Celebrity Cruises has announced that, beginning October 1, 2008, a no-smoking policy goes into effect in staterooms and verandas. Passengers who are caught smoking will find $250 added to their tab, a charge for cleaning the stateroom.
Designated indoor areas where guests can smoke cigarettes include the port side of one lounge per ship and a designated slot machine area in each ship’s casino. The new policy also designates outdoor areas where guests can smoke. These include the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on each ship, the port side of the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Century and on Celebrity’s Millennium class of ships, and the port side aft outside of Winter Garden on Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Mercury. Celebrity’s new Solstice class of ships, launching with Celebrity Solstice late this year, will follow the new policy beginning with the first sailing. Celebrity Solstice’s Lawn Club and the Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking.
The new policy will go into effect on Celebrity’s fleet on the first day of the first sailing to follow October 1:
Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury – October 3 sailings
Celebrity Summit – October 4 sailing
Celebrity Constellation – October 5 sailing
Celebrity Century, Celebrity Millennium – October 6 sailings
Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox – upon ship launch
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For more info and deals on Celebrity Cruises visit www.gillscruise.com
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09 April
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ShipCritic Blog is a labor of love by Anne Campbell, a journalist who has been covering the cruise industry since 1993. Why a blog? This newfangled technology is the best way of interacting with cruisers, both first timers and veterans, who also share a passion for seeing the world by ship.
62 Comments Celebrity Cruises Bans Smoking In Cabins & Verandas
Dochawk
April 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
1Too bad no one will enforce this. I was on a New Years cruise on the Infinity and there were large numbers of smokers who smoked virtually everywhere. The smoke in the casino could have been cut with a knife. Security personal didn’t attempt to enforce the rules they had (nor about where children were allowed either).
Anne Campbell
April 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
2People think they can get away with smoking. Oceania Cruises kicks people off the ship at the first port if they find anyone smoking outside the tiny area allocated on deck.
If they really charge people $250 I believe that might stop smoking. But any program has to be inforced for it to work.
Harry Martin
April 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
3Scratch Celebrity off my list of cruiselines. No smoking even on balconies! RCCL was bad enough inside the cabins, but this cruiser will never step foot on Celebrity from here on. (And I had already put RCCL on my “pick another” cruiseline.) Didn’t the cruiselines learn *anything* from the Carnival Paradise??
Anne Campbell
April 11th, 2008 at 6:36 am
4Frankly I was very surprised. The problem with smoking bans for cruise lines that it becomes very difficult to attract groups, which make up a huge part of the business. I will be surprised if it lasts.
smokinbruce
April 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
5WELL WELL, I believe that the cruise lines do not know that you go out for dinner for a short time. You are on a cruise day and night for severial days and nights. There is a BIG differance than going out for cocktails or out to eat, or sailing around the clock. You can not step outside for a smoke unless you can tread water very fast! As for Caranival’s Ship with no smoking they did not fill that ship, nor could they book large groups because of the no smoking policy. If they did why would they stop the ship They would have cornered the market for no-smokers.There would have been a money maker!!!!!!. Booze is a health risk, liver, problems heart problems to name a few. Let us not forget the roudy Drunks, pucking everwhere, fighting, loudness and Oh my God in front of the Kids. On my last cruise they kicked a man off the ship for drunkness causing a problem in the Gambling hall and dancing dirty on the Lido Deck. Which brings us to Gambling, which, is also a problem people lose thier homes and all they have so should we band that also, I mean the kids see adults at the tables my my.So if you have a drinking or Gambling problem we should ban that next. The Ships leave port earlier and earlier so you SPEND more time and money on them, Now we can not smoke!! What about FAT People like me no more Buffetts because it is un-healthu to eat to much and who dose not gain a few pounds on a cruise? WHEN SMOKING be comes illegal that will be differant untill then people will smoke and have a right to.
K.C.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
6I don’t understand all the fuss.
They are not banning smoking altogether just limited some places where people can smoke
It gives non-smokers a place to enjoy the ship also
smokinbruce
April 12th, 2008 at 10:24 am
7I was on the Crown Princess in Jan. I was smoking a cigar on the Lido deck in the smoking area (I checked with the 1800Princess before I booked and they said I could smoke a cigar there) three days and 1/2 on the cruise, a non smoker complained about me smoking a cigar. I was told to put it out and the Pass. service Rep. had a talk with me DOWN STAIRS in his office and told me I could not smoke cigars on the Lido Deck. Showed it to me in thier smoking policy. I was some upset as I was on a 14 day cruise.I spent most of the time in a cigar bar the rest of the cruise. I will NEVER cruise Princess again. I spent a lot of money to go on a 14 day cruise, Plane flight to PR. to get on a the cruise and a 3 day stay in PR. just to be told sorry this was there policy. So the do inforce it . I seen other cigar smokers on deck but I did not dare smoke. The complainer got off the ship in 3/1 days later I was still stuck in my cigar lounge for another 7 days if i wanted to sit in a cigar lounge I could have stayed home and save a bunch of cash.
Anne Campbell
April 12th, 2008 at 10:33 am
8Just asking once would have been sufficient…..but to haul you into an office like that is out of bounds!
smokinbruce
April 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
9The reason for the fuss is we pay good money for our cruises and we are enjoying a legal product not doing Coke or Grass etc. and as it has been going we are slowly being attacked every were if we do not speak out we will soon be without any where to smoke. Every smoker should be calling the cruise lines and give them what for , before it is to late. If we start canceling cruises then this will stop. But as always people will not, untill it is to late.
K.C.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
10smokinbruce
I guess the same could be said by non smokers,
we also pay good money for our cruises so why do we have to breathe in your smoke
As I said before they are not banning smoking just reducing the areas where you can smoke.
Here in Canada you cannot smoke in public buildings, bars, restaurants etc……smokers are still surviving
Harry Martin
April 12th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
11What I see as the problem with the new policy is not only can you not smoke in your cabin, but also on your own balcony. RCCL only bans in cabins (which I still don’t agree with) but adding balconies to the mix? What they are going to find, like when the Carnival Paradise was non-smoking, is that smokers by and large drink more and gamble more.
smokinbruce
April 12th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
12Well KC you might 24 hours in bars and public buildings and Rest. most do not, but sea days you do. When in port you are off the ship for around 8 hrs that gives you about 16 hours on board. In AC the where they have been losing big money because you can not somke and gamble where you use to. Yes in the next state you can smoke they are showing big profits! I wounder why? smoking maybe? If people do not like smokers move else where is an option we do no longer have that option we are stuck in a corner somewhere like on the Crown Princess no-smokers have most of the rest of the ship
K.C.
April 12th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
13“If people do not like smokers move else where is an option we do no longer have that option we are stuck in a corner somewhere like on the Crown Princess no-smokers have most of the rest of the ship”
I guess if smokers don’t like the policies they can spend their money elsewhere.
smokinbruce
April 13th, 2008 at 6:03 am
14Just to make sure n#13 was written by smokinbruce and not KC i sent it out to KC as a responce somehow to looks like KC wrote it. Sorry KC
K.C.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:24 am
15I quoted you smokinbruce
but in case it was confusing I will post my response again
I guess if smokers don’t like the policies they can spend their money elsewhere.
Celeb is only banning smoking from parts of the ship so you can still smoke on the other part but if smokers want the whole ship to smoke on then maybe choose Costa or MSC.
Enjoy your cruise whatever line you choose
Anne Campbell
April 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am
16Bruce…..I know two other people who won’t be taking Celebrity any longer. I would bet this policy won’t hold up very long…..
smokinbruce
April 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am
17I would like to think Anne you are right. I still believe that smokers need to let all the cruise lines know that enough is enough, or it will keep going
Flotsam
January 5th, 2009 at 1:23 am
18Or maybe, you smokers might just wise up and quit smoking! That probably won’t happen though; because most of you are weak and obviously inconsiderate souls. Its all about YOU, eh?
Before you try to rip me a new one, dear smokers, please understand that I too was a stupid, inconsiderate smoking jerk; who only cared about satisfying my disgusting, addictive behavior. For decades I habitually smoked cigs, pipes and cigars.
Then, out of the blue, I realized just what a jerk I was; exposing my family, fellow workers and even complete strangers to my nasty, filthy habit. Then and there, I simply quit–just like that. That was in 1979, and I have never smoked since.
You can do it too, if you have the guts to change your anti-social behavior. Then there will be no need for this sort of diatribe.
But then, you ARE addicted, and so very proud of it!
Tom
March 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am
19I have read many posts on various sites that basically are comments by people who are totally against smoking and on the other side of the coin by people who are really hard core smokers.
The truth is that both sides need to accept that people are different and live with it. I am a smoker and I admit that I have noticed over the years a great amount of change in the attitude of not only the cruise lines but also of people in general. I have to date been on 54 cruises and I intend to go on many more. The ruling by several lines to ban smoking in the cabins with a stiff penalty of 250 dollars to clean it is in my opinion sort of hilarious. I do not think they send security around to each cabin daily to check up on people and in the remote possibility that the cabin steward does say something to an official only means that a charge of 250 dollars will be added to your sign and sail card. Just refuse the charges to your credit card company and leave the burdon of proof that you smoked in your room up to the cruise line. They already cleaned up the evidence and they will drop it in order to get paid for the other things you bought on the ship.
These penalties advertised by the cruise lines are mainly for Public Relations to make all the smoke Nazis happy that their voices have been heard and to let them believe they have some shallow victory to claim.
I do believe that smoking elsewhere on the ship and blatently showing disregard for other people is wrong if you are in a public area designated non smoking. After all, they are supposed to thoroughly clean the rooms anyway and if the drawback is that of only the odor of smoke exists in a stateroom, keep in mind, it is not yet proven that the smell of smoke redsidue is dangerous and to date they have only tried to specify the actual smoke as being harmful. I can only wonder if in the future if they will ban flatulation or perhaps crying babies since some of you are indicating that the smoke residue is distracting or an imposition. Many find the smell of flatulation to be the same and the sound of crying babies to be a distraction.
While I admit that I have had a bit of fun with this post, I also hope that both sides of the issue can lighten up a little and try to enjoy your vacations instead of making it a point to find things wrong with it. No vacation is perfect and no person is perfect.
Anne Campbell
March 10th, 2009 at 10:33 am
20Two decades ago when I was a smoker people didn’t react to smoking as strongly as they do today. I was surprised when RCI and Celebrity enacted these restrictions, which come with a hefty penalty. However, I don’t think someone smoking on their balcony will get caught.
Tom
March 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
21People have reacted to smoking more vigorously because it is the current buzz word and the non-smokers are now a majority so they speak louder. They have heard so much about how bad smoking is that they have let their minds dictate to them that it is supposed to bother them so as a result, it does bother them.
The new rules and prohibited smoking areas that have become the way of the world have only made things worse. In the past, I truly believe that most smokers were very courteous and tried to refrain from their smoke bothering others. I fully admit that if I am now in one of the few places left to smoke that I do not have any sympathy if my smoke bothers someone. Prior to having restricted areas, the intensity of any smoke residue was spread over a much larger area and was not as dominant.
Smoking bans remind me of segregation in the south when blacks were sent to the back of the bus. At least they were allowed to be on the bus.
Charlene
April 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
22I think all the smokers are missing the main point, smoking is detrimental to everyone’s health, period. It doesn’t matter that it stinks, or is irritating to eyes, nose, or throat.
On the ship alcohol and evereating only hurts the person that does it not everyone around them.
Tom
April 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
23Actually, I believe Charlene is missing the point on what the problem is. They are banning smoking in the cabins where the smoke will long disapate before it ever reaches another living soul. For reference, smoke rises because it is lighter than air. from some of the posts that have appeared it seems that people believe it stays at the same level it was exhaled One of the main things they claim smoke contains which is detrimental is carbon monoxide. If it did not disipate, we would all be dead from automobiles on the street. The funny side of all of this is that the same people who complain about the fumes are the same people who will sit in a drive thru to buy a cholestral burger and smell the exhaust from the car ahead of them because they dont want to walk inside.
Charlene
April 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
24Wow do we have a case of deniel here. There are many other things in cigarettes that are a health hazard than just CO. The guy in the drive up is only hurting himself, not others. The person smoking harms everyone around them. You are comparing apples and oranges
T-Mac
May 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
25I am happy not to have non smokers bothered by my cigar smoke in public areas and will always gladly move to an area where it does not bother others. On the other hand, I resent not being able to smoke on my private balcony. Am leaving for a cruise in a few weeks and will see how much it is enforced. Frankly, I am okay with paying the $250 if it allows me to sit on my private balcony and have a stogie along with a cocktail. Tolerance and common sense seem to be seriously lacking in far too many policies and opinions.
Tom
May 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
26I seem to have missed the last post by Charlene who claims I am in denial. I would request that she re-read the post she commented on and realize that I said Carbon Monoxide was “ONE” of the things contained in cigarette smoke. I dont believe it is the only thing in cigarette smoke so am not sure why I have been pinned with the denial title. Another point which seems to have been missed is that the blog contained here has to do with banning of smoking in cabins and balconies. As far as hurting everyone around it would only apply if everyone was in my cabin. I have not in any way declared that smoking was healthy and over the years I have been put into less areas that I am permitted to smoke. I live with what happens but I do know that I will not be going on any ship that denies me the right to smoke in the privacy of my cabin.
Commenting on what T-Mac said, “Go for it” and when they add it to your credit card bill, deny the charge and make them prove you smoked in the room. They will drop the 250 in order to get the rest of your onboard charges.
Scott Carlson
May 29th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
27Hmmm, was just going to book a Celebrity 3 day cruise R/T Seattle since I live here.
Now that I see their policy, not a chance. I won’t go on Royal Caribbean either as they have similar new policies. I’ll spend my money on Carnival or Princess with “fair” policies. (No smoking on balconies! Crazy) I’ve never had any problems before and always respected the areas of the ship designated non smoking. But when non smokers complain when you are in a smoking area? That’s not fair to those of us who smoke. As for the casino, you’re drinking, smoking, etc. The last 7 day I was on, the casino was packed with 250+ every night, busy, and open until 3am, but when when they had “no smoking” night in the casino. There never was more than 30 people in there all night and the closed up at 10pm. Or in the night clubs, all the seats are taken on the “smoking side” of the club until it starts pouring over into the empty non smoking side because there is no room left. Money is what counts, so when shopping for a cruise, be sure to take a few moments to find the customer relations address to email Celebrity or any line which does this and inform them you’ll be cruising with another line due to their smoking policy, just so they understand why they have less bookings following the new policy. No reason to complain on a board, just let the lines know. Just as was said, if non smoking cruising was the wave of the future, then how come the non smoking carnival ship lasted less than a year and then went back to smoking permitted so it could make money again. Non smokers tend to not drink, not gamble, and go to bed early. Which is not condusive to making money in the cruise business.
susan cashion
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
28smokinbruce..you should be called idiot bruce…..drinking is not the same thing..I don’t drink your drink but I do inhale your stinkin’ smoke… hello….health risk!
Peter A Cunningham
June 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
29I USED to be an ardent cruiser. Thirty eight in all and eight on HAL. I just cancelled two future cruises on HAL as it is getting more and more difficult to smoke. I agree with some of the previous posts. The Cruise Lines will figure out a way to equalize this situation. We smokers’ represent a large portion of the population, albeit not a majority. I have already had the President’s office of HAL call and ask why I have cancelled my cruises. I explained and they said they were sorry. We’ll see! Peter
Jerbie
June 28th, 2009 at 7:54 am
30Just returned from a 12 day sailing in which I used my SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarette. The ship was smoke free with the exception of a small corner in the pool area. I was able to use the my SmartSmoker everywhere! The entire ship was amazed and the smokers were busy ordering their own SmartSmokerUSA e-cigarettes at every port stop (Internet Cafes). My husband and I were able to vape in our cabin, etc… What a difference it made for the trip! SmartSmokerUSA was so happy with the business that they have a special discount code for Cruise Ships. Use the discount code howard . I am not sure how long the code will be active. The Cruise Line’s attitude is proof that the e-cigarette is gaining acceptance in spite of the attempts to stifle it!
P.S. I used my e-cigarette during the 8 hour flight home w/o incident. Nobody seemed to notice.
T-Mac
June 29th, 2009 at 9:13 am
31A follow-up to my original post re: Celebrity Millennium. It was not as bad as I had expected. The open deck and bar at the rear of the ship on deck 10 was 1/2 smoking (the port side of the ship). The port side of the ship on the open pool deck (also deck 10) was also smoking. I heard that part of the late night club (indoors) also allowed smoking, but not pipes or cigars.
Most of our balcony (Royal Suite) was exposed so we were reluctant to flaunt it openly. My wife occasionally found a spot near our Jacuzzi that was out of sight, but she was selective about it. I twice cheated with a cigar. The first time was after 2:00 a.m. when no one else was on their balcony. The last time was late night on the last night at sea when they could not kick me off the ship even if I was caught.
Because this was an Alaskan cruise and it got dark very late (sunset at 10:30, real dark not until after midnight), it was more difficult to try to just do it discreetly on the balcony.
I would probably sail a limited smoking Alaskan cruise again because the outside temperature limits how much time you want to be out in it either on your balcony or elsewhere on the ship (layered clothing, heavy coats, and blankets were common at night), but I will definitely not do so on a warm weather cruise when I want to spend substantial time on my balcony.
I am skipping a 100+ person group cruise on the Celebrity Solstice to the eastern Caribbean in January 2010 for just this reason. I am not going to spend $10K plus and not be able to enjoy myself in the way I want to.
john patterson
July 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am
32i have had four cruises with celebrity in the last three years because of the severe restrictions on smoking area i will be cruising in future with royal caribbean
Ann
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
33One person smoking spoils the air for everyone else. Our last cruise didn’t even have a non-smokers night in the casino. The Deck smelled gross from one end to the other. Funny thing – they had a fundraising run for cancer! When will you guys learn? Countries are banning smoking in public places now, why not completely non-smoking cruise ships. Are the cruise ships owned by Philip Morris like all the food companies now.
Peter A Cunningham
August 4th, 2009 at 5:56 am
34Hey Ann
get over yourself.
I don’t smoke, but I don’t see how the people who do (they have rights too) affect you. Just stay off the ships or smoking areas if it’s so offensive.
Scott Carlson
August 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
35Ya, every cruise I’ve been on that has a “non smoking night” in the Casino, it has about 20 people in it and they close up at 10pm. All the other nights it was full and open until 3am. Even in Casinos in Vegas have non smoking areas to gamble in now, and they are usually half empty when the smoking area is packed.
I’ll vote with my money. I don’t mind “sharing the air”, already many places are non smoking on ships, the dining rooms are non smoking. No problems with that and I respect the non smoking areas. But people should be able to smoke in their staterooms, and designated areas which are at least half the ship space. And a cruise line should be smart enough to designate the areas such as the nightclubs and casino as smoking areas. If they don’t, then I cruise on another line.
As everyone recalls, Carnival tried the “non smoking” ship and 8 months later they cancelled the idea because they couldn’t sell the ship. Smokers are the ones who stay in the casino until 3am and spend (lose) a bunch of money, and stay out until the wee hours buying alcohol.
To the cruise lines I say go ahead and have a non smoking ship. If it has enough bookings to keep it going, and leave it that way if it does well, and expand if it sells. But so far, no one has been able to as far as I know.
Bill S
October 5th, 2009 at 5:37 am
36I love non smoking boats like the Paradise used to be! Pity Carnival changed it.
They have to ban smoking because there is always one or two dumbasses that throw their lit butts overboard, the wind blows it back against the ship and it’s Russian roulette to whether it lands on something flammable.
Some people leave their balcony doors open and shut off the AC. One butt, one curtain or carpet and poof….
Do you think for one second they want some dumbass burning up their multi-million dollar ship? The only reason we have laws in the first place is that Humans are too freaking stupid to do the “right” thing to begin with!
I was in the US Navy for 6 years…. Fires on a ship are the last thing in the world that you want to have to deal with on a ship, TRUST ME!!! Fires on a cruise ship at sea, with several thousand people including children, handicapped people would be far worse!
If everyone would just stop smoking, the world would be a far better, healthier place! Getting off my soapbox now…
Bill S
October 5th, 2009 at 5:41 am
37I love non smoking boats like the Paradise used to be! Pity Carnival changed it.
They have to ban smoking because there is always one or two dum-dumbs that throw their lit butts overboard, the wind blows it back against the ship and it’s Russian roulette to whether it lands on something flammable.
Some people leave their balcony doors open and shut off the AC. One butt, one curtain or carpet and poof….
Do you think for one second they want some dumb-dumb burning up their multi-million dollar ship? The only reason we have laws in the first place is that Humans are too freaking stupid to do the “right” thing to begin with!
I was in the US Navy for 6 years…. Fires on a ship are the last thing in the world that you want to have to deal with on a ship, TRUST ME!!! Fires on a cruise ship at sea, with several thousand people including children, handicapped people would be far worse!
If everyone would just stop smoking, the world would be a far better, healthier place! Getting off my soapbox now…
Janet R
November 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am
38I am a moderate smoker, and would never dream of smoking in dining rooms, theatres etc. I get along on a 10 hour plane trip with my nicotine inhaler very little used! Have just cruised again with Celebrity, the outdoor smoking areas are ample. There is one bar area at the top of the ship (indoors) where a small area is set aside for smoking. Things here dont get going until too late at night for us! While I can understand smoking not being allowed in staterooms, I do object to not being able to smoke on the balcony I paid good money for. The guy in the stateroom next door smoked occassionally on his balcony, and I know someone who sat in the bathroom with all water running! We always carry a covered ashtray, even when smoking was allowed on balconies. It is fair to say that my choice of next cruise line will depend on smoking policies, trouble being that the smoking police will influence them after having made a reservation. At least this trip I did,nt lose money in the casino!
Shar
January 13th, 2010 at 7:02 am
39I had 10 cruises with Celebrity! I had booked a future cruise and later found out about their non- smoking policy. I called and told them this was not the policy when I booked and they refunded my money! Now I am loyal to Princess! I refuse to go on a ship that I can’t sit on a balcony and have a cigarette without the worry of a smoking Natzi catching me. If they change their policy, then I move on! I respect the rights of non- smokers and therefore do not smoke when around them. Wonder how many smokers have fallen off ships? However, they sure push the booze on you.
Steven
January 19th, 2010 at 9:49 am
40Yes, well loud unruly children ruin cruises as well. And aside from going on the most elite and expensive ones, they’re everywhere.
Sometimes I wish the water slide went straight into the ocean with some of these demon spawn!
My dad always put it right about smoking
You can stand in a garage with 20 smokers for an hour and come out alive, try that with one car.
Stop this nanny bit and give smokers some room to do their thing.
Like I said, I can’t stand cheap perfume or loud terrible kids that are out of control (I blame the parents of course). But you don’t see any bans for these vacation killers.
You think I like watching 500 pound men lumber to the buffet a 32nd time?
Steven
January 19th, 2010 at 9:53 am
41Shar – Yes they don’t mind pushing the booze on you, and everyone knows you have to monitor them like hawks…as they’ll grab top shelf booze if you don’t specify.
I honestly don’t mind smoking outside since it’s warm anyways, it’s more comfortable by a long shot!
But yes, balcony bans are silly. I would never imagine smoking while my neighbors were on their balcony eating or snoozing, but if they weren’t I would light up.
Too many rules for people claiming health concerns, then lining up for their 70th burger of the week, and 400th gin and tonic.
Elle
March 20th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
42We love the non-smoking policy as we don’t smoke. We always book a balcony so we can have fresh air in our cabin. I don’t think smokers realize that smoke does travel into other non-smoker’s balconies and rooms. Maybe they will ban smoking on the cruise ship completely. We don’t want to breath second hand smoke so we can get cancer. I will book a cruise with a cruise line that has non-smoking policies. In 2004, approximately 20.9% of U.S. adults were current smokers. It makes more business sense for a cruise ship to cater to 79.1% of the population (non-smokers) than the smokers.
Maggie
April 1st, 2010 at 10:19 pm
43I’ve never smoked but am married to a considerate smoker…he never smokes indoors anywhere! We loved to cruise with Celebrity and always paid for a balcony so he could smoke at any time without having to find a smoking area late at night before retiring for the night. At sea days he was happy on the balcony with his book and the knowledge that he didn’t have to go anywhere when he wanted a cigarette. We now cruise with RCL where you can still smoke on the balcony…where will this stop? Will the day come when we have to stop cruising altogether?(yes that is what it would come down to) Much as I wish he would quit, most of us also know that we all breathe in many other pollutants that aren’t getting the same press as smoking…I won’t go there. I just hope that we will find a ship that still allows balcony smoking when we go on our dream cruise for a month plus!
Charlene
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 am
44A considerate smoker woulld only smoke where it would not bother any one, which would include not smoking on a balcony. That’s why we are moving from RCL to Celebrity because you can’t smoke on balconies. Last cruise we paid a premium for a balcony only to have a smoker next door so we couldn’t use it. Also because ther are so many other pollutants in the air is all the more reason I don’t want to deal with the added pollution of cigarette smoke.
Tom
April 3rd, 2010 at 12:43 pm
45Since my last 3 attempts at posting a comment have been unsuccessful, it is obvious that the person controlling this sight does not want opinions differeing from them to appear.
Tom
April 3rd, 2010 at 12:45 pm
46The last one went thru so I will try this one again.
================================
Each time I come to this sight to read the updates on people who say some fairly ridiculous things. I figure I may as well thow in my 2 cents worth as well.
Back in the old days of cruising it used to be permitted to smoke just about anywhere on the ship. In this day and age however every cruise line has a smoking policy that limits where you can smoke. The smokers adjust to this and then people complain again which has the cruise lines again adjusting their policies.
Carnival went so far as to build a ship that they claim was constructed by non smoking workers. This ship was a real hit with the non-smoking public but the demise of the paradise was a result of the lack of ability to book large groups because in every crowd, you will find some smokers. Carnival had to abandon the attempt to continue it being a non smoking ship.
While no doubt the rights of non smokers needs to be addressed, it is only right that the smokers have some rights as well. I find it appalling that non smokers seem to feel that they are the only ones with rights. If you honestly believe that a whif of cigarette smoke from time to time on a 7 or 9 day cruise is going to infest your body with cancer, you have gone off the deep end in my opinion. If you feel there are other contaminates in the air and you avoid smoke because you think it is the worst one, I would suggest that quit going thru the drive thru at the bank, fast foods, or prescription drug store. It may be a good idea if you always stop at lights at least 25 feet behind the car in front of you. Hopefully you have already quit grilling in the summer months and you should never go to bonfires or mow your lawn.
With Celebrity being probobly the most restrictive line in regard to smoking, I also find that it is interesting that they have been plagued with mass outbreaks of disease lately.
I have been on 57 cruises and I abide by the smoking policy of the ship that I am on. I have to admit however that I am non sympathetic to the person who walks into a smoking area and then feels their rights have been violated.
For those that wish to insist that smoking be banned on the balconies, I reccomend you go on ships with that ban. A comment was made previously that since only 20.9% of the people smoke, that the cruise lines should disregard those people and only cater to the non smokers. They of course have a right to their opinion no matter how moronic I think it is. I suspect that they would lose less passengers if they catered to the non complainers about the smoking policies
Charlene
April 4th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
47How about it just plain stinks and if I can’t use my balcony because someone is stinking it up how fair is that. What if I went on my bacony and just sat there screaming or making any loud noise. This is the same thing. Doing something awful without consideration of another person.
Anne Campbell
April 8th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
48This is a test….
Tom
April 8th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
49It does seem that Charlene has now changed it from a health problem to that of being an annoyance. With that being the problem, I can obviously think of annoyances in everyday life. How about the women on Ship Formal night that think it is important to wear a full quart of perfume. How about at the pool where women who should not wear a thong do it anyway. How about the ones who save seats at the show.
I actually believe that if you sat on your balcony screaming the whole day that it would not really matter to me because I think there are rules against it and the cruise line would solve my problem. To break a rule because you can not change one that has no connection to it would perhaps prove my thought that some non smokers have gone off the deep end.
The bottom line to all of this is really just common sense. There will always be things that are an annoyance, or that we do not approve of for one reason or another. This is a big world and this world does not exist simply for the pleasure of any individual. The secret to making it thru all of these traumatic things that bother us is to ignore them rather than be hyper and believe all who do not side with you are wrong. I have stated in several posts above that you all have a right to have your own areas. I adhere to the policies of the ship I am on. I think we need to follow the rules even if we do not like them. I have not seen many non smokers agree that we also have the right to smoke in the areas that are allocated to us.
If you are truly upset with a whif of smoke when on your balcony, then you should by all means only go on ships with rules against it. Another option would be to take a room without a balcony. Just keep in mind that it is a very easy process to find out what the rules are before you go and if you do not like them, you do not have to go. If you know the rules before you go, you really have no right to complain about them because you alone are responsible for your discomfort.
Even if ships went to totally non smoking, does that mean that the ports of call would also have to go to being non smoking so you could enjoy wandering the streets ?. Whether you want to believe it or not, smokers are not second class citizens to look down on. We also have rights whether you agree to them or not.
Sharon Militano
April 9th, 2010 at 5:16 am
50After 10 cruises on RC and Celebrity, I cancelled the last one. I understand not smoking in the staterooms but, the balcony? Give me a break. All my crusies are now on Princess! One thing for sure,no one has ever fallen overboard from having a cigarette!
Claudia Zinser
April 20th, 2010 at 12:46 am
51My husband and I sailed on the Voyger of the Seas Transatlantic repositioning cuise in 2006. We had taken dance lessons so we could enjoy the dancing venues on the 14 day cruise. Unfortunately there was not one dancing venue or even the one lounge that was free of smoke. When we walked down the hall ways to our cabin smoke drifted out from the cabins along the way. When we wanted to sit out on our Veranda there was always smoke drifting in. When we wanted to listen to the small string ensemble playing by the big winding staircase the smoke was so thick we had to leave. My husband and I have serious allergies that are made intolerable by any kind of smoke. We have not been on a cruise since the first one. We are booked for an Alaska cruise on Celebrity this May and are hopeful that we might beable to enjoy this cruise with a respite from smoke.
Mr Bill
June 16th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
52Sharon, I think what theya re trying to prevent is shipboard fires. If you smoke on your balcony, there is little risk in that alone. Most people (Me included) have a tendency to flick our butts off the balcony. The wind then carries they away from the ship, not at all, or back towards the ship. It’s the ones that blow back towards the ship that can cause a fire. I have a tendency to leave my balcony door open and have had a lit butt land inside my cabin on the carpet. Luckily I was there and saw it. It is a one in a million shot, but considering the cost of the ship, and the number of people on them, it is a good safety rule, nothing more, nothing less. If it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t have believed the above story, but it happened to me, so I know first hand how dangerous it can be. Remember the Titanic!
Safe Cruising!
Mr. Bill
Charlene
June 16th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
53Too bad
Tom
September 9th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
54I see so much contradiction on this blog. One comment is that only a small percentage smoke, Another one comments that smoke constantly fills the air. One claims that the reason is the risk of fire. Best I can research, there has been in the last 7 or 8 years only one “SUSPECTED” cause of a fire to be from smoking but there have been several other fires on ships. One in particular would be about 5-7 years ago when the laundry room on the ecstacy caught fire. I guess maybe they should quit doing laundry on ships too. Also, electrical fires occur. Maybe they should not have electric on ships.
I realize those comments are extreme but not any more extreme than the extreme over exageration of the clouds of smoke that linger in the air. (especially over non smokers)
Everyone seems to be looking for some rational reason that smoking should be banned when the real reason is that they do not want smokers to have rights. Some may indeed have a medical problem that smoke irritates but lets face it, that is your medical problem and was created through some other problem with your body. I dont think it is fair to blame smokers for your condition. That is sort of like being alergic to chicken and making it law that chickens are illegal.
My suggestion would be that they provide gas masks to all the whiners and then they too could be content on the cruise. The amazing thing is that you complainers still book these cruises knowing how miserable you will be. After all, it is your choice.
It would be my hope that all of the complainers go only on Celebrity Ships and then I won’t bother any of them.
Charlene
September 9th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
55No Tom it’s not just an annoyance. First an foremost it is a health issue. I just tried the annoyance route because the health route didn’t matter to you. Apparently no one but yourself matters to you. You don’t have a right to subject me or anyone to carcinogins. We have learned so much in the past 50 years about preventing cancer and I have a hard time understanding why you or any smoker would continue snoking. I have a lot of sympathy for people who are addicted to it. When you were young it was probably the thing to do. Now your defenss are up because it is too hard to quit. I know I know, you enjoy it. I’m sure just as a drug addict enjoys their high. When I was a baby my parents had to choose to give up smoking or feed 3 little girls. I’m so glad they did because I still have them with me, 80+ years old and probably healthier that any 60 year old. They are glad they did because my parents watched her 2 couples, their closest friends, die from emphysema. I know we all die sometime but why die sonner then you have to, or is life that bad?
I never go to a smoking section and complain I just stay away. What I do complain about is your smoke drifting to the non- smoking section. I realize our fresh are drifts to the smoking section but it won’t contribute to your illness or death.
All the smokers talking about drinking and overeating on the ship are grasping at straws, by comparing apples to oranges, to try to defend themselves. These people are only hurting themselves not you.
I have also changed cruise lines, RCCL to Celebrity, and informed both of them of the change, because Celebrity has stricker rules. I plan on enjoying my balcony on a 14 day Panama Cruise in 2 weeks!
Tom
September 10th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
56Well Charlene, First of all, I am not sure where you got the idea that I do not care about other people. I admit I care more about me just as you care more about yourself.
I do not know how many or how long you have been cruising but if any length of time at all, I can not understand why you ever went on another one since in the past smoking was permitted just about everywhere on the ships.
The main points I keep trying to make is that A. you are not going to get cancer from an occasion whif of smoke. B. Even if there was no smoking on the ship, you would still have to contend with it in the ports of call as you stroll the streets. C. It is a free country and if one does not like the rules, then no one forces them to go on the cruise. D. You are subjected to carsenagenics daily (unless you live in a bubble), in drive thru lines, fireplaces, factory smokestacks and I am sure other things. E. I merely try to point out some of the exagerations expressed in this blog because if it was as bad as some project, they would not even go on a cruise.
You commented that you are going on Celebrity in 2 weeks and I do hope you have a good time. As you stated, the smoke drifts into the non smoking areas and there are smoking areas on all of their ships including sections of the casino and the outside decks. As I understand it, there is even one of the lounges that is smoking. I am however sure that there will be a lower percentage of smoking passengers because of their rules.
The bottom line basically is that you do not approve of the rules of the cruise line. If we smokers adhere to the rules we still get the flack from the non-smokers even though we do not make the rules. As you mentioned, you have made your thoughts known to RCCL & Celebrity and that is the proper route to go. No doubt some voices have been heard and that is why RCCL has severely changed the rules on their Celebrity division. Likewise, they altered the smoking rules on the RCCL ships as well. On the other hand, I have complained to RCCL telling them I would never go on a Celebrity ship since they made the changes. I can still accept the rules on RCCL ships. I abide with the rules of the ship I am on and I just think the rules should be accepted for what they are by everyone.
I will be going on my 60th cruise next month and I will be on RCCL.
Shar Militano
September 11th, 2010 at 6:06 am
57I could care less who smokes, or who doesn’t. It has come down to a matter of rights.Comparing a butt to The Titanic….. come on! The threat of the smoking Nazi’s on Celebrity and RCL charging your sea card $250.00,is enough to keep me off these lines.I have to agree with the person who wrote about screaming kids.I have seen kids even in the adult pools and nothing is said.Sorry, I don’t want to swim in a pool with a kid wearing a diaper.Yea! Princess! They have an adult only section and adhere to it.
Costa Cruceros
November 16th, 2010 at 5:21 am
58Only 20.9% of people may smoke, but in my experience this 20.9% is often the life and soul of a decent party!
Loraine Droy
June 26th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
59My sister and I were going to book a cruise on the equinox Celebrity but when we read the smoking policy rules, it was kind of confusing, we want to go on 9th sep
2011, been on loads of websites trying to find smoking policies for this particular ship, with no luck can someone please find out for me, because I really enjoy a ciggie after dinner and when I have a drink. For all you non
Smokers, you won the war against smoking, leave us in
Peace to smoke outside it is the only choice we have ,
You have another option, so just go inside and leave us alone.
Anne Campbell
June 26th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
60Oh I know, smokers get so hostile to smokers. Actually, last week Princess banned smoking in cabins and veranda’s while Carnival and Holland America cut smoking in cabins but it’s ok to smoke in a private cabin.
NCL is the one cruise line where there are the fewest restrictions.
I remember when you could smoke in New York city movie theaters (last ten rows) and now Bloomberg has cut smoking in Central Park! Enough!
Tom
July 9th, 2011 at 7:40 am
61I also have seen the changing times over the years. I can remember back when it was OK to smoke in any seat on an airplane. I remember when you could smoke in department stores, grocery stores, and anywhere in a restaurant. Obviously this indicates that I am getting old.
I can not help but wonder with the new “MEGA SHIPS” they are building why they have not given consideration to building them with 2 casinos with one of them being smoke free. Perhaps they could also only allow smoking on verandas on the rear balconies and they could even make it allowable only when ship is sailing. That way, the smoke would not get to the Verandas at the front of the ship. As with most things when new policies are written they tend to be overly strict and do not really look at other possible options.
This blog has covered everything from smoking being a health hazzard, annoyance because it stinks, and of course those who have a personal medical problem or are allergic to smoke.
For those that fear second hand smoke that they may be subjected to during a cruise, I do not know why they go on a cruise in the first place. Do these same people feel smoking should be banned in the streets of the ports of call ?. Just walking down those streets is certain to subject them to that smoke just as on the ship.
If it is because it is an annoyance, then they need to become more tolerant. There are many things in life that can be an annoyance in day to day life.
Those that have an illness or allergic reaction to smoke do in my opinion have the biggest problem. It is however unfair to blame the smokers for the problem that they have. If everything is banned that can cause alergic reactions, we may as well go on a spree and kill all the dogs & cats in the world, shut down all the dairies for those who are lactate intolerant, ban peanut butter, and no doubt this list could go on and on because of the many things that different people are allergic to. The point being that those that are allergic to something have no right to ban it because of “their” problem.
Over the years, smokers have been subjected to more and more restrictions and smokers have adhered to the rules that exist. As stated in this blog, the smokers check the rules and if the ship is too restrictive, we find another ship. I suggest that if the non-smokers do not feel the rules are strict enough, then they also find another ship. We all know going in what the rules are and to go ahead and book a cruise and then complain later is ridiculous and has no merit. No one forces anyone to take a cruise. If you go on a ship and do not like the rules, you obviously weighed out the Pros & Cons and decided to go anyway. If you do not weigh it out before going, that is your mistake. If you go knowing what the rules are, live with it because you are only complaining about your judgement in the first place.
James
August 4th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
62LOL at all you haters; so uptight over catching a whiff of smoke. You need to chill. You could use a cigarette, actually.
I don’t give a crap. I switched an electronic cigarette, which produces no odor or butts, and people still give me crap. Why? Because you’re programmed to dislike the action, not the substance. And your undies are prob too tight.
I’ll be puffing on the balcony, feet up on the railing, book in hand, and y’all can suck it if you don’t like it.
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