38 Comments Celebrity Cruises Bans Smoking In Cabins & Verandas

1. Dochawk

   April 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

   1

   Too 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).

2. Anne Campbell

   April 10th, 2008 at 6:55 pm

   2

   People 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.

3. Harry Martin

   April 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

   3

   Scratch 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??

4. Anne Campbell

   April 11th, 2008 at 6:36 am

   4

   Frankly 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.

5. smokinbruce

   April 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

   5

   WELL 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.

6. K.C.

   April 11th, 2008 at 2:36 pm

   6

   I 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

7. smokinbruce

   April 12th, 2008 at 10:24 am

   7

   I 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.

8. Anne Campbell

   April 12th, 2008 at 10:33 am

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   Just asking once would have been sufficient…..but to haul you into an office like that is out of bounds!

9. smokinbruce

   April 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

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   The 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.

10. K.C.

    April 12th, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    10

    smokinbruce
    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

11. Harry Martin

    April 12th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

    11

    What 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.

12. smokinbruce

    April 12th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

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    Well 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

13. 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.

14. smokinbruce

    April 13th, 2008 at 6:03 am

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    Just 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

15. K.C.

    April 13th, 2008 at 6:24 am

    15

    I 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

16. Anne Campbell

    April 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am

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    Bruce…..I know two other people who won’t be taking Celebrity any longer. I would bet this policy won’t hold up very long…..

17. smokinbruce

    April 13th, 2008 at 9:53 am

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    I 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

18. Flotsam

    January 5th, 2009 at 1:23 am

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    Or 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!

19. Tom

    March 10th, 2009 at 9:55 am

    19

    I 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.

20. Anne Campbell

    March 10th, 2009 at 10:33 am

    20

    Two 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.

21. Tom

    March 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am

    21

    People 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.

22. Charlene

    April 27th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    22

    I 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.

23. Tom

    April 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

    23

    Actually, 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.

24. Charlene

    April 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    24

    Wow 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

25. T-Mac

    May 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am

    25

    I 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.

26. Tom

    May 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    26

    I 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.

27. Scott Carlson

    May 29th, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    27

    Hmmm, 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.

28. susan cashion

    June 2nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    28

    smokinbruce..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!

29. Peter A Cunningham

    June 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am

    29

    I 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

30. Jerbie

    June 28th, 2009 at 7:54 am

    30

    Just 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.

31. T-Mac

    June 29th, 2009 at 9:13 am

    31

    A 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.

32. john patterson

    July 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am

    32

    i 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

33. Ann

    August 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 pm

    33

    One 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.

34. Peter A Cunningham

    August 4th, 2009 at 5:56 am

    34

    Hey 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.

    

35. Scott Carlson

    August 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

    35

    Ya, 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.

36. Bill S

    October 5th, 2009 at 5:37 am

    36

    I 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…

37. Janet R

    November 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am

    37

    I 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!

38. Shar

    January 13th, 2010 at 7:02 am

    38

    I 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.

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