NO SMOKING ON CELEBRITY

[amistad]

I agree with you, have to admit I sometimes booked RCCL even if it was a little more expensive just because I got the free 8x10, the free specialty coffees, the free cocktails and so forth after becoming Platinum. My Husband and I both spend a great deal of time in the casino and we also tip well, always above the recommended, and I also really enjoy the great food and service on Celebrity it just seems a shame, maybe they will designate a ship as a smoking ship like Carnival had a ship designated as non-smoking so we can someday use our perks again.

 

[Conniemc]

I don't think so. That's why their newest class of ships are "spa class". They are betting on the future of crusing being health conscious, lite eating, working out in the gym types. The exact opposite of what cruising has been for 50 years. Whether their bet pays off, we shall see. But I'm afraid I no longer fit into Celebrity's new "profile" for their desired guests. Honestly, I wouldn't want to sail a "smoking ship". I smoke, but I don't want to be inundated with smoke 24 hours a day. If the ship were filled with chain smokers...can you imagine? Ick. Back when you could book smoking airline tickets, I always booked non smoking, because the smoke was so thick it gagged you. I can certainly go a few hours without a cigarette, but when I choose to have one, I expect there to be lounges where I can drink AND smoke.

 

[jtutak]

This is awful all the smokers from RCI & Celebrity are going to stink up Princess. Oh well at least they are a dying breed.

 

[Conniemc]

[size=medium]Until the next thing you find offensive. Have a nice day and you might want to pick up a book at the library on manners....just a thought![/size]

 

[jtutak]

[quote Conniemc][size=medium]Until the next thing you find offensive. Have a nice day and you might want to pick up a book at the library on manners....just a thought![/size][/quote]Excuse me!!
I was not talking about you, only smokers in general and I see no reason for personal attacks on this board.

 

[Conniemc]

Referring to smokers as "dying" people, makes it personal. Again, have A NICE DAY....(what that a personal attack?)
=huh

 

[rbrighin]

[quote jtutak]This is awful all the smokers from RCI & Celebrity are going to stink up Princess. Oh well at least they are a dying breed.[/quote]

Pardon me for asking, jtutak, but you don't consider this comment a personal attack???

 

[jtutak]

[quote rbrighin][quote jtutak]This is awful all the smokers from RCI & Celebrity are going to stink up Princess. Oh well at least they are a dying breed.[/quote]

Pardon me for asking, jtutak, but you don't consider this comment a personal attack???[/quote]
NO
Personal???? on Who????
If someone on this board thinks this post was aimed at them I apologize. It was a general statement (many less smokers today than 20 30 30 or 50 years ago) and it was not aimed at any particular poster. Maybe a poor choice of words I agree.

 

[mlzangel78]

Taken directly from RCCL website, as I was almost ready to cry about this no smoking thing: YOU CAN STILL SMOKE on your balcony.. i have never smoked in my cabin just as i dont smoke in my own home.. oddly enough that smell to me is gross....And further down is Celebrities... grrrrrr thats a bunch of crap, no offense to you non smokers, as my fiance has quit and is a non smoker... but if im paying for a balcony cabin... i want to be able to smoke and have my coffee on it!!!.. oddly if you can still smoke on the starboard side of the ship.. why not make the balconies smoking balconies on that side... that would make more sense than cutting it out completely




"New Smoking Policy Onboard Royal Caribbean Ships Mirrors Growing Trend Towards Smoke-Free Environment
Vitality Wellness Program Continues To Bring a Breath of Fresh Air Fleetwide

MIAMI, July 23, 2007 - In time to help guests set their New Year's resolutions for a healthier lifestyle, Royal Caribbean International announces a new smoking policy onboard its ships, effective January 2008. To bolster the cruise line's new Vitality wellness program, recently debuted on Liberty of the Seas - the newest vessel to share the title of the world's largest cruise ship with sister-ship, Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean is increasing smoke-free zones by designating all staterooms and one lounge on each ship in its fleet as non-smoking areas. The new policy will go into effect aboard 18 of the line's 21 ships initially, with Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas following suit with the 2008 summer season.

"Feedback from our guests was a driving force behind the new Vitality program and our focus on wellness," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Results from online polls as well as input from all of our international offices worldwide, show very strong support of the new smoking policy. These changes reflect a more contemporary approach to healthier lifestyles and will significantly improve the cruise vacation experience for our guests."

Currently, smoking is prohibited in guest hallways and corridors, restaurants, entertainment venues and most of the ship's interior public spaces except for designated areas in bars and lounges. The new policy will add all guest staterooms and suites, and one bar or lounge on every Royal Caribbean ship onto the roster of smoke-free spaces. Guests wishing to smoke may still do so from starboard outer decks, in designated areas in bars and lounges, and on stateroom and suite balconies. Ashtrays are available in designated smoking areas or by request through stateroom attendants. Violations of the smoking policy will result in cleaning charges to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through the line's Guest Conduct Policy, details of which are available both online and in all staterooms.


Royal Caribbean's Vitality wellness program was designed to encourage and introduce ways for guests to achieve a better balance in their lives. The program presents healthier lifestyle choices across every aspect of the cruise experience, including fitness classes and spa treatments, onboard and land-based activities, shore excursions, and healthful drinks and food selections. Guests have the choice to try one or two elements or enjoy the total Vitality wellness experience to begin a more balanced approach to healthier living.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand through its cruisetour division. "


CELEBRITY:

What is your onboard smoking policy?
Subject: Ship and Stateroom Details

Effective October 1, 2008 for all Celebrity ships, smoking will no longer be permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom veranda. Cigarette smoking will only be permitted in designated indoor and outdoor areas of the ship, while cigar and pipe smoking will only be permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking will not be permitted in any dining venue, theater, hallway, elevator or corridor. Violations to this smoking policy will result in a $250 cleaning fee being charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through Celebrity Cruises' Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

Until October 1, 2008, the following policy still applies:

Cigarette Smoking is permitted:• In staterooms and on verandas
• In designated areas on the port (left) side of most public areas (Lounges, Bars, Decks)

Smoking is not permitted:• In the Celebrity Theater
• In the Cinema
• In the Conference Center
• In the Dining Room
• In the Elevators
• On the starboard (right) side of the ship, either indoors or outdoors

Pipe and Cigar Smoking:
• Pipe and cigar smoking is only allowed in specifically designated areas on outer decks of the vessel
• Please check with the Guest Relations Desk for these specific venues
• Please note that at no time is cigar and pipe smoking permitted in staterooms/suites or on their verandas

 

[Conniemc]

Yeah, we've all cancelled Celebrity forever. I think they'll regret the "ban".....but time will tell. I just resent they didn't informed booked passengers and lied about it when asked. All the sudden, a press release comes out, and we're like HUH?? and we all cancelled.

Hate to tell you - but DO NOT COUNT ON RCCL remaining smoker friendly. As the parent company of Celebrity, and since Celebrity pulled this out of nowhere, it is my understanding RCCL will follow suit in early 2009. Stay tuned....for me, I booked Princess.

 

[mlzangel78]

Is Carnival or NCL implementing this???... i think its absurd... listen... my fiance quit smoking and he hates it that i smoke, but he tolerates it.. i dont smoke in the house.. i actually have never smoked in the cabin always on my balcony... like i said im my prev post,, make one side of the ship smoking and the other side non... im irritated... thats like people complaining about drunks.. last time i checked alchohol wasnt HEALTHY for you either but the ships still SERVE it... is that the next thing to get taken off the ships????

 

[rdlouhy]

Melissa,
The non smokers will not be happy until the entire world is a no smoking section.Then they will tackle booze.

 

[serene56]

Awesome picture Melissa:

Carnival tried a non smoking ship before-- it lost tons of money.

Cant make one side smoking and one side non smoking-- it means a room may be unsold.
This way if all rooms are smoking--- then all rooms can be booked.

 

[Conniemc]

If you check the Celebrity Board, you'll find they seem to love the ban. Smoking is pretty much unheard of in Canada, and they get a lot of Canadians. I agree it's absurb to legislate personal behavior. Except for people who are TRULY allergic to smoke (90% who claim they are, are full of it), and smokers are considerate (as we mostly are) we should all be able to cruise in harmony. Like you said, next it will be no perfume on board (allergies of course), no booze as it promotes alcholism, etc. Actually, they already did that. No officer may drink whether on or OFF DUTY during his or her contract on the ship. NOTHING. That is why you never see them in the lounges and discos anymore. That ban went into effect a couple years ago. I think it's ridiculous that an officer can't have a glass of wine at dinner or while off duty.

You all have to understand these changes are because cruising itself has changed. It is now a huge conglomerate and they run it like a Wall Street Company, it's all about liability and marketing- they've lost of "magic" of cruising along the way.
=twocents

 

[Beryl]

Smoking is pretty much unheard of in Canada,

:=huh:=huh This is sure news to me! I think it a sweeping and inaccurate statement!!! Most places in Canada have strict rules on where you can smoke....not on whether you can smoke....and our government just loves the taxes they collect on cigarette sales!!!! Believe me when I say that there are still a lot of smokers in Canada.

Thankfully there are fewer smokers today than there were in the past. Smoking used to be considered "sexy", "fashionable", "relaxing" and a host of other pleasant adjectives. Fortunately we have come to realize that it is none of these things. It is a health hazard. While I do not believe in legislating peoples lives and while I think it appropriate that ships, hotels and businesses make accommodation for smokers I also believe that the interests of the majority are always going to take precedence over the minority. If there is a lounge set aside for smokers that is great. If there a portion of open deck space made available to smokers I have no problem with that. If there is a chain smoker on the balcony next to me I admit I will likey whine! After all, I paid to be able to use my balcony too. I wish all cruiselines would forbid smoking in cabins as well as on balconies and make reasonable accommodation for smokers. You have your wish list...I have mine :grin

 

[Conniemc]

Yes Beryl, we are stating the same thing in different ways. Canada has restricted smoking to the point that you feel like a pariha for lighting up. That's what I meant.

Just to make a point respectfully, if "majority rules", then why are there minority laws protecting minority rights in the US? Why do minorities get preferences over non-minorities? Just a thought...

Along the same lines, if "majority rules" and 64% of Americans are overweight, can we force skinny people to stay off cruise ships? You see how silly this all gets...

A "smoking lounge" is highly undesirable for most smokers. Ships are HUGE, as are airports. Airports that have "smoking lounges" are so disgusting, only a highly addicted smoker would enter them. Not to mention the enormous inconvenience of having to "find" a legal place to smoke when you are trying to enjoy your evening with friends and family.

Again, I believe most smokers ARE considerate and if someone were "chain smoking" next to you on the balcony, and you were in port, where the wind wasn't immediately blowing it away, I'm sure they would react favorably if you simply asked them to "give you a half hour break" or smoke inside for awhile. I think most people try to get along and are reasonable with being obnoxious about their desires.

 

[Beryl]

You know Connie, I think when you light up a cigarette in a place where there are very few smokers you are considered a pariah. You might not like it but currently smoking is considered to be socially unacceptable. And I am going to point out that even though you might be very careful of where and when you smoke, and I know that you are, a smoker's hair and clothing still reek of cigarette smoke and that smell is very offensive to quite a lot of people. These days smoking is just as unacceptable as people who are not careful in their personal hygiene and have BO, or crude people who have foul mouths, or people who are rude and pushy to older or disabled folks. It might not be nice, it might not be fair, it might not be polite when noses wrinkle......but that is just the way it is!

Why should I have to put up with just a half hour break on my balcony if I happen to be downwind from a chain smoker who is constantly smoking on their balcony??? And, yes, that smoke does enter my balcony if I am downwind from smokers!! You know, a couple of week ago a friend's mother rang my doorbell. She had been sitting on my front step smoking (the door was closed and she was waiting for her daughter to be finished a meeting with us and she was smoking in the great outdoors. She is polite and she would never smoke in my home but she is a chain smoker and she reeks.) She still had a lit cigarette in her hand. The stench of smoke was overpowering and even when she had left I could smell the smoke lingering in my home and yes, I could smell it on my clothes too. I had to air out my house and launder my shirt and slacks. This is a polite woman who would be horrified if she knew that had happened. I really don't think smokers, polite as they might be, have any idea how offensive the smell of their smoke is to non smokers.

You say that you find the "smoking lounges" disgusting! I want you to know that most non smokers find being in the presence of any smoke at all to be disgusting. They live in smoke free homes, drive in smoke free cars, work in smoke free offices, and eat in smoke free restaurants. To them, a little smoke is quite as disgusting as that "smoky lounge" is to you.

I re-iterate.....I believe that accommodation should be made for smokers on cruise ships....and I believe it is. As long as smoking is permitted on balconies I shall be polite to my smoking neighbour and expect the same in return. And, while you may not find as much space as you would like to be made available for your habit, it is still there!! I am sad to say that you might even find this limited space becoming smaller and smaller as more and more people decide to "quit". It really might not be so very long after all until you have to look for another type of vacation...and that would indeed be sad....and it will be difficult too because as you point out there are not a lot of places where cigarette smoking is acceptable any more.

 

[Conniemc]

Out of curiousity, are you an ex-smoker? Surely you were around in the 60's and 70's. How did you handle the fact that smoking was "socially acceptable" then? I'm genuinely curious.

 

[Beryl]

No, I don't think your question is nasty and yes Connie, I am an ex smoker......I quit about 30 years ago....and until I did quit I had no idea how awful the smoke actually was! My husband has never had a cigarette in his mouth and I don't know how he put up with it. The only thing I can think is that smoke was so pervasive back then that we were all just "used to it" ! We were "military" and I know that the majority of our crowd smoked cigarettes back then. When my husband was a Squadron Commander at our base we had to attend a New Year's Eve squadron function....that was back in the days before they really limited smoking....I stayed for the dinner portion of the evening and then I had to have him take me home. My eyes were streaming and I just couldn't bear that heavy smoky atmosphere. You could have cut the air with a knife. He went back and endured it!

Please do not put me in the category of ex-smokers that are always badgering people to quit....I don't!! I think if you want to smoke that's your right. I also know that smokers feel discriminated against....however, generally speaking there are accommodations made so that smokers do have a place to smoke and I believe that is all that is necessary. If you want a cigarette badly enough you will step outside to a place where smoking is permitted and have your smoke or you will do without. (I still see some people standing outside here in winter shivering when it is -40. I know that if they were not addicted they wouldn't do that and I do feelsympathy.) I could complain every time I pass a smoking lounge....I don't do that (out loud anyway ). There was one lounge on the Island Princess that we never used because the smoke that drifted out of the smoking room, whatever it was called, was so unpleasant! But, I realize that smokers have rights too so we just didn't frequent that area of the ship. I also think this conversation could go on forever. There will be no winner here. But, and this is somewhat tongue in cheek, if you have a balcony cabin next to mine I might just ask you if you could limit your smoking on your balcony to between the hours of 4-4:30 pm each day!! That way, you will not interfere with me using the balcony I paid for at the times that I want to use it! (And that's my last word!)

 

[Conniemc]

Thank you for your honest reply Beryl. My ex-smoker parents are the same way, yet none of my "never smoked" friends or family have a big issue with it. And don't you worry!! I promise if a next door neighbor passenger ever POLITELY asked me to smoke inside for awhile, I would gladly do it. Give and take. Live and let live. Peace.
couple