No smoking on balconies

[Clarea]

I will be interested to see how this plays out with the 5 ships in Chinese waters next year, will RCI stick to their global plan or bend to meet Chinese needs?

Royal already says that they not have a non-smoking section in the casino on cruises from China.

[onlyonetrevorfrancis]

I will be interested to see how this plays out with the 5 ships in Chinese waters next year, will RCI stick to their global plan or bend to meet Chinese needs?

 

 

I'd stick my last pound or dollar on the rules being changed.

 

There were lots of complaints in the casino on our last Adventure Baltic cruise from us Brits and American guests about the amount of smoking from a dozen or so Chinese guests. We were playing the cent slots and minimum hands and the Chinese guests were playing $200 - 400 dollar a hand. Only one outcome....

 

 

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[akcruz]

On our recent Vision cruise I was very surprised. During the 5 days I think I saw maybe 3 smokers total. You could actually spend time in the casino without coming back smelling of smoke.

[CVU]

Was on the Radiance in July and was happy to enjoy balcony. Unfortunately, walking up the stairs in the Centrum is smoky for at least 2 floors where I never noticed that before the smoking ban. Wish they could do something about this, but happy that I could enjoy my balcony.

Yes, commented on that on Radiance. It was very smokey and smelly.

I will be interested to see how this plays out with the 5 ships in Chinese waters next year, will RCI stick to their global plan or bend to meet Chinese needs?

It won't be easy.....

 

There is a section of casino non-smoking in Radiance now, by the cashier and open tables area. Doesn't make a huge amount of difference. Some though......

So, therefore no non-smoking on Formal night anymore.

[PRgymnast]

It varies by ship. On recent cruises this year it was port on Independence and starboard on Grandeur.

 

Oasis & Allure=PORT

 

All other ships=STARBOARD

 

"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."

[dz9yvr]

notice the wind catching embers and/or just so close to the wood on the balcony

 

There always seems to be water dripping from somewhere on the ship. I think some of that water might have fallen on that smoke. :eek:

[MS2011]

Non smoker here, but the policy never made sense to me.

 

So you can't smoke on balconies because it may effect the health and enjoyment of non smoking guests, and for them not to be able to enjoy their balcony.... yet you can smoke on the lower promenade - with all the smoke blowing up onto the balconies above?

 

And, now there is more smoking crammed into the the casino.

 

So I really don't get it. People staying on the smoking side of the ship are still going to get it on their balconies, and the amount of smoking inside the casino definitely travels through the ship, that can't be good for health.

 

Why can't they ban smoking completely inside the ship and have it outside on one side of the ship - including balconies on that side of the ship.

 

Cruising before I always had a balcony and no smoke ever bothered me. Walking through the ship now and the casino, it does actually bother me and is disgusting. I find the policy ridiculous, making no sense and actually worse for a non smoker.

Edited September 9, 2014 by MS2011

[cariad1000]

Non smoker here, but the policy never made sense to me.

 

So you can't smoke on balconies because it may effect the health and enjoyment of non smoking guests, and for them not to be able to enjoy their balcony.... yet you can smoke on the lower promenade - with all the smoke blowing up onto the balconies above?

 

And, now there is more smoking crammed into the the casino.

 

So I really don't get it. People staying on the smoking side of the ship are still going to get it on their balconies, and the amount of smoking inside the casino definitely travels through the ship, that can't be good for health.

 

Why can't they ban smoking completely inside the ship and have it outside on one side of the ship - including balconies on that side of the ship.

 

Cruising before I always had a balcony and no smoke ever bothered me. Walking through the ship now and the casino, it does actually bother me and is disgusting. I find the policy ridiculous, making no sense and actually worse for a non smoker.

 

I wish there was a like button on this forum. Your post echoes my thoughts exactly. I don't smoke either, but just don't get it when people rant on about fire hazards and fumes from smoking on balconies, yet to me the problems are far worse in the casino and the smoke coming up from Deck 4.

[fishtaco]

I will be interested to see how this plays out with the 5 ships in Chinese waters next year, will RCI stick to their global plan or bend to meet Chinese needs?

 

I can answer this for you, NO! They will bend to the Chinese rules in the name of profit.

 

On VOS last year the casino was totally non smoking from Fremantle until Singapore for the entire 14 nights then the casino became fully smoking for the Chinese clients leaving from Singapore.:)

[fishtaco]

Non smoker here, but the policy never made sense to me.

 

So you can't smoke on balconies because it may effect the health and enjoyment of non smoking guests, and for them not to be able to enjoy their balcony.... yet you can smoke on the lower promenade - with all the smoke blowing up onto the balconies above?

 

And, now there is more smoking crammed into the the casino.

 

So I really don't get it. People staying on the smoking side of the ship are still going to get it on their balconies, and the amount of smoking inside the casino definitely travels through the ship, that can't be good for health.

 

Why can't they ban smoking completely inside the ship and have it outside on one side of the ship - including balconies on that side of the ship.

 

Cruising before I always had a balcony and no smoke ever bothered me. Walking through the ship now and the casino, it does actually bother me and is disgusting. I find the policy ridiculous, making no sense and actually worse for a non smoker.

 

I have raised this point before as well:)

 

By sectioning of smokers to small areas in large numbers makes those area and surrounds much worse than when it was spread out more with room to dissipate before it gets too annoying.

 

I often wonder what would happen if a peanut allergy sufferer decided to declare their allergy once onboard? lol:D I flew Virgin once and no food or snacks were allowed to be served including people eating those brought on-board because of a severe peanut allergy one passenger had!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[FunCruiser56]

We were disapointed with the smokeyness of the Casino on Oasis. The middle seating area was just a fog. Even on the non smoking area we had a strong smoke smell. Since our last few cruises were on Celebrity and they don't allow smoking in the Casino, we made the wrong assumption that RCI was the same.

Still sailing on both lines just won't make anymore donations on RCI ;)

 

Bev

[terrygbennett]

Non smoker here, but the policy never made sense to me.

 

 

Cruising before I always had a balcony and no smoke ever bothered me. Walking through the ship now and the casino, it does actually bother me and is disgusting. I find the policy ridiculous, making no sense and actually worse for a non smoker.

 

My thoughts exactly

[leaveitallbehind]

Oasis & Allure=PORT

 

All other ships=STARBOARD

 

"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."

 

I guess Independence didn't get the "starboard" memo last March....:D

[caribbean sailor]

Our JS was downwind and 1 deck down from on the smoking side of the Legend on our recent TA. Every once in awhile we could smell the cigarette smoke from the pool deck. As far as smoking in the casino, it was right across from the theater and you could smell the smoke halfway down into the theater. Plus during the rainy weather, everyone barely stood outside the door to smoke and the smoke came right inside. It was ridiculous. I made sure and stayed far away from the smoking side of the ship.

 

You non smokers complained jump up and down about smoke pouring onto your balcony,i'm a non smoker i have never had a smoke problem on my balcony,Once in a while you may get a slight smell and it,s gone.I have been on twelve Royal cruises.I would rather see smoking outside on the balcony, then inside in the casino.:)

Edited September 9, 2014 by caribbean sailor

[leaveitallbehind]

You people complained jump up and down about smoke pouring onto your balcony,i'm a non smoker i have never had a smoke problem on my balcony,Once in a while you may get a slight smell and it,s gone.I have been on twelve Royal cruises.I would rather see smoking outside on the balcony, then inside in the casino.:)

 

That has been your fortunate experience. I am certainly not going to "jump up and down about it" but we definitely have had cruises when we had a strong smoke aroma on our balcony, and not just from the balcony next to us.

 

And on a Panama cruise while in one of the locks, we were at the railing on the promenade deck when a cigarette discarded from a balcony above landed in my wife's hair burning a small portion of it and singeing her scalp. Not jumping up and down about that either, but experiences vary.

Edited September 9, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[caribbean sailor]

That has been your fortunate experience. I am certainly not going to "jump up and down about it" but we definitely have had cruises when we had a strong smoke aroma on our balcony, and not just from the balcony next to us.

 

And on a Panama cruise while in one of the locks, we were at the railing on the promenade deck when a cigarette discarded from a balcony above landed in my wife's hair burning a small portion of it and singeing her scalp. Not jumping up and down about that either, but experiences vary.

 

 

Sorry to hear about about your wife.Hope you have a great next cruise.:)

[PRgymnast]

Well, folks time to start writing those letters and emails to RCCL if you want the policy to be changed again.

 

I agree...smoking should be outdoors. I'm sure they can find a compromise. Make one side completely smoke free. Dedicate a set number of balconies, on the opposite side of the ship, in the same section of the rear and once they're gone, they're gone. Hotels do this...why can't RCCL?

[Big_G]

You non smokers complained jump up and down about smoke pouring onto your balcony,i'm a non smoker i have never had a smoke problem on my balcony,Once in a while you may get a slight smell and it,s gone.I have been on twelve Royal cruises.I would rather see smoking outside on the balcony, then inside in the casino.:)

Nonsmokers are an easy scapegoat but I think it's no coincidence the policy change came after the Grandeur fire.

[papaflamingo]

Non smoker here, but the policy never made sense to me.

 

So you can't smoke on balconies because it may effect the health and enjoyment of non smoking guests, and for them not to be able to enjoy their balcony.... yet you can smoke on the lower promenade - with all the smoke blowing up onto the balconies above?

 

And, now there is more smoking crammed into the the casino.

 

So I really don't get it. People staying on the smoking side of the ship are still going to get it on their balconies, and the amount of smoking inside the casino definitely travels through the ship, that can't be good for health.

 

Why can't they ban smoking completely inside the ship and have it outside on one side of the ship - including balconies on that side of the ship.

 

Cruising before I always had a balcony and no smoke ever bothered me. Walking through the ship now and the casino, it does actually bother me and is disgusting. I find the policy ridiculous, making no sense and actually worse for a non smoker.

 

 

My wife is highly allergic to smoke. So much so, that if someone throws their cigarette out of their car at a stoplight, and we are behind, the smoke will cause her to tear up. We have been on more than one cruise where she has been unable to sit on the balcony, a cabin I paid a premium for, because someone on another balcony is smoking. I "lose value" due to the actions of another. Is that fair? A smoker can sit on their balcony anytime he/she wishes. If he/she desires a cigarette, they can go to the smoking area. We avoid the casino at all costs. We avoid the smoking side of the pool deck. We do not complain as we recognize the cruiseline has designated these areas for the enjoyment of their smoking passengers. If they designate 50% of the balconies as smoking, they'd lose money. Unlikely the balconies would sell. We certainly wouldn't book one. Then there is the matter of inside cabins. Should one half of the ship allow smoking in those cabins? What about the Royal Suite?

I work for a major airline. We were the first to go non-smoking. The prediction was bankruptcy. The reality was increased ridership. The other airlines, and finally the FAA joined in. Same with Royal Caribbean. It was predicted on this forum a loss of revenue. Didn't happen. Ships are full, prices and profits up. So much so that the other cruiselines are joining in.

So, a "ridiculous policy?" Hardly... Seems more a "profitable policy."

 

 

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[lisiamc]

My wife is highly allergic to smoke. So much so, that if someone throws their cigarette out of their car at a stoplight, and we are behind, the smoke will cause her to tear up. We have been on more than one cruise where she has been unable to sit on the balcony, a cabin I paid a premium for, because someone on another balcony is smoking. I "lose value" due to the actions of another. Is that fair? A smoker can sit on their balcony anytime he/she wishes. If he/she desires a cigarette, they can go to the smoking area. We avoid the casino at all costs. We avoid the smoking side of the pool deck. We do not complain as we recognize the cruiseline has designated these areas for the enjoyment of their smoking passengers. If they designate 50% of the balconies as smoking, they'd lose money. Unlikely the balconies would sell. We certainly wouldn't book one. Then there is the matter of inside cabins. Should one half of the ship allow smoking in those cabins? What about the Royal Suite?

I work for a major airline. We were the first to go non-smoking. The prediction was bankruptcy. The reality was increased ridership. The other airlines, and finally the FAA joined in. Same with Royal Caribbean. It was predicted on this forum a loss of revenue. Didn't happen. Ships are full, prices and profits up. So much so that the other cruiselines are joining in.

So, a "ridiculous policy?" Hardly... Seems more a "profitable policy."

 

 

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Our last two Royal cruises have been in inside cabins. But we've booked the next one in a balcony cabin because of the new policy. So Royal is making more money from some of us, anyway!

[nbsjcruiser]

My wife is highly allergic to smoke. So much so, that if someone throws their cigarette out of their car at a stoplight, and we are behind, the smoke will cause her to tear up. We have been on more than one cruise where she has been unable to sit on the balcony, a cabin I paid a premium for, because someone on another balcony is smoking. I "lose value" due to the actions of another. Is that fair? A smoker can sit on their balcony anytime he/she wishes. If he/she desires a cigarette, they can go to the smoking area. We avoid the casino at all costs. We avoid the smoking side of the pool deck. We do not complain as we recognize the cruiseline has designated these areas for the enjoyment of their smoking passengers. If they designate 50% of the balconies as smoking, they'd lose money. Unlikely the balconies would sell. We certainly wouldn't book one. Then there is the matter of inside cabins. Should one half of the ship allow smoking in those cabins? What about the Royal Suite?

I work for a major airline. We were the first to go non-smoking. The prediction was bankruptcy. The reality was increased ridership. The other airlines, and finally the FAA joined in. Same with Royal Caribbean. It was predicted on this forum a loss of revenue. Didn't happen. Ships are full, prices and profits up. So much so that the other cruiselines are joining in.

So, a "ridiculous policy?" Hardly... Seems more a "profitable policy."

 

 

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I don't mean to make light of your wife's condition but smoking isn't an allergen, its an irritant. She's not allergic to smoke.

 

From the Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine,

Cigarette smoke is an irritant, and not technically an allergen. The confusion stems from the way cigarette smoke causes a reaction similar to how the body deals with allergens, often termed "vasomotor rhinitis," with inflammation of the tissues of your nose, airway, and eyes in reaction to the irritation. The difference is that medications that treat allergies (not just the symptoms of allergies) will not work with cigarette smoke. For example, antihistamines will not work very well unless the cigarette smoke is aggravating someone's preexisting allergies (to pollen, dust, etc).

Edited September 9, 2014 by nbsjcruiser

[papaflamingo]

I don't mean to make light of your wife's condition but smoking isn't an allergen, its an irritant. She's not allergic to smoke.

 

From the Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine,

Cigarette smoke is an irritant, and not technically an allergen. The confusion stems from the way cigarette smoke causes a reaction similar to how the body deals with allergens, often termed "vasomotor rhinitis," with inflammation of the tissues of your nose, airway, and eyes in reaction to the irritation. The difference is that medications that treat allergies (not just the symptoms of allergies) will not work with cigarette smoke. For example, antihistamines will not work very well unless the cigarette smoke is aggravating someone's preexisting allergies (to pollen, dust, etc).

 

 

Correction, mywife is highly "irritated" by smoke. Still couldn't sit on the balcony.

 

 

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[Elvis1209]

Oh good! Another smoking thread! I thought the cigarette habit was hard to break! The smoking thread habit is even harder!!!

 

Elvis

[misstiffany]

I was on the FOTS last week in an aft corner balcony on deck 6 - so only one neighbor directly next door, and one directly above. Our cabin steward asked us several times to report to him if we noticed anyone smoking but we never did.

 

The closest I saw to smoking in the balcony area was directly below our balcony, which overlooked a small crew break area. A bartender came out and had a glass of wine with a cigarette while watching the sunset. I was doing the same thing, sans the ciggie :D

[Big_G]

I was on the FOTS last week in an aft corner balcony on deck 6 - so only one neighbor directly next door, and one directly above. Our cabin steward asked us several times to report to him if we noticed anyone smoking but we never did.

 

The closest I saw to smoking in the balcony area was directly below our balcony, which overlooked a small crew break area. A bartender came out and had a glass of wine with a cigarette while watching the sunset. I was doing the same thing, sans the ciggie :D

 

Just curious, how did you like the cabin location?