Norwegian Cruise Line Bans Smoking on Balconies

[Out to sea!]

The stench certainly does fill a cabin that quickly. Who said anything about only one person going through the door?

 

Yes, if you let all of the Deck 8 Inside cabins file through your door out onto your balcony, then the door could be open long enough for some of the smell/smoke to enter it. :rolleyes:

[Out to sea!]

When I was on the breakaway I saw many times couples playing together (just one actually playing the machine) I'm not saying they were smoking it's just it was kinda weird how many times I saw this going on. I go to Atlantic city a few times a month and don't normally see that there but on the breakaway many many times don't know why that was.

 

Actually this is exactly what my wife and I do anytime we are in a casino (on land or sea). I don;t really care about gambling but she likes to play slots. So, it is my job to "feed" the machine and hers to pull the lever, hit the button, or whatever it takes to work the thing. It is usually my job to keep track of the winnings as well since very few machines actually pay out in coins anymore.

 

Personally if I see a person sitting at a machine playing 1 penny at a time just to smoke (and it's a machine I want) it will piss me off but what can you do???? There is no way to tell them they can't do that because actuality they do have money in the machine. I see this getting people into arguments but time will tell won't it.

 

And that is exactly what I was referring to. While there is a rule that states one must be actively playing to smoke, nothing states how quickly one must play. Some one could drop 1 penny in the slots, take a pull, wait a minute, drop another penny in the slots, and so on. 60 cents to spend an hour at the machine and all within the current rules. Someone may not like it but I don;t think the smoking aspect can really come into play as to how quickly one plays a machine. If I were to employ this method (and I wouldn't because I actually prefer to be up on deck and don't care for gambling in the first place), there would be no argument.......I would calmly call for security and have them remove the person badgering me.

Edited July 22, 2014 by Out to sea!

[CasinoCruzGirl]

Actually this is exactly what my wife and I do anytime we are in a casino (on land or sea). I don;t really care about gambling but she likes to play slots. So, it is my job to "feed" the machine and hers to pull the lever, hit the button, or whatever it takes to work the thing. It is usually my job to keep track of the winnings as well since very few machines actually pay out in coins anymore.

 

 

 

And that is exactly what I was referring to. While there is a rule that states one must be actively playing to smoke, nothing states how quickly one must play. Some one could drop 1 penny in the slots, take a pull, wait a minute, drop another penny in the slots, and so on. 60 cents to spend an hour at the machine and all within the current rules. Someone may not like it but I don;t think the smoking aspect can really come into play as to how quickly one plays a machine. If I were to employ this method (and I wouldn't because I actually prefer to be up on deck and don't care for gambling in the first place), there would be no argument.......I would calmly call for security and have them remove the person badgering me.

 

Yep there is no way to force someone to play more than they are absolutely no way in hell. It's like someone telling me hey you have to play max to play that machine.

[Aquahound]

The stench certainly does fill a cabin that quickly. Who said anything about only one person going through the door?

 

You're getting grief for this comment, surprise, surprise, but what you say is absolutely true....and not so easily recognized by smokers. The stench of cigarette smoke absolutely does travel that fast. Heck, here in Fla where our car A/Cs are always on, non smokers have learned to switch their A/Cs to recycle mode when at a stop light behind a car with a lit cigarette hanging out the window. Otherwise, in just a couple seconds, the inside of the car stinks. But again, these are things smokers don't realize...or as advertised in this thread, some don't care about. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about people smoking in their own cars....I'm only commenting on the stench and how it does travel quick.

Edited July 22, 2014 by Aquahound

[tel2]

Hmmmm. My husband and I are one of those couples who play together. He smokes, I smoke non-nicotine e-cigs, having quit about a year ago. We are not "penny" players. I am VIP. He is Gold. We play video poker. Usually .50 ultimate 3 or 5 handed, so 15.00 to $25.00 a hand. He deals. I hold the cards. He draws. I wonder if that means we are both actively playing or not?

 

Terry

Edited July 22, 2014 by tel2

[emcelh]

Actually this is exactly what my wife and I do anytime we are in a casino (on land or sea). I don;t really care about gambling but she likes to play slots. So, it is my job to "feed" the machine and hers to pull the lever, hit the button, or whatever it takes to work the thing. It is usually my job to keep track of the winnings as well since very few machines actually pay out in coins anymore.

 

 

 

And that is exactly what I was referring to. While there is a rule that states one must be actively playing to smoke, nothing states how quickly one must play. Some one could drop 1 penny in the slots, take a pull, wait a minute, drop another penny in the slots, and so on. 60 cents to spend an hour at the machine and all within the current rules. Someone may not like it but I don;t think the smoking aspect can really come into play as to how quickly one plays a machine. If I were to employ this method (and I wouldn't because I actually prefer to be up on deck and don't care for gambling in the first place), there would be no argument.......I would calmly call for security and have them remove the person badgering me.

 

It only takes a few minutes to smoke a cigarette. I can't imagine that someone who has no interest in playing would sit at a slot machine for an hour just so they could smoke in the casino. What a waste of a vacation.

 

As for two people playing one machine, that's fine if the casino isn't busy, but it's really irritating to be in a crowded casino trying to find a machine you want to play and there are people taking a seat in front of it who are not playing. Sometimes they're just watching or playing with someone else.

[Out to sea!]

Yep there is no way to force someone to play more than they are absolutely no way in hell. It's like someone telling me hey you have to play max to play that machine.

 

Though undoubtedly there are some that try to do that as well! :D

[NLH Arizona]

It only takes a few minutes to smoke a cigarette. I can't imagine that someone who has no interest in playing would sit at a slot machine for an hour just so they could smoke in the casino. What a waste of a vacation.

 

As for two people playing one machine, that's fine if the casino isn't busy, but it's really irritating to be in a crowded casino trying to find a machine you want to play and there are people taking a seat in front of it who are not playing. Sometimes they're just watching or playing with someone else.

 

If someone is taking the seat and not playing and I want to play the machine, I nicely ask if they are playing and always the person gives up the seat.

[spidybabe]

I do not gamble anyplace (land or sea) but my DH def does (alot), and anyplace we are I usually stay by him, and get drinks. If he is playing at a table, usually I do not sit unless extremely empty casino, but I will sit next to him at an empty slot machine. Many times I have been asked if I am playing,and I will ALWAYS get up to give the gambler the machine without problems or ill feelings. If I see somebody just looking at a machine I am sitting at, I will even ask them if they want the seat. Common Courtesy.

Also, it states smoking only when casino is open...usually we see smokers in the casino at all times of the day or night, opened or closed.... what will people do??? Non smoker here and not bothered by smokers, but do believe the casino will get way way too smokey, and we do feel bad for the parents who now have no place to smoke after putting their children to bed...can't leave them in the cabin alone. We still vote for a certain side of the ship, certain cabins as a smoking section( but nobody asked for our vote)

Safe sailing

[negc]

It only takes a few minutes to smoke a cigarette. I can't imagine that someone who has no interest in playing would sit at a slot machine for an hour just so they could smoke in the casino. What a waste of a vacation.

 

As for two people playing one machine, that's fine if the casino isn't busy, but it's really irritating to be in a crowded casino trying to find a machine you want to play and there are people taking a seat in front of it who are not playing. Sometimes they're just watching or playing with someone else.

 

The smokers who are being complained about, don't smoke just one cigarette and leave. They are chain smokers who light up their next cigarette before they have put the last one out. The fact that you can't imagine someone sitting at a slot machine for an hour just to smoke, is pretty much irrelevant and isn't supported by the testimony of many who have observed just such behavior.

[vinnytman]

I think NCL is still figuring this all out. I was told on The Star, the only public place to smoke would be the casino -- they don't have a cigar bar on that ship. Plus the casino isn't opened when in port.

 

I think it would've been wiser for NCL to make a smoking area somewhere outside for smokers and make the casino non-smoking. I don't know where outside, but it seems like having all the smokers only having the casino space is a bad idea -- and the casinos will probably be worse then they already are with smoke, as many have said.

 

I know other ships have other areas outdoors, but I guess some ships don't.

[Out to sea!]

It only takes a few minutes to smoke a cigarette. I can't imagine that someone who has no interest in playing would sit at a slot machine for an hour just so they could smoke in the casino. What a waste of a vacation.

 

As for two people playing one machine, that's fine if the casino isn't busy, but it's really irritating to be in a crowded casino trying to find a machine you want to play and there are people taking a seat in front of it who are not playing. Sometimes they're just watching or playing with someone else.

 

The problem with that logic is that what you or I would possibly consider the waste of a vacation is not a waste to someone else (and what we might enjoy doing someone else may think is a waste). Think about it. Let's say a person can't stand being outdoors. With the ability to smoke on the balcony, they could step out of the A/C and smoke a quick one on the balcony and then go back in. Now, for out side they have to go to one of the outside areas which makes them stay outside longer. OR, they can go sit in the A/C in the casino, plunk a few pennies in, smoke as long as they want (provided they keep plunking a few more pennies in) and people watch all day long.......if that's what makes them happy.

 

As for two people playing, that really has nothing to do with smoking. Both my wife and I do this, whether we are smoking or not, and there is really nothing you can say to stop it. Now, if someone is taking a seat in front of a machine that they are not playing, that is a different story but I stand behind or next to my wife while we play.

Edited July 22, 2014 by Out to sea!

[Out to sea!]

The smokers who are being complained about, don't smoke just one cigarette and leave. They are chain smokers who light up their next cigarette before they have put the last one out. The fact that you can't imagine someone sitting at a slot machine for an hour just to smoke, is pretty much irrelevant and isn't supported by the testimony of many who have observed just such behavior.

 

But as long as they are playing even a penny a minute, they are entitled to sit there and chain smoke as per NCL's rules.

[Out to sea!]

I think NCL is still figuring this all out. I was told on The Star, the only public place to smoke would be the casino -- they don't have a cigar bar on that ship. Plus the casino isn't opened when in port.

 

I think it would've been wiser for NCL to make a smoking area somewhere outside for smokers and make the casino non-smoking. I don't know where outside, but it seems like having all the smokers only having the casino space is a bad idea -- and the casinos will probably be worse then they already are with smoke, as many have said.

 

I know other ships have other areas outdoors, but I guess some ships don't.

 

No, you misunderstand. There are places outside on deck to smoke in addition to smoking in the casino.

[Macadian]

My head is hurting, l fear l am loosing the will to live..😕. No more

I tell myself, no more..😂

[luvtheships]

I completely concur. I was only stating there is no rule stating how fast anyone (including a smoker who may languish at a machine to extend their smoking time there) has to play a machine that they are sitting at.

 

But, how do you feel about a couple who are playing a machine together? Would they be allowed to smoke at the same time or take turns??

 

That means 2 related people right?

 

Hmmm. I guess it ok

 

What about this scenario:

 

Smoker 1: hey you total stranger do you want to pretend to play the slots with me so we can both smoke?

 

Smoker 2: yeah great, we will beat Ncl at their own game just lets pretend we are family ok?

 

Or alternate scenario:

Smoker 2: are you our of your mind? This is ridiculous I don't need a smoke that badly.

 

Lol

 

 

 

 

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Edited July 22, 2014 by luvtheships

[vinnytman]

No, you misunderstand. There are places outside on deck to smoke in addition to smoking in the casino.

 

Customer service @ NCL told me there were no outside places for smokers to go on The Star -- only the casino. But I'm hoping they just didn't know where outside. I'm sure it will vary from ship to ship.

[mommyto2girls]

Not to get off the topic of my e-cig that would kill somebody if I smoked it on my balcony, I am all about sunscreen, it is a must, but is it okay to use that damn sun screen spray on yourselves and your kids when I am next to you at the pool or at the beach . You do know that the titanium and zinc particles in it are hazardous when inhaled. It goes straight to the lungs, Never hear anyone complain about that do we? This could go on forever...and probably will. Apply your sunscreen with your hands please

[goldmom]

Customer service @ NCL told me there were no outside places for smokers to go on The Star -- only the casino. But I'm hoping they just didn't know where outside. I'm sure it will vary from ship to ship.

 

I am almost positive that every NCL ship has an outside designated smoking section. Usually in one corner of the pool deck and/or one of the outside bar areas. They may have misunderstood, the Casino is the only indoor area where smoking is permitted other than ships with cigar bars.

[graphicguy]

I do not gamble anyplace (land or sea) but my DH def does (alot), and anyplace we are I usually stay by him, and get drinks. If he is playing at a table, usually I do not sit unless extremely empty casino, but I will sit next to him at an empty slot machine. Many times I have been asked if I am playing,and I will ALWAYS get up to give the gambler the machine without problems or ill feelings. If I see somebody just looking at a machine I am sitting at, I will even ask them if they want the seat. Common Courtesy.

Also, it states smoking only when casino is open...usually we see smokers in the casino at all times of the day or night, opened or closed.... what will people do??? Non smoker here and not bothered by smokers, but do believe the casino will get way way too smokey, and we do feel bad for the parents who now have no place to smoke after putting their children to bed...can't leave them in the cabin alone. We still vote for a certain side of the ship, certain cabins as a smoking section( but nobody asked for our vote)

Safe sailing

 

 

I hear you. I do gamble, enjoy the casino. I've never had a problem with smokers in the casino. This may change things.

 

But, as you've noted, for some there is no compromise. Either the smokers demand to sit at a penny slot and slow play so they can smoke (in your example). Or, some of the non-smokers state they don't want smoking anywhere, and now their casino experience won't be as good. There is no middle ground for either side, it seems.

 

As you state, common courtesy should rule. I hope it does anyway. I offered another compromise....that is let the smokers use their ecigs. Even there, no one wants to give in one iota to compromise.

 

This will be an issue for a long, long time....until both sides compromise. Until then, no one, on either side, is going to be happy. This is true not only on NCL but all the rest of the cruise lines, too.

Edited July 22, 2014 by graphicguy

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I hear you. I do gamble, enjoy the casino. I've never had a problem with smokers in the casino. This may change things.

 

But, as you've noted, for some there is no compromise. Either the smokers demand to sit at a penny slot and slow play so they can smoke (in your example). Or, some of the non-smokers state they don't want smoking anywhere, and now their casino experience won't be as good. There is no middle ground for either side, it seems.

 

As you state, common courtesy should rule. I hope it does anyway. I offered another compromise....that is let the smokers use their ecigs. Even there, no one wants to give in one iota to compromise.

 

This will be an issue for a long, long time....until both sides compromise.

 

 

I feel I am compromising. But that's just me. I changed my balcony cabin to one right next to the waterfront where there is smoking designated areas. May not be the best location on the ship but it is the most convenient one for me. To be honest I spend most of my time in the casino and not just to smoke it's spent there because that's what I like to do play slots and blackjack and 3 card poker I'm all over the place in the casino lol.

 

As far as 2 people playing at one machine if that's the way they play then that's the way they play. It wouldn't be fair to say you can't stand next to your spouse while he/she is playing if they smoke just have the one smoking sit at that time and vice versa. No big deal. As long as the person is playing there is no problem. Smoke away.

[NLH Arizona]

Not to get off the topic of my e-cig that would kill somebody if I smoked it on my balcony, I am all about sunscreen, it is a must, but is it okay to use that damn sun screen spray on yourselves and your kids when I am next to you at the pool or at the beach . You do know that the titanium and zinc particles in it are hazardous when inhaled. It goes straight to the lungs, Never hear anyone complain about that do we? This could go on forever...and probably will. Apply your sunscreen with your hands please

I guess when they make non-sunscreen spray areas and sunscreen spray areas and someone is spraying sunscreen around you in a non-sunscreen spray area, you will have every right to complain about it, but until then we just have to live with it. If it bothers you that much, you might want to consider getting a campaign together to ban it in some areas. Edited July 22, 2014 by NLH Arizona

[gemsm]

Customer service @ NCL told me there were no outside places for smokers to go on The Star -- only the casino. But I'm hoping they just didn't know where outside. I'm sure it will vary from ship to ship.

 

there are outdoor smoking areas on the star. CS doesn't have a clue apparently

[luvtheships]

I really doubt a compromise will ever really be reached but what I do for see is that all indoor smoking will be banned including the casino and an indoor/outdoor glass walled off area will be built that will have seating a bar maybe even an entertainment area with space for about 200 give or take even their own little buffet area

And hot tub. Heck do it up right!!!

 

Sort of an onboard all inclusive

 

This area would be aft of course and away from balcony cabins

 

I am all for this and even though they might charge a fee to join in so what?

 

$50 for access to this area per cabin not even per pax just to make nice.

 

If pax pay for udp. Ubp. Spa access. Vibe. Then why not smoking access?

 

The area could have extensive fire safety equipment and be built to make it impossible to flick a butt

 

Fire proof materials of course to used

 

Now I know the kind folks on cc will rip this post apart but it is a realistic compromise

 

Why? Because smoking is on the way to complete banishment on ships so if this is acceptable maybe smokers should encourage something line this

 

Just sayin

 

 

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Edited July 22, 2014 by luvtheships

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I really doubt a compromise will ever really be reached but what I do for see is that all indoor smoking will be banned including the casino and an indoor/outdoor glass walled off area will be built that will have seating a bar maybe even an entertainment area with space for about 200 give or take even their own little buffet area

And hit tub. Heck donut up right!!!

 

This area would be aft of course and away from balcony cabins

 

I am all for this and even though they might charge a fee to join in so what?

 

$50 for access to this area per cabin not even per pax

 

Not I know the kind folks on cc will rip this post apart but it is a realistic compromise

 

Why? Because smoking is on the way to complete banishment on ships so if this is acceptable maybe smokers should encourage something line this

 

Just sayin

 

 

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Was just on the phone with my CAS PCC and he said no way in hell does NCL ban smoking in the casino not that he really knows but I happen to agree with him he said it's like banning coffee at dunkin donuts which I totally agree with.