No Smoking on balconies on P & O from April 2014.

[CaroleF]

I bet you're right David. No such large company as P&O would implement such a change without the lawyers having been all over it and passed the change.

Carole

[tractor boy]

but then there is still the fire risk on open deck smoking areas and below decks in the crew bar and cabins where smoking is permitted.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

I have checked the Passenger Bill Of Rights as well as the much longer Booking Terms and Conditions and I can find no reference to be able to allow to smoke on board or to any restriction on smoking or for any particular rights as regards passengers relating to smoking.

I would presume that extending restrictions on smoking is the same as restricting or removing some service or facilty on a ship or changing the price of an onboard product or service and is not in itself a breach of contract unless it is explcitly mentioned in the T&Cs that they are.

[tractor boy]

its in the "You need to know" section in the back of all P&O brochures.

[tractor boy]

And I still have heard nothing from P&O, regarding this.

[Quizzical Bob]

And I still have heard nothing from P&O, regarding this.

Although I pleased about this move, I do have sympathy with your position.

[tractor boy]

Thanks Bob, I wont let it spoil my holiday and the smoking area is just down the hall from my cabin but it is the principal that bugs me. They would have known 2 weeks ago that this rule was coming in and I feel that when we booked a balcony cabin for a 2015 cruise we should have been warned. I wonder how long it will be before they tell me.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Non smokers got us kicked outside now all they do is moan that we smoke outside. Do you drive a car? and you moan about smokers killing you. The point to this is not about smoking or not, for me its about P&O miss selling. Ken, I will pack my Motorhead CDs for my next cruise, You cant beat a bit of overkill at 6:30am to replace the quiet cigareete

Or in my husband's case - 3am!
Motorhead CDs now on the shopping list - thanks for the tip, Ken.

[tractor boy]

HE HE, pity anyone who gets a cabin between us Ann

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Due consideration with neighbouring cabins should always be employed including smoking (where it is currently permitted until April 2015 on balconies) and perhaps to limit smoking there till when neighbours are not using their balcony. In respect of noise (TV, Radio, CD player, I-Pod dock/speakers), whilst it is perfectly reasonable to enjoy any entertainment and music at moderate volumes inside a cabin, due regard needs to be given when using them on the balcony or with the balcony doors open, just as you would with neighbours in your garden or when the windows and French Doors are all open, or indeed at the time of night, when it is reasonable to assume that the majority of passengers have retired for the night.

Excessive and inappropriate behaviour, if followed through after a complaint, could result in termination of a cruise for the offending passenger(s) at the next port of call, in the more serious cases where a pssenger will not comply with a reasonable request.

I recall on some of the ships a quite comprehensive CD Juke Box where many Rock Classics can be enjoyed in the bars.

[tractor boy]

Are you saying the ban on smoking on balconies comes in from April 2015? as I understand it it is 2014

[GillD46]

On Cunard it is from April/May/June 2014. P&O too.

[tractor boy]

as I thought. Thanks

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Sorry, mistype on my part. Yes the ban comes in April (averaged) 2014 across the fleet.

[Dancing Queen]

Due consideration with neighbouring cabins should always be employed including smoking (where it is currently permitted until April 2015 on balconies) and perhaps to limit smoking there till when neighbours are not using their balcony. In respect of noise (TV, Radio, CD player, I-Pod dock/speakers), whilst it is perfectly reasonable to enjoy any entertainment and music at moderate volumes inside a cabin, due regard needs to be given when using them on the balcony or with the balcony doors open, just as you would with neighbours in your garden or when the windows and French Doors are all open, or indeed at the time of night, when it is reasonable to assume that the majority of passengers have retired for the night.

Excessive and inappropriate behaviour, if followed through after a complaint, could result in termination of a cruise for the offending passenger(s) at the next port of call, in the more serious cases where a pssenger will not comply with a reasonable request.

I recall on some of the ships a quite comprehensive CD Juke Box where many Rock Classics can be enjoyed in the bars.

Now this is where cruiselines could have compromised and banned smoking on balconies between the hours of say 9.00am - 9.00pm, of course there will always be the odd person who insists they want to sit on their balcony and look at the stars and it would spoil their enjoyment but why upset everyone when both sides could quite easily be catered for.

[tractor boy]

spot on DQ, If I could have one in the morning with my cuppa sitting on my balcony I would be more than happy

[Romig1]

I too agree, Jo.

Unfortunately, some of the anti-smoking zealots aren't prepared to accept compromise. There are those who will not be satisfied until smoking is banned completely. These people do the anti-smoking lobby no favours IMO.

[Ray Scully]

Now this is where cruiselines could have compromised and banned smoking on balconies between the hours of say 9.00am - 9.00pm, of course there will always be the odd person who insists they want to sit on their balcony and look at the stars and it would spoil their enjoyment but why upset everyone when both sides could quite easily be catered for.

Jo

This is were P&O have shot themselves in the foot, something they seem quite accomplished at these days.
While smokers reluctantly went along with the indoor smoking legislation, I think this is a step too far by the cruise lines. They will lose business, and also have difficulties in policing the system. I am quite sure anyone wanting a cigarette on their balcony will be able to do so, unless it is the intention to install CCTV on each balcony. The Cabin Steward will not say anything for fear of his tip being removed. I think that P&O had a wonderful opportunity to manage the problem and at the same time keeping a marketing advantage with the majority of passengers happy.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Just as with the "war against drugs" I am opposed to complete bans on adults consuming (including smoking) what they will. Outight Prohibition does not work. However the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces has been highly successful and has improved the working, leisure and social environment for the 78% of adults who don't smoke and all U18s who don't or shouldn't be smoking.

I support all legislation (and rules by companies and organisations beyond legislation) that restrict smoking to the margins of public life, protects U18s (including smoking by their parents), illegal sourced products (smuggled, stolen, counterfeit) and measures (public money) to assist people to kick the habit.

[Silver_Shiney]

I only object to people burning tobacco when it is done where other people have no option but to breathe in the fumes.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

Only a tiny minoroty of the 78% of adults (as well as U18s) are happy with smoking by others. The vast majority of non-smoking people welcome and enjoy the product of both legislation (and rules by companies beyond legislation) that push smoking to the margins of public life.

The majority who have been put off having a balcony because of the risk of nuisence smokers will come back in droves. Recidivist smokers who can't control their habit and vote with their feet will not be missed by passengers and their £s will be compensated for by returned and new business.

[Ray Scully]

What smoker in their right mind would choose a holiday where due to weather conditions they were not in a position to enjoy their activity?

I know if I was still with the weed I wouldn't take that chance, it would be bad enough being cooked up on a ship never mind not being able to smoke.. Bay of Biscay could be ciggy free days. No !! smokers spend your money with organisations which can accommodate your habit and at the same time protecting others from the effects

Ray

[Ray Scully]

The majority who have been put off having a balcony because of the risk of nuisance smokers will come back in droves. Recidivist smokers who can't control their habit and vote with their feet will not be missed by passengers and their £s will be compensated for by returned and new business.

Derek
Many thanks for that reassuring comment, presumably you are basing this on your experience of those returning to or frequenting pubs when they became smoke free.

Ray

[davecttr]

Now this is where cruiselines could have compromised and banned smoking on balconies between the hours of say 9.00am - 9.00pm, of course there will always be the odd person who insists they want to sit on their balcony and look at the stars and it would spoil their enjoyment but why upset everyone when both sides could quite easily be catered for.

Jo

This is were P&O have shot themselves in the foot, something they seem quite accomplished at these days.
While smokers reluctantly went along with the indoor smoking legislation, I think this is a step too far by the cruise lines. They will lose business, and also have difficulties in policing the system. I am quite sure anyone wanting a cigarette on their balcony will be able to do so, unless it is the intention to install CCTV on each balcony. The Cabin Steward will not say anything for fear of his tip being removed. I think that P&O had a wonderful opportunity to manage the problem and at the same time keeping a marketing advantage with the majority of passengers happy.

No problem on Thomson and only one of their ships has balconies. they still manage to fill the ships and this is with passengers who some imagine to be of the lower social orders. This subject will hardly be worthy of a comment in a year or two.

ps the cabin steward will report transgressions because if they did not do so and a neighbouring passenger complained they would be for the high jump.

[arcadialover]

As miss selling law is one of the legal areas I work in we may well find out but I dont think that P&O would let it go that far. I have the brochure from which we booked the cruise and it clearly says in the you need to know section "smoking is not permitted in cabins or public rooms, but will be permittedon balconies and designated areas of the open deck" Open and shut case I think

But does that part of the brochure actually fall within terms and conditions that you book the cruise under, I don't know I am not a lawyer. I know P&O don't always get it, but surely they have checked this out with their legal team.