Cigarette smoke on your aft facing balcony from the new crew smoking ar

[AZjohn]

This whole thread is very sad to us.

 

Like many, we booked an S6 aft for the reason we can lounge around out on the large veranda. To have to smell the crew chain smoking off the back end under us is inexcusable for any reason.

 

What is it with Princess and smoking?? They allow smoking inside their ships as well as under verandas??

 

Is the CEO a heavy smoker or something? I'm really curious as we are getting close to 2022 and everyone knows the hazards of second hand smoke 😞

[nini]

9 minutes ago, AZjohn said:

This whole thread is very sad to us.

 

Like many, we booked an S6 aft for the reason we can lounge around out on the large veranda. To have to smell the crew chain smoking off the back end under us is inexcusable for any reason.

 

What is it with Princess and smoking?? They allow smoking inside their ships as well as under verandas??

 

Is the CEO a heavy smoker or something? I'm really curious as we are getting close to 2022 and everyone knows the hazards of second hand smoke 😞

This is also really alarming to us as well! We always book an aft cabin and the smoke is absolutely not acceptable. The crew needs to return tho their original smoking areas. I will be writing Princess and I hope others will join in. Now, just WHO to write so that this is taken seriously.

[CruzDayz]

19 minutes ago, nini said:

This is also really alarming to us as well! We always book an aft cabin and the smoke is absolutely not acceptable. The crew needs to return tho their original smoking areas. I will be writing Princess and I hope others will join in. Now, just WHO to write so that this is taken seriously.

We too always booked the large corner aft port side the day that they went on sale. No smoke ever. Now that I'm alone I book the smaller cabin back there. I will always try to sail the aft.

[dchip]

What I can tell you about the smoking situation in the Ruby so far. The Promenade deck is fully opened. There is an area on the starboard side of the aft promenade with many ashtrays for the crew. We are moving so I haven’t smelled smoke. When I walked this morning there was no one smoking there. More later. 
Denise
 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

6 hours ago, dchip said:

What I can tell you about the smoking situation in the Ruby so far. The Promenade deck is fully opened. There is an area on the starboard side of the aft promenade with many ashtrays for the crew. We are moving so I haven’t smelled smoke. When I walked this morning there was no one smoking there. More later. 
Denise
 

Denise 

Thank you so much for reporting back on the Ruby. If I am not mistaken there was always a small ash tray on the wall near the starboard aft promenade.  It sounds like they’ve enlarged the area and it might become a problem for balconies above that area. It will be an issue for those of us who like to get our miles in around the promenade. 
If you have time would you please post a photo?  Also if you don’t mind, let us know if there’s any changes to this during your cruise. Have a great sailing!  
I’ve still got that crazy feeling of walking on a rolling ship while in my living room. I love that after effect if sailing. 

[dchip]

Aft smoking area. There is still there area around the corner. 
Getting ready to head to Sabatinis tonite. We had booked Share which we loved but I realize we were in the minority for sure. 😝

Denise

[Ronnieslady]

Oh great!!!!!!      We are on the Grand this November 10th  in D736 . ITS ON THE PORT SIDE.    It’s a Vista suite.   We sure as H…. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS SIDE WAS ADDED FOR THE SMOKERS.  WE GET THIS PARTICULAR SUITE FOR MOST OF OUR SAILINGS.   ITS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM.   MY HUSBAND HAS ASTHMA AND IS VERY SENSITIVE TO CIGARETTE SMOKE.   HE WILL PROBABLY WANT TO CANCEL THE CRUISE.  WE USUALLY LIKE TO EAT LUNCH IN OUR BALCONY EVERYDAY.

   I WANT TO PUT IN A COMPLAINT NOW ABOUT THIS.   SHOULD I GO THRU THE RESOLUTION DEPT.   ??????
Great that will be another double hour wait  again on hold.  NOT SURE AT THIS POINT WHO WE SHOULD TALK TO ABOUT THIS.  THEY BETTER HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.  

OR I GUESS WE WILL NOT BE SAILING. 

NO WONDER THERE IS STILL VISTA SUITES AVAILABLE.  I GUESS THERE WILL BE ONE MORE.

ANY ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL.  AND THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP,

GRACE 

[Ronnieslady]

On 10/31/2021 at 8:33 AM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

Thank you @dchip I am hoping that the Aloha deck will be high enough up that the smoke won’t be noticed. 

What cabin did you say you were in on the Grand????

[CruzDayz]

1 hour ago, Ronnieslady said:

Oh great!!!!!!      We are on the Grand this November 10th  in D736 . ITS ON THE PORT SIDE.    It’s a Vista suite.   We sure as H…. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS SIDE WAS ADDED FOR THE SMOKERS.  WE GET THIS PARTICULAR SUITE FOR MOST OF OUR SAILINGS.   ITS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM.   MY HUSBAND HAS ASTHMA AND IS VERY SENSITIVE TO CIGARETTE SMOKE.   HE WILL PROBABLY WANT TO CANCEL THE CRUISE.  WE USUALLY LIKE TO EAT LUNCH IN OUR BALCONY EVERYDAY.

   I WANT TO PUT IN A COMPLAINT NOW ABOUT THIS.   SHOULD I GO THRU THE RESOLUTION DEPT.   ??????
Great that will be another double hour wait  again on hold.  NOT SURE AT THIS POINT WHO WE SHOULD TALK TO ABOUT THIS.  THEY BETTER HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.  

OR I GUESS WE WILL NOT BE SAILING. 

NO WONDER THERE IS STILL VISTA SUITES AVAILABLE.  I GUESS THERE WILL BE ONE MORE.

ANY ADVICE WILL BE HELPFUL.  AND THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP,

GRACE 

I talked to the gentleman that was in that suite a couple of times. The morning that I complained I saw him out in the hall and I told him my experience with the smoke and I asked him if they had any. He thanked me for telling him and said that it was really bothering his wife out on the balcony but he didn’t notice it because he wasn’t in the cabin much. I couldn’t help but think that if I had my wife in that suite I sure wouldn’t spend most of my cruise in the casino. Anyway he was going to tell his wife where the smoke was coming from. Our next day was a sea day and we were back the next day so I didn’t see him again. 
Good Luck, as it stands two weeks ago there definitely was smoke on that balcony. 
 

 

Edited November 2, 2021 by CruzDayz

[TM]

Personally I find it totally unacceptable that they have blocked off and/or set aside the rear of the Promenade deck for a crew smoking area.  Yes the crew works their tails of so we can all enjoy our cruise.  But taking this away is not a good thing.  Many of us like to walk the Promenade and certainly do not want to be breathing their smoke.  Where did they smoke before the pandemic?  

[momK]

We will be on the Ruby btb 12/7-27. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around differentiating port/starboard/even-numbered/odd-numbered cabins. Which cabins are most effected by the Promenade smoking area? 

Edited November 2, 2021 by momK

[redrobin]

1 hour ago, momK said:

We will be on the Ruby btb 12/7-27. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around differentiating port/starboard/even-numbered/odd-numbered cabins. Which cabins are most effected by the Promenade smoking area? 

 

 Me too! I was on the Grand, and these posts are confusing. 

 

I was in an aft cabin (facing the wake) starboard (right) side, and smelled cigarette smoke. On the Grand, it was the entire rear part of the promenade deck that was blocked off. You couldn't walk back there to take pictures to see where exactly the ashtrays were placed.

 

I believe I also saw an ashtray on the aft, starboard side of the promenade deck (not facing the wake) near some benches. It was not in the blocked off area, and appeared to be a passenger smoking area. There was also a larger, nicer smoking area on one of the upper decks. Isn't that typical for the Grand?

 

The pictures @dchip posted on the Ruby appear to be the rear (wave view) part of the promenade deck, starboard side, not port. Correct?

 

People often select cabins based on where smoking is allowed. I don't have an easy answer, but I question Princess' decision to surprise passengers with (up to 20) crew members smoking below your cabin. Not that this should happen to any passengers, but these are some of the costliest cabins to boot. 

 

 

 

 

[dchip]

The pictures @dchip posted on the Ruby appear to be the rear (wave view) part of the promenade deck, starboard side, not port. Correct?

 

@redrobinYes, correct. There is a smoking area as you turn the corner also on the Starboard side for passengers. Only one ashtray there. 
 

We are floating along side Catalina right now. No smoke smell. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow in port. We are staying on the ship. I will report back. 
Denise

[momK]

Are starboard cabins even- or odd-numbered?

[CruzDayz]

23 minutes ago, momK said:

Are starboard cabins even- or odd-numbered?

Odd.

[C & C Love to Cruise]

I realize the crew works very hard, but did Princess forget who pays for the cruise?  Prices have gone up considerably since our cruise was cancelled twice now.  I have my first aft suite booked for our 21st anniversary. Husband after 3 years of surgery's and chemo in remission and I with asthma.  Now what? 

[HaveDogWillTravel]

I am emailing: 

customerrelations@princesscruises.com.

about my concerns. 
 

@PrincessLuver. I would not book any aft cabin port or starboard side or true aft until Princess changes this smoking policy for crew. On the Grand the smoking area was roped off on BOTH sides almost all the up to the aft side doors by the vista lounge leading outside. Just because on our sailing the crew mostly smoked port or aft doesn’t mean they won’t smoke starboard. It is ALL open to them for smoking.Any cabin back there runs the risk of being the unlucky one that they happen to under at that time. 

 

Also on the Ruby the area could be enlarged to what it is on the Grand at any time without notice. It is not worth the risk to me. 

 

@Ronniesladyi sailed in B751 starboard owners suite. The smoke was strong enough and often enough that it greatly diminished my cabin experience.  I do spend a lot of time on my balcony at all hours. That said the fabulous crew and on board experience made it all worthwhile. Hand to God the Crew on the Grand are so warm, welcoming, helpful and accommodating you will just love sailing on her. 
 

I am moving my C735 & C739 starboard side aft balconies on the Nov 27 Ruby 10 day cruise to Caribe deck forward port side. I am keeping my Aloha deck aft facing penthouse for the Nov 22 first leg. I’ll report back regarding the smoke. 

[memoak]

We have 7 cruises over the next 2 years booked and 6 are in aft suites mostly on Caribe Deck

[Ronnieslady]

31 minutes ago, C & C Love to Cruise said:

I realize the crew works very hard, but did Princess forget who pays for the cruise?  Prices have gone up considerably since our cruise was cancelled twice now.  I have my first aft suite booked for our 21st anniversary. Husband after 3 years of surgery's and chemo in remission and I with asthma.  Now what? 

We are in the same boat with you.  When do you sail??   
      Does anyone  know is the crew allowed to smoke on the whole aft area & been blocked off, on the Emerald also  ????

       Please post about this.  Thanks  a bunch 🙄

[C & C Love to Cruise]

End of Nov Caribbean Princess

[Ronnieslady]

1 hour ago, HaveDogWillTravel said:

I am emailing: 

customerrelations@princesscruises.com.

about my concerns. 
 

@PrincessLuver. I would not book any aft cabin port or starboard side or true aft until Princess changes this smoking policy for crew. On the Grand the smoking area was roped off on BOTH sides almost all the up to the aft side doors by the vista lounge leading outside. Just because on our sailing the crew mostly smoked port or aft doesn’t mean they won’t smoke starboard. It is ALL open to them for smoking.Any cabin back there runs the risk of being the unlucky one that they happen to under at that time. 

 

Also on the Ruby the area could be enlarged to what it is on the Grand at any time without notice. It is not worth the risk to me. 

 

@Ronniesladyi sailed in B751 starboard owners suite. The smoke was strong enough and often enough that it greatly diminished my cabin experience.  I do spend a lot of time on my balcony at all hours. That said the fabulous crew and on board experience made it all worthwhile. Hand to God the Crew on the Grand are so warm, welcoming, helpful and accommodating you will just love sailing on her. 
 

I am moving my C735 & C739 starboard side aft balconies on the Nov 27 Ruby 10 day cruise to Caribe deck forward port side. I am keeping my Aloha deck aft facing penthouse for the Nov 22 first leg. I’ll report back regarding the smoke. 

Do you think that the crew got used to smoking in that area, when they were sailing without passengers & now as they say been taken over by them. Do they the upper management will let them get away with it???   If so, now that there’s passengers “get out”.   

[C & C Love to Cruise]

Thinking about changing to Dolphin deck, but so use to always having a covered or half covered balcony.  Was it that bad if you didn't have cover being so open? How about the sun with no protection?  We spend a lot of time on the balcony.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

@C & C Love to CruiseEven on Baja deck on an open balcony it was an issue. I’m pretty sure Dolphin will have problems. 
@Ronniesladyperhaps you can ask about the Emerald  on their live from. Please share what you find. On the grand they had the entire area roped off and they could smoke anywhere. on the Ruby currently it is not roped off but I don’t trust it to stay that way. And it was upper management who did this as part of covid protocols. The teams are now pods and don’t mix below decks in closed areas. Restaurant crew is separate from housekeeping is separate from bar crew and so on. Outside they can distance and smoke. Inside they can’t. 

Edited November 2, 2021 by HaveDogWillTravel

[nini]

Soooooooooooooooooo, I can visualize the entire group of aft CUSTOMERS (who, BTW, are the ONLY reason that the crew has a job and the cruise line has a business!), encountering/ confronting the smoking staff and/ or Passenger Services and telling them in no uncertain terns is this acceptable!!! We select an aft cabin EVERY time and typically closer to port side as typically the smoking areas are starboard.

 

As @TM stated, where did they smoke before the pandemic? IMHO, smoking is worse for you then hanging out in the old staff smoking area with Covid happenings. It is hypocritical anyway, breathing out all of the toxins to other passengers and crew.

[Ronnieslady]

2 hours ago, nini said:

Soooooooooooooooooo, I can visualize the entire group of aft CUSTOMERS (who, BTW, are the ONLY reason that the crew has a job and the cruise line has a business!), encountering/ confronting the smoking staff and/ or Passenger Services and telling them in no uncertain terns is this acceptable!!! We select an aft cabin EVERY time and typically closer to port side as typically the smoking areas are starboard.

 

As @TM stated, where did they smoke before the pandemic? IMHO, smoking is worse for you then hanging out in the old staff smoking area with Covid happenings. It is hypocritical anyway, breathing out all of the toxins to other passengers and crew.

You are right!!!  I sent off an email to Customer Relations to let them know how disappointed & concerned I am about this.   How did they think this would fly with the passengers.    I just read here on CC that it’s the same on the Emerald.  So that makes the Ruby, Grand & Emerald. Wonder if they will do the same on the Crown. Princess is saying not enough passengers are complaining.  
Yes, that will be me going to the Passengers Service desk as soon as we board on the 10th.

Grace