Too much smoke in Casinos

[dixieva]

As a former smoker I sympathize with smokers finding a place to smoke on a ship. However, I don't understand why the only inside smoking has to be in the casino. On our last few cruises the non-smokers have out numbered the smokers in the casino. In fact most smokers in the casino were not gambling- they were in there just to smoke. And most gamblers were not smoking.

 

I know it's all about the bottom line so I am hoping that once the revenues go down in the casinos the cruise line will provide another place inside for smokers.

 

Also on Grandeur the smoke from the casino wafts out into the Centrum area and is really stinky.

Edited September 28, 2015 by dixieva

[Clipper123]

There were a lot less smokers in the casino and out on decks when they were allowed to smoke on their balcony. I ,for one, never smelled cigarette smoke when sitting on my balcony, even when the person sitting next to me was smoking but I sure do smell it everywhere else now! I guess you get what you ask for :rolleyes: They are not going to ban smoking altogether anytime in the foreseeable future so if enough people complain now about smoke in the casino they will move the smoking area to one particular bar and then all the nonsmokers (myself excluded) will complain that they want to go in that bar because they will feel that they are being deprived. So nobody wins and they will move the smoking area somewhere else and the cycle will continue because, as I said, they are not going to ban smoking anytime soon.

Edited September 28, 2015 by Clipper123

[caribbean sailor]

Smoking should be banned in all indoor areas of all ships. There is plenty of documented reasons for this so let's keep asking.

 

Smoking should be done outside on the balcony's.After fourteen Royal cruises i have never had a problem with smoke on my balcony.By the the way i am a non smoker.What i am having problems with is the rise in Royal Caribbean cruise fares.And insulting BS cruise sales.We have started looking at other cruise lines.:)

[BopRN]

We were just on a Carnival ship in August. The smoke in the casino was SO very awful that even my husband, who can tolerate it better then I, couldn't go in. Plus it infiltrated all of the gift shops and a really nice(non-smoking) lounge we would have loved to sit and have an after-dinner drink and listen to the music.... but the smoke made it impossible. We saved alot of money! Plus people didn't obey the vaping policy either. There was a jerky guy even vaping IN the buffet restaurant!!! And around the pool, but at least that was outside.

 

We have also been on a RCCL cruise when neighbors below us were smoking. We could see them. I called Guest Services. Within minutes, Security was knocking on their door. I was impressed. No problem the rest of the week.

 

Another aspect of this....good for another thread..... some of us are being treated for cancer... or are cancer survivors..... and you do your best to avoid second-hand smoke, but then the smoke drifts from the smoking areas and you find yourself worrying about that and not being able to enjoy the non-smoking areas either.:mad:

[Honey's Gal]

We were on the Independence last month and the non-smoking area in the casino was pretty good. When I did smell smoke when I was sitting close to the "border", I moved.

 

I was on the Jewel about two years ago, in the casino and the gentleman next to me (I was in the non-smoking), lit up a cigarette. I mentioned he was in the non-smoking section and he said "so". I got up and left and went the desk and asked them if they could mention to him he was in the non-smoking area and they said no we cannot.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

This happened last Friday night as several friends decided to go to drinks & dinner. We selected a specific restaurant as it allowed for smoking on the outdoor patio. Although it was hot & humid, we all elected to sit oout on the patio. There was seven of us. (4 smokers, 3 non-smokers) We all arrived pretty early and was the first group on the patio of aprroximately 30 tables that I would estimate that could handle approximately 200 persons.

 

About 30 mins into our drinks prior to ordering dinner, a young family sat next to us. When I went to fire up, the young mother requested that I not smoke saying she was 4 months pregnant. I immdeditaely put the lighter down and complied w/ her wishes. "Of course!" I then explained in a very polite and nice way that she was sitting in a designated smoking area and that she may wish to request another table. She said that she was fine where she was sitting and Thanked me.

 

A bit late while on my way to the Men's room, I stopped to visit w/ the GM of the restaurant and explained the situation and requested that either my party or her party be relocated so there would not be any further conflict. He imediately went to the patio to assess the situation. He apologized to both parties and then relocated the young family out of the smoking area.

 

My point in all of this is that each of us have choices that we make every day, all day. As a non-smoker pregnant woman, she of course did not want smoke waffling on her. This was her choice. But she also had the choice of sitting or not sitting in a designated smoking area. I didn't understand her logic at the time and I still don't.

 

Likewise, I had a choice. I could have chose to not be so caring and tell her to move. But I chose differently. I respected her wishes although in my eyes, she was absolutely in the wrong. I also had the choice of being content with not smoking, or requesting that something could be done to reduce conflict as I wanted to enjoy my spent with friends in a relaxed area for smokeers. I chose to get Management involved.

 

While I recognize that many hate & despise smoking and I'm not disputing their rights to do so. What I am doing and will continue to do is be respective of the non-smoker and likewise, I expect the same in return. If one chooses in enter into a designated smoking area, one is also choosing to deal with the smoke. They go hand in hand. One is not without the other. While I respect the non-smoker, I have absolutely no sympathy to those that place a value on their need to sit in a designated smoking area and then complain.

 

Smokers & non-smokers can easily get along if they attempt to understand and respect one another. When one of either party crosses that line, it's bad for all.

 

I've read several posts in this thread that it's right to complain...it is, but not if you are encroaching the rights of others. One even stated, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Which is true in most cases. But many forget that when a wheel squeaks too much, it gets replaced.

 

If you're a non smoker, be respectful and avoid designated smoking areas. And if you elect not to avoid, don't complain. It's pretty weak sauce. If you're a smoker, be respectful and go to the designated smoking areas. If you elect to smoke in non designated places, don't complain when you get busted. It's lame & pretty weak sauce.

 

If smokers & non-smokers can't do this, then it's time to change the wheel. Either quit cruising or cruise with a line that offers a non-smoking cruise.

 

Peace out.

[akcruz]

There were a lot less smokers in the casino and out on decks when they were allowed to smoke on their balcony. I ,for one, never smelled cigarette smoke when sitting on my balcony, even when the person sitting next to me was smoking but I sure do smell it everywhere else now! I guess you get what you ask for :rolleyes: They are not going to ban smoking altogether anytime in the foreseeable future so if enough people complain now about smoke in the casino they will move the smoking area to one particular bar and then all the nonsmokers (myself excluded) will complain that they want to go in that bar because they will feel that they are being deprived. So nobody wins and they will move the smoking area somewhere else and the cycle will continue because, as I said, they are not going to ban smoking anytime soon.

 

Celebrity does not allow smoking any place indoors. Why can't Royal follow along with that policy? Its a matter of time before smoking will be banned inside on all cruise ships.

[Goodtime Cruizin]

Celebrity does not allow smoking any place indoors. Why can't Royal follow along with that policy? Its a matter of time before smoking will be banned inside on all cruise ships.

 

So you have choice! Either cruise w/ Celebrity (no inside smoking) or RCL (indoor smoking). Which do you truly value the most? It's a rhetorical question and no answer is needed, but when it comes down to it, that's the real question and actually the only question.

[akcruz]

So you have choice! Either cruise w/ Celebrity (no inside smoking) or RCL (indoor smoking). Which do you truly value the most? It's a rhetorical question and no answer is needed, but when it comes down to it, that's the real question and actually the only question.

 

I agree with you, but just had to respond to the prior posters insistence that it would never happen.

 

BTW, I very much liked and agreed with your prior post. You took the high road when you didn't really have to.

[Clipper123]

I agree with you, but just had to respond to the prior posters insistence that it would never happen.

 

 

I did not say indoor smoking would never be banned, I said smoking will not be banned in the foreseeable future. It doesn't matter if the smoking area is inside or outside, the complainers are still going to complain. There is no winning with those righteous ones. BTW, I am an ex-smoker of 11 years and although I no longer like the smell of smoke and my eyes water when I am around it, I don't complain when a smoker is smoking in a designated area.

[gammite]

You can call security. We did not notice the people next to us smoking for the rest of the cruise.

 

thank you. i will do so if i fall into this unfortunate situation.

[gammite]

Some of the Las Vegas hotels seem to handle the smoke smell pretty well. The Venetian may be he best - it always smells very "fresh" in there. I am guessing they have spent quite a bit of money on their ventilation systems, and it's probably not something feasible on a cruise ship.

 

the venetian is by far the best at getting rid of smoke with the bellagio being a close second. i barely notice the smoke at the venetian and tend to stay at the bellagio when i go to vegas.

[gammite]

the smoke is hard to get out of my dress clothes.

 

 

given that self laundry is not existent on the ship i find that hanging dress clothes in the bathroom while i shower does a good job of removing cig smoke. it just has to be a hot shower so that the steam releases the smoke from the clothing.

Edited September 28, 2015 by gammite

[gammite]

 

If you're a non smoker, be respectful and avoid designated smoking areas. And if you elect not to avoid, don't complain. It's pretty weak sauce. If you're a smoker, be respectful and go to the designated smoking areas. If you elect to smoke in non designated places, don't complain when you get busted. It's lame & pretty weak sauce.

 

If smokers & non-smokers can't do this, then it's time to change the wheel. Either quit cruising or cruise with a line that offers a non-smoking cruise.

 

Peace out.

 

as a non smoker i totally agree with this. even if i wanted to gamble i will not go to the casino. i do not want to risk getting sick while on vacation.

 

and that pregnant woman that you spoke of was ridiculous. talk about the disease of entitlement.

[geogran]

Non smoker here, and appreciate perspectives of many.

Kudos to you Goodtime Cruizin on how you handled that situation - assuring all parties had a satisfactory outcome.

 

I do like to play slots on the ship, and often times the smoke filters into the non smoking slot area or at times I play a slot in the smoking part of the casino. I either take a break and play later, or ignore it. I do bring febreeze spray along for that reason, and when I go to my cabin, I spray my clothes immediately, go out on the balcony and shake out my hair in the fresh air or grab a quick shower. I throw my 'casino' clothes into a separate dirty clothes bag (my casino bag, lol), I bring several plastic laundry bags just for that purpose. I know the casino is a designated smoking area, and I respect the rights of those who smoke, so this system works for me. Except for cigars - I have zero tolerance of cigar smoke - and leave immediately when I smell one.

 

A suggestion to non smoking gamblers who won't gamble in a smoking casino, write a letter or answer surveys to the cruise line with your opinion on smoking/non-smoking casinos or the feasibility of separate glass enclosed non smoking areas and potential lost revenue from you - it could be a win-win for everyone if RCCI hears enough voices speaking up.

[TheMastodon]

Non-Smoker here.

 

If you dont like cigarette smoke then take your roll of quarters to the gift shop. Smoking will never be banned in the casino as it would affect casino revenue. Alcohol and nicotine are the peanut butter & jelly to the casinos bread. RCL cares al lot more about the cruiser who drops $10k in the casino than your sensitivity to cig smoke in the casino.

 

You have a choice to avoid cig smoke, dont tread on those who choose to light up. Or cruise Celebrity.

[Jeff&Mel]

Why are you continually so rude to others? Perhaps you could just move along if something bothers you or doesn't interest you. We are here (most of us!) to help each other with cruising related questions because we love to cruise. Yes, after you've been here for a while you start to see the same things repeated, but that's NO EXCUSE for rudeness.

 

Please... I'm asking you to be kinder and more tolerant on this board.

 

I agree- it is so easy to hide behind a screen and be rude.

[elou]

I was told that cruises in Europe and Asia do not have to abide to RCCLs smoking rules as much. Am I wrong?

[Goodtime Cruizin]

I was told that cruises in Europe and Asia do not have to abide to RCCLs smoking rules as much. Am I wrong?

 

I did not see this first hand, but I will say this, there appeared to be far more smokers, (mostly being Europeans) on the Liberty last Sept when we sailed the Mediterrean than we've experienced on our Caribbean cruises. The designated smoking areas, outside on Deck 4 & Deck 11 were always packed. To the point, one struggled to find any seats at the tables on Deck 11, which often were standing room only situations. Chair Hogs existed in the smoking sections.

Edited September 28, 2015 by Goodtime Cruizin

[jwm51]

This subject is SO fascinating to me. Tell me more! And don't leave out any details!

[nbsjcruiser]

Non smoker here.

 

I said when they came out with their non-smoking balconies that this would be the next "hot" item for the non-smoking crowd and it has turned into that. If the cruise lines truly cared about the health and welfare of its crew and passengers as it claims it does, then it would have made moves to completely ban smoking in indoor spaces, including casinos, and provided more outdoor space (including balconies) for smokers. I find most smokers to be an accommodating lot who will for the most part obey the rules so when you say you can't smoke on the balcony but the casino is ok, just what did people expect?

[time4u2go]

For those who have experienced another passenger smoking on a balcony:

 

1. how do you know who it is? We see them smoking.
   
2. can you actually see them smoking? See above.
   
3. does the smoke waft directly to the next balcony? Possibly, depending on the wind.
   
4. what if it's a passenger below/above you, but you thought it was next to you? We could see them, so we knew they weren't above/below us.
   
5. does the crew come in to check the staterooms for cigarettes? I have no idea. I don't go into the room with the crew.
    
   

This is always an interesting subject.

 

See answers above.

[Trainer]

I know this is a RCL Forum, but Celebrity ships have totally smoke free casinos. It doesn't make losing money any better but it certainly is more enjoyable. Very few smoking sites on Celebrity ships. One of the several reasons I find Celebrity best for me.

[aronde]

I was told that cruises in Europe and Asia do not have to abide to RCCLs smoking rules as much. Am I wrong?

 

Not sure about Europe or Asia but all the RCL ships sailing from Australia have to abide by our local smoking laws. So that means indoor areas on the ship (including the Casino) are smoke free when down under.

[Big_G]

Non-Smoker here.

 

If you dont like cigarette smoke then take your roll of quarters to the gift shop. Smoking will never be banned in the casino as it would affect casino revenue. Alcohol and nicotine are the peanut butter & jelly to the casinos bread. RCL cares al lot more about the cruiser who drops $10k in the casino than your sensitivity to cig smoke in the casino.

 

You have a choice to avoid cig smoke, dont tread on those who choose to light up. Or cruise Celebrity.

 

I'm sure there were some making the same claim on Celebrity at one time. Just sayin'...