RCCL change in smoking policy

[Ourusualbeach]

When you book with a travel agency RCI has no direct input with the reservation as the TA essentially "owns" the booking. The information regarding the announcement in 9/13 that smoking would not longer be permitted on balconies effective 1/14 would have been conveyed to the TA. It would have been your TA's responsibility to communicate that to you.

 

Your issue should be with the TA if this information never reached you in the year plus since you first booked your cruise with any follow up communications you had with them since. Especially if this was an intended consideration with your booking as you indicate.

 

Outdoor smoking is permitted on one side of the pool deck and indoors in designated areas of the casino.

 

Would have to agree that it should be he travel agent that the OP should be upset with.

 

It would be interesting to hear from some of the resident TA's on this site and whether or not they informed their clients of this change.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Ourusualbeach

[Travel beagle]

When you book with a travel agency RCI has no direct input with the reservation as the TA essentially "owns" the booking. The information regarding the announcement in 9/13 that smoking would not longer be permitted on balconies effective 1/14 would have been conveyed to the TA. It would have been your TA's responsibility to communicate that to you.

 

Your issue should be with the TA if this information never reached you in the year plus since you first booked your cruise with any follow up communications you had with them since. Especially if this was an intended consideration with your booking as you indicate.

 

Outdoor smoking is permitted on one side of the pool deck and indoors in designated areas of the casino.

 

That is my mindset also ... Have been on phone with RCCL then TA once RCCL sent me the copy of notification sent to all travel agencies... A supervisor from TA is supposed to call me tomorrow. I will not let this detract from trip .. Just feel they dropped the ball and this is our first ever cruise and dream trip to Alaska. Also I never saw this posted on cc ...guess I have been on the wrongs pages .. I am a newbee to all this cruise stuff.. But I have gotten loads of tips for packing, excursions and such which have helped me tremendously with this trip

[leaveitallbehind]

It would be interesting to hear from some of the resident TA's on this site and whether or not hey informed heir clients of this change.

 

....of course they all did!! :D;)

Edited May 22, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[Josie2]

It is refreshing to read this, and that you are upset about this policy, as you obviously intend to abide by it! Bravo! I wish the neighbours on our two previous cruises (Celebrity and Princess) were so respectful. Despite two complaints on each cruise to the pursers desk and their assurances it would not repeat, it did. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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[akcruz]

I agree also as I am a non smoker .. However they should be able to set aside a few balconies just on say 1 deck to the back of ship that smokers could book without infringing on non smokers... Trust me I wish my DH would quit but after being with him 25 years that is not likely to change ... My aggravation is lack of notice and disappointment of not getting full use of balcony with DH .. This is our anniversary trip

 

I truly do get your frustration, however will leave it at that.

 

Where I wanted to comment was on the "few" cabins on 1 deck that would be smoking. At first glance it sounds like it would work, however take it a step further and it really does not. If they do aft cabins you will alienate a group of aft lovers, if you do one side what happens on a trip such as yours where one side may have a preferred view? My daughter is very sensitive to smoke and could tell there was someone on the balcony smoking 2 decks away. Do you give the smokers a higher deck to not impact others, if so what do youmdo with the non smokers who like a cabin on a higher deck? It really is a no win situation. Balconies either need to allow or not allow smoking. Royal has decided no and given notice to their TAs that this was coming.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

It was to me since I booked may 2013 and verified policy with RCCL and travel agent prior to booking

 

Unless RCL can prove that they personally sent you and/or your TA notification of the change, you have a legal case. Simple as that. They sold a product and changed the product after it was sold.

[dimiegirl]

It is refreshing to read this, and that you are upset about this policy, as you obviously intend to abide by it! Bravo! I wish the neighbours on our two previous cruises (Celebrity and Princess) were so respectful. Despite two complaints on each cruise to the pursers desk and their assurances it would not repeat, it did. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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I had a problem on my last celebrity cruise. This was the first time I had neighbors smoking on the balcony..I called the front desk, they sent security up to the room and that was the last time (at least that I was aware of) that they smoked on the balcony.

[setsail]

Unless RCL can prove that they personally sent you and/or your TA notification of the change, you have a legal case. Simple as that. They sold a product and changed the product after it was sold.

 

Post #27

[Travel beagle]

So what would you have done if your TA had called you 9/2013? Cancel?

 

What do you want CC to do?

 

I see from your post you booked on deck 8, you are very close to the pool deck and the smoking section

 

Good to know that our deck is close to smoking section, maybe I will see him more often! Lol ref to the first question I would have had them assist in researching if another cruise line offered smoking on balcony with a similar itinerary and rebooked if available .. Ref to CC just seeing if anyone else had the similar situation and or have not been notified of change.

 

As stated I am new to cc and cruising ... So I have not figured all this out yet , but have researched boards but really never saw the postings on the new policy , wish I had .. Really just been searching Alaska boards for tips on ports and excursions and beverage packages. I really never gave a thought about rechecking smoking policy's or searching on cc boards.. I trusted the information given to be and verified at time of booking.

[Josie2]

They sent the head housekeeper up in our case. And left printed reminders every day they said. The guy would open his balcony door, have a few puffs while standing inside, and think we couldn't smell it.

 

 

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[negc]

Unless RCL can prove that they personally sent you and/or your TA notification of the change, you have a legal case. Simple as that. They sold a product and changed the product after it was sold.

 

Always good to get legal advice from an anonymous source on an internet message board. :rolleyes: Lots of luck.

[Sitzmark]

Unless RCL can prove that they personally sent you and/or your TA notification of the change, you have a legal case. Simple as that. They sold a product and changed the product after it was sold.

 

Good luck with that, you'll need it.

[Travel beagle]

It is refreshing to read this, and that you are upset about this policy, as you obviously intend to abide by it! Bravo! I wish the neighbours on our two previous cruises (Celebrity and Princess) were so respectful. Despite two complaints on each cruise to the pursers desk and their assurances it would not repeat, it did. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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Thank you!! Appreciate that.. We will enjoy no matter what even if I end up at the smoking deck in my Jammie's! Lol

[BenjiRodney]

Now if Carnival would follow and ban smoking on Balconies as well I'd be happy.

[Love.II.Cruise]

Was soooo excited to get our cruise ticket booklet and luggage tags today for Alaska cruise sailing June 13, 2014. That was until I read that RCCL has changed their smoking policy. Ugh! Frustrating since I specifically checked their policy prior to booking our 3 balcony cabins. Now I don't smoke but my DH does so I made sure he could smoke on balcony prior to booking. That is main reason I did not book the celebrity because they didn't allow smoking on balcony. We are not club,casino or bar people, we were looking forward to enjoying private time on our balcony (in my Jammie's) admiring the Alaska scenery with a cocktail and a smoke for the hubby. We should have been notified much earlier by travel agent and RCCl of this major change so that we could have made other arrangements. All both could say is oh well policies change.. Really!! Now I get it for all the non smokers but there has to be a happy medium. The cruise lines should really look into having non smoking and smoking balcony areas. The smoker's cruise enjoyment is no less important than a non smoker's cruise enjoyment. Funny how they are still allowing smoking in casinos.. Feeling very frustrated at this point!

 

Policies change and lately they have been towards the non-smoker. It travels to other balconies and there have been many complaints. There are more nonsmokers than smokers, so I understand the trend. However, it does appear HAL will continue to be the smoking line.

[Ourusualbeach]

Unless RCL can prove that they personally sent you and/or your TA notification of the change, you have a legal case. Simple as that. They sold a product and changed the product after it was sold.

 

Good luck with that. With all the terms and conditions that are in the cruise contract that give them the right to change pretty much anything and everything without recourse including ports of call and itinerary changes I doubt that you would get far. Besides that the cost just to try to fight this old be quite substantial.

 

I also have to believe that if their was an actual case involved here that Cruise Law News Lawyer would have been all over it.

[JimAOk1945]

The following quote is from the RCI website.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&snav=2&faqId=3101&faqSubjectId=333&faqSubjectName=Onboard+Policies&faqType=faq

 

 

Onboard Policies

 

 

Q: What is the Smoking Policy onboard?

 

A: For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests do smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas.

 

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. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, guests will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for use.

 

Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking. On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.

 

Casino Royale allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the non-smoking area in the casino. There are select cruises departing from China that will not have a non-smoking area in the casino.

 

Onboard all interior public spaces are smoke free*. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track.

 

Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. This applies to all stateroom categories onboard.

 

If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of the Guest Conduct Policy.

 

Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

 

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only permitted within the designated smoking areas.

 

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.

 

Royal Caribbean updated the smoking policy September 2013 and the above policy is in enforcement on all ships with cruises departing on or after January 1, 2014.

 

*Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas offer one indoor smoking venue. Onboard Mariner of the Seas guest can smoke at the Connoisseur Club located on Deck 5. Onboard Voyager of the Seas guest can smoke at The Vault, nightclub, located on Deck 3.

 

**Cigar Bars on Royal Caribbean International are called the Connoisseur Club and are featured on the Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships.

[Gopher1934]

I was a smoker for 47 years and change to Vapeing 4 months ago and have had no cigarettes since day 1. has worked very good for me. I used to always go to the smoker section on the ships because I never wanted to bother anyone. But I really get sick of how the no smokers think they should own the whole ship and sometimes sit in the smokers section and take up space where a smoker would like to sit. and then complain even sitting where they should not be. the whole thing is a mess. The biggest lobbyist against ecig's are the tobacco companies because it is cutting into their business. They fund surveys that show bad things about ecigs because it helps their cause with banning them. I saw a report today that ecigs are 60% more effective in helping people quit smoking. I never would have thought I would quit but I have.

[Harooni]

I agree, I am of the mindset that people have the right to do whatever they want with regards to their own health AS LONG as it does not affect the health of others.. For example, even though I am not a soda drinker, I was against the proposal to ban larger serving sizes of soda in new york...A person has the responsibility to care for his/her own health..but someone drinking soda does not affect my rights or health.. It has been proven that second hand smoke is almost if not just as dangerous as smoking..I have the right to sit on my balcony, which i paid a premium for, to enjoy FRESH air without breathing in smoke and subjecting myself to toxic fumes... I have no problem with there being certain limited closed off sections for smokers, however, I applaud the trend in the industry that has realized that people have a right to sit on their balcony without breathing in cancer causing fumes...

 

 

agreed, smokers dont get that when they smoke around us , they take away our enjoyment, especially those who are allergic to smoke and have asthma. i dont care if they smoke crack to be honest, i just dont need to be smelling it.

[dimiegirl]

Policies change and lately they have been towards the non-smoker. It travels to other balconies and there have been many complaints. There are more nonsmokers than smokers, so I understand the trend. However, it does appear HAL will continue to be the smoking line.

 

Which is why, no matter how good the itinerary or price may be, I will never sail on HAL...

[Travel beagle]

Good luck with that. With all the terms and conditions that are in the cruise contract that give them the right to change pretty much anything and everything without recourse including ports of call and itinerary changes I doubt that you would get far. Besides that the cost just to try to fight this old be quite substantial.

 

I also have to believe that if their was an actual case involved here that Cruise Law News Lawyer would have been all over it.

 

Not looking to sue, not that kind of person. But just think in fairness maybe a ship credit or something for the lack of notification and inconvenience .. Yes inconvenience we were of the mind set of a relaxing vacation with excursions in ports with nights relaxing together on balcony key word together !

[Travel beagle]

I was a smoker for 47 years and change to Vapeing 4 months ago and have had no cigarettes since day 1. has worked very good for me. I used to always go to the smoker section on the ships because I never wanted to bother anyone. But I really get sick of how the no smokers think they should own the whole ship and sometimes sit in the smokers section and take up space where a smoker would like to sit. and then complain even sitting where they should not be. the whole thing is a mess. The biggest lobbyist against ecig's are the tobacco companies because it is cutting into their business. They fund surveys that show bad things about ecigs because it helps their cause with banning them. I saw a report today that ecigs are 60% more effective in helping people quit smoking. I never would have thought I would quit but I have.

 

Agree!

[Gopher1934]

Not looking to sue, not that kind of person. But just think in fairness maybe a ship credit or something for the lack of notification and inconvenience .. Yes inconvenience we were of the mind set of a relaxing vacation with excursions in ports with nights relaxing together on balcony key word together !

 

I think you will enjoy your cruise I was a smoker my wife never was. I have been on many cruises and always went to the outdoor spots and enjoyed my time talking with the other smokers. Now that I don't smoke I will still plan to join in with them. so we can talk about all the abuse. Your husband will do just fine !!!!

[Travel beagle]

I think you will enjoy your cruise I was a smoker my wife never was. I have been on many cruises and always went to the outdoor spots and enjoyed my time talking with the other smokers. Now that I don't smoke I will still plan to join in with them. so we can talk about all the abuse. Your husband will do just fine !!!!

 

Thanks much for the laugh!!! I needed that ... You and my husband would get along swimmingly .. You know us OCD women trying to plan the perfect trip ...

[PCWalton1]

Thank you!! Appreciate that.. We will enjoy no matter what even if I end up at the smoking deck in my Jammie's! Lol

 

And nobody will even notice if you do. Have a terrific cruise. :)