Change to the casino smoking policy?

[The Scurvy Pirate]

I was looking at a cruise compass for the Allure 9/5/21 cruise.  On the first page it says "Smoking is allowed in the Casino Royale only while actively playing in a designated area..."  I went and looked at an old Allure cruise compass from 2018 and it simply said "Smoking only in designated areas: Casino smoking section..."  It sounds like they are no longer letting people simply loiter in the casino and smoke.  Can anyone confirm this slight verbiage, but possibly significant, change?

[molly361]

9 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I was looking at a cruise compass for the Allure 9/5/21 cruise.  On the first page it says "Smoking is allowed in the Casino Royale only while actively playing in a designated area..."  I went and looked at an old Allure cruise compass from 2018 and it simply said "Smoking only in designated areas: Casino smoking section..."  It sounds like they are no longer letting people simply loiter in the casino and smoke.  Can anyone confirm this slight verbiage, but possibly significant, change?

Yes you have to be actively playing, no hanging out smoking anymore

[zekekelso]

Sounds good to me... though as someone who has milked free drinks in Vegas, it’s not that hard to appear to be actively gambling while betting very little. 

Edited September 9, 2021 by zekekelso

[TYMAN]

4 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Yes you have to be actively playing, no hanging out smoking anymore

I wish that was the case, but on our 08/30 Mariner smokers were in there before it was even opened and stayed in one area the whole time, smoking and not playing. No one said anything to them. I'm guessing not everyone read the cruise compass. 🙂 

[Harrylinden]

We were on the Allure in 2018 and went through the casino to a show on that floor by mistake , there were people smoking everywhere and the smell of the smoke was so bad it lingered over to the non smoking section. Horrible, I said to my husband, I feel like I got lung cancer just going through there!  It was gross!!! Not sure how it is now, but  I will never make that mistake again!

[Biker19]

4 minutes ago, Harrylinden said:

Horrible, I said to my husband, I feel like I got lung cancer just going through there! 

As @Clarea used to say, the casino on an RCI ship is a smoking lounge where you might see some gambling.

[The sea calls my name]

IMHO, Royal missed the perfect opportunity with the pandemic shut-down to change this policy. There are many of us highly allergic and susceptible to worsening of lung conditions from second hand smoke. I realize, I can avoid most of it by avoiding the casino, but when it penetrated into adjacent areas that is unavoidable.  

[lazydayz]

Agreed.   Since COVID is a respiratory disease, they had the perfect opportunity.  So it suggests to me, Royal will not be changing its smoking policy any time soon.  

[bucfan2]

8 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

Agreed.   Since COVID is a respiratory disease, they had the perfect opportunity.  So it suggests to me, Royal will not be changing its smoking policy any time soon.  

Unfortunately, I believe you are absolutely correct.  Was on Edge last month...so nice to have a casino that one could breathe in.

Edited September 9, 2021 by bucfan2

[davekathy]

It would be nice if RC followed Celebrity's lead on banning all inside smoking. But...

[PTC DAWG]

IF anyone from Royal is reading this, the smoking won't keep me out of the casino, but I will spend much less time there which also means less money, depending on actually how smoky the non smoking side is on my Sept 19 Allure cruise...build the smokers a terrarium, ie enclosed area, something...

 

Sailed Celebrity my last few cruises, really enjoy the non smoking casino...Equinox Aug 1 was wonderful in all ways. 

Edited September 9, 2021 by PTC DAWG

[PTC DAWG]

21 minutes ago, davekathy said:

It would be nice if RC followed Celebrity's lead on banning all inside smoking. But...

I can't imagine this wouldn't be healthier, especially for a ship with more children on it..maybe the children drive people to smoke?  🙂

[time4u2go]

Do they have penny slots?  Seems like somewhat of a loophole if so.

Edited September 9, 2021 by time4u2go

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I was looking at a cruise compass for the Allure 9/5/21 cruise.  On the first page it says "Smoking is allowed in the Casino Royale only while actively playing in a designated area..."  I went and looked at an old Allure cruise compass from 2018 and it simply said "Smoking only in designated areas: Casino smoking section..."  It sounds like they are no longer letting people simply loiter in the casino and smoke.  Can anyone confirm this slight verbiage, but possibly significant, change?

On Oasis now and there’s a designated smoking area. Don’t know how they can control if one is actively playing. Someone can be with a player and not gambling. 

[woneill63]

The problem is that Royal has removed all of the cigar bars from their ships.  I was on the Mariner two years ago and the cigar bar was turned into a library,  I peeked in there three or four times, and never saw anyone there.  Back in the day, it was filled with smokers, it was a place to hang out and socialize.  Now, the only place to smoke, especially in the evening, is out on the pool deck in designated areas, weather permitting.  There will always be smokers on cruises, so there should be a place on the ship where they can enjoy smoking comfortably.  

I enjoy cigars on cruises and don't want to infringe on anybody who dislikes the smell.  I was on the NCL Epic two years ago and this ship has a cigar bar.  It was packed the two times I was there and it was a very enjoyable experience.  Smokers were happy and the smell was contained in a certain area.

My two cents.  

[bucfan2]

7 hours ago, Heymarco said:

 

There are only two places left onboard for smoking, let them have their space already.

 

-nonsmoker

Appreciate your opinion....well, not really.  Love smokers, and 'love them to have their space already',  just don't care for it at a common venue.

 

It's similar to Covid.  I could care less what people choose to do for themselves, but don't desire to share a common venue if they're not protected....I'm selfish like that, as I care about my health and well-being.

Edited September 10, 2021 by bucfan2

[BirdTravels]

21 hours ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I was looking at a cruise compass for the Allure 9/5/21 cruise.  On the first page it says "Smoking is allowed in the Casino Royale only while actively playing in a designated area..."  I went and looked at an old Allure cruise compass from 2018 and it simply said "Smoking only in designated areas: Casino smoking section..."  It sounds like they are no longer letting people simply loiter in the casino and smoke.  Can anyone confirm this slight verbiage, but possibly significant, change?

Kinda been that way on other cruise lines for a long time. It is NEVER enforced. The casino is still a smoking lounge. 

[bucfan2]

27 minutes ago, Heymarco said:

With that logic, we should switch all the buffets to only salad bars to prevent someones pant’s button from bursting and poking an eye ....I'm selfish like that, as I care about my health and well-being.

Learn to control your food intake, or speak to a professional.  If you're worried about losing an eye, wear safety goggles.

Edited September 10, 2021 by bucfan2

[FSHLOT]

23 hours ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

I was looking at a cruise compass for the Allure 9/5/21 cruise.  On the first page it says "Smoking is allowed in the Casino Royale only while actively playing in a designated area..."  I went and looked at an old Allure cruise compass from 2018 and it simply said "Smoking only in designated areas: Casino smoking section..."  It sounds like they are no longer letting people simply loiter in the casino and smoke.  Can anyone confirm this slight verbiage, but possibly significant, change?

They may have changed the "wording", but it will remain a "free for all". For now!!

[mac_tlc]

21 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Do they have penny slots?  Seems like somewhat of a loophole if so.

They do have machines where one credit equals 1 cent, but they have a minimum bet. Lowest I saw was 20 credits , or 20 cents, with most being higher.
 

That’s one way to boost the take. Say you have a penny machine but make it a min of 50 credits. Over the past 5-10 years I’ve seen it in all casinos. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun here in CT have taken it to a new level. 
 

mac_tlc

[cruisegirl1]

21 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Do they have penny slots?  Seems like somewhat of a loophole if so.

Usually penny slots have a 30-50 cent minimum.  

Easier to put $1 in and simply sit at a machine and smoke. 

 

M

[cruisegirl1]

9 hours ago, Heymarco said:

 

There are only two places left onboard for smoking, let them have their space already.

 

-nonsmoker

Shouldn't be a space that hast be shared with others. I don't have a problem with a dedicated smoking lounge.  

M

 

 

[zekekelso]

9 hours ago, Heymarco said:

 

There are only two places left onboard for smoking, let them have their space already.

 

-nonsmoker

Agreed. And if it saves me money by keeping me out of the casino, all the better. 

[PTC DAWG]

20 minutes ago, zekekelso said:

Agreed. And if it saves me money by keeping me out of the casino, all the better. 

Problem is, I almost always win $$$$ at the Craps Table.  

[VegasVic14]

41 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Shouldn't be a space that hast be shared with others. I don't have a problem with a dedicated smoking lounge.  

M

 

 

This. "Cigar Lounge" or "Cigar Room" suggests a location for cigar smoking only. Find an enclosed space, label it "Smoker's Lounge" and provide them their own area to wallow in smoke and odor.