Break/Getaway for non-smokers

Folks,

As we're planning for our upcoming NCL cruise, we've been seeing several comments in social media and other sites, from non-smokers, that these two ships in particular can be aggravating if you are sensitive to smoke/smell thereof. Many claim where the casino is located within the ship and not enclosed, the smoke and smell permeates most of the common areas. I saw also a few complaints of smoking in balconies and people with balconies downwind getting "smoked out" off their balconies.

This is a huge deal for us, and specially my wife who is very smoke sensitive. So, if the problem is real, we might choose a different NCL ship with better smoke ventilation or different cruise line altogether. Fortunately we're still within full refund dates, so that's why we would like to know the extent of the smoking issue sooner rather than later.

TIA.

I am very sensitive to smoke and do not have a problem on the Getaway. I have just come back from my 5th cruise on her.

Yes, late in the evening there is residual smoke from the casino. But not very much.

Enjoy the ship and your cruise. She is wonderful and so is Her staff.

Smoking on balconies is now prohibited, so you should have no problem. Should you be bothered by someone not adhering to the rules, a call to guest services should solve the problem.

I am somewhat sensitive to smoke as well and while the casino is open to the atrium areas, I was not bothered by the smell some complain about in adjacent areas. We even spent quite a bit of time inside the casino and had no problem. Hard to say what your experience would be.

Thanks for your answers.

Just off Getaway. Smoke smell does spread a bit from the casino to the 6/7/8 common areas. I'm sensitive and woke up coughing a few nights after playing slots, but it wasn't unbearable. I had no balcony so unsure about that

We were on the Getaway in May. I found the smoke in the central area to be VERY bad on our cruise. Yes, it permeates the entire central area. Imo, you would be better off on one of the older, smaller ships.

As for smoke on balconies, no, it is not permitted. Yes it is still happening anyway. We saw a lit cigarette flying over our balcony one night, and smoke chased us off the balcony a few times. I complained about the lit cigarette, but not the smoke, in part because I don't know from which balcony it came.

We are sailing the Escape in the future. The reason I booked it was for my son who wished to try out the studios. I would not look to book these superships for myself alone, but with family, sometimes sacrifices are made for the group.

So basically you got 3 different answers.

Not very much.

Does spread a bit.

Very bad.

:p

Sort of Yes, No and Maybe. :cool:

I am a reformed smoker, and quite frankly I now absolutely hate the stench of cigarette smoke. I did at B2B aboard first the Getaway, and then the Epic in February. To me, the Getaway Casino layout on deck 7 was so much more confined, and the stench was more pervasive than the Epic which was wider and less confined, perhaps because of the absence of the Waterfront. For me it was no show stopper, the Getaway just smelled like a full ashtray in that immediate area.;)

So basically you got 3 different answers.

 

Not very much.

 

Does spread a bit.

 

Very bad.

 

:p

 

Sort of Yes, No and Maybe. :cool:

I appreciate all reports and answers, to be honest. But knowing myself and my wife and how sensitive we are about smoke/smell, this could be bad news. It's pricey family trip after you include tips, hotels and shorex, so it's not like we can afford to shrug it off, if we don't like it.

I am a reformed smoker, and quite frankly I now absolutely hate the stench of cigarette smoke. I did at B2B aboard first the Getaway, and then the Epic in February. To me, the Getaway Casino layout on deck 7 was so much more confined, and the stench was more pervasive than the Epic which was wider and less confined, perhaps because of the absence of the Waterfront. For me it was no show stopper, the Getaway just smelled like a full ashtray in that immediate area.;)

Isn't that 678 area where specialty and "regular" dinning restaurants are? One thing is to avoid the casino area, which is perfectly doable, but if that whole hub stinks that's definitely game over for that trip :'(

I am a reformed smoker, and quite frankly I now absolutely hate the stench of cigarette smoke. I did at B2B aboard first the Getaway, and then the Epic in February. To me, the Getaway Casino layout on deck 7 was so much more confined, and the stench was more pervasive than the Epic which was wider and less confined, perhaps because of the absence of the Waterfront. For me it was no show stopper, the Getaway just smelled like a full ashtray in that immediate area.;)

Confined on Getaway:eek: It's wide open except that corner for smoking. I had to hunt for it. Can't speak about table games.

Confined on Getaway:eek:

I read anecdotes (unrelated to the smoking part) saying the Break/Getaway beam (max width) design is rather narrow for a vessel their size. Some say that this causes a lot more rocking than you'd expect from such large vessel and other said that it made the common areas seem densely packed. Maybe that's what he's referring to?

I read anecdotes (unrelated to the smoking part) saying the Break/Getaway beam (max width) design is rather narrow for a vessel their size. Some say that this causes a lot more rocking than you'd expect from such large vessel and other said that it made the common areas seem densely packed. Maybe that's what he's referring to?

I guess I have to go again and experience what some people write about crowds. After a show, of course. As for the casino, it's best you see deck plans. Parts of it are in 2 halls that are walk areas, but in the circular area near the giant chandelier, it's semi circular and a smoking area tucked in a corner in the rear. People have said some odor drifts down a level by ?le Bistro entrance. I guess I expect a ship to rock, I've been in some horrible storms, so I didn't perceive much rocking.

If you or your family are very sensitive to smoke, you may want to consider a Celebrity cruise. Their smoking policy is the most restrictive around, and I can say from experience that it works very well. No smoking anywhere inside the ship, including the casino and bars. No smoking in cabins or balconies. There are a few designated smoking areas out on deck, but these are easy to avoid, and an extra precaution would be to book cabins on the opposite side of the ship. Anyway, something to consider if smoke is a deal breaker.

Cold,

Cruised the Breakaway one year ago. i too am a former smoker, long time ago but smoked heavily. Cant stand the smell now.

There was very little smoke smell that I remember on the Breakaway. we had a cabin (Balcony) on the 8th deck mid ship. Only very near the casino did we notice anything.

Just got off the Carnival Glory this morning, now that ship stunk and stunk bad!

Plus, a couple nites they had the only rock band on the ship playing, of course in the casino. it was really bad, we couldn't stay in there long.

Id do the Breakaway in a heartbeat. We are planning for spring 16 now.

Id do carnival again, only if its free. It was a bad cruise.

Really poor planing on NCL's part as the casino's on these newer ships are open to the atrium above where you should be able to sit watch a movie have a coffee etc.

Really poor planing on NCL's part as the casino's on these newer ships are open to the atrium above where you should be able to sit watch a movie have a coffee etc.

They have a separate atrium area. It's very nice. The casino is located 678 Ocean Place which is different.

Original Poster - The casino wasn't bad and I didn't smell it anywhere else in that area. Avoid the smoking glassed wall area located on the port side outside the buffet. The smoke smell there was bad and really carried.

I did Breakaway 2 weeks ago. It was quite smokey. In Maltings we were listening to music and every time the door to the Waterfront deck opened smoke would come in. We had a cigar smoker next balcony over and often found cigarette butts and matches that had blown onto our balcony. Not sure where they came from, but lots of people ignore the no smoking on balconys rule. There were lots of areas and outdoor bars for smokers. Not criticizing smokers, just stating what I experienced.

I agree with the post saying Celebrity is much more restrictive about smoking. We sailed Summit last year and never had a problem. I assume people who smoke prefer ships with less restrictive policies like Norwegian.

Hardly any smoke on the Getaway a couple of weeks ago. No more cigs for me, but most of the reports about how deadly, billowing smoke was infusing the place was a lie from the non-smoker trolls.

Really poor planing on NCL's part as the casino's on these newer ships are open to the atrium above where you should be able to sit watch a movie have a coffee etc.

Why make a comment on the ship layout when you don't know what it is? What you quoted here is not true. It's two different areas.

Once you find out the things about a ship that you consider to be "flaws", then you have the ability to figure out how to work around them. And no ship is perfect. Yes, Celebrity is non-smoking, but it would not meet my needs in other areas the way NCL does.

Take a look at the ship plans for the 6 7 and 8 areas. It is easy to "walk through" without passing directly through the casino area. Le Bistro is the only dining venue with some seating in 678 itself and you can easily be seated inside or on the Waterfront, open air. Cagneys and Moderno are both located aft. The theatres and MDRs are some distance from the 678 areas. The claim that the smoke "permeates all public areas" is a gross exaggeration IMO. Only port or starboard side of the ship's wonderfully relaxing Waterfront area is smoking. If dining, entertainment and accommodations meet your needs, then I would not let this issue dissuade you. I am a non smoker and sensitive to smoke, and I don't know that it would even be on my radar if I were reviewing the ship.

If you or your family are very sensitive to smoke, you may want to consider a Celebrity cruise. Their smoking policy is the most restrictive around, and I can say from experience that it works very well. No smoking anywhere inside the ship, including the casino and bars. No smoking in cabins or balconies. There are a few designated smoking areas out on deck, but these are easy to avoid, and an extra precaution would be to book cabins on the opposite side of the ship. Anyway, something to consider if smoke is a deal breaker.

Cyn,

We consider it, but Celeb just doesn't seem to have the family/kid friendly atmosphere NCL/DCL/RCCL have. Their experience is targeted more for adults and the kids/teens club seems like an after thought (much like Princess). If it was just me and my wife, that would certainly be a good choice, but for our active lifestyle and cruise style we prefer cruise lines with family-cruising integrated in the design of their services and the ship. Thanks for your suggestion, though.

Once you find out the things about a ship that you consider to be "flaws", then you have the ability to figure out how to work around them. And no ship is perfect. Yes, Celebrity is non-smoking, but it would not meet my needs in other areas the way NCL does.

 

Take a look at the ship plans for the 6 7 and 8 areas. It is easy to "walk through" without passing directly through the casino area. Le Bistro is the only dining venue with some seating in 678 itself and you can easily be seated inside or on the Waterfront, open air. Cagneys and Moderno are both located aft. The theatres and MDRs are some distance from the 678 areas. The claim that the smoke "permeates all public areas" is a gross exaggeration IMO. Only port or starboard side of the ship's wonderfully relaxing Waterfront area is smoking. If dining, entertainment and accommodations meet your needs, then I would not let this issue dissuade you. I am a non smoker and sensitive to smoke, and I don't know that it would even be on my radar if I were reviewing the ship.

Well, we figured this much. After reading their smoking policy: smoking is prohibited on all public areas unless explicitly permitted. Smoking is banned on balconies and dining venues. I think that should provide enough respite and things to do if we have a problem with the areas surrounding the casino -- which seem to be the source of most complaints.