Vaping in Casino on Equinox

[TeeRick]

10 hours ago, SusieAV8R said:

I have found that folks (in large numbers) voicing their opinions to Senior Leadership when they oppose something that Leadership is trying can bring change in Leadership's position.  I too am sending an email!

Possible that the President and senior leadership are all vapers.

[JLMcruise]

26 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Last night the “vaping allowed” stand alone signs and placards were gone!  Additionally, not a single vaper in sight. 
The plot thickens…

Keep us posted!! Have you spoke to any of the employee's regarding their opinion about vaping. I hope Celebrity is considering the health of their employees.

 

[TheHawk1]

16 hours ago, RichYak said:

What kind of company, in this day and age, relaxes its no smoking policy? I mean, who would even consider this?

This from the same company that still holds tight on its "no shorts in the MDR" policy which, unlike smoking and vaping, impacts absolutely no one. Good to see Celebrity has their priorities in order.

[zitsky]

36 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

Coke Zero is the way to go.  Especially with some rum.

That is available onboard?  I don’t usually drink diet.

[wrk2cruise]

Coke Zero,  Diet Coke and Sprite Zero are all available onboard Celebrity ships.

[lexmiller]

16 hours ago, RichYak said:

What kind of company, in this day and age, relaxes its no smoking policy? I mean, who would even consider this?

One that has a new CEO who's goal is to bring Celebrity to the masses - no longer in the Premium category, but firmly placed in the Mass Market category - The "Royal Caribbean-izing" of Celebrity.  Under her watch we have so far seen the bizarre "test" changes to the MDR menu, the 'customers be damned' cavalier redeployment of the Beyond with no fare protection and now this.  I know your question was essentially rhetorical, but I wanted to take your opening to 'revent'!  This is bad.

[Charles4515]

22 minutes ago, lexmiller said:

One that has a new CEO who's goal is to bring Celebrity to the masses - no longer in the Premium category, but firmly placed in the Mass Market category - The "Royal Caribbean-izing" of Celebrity.  Under her watch we have so far seen the bizarre "test" changes to the MDR menu, the 'customers be damned' cavalier redeployment of the Beyond with no fare protection and now this.  I know your question was essentially rhetorical, but I wanted to take your opening to 'revent'!  This is bad.

Celebrity is in the mass market category. You have fallen for their marketing if you think otherwise. Their brand identity is more upscale than Royal Caribbean, has less flash and appeals to a generally older demographic but it has been and will remain mass market. It does seem there already has been a split personality before the new CEO with the Edge class ships almost like a different brand. I think the new CEO’s changes indicate she is a bean counter and that is what the changes are about. 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Charles4515

[poffles]

40 minutes ago, TheHawk1 said:

This from the same company that still holds tight on its "no shorts in the MDR" policy which, unlike smoking and vaping, impacts absolutely no one. Good to see Celebrity has their priorities in order.

 

Now this one made me laugh !  They have to maintain some level of 'class' 😉

 

The irony of this statement is my first couple cruises were on NCL and I LOVED them for their casual approach of not having to dress 'up' even for dinner BUT I disliked the casino smoke so I tried Celebrity and have only had a tempted glance back, things seem to be turning upside down for me now.  My preferred casualness to vacationing finds me spending most dinners in the buffet but we all know how that has been hit lately (experienced first hand in April).  Slowly chipping away.

 

Back to the topic at hand ... would love to hear that the 'missing' vape allowed signs mean more than someone is late putting them out.

 

.

Edited July 5, 2023 by poffles

[NMTraveller]

2 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I think the new CEO’s changes indicate she is a bean counter and that is what the changes are about. 

This.  Every change has been made to increase revenue whether or not it decreases the product or the brand name.

[poffles]

4 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

This.  Every change has been made to increase revenue whether or not it decreases the product or the brand name.

 

Ditto this!  The end result of a mediocre (perhaps now misleading) product might circle around to 'cost them' but cross that bridge when they get there mentality.  I think one 'cost' to them will be passenger loyalty but I guess as long as they fill their ships all good, business 101 🤑  Maybe I needed my eyes to be opened a bit more to look around 🤩  Thanks Celebrity ???

[Orator]

35 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Celebrity is in the mass market category. You have fallen for their marketing if you think otherwise. Their brand identity is more upscale than Royal Caribbean, has less flash and appeals to a generally older demographic but it has been and will remain mass market. It does seem there already has been a split personality before the new CEO with the Edge class ships almost like a different brand. I think the new CEO’s changes indicate she is a bean counter and that is what the changes are about. 

They have fallen for their own advertising in that they don't realize they are mass market and appeal to older folks who are Americans and British. They've really taken their eyes off the ball by trying to change the demographics.

[zitsky]

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Last night the “vaping allowed” stand alone signs and placards were gone!  Additionally, not a single vaper in sight. 
The plot thickens…

That would be a positive development.  

[Georgia_Peaches]

4 minutes ago, zitsky said:

That would be a positive development.  

Absolutely!!  Hoping it sticks!

[zitsky]

Just now, Georgia_Peaches said:

Absolutely!!  Hoping it sticks!

Let’s hope they don’t just go on deck and start puffing away.  I hate to think we might have inconvenienced anyone.  😂

 

This reminds me of chewing tobacco.  “Well it’s not a cigarette so how is it harming you?”  The smell is bad enough.  🙄

[sammee]

Just when you thought is was safe, lol. As an x-smoker/vaper, not a good idea at all. Vaping started as a means to end the cigarette habit. But it's started a whole new habit and hobby balled into one. See who can make the biggest most fragrant plume of vapor (looks like smoke).

 

[zitsky]

1 minute ago, sammee said:

Just when you thought is was safe, lol. As an x-smoker/vaper, not a good idea at all. Vaping started as a means to end the cigarette habit. But it's started a whole new habit and hobby balled into one. See who can make the biggest most fragrant plume of vapor (looks like smoke).

 

Looks like smoke because it pretty much is smoke.  Just different chemicals.

 

I try to be nice and ask vapers “is that just co2?”.  They never answer as I said previously.

 

I’ve known a few people who smoked.  You could smell it on them.  Just like some of us can notice vape smell (flavor?) in a cabin or other enclosed space.

[waddle]

1 hour ago, TheHawk1 said:

This from the same company that still holds tight on its "no shorts in the MDR" policy which, unlike smoking and vaping, impacts absolutely no one.

It depends on your legs 😆

[Fly and Sail]

Answer from the Executive Office:

 

Thank you for taking the time to contact the Executive Offices at Celebrity Cruises.

 

This test is currently in place on the Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse, and at this time there has been minimal to no impact to our guests experience onboard.  Vaping will only be allowed in certain areas of the casino for casino guests, during operating hours only. Cigarette, pipes and cigars will still be prohibited in the casino.

 

Dr. Poggel, we truly appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback regarding our recent change.

 

Sincerely,

Aurora Godfrey

Executive Office

Celebrity Cruises

 

 

And the Blue Chip Club in a separate Email:

 

Thank you for reaching out to Celebrity Cruises.

 

We really appreciate your feedback regarding this matter. Yes, we are conducting an 8-week test on two ships to measure the impact vaping may have on the overall guest experience. Onboard Celebrity Equinox (June 24 – August 19, 2023) and Celebrity Eclipse (June 25 – August 20, 2023) during operating hours, the casino will allow vaping, with certain areas designated as non-vaping. Visible signage will indicate the vaping area in the casino

 

Our casino players have indicated that being able to vape while playing would enhance their gaming experience. Overall, guest feedback indicates that guests who do not vape do not feel vaping in the casino would negatively impact their experience.

 

We really appreciate this kind of feedback from our loyal guests as we always strive to provide exceptional service to all of our customers,  it will help us decide the permanent implementation of this run test in the future.

 

Sincerely,

 

Blue Chip Club - Celebrity Cruises

 

[Silkroad]

On 7/4/2023 at 9:47 AM, the penguins said:

I emailed the executive office and received a detailed reply within 24 hours. The salient points in the reply were:

1)Only a trial on Equinox and Eclipse

2)At this time there has been minimal to no impact to our guests experience on board

3)Vaping will only be allowed in certain areas of the casino for casino guests during operating hours only.

4) Cigarettes, pipes and cigars will still be prohibited.

I responded by saying:

1) the long-term affects of vaping are still unknown as are the second hand effects of vape smoke.

2) many people vape with flavoured products and the smell from these is persuade.

3) having to avoid the casino will be disappointing but our health is more important especially as one of us has asthma.

4) any extension of vaping to balconies would result in us looking at other cruise lines.

5) we asked them to record that we are 100% against vaping being permitted in any indoor space on any Celebrity ship at any time.

Everyone must make their own decisions but whatever you views don't just comment or moan on these posts -;tell Celebrity directly - it worked with compolsary AI.

I emailed the executive office Monday. So far…crickets. I hope this means they’ve been flooded with enough emails, calls and comments from those onboard to think this is a failed experiment. It could be they’ve seen no increased casino revenue because not enough vapers are gambling, and non-vapers are avoiding the casino when vapers are present. 

[tfred]

3 minutes ago, Silkroad said:

I emailed the executive office Monday. So far…crickets. I hope this means they’ve been flooded with enough emails, calls and comments from those onboard to think this is a failed experiment. It could be they’ve seen no increased casino revenue because not enough vapers are gambling, and non-vapers are avoiding the casino when vapers are present. 

that is probably correct.  It isnt what feedback they are getting shoreside

 

any stoppage onboard is due to non-vapers complaining  and a decrease in revenue onboard this cruise 

[RichYak]

23 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

Overall, guest feedback indicates that guests who do not vape do not feel vaping in the casino would negatively impact their experience.

They're just making things up on the fly. 

[Kelownadon]

Have submitted my response to their response. 
 

Your response that “Vaping will only be allowed in certain areas of the casino for casino guests, during operating hours only” is a total lie. People on board Equinox have already stated that this is not true. So don’t give me a BS response like that. 

[poffles]

48 minutes ago, Fly and Sail said:

And the Blue Chip Club in a separate Email:

 

.... Our casino players have indicated that being able to vape while playing would enhance their gaming experience. Overall, guest feedback indicates that guests who do not vape do not feel vaping in the casino would negatively impact their experience.

 

 

Seriously!   What guest feedback ... I've never been asked have you?  I just sailed in April on a Blue Chip free cruise, sailing this November on a discounted cruise, scheduled (almost to be cancelled) on a free stateroom cruise next spring.  One would think opinion from those who spend time (and money) in the casino would matter even if not the highest roller.

 

I would have believed the part about people wanting to be able to vape (just like many would like to smoke cigarettes) but the response went to stupid by adding the feedback from guests who do not vape ... come on.

 

Off to work on my feedback on dinner in the buffet and option to wear shorts to dinner in the MDR 🙂

 

.

Edited July 5, 2023 by poffles

[poffles]

11 minutes ago, Kelownadon said:

Have submitted my response to their response. 
 

Your response that “Vaping will only be allowed in certain areas of the casino for casino guests, during operating hours only” is a total lie. People on board Equinox have already stated that this is not true. So don’t give me a BS response like that. 

 

... and THIS !  I wish this didn't get me so bothered.  The decision to consider this is bad, 'piloting' is worse, making up verbiage in response is the ultimate.

[Fly and Sail]

8 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

Seriously!   What guest feedback ... I've never been asked have you?  I just sailed in April on a Blue Chip free cruise, sailing this November on a discounted cruise, scheduled (almost to be cancelled) on a free stateroom cruise next spring.  One would think opinion from those who spend time (and money) in the casino would matter even if not the highest roller.

 

.

 

I'm assuming feedback from those who like to vape, not so much from those of us who don't like it.

 

I have some friends who vape, and I make it clear to them that there is no vaping in my car or on our table when we go out. I don't want that aroma and steam stuff around me. Obviously, each business has to set their own rules and then see how customers react. If Celebrity's casinos are no longer smoke-free then this will make me a free agent.