Smoking on Azamara

[Blondie007]

My only issue with the "new" smoking policy is that it's causing problems for people who booked before it became widely known. Fortunately it's a lot easier to cancel a cruise ticket than it is an airplane ticket...I hope that those who decide to cancel don't have any problems doing so in terms of getting back their deposits etc.

 

Going forward into the future I think so long as it is made very clear to people when they are booking that the smoking is quite restricted, then it could work out fine. And if it doesn't, well, Azamara could always change it.

 

 

Well said Leela! We are all travelling from different countries around the world, involving many flights and pre cruise stays... THIS is what we are livid about..fine..go non smoking..but be up front...even yet, its still not clear on the site. If you were not a follower of this forum, it wouldnt be obvious its non smoking etc.. Celebrity should make it crystal clear, on all headings..that this is non smoking cruising!

We cant hang off to wait and see as X are doing with Quest.. we need to make decisions now..not later..

As for those on Journey today..I see mutiny aboard!

[rswallis]

I smoke and think the smoking restrictions in public spaces on Azamara are good ones. However, I would make one change -- smokers may smoke in cabins and on balconies on the port side cabins only. That way, people who are very allergic or sensitive to smokers can book the starboard side and those who smoke, or don't care, can book port side.

[pittipatga]

SueClark, MrTucker, Lula, Blondie 007, and others - it would be interesting to know how many do cancel with X because of their failure to inform customers of their plans to change the rules until after we have purchased staterooms. I guess you have to check frequently to see what changes they are making. I hate it for those who are sailing now and won't know about the changes until they are "thrown off the boat" as some have suggested. Next you will not be able to drink on your balcony because there may be a recovering alcoholic next to you who you are threatening, or you will need to whisper because what you are saying may bother someone, or the worst - all that horrible perfume/aftershave that smells up everything and may make others sick. Need to take all of that out of the giftshops and don't allow passengers to wear anything that smells. Quit stinking alcohol in everyone's face and having people walk around with it in their hand, and sitting next to you at dinner. This could really get of hand - sure is hard to just go on vacation.:(

I never have a problem with rules, but make them before the games starts.:)

[cruzin princess]

If they were going to make the Journey & Quest ship "smoking restricted" they should have said that in the Expedition book where the cruises were published. Not one single word on the subject.

 

Those people that are already booked for either ship should be allowed to smoke on their balconies because that is the way it has always been on all Celebrity & RCL ships.

 

Future bookings should then have to follow the new rules.

 

If I were booked on the Journey today, you can rest assured I would be livid too!!!

[xplrcrzn]

I'm sure RCL/Celebrity considered all "sides" in deciding their smoking policies. In general, the trend for all public facilities has been to restrict or ban smoking--entire cities, even countries, are doing it. With cruise ships, there are safety considerations since the Princess fire as well as maintenance issues--cleaning/deodorizing rooms & softgoods, etc. As for cancellations v. new bookings, Oceania's experience has shown that severely restricting smoking can be a positive business decision. I don't think they want this new line to become known as the smoker's alternative to Oceania.

[LHT28]

Oceania's experience has shown that severely restricting smoking can be a positive business decision. I don't think they want this new line to become known as the smoker's alternative to Oceania.

 

I think Azamara should allow smoking then those that complain on Oceania can sail AZA and leave the O ships smoke free!!! :D:D:D

[Mr. Tucker]

They've also made a lot of people very happy, so the rough treatment will be offset by 'pats on the back'.

 

You have totally missed the point.

 

This is not about whether you can smoke or not but rather were the passengers allowed to make an informed decision prior to booking and making plans.

 

First you switch ships on them and tell them nothing else will be different. Then you say its all open seating. Next its casual clothes so they don't get to play dress up. The list goes on culminating the day before the first cruise with the no smoking policy.

 

Shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Celebrity does not have a clue when it comes to figuring out what they are doing with these ships. They so badly want to emulate the sucess of Oceania that they forgot all about their current passengers and their once rock solid customer base that they are shattering.

 

One other interesting point - you now can't even discuss or compare Celebrity with Azamara on the Celebrity cruise critic site. One guess who was behind that. How quickly Celebrity wants to distance themselves from this debacle.

[xplrcrzn]

LHT28-That would certainly answer some of Frank DelRio's prayers!

[Charles4515]

Well said Leela! We are all travelling from different countries around the world, involving many flights and pre cruise stays... THIS is what we are livid about..fine..go non smoking..but be up front...even yet, its still not clear on the site. If you were not a follower of this forum, it wouldnt be obvious its non smoking etc.. Celebrity should make it crystal clear, on all headings..that this is non smoking cruising!

We cant hang off to wait and see as X are doing with Quest.. we need to make decisions now..not later..

As for those on Journey today..I see mutiny aboard!

 

The ship is not non-smoking! There are still two designated smoking areas. Yes, they have limited the smoking areas but they have not eliminated it. Get used to this. Smoking areas have been becoming more limited on all the cruise lines and the trend will continue.

[usha]

I'm sure RCL/Celebrity considered all "sides" in deciding their smoking policies. In general, the trend for all public facilities has been to restrict or ban smoking--entire cities, even countries, are doing it. With cruise ships, there are safety considerations since the Princess fire as well as maintenance issues--cleaning/deodorizing rooms & softgoods, etc. As for cancellations v. new bookings, Oceania's experience has shown that severely restricting smoking can be a positive business decision. I don't think they want this new line to become known as the smoker's alternative to Oceania.

...an enthusiastic "AMEN!" to all of that. :D

[cruising with marti]

We are booked on the Quest Trans Atlantic on April 12th. This booking was made over a month ago, long before the restricted smoking policy was made public (yesterday)

 

So once we leave port I will be smoking on my suite balcony. what are they going to do, throw me off in the middle of the Atlantic? :D

 

Phil

[Charles4515]

We are booked on the Quest Trans Atlantic on April 12th. This booking was made over a month ago, long before the restricted smoking policy was made public (yesterday)

 

So once we leave port I will be smoking on my suite balcony. what are they going to do, throw me off in the middle of the Atlantic? :D

 

Phil

 

They probably have a brig they could confine you in but I suspect they will move you to a cabin without a balcony if someone complains about your smoking on the balcony. If it is such a big deal for you not to smoke on the balcony I suggest that you cancel. it is probably not worth the hassle it will be for you if you violate their policy.

[Albert Ross]

But the question in the FAQ section, "Will smoking be allowed on these ships?" seems to indicate that the policy will apply to both.

I did say 'yet'!!!

[cruising with marti]

They probably have a brig they could confine you in but I suspect they will move you to a cabin without a balcony if someone complains about your smoking on the balcony. If it is such a big deal for you not to smoke on the balcony I suggest that you cancel. it is probably not worth the hassle it will be for you if you violate their policy.

Ah, the brig or a inside cabin , that will work, as long as they don't confinscate my beloved Camels:D

By the way, I love the words " violate thier policy" and what kind of person would turn me in?

Phil

[Mr. Tucker]

We are booked on the Quest Trans Atlantic on April 12th. This booking was made over a month ago, long before the restricted smoking policy was made public (yesterday)

 

So once we leave port I will be smoking on my suite balcony. what are they going to do, throw me off in the middle of the Atlantic? :D

 

Phil

 

They could choose to fine you upwards of $500.00 per day directly to your ship board account. Better read the fine print of the contract before you make your own rules up. Your cruise is over a year away. Perhaps if you don't want to follow rules you should be looking at an alternate cruise. Isn't that the same answer given to those who state they are not going to dress up for dinner.

 

I would understand your point of view if your cruise were in the next six months. But a year away is plenty of time to make alternate arrangements rather than negatively impact others cruisers. What would be the big deal of going to the one designated smoking area on deck? A little exercise on the way to and from a cigarette is bound to do you some good.

[Mr. Tucker]

By the way, I love the words " violate thier policy" and what kind of person would turn me in?

 

Phil

 

Got to love those who support all of the policys until one happens to adversely effect them.

 

As far as turning you in - you would be surprised how quickly your neighbors above, below and beside you will get turned off by your smoking and ashes going all over them. Now they are armed with something they can do about it. On the other hand if you don't care about your fellow passengers or your pocketbook - by all means go ahead.

[Charles4515]

Ah, the brig or a inside cabin , that will work, as long as they don't confinscate my beloved Camels:D

By the way, I love the words " violate thier policy" and what kind of person would turn me in?

Phil

 

Someone on an adjoining balcony who is bothered by the smoke or ashes. i have read quite a few compliants on the different cruise boards from cruisers in balconys about smoke, butts and ashes coming onto theirs from smokers on other balconies.

[dschoch3]

really, there ought to be some middle ground here!:confused: designate certain staterooms or certain parts of the promenade deck as smoking...and of course a small corner of the casino...if society stomped on drinkers as much as smokers...well, that's a whole other issue! For people who booked the Journey (or the Zenith) without knowing these restrictions, it seems grossly unfair IMHO

[JORAY]

We are canceling our bookings on both the Journey & Quest.

 

Why -- extremely limited smoking venues. -- mainly can not smoke in our suite or on the veranda.

 

Note: before we booked the two cruises we asked and were told by Celebrity area manger via our TA (who just forwarded the Email) that where was not a change from the normal Celebrity policy on smoking). Our TA reports she will lose $60,000 in bookings because of some restrictions that are now being shown.

 

We are Elite with 30 cruise points. (12 cruises with them)

 

Now looking at HAL and have booked with them!

__________________

[cruising with marti]

Someone on an adjoining balcony who is bothered by the smoke or ashes. i have read quite a few compliants on the different cruise boards from cruisers in balconys about smoke, butts and ashes coming onto theirs from smokers on other balconies.

Charles, I am just pulling your leg a little. Iam a smoker but if the rule does exist on the Quest, I will just trudge on up to the smoking area ( I might be in my bath robe) for my morning coffee and cig,

Seriously, the issue is no one was informed of this smoking policy until yesterday, which is very unfair to the hundred of smokers who have bookings on these ships.

Phil

[cruzin princess]

cruzing with marti you hit the nail right on the head. The people that are already booked have a real beef.

 

I for one transferred my booking in November from the Constellation to the Quest. Not in a million years would I have done that if I knew I couldn't sit out on my balcony with a cocktail and a cigarette.

 

I truly believe that this should have been decided back when the Expedition book which included the Journey and the Quest was published. If it had been in writing then, no problem; huge problem for us smokers now!!

 

I am awaiting a return phone call on the subject both from Celebrity and Azamura; along with the Captains Club.

 

I can't possibly imagine how they can justify this to customers that are already booked.

't

[RuthlessBoss]

We were going to try Azamara, but not with this ruling in place. I'll be damned if I have to trudge to another part of the ship to have a smoke and coffee in the morning! For all you chesire cats out there, enjoy your ship and I'll give my dollars to another cruiseline. They'll fill the ship initially just because it is something new to check out, and they'll brag about a full ship, but wait till later when this newness wears off!:D

[Charles4515]

Charles, I am just pulling your leg a little. Iam a smoker but if the rule does exist on the Quest, I will just trudge on up to the smoking area ( I might be in my bath robe) for my morning coffee and cig,

Seriously, the issue is no one was informed of this smoking policy until yesterday, which is very unfair to the hundred of smokers who have bookings on these ships.

Phil

 

I can understand that the change coming after you booked would seem unfair but a lot of things get changed by cruise lines after bookings get made. I do think they should let anyone cancel or tranfer their bookings without penalty who is affected.

 

I guessed they would have a smoking policy like the one they have instituted. The reason I guessed they would have a restricted policy was because they have been pretty much copying Oceania, not Princess with these R ships. They want to be in the market that draws to Oceania.

[Charles4515]

We were going to try Azamara, but not with this ruling in place. I'll be damned if I have to trudge to another part of the ship to have a smoke and coffee in the morning! For all you chesire cats out there, enjoy your ship and I'll give my dollars to another cruiseline. They'll fill the ship initially just because it is something new to check out, and they'll brag about a full ship, but wait till later when this newness wears off!:D

 

Oceania, the cruise line that Celebrity has copied this policy from has been expanding. They have recently ordered a new build.

[cruising with marti]

Got to love those who support all of the policys until one happens to adversely effect them.

 

As far as turning you in - you would be surprised how quickly your neighbors above, below and beside you will get turned off by your smoking and ashes going all over them. Now they are armed with something they can do about it. On the other hand if you don't care about your fellow passengers or your pocketbook - by all means go ahead.

Mr. Tucker, you seem to be missing the point. I do not go out of my way to ignore policys that adv ersly effect me. I just don't patronize companys or products that have negative impact on me.

A good example of this is, I do not cruise Oceana cruise line because of thier smoking policys, am I angry at them? No, I just don't use thier product.

If had been informed of the policys on these new ships, I would not have booked them.

We cruise 3 times a year and have done so for many years, I have yet to hear of one complaint about me smoking on my balcony, nor have I complained about loud and boistrous fellow passngers. But am I "armed with something I can do about it" I don't think so.

So you might consider that as a smoker I should have had Information about the restricted smoking policys.

Phil