Smoking on Oceania

[Krazy Kruizers]

I keep forgetting to mention this - too many things on my mind.

But a few days ago we read an article in one of the cruise magazines that we get.

Oceania Cruises has instiuted a "zero tolerance" policy for those who smoke in no-smoking areas following the March fire on the Star Princess. Oceania now delivers a letter to each guest at the start of the cruise listing the designated smoking areas and stating that those who disregard the policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be subject to monetary penalities for damaging or cleaning. The policy is reiterated in the ship's daily newspaper.

Do you think HAL should have such a policy?

[esther e]

I would love to see all ships have this policy. I am an ex-smoker of 20+ years, and you know how we ex-smokers are! ;) Seriously, I can't stand the smell and would be very happy to see all cruise lines institute this.
Esther

[elmorejj]

It would depend on where the smoking areas are. If they banned it in staterooms, I would stop cruising. I do think they could instate smoking and no smoking cabins though. Make one side of the ship smoking and the other side non smoking....JMHO.........jean:cool:

[Randyk47]

One of the reasons we don't consider Oceania is that they don't allow....long before the Star fire....smoking in the cabins. Yep, we smoke. We shouldn't but we do. We smoke in our cabin. We don't smoke where we shouldn't smoke. We only smoke in designated areas. If HAL went to such a no cabin smoking policy we'd find another line. If all cruise lines went that way then we'd simply find another vacation mode....at least until we quit smoking.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There wasn't any mention in the article about not being able to smoke in the cabins.

But we would love it if HAL had such a policy. Too often we have seen people pick up the ashtrays and move them to a non-smoking area with no regards about people sitting there who may be alergic to the smoke.

[Randyk47]

I understand KK, I too have seen other smokers do that but we don't. We know if people start breaking the smoking rules then the ships will restrict it even more. We don't want that to happen plus we understand other folks problems with smoking so why make the situation worse. We stay where we're suppose to. As for Oceania, I don't know about the article but it's clearly stated on their website about smoking (actually not smoking) in their cabins. Beautiful ships and we've seen a couple of itineraries that look interesting but their policy keeps us from giving them a try. We'd not go on one of their ships and try to sneak a smoke in the cabin if it was against their rules....we just don't do that kind of thing.

[gillianrose]

It would depend on where the smoking areas are. If they banned it in staterooms, I would stop cruising. I do think they could instate smoking and no smoking cabins though. Make one side of the ship smoking and the other side non smoking....JMHO.........jean:cool:

That would certainly be an improvement over HAL's current policy, and it might be considered a "good start", but non-smokers constitute a much larger number of guests than a fifty-fifty split of cabins would allot to them.

For safety reasons, I would like for there to be no smoking in cabins or on cabin balconies at all; for practical reasons, TEMPORARILY (until smoking is banned outright in cabins and other enclosed areas onboard), I think smokers could be satisfied with 20% to 25% of cabins allotted as "smoking permitted".

Aside from safety reasons, what disturbs me most about cruising with HAL is that this company has taken no steps to ensure that nonsmokers are not subjected to smoke in PUBLIC areas, especially in lounges where dancing takes place, such as in the Explorer's Lounge. And the casino? Forget it. It stinks. I wanted to play, but the smokiness was so uncomfortable that we left.

Celebrity at least separates smokers and nonsmokers better than HAL and Princess do in areas of the ship that are most important to us. For that reason, we have cruises booked and with money down on Celebrity, and though I did have some cruises booked with both HAL and Princess (would like to try Princess' "new" Royal Princess next year), I let the bookings expire before putting money on them.

By the way, I am happy to report that the PROVINCES of Ontario, Canada and Québec, Canada now (as of today) have smoking bans in place. It will be so great to go into their pubs now!

[sail7seas]

The only place we are ever around smokers now is when we cruise. Massachusetts has had a rather stringent non-smoking policy for a few years and it is great.

Wherever we go at home, other than passing by someone smoking outside a building, there is no smoking most anywhere.

There are fewer and fewer smokers on the ships for the most part and it rarely bothers us. This past cruise on Ryndam, however, seemed to have a lot of smokers and there were times when we could not use the Casino because of the smoke.

For the most part, the lounges weren't a problem for us.

I find the stewards clean the cabins so well, we have not (yet) had any smoke odor in our cabin.

I think Oceana is using the Princess far as an 'excuse' to institute a policy they want to put in place. It is an 'opportunity' they are taking advantage of IMO .....and good luck to them. :)

[sail7seas]

By the way, I am happy to report that the PROVINCES of Ontario, Canada and Québec, Canada now (as of today) have smoking bans in place. It will be so great to go into their pubs now!

We spent one day in Montreal last day on our 'turnaround' for the Maasdam Canada/New England cruise. The smoking all over the place......everywhere we went, so was out of control it made us sick.

We found people puffing their cigarettes up and down the streets, on street corners, and all over everyone around them. It was really unpleasant.

[Ed and Jim]

We have sailed on HAL, Princess and Oceania this past year. The Oceania policy was in effect before the event, but enforcement was apparently variable. There is no smoking in the cabins or on the balconies, and smoking is limited to two small public areas, one inside and one outside.

For serious smokers we would not recommend Oceania due to this limitation. But how nice it would have been on the Oosterdam to sit on the verandah without being engulfed in smoke from all directions!

[Jemima]

We'd like to see all cruiselines adopt the same smoking policy as Oceania.

[zaandam_2]

One of the reasons we don't consider Oceania is that they don't allow....long before the Star fire....smoking in the cabins. Yep, we smoke. We shouldn't but we do. We smoke in our cabin. We don't smoke where we shouldn't smoke. We only smoke in designated areas. If HAL went to such a no cabin smoking policy we'd find another line. If all cruise lines went that way then we'd simply find another vacation mode....at least until we quit smoking.

ditto

on the other side, QE2 has a small smoking section in the dining room. i hope i can sail her before they do away with it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There have been a couple of times when we weren't able to sit on our verandah because of all the smoke that drifted our way thanks to winds blowing our way. We had to go inside.

[Sunshine91]

If smoking were limited to certain outdoor areas, excluding the balconies, meaning no smoking there, too. But how is that enforced? Smoke alarms similar to the ones in airplane lavs? I like HAL's policy of no smoking in any eating area but the current one side of the ship rule? Sometimes hard to figure out - not really well-marked. And at times I do smell the smoke in the corridors.

Have to say I've never smelled it in the cabins, tho.

We are terribly spoiled here in Delaware - no smoking ANYWHERE inside, including our casinos, restaurants & bars. Know what, they're all packed full of patrons, too. Even the ones on the border with Maryland, where they can still smoke in the bars. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We still have smoking areas in our restaurants and in all bars. Somethimes the smoking areas are right next to the non-smoking sections with no partitions. We have asked a couple of times to have our table changed.

[kryos]

It would depend on where the smoking areas are. If they banned it in staterooms, I would stop cruising. I do think they could instate smoking and no smoking cabins though. Make one side of the ship smoking and the other side non smoking....JMHO.........jean:cool:
From what I've been told, Oceania has a very restrictive smoking policy. No smoking whatsoever in staterooms. And, I think there are actually very few areas onboard that permit smoking either.

Oceania is one line you won't find me sailing on.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

I like HAL's policy of no smoking in any eating area but the current one side of the ship rule? Sometimes hard to figure out - not really well-marked.
Pssssst, just look for the ashtrays ... with the little "Designated Smoking Area" placard placed next to them. No ashtray ... no smoking. Simple. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

ditto

on the other side, QE2 has a small smoking section in the dining room. i hope i can sail her before they do away with it.
LOL ... you too? I was shocked to hear that ... and quite pleased, to be honest. I hear smoking is still not permitted, though, in the main dining room ... I forget what it's called ... but it's the one that the majority of cabins are assigned to ... the lowest class.

I'm assigned to the next one up ... not Grill class, but the class right below that, which I believe still allows smoking.

Yeah, that QE2 cruise is gonna be a good one ... maybe even better than HAL. Guess getting "gussied up" for dinner will be worth it. :) I so enjoy a cigarette with my after dessert coffee.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

I think Oceana is using the Princess far as an 'excuse' to institute a policy they want to put in place. It is an 'opportunity' they are taking advantage of IMO .....and good luck to them. :)
I believe Oceania always had a strict smoking policy in place on their ships. I've talked to people who sailed the line and they say it is very restrictive to smokers ... and has been for several years.

I think the new policy merely means that they plan to more strictly enforce the rules ... with a zero tolerance attitude. I would guess that maybe in the past if someone "indulged" occasionally in their stateroom, and the steward smelled it during his cleaning rounds, he probably looked the other way ... as long as other passengers weren't complaining. Now, with the new policy, he will no longer have that option and will have to report it.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[mike35]

From what I've been told, Oceania has a very restrictive smoking policy. No smoking whatsoever in staterooms. And, I think there are actually very few areas onboard that permit smoking either.

Oceania is one line you won't find me sailing on.

Blue skies ...

--rita

Oceania is the only line you'll find me on, unless they don't do the itinerary that we happen to want. Most of the sailings are booked solid up to a year in advance, and "O" is planning to new-build its 4th ship. Like everything else in this world - different strokes....

Non-smoky skies

Mike

[kryos]

Oceania is the only line you'll find me on, unless they don't do the itinerary that we happen to want. Most of the sailings are booked solid up to a year in advance, and "O" is planning to new-build its 4th ship. Like everything else in this world - different strokes....

Non-smoky skies

Mike
Exactly. One person's poison (a primarily non-smoking ship for me) is another's passion (the same ship for you). :)

Blue skies ... and light 'em if ya got 'em ... :)

--rita

[kakalina]

Kryos: You GO girl!! Couldn't agree more with you or Randyk47. Were such a strict policy to come into play on HAL ships, we too, would have to find another vacation venue.

As it is, the policy was so restrictive on the O'dam we will never sail her again. The only inside smoking ( other than ones cabin) was at the bar. Not in the bar, at the bar. Since DH and I don't drink we found sitting right at the bar very uncomfortable. The drinkers were none to pleased to find their favorite spots occupied by smokers who weren't sharing the drink of the day. It became a real deal breaker. Glad we had been on the S and R class first.

[NoNoNanette]

Glad we had been on the S and R class first.

I take it that the Volendam (R Class, I think) won't be as restrictive?

*she asks hopefully whilst puffing away*

[Randyk47]

NoNo - Kind of depends on what has happened on the Oosterdam that makes it more restrictive. The policy on the Volendam in February (an R class HAL ship) was the same as it had been on the Oosterdam (a Vista class HAL ship) back in 2004. Now, as far as bars go we only go to one consistently and that the Crow's Nest. Within reason the designated smoking areas were the same on both ships which, without laying down specific areas, was generally at the bar and the seating immediate next to the bar and a section on the rear port side of the Crow's Nest. We usually sit in the general bar area as it was close to the dance floor on both the Volendam and the Oosterdam. There are other designated smoking around the ship like the casino, a part of the Lido pool area, etc., but I don't have them memorized. Smoking in your cabin and on the verandah was permitted on both ships.

[NoNoNanette]

Thanks, kiddo. Sounds just great. :)

[kakalina]

Thanks, kiddo. Sounds just great. :)

Sorry NoNo I hit the wrong quote. However, when we were on the O'dam to smoke inside we were required to sit on the bar stools, no smoking at the tables adjacent to the bar area. This was early last winter so maybe it has changed. When we have been in the S&R class ships we can sit at tables in the lounge/bar area. That is much more acceptable to being forced to sit on the bar stools. Also on the O'dam there was no smoking outside the Lido other than on the barstools ONLY! :eek: Quelle hourrer

[Shifra]

I promised myself I would not respond to the smoking threads. Oh well one promise broken. I am a smoker and enjoy smoking on my balcony and in designated smoking areas. I respect those who do not smoke but I do believe that some folks need to get on to more important things. Out of all the cruisers who don't smoke there is a very small percentage that are truly allergic. Most of those folks definately know where to stay away from on cruise ships.

There are lots of unpleasant smells we experience on a cruise like cigarette smoke, perfume, sewer smells, and some people. I for instance am actually allergic to perfumes & colognes. I start sneezing almost immediately and really get stuffy. I wouldn't dream of suggesting to my fellow passengers to not put it on or how about a non-perfume cruise. I have had perfumed balcony neighbors also, but I don't feel I have a right to complain about it. That is there perogative. They paid for their cruise the same as me.

Last let me add how rude some non-smokers can be. On my last cruise I always went to the smoking side of the pool deck only to find the seats filled with many non-smokers. When I looked over at the non-smoking side it was fairly empty. Then when I stood around in my correct area and lit a cigarette I got some pretty nasty looks and comments. Not nice people. I think threads such as these really bring out the nasty in some people.

Sorry for the rant but this gets very old. I love cruising and most of the people I meet are great. Hope some of you will consider my comments.

Happy Cruising to All!

[Toad]

Oh what a slippery slope! Let's do ban smoking(the smell and the health risk), perfume ( the smell), fat people (the health risk, after all they too driove up insurance costs), old people (The health risk, the cost.... after all aren't they using up all our social security funds? ), babies in the pool (the health risk and the smell?????), certain clothing( if you look better than me, you are NOT allowed, certain people, certain ethnicities, etc, etc, etc,........

Whatever happened to being accomodating to others and simple common curtesy? Do we really NEED rules for all of these things? After all as many posters have said, "how bad can life be on a day when you are crusing?"

[jagmanss1]

One of the reasons we don't consider Oceania is that they don't allow....long before the Star fire....smoking in the cabins. Yep, we smoke. We shouldn't but we do. We smoke in our cabin. We don't smoke where we shouldn't smoke. We only smoke in designated areas. If HAL went to such a no cabin smoking policy we'd find another line. If all cruise lines went that way then we'd simply find another vacation mode....at least until we quit smoking.

Took the words right outta my mouth..... My thoughts are the same as well as many others we sail with.......

[jagmanss1]

Last let me add how rude some non-smokers can be. On my last cruise I always went to the smoking side of the pool deck only to find the seats filled with many non-smokers. When I looked over at the non-smoking side it was fairly empty. Then when I stood around in my correct area and lit a cigarette I got some pretty nasty looks and comments. Not nice people. I think threads such as these really bring out the nasty in some people.


Couldn't agree more with this statement..... I can't tell you how may times this has happened on all our cruises.....

[elmorejj]

Shifra, totally agree.....and I am allergic to a lot of colognes also.

Toad, loved your post........jean:cool:

[zaandam_2]

LOL ... you too? I was shocked to hear that ... and quite pleased, to be honest. I hear smoking is still not permitted, though, in the main dining room ... I forget what it's called ... but it's the one that the majority of cabins are assigned to ... the lowest class.

I'm assigned to the next one up ... not Grill class, but the class right below that, which I believe still allows smoking.

Yeah, that QE2 cruise is gonna be a good one ... maybe even better than HAL. Guess getting "gussied up" for dinner will be worth it. :) I so enjoy a cigarette with my after dessert coffee.

Blue skies ...

--rita

QE2 smoking policy (i'm safe as i'll never afford the princess grille class):

http://www.cunard.com/FAQ/faq.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=3704&LeftNav=&Active=&Sub=&OB=&ArticleID=13