Smoking on the baclony

[lovesthebeach2]

7 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Not legal crossing international (and many state) borders

No I meant at home

[DaKahuna]

3 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

No, i misunderstood…. They’re legal to buy and use at home.

 

 That depends on your job.  It was legal for me to buy but not to use, without risking my job, when I was a contractor for a US Government agency.  There are a lot of employers in the US that still have zero tolerance rules for the use of controlled substances, which at the Federal level, includes marijuana. 

 

 Fortunately, I retired from work last May so it's no longer illegal for me to buy and use.  😏

[jencruzin]

On 2/9/2023 at 1:38 PM, Starry Eyes said:

People who want the ban enforced should be prepared to call guest services to report violations.

A couple who was reported by their neighbors were caught in the act, the smokers were removed from the cruise when we reached Greece.

[lovesthebeach2]

5 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 That depends on your job.  It was legal for me to buy but not to use, without risking my job, when I was a contractor for a US Government agency.  There are a lot of employers in the US that still have zero tolerance rules for the use of controlled substances, which at the Federal level, includes marijuana. 

 

 Fortunately, I retired from work last May so it's no longer illegal for me to buy and use.  😏

I was also a contractor for the US government in a scientific research facility. But in another state than I currently live. They were very lenient, and I mean VERY. Unless you were a union worker driving or using heavy machinery where they did random urine tests, they treated white collar addicts whether it was alcohol or drugs with so much leniency that one high level manager who I knew and worked with, that was drunk when he came to work every day and always had alcohol on his breath, with such kid gloves and let him stay on the job until he almost ran into the security police at the gate one morning driving to work.

 

it wasn’t easy to fire any government worker where we worked. I know, I was in the process of trying to fire one of my employees and it was so hard and required so much work and time for me I almost gave up. But I retired mid process and she finally quit.

[chengkp75]

19 hours ago, jamestown478 said:

maybe the will once it becomes legal on the federal level.

Not even then.  US federal law has very little jurisdiction on a foreign flag cruise ship.  The laws of the "flag state" (Bahamas for RCI) apply.  

[DaKahuna]

7 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Not even then.  US federal law has very little jurisdiction on a foreign flag cruise ship.  The laws of the "flag state" (Bahamas for RCI) apply.  

 

This implies that cruise ships sailing in/out of the US are subject to Federal laws.

 

 https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2481

 

 

 

[chengkp75]

20 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

This implies that cruise ships sailing in/out of the US are subject to Federal laws.

 

 https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2481

 

 

 

It can imply that, but it isn't correct.  Bringing pot into a cruise terminal is a federal offense. Once on the ship, the flag state laws apply, except in certain limited circumstances.  The main thing against this article, is that once in international waters, the US has almost no jurisdiction (they have claimed "extra-territorial jurisdiction" over certain major crimes committed against US citizens), and in a foreign port, they have absolutely no jurisdiction.  Even when in a US port, international law allows that "port state" (US) law only applies to actions that are "external" to the ship (taxes for commerce done in the port, pollution, etc).  Actions and policies "internal" to the ship are under the flag state, unless the "safety or well being" of the port state are adversely affected.  People think the DEA can enforce laws on the ships, but anytime the DEA is brought onto a foreign flag ship, it is either at US Customs request (returning from a cruise is importing pot), or at the Captain's request for assistance.

 

Even flag state laws are somewhat limited on ships.  Countries like Holland, where pot is "de-criminalized" (but still not legal), do not allow pot on ships that fly their flag, because the IMO has mandated a no drug policy for all ships.

 

Lots of people think the USCG has jurisdiction over foreign flag cruise ships.  In fact, the USCG can only enforce the IMO convention regulations (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, etc), not the stricter regulations that the USCG has placed on US flag ships.

Edited February 11, 2023 by chengkp75

[Starry Eyes]

1 hour ago, jencruzin said:

A couple who was reported by their neighbors were caught in the act, the smokers were removed from the cruise when we reached Greece.

Interesting.  Do you know if they removed after a single offense or for  repeat offense(s) after a warning?

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Starry Eyes said:

Interesting.  Do you know if they removed after a single offense or for  repeat offense(s) after a warning?

 

Sounds like multiple offences to me.  They would have been warned and or fined first.  

[davekathy]

I'm all for smokers and vapors smoking or vaping in the designated areas only. Even the smoking lounge, AKA casino. I blame RC 100% for allowing it in the casino even when the casino is closed to gambling not the smokers. But game on if the smoker or vapor is doing their thing in any of the unauthorized areas. IMO, first time busted, fined and removed from the ship. See ya! Everyone on the ship has been given plenty of notice of where and the ramifications if busted. OK, back to reality. 

[island lady]

43 minutes ago, davekathy said:

I'm all for smokers and vapors smoking or vaping in the designated areas only. Even the smoking lounge, AKA casino. I blame RC 100% for allowing it in the casino even when the casino is closed to gambling not the smokers. But game on if the smoker or vapor is doing their thing in any of the unauthorized areas. IMO, first time busted, fined and removed from the ship. See ya! Everyone on the ship has been given plenty of notice of where and the ramifications if busted. OK, back to reality. 

 

We don't go into the casino much, except to pull leftover OBC and those little promo plays.  Cashing in a couple of days ago, when the casino was practically empty (only time we will go in to do so), the cashier lady was really pissed at the pax that come in there just to smoke.  Not to gamble at all, but just sit around and smoke.  

[davekathy]

30 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

We don't go into the casino much, except to pull leftover OBC and those little promo plays.  Cashing in a couple of days ago, when the casino was practically empty (only time we will go in to do so), the cashier lady was really pissed at the pax that come in there just to smoke.  Not to gamble at all, but just sit around and smoke.  

Agree that's the only time we go in the casino. Pull and run.  Bucky and I should have kept our M-17 gas masks. ☠️ Remember that drill sargent casino manger on our Explorer cruise? Yikes!! I was afraid to even smile when he was around much more ask a question. 😁

 

Would be nice in the casino employees could do something about those using the casino only as a smoking lounge. Again, I blame RC for allowing it even when the casino is closed to gambling. 

[ronrythm]

7 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

This implies that cruise ships sailing in/out of the US are subject to Federal laws.

 

 https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2481

 

 

 

Cruise Critic articles about law are about as accurate as Wikipedia. That is to say not at all. They are writers, not international maritime lawyers. @chengkp75 and @Heidi13 have worked under them and are much more knowledgeable than the writers of entertainment articles. Thanks to both of them for contributing.

[island lady]

13 hours ago, davekathy said:

Agree that's the only time we go in the casino. Pull and run.  Bucky and I should have kept our M-17 gas masks. ☠️ Remember that drill sargent casino manger on our Explorer cruise? Yikes!! I was afraid to even smile when he was around much more ask a question. 😁

 

Would be nice in the casino employees could do something about those using the casino only as a smoking lounge. Again, I blame RC for allowing it even when the casino is closed to gambling. 

 

LOL...I forgot about the drill sargent!  😄   I will ask Bucky about the gas mask!   

 

[stepmonster]

On 2/9/2023 at 1:50 PM, island lady said:

Been basically smoke free near our balcony on Voyager the last couple of weeks...luckily.  Though two days ago, I smelled it...saw the culprit and then saw him toss the lit ciggy butt off his balcony (which could have easily blown back into another balcony in the wind we had).  And of course adding litter and fire danger to his actions.  Sure...pollute our seas as well.  Crap head.  

 

Two of us yelled at him...and of course he ignored us...as he did the rules.  Selfish.  

I'm a smoker who only smokes in designated areas. People who still smoke on their balconies are crazy/ And to throw a cigarette overboard is just plain stupid. I swear it's the smokers who ruin it for other smokers.

[island lady]

39 minutes ago, stepmonster said:

I'm a smoker who only smokes in designated areas. People who still smoke on their balconies are crazy/ And to throw a cigarette overboard is just plain stupid. I swear it's the smokers who ruin it for other smokers.

 

Yup, bad apples in the barrel.  😞  

 

Thank you for obeying the rules and respecting your fellow passengers!  🙂 

[samiam0403]

21 hours ago, davekathy said:

I'm all for smokers and vapors smoking or vaping in the designated areas only. Even the smoking lounge, AKA casino. I blame RC 100% for allowing it in the casino even when the casino is closed to gambling not the smokers. But game on if the smoker or vapor is doing their thing in any of the unauthorized areas. IMO, first time busted, fined and removed from the ship. See ya! Everyone on the ship has been given plenty of notice of where and the ramifications if busted. OK, back to reality. 

I'm a smoker, and I agree 100%. Drives me batty when people light up in no smoking areas. Kick 'em off the ship, I say. 

[jencruzin]

On 2/11/2023 at 12:57 PM, Starry Eyes said:

Interesting.  Do you know if they removed after a single offense or for  repeat offense(s) after a warning?

No idea! All we know is, they were taken off the ship. They shouldn't have to be warned/repeat offenses. First time caught? Leave the ship.

[Charles4515]

3 hours ago, jencruzin said:

No idea! All we know is, they were taken off the ship. They shouldn't have to be warned/repeat offenses. First time caught? Leave the ship.

I doubt that they remove first time offenders. 

[E&D2004]

I recently had connected rooms next to mine filled with smokers.  I told them not to smoke once and called GS 4 or 5 times.  I smelled in on the balcony and our hall smelled like an ashtray.  I was told that if actual evidence of smoking (butts etc.) is not found, there is not much that can be done other than a cleaning fine. I believe they were fined.  At the end of the cruise I went to guest services and this was confirmed.  GS was really apologetic and gave us a future cruise credit in the amount of 20% of the cost of our cruise.  It came to about $1,400 for the 2 of us.  Not perfect but something.  Moral:  If they smoke, report and report and report.

[Guest phd1003]

4 hours ago, E&D2004 said:

I recently had connected rooms next to mine filled with smokers.  I told them not to smoke once and called GS 4 or 5 times.  I smelled in on the balcony and our hall smelled like an ashtray.  I was told that if actual evidence of smoking (butts etc.) is not found, there is not much that can be done other than a cleaning fine. I believe they were fined.  At the end of the cruise I went to guest services and this was confirmed.  GS was really apologetic and gave us a future cruise credit in the amount of 20% of the cost of our cruise.  It came to about $1,400 for the 2 of us.  Not perfect but something.  Moral:  If they smoke, report and report and report.

A $1400 bounty for reporting smokers - Sign me up

 

                                            

[BirdTravels]

5 hours ago, E&D2004 said:

I recently had connected rooms next to mine filled with smokers.  I told them not to smoke once and called GS 4 or 5 times.  I smelled in on the balcony and our hall smelled like an ashtray.  I was told that if actual evidence of smoking (butts etc.) is not found, there is not much that can be done other than a cleaning fine. I believe they were fined.  At the end of the cruise I went to guest services and this was confirmed.  GS was really apologetic and gave us a future cruise credit in the amount of 20% of the cost of our cruise.  It came to about $1,400 for the 2 of us.  Not perfect but something.  Moral:  If they smoke, report and report and report.

You call Security. Say "I smell smoke. I don't know if it is a cigarette or something burning". They come quicker. 

[Engineroom Snipe]

10 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

You call Security. Say "I smell smoke. I don't know if it is a cigarette or something burning". They come quicker. 

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

"I am afraid that something in MY room is burning and I cannot figure it out. I have disconnected everything and it smells like something is burning. Could you send someone to help me find the smell?"  They will be there with maintenance in two seconds.

 

Great twist on the problem without accusing anyone.

[HappyTexan44]

That is a hoot!   Our cruise we have promenade view rooms, so I don't think we'll need that hint.  But, I've filed it away in case we later get a balcony.  

[SUESEABE]

Costa Cruises, Aida Cruises, TUI Cruises, and Fred Olsen Cruise Line do allow guests to smoke on their cabin balconies. All other cruise lines have banned smoking on balconies.