Smoking on NCL -- Non-smokers please reply

[CalypsoBeat]

I've heard some pretty unappealing things about smoking on NCL ships, including some people who arrived to their cabins only to find that they reek of smoke. My dad has a health condition in which he can't be around smoke, or even the remnants of smoke. A little bit is fine. How did non-smokers feel about the presence of smoking on the ship? I realize that every experience will be based on the number of smokers on the ship, but I'm just trying to get a decent idea. Thanks!

[jimd909]

Originally Posted by CalypsoBeat

I've heard some pretty unappealing things about smoking on NCL ships, including some people who arrived to their cabins only to find that they reek of smoke. My dad has a health condition in which he can't be around smoke, or even the remnants of smoke. A little bit is fine. How did non-smokers feel about the presence of smoking on the ship? I realize that every experience will be based on the number of smokers on the ship, but I'm just trying to get a decent idea. Thanks!

Then maybe you should be looking into a cruise line that doesn't allow smoking since your father's health condition is that bad. Why would you put him in that situation to be around smokers?

[CalypsoBeat]

Originally Posted by jimd909

Then maybe you should be looking into a cruise line that doesn't allow smoking since your father's health condition is that bad. Why would you put him in that situation to be around smokers?

Obviously in a world where smoking is not illegal, he can't avoid smokers altogether. As a concerned daughter, I am trying to do as much research as possible to figure out what WOULD be the best option for him. I wasn't asking your opinion on whether or not I should take him on this cruise, I was simply asking how past cruisers of NCL felt about the presence of smoke on their ships. If there is an overwhelming feeling that smoking is heavily present, naturally we will choose a different ship.

Please do not post a reply if you're simply going to accuse me of trying to do something that would not be in my father's best interest, especially when I am trying to take the steps to make sure that doesn't occur. Thanks.

[can'twaittogoagain]

Originally Posted by CalypsoBeat

I've heard some pretty unappealing things about smoking on NCL ships, including some people who arrived to their cabins only to find that they reek of smoke. My dad has a health condition in which he can't be around smoke, or even the remnants of smoke. A little bit is fine. How did non-smokers feel about the presence of smoking on the ship? I realize that every experience will be based on the number of smokers on the ship, but I'm just trying to get a decent idea. Thanks!

2 weeks ago on the Pearl we only noticed smoke when we walked through the casino. The pool deck staff seemed good about enforcing the rules where one could and could not smoke. Don't know if that helps, just what we observed on the Pearl......

[johnql]

As a non-smoker who can't stand cigarette smoke, and having been on 9 NCL cruises, I can tell you unequivocably that you have been misinformed. I have never encountered a cabin that reeked of smoke. I've also read countless threads here on CC concerning this very topic and I don't ever recall someone saying that their cabin reeked. Perhaps an occasional staleness or hint of smoke, but never anything extreme. I'm guessing that you're much more likely to smell smoke from an adjoining balcony, but I really wouldn't worry about the cabins. The stewards do a great job deodorizing the rooms.

[happyintampa]

Originally Posted by CalypsoBeat

I've heard some pretty unappealing things about smoking on NCL ships, including some people who arrived to their cabins only to find that they reek of smoke. My dad has a health condition in which he can't be around smoke, or even the remnants of smoke. A little bit is fine. How did non-smokers feel about the presence of smoking on the ship? I realize that every experience will be based on the number of smokers on the ship, but I'm just trying to get a decent idea. Thanks!

I sail on Sun and am quite sensitive myself. Just thinking ahead, if I were you, I would get a balcony cabin at the least, so that the chances are greater that the previous guests went out to smoke. If you have something without, you KNOW they were in the room doing it, even if they weren't supposed to.

[WinnieinWA]

Originally Posted by jimd909

Then maybe you should be looking into a cruise line that doesn't allow smoking since your father's health condition is that bad. Why would you put him in that situation to be around smokers?

That was not very nice at all!!!! If you can't help someone then you shouldn't post!

OP, I smoked for many years and I don't now and can not stand the smell. I have been on 3 NCL ships recently and I never smelled any smoke residue in the cabins. The Casino allows smoking and you may have to walk through it to get to other areas of the ship. You can avoid that but it can be a pain to do so. One side of the pool deck allows smoking but if you stay on the non-smoking side you'll never smell it due to the breeze. Non of the public rooms, areas allow smoking and on my last cruise the Cigar Bar was even smoke free.

I hope you have a great cruise with your father.

[islandgirlejfan]

I'm a non smoker (lived around smokers all of my life so I know what it smells like) and we didn't have any problems with smoke on our cruise, honestly. Our cabin did not have any odor at all and the only place that there were issues with smoke was the casino. The people that owned our home smoked and I am always reminded when it's damp in the house because the house develops an odor. I wish that whatever NCL does to clear the air that they could do at my house.

[smeyer418]

I hate smoke but my wife stills smokes. The rooms we were in on every NCLship has not smelled from smoke except one. There the person in the next room was smoking cigars in violation of them rules. They moved us when we complained but we were lucky as there was an open room- we were in fact upgraded. The casino smells from smoke. Smoking is pretty much prohibited inside any where else on the ship except in the cabins. Hope that helps.

[wg6530]

Originally Posted by CalypsoBeat

Obviously in a world where smoking is not illegal, he can't avoid smokers altogether. As a concerned daughter, I am trying to do as much research as possible to figure out what WOULD be the best option for him. I wasn't asking your opinion on whether or not I should take him on this cruise, I was simply asking how past cruisers of NCL felt about the presence of smoke on their ships. If there is an overwhelming feeling that smoking is heavily present, naturally we will choose a different ship.

Please do not post a reply if you're simply going to accuse me of trying to do something that would not be in my father's best interest, especially when I am trying to take the steps to make sure that doesn't occur. Thanks.

I've been on 10 NCL cruises. So far, I have never smelled stale smoke in my cabin, but I have heard a few people say their cabins had residual smoke odor. On another RCL, I once got little use of my balcony due to the smoke from the 4 chainsmokers on the next balcony (within their rights but not pleasant); that could happen on NCL too. The casinos always smell smokey to me. The pool deck has smoking and nonsmoking sections. There are a few smokers on the promenade deck, but generally it is easy to avoid significant smoke on open decks.

I dislike smoke, but so far NCL has handle it fine. But you could get a chain recently occupied by heavy smokers, and as ships are generally full, you probably can't change cabins. If your father has a serious smoke related health problem, you might want to consider a cruiseline with a more restrictive smoking policy. Celebrity, for example, does not allow smoking in cabins or on balconies.

[CruisnGram]

Originally Posted by happyintampa

you KNOW they were in the room doing it, even if they weren't supposed to.

Smoking is allowed in cabins on all NCL ships, so if anyone did smoke in the cabin, they were perfectly within their right to do so....no rules against it. And just out of curiousity, why would you say that people would smoke in a room even if they weren't supposed to? I know many smokers and ALL of them respect the rules as to where they can, and cannot smoke.

OP: The suggestion to get a balcony may, or may not help you in your situation. While it may be true that people prior to you may have smoked on their balcony instead of their room, as other posters have said,you also run the risk of a smoker being on the balcony next to you which could cause you problems.

You've gotten a lot of posts here from non smokers who've shared their experiences. Hopefully, they've helped ease your mind a bit. However, if you are still concerned, I would second the suggestion for you to check out a cruiseline that has a more restrictive smoking policy such as Celebrity. That may be another option for you to consider.

Good luck,
CG

[tammyjw305]

We are non-smokers and have been on 2 previous cruises. I did not know that NCL allowed smoking in the cabins until reading it in preparation for our cruise that leaves this Saturday , so it has not been a problem for us. The casinos are bad, and I believe they have a cigar club too. We are not nightlife people, but I can imagine the bars having smoking too.

[romrai]

Just off the spirit. I am allergic am ato smoke. Really had no problems other than the casino. The cabin was fine. You can get a can of "stop smoke" from most auto/hardware stores to spray cabin. The dining rooms and inside common areas (other than casino & smoking room) are non smoking. That being said....they allow smoking on the balcony and if you have a smoking neighbour, you might get a whiff.

[DMH15]

Originally Posted by johnql

As a non-smoker who can't stand cigarette smoke, and having been on 9 NCL cruises, I can tell you unequivocably that you have been misinformed. I have never encountered a cabin that reeked of smoke. I've also read countless threads here on CC concerning this very topic and I don't ever recall someone saying that their cabin reeked. Perhaps an occasional staleness or hint of smoke, but never anything extreme. I'm guessing that you're much more likely to smell smoke from an adjoining balcony, but I really wouldn't worry about the cabins. The stewards do a great job deodorizing the rooms.

I did have an instance where our cabin reeked when we arrived. We called housekeeping and they asked us to give them two hours. We walked around and when we returned there was not a hint of someone having smoked in our cabin.

I like to go to the casino and it can be frustrating to have to breathe smoke, but I try to go when it's not packed. I wish NCL had a non-smoking section like I saw on X.

We've never had an issue on the balcony.

NCL's rules are clear, so if I choose to cruise NCL I know what to expect.

[mummsie]

I agree. The cabins are always fine but we have paid extra to have a balcony in Alaska for the scenery and were forced to stay inside because we had smokers on either side. Not good that we flew half way round the world to see one of the most wonderful sights in the world and couldn't get out to enjoy it. Some of the bar areas also allow smoking which made it unpleasant - we are ballroom dancers and wanted to get some exercise but were forced out after about an hour because we couldn't breathe. Clothes smelt disgusting. I had to put them in a sealed plastic bag so it didn't pong out our room. Still love to cruise though and won't stop because of bad smelly odours. Mummsie

[flowerchild]

I AM a smoker (a pack a week) and can tell you that smoking areas on the ship are very limited (which is fine and YES I do follow the rules). I never smoke in my cabin (I hate the smell) and have walked into a cabin that had been previously used by smokers...after I reported the smell to the steward, he took care of it right away. Within 2 hrs (same as others have reported) the smell was gone.

Just ignore negative useless posters, especially when they have nothing helpful to contribute...and good luck finding the right cruise for you.

I know DCL allows ZERO smoking on board.

[pex]

I agree with the other posters. Smoke odor is not a problem, aside from the casino and anywhere within fifty feet of the cigar club.

Does anyone know exactly what magic is performed to remove the smoke odor?? Especially in rooms with carpets, bedding, and heavy drapes? The rooms never smell perfumey, so they must do something else.

Originally Posted by DMH15

I did have an instance where our cabin reeked when we arrived. We called housekeeping and they asked us to give them two hours. We walked around and when we returned there was not a hint of someone having smoked in our cabin.

[DMH15]

Originally Posted by pex

I agree with the other posters. Smoke odor is not a problem, aside from the casino and anywhere within fifty feet of the cigar club.

Does anyone know exactly what magic is performed to remove the smoke odor?? Especially in rooms with carpets, bedding, and heavy drapes? The rooms never smell perfumey, so they must do something else.

I wish I'd thought to ask... Maybe someone who has an acquaintance with one of the HDs can find out and post.

[kdg51]

I am very sensitive to smoke also. When we started cruising on NCL I inquired if they had one side of the ship where the cabins were non smoking. They assured me that any traces of smoke in the cabins would be gone before new guests went to their cabins. We've been on 10 cruises and have never had a problem with smoke smells in our cabin. We've been to hotels when we've had our room switched but never on NCL. Unfortunately the casino does not have a non smoking area so I try to stay near an exit to avoid smoke and have been tempted to bring a little fan with me. Recently they changed policy in common areas of the ship making them smoke free. The pool deck is half and half and I have no problem pointing out the no smoking signs to people who think freestyle means they can smoke wherever.

[F5Loar]

I guess we have been lucky and followed non-smokers. I can think of only one time in 32 cruises where we felt it needed to be gone over again with there magic "smoke-be-gone"mojo spray and they did it. It is possible to avoid the smoke on most any ship these days. Learn the bad smoke places and don't go there. The majority of places you will enjoy do not allow it.