Smoking policy on Asian based ships

[LewesBeach]

I was following a thread on ships sailing in Asia which was closed for some reason, & I had a question which was not answered. Can someone who has actually sailed an Asian itinerary report if the smoking policy is the same for ships based in the Far East? I was told it was more lenient to cater to that market, but I find that hard to believe - for many reasons. Thank you.

Berni

[LewesBeach]

Never got a response on this one. Anyone?

[Husky61]

Never got a response on this one. Anyone?

 

Why not try calling the cruise lines and asking them?:)

[LACruiser88]

We have done several cruises in Asia/Japan and smoking policy has been the same as in other areas of the world.

[princessfanboy]

On the Diamond last year around Japan it was the common Princess smoking policy

[hel0013]

Princess policy says all voyages... :)

 

 

 

Keeping the comfort of our guests a priority, and in consideration of consumer studies which show smokers are a small minority of guests, Princess has implemented the following smoking policy:

 

Designated Smoking Areas

Clearly marked “Designated Smoking Areas” are available onboard and include a sufficient number of ashtrays that are emptied regularly. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub, as well as a portion of the open decks. The Casino and Casino Bar are non-smoking areas on board, with the exception of designated slot machines where guests are permitted to smoke only while playing at those machines. All table games are non-smoking. The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking. As a safety precaution, guests are reminded to properly dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco, which are never to be thrown overboard as this may be sucked back into the ship and cause fires.

 

Stateroom Smoking Policy Update

For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in guest staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our guests who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the guest’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our guests, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our guests escape completely.

 

Electronic Cigarettes

The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within the confines of the guest's stateroom (balcony not included) and within designated smoking areas only.

[fishywood]

While certainly helpful, the information cited above is from the online FAQs. What constitutes the final say is the Passage Contract, which differs in Asia and Australia from the rest of the world. But the clause about smoking is consistent:

 

No Passenger under the age of 18 shall be permitted to purchase cigarettes or tobacco products. Indoor areas onboard the vessels are non-smoking and smoking is only permitted in designated sections. Outdoor smoking areas are clearly posted throughout the vessel. Smoking is prohibited in Passenger staterooms and balconies. Violations to the onboard smoking policy will result in a US$250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to Your stateroom account. Repeated violations may result in You being disembarked prior to the end of the Cruise without any refund. The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within the confines of the passenger's stateroom (balcony not included) and within designated smoking areas only.

 

http://www.princess.com/legal/passage_contract/plc.jsp (Sec. 5, para 3)

 

And I recall one thread reviewing an Asia sailing that the Casino actually had more non-smoking nights than just the Formal Nights, the schedule of which was posted from the beginning of the cruise.

[LewesBeach]

Why not try calling the cruise lines and asking them?:)

 

Because . . . I find that Princess reps sometimes do not have correct information, and I feel that I get more accurate information from the great people on CC who have actually sailed on the itineraries. Many questions asked here could be answered by cruise reps, but this is what CC is for, right?

Thx everyone else for your responses!

Berni

Edited April 28, 2016 by LewesBeach

[tml1230]

Because . . . I find that Princess reps sometimes do not have correct information, and I feel that I get more accurate information from the great people on CC who have actually sailed on the itineraries. Many questions asked here could be answered by cruise reps, but this is what CC is for, right?

Thx everyone else for your responses!

Berni

 

i was just about to type EXACTLY what you just said but you beat me to it.

[Essiesmom]

You might ask on the Australia/New Zealand forum here, as those folks travel more often to those areas...EM

[Thrak]

As an ex-smoker I am very pleased with the "no smoking on balconies" policy on Princess. I tossed my Camels (non-filtered of course!) about 25 years ago and it was one of the absolute best things I have ever done. We ex-smokers are probably the worst about hating smoke. :rolleyes: It's good to hear that the standards are being maintained throughout the fleet.

[beg3yrs]

While certainly helpful, the information cited above is from the online FAQs. What constitutes the final say is the Passage Contract, which differs in Asia and Australia from the rest of the world. But the clause about smoking is consistent:

 

If there are different Passage Contracts depending on where you're from, I hope those differences pertain to things which must differ because of local laws.

 

I hope all the parts pertaining to passenger behavior on the ship are the same!

[keithm]

I was following a thread on ships sailing in Asia which was closed for some reason, & I had a question which was not answered. Can someone who has actually sailed an Asian itinerary report if the smoking policy is the same for ships based in the Far East? I was told it was more lenient to cater to that market, but I find that hard to believe - for many reasons. Thank you.

Berni

If a ship is based for the Chinese market, trust me, you'll find tons of smokers on board.

[Alaskan Joe]

Sorry no answer here I do not smoke:rolleyes:

[SteveH2508]

Maybe the unwritten question is "given that the rules are the same, are the compliance levels the same?"

[beg3yrs]

Maybe the unwritten question is "given that the rules are the same, are the compliance levels the same?"

 

Well said.

 

Given that smoking is a known health hazard, if the crew is not enforcing Princess' rules, it seems a note to the Hotel GM, the Medical Officer or even the Captain would quickly take care of the situation.

[mrs and mrs]

I think you may find,for instance a cruise emanating in Asia and sailing to Australia,will have the usual princess designated(legal) smoking areas,but there will be a NO smoking policy in the casino or internal areas.:)

[OzKiwiJJ]

I think you may find,for instance a cruise emanating in Asia and sailing to Australia,will have the usual princess designated(legal) smoking areas,but there will be a NO smoking policy in the casino or internal areas.:)

 

Princess has ships that cruise Asia without coming near Australia. Sapphire Princess was in port at Laem Chabang when Golden docked there. I think Sapphine is based in Singapore. Also Diamond is cruising out of Japan over our winter. Golden has gone to China until October. Those cruises may have different smoking rules to the Australian-based cruises.

Edited May 5, 2016 by OzKiwiJJ

[mrs and mrs]

Correct,but the OP hasent indicated departure and arrival ports,just thought i would throw my theory into the mix :):)and i did add my disclaimer sailing from Asia into Australian waters

Edited May 5, 2016 by mrs and mrs

[OzKiwiJJ]

Correct,but the OP hasent indicated departure and arrival ports,just thought i would throw my theory into the mix :):)and i did add my disclaimer sailing from Asia into Australian waters

 

Fair enough. I can confirm that the Golden Australia to Hong Kong cruise had standard Australian smoking rules - designated areas on decks only. The ones I saw were on the starboard side - promenade deck and either the Sun Deck or Lido Deck, near the bar. Can't remember exactly now - we tended to avoid those areas, ;)

[mrs and mrs]

Yep,hey im getting good at this aaaa,

Well as a smoker,i just like pushing the aus/nz policy and how respectable non and smokers are to each other down-under,and i certainly like pushing the non-smoking policy of down-under cruises that exclude smoking internally,onboard.

Some of the comments on threads from the top half of the atlas are abismal.Like its bible belt rhetoric.Just saying and an opionin:):)

[LewesBeach]

I am the OP. I do not smoke. My question was directed to anyone who actually sailed on ships based in China or Japan. I know they made some changes on these ships to accommodate the Asian market. My fear in booking one of theses cruises was that either the smoking rules were different, or the same - and not enforced. Also - do ships repositioned out of Asia back to the US reek of smoke? Thank you for your answers.

[emmak8]

I would hope that the Princess smoking policy is enforced on all ships.

[Pushka]

Many Aussies book these cruises. We dont tolerate smoking in prohibited places either so pretty sure the smoking policy will be enforced.

 

 

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[kennicott]

While certainly helpful, the information cited above is from the online FAQs. What constitutes the final say is the Passage Contract, which differs in Asia and Australia from the rest of the world. But the clause about smoking is consistent: And I recall one thread reviewing an Asia sailing that the Casino actually had more non-smoking nights than just the Formal Nights, the schedule of which was posted from the beginning of the cruise.

 

The subject of smoking policy as defined in Princess "Passage Contracts" versus FAQ language was recently being hotly debated over on HAL's smoking forum with respect to the language "where guests are permitted to smoke only while playing at those machines", unfortunately, it was way off topic.

 

It is true that passage contract language is not verbatim of that posted in # 6, however the FAQ posted in # 6 references more than a simple summary of smoking rules but is used to reference the relatively new Princess "Smoking Policy Change". (The playing at those machines language is not included in the passage contract legalese.)

 

So that begs the question, which is enforceable? The new "Princess Smoking Policy Change" or the language in the Passage Contract? Well, Princess lawyers are pretty cagey as this section in the Passage Contract allows them amend all policy and procedure pretty much at will: # 7. RIGHT TO DEVIATE FROM SCHEDULED ROUTE, CHANGE PORT OF EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION, SUBSTITUTE TRANSPORTATION, CANCEL CRUISE AND ACTIVITIES, AND CHANGE OR OMIT PORTS OF CALL; SUBSTITUTION. Which says in part: "Except as otherwise provided, Carrier may, for any reason, without prior notice, cancel the cruise; deviate from the scheduled ports of call, route and timetable; call or omit to call at any port or place or CANCEL OR MODIFY ANY ACTIVITY ON OR OFF THE SHIP;" (Incidentally, this same language is also incorporated in the Asia cruise contracts.)

 

Now, this is not new, as this all encompassing provision has been argued before on these forums, actually, (HAL contracts are almost identical), with respect to other issues. Some posters attempt to argue that the "Cancel Or Modify any Activity On Or Off the Ship" is relegated to a specific context which does not include smoking policy. However, taking commas, and's and or's into consideration one can see that "Activities" include everything on the ship, in this instance Princess has clearly created and advertised a relatively new casino smoking policy so that policy trumps existing language in the cruise contract due provision number 7 in the cruise contract. The language they use in their cruise contracts is continually subject to pertinent change. Obviously, the all encompassing language "OR---PLACE OR CANCEL OR MODIFY ANY ACTIVITY ON OR OFF THE SHIP" is pretty clear to any layperson.

 

Anyrate, pretty interesting.