Celebrity revises smoking policy.

[Mbandy]

I received this communication from Celebrity. It is dated December 2.

Effective with the start of our next sailing for each of the ships in the fleet, we will be making a minor adjustment to our Smoking Policy implemented in October 2008.

Smoking will no longer be permitted in any of our ships’ casinos. Smoking will continue to be allowed in the observation lounges on each ship as previously communicated. Exterior designated areas will remain the same as previously indicated, with the exception of the Solstice Class where Smoking on the Pool and Sun Deck will moved to the Starboard side to improve our guests’ dining experience at the Mast Grill.

For each of the vessels, the Hotel Director, at his discretion, will designate either Port/Starboard and Forward/Aft of the Promenade deck as another exterior (covered) smoking venue.

By adding the additional promenade location, we will be providing a more centrally located smoking area within close proximity to our casinos and main dining facilities.

 

[BSeabob]

oh no that means I might go into the casinos now

 

[Shipsbelle]

This is a very good move by Celebrity! I am a happy cruiser. :daisy

 

[phinnb]

Oops now DH can spend more time in the casinos.....

 

[wave runner]

I can appreciate the joy of some about the smoking ban. However, as a person who is a light smoker who enjoys having a cigarette on their balcony in the wee hours of the morning when no one is even awake let alone on their balconly and to be told that I can't, is most certainly a violation of my rights.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for banning smoking in the dining rooms, showrooms and would have no problem with banning smoking in the lounges. Banning all smoking on your own balcony is for me just unacceptable.

Princess offers a great solution by providing a Churchill Smoking lounge right in the middle of the ship. That way both sides can have their way and enjoy their cruise, whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker.

 

[Conniemc]

I can appreciate the joy of some about the smoking ban. However, as a person who is a light smoker who enjoys having a cigarette on their balcony in the wee hours of the morning when no one is even awake let alone on their balconly and to be told that I can't, is most certainly a violation of my rights.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for banning smoking in the dining rooms, showrooms and would have no problem with banning smoking in the lounges. Banning all smoking on your own balcony is for me just unacceptable.

Princess offers a great solution by providing a Churchill Smoking lounge right in the middle of the ship. That way both sides can have their way and enjoy their cruise, whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker.

Hey Wave,
Obviously you know I agree. Princess is most certainly more liberal, while still allowing plenty of non-smoking venues. As we've become used to, all main dining, showrooms, etc. were non-smoking. In fact, I'd say at least 85% of Ruby was non-smoking. However, like yourself, I was able to light up on my balcony when no one next door was outside (early mornings and late nights) and way able to find areas within close proximity to all bars and nightclubs. I do think reading their new policy (they must read the boards since they suddenly are providing are "more central" smoking location), they will be watching fiscal 09 very closely in comparison to lines with more liberal smoking policies. When they first put the policy out where you had to find the forward elevator (you know how on M Class if you aren't on the right deck or elevator getting to the 11 deck disco/lounge ain't easy - I thought - wow, if that's the ONLY indoor area and it's so difficult to get to, they're in trouble. Now that the fares are pretty much the same across the board, (shame by the way) I think these issues will be make or break for them in this recession. I think the non-smoking Carnival ship lasted one year (correct me if I'm wrong), so I would expect to see movement one way or the other by the end of 2009. The danger is, of course, once you forbid something, giving it back takes some crow eating. I'm very interested to see what direction they go in into 2010.

And please, no anti-smoking cheerleading or heated debates. This is just a business discussion.

 

[smacks]

Speaking of revenue creators, has Celebrity or any other cruise line ever offered a "smoker's" bar/lounge vs "non-smoker's" bar/lounge? It would be interesting to see which venue had higher revenues over time. It would probably help the decision-makers one way or the other.

As a light smoker myself, I have to agree that I think smokers should be allowed to smoke on balconies that they have paid premiums for (balcony vs inside room). For example, Marriott has a strict smoking policy, but will allow you to smoke on their rooms with balconies as long as you are not disturbing anyone else and do not have the door open to allow smoke to go back into the room. I have asked Front desk managers if this is okay and have not been denied so far.

 

[Conniemc]

Speaking of revenue creators, has Celebrity or any other cruise line ever offered a "smoker's" bar/lounge vs "non-smoker's" bar/lounge? It would be interesting to see which venue had higher revenues over time. It would probably help the decision-makers one way or the other.

As a light smoker myself, I have to agree that I think smokers should be allowed to smoke on balconies that they have paid premiums for (balcony vs inside room). For example, Marriott has a strict smoking policy, but will allow you to smoke on their rooms with balconies as long as you are not disturbing anyone else and do not have the door open to allow smoke to go back into the room. I have asked Front desk managers if this is okay and have not been denied so far.

Celebrity used to use Michael's Club as a cigar lounge. It was very "masculine" and not a place you would want to "hang out" - so they changed it to a bar with entertainment and did much better. You could smoke at the bar, but not the tables. It worked fine. You could also smoke anywhere at the Champagne Bar, tables or bar - and many areas of the evening lounges. Only the Martini Bar was strictly non-smoking. Arguably, the Martini Bar was more crowded, but there were plenty of us Champagne regulars, and never an available bar chair or table there close to dinner. We all smoked. I'd say the crowds were 65% Martini, 35% Champange - of course, it could be more people like martinis! P) In addition, one could smoke in their cabin and veranda. Everything else was non-smoking. And that's a lot of ship. Now it's virtually a non-smoking ship, albeit a few tiny areas, only one of which is indoors and EXTREMELY small in the disco.

I can't speak to other cruise lines, since the before I switched to Celebrity, one could smoke wherever they pleased, except the dining room and show rooms.

So to answer your question, I would say yes, the non-smoking Martini bar did better than the all smoking Champagne Bar, but 35% of revenues is a lot to throw away. And then, you must also consider how many people wouldn't mind the non-smoking bars, but will draw the line at a virtual non-smoking ship? Lots to consider.

BTW - I booked a balcony Marriott for next week, and they have a $600 fee policy for smoke coming in the room, but again, told me they look the other way as long as you "blow it out" the balcony. Should be interesting, since the resort is over 200 acres and that's a LONG walk for a smoke.

 

[George C]

We just got back from the Solstice and loved all the non smoking area's

 

[BSeabob]

me too.

Wondering however about the smoking on the pool deck right outside the "Healthy" Aqua Spa cafe. I guess they didn't want to be confusing anyone by moving over to the Starboard side from the routine of port smoking.

The smokers sure took advantage of "Their" area around the Sunset bar top aft. What a great spot in the caribbean.

 

[daysatsea]

As a light smoker myself, I have to agree that I think smokers should be allowed to smoke on balconies that they have paid premiums for (balcony vs inside room). For example, Marriott has a strict smoking policy, but will allow you to smoke on their rooms with balconies as long as you are not disturbing anyone else and do not have the door open to allow smoke to go back into the room. I have asked Front desk managers if this is okay and have not been denied so far.

Unfortunately, the smoke does not stay on your balcony. On a moving ship, the smoke drifts to the balcony next door. There were many times where I was not able to use my balcony or even open my balcony door because the people one cabin forward were smoking on their balcony. I paid for my balcony too and should have the right to enjoy it. I for one am glad about the non-smoking ban on balconies. And having one side of the ship balconies be smoking doesn't work - especially on one way cruises where one side of the ship is more desirable than the other.

 

[smacks]

Unfortunately, the smoke does not stay on your balcony. On a moving ship, the smoke drifts to the balcony next door. There were many times where I was not able to use my balcony or even open my balcony door because the people one cabin forward were smoking on their balcony. I paid for my balcony too and should have the right to enjoy it. I for one am glad about the non-smoking ban on balconies. And having one side of the ship balconies be smoking doesn't work - especially on one way cruises where one side of the ship is more desirable than the other.

Perhaps 1/2 or 1/3 of each side (from midship to aft) of the ship's balcony cabins and aft balconies could be designated smoking to get rid of the problem of drifting smoke while the ship is moving. My response is to also to do with the business sense of banning almost all smoking on the ship except for a few designated area. Time will tell whether it has affected revenues or not on each ship and whether or not it will impact more non-smokers switching to cruise lines who follow suit or more smokers who will switch to cruise lines that have more relaxed smoking policies. Wonder also about the origin of cruisers (North American vs. European cruisers) and destination (Europe I feel is still more relaxed about smoking than Caribbean imo) and if it makes sense to have these policies on all ships in all destinations.

So to answer your question, I would say yes, the non-smoking Martini bar did better than the all smoking Champagne Bar, but 35% of revenues is a lot to throw away. And then, you must also consider how many people wouldn't mind the non-smoking bars, but will draw the line at a virtual non-smoking ship? Lots to consider.

BTW - I booked a balcony Marriott for next week, and they have a $600 fee policy for smoke coming in the room, but again, told me they look the other way as long as you "blow it out" the balcony. Should be interesting, since the resort is over 200 acres and that's a LONG walk for a smoke.

Thanks for the info about previous smoking policies/revenue strategies. Be interesting to see how this plays out on my upcoming cruise. BTW, I'd be interested to know what your experience was at the Marriott.