Smoking on your balcony is out! Gratuities are going up.

[Vanessa L]

According to the Carnival contract, we can pretty much be kicked off the ship for anything that Carnival wishes to kick us off for. With that in mind I am going to continue to smoke on my balcony. I don't do it much, but I will and that will be that. Good luck enforcing this, Carnival. And oh - I will not be cruising again after the two I currently have booked.

 

Taters, I absolutely respect your right to smoke. It's your body. But with today's age of video, all it's going to take is one pissed off neighbor catching you on a cell or camera video and you'll be paying the $250. Again, that is none of my business and it may be a "cost of cruising" item for you. Just want you to be sure you are thinking through the "enforcement" of this. I suspect it will be easier than you imagine.

[sgttami]

I'm not much for complaining on a normal basis. However I think that this is crap. I smoke like 2-3 cigs a day. Period. I'm totally ok with the limited smoking areas on the ship, but the balcony is taking it too far! I mean....REALLY people? Some of the perfume and body odor people carry around with them gags me....can we ban smelly people too? As I nurse I fully understand the dangers of smoking, but this has taken it too far.

 

I'm not sure why Carnival couldn't have allowed smoking on the balconies on one side of the ship or even just the back half. It makes all of the sense in the world, I have several friends and family members who do not smoke, yet smoke does not bother them and I'm sure they would book a smoking side.

 

I hope the nonsmokers like all of the gambling I will be joining them for...cigarette in hand...penny slots of course:) That casino is about to get nasty really fast!

 

Being a smart consumer, I called and downgraded both of my two booked cruises to interior rooms.....saved a TON. Rant over.

 

 

I couldn't agree more. I've gagged more on body odor and perfume! I too, am changing my cabin from balcony to inside for the 10/24 cruise OR I'll go before and have one last hurrah on my balcony!!

[PA Dutchman]

So is this the reason somebody sold a lot of Carnival stock several weeks ago, you know it will have a cost

[BamaGuy44]

I'm not much for complaining on a normal basis. However I think that this is crap. I smoke like 2-3 cigs a day. Period. I'm totally ok with the limited smoking areas on the ship, but the balcony is taking it too far! I mean....REALLY people? Some of the perfume and body odor people carry around with them gags me....can we ban smelly people too? As I nurse I fully understand the dangers of smoking, but this has taken it too far.

 

I'm not sure why Carnival couldn't have allowed smoking on the balconies on one side of the ship or even just the back half. It makes all of the sense in the world, I have several friends and family members who do not smoke, yet smoke does not bother them and I'm sure they would book a smoking side.

 

I hope the nonsmokers like all of the gambling I will be joining them for...cigarette in hand...penny slots of course:) That casino is about to get nasty really fast!

 

Being a smart consumer, I called and downgraded both of my two booked cruises to interior rooms.....saved a TON. Rant over.

 

If enough people complained they would happily ban perfume on the ship. They'd ban perfume, red shirts or anything else their customers demanded strongly enough. That's why smoking is being restricted. Customer demand, not health concerns.

 

The half and half idea would never work for obvious reasons. The percentage of people who smoke is too low to make it viable.

 

But it's all good because the balcony rooms you vacated will be happily taken up by someone like me who wouldn't have booked a balcony before, and you save money on your interior room, so everyone wins :D

[Disconnections]

I don't understand the reason for including e-cigs! :confused:

 

At Walt Disney World, the use of eCigs has been limited to designated smoking areas, as well. The reasoning is to avoid confusion between if it is a real cigarette or not and also to avoid a guest situation. If a Cast Member is in a safety critical position and unable to leave their position or be at risk of termination from The Walt Disney Company, the likelihood of someone saying something is very minimal. Said Cast Member will have to call Control and ask for one of their coordinators or leaders to call them back. By the time one gets there, the guest is gone or they are finished. If the CM is taking over a position that is not safety critical, it is at their discretion if they choose to say something or not. For most, it isn't worth fighting with a guest over and filling out witness statements.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Disconnections

[FloridaMommyof3]

I don't think the percentage is too low to have 1/2 and 1/2 ... the poll on here is showing 37% think smoking should be allowed. That's quite significant.

[CRUZBUDS]

Too bad Carnival didn't give Cruise Critic the heads up early. They could have cut and pasted the locked Royal thread over here on the Carnival board and nobody would have been the wiser. Right down to the cancelled cruises, exploding eCigs, half smoking sides of the ship, and the empty casino if they banned smoking there too. There was more but the list is way too long. :D

 

I was following the Royal board when they did it, and you're right it is pretty much the same rhetoric. It will likely be the same on HAL & NCL when they do it.

[Bases5]

I wonder if the cruise starts in SEPT and ends in OCT will they cut the smokers off mid cruise?

[bplazo]

I have never had an issue with smoke on any cruise that I have been on.

 

I will not sail on carnival anymore because they are trying to attract to many families. Dr. Seues is worse than anyone smoking on their balcony.

Edited July 8, 2014 by bplazo

[BamaGuy44]

I don't think the percentage is too low to have 1/2 and 1/2 ... the poll on here is showing 37% think smoking should be allowed. That's quite significant.

 

That's nice they think that but the actual statistics are 18.1% of US adults smoke, and the percentage at income levels where people can afford to cruise is less than that. It would take too long to fill the ships if they had to reserve half the ship for non smokers.

[Taters]

Taters, I absolutely respect your right to smoke. It's your body. But with today's age of video, all it's going to take is one pissed off neighbor catching you on a cell or camera video and you'll be paying the $250. Again, that is none of my business and it may be a "cost of cruising" item for you. Just want you to be sure you are thinking through the "enforcement" of this. I suspect it will be easier than you imagine.

 

Then they'll be kicking a whole lot of people off the ship.

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I've never been able to figure out how smoke can linger on a balcony when the ship is traveling at 21 knots. I think a lot of non smokers are blowing smoke themselves.

 

Did you ever sit in the back seat of a car with the windows down and someone in the front seat smoking? Same thing. At 20 knots he smoke will be in the next balcony.

[LMaxwell]

Maybe, maybe not. I've never met a person who could tell the future and I don't see one now. Taking a guess and finding out somewhere down the road it was kind of correct hardly counts.

 

This is not a guess. I have associations with someone at HAL corporate. They are discussing the change to smoking policy and when would be a good date to implement. Some lobby for 1/1/16 but I was told it will not be that far out and more likely take place mid year 2015. A lot can change in the future, sure, but I'm going to take my sources word for the time being.

[barbatkins]

Just cancelled our November 1 cruise due to this change in policy. Thankfully, we were outside the final payment time. We've re-booked a Dec. 1 cruise on NCL for less money and 2 days longer. The only detriment is the loss of 2 islands I really wanted to see. Oh, well . . . We do vote with our money.

 

Yay!

[littlerockboys]

The way I see it, a $250 cleaning fee is a very small price (as compared to the entire cruise costs) for people to continue to smoke on their balcony should they choose to pay the fee and still have it their way! :D

 

This is the email I received from Carnival a few minutes ago. Happy to see the ban on balcony smoking.

 

 

July 8, 2014

 

Greetings folks!

 

We know your bags aren't packed yet, but it's not too early to start thinking about your cruise. So, we'd like to take this opportunity to provide you some important information regarding changes to our smoking policy and gratuity guidelines.

 

As part of our continuing commitment to keep in line with the personal preferences of our guests, all staterooms and suites, inclusive of the balconies, will be an entirely smoke-free environment. This change is consistent with the policy of most major cruise lines and will be implemented on October 9, 2014, or any new voyage departing thereafter.

 

Smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas, as well as in our night club, and in certain areas within the casino and casino bar.

 

Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival's ticket contract.

 

We are hopeful you will see this as an enhancement to your onboard experience. Please know we are committed to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for all our guests.

 

We also wanted to let you know our gratuity guidelines will be increasing from $11.50 to $12.00 per person per day with voyages departing October 9, 2014, and onward. Guests who have pre-paid their gratuities as of July 7, 2014, will not be affected by this change.

 

While gratuities are automatically added to your onboard Sail & Sign account as a convenience, tipping is always at your discretion. Please feel free to adjust, up or down, as you please by visiting Guest Services.

 

We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your cooperation in adhering to our new smoking policy. Most importantly, we look forward to welcoming you aboard!

 

Sincerely,

 

Vicky Rey, CTC

[broyles60]

A small conquest indeed, until you multiply 35 sq. ft. by the number of balconies that will now be smoke-free.

 

Good point!

[medic123]

At Walt Disney World, the use of eCigs has been limited to designated smoking areas, as well. The reasoning is to avoid confusion between if it is a real cigarette or not and also to avoid a guest situation. If a Cast Member is in a safety critical position and unable to leave their position or be at risk of termination from The Walt Disney Company, the likelihood of someone saying something is very minimal. Said Cast Member will have to call Control and ask for one of their coordinators or leaders to call them back. By the time one gets there, the guest is gone or they are finished. If the CM is taking over a position that is not safety critical, it is at their discretion if they choose to say something or not. For most, it isn't worth fighting with a guest over and filling out witness statements.

 

I have used my e-cig (which looks nothing like a cigarette) all over Disney and have never had anyone say anything to me. That being said, I do not vape in lines, restaurant's, or in the middle of any crowd.

[Vanessa L]

Then they'll be kicking a whole lot of people off the ship.

 

I don't think they'd kick the smokers off, but would definitely fine them the $250. What would be interesting to know is if that is a one time fee, or each time the smoker is caught? I suppose with enough violations, they could kick the smoker off.

[EpcotBill]

I wonder if the cruise starts in SEPT and ends in OCT will they cut the smokers off mid cruise?

No, it starts with cruises that depart on or after October 9th. BTW it is October 9th not the 1st.

Edited July 8, 2014 by EpcotBill

[elliair]

I really hope this rumor turns out to be true.

 

Me too! And someone on here just last week told me that I had pipe dreams if Carnival was to ever do away with smoking on balconies. I was told by a staffer on Princess that it would be fleet wide on all cruise ships owned by Carnival. I believe he is right and I applaud Carnival for doing the right thing. Guess I'll be looking at cruises for November and on if the rumor is true.

[foghorn]

I was just getting ready to book a Carnival cruise, but now I have to jump ship because of the smoking rule. Why can't cruise ships make one side of the ship balcony smoking and the other non smoking.

[TPFKAH]

I was following the Royal board when they did it, and you're right it is pretty much the same rhetoric. It will likely be the same on HAL & NCL when they do it.

 

Just what I want to see. The Royal opinion on a Carnival policy change on the Carnival board. <rolling eyes>

[elliair]

I don't think they'd kick the smokers off, but would definitely fine them the $250. What would be interesting to know is if that is a one time fee, or each time the smoker is caught? I suppose with enough violations, they could kick the smoker off.

 

Nope, $250 for each offense. I guess when the violator sees his/her sail & sign invoice for $500+ that's enough to get their attention. Princess does the same thing with the fines.

[EpcotBill]

Me too! And someone on here just last week told me that I had pipe dreams if Carnival was to ever do away with smoking on balconies. I was told by a staffer on Princess that it would be fleet wide on all cruise ships owned by Carnival. I believe he is right and I applaud Carnival for doing the right thing. Guess I'll be looking at cruises for November and on if the rumor is true.

It's not a rumor, it's a fact. It's on Carnivals website in their FAQ. People have posted the letter Carnival sent to Travel Agents. It's in a Sticky at the top of this forum.

[ourfamilylovescruising]

I don't smoke but I think it sucks I don't want anyone telling me how to relax.:mad:

 

 

so the next time you go on vacation and want to sit on your balcony be careful for what you enjoy because one day that may be taken away too. (like a glass of wine it could cause you to fall over board from drinking to much)

 

 

and I am allergic to most perfumes but you don't hear me running to Carnival and say my whole cruise was ruined because people wear perfume.