Can you still smoke in...........?

[leaveitallbehind]

Yes.

 

....it is on the back side facing the pools on the Gold card deck above the pool deck just forward of the pools.

[LetsGetWet!]

Yes, oasis feb 1st sailing. Casino was unbearable. Even the non-smoking side. The front entrance near the glass sculpture lots of people just stood around smoking - not gambling.

There have been a number of reports like that - the casino turning into essentially a smoking lounge with quite a few smokers not gambling, just smoking.

 

I'm willing to bet if that continues - smokers using it as a smoking lounge without gambling, and therefore non-smokers who WOULD gamble being driven away - that you'll soon see that policy changed. RCI won't be pleased with the loss of revenue in the casinos.

[lovesthebeach2]

Oops... I would hope those places wouldn't sink! :eek: Sorry about the typo!

 

Very true! I have wanted to go to Boleros on my last two Oasis class sailings but when you get near it the smell knocks you over!

 

I've read the casino is unbearable under the new policy since it has turned into the de facto smoking lounge. Anyone experienced this? :confused:

 

I'm not surprised that the casino is full of smoke since they took away most places for them. It's not a problem for us since we don't gamble :D

I'm so happy that the clubs are smoke free so we can go and have fun now.

[Royal2464]

Smokers need to take their blinders off. While smoke is certainly an offensive nuisance to non-smokers, that is not the primary reason cruise lines have banned smoking on balconies. The primary reason is fires. There have been a number of fires on cruise ships, and many of them have been traced back to discarded cigarettes. Fires at sea are not a laughing matter, and in my opinion smokers who violate the rule should be disembarked at the next port.

[comxkid]

If a smoker pays the same fare as a non-smoker and is made to feel like a second-class citizen, then yes... it is.

 

I'm all for limiting smoking in indoor areas...fair compromise for all involved. But outdoors on balconies? If you're standing on your balcony, you're inhaling way more dangerous stuff from the smoke belching out of the stacks on the ship than you ever could from a cigarette.

 

The new rules strike me as kind of unfair.

 

The cruise ship is not unlike many offices in the U.S. Here in Florida, you are not allowed to smoke inside an office building. So smokers take a break, ride an elevator to the ground floor, exit the building and smoke.

 

How is that any different than asking a smoker to get on the ship's elevator, go the port side of the pool deck and enjoy a smoke?

Edited March 14, 2014 by comxkid

[Tennessee_Cruiser]

I'm not surprised that the casino is full of smoke since they took away most places for them. It's not a problem for us since we don't gamble :D

I'm so happy that the clubs are smoke free so we can go and have fun now.

 

You sound like us! I have never gambled, but I often think, "maybe I should give it a try!" (Note: I was a math undergrad and statistics grad major so we talked A LOT of gambling in my classes and I was one of the only kids who never did it.)

 

Now that the casinos are where the smokers hang out I will avoid it like the plague and spend more time in the SMOKE FREE clubs!!! We love the clubs, but always hated being right next to a smoker. Thank goodness those days are GONE!! :D

[jp30338]

Smokers need to take their blinders off. While smoke is certainly an offensive nuisance to non-smokers, that is not the primary reason cruise lines have banned smoking on balconies. The primary reason is fires. There have been a number of fires on cruise ships, and many of them have been traced back to discarded cigarettes. Fires at sea are not a laughing matter, and in my opinion smokers who violate the rule should be disembarked at the next port.

 

Where is the source of your information?? :rolleyes:

[Big_G]

If a smoker pays the same fare as a non-smoker and is made to feel like a second-class citizen, then yes... it is.

 

I'm all for limiting smoking in indoor areas...fair compromise for all involved. But outdoors on balconies? If you're standing on your balcony, you're inhaling way more dangerous stuff from the smoke belching out of the stacks on the ship than you ever could from a cigarette.

 

The new rules strike me as kind of unfair.

 

Non-smokers can't smoke on their balcony either so I'm not sure why you think that makes you feel second class. :confused:

[LetsGetWet!]

If a smoker pays the same fare as a non-smoker and is made to feel like a second-class citizen, then yes... it is.

 

I'm all for limiting smoking in indoor areas...fair compromise for all involved. But outdoors on balconies? If you're standing on your balcony, you're inhaling way more dangerous stuff from the smoke belching out of the stacks on the ship than you ever could from a cigarette.

 

The new rules strike me as kind of unfair.

 

Non-smokers can't smoke on their balcony either so I'm not sure why you think that makes you feel second class. :confused:

Not to mention the fact that the smoke from the ship's stacks exits well above any balconies and goes UP - or at worst case closer to horizontally if underway and a good wind - but does not go DOWN to the balconies. There are reports of soot on a few aft balconies on occasion, but that's larger particulates which are heavy enough to fall, not smoke that one would be inhaling.

[leaveitallbehind]

There are reports of soot on a few aft balconies on occasion, but that's larger particulates which are heavy enough to fall, not smoke that one would be inhaling.

 

...which to my understanding is the result of incineration from cleaning the stacks, which I was told is more frequently done in a port of call more so than while underway.

Edited March 14, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[LetsGetWet!]

...which to my understanding is the result of incineration from cleaning the stacks, which frequently is done in port more so than while underway.

Thanks, didn't know that. I'd think the ports would not be impressed with that, but I imagine its something you can't do while under full (or close to full) power underway.

[gerif]

Non-smokers can't smoke on their balcony either so I'm not sure why you think that makes you feel second class. :confused:

 

Good one!

[leaveitallbehind]

Thanks, didn't know that. I'd think the ports would not be impressed with that, but I imagine its something you can't do while under full (or close to full) power underway.

 

...my reference actually indicated ports of call such as Labadee, Coco Cay, and perhaps other tender ports - not so much at the pier in crowded ports of call. But again this is only my understanding from information received on board on time.

Edited March 14, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Ocean Boy]

If a smoker pays the same fare as a non-smoker and is made to feel like a second-class citizen, then yes... it is.

 

I'm all for limiting smoking in indoor areas...fair compromise for all involved. But outdoors on balconies? If you're standing on your balcony, you're inhaling way more dangerous stuff from the smoke belching out of the stacks on the ship than you ever could from a cigarette.

The new rules strike me as kind of unfair.

 

Ridiculous.

[Ocean Boy]

Not us. Even though the distance is almost the same and AC has more amenities, we usually head to the NY casinos that are completely smoke-free. Such a pleasure.

 

We sometimes go to the casinos here, which are not smoke free, for dinner. Just walking through the casinos on the way to, and then from, the restaurants is all it takes to make our clothes stink. I wish they would go smoke free here. It would be a pleasure.

[graphicguy]

I usually try to stay out of the smoking discussions as I'm a non-smoker that isn't nearly as combative as some are on either side of the issue.

 

So, I really don't have a dog in this hunt.

 

That said, I was just talking with someone last weekend who happens to be a political "representative" regarding the whole smokiers v non-smokers. She had an intersting observation.

 

When all the law suits hit against the tobacco companies hit, most states had a feeding frenzy and a bonanza of cash coming in (not those who were affected by smoking related illness, but their lawyers and the states). Those awards are now drying up. So, now that revenue has to be replaced.

 

Enter e-cigs and pot. This representative believes that e-cigs will replace tobacco as a taxable revenue source. She also believes that states will drop like dominoes after seeing the tax revenue the legal sale of pot brings into their coffers.

 

What does this have to do with the cruise industry? Well, they aren't selling cartons of tobacco cigs becuase they're concerned for your health. If there's money to be made (namely with e-cigs replacing tobacco) the cruise lines will allow it.

Edited March 14, 2014 by graphicguy

[Emmee D]

The cruise ship is not unlike many offices in the U.S. Here in Florida, you are not allowed to smoke inside an office building. So smokers take a break, ride an elevator to the ground floor, exit the building and smoke.

 

How is that any different than asking a smoker to get on the ship's elevator, go the port side of the pool deck and enjoy a smoke?

 

Right...the whole idea is that smokers have to go outside to smoke. (I'm in NYC...smoking indoors in public places, offices, hotels, etc. has been banned here for ages)

 

As I said in my post, my issue is not with limiting/prohibiting smoking indoors. I don't have any issue with that. When you're on a balcony, you're not indoors anymore, you're outside...same as if you're on the port side of a ship.

 

Its just an observation on my part, nothing more. Sure, non-smokers shouldn't have to deal with cigarette smoke on thier vacation if they don't wish to. But I think smokers have a right to enjoy as well without being treated like pariahs, especially since they pay the same fare that non-smokers do. That's why I think that banning smoking on balconies is a little excessive.

 

Its a shame that when RCI put this rule into play, they didn't follow the "port-side only" guideline like they have with smoking on the outdoor decks. At least then you'd know which side of the ship to consider booking a cabin on and there would probably be less friction between smokers and non. IMO, that might have been a fair compromise for all passengers. But it is what it is.

[LetsGetWet!]

I usually try to stay out of the smoking discussions as I'm a non-smoker that isn't nearly as combative as some are on either side of the issue.

 

So, I really don't have a dog in this hunt.

 

That said, I was just talking with someone last weekend who happens to be a political "representative" regarding the whole smokiers v non-smokers. She had an intersting observation.

 

When all the law suits hit against the tobacco companies hit, most states had a feeding frenzy and a bonanza of cash coming in (not those who were affected by smoking related illness, but their lawyers and the states). Those awards are now drying up. So, now that revenue has to be replaced.

 

Enter e-cigs and pot. This representative believes that e-cigs will replace tobacco as a taxable revenue source. She also believes that states will drop like dominoes after seeing the tax revenue the legal sale of pot brings into their coffers.

 

What does this have to do with the cruise industry? Well, they aren't selling cartons of tobacco cigs becuase they're concerned for your health. If there's money to be made (namely with e-cigs replacing tobacco) the cruise lines will allow it.

Sure they'll cell e-cigs & supplies if there's money to be made. But as shown by the current situation with cigarettes, selling them is entirely separate from restrictions on where they may be used/smoked aboard.

[Eng23]

If a smoker pays the same fare as a non-smoker and is made to feel like a second-class citizen, then yes... it is.

 

I'm all for limiting smoking in indoor areas...fair compromise for all involved. But outdoors on balconies? If you're standing on your balcony, you're inhaling way more dangerous stuff from the smoke belching out of the stacks on the ship than you ever could from a cigarette.

 

The new rules strike me as kind of unfair.

I've never had smoke from the stacks of any of the ships I have been on come down to my balcony area. In general smoke rises and with the height of a ships stack, exhaust smoke will go up and aft if the ship is moving.

[Emmee D]

Sure they'll cell e-cigs & supplies if there's money to be made. But as shown by the current situation with cigarettes, selling them is entirely separate from restrictions on where they may be used/smoked aboard.

 

True.... no doubt the botton line ($$) is a major factor. I wonder what would happen if cruisers who smoke decided to purchase their cigarettes, etc. in ports rather than on the ship? I know that's what I've done with businesses that I've had a bad experience with.... my wallet and I go elsewhere.

 

Just posing a hypothetical. Not trying to start a boycott or anything. Of course, RCI could just turn around & stop selling them, I guess. As long as I can get my duty-free rum, I'm happy. :D

[LetsGetWet!]

Right...the whole idea is that smokers have to go outside to smoke. (I'm in NYC...smoking indoors in public places, offices, hotels, etc. has been banned here for ages)

Not sure about NYC, but here in the DFW area, most cities have extended the bans to the outside areas directly outside of offices, hotels, etc. I'm guessing the concentration of smokers and smoke a couple steps outside the entrances must have become too great.

 

As I said in my post, my issue is not with limiting/prohibiting smoking indoors. I don't have any issue with that. When you're on a balcony, you're not indoors anymore, you're outside...same as if you're on the port side of a ship.

 

Its just an observation on my part, nothing more. Sure, non-smokers shouldn't have to deal with cigarette smoke on thier vacation if they don't wish to.

And therein lies the problem. Non-smokers paying for balconies WERE having to deal with cigarette smoke if heavy smokers were in adjacent balconies.

Its a shame that when RCI put this rule into play, they didn't follow the "port-side only" guideline like they have with smoking on the outdoor decks. At least then you'd know which side of the ship to consider booking a cabin on and there would probably be less friction between smokers and non. IMO, that might have been a fair compromise for all passengers. But it is what it is.

Without knowing the percentages of smokers vs. non-smokers booking balconies before the rule change - nor the logistics on various ship classes for trying to delineate a section of balconies for smoking - I'd agree that that's a compromise that could potentially make sense.

[LetsGetWet!]

True.... no doubt the botton line ($$) is a major factor. I wonder what would happen if cruisers who smoke decided to purchase their cigarettes, etc. in ports rather than on the ship? I know that's what I've done with businesses that I've had a bad experience with.... my wallet and I go elsewhere.

 

Just posing a hypothetical. Not trying to start a boycott or anything. Of course, RCI could just turn around & stop selling them, I guess. As long as I can get my duty-free rum, I'm happy. :D

I'm not a real militant anti-smoking guy - and I absolutely support your right to vote with your $$$ if you don't like RCI's smoking policy - or any other policy for that manner! :)

[Emmee D]

I've never had smoke from the stacks of any of the ships I have been on come down to my balcony area. In general smoke rises and with the height of a ships stack, exhaust smoke will go up and aft if the ship is moving.

 

 

I guess it depends on where you are & how the wind's blowing. I came out onto my balcony one morning on our last cruise & thought we were in a light fog but it was smoke from the stacks. And it smelled awful. lol No, it wasn't pouring down thick smoke on our balcony, but the wind must have been blowing in such a way that some got close enough that we could see/smell it.

 

I've gotten a big whiff of stack smoke a handful of times on ships and for me, I'd rather have 10 smokers in a circle around me puffing away.

[comxkid]

Right...the whole idea is that smokers have to go outside to smoke. (I'm in NYC...smoking indoors in public places, offices, hotels, etc. has been banned here for ages)

 

As I said in my post, my issue is not with limiting/prohibiting smoking indoors. I don't have any issue with that. When you're on a balcony, you're not indoors anymore, you're outside...same as if you're on the port side of a ship.

 

Its just an observation on my part, nothing more. Sure, non-smokers shouldn't have to deal with cigarette smoke on thier vacation if they don't wish to. But I think smokers have a right to enjoy as well without being treated like pariahs, especially since they pay the same fare that non-smokers do. That's why I think that banning smoking on balconies is a little excessive.

 

Its a shame that when RCI put this rule into play, they didn't follow the "port-side only" guideline like they have with smoking on the outdoor decks. At least then you'd know which side of the ship to consider booking a cabin on and there would probably be less friction between smokers and non. IMO, that might have been a fair compromise for all passengers. But it is what it is.

 

I grew up in a smoking household and I can understand how some non-smokers can go to the extreme and make smokers feel like pariahs. Reasonable accomodations must be made for both sides and the cruiselines have attempted to do so.

 

Regarding smoking on the balcony; the smoke does travel to adjacent balconies, it can't be helped. That is why the smoker is asked to smoke on the port-side pool deck. The non-smoker's balcony can't be moved to another location.

 

And as others have said, it would be a booking and logistical nightmare to have the portside balconies be designated as smoking.

Edited March 14, 2014 by comxkid

[yogimax]

 

Its a shame that when RCI put this rule into play, they didn't follow the "port-side only" guideline like they have with smoking on the outdoor decks.

 

Many have suggested this, but logistically it would never work.

 

1. Only 20% of the population smokes

2. The number of smokers will vary from cruise to cruise

3. There is no way one side could be entirely smoking

4. Enforcement would be nightmare

5. Revenue Management would go crazy with daily updates

 

In addition, the no smoking policy is a big plus for the staff and the company. The staff has less to clean and works in a healthier environment and the company has to spend less on cleaning supplies and staff time.