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Wow, Jeannie that's exactly what happened to me. What really upset me, was BEFORE booking another Celeb, after hearing "rumors" of them banning smoking in cabins, I called the Captains' Club (not regular guest services) and spoke to a supervisor who assured me there would be NO CHANGES in 2008 to the policy. I was really perturbed (I think I made that obvious already - ha) to find them whip out a press announcement to the general public with the new ban without informing booked customers.
:X
I too cancelled and then really did research, since I no longer felt I could trust the cruiselines' spokespeople. I took down names! (laugh). Princess guaranteed me in writing there would be no changes to their policy at least through 2008 and for the foreseeable future. (I think the current policies are just fine - they favor non smokers by far). By the way, like your husband, I also hate smoke filled rooms, despite being a smoker. I always air out my home and car and use Febreeze. Only die hard - 3 pack a day - chain smokers I think, are immune to the stench of thick smoke. There is plenty of technology for "air cleaner" vents and a/c units available, that would make bars, casinos and lounges livable for all.

Anyway, I booked the new Princess ship Ruby in December. My parents and I were doing HAL since 1976. They stayed with them, when I "jumped ship" to Celebrity, as I found HAL's quality continually lowering over the years, while the average age group continued to climb (I'm 47). Finally about 5 years ago, my parents (who sailed each new ship and averaged 3 HAL cruises per year) said they were disgusted by the new standards on HAL, "in your face" marketing, and upselling and simply stopped cruising. I believe my dad's exact words were "I won't be caught dead again waiting in a long line for dining while photographs line the walls and crew try to sell you everything. You can't get anywhere on the ship without being forced to pass some kind of sales pitch". (i.e. spa treatments, specialty restaurants, future cruises, photos, etc.)

Like yourself, if I find Princess isn't up to my standards, I'll (gasp!) end a 30 year cruising jaunt in favor of other types of vacations, where no one tells me what I can and cannot do (within reason of course). The whole point of a vacation is just that - to do as you PLEASE.

For both our sakes, I hope it doesn't come to that. Nothing beats being on the ocean. A true escape.

<blockquote data-quote="Conniemc" data-source="post: 1217588">Wow, Jeannie that's exactly what happened to me. What really upset me, was BEFORE booking another Celeb, after hearing &quot;rumors&quot; of them banning smoking in cabins, I called the Captains' Club (not regular guest services) and spoke to a supervisor who assured me there would be NO CHANGES in 2008 to the policy. I was really perturbed (I think I made that obvious already - ha) to find them whip out a press announcement to the general public with the new ban without informing booked customers. :XI too cancelled and then really did research, since I no longer felt I could trust the cruiselines' spokespeople. I took down names! (laugh). Princess guaranteed me in writing there would be no changes to their policy at least through 2008 and for the foreseeable future. (I think the current policies are just fine - they favor non smokers by far). By the way, like your husband, I also hate smoke filled rooms, despite being a smoker. I always air out my home and car and use Febreeze. Only die hard - 3 pack a day - chain smokers I think, are immune to the stench of thick smoke. There is plenty of technology for &quot;air cleaner&quot; vents and a/c units available, that would make bars, casinos and lounges livable for all.Anyway, I booked the new Princess ship Ruby in December. My parents and I were doing HAL since 1976. They stayed with them, when I &quot;jumped ship&quot; to Celebrity, as I found HAL's quality continually lowering over the years, while the average age group continued to climb (I'm 47). Finally about 5 years&nbsp; ago, my parents (who sailed each new ship and averaged 3 HAL cruises per year) said they were disgusted by the new standards on HAL, &quot;in your face&quot; marketing, and upselling and simply stopped cruising. I believe my dad's exact words were &quot;I won't be caught dead again waiting in a long line for dining while photographs line the walls and crew try to sell you everything. You can't get anywhere on the ship without being forced to pass some kind of sales pitch&quot;. (i.e. spa treatments, specialty restaurants, future cruises, photos, etc.)Like yourself, if I find Princess isn't up to my standards, I'll (gasp!) end a 30 year cruising jaunt in favor of other types of vacations, where no one tells me what I can and cannot do (within reason of course). <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue&nbsp; &nbsp; :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />The whole point of a vacation is just that - to do as you PLEASE.For both our sakes, I hope it doesn't come to that. Nothing beats being on the ocean. A true escape.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Conniemc, post: 1217588"] [color=#330099]Wow, Jeannie that's exactly what happened to me. What really upset me, was BEFORE booking another Celeb, after hearing "rumors" of them banning smoking in cabins, I called the Captains' Club (not regular guest services) and spoke to a supervisor who assured me there would be NO CHANGES in 2008 to the policy. I was really perturbed (I think I made that obvious already - ha) to find them whip out a press announcement to the general public with the new ban without informing booked customers. :X I too cancelled and then really did research, since I no longer felt I could trust the cruiselines' spokespeople. I took down names! (laugh). Princess guaranteed me in writing there would be no changes to their policy at least through 2008 and for the foreseeable future. (I think the current policies are just fine - they favor non smokers by far). By the way, like your husband, I also hate smoke filled rooms, despite being a smoker. I always air out my home and car and use Febreeze. Only die hard - 3 pack a day - chain smokers I think, are immune to the stench of thick smoke. There is plenty of technology for "air cleaner" vents and a/c units available, that would make bars, casinos and lounges livable for all. Anyway, I booked the new Princess ship Ruby in December. My parents and I were doing HAL since 1976. They stayed with them, when I "jumped ship" to Celebrity, as I found HAL's quality continually lowering over the years, while the average age group continued to climb (I'm 47). Finally about 5 years ago, my parents (who sailed each new ship and averaged 3 HAL cruises per year) said they were disgusted by the new standards on HAL, "in your face" marketing, and upselling and simply stopped cruising. I believe my dad's exact words were "I won't be caught dead again waiting in a long line for dining while photographs line the walls and crew try to sell you everything. You can't get anywhere on the ship without being forced to pass some kind of sales pitch". (i.e. spa treatments, specialty restaurants, future cruises, photos, etc.) Like yourself, if I find Princess isn't up to my standards, I'll (gasp!) end a 30 year cruising jaunt in favor of other types of vacations, where no one tells me what I can and cannot do (within reason of course). :PThe whole point of a vacation is just that - to do as you PLEASE. For both our sakes, I hope it doesn't come to that. Nothing beats being on the ocean. A true escape.[/color] [/QUOTE]