NCL Smoking Ban

[USNUZULOOSE]

I am not taking sides. But it is the smokers who are taking their anger out on the wrong people. These boards make up a very small percentage of the people who cruise. It makes no sense to stir pots for any reason. The smokers are the one's that need to voice their opinions to the folks at the top of the chain.

 

Calling each other names is no answer and it is getting people no where with the issue. We are all adults.

[goldmom]

It would be another enforcement nightmare, much like if they tried allowing e-cigs (even mentioned on their site http://www.ncl.com/faq#smoking).

 

They have to make the move that is easiest for them to enforce, and for their guests to understand. With a "window" you'd have (some) non-smokers watching the clock to catch smokers, and (some) smokers arguing that they should be able to finish their current cig even if it is 8:05am.

 

Yeah, you're probably right. I just (probably mistakenly) thought that people would just do the right thing and respect the rules and each other. Silly me!

[hog88]

LOL that is the funniest and most absurd reply I have ever read anywhere on the internet.

 

You must not read very much then.

[halos]

Of course it is. But so are many things we do every day, want to start banning everything?

No, absolutely not.

But what NO ONE is getting through their heads is that NCL/CCL/RCI/HAL, not one of them care how stupid anyone is. And they didn't care that a handful of people complained about cigarette smoke either.

When there is a ban or a restriction, it is because of money. Something changed (insurance rates??) to cause the lines to make the changes.

[hog88]

In thinking about the rule change some more, primarily the ban on smoking on balconies. It's more of a cash grab IMHO, $250 refresh fee for an open air space, come on.

[hog88]

No, absolutely not.

But what NO ONE is getting through their heads is that NCL/CCL/RCI/HAL, not one of them care how stupid anyone is. And they didn't care that a handful of people complained about cigarette smoke either.

When there is a ban or a restriction, it is because of money. Something changed (insurance rates??) to cause the lines to make the changes.

 

In thinking about the rule change some more, primarily the ban on smoking on balconies. It's more of a cash grab IMHO, $250 refresh fee for an open air space, come on.

 

Ahead of you.

[gemsm]

Yes tours and AIs are wonderful

 

I wonder if anyone will be able to find a bus tour of say Europe that will allow smoking?

 

I hear AIs in st Marteen allow smoking too

 

My point is that it is not just cruises that are limiting smoking. It is everywhere.

 

Even in Italy not one restaurant we frequented had smokers

 

Ok we were in tourist areas and the aces had both outdoor and indoor seating but nope not a smokers to be found not even on a Saturday night in July 50 yards from the Pantheon

 

And trust me there were all nationalities all around and from some smokers haven countries too

 

But nope no smoking. No issues.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You are kind of missing the point...AIs do not limit smoking outdoors...Yes indoors there is no smoking. Cruise Lines are limiting smoking outdoors. If I am at an AI I can leave the restaurant after dinner, walk outside, and smoke my cigarette. If cruise lines say we can no longer smoke on balconies or outdoors then I obviously don't have that option do I?

[halos]

Ahead of you.

Not really.

There isn't just a $250 fee (at least on CCL, if that's what you are referring to).

If you're caught, you also get tossed off the ship on top of that fee.

Edited July 15, 2014 by halos

[halos]

You are kind of missing the point...AIs do not limit smoking outdoors...Yes indoors there is no smoking. Cruise Lines are limiting smoking outdoors. If I am at an AI I can leave the restaurant after dinner, walk outside, and smoke my cigarette. If cruise lines say we can no longer smoke on balconies or outdoors then I obviously don't have that option do I?

 

and you can leave the restaurant after dinner on the ship and do the same. The point is that you can't smoke in the hotel at an all-inclusive and you now can't smoke in the cabin on a ship...the balcony now being considered part of the cabin. Just like leaving your room to go outside at an AI, you have to leave your cabin and go to a designated area on a ship.

No matter what, you are leaving your room. I guess it's just a matter of how far you have to walk to get to a smoking area.

[DMH15]

Just wondering if there is even one person out there who loves cruising more than they love smoking and will quit smoking as a result?

 

Just curious. I have never smoked so I am just wondering what I would be willing to choose. Like no desserts? No coffee? Both hard but doable.

 

Not passing judgement. Just curious.

 

 

 

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[hog88]

Not really.

There isn't just a $250 fee (at least on CCL, if that's what you are referring to).

If you're caught, you also get tossed off the ship on top of that fee.

 

http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88

 

Not according to the CCL website, just a $250 fee. NCL might go a different route.

[KeithJenner]

In thinking about the rule change some more, primarily the ban on smoking on balconies. It's more of a cash grab IMHO, $250 refresh fee for an open air space, come on.

 

 

Thee is no way that this policy change will have been made just to get $250 from a handful of cruisers who break the rules.

 

It's money which drives it, almost certainly, but much more money than they will ever get from cleanup fees.

 

My guess is that it is either insurance, as speculated above, or they have identified that being one of the only remaining ships to allow smoking will have a negative impact on numbers (more people are put off than will come from other lines). The cruise lines know a lot about us.

 

The other possibility I suppose is some sort of regulation change. I don't know how these things are regulated, but maybe a ban is being forced on them from elsewhere.

 

 

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[luvtheships]

You are kind of missing the point...AIs do not limit smoking outdoors...Yes indoors there is no smoking. Cruise Lines are limiting smoking outdoors. If I am at an AI I can leave the restaurant after dinner, walk outside, and smoke my cigarette. If cruise lines say we can no longer smoke on balconies or outdoors then I obviously don't have that option do I?

 

However smoking on a balcony and smoking in a designated spot on the lido are 2 different things

 

As is smoking in the indoor casino

 

At an AI are you saying that smoking is allowed at any outdoor area?

 

Restaurants. Beach. Pool. Entertainment venue?

 

 

 

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Edited July 15, 2014 by luvtheships

[jackson bernard]

However smoking on a balcony and smoking in a designated spot on the lido are 2 different things

 

As is smoking in the indoor casino

 

At an AI are you saying that smoking is allowed at any outdoor area?

 

Restaurants. Beach. Pool. Entertainment venue?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Yes. Every one of them.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app

[gemsm]

However smoking on a balcony and smoking in a designated spot on the lido are 2 different things

 

As is smoking in the indoor casino

 

At an AI are you saying that smoking is allowed at any outdoor area?

 

Restaurants. Beach. Pool. Entertainment venue?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

The one and only AI i ever went to in Punta Cana I could smoke in all outdoor areas with the exception of the one outdoor restaurant and the main entertainment area. Other than that, the pool and all other outdoor areas as well as the indoor casino were AOK

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Just got a call from my PCC in CAS and no more smoking on balcony however smoking will be permitted on starboard side on waterfront that is not by eating venues so I'm guessing some of the bars on the waterfront that do not serve food and yes the cigar lounge will remain intact. He also said the casino will make changes he's not exactly sure of where non smoking and smoking areas will Be. Guess we wait and see. There we go.

[gemsm]

Thee is no way that this policy change will have been made just to get $250 from a handful of cruisers who break the rules.

 

It's money which drives it, almost certainly, but much more money than they will ever get from cleanup fees.

 

My guess is that it is either insurance, as speculated above, or they have identified that being one of the only remaining ships to allow smoking will have a negative impact on numbers (more people are put off than will come from other lines). The cruise lines know a lot about us.

 

The other possibility I suppose is some sort of regulation change. I don't know how these things are regulated, but maybe a ban is being forced on them from elsewhere.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

At this point I am betting on Insurance...That was the rumor as to why Carnival stopped smoking on their balconies. As long as they don't make ships completely non-smoking I will continue to cruise but there is absolutely no reason for me to book anything but an interior room as the only time I was ever in my room during a cruise was when I had an aft balcony and could smoke out there. Other than that its kind of a waste of money to me.

 

OOPS I stand corrected...APparently Regulations require cruise ships to ban balcony smoking or install very costly fire suppression systems and upgrades...So welcome to the new age of no smoking balconies folks.

Edited July 15, 2014 by gemsm
Got more information

[Johnny Bananas]

http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Footer_88

 

Not according to the CCL website, just a $250 fee. NCL might go a different route.

 

Please see section 8 of CCL's contract

http://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/legal-notice/ticket-contract.aspx

 

8. COMPLIANCE WITH RULES, SOLICITATION, SMOKING, DRINKING, ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, SEARCHES

 

(a) Guest agrees during the course of the voyage to follow the directions of the ship’s Master, or his authorized officer. Guest further agrees not to solicit anyone on the vessel for any commercial or professional purposes. Guest agrees that any violation of this Clause may subject guest to disembarkation.

 

(b) Guest acknowledges that Carnival’s vessels contain non-smoking sections. Guest agrees to refrain from smoking in those sections and agrees that Carnival has the right to disembark the Guest for failure to observe Carnival’s non-smoking policy.

 

© Smoking is prohibited in all public areas except in designated exterior open deck areas, certain night clubs, and designated areas in the casino. All staterooms and suite accommodations are an entirely smoke free environment, including the outside balcony (Effective October 9, 2014). Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy. Guest further acknowledges and agrees that any violation of this policy shall, in the sole discretion of Carnival, constitute a material breach of this cruise contract. IIn the event of such breach, Guest forfeits all rights hereunder, including the right to remain on board. Carnival reserves the right to disembark the Guest(s), at any port, as determined by Carnival. Carnival shall not be liable for any refund or other compensation or damages whatsoever to any Guest disembarked pursuant to this provision, or who disembarks because another Guest is so disembarked, and all such Guests forfeit all rights under Carnival’s “Vacation Guarantee.” Guest and Carnival further agree that any violation of the non-smoking policy would also cause Carnival to incur damages, including but not limited to, loss of Guest goodwill, revenue, cleaning, maintenance and/or other costs. Guest and Carnival expressly acknowledge the difficulty of ascertaining the amount of such damages, and therefore agree that a reasonable estimate of the damages for any violation of the non-smoking policy is $250 USD. Guest authorizes a charge in this amount as liquidated damages, as well as repatriation expenses (including airfare) against Guest’s on board charge account, without further notice, for any violation of the non-smoking policy.

[sailingnut]

it is about time~~had too many cruises ruined from smoking on the balcony by next-door neighbors~~went right into my cabin~~had to shut the balcony door! glad to hear it!

[halos]

OOPS I stand corrected...APparently Regulations require cruise ships to ban balcony smoking or install very costly fire suppression systems and upgrades...So welcome to the new age of no smoking balconies folks.

 

BINGO!

Maybe now the 'non-smokers are out to get us' nonsense will cease?

 

. IIn the event of such breach, Guest forfeits all rights hereunder, including the right to remain on board. Carnival reserves the right to disembark the Guest(s), at any port, as determined by Carnival. Carnival shall not be liable for any refund or other compensation or damages whatsoever to any Guest disembarked pursuant to this provision, or who disembarks because another Guest is so disembarked, and all such Guests forfeit all rights under Carnival’s “Vacation Guarantee.” .

 

Exactly what I was referring to, thank you.

 

Now, whether CCL actually does toss people off the ship is another thing altogether. They were never big on enforcing the rules they set.

[UandMe4Ever]

It would make more sense at this point to make the smoking on balconies ban effective, January 15, 2015, after all Holiday Travel....Also, would give people the opportunity to decide if they have other vacation options. There's always HAL, but I guess they will follow in short order....

 

The casinos will be worse.. No air filters in there at all. At least, you are OUTSIDE in the air on a balcony....JMHO

 

For a smart man, Mr. Sheehan hasn't thought this through enough and what impact it will eventually have....

[ColinIllinois]

 

For a smart man, Mr. Sheehan hasn't thought this through enough and what impact it will eventually have....

 

 

I guarantee you that Mr Sheehan and many other people and consultants have thought this through and have been doing so for quite a while now.

[soccersharon]

I agree that the decision stems from a financial / insurance standpoint.

[UandMe4Ever]

Try HAL. They still allow smoking on balconies (for now). An added bonus: MUCH better food in the MDR and buffet.

The food may be a bit better on HAL (Although lately everything downhill on those ships, i.e. early Port departure, bad entertainment, much less staff, etc. ). :(It is definitely NOT a 'lively ship' at all.... HAL is not what it's 'cracked up to be' and quite costly.

 

I'll stick w/ NCL, Princess or RCI ~ Happier people, whether they smoke or not....

 

Safe sails.:)

Edited July 15, 2014 by UandMe4Ever

[gemsm]

The food may be a bit better on HAL (Although lately everything downhill on those ships, i.e. early Port departure, bad entertainment, much less staff, etc. ). :(It is definitely not a 'lively ship' at all.... HAL is not what it's 'cracked up to be' and quite costly.

 

I'll stick w/ NCL, Princess or RCi ~ Happier people, whether they smoke or not....

 

Safe sails.:)

 

HAL is apparently going to ban as well