Carnival Cruise Lines To Ban Smoking on Cruise Ship Balconies

[TPFKAH]

During muster drill, it's stressed over and over not to throw cigarette butts off the ship - don't throw anything off the ship. I'm wondering if that's how the fire on the Star Princess got started. It started on a balcony from a cigarette--possibly being flown back onto a balcony left smoldering then the fire. I mentioned on another thread that 1 man died, several people injured, and 100+ cabins damaged. So, cigarette smoking is a fire hazard on the ship. It matters not if people don't cruise on Carnival/Princess or any ship that has adopted the no smoking policy. It's somewhat of a big worry off of the cruiseline's shoulder. People say they won't cruise again, but I suspect they will because they like the cheap vacation.

 

Actually, the fire hazard exposed in the Princess fire was that the balcony furniture and the partitions themselves where HIGHLY flammable. Why it took an actual fire to find this out still escapes me.

[retirementagesoon]

Always book a balcony because of the fact that I can smoke. I also do not spend my entire day sitting on the balcony smoking. I book a cruise to enjoy every aspect of that cruise. I go to dinners, shows, nightclubs and the casino. When in the casino, when someone sits next to me I put out the cigarette, or do not light up. When on my balcony if I hear my next door neighbors, I will put out my cigarette. I have been and always will be a considerate smoker.

 

And yes, I have dealt with VERY noisy neighbors, Drunken teenagers, chair hogs, disrespectful passengers, (Especially at the buffet lines), etc., etc.

 

Will this deter me from sailing Carnival? Probably not, since up here in New York we have limited options. I am a VIP on Carnival having sailed over 20 cruises on Carnival. Book with them because of the perks, not just because I can smoke on my Balcony. Also Platinum on NCL. Same situation. I book because of the perks. Actually, NCL has more sailing options from New York than Carnival.

 

I have stayed at Disneyworld many times where you cannot smoke in your rooms, but rather go out to the designated areas where I can smoke. I have been to other vacation spots where smoking is banned and have adhered to their smoking policies.

 

Am I upset about not being able to relax on my balcony with my morning coffee? Am I upset that I cannot go out for a nightcap? Am I upset that some non-smokers act like they are holier than thou? (I am sure they will probably find something else to complain about after this smoking ban goes into effect). Of course I am. But I will run to a smoking area for my morning cigarette, then go back to my room to get ready for my day's vacation. (Sorry if I look horrible at that time in the morning!) At night, I will make sure I have my last cigarette at the casino or a venue on the ship that allows smoking, (Most of the time I am so exhausted anyway to run out on my balcony for a nightcap).

 

I go on cruises to relax with my family and to get away from everyday life and restrictions. I may be in the minority, but this change will not affect my decision to sail with Carnival. Just as it does not affect my decision to travel and enjoy vacations with my children and grandchildren to places where there are smoking bans.

[EZ4]

Actually, the fire hazard exposed in the Princess fire was that the balcony furniture and the partitions themselves where HIGHLY flammable. Why it took an actual fire to find this out still escapes me.

 

The balconies themselves are constructed of aluminum which will burn like a house afire once it gets going.

[kona_wahine]

During muster drill, it's stressed over and over not to throw cigarette butts off the ship - don't throw anything off the ship. I'm wondering if that's how the fire on the Star Princess got started. It started on a balcony from a cigarette--possibly being flown back onto a balcony left smoldering then the fire. I mentioned on another thread that 1 man died, several people injured, and 100+ cabins damaged. So, cigarette smoking is a fire hazard on the ship. It matters not if people don't cruise on Carnival/Princess or any ship that has adopted the no smoking policy. It's somewhat of a big worry off of the cruiseline's shoulder. People say they won't cruise again, but I suspect they will because they like the cheap vacation.

 

When we were pulling into Roatan I watched at least 3 people flick their cigarettes overboard. Made me sick.

[halos]

When we were pulling into Roatan I watched at least 3 people flick their cigarettes overboard. Made me sick.

 

I saw a billboard while driving on a highway in SC that said,

OUR STATE IS NOT YOUR ASHTRAY

 

If smokers were a little less inconsiderate, the regulations being imposed over the past decade might not be as tight as they are.

All the smokers barking at the non-smokers on all these threads should look at the sloppiest/inconsiderate among you and gripe at them.

 

 

All societal laws and rules are implemented because of the worst among us. Think about it.

Edited July 10, 2014 by halos

[gemsm]

Casinos on Celebrity are and have been non-smoking, so I think that takes care of that theory.

 

Actually it doesn't. In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%. It happened in Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado and it is the reason that Atlantic City and Las Vegas will never go smoke free.

 

Also statistics show that in all states that do not have an exemption for bars in their smoking bans that states lost both lottery and liquor sales tax revenues...Large amounts in the short term...Never rebounded to original numbers in the long term.

[gemsm]

When we were pulling into Roatan I watched at least 3 people flick their cigarettes overboard. Made me sick.

 

Normally I have a live and let live attitude on a cruise...That I would have yelled something to them about it. Sorry but not only is it a huge fire hazard but they are polluting our ocean that I like to snorkel and swim in.

[EastTex]

Actually it doesn't. In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%. It happened in Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado and it is the reason that Atlantic City and Las Vegas will never go smoke free.

 

Also statistics show that in all states that do not have an exemption for bars in their smoking bans that states lost both lottery and liquor sales tax revenues...Large amounts in the short term...Never rebounded to original numbers in the long term.

 

It would be great if you could cite a source. The CDC published research (dated Aug 21, 2013 Vol 10, Preventing Chronic Disease, Title: The Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Laws on Restaurants and Bars in 9 States) that seem to contradict your post.

 

In its conclusion, the researchers state "Results suggest that smoke-free laws did not have an adverse economic impact on restaurants or bars in any of the states studied; they provided a small economic benefit in 1 state. On the basis of these findings, we would not expect a statewide smoke-free law in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, or West Virginia to have an adverse economic impact on restaurants or bars in those states. "

[rudechuck]

FYI: There is a jazz lounge on the Splendor, Conquest class and Triumph class ships that allows smoking. When we were on the Freedom and the Liberty, they were mostly empty. Occasionally, they did karaoke in there.

 

never saw or found it:confused:, when we were on the Splendor, Freedom 2x, Liberty or the Triumph. Have look thru all my Fun Times (yes, I keep them:p) no mention of allowed smoking there, and yes, mostly empty or closed off.

 

On the Conquest ships, they are aft on the Promenade Deck across from the Piano Bar. On the Liberty it was the Stage Bar, on the Freedom it was the Swingtime Lounge. The doors are kept closed, but they were never locked, although there usually wasn't a bartender in there. On the Liberty, we would get drinks from the Alchemy Bar and would either take them in there, or they would just bring them to us if they weren't busy.

 

However, I just found this, so the whole thing is now moot:

 

Jazz Club

The Stage Bar

cigarettes/cigars

Effective on voyages departing 10/09/14 or thereafter, the Jazz Club will be smoke-free.

So, uhm, nevermind .... :o

 

P.S. I copied that from the Liberty, but it was posted for every ship with a Jazz Club.

Edited July 10, 2014 by rudechuck

[kona_wahine]

Normally I have a live and let live attitude on a cruise...That I would have yelled something to them about it. Sorry but not only is it a huge fire hazard but they are polluting our ocean that I like to snorkel and swim in.

 

I'm the same way, but they were on different decks or away from us. There is no way they could have heard me. I was thinking the same thing about polluting the ocean. Just stupid ignorant people.

[Out to sea!]

I'm the same way, but they were on different decks or away from us. There is no way they could have heard me. I was thinking the same thing about polluting the ocean. Just stupid ignorant people.

 

And how do you know what their intelligence level is? Are you psychic?? Maybe they just don't give a damn.

[Cruisin thru life]

Woah! Hold on I'm a vapor trying quitting the cigs and have always tried to do what's right. Basically this hole thread has gone to the crapper from both sides, things that nobody (in their right mind) would say on the ship. I was just trying to make poster feel less frustrated about taking a cruise because of the bickering.

 

If you want me to come out and say it I will. I will vape as I see fit. I will not be intimidated by the hot air on this board. But at the same side, I haven't been in here throwing that up in their faces. It seems there's quite a few that are doing a fine job of it and handling it better than me. But if I typed what was honestly going on in my head, I'd probably be banned. There's a select few that really would make me feel better to just tell off. They are just way over the top.

 

Actually Carnival's policy is the same for e-cigs as it is for cigarettes, only to smoked in designated smoking areas.

[coops]

Actually Carnival's policy is the same for e-cigs as it is for cigarettes, only to smoked in designated smoking areas.

 

But there is no way they can tell if you use your ecig in the cabin or balcony really. That

might be the policy but they really won't know.

[EZ4]

Actually Carnival's policy is the same for e-cigs as it is for cigarettes, only to smoked in designated smoking areas.

 

Sammee didn't say anything about smoking e-cigs.

[elliair]

Actually it doesn't. In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%. It happened in Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado and it is the reason that Atlantic City and Las Vegas will never go smoke free.

 

Also statistics show that in all states that do not have an exemption for bars in their smoking bans that states lost both lottery and liquor sales tax revenues...Large amounts in the short term...Never rebounded to original numbers in the long term.

 

I don't believe that " In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%." This casino in California is doing quite well:

 

http://www.no-smoke.org/document.php?id=810

 

Also google Win River Casino, Redding, CA, there's plenty of articles about the casino.

[rebfan831]

Actually it doesn't. In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%. It happened in Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado and it is the reason that Atlantic City and Las Vegas will never go smoke free.

 

Also statistics show that in all states that do not have an exemption for bars in their smoking bans that states lost both lottery and liquor sales tax revenues...Large amounts in the short term...Never rebounded to original numbers in the long term.

 

I don't have any stats to quote, just personal experience. Our local pub was owned by friends of mine. When Michigan banned smoking in restaurants and bars they lost the bar. Local non-smokers rejoiced, saying they could now enjoy coming into the bar but they never showed up. Those of us who do smoke did our best to still frequent the place but rather than spending an evening we began going for an hour or two. Michigan winters are just too cold to stand outside often. Plus, it used to be fun. There were always lots of folks that we knew and it made for an enjoyable evening. Now (the mortgage holder kept it open) there are generally only 3 to 5 people there on any given night. The owner (our local slum lord) must be using it as a write-off because he sure isn't making any money.

 

Jean

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Actually Carnival's policy is the same for e-cigs as it is for cigarettes, only to smoked in designated smoking areas.

 

Except for every other Carnival Corp brand....

 

Princess – Vaping permitted in the cabin and designated smoking areas, but not on the balcony

 

Seabourn - Vaping permitted in the cabin, in designated smoking areas, and on some ships, on the balcony

 

Holland America, Cunard, P&O, Costa, AiDA- Vaping permitted in the cabin, in designated smoking areas, and on the balcony

 

So then why is Carnival’s policy (after 9 Oct 2014) – Vaping not permitted in the cabin or on the balcony and only in designated smoking areas.

 

I feel the love. I guess they care more about us than the other Carnival Corp lines (Princess, Seabourn, HAL, Cunard, P&O, Costa, AiDA).

[iwannacruznow]

But there is no way they can tell if you use your ecig in the cabin or balcony really. That

might be the policy but they really won't know.

Good point. I dont know if this has been brought up yet,but I was on a Princess cruise and I went to the smoking area and talking to other smokers. Just about everyone of them said they would sneak a smoke on their balcony every once in a while. I asked one guy if he was worried about getting caught and he just said "they have to prove it". So Im thinking if you sneak a smoke, get rid of the evidence(not by flicking you butt overboard). How would they know? Would they fine you just because your neighbor said you were smoking?

[jamestown478]

Finally a smoking policy that recognizes the scientific evidence that smoking is a health hazard and fire risk (Princess) .

 

Can't wait to sail on Carnival again.

 

you mean like its been proven that alcohol is a health hazard? should carnival ban that next?

[Sailor_Sally]

Good point. I dont know if this has been brought up yet,but I was on a Princess cruise and I went to the smoking area and talking to other smokers. Just about everyone of them said they would sneak a smoke on their balcony every once in a while. I asked one guy if he was worried about getting caught and he just said "they have to prove it". So Im thinking if you sneak a smoke, get rid of the evidence(not by flicking you butt overboard). How would they know? Would they fine you just because your neighbor said you were smoking?

 

Maybe your neighbor took a picture of you and you just lost $250 . It is a gamble !

[RuthlessBoss]

Maybe your neighbor took a picture of you and you just lost $250 . It is a gamble !

 

People have mentioned taking pictures from balcony to balcony, but truly, how legal is it? One person is invading another's space taking an unauthorized picture. I'm not talking about snapping a picture when someone is out in a common area, but if in your private space.

[jujibee]

Good point. I dont know if this has been brought up yet,but I was on a Princess cruise and I went to the smoking area and talking to other smokers. Just about everyone of them said they would sneak a smoke on their balcony every once in a while. I asked one guy if he was worried about getting caught and he just said "they have to prove it". So Im thinking if you sneak a smoke, get rid of the evidence(not by flicking you butt overboard). How would they know? Would they fine you just because your neighbor said you were smoking?

 

 

Personally I could not enjoy having a smoke if I had to sneak it or hide it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[EZ4]

Maybe your neighbor took a picture of you and you just lost $250 . It is a gamble !

 

The photographer would be taking a huge gamble for sure. I'm pretty sure that would be a bootable offense.

[adaptabl]

Actually it doesn't. In every state where smoking in casinos is banned the gambling revenue has dropped significantly from 25 - 50%. It happened in Delaware, Illinois, and Colorado and it is the reason that Atlantic City and Las Vegas will never go smoke free.

 

Also statistics show that in all states that do not have an exemption for bars in their smoking bans that states lost both lottery and liquor sales tax revenues...Large amounts in the short term...Never rebounded to original numbers in the long term.

 

Smokers always make up stories about lost revenue. The facts show it has no effect as in the CDC study. In Ontario the revenue has actually increased overall.

[adaptabl]

I don't have any stats to quote, just personal experience. Our local pub was owned by friends of mine. When Michigan banned smoking in restaurants and bars they lost the bar. Local non-smokers rejoiced, saying they could now enjoy coming into the bar but they never showed up. Those of us who do smoke did our best to still frequent the place but rather than spending an evening we began going for an hour or two. Michigan winters are just too cold to stand outside often. Plus, it used to be fun. There were always lots of folks that we knew and it made for an enjoyable evening. Now (the mortgage holder kept it open) there are generally only 3 to 5 people there on any given night. The owner (our local slum lord) must be using it as a write-off because he sure isn't making any money.

 

Jean

 

Your friend must be a poor business man. It has been proven that sales increase or have no effect a year after the smoking ban. I am sure Carnival will see no effects in the long term. Smokes can cry and complain but in the end business does not change.