smoking on RCCL
 

we were unpleasantly suprised by the amount of smoking onboard the Navigator of the Seas on an eastern Med cruise. Never read the fine print (smoking is allowed) but it seems to be pervasive in the bars and casino. A large european contingent (mostly Italian) were the big group of smokers. It definately spilled out of the bars as the smoking crowd grew

My wife and daughter were on a Celebrity Carribbean cruise earlier this year and it was non smoking - just assumed that this would be the same

I have noticed ships that sail in Europe have quite a few more smokers than the RCI ships sailing the Caribbean. While sailing the Splendour last year, I could not even sit in the Schooner Bar. Way too smokey. I was disappointed as that is my favorite bar.

Why did you assume anything?

Yes, there is a great deal more smoking on the European cruises (against all logic as smoking is so expensive there.)

probably assumed it since most US based travel businesses (hotels, airlines, restaurants, bars) prohibit smoking. also my wife's experience earlier in the year on celebrity

it wasnt a vacation killer, but RCCL seems to be out of step with smoking trends at public areas. additionally, what ever happened to all that furor about fires on board?

RCL is serving a very profitable market in Europe with much higher prices than for cruises that cater to the US market more heavily.


They know what they are doing.

Not entirely non-smoking as Celebrity doesn't have an outright smoking ban but only allows it in certain spots:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/befo...me=faq_answers

For all Celebrity ships, smoking is not 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, casino, 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.

As a former smoker who now cannot tolerate being around the stench I can very easily share your disappointment on the Med. cruise.

You're focused only on the US market. Foreign markets are quite different, and RCCL knows that. Probably a good idea if you skip travel to Asia as smoking is quite pervasive in that market.

Celebrity very limited!
 

Celebrity has a very restrictive smoking policy. We were on a ship in March and it was fantastic! No rooms, balconies, casinos, resturants, etc...
We will be taking Celebrity on a Northern Euro cruise this May.

Azamara (Celebrity's "upscale line") has an even more strict non-smoking policy. Its more expensive, been on one cruise, but if I could afford it, it would be the line of choice.