smoke - did not see it. The dynamics of the smoke must be to be constrained to the balcony because of the motion of the ship and thus stray out under the balcony separation as that is the only place it can go. That's all I can figure as logic says smoke should blow out to sea before it bothers one's neighbor.






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[tiessa]

[quote name='evelyn51']You are considering Norwegian &. Hal perhaps because they have "More" Smoking venues than Celebrity, Rccl, and Disney?.[/quote]


Yes, AFTER Jan 1, 2014. Never considered Celebrity because of their smoking policy. Never considered Disney because of all of the kids. Considering Norwegian and HAL AFTER Jan 1, 2014 because they let me smoke on my balcony, different ships and itineraries, and I'm ready for something different.

[akcruz]

[quote name='Mrs Cigar King']Well, I'm still disappointed with the decision. Mr. King and I have been considering our plans. I have an email from a lady in Royal's corporate office that she is still researching my concerns and will get back to me. Hopefully soon so we can make a decision.
Just to alert my fine smoking friends, I did see in the faq section that smoking is allowed in the casino during operating hours. Not a good plan in my opinion so hopefully it's something that will change based on the weather. If the outer areas are closed off, some place should be available for those short times.
FWIW-I think allowing e-cigs on the balcony would go a long way to sooth my disappointment.
Now, I've been following these threads since the announcement came out. Many posts have been very reasonable. Many more have been nasty and insulting. Come on you flagitious non-smokers, keep it civil and polite.[/QUOTE]

My only change here would be to the last sentence, yes many non smokers have gone overboard, but just as many smokers have. All on this board, smoker or not, need to be civil and polite or all these threads will be pulled. It is a two way street and both sides need to stop, think about our fellow cruisers and find a way to get along.

[mct1230]

Just remember that smoking on a balcony caused the fire aboard a Princess ship a few years ago. I'm an asthmatic (never smoked) but my parents did. My asthma is from 2nd hand smoke and I wish ALL smoking would be banned in public places.

Smokers, I hope you NEVER have trouble breathing--it's not pleasant.

[Big_G]

[quote name='elou']How come RCCL ships sailed full with smoking being such an issue? Can't understand that non-smokers really booked. Can anyone explain that to me?[/quote]

Read the Carnival Boards lately? There's plenty of complaining about lack of live music and entertainment but they continue to cruise Carnival and like you, there are others that wonder why. Just because they complain about one aspect of the cruise doesn't mean they ready to give up on the rest of the experience.

[tiessa]

[quote name='mct1230']Just remember that smoking on a balcony caused the fire aboard a Princess ship a few years ago. I'm an asthmatic (never smoked) but my parents did. My asthma is from 2nd hand smoke and I wish ALL smoking would be banned in public places.

Smokers, I hope you NEVER have trouble breathing--it's not pleasant.[/quote]


That fire was caused by someone flicking a cigarette over the back of the ship and it landed on a balcony with flammable furniture. I'm not defending the reckless smoker, and hopefully, he is not allowed on any cruise ship again, but Princess knew there was a danger the way their boats are built and yet had no safeguards were in place like sprinklers. I think that has all changed now. Again, the primary responsibility lies with the careless smoker. It's actually amazing that that is the only cruise ship fire I've ever heard of that was caused by careless smoking. As many cruises as there are and as many smokers, it's pretty amazing. There's been a lot of engine fires and kitchen fires.

Is there a ban against candles? I know several people on balconies near us have lit candles. They need to ban those on the balconies and in the rooms, too.

[KittyCat1Million]

 

Now...can we stop beating this dead horse?

 

Not if people like you keep posting on these threads.

[KittyCat1Million]

Yes, AFTER Jan 1, 2014. Never considered Celebrity because of their smoking policy. Never considered Disney because of all of the kids. Considering Norwegian and HAL AFTER Jan 1, 2014 because they let me smoke on my balcony, different ships and itineraries, and I'm ready for something different.

 

I imagine you will get something very different from the Royal experience. I hope you enjoy cruising on those lines.

[tiessa]

I imagine you will get something very different from the Royal experience. I hope you enjoy cruising on those lines.

 

 

Thank you! I hope so, too! I think it is nice to have a different experience now and then. I love RCL but maybe I'll love one of the others, too!

[KittyCat1Million]

Wonder what the "punishment" will be for the one who smokes on their balcony anyway.... Especially if their neighbors are not around to complain... Like 2 or 3 in the morning.

 

WALK THE PLANK YOU STINKY SMOKER! :-)

 

 

 

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Royal has already stated the punishment. 1st offense a $250 cleaning fee will be assessed on your sea pass account. 2nd offense or more will be based on policies already in force for dealing with repeat offenders of cruise line policies. Meaning you can get kicked off the ship at the next port!!!

[LMaxwell]

I think plenty of people will abide by the rules and if RCI can throw a few small but meaningful amenities in to the bargain I think it's a good situation.

 

Smokers; what do you think? Policy ain't going back, can't fight it forever, may as well be looking at ideas of some simple solutions that RCI can implement to make the best of your situation.

 

How about a mini-Park Cafe type place; "Foggy Notions" or some schlock.

 

I've said in other threads and I will say here, I hope Royal caters to the smokers that follow the rules. Maybe this means an expanded on-deck coffee station, along with some snacks (fruits, muffins, donuts....duh, coffee cake) and install equipment such as downdraft ashtrays and have the crew vigilant to keep the area clean and tidy due to the expected increase in traffic.

 

See how easy that was? Instead of name calling and villifying I thought up a new snack venue, because these ships don't have enough places to eat. Good for us all.

 

Since people make a big deal out of robes (Someone on deck for coffee and a smoke in a robe wouldn't bother me at all, didn't even realize it was a thing to be bothered by) maybe RCI could bring back "Smoking Robes", those elegant type of robes/jackets from yesteryear. Maybe they could be available to rent for a nominal fee? Optional, of course.

 

I think in the future, since smoking isn't going to ever go away, RCI can potentially look at ways to design a designated indoor/outdoor type area / bar / lounge for smokers; away from the interior of the ship; something a bit more "WOW" than just section of one side of the pool deck which.

 

I think smokers have to (and for the most part will) respect the rules of the ship, and for doing so I hope Royal takes the areas you are allotted and actually DOES make them more comfortable and conducive to smokers WANTING to use the area.

 

I think part of the tricky issue is that these ships aren't like the cruises of 40, 30, or even 20 years ago that had large exposed multi-level aft decks, where having an outdoor bar setup under a canopy over looking various sun decks was the norm. Now the ships are all superstructure / hotel. Now the top decks are really the main places for being outside.

[KittyCat1Million]

I think plenty of people will abide by the rules and if RCI can throw a few small but meaningful amenities in to the bargain I think it's a good situation.

 

Smokers; what do you think? Policy ain't going back, can't fight it forever, may as well be looking at ideas of some simple solutions that RCI can implement to make the best of your situation.

 

How about a mini-Park Cafe type place; "Foggy Notions" or some schlock.

 

I've said in other threads and I will say here, I hope Royal caters to the smokers that follow the rules. Maybe this means an expanded on-deck coffee station, along with some snacks (fruits, muffins, donuts....duh, coffee cake) and install equipment such as downdraft ashtrays and have the crew vigilant to keep the area clean and tidy due to the expected increase in traffic.

 

See how easy that was? Instead of name calling and villifying I thought up a new snack venue, because these ships don't have enough places to eat. Good for us all.

 

Since people make a big deal out of robes (Someone on deck for coffee and a smoke in a robe wouldn't bother me at all, didn't even realize it was a thing to be bothered by) maybe RCI could bring back "Smoking Robes", those elegant type of robes/jackets from yesteryear. Maybe they could be available to rent for a nominal fee? Optional, of course.

 

I think in the future, since smoking isn't going to ever go away, RCI can potentially look at ways to design a designated indoor/outdoor type area / bar / lounge for smokers; away from the interior of the ship; something a bit more "WOW" than just section of one side of the pool deck which.

 

I think smokers have to (and for the most part will) respect the rules of the ship, and for doing so I hope Royal takes the areas you are allotted and actually DOES make them more comfortable and conducive to smokers WANTING to use the area.

 

I think part of the tricky issue is that these ships aren't like the cruises of 40, 30, or even 20 years ago that had large exposed multi-level aft decks, where having an outdoor bar setup under a canopy over looking various sun decks was the norm. Now the ships are all superstructure / hotel. Now the top decks are really the main places for being outside.

 

Maybe. But I don't think so.

 

I personally, as a nonsmoker have no problem with Royal expanding on the cigar/smoking lounge thing. Have a large inside bar/lounge for smokers (with nonsmokers being allowed in of course). Then have a nice bar area outside for smokers, again allowing nonsmokers of course.

 

I just don't think in the long run it is going to happen. Maybe in the short run. I think in the long run people will look back and say, "remember when people smoked on cruise ships?" Just like they say that about airplanes, hospitals, restaurants, and office buildings now.

[LMaxwell]

I just don't think in the long run it is going to happen. Maybe in the short run. I think in the long run people will look back and say, "remember when people smoked on cruise ships?" Just like they say that about airplanes, hospitals, restaurants, and office buildings now.

 

Yes, you're probably correct with that assertion. It makes the most sense to me. And I doubt RCI is going to go out and re-design anything to accomodate smokers. But maybe it wouldn't be so hard or expensive to upgrade the on-deck coffee stations and jazz it up a little bit. Make it a place smokers enjoy to congregate rather than just tolerate.