Smoking on QM2

What are the smoking conditions on the QM2?

Are there smoking and non-smoking areas in public rooms?

We are booked on the November 25 cruise. Coming from Maryland we have very few places for public smoking. All our malls and places of work are smoke free. Most restaurants are smoke free or have small smoking sections that are closed off. You really get used to smoke free environments.

What are the smoking conditions on the QM2?

 

Are there smoking and non-smoking areas in public rooms?

 

We are booked on the November 25 cruise. Coming from Maryland we have very few places for public smoking. All our malls and places of work are smoke free. Most restaurants are smoke free or have small smoking sections that are closed off. You really get used to smoke free environments.

I noticed very few smokers on broad the qm2, the ship never had a smoke smell anywhere. i see 1 or 2 in the main lobby and out on deck.

i dont a problem finding a place, avoiding those (many) people who dislike smoking and may let you know, is another thing

One place you might run into a smokey atmosphere is the Commodore Club lounge - starboard side - near the cigar lounge.

It's a bit of a dead end area in a corner where, if there are a number of smokers 'gathered', the smoke tends to get trapped.

This can be a bit of an unwanted surprise to non smokers entering the lounge on the starboard side. But, just before you enter the lounge you can cut across to the port side if you want to avoid it.

As a smoker, I was surprised and disappointed that on QM2 (at least when I went) there were no fixed ashtrays by the railings on the Promenade deck (or anywhere for that matter). They have them on QE2. This meant that when I did 'the right thing' and went outside and hung over the rails to smoke, I then had to go indoors with my cigarette to extinguish it.

Apart from being on a ship - these days (in the UK) you can get fined for stubbing out a cigarette on the pavement (sidewalk). Therefore I've bought a portable ashtray which is like a metal compartment with a sliding opening, the size of a lighter. It wouldn't be a bad idea for smokers on ships to carry one of these when out on deck and unable to find a suitable place to dispose of their cigarettes.

Sorry - I went off topic there.

In general though, QM2 is smoking on the port side, non smoking on the starboard side.

What are the smoking conditions on the QM2?

 

Are there smoking and non-smoking areas in public rooms?

 

We are booked on the November 25 cruise. Coming from Maryland we have very few places for public smoking. All our malls and places of work are smoke free. Most restaurants are smoke free or have small smoking sections that are closed off. You really get used to smoke free environments.

I'm a considerate smoker and don't like to offend others, however don't like being dictated to either. I am personally very pleased that I am able to choose to smoke and the designated areas are generally a very small part of the overall room size.

All the smoking areas are on the starboard side which is 115 feet away from the port side so if you are hyper-sensitive to smoke, thats the best place to head for.

The ship should not have smokey smells anywhere, it is huge and very well ventilated, all the restaurants are non smoking (unfortunately for me, luckily QE2 still has smoking areas).

The only area you may find smokey is the Golden Lion Pub where the smoking area is right next to bar, the non smoking area is very large and the entertainment is there too, however non smokers usually take up all the smoking tables and then glare at anyone smoking!! take note, that does not go down very well!!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and don't get bothered by occassional puffs of smoke. I was on the Celebrity Millenium a few months ago and I can tell you the smell walking down the passenger corridors (past the cabins) shortly after meal times was very much worse than any cigarette or cigar you can imagine!!

Mark

Bearing in mind that both Cunarders are registered in Southampton, they will be affected by the new law on smoking that has been passed in the UK Parliament and is due for implementation next year. If this has the effect that I understand that it will, all enclosed public spaces become non-smoking.

Therefore the only places that you will be able to smoke is outside or in your cabin.

It will also mean that all the restaurants on QE2 join with those on QM2 in being non smoking.

Both Golden Lion pubs will be non smoking.

Chart Room/Commodore Club - again, non smoking.

There is some suggestion that the detailed rules that will be produced may limit this, but I do feel that those who are smokers should assume that conditions on British registered ships will be as I suggest - that is, a direct extrapolation of the rules for land based hotels. At least until we know whether there will be exceptions.

for the information.

Being a reformed smoker for 23 years it is always amazing to me to see so many young people smoking. Taking into consideration the cost and bad press you would think smoking would be more on the decline then it is.

for the information.

 

Being a reformed smoker for 23 years it is always amazing to me to see so many young people smoking. Taking into consideration the cost and bad press you would think smoking would be more on the decline then it is.

Doesn't each generation have to make mistakes for themselves?

I cannot understand anyone who starts smoking, as it has so many nasty side effects. You stink, everything you own stinks and is covered in yucky mess, and then you die early, having had a life less rich (both literally and metaphorically) than everyone else.

Those who can't give up won't be swayed by logical argument - having tried and failed with my late father I now accept this - but starting? Who'd be that stupid?

Unfortunately, lots do though.

Those who can't give up won't be swayed by logical argument

I don't have any problem with logical argument, the problem is the number and volume of illogical arguments!

Smoking is legal - you therefore have a right to choose if you smoke or not, if you want to work in an area where smoking is permitted or not. Nobody has the right to say that you will not smoke in any enclosed public space.

Smoking is legal - you therefore have a right to choose if you smoke or not, if you want to work in an area where smoking is permitted or not. Nobody has the right to say that you will not smoke in any enclosed public space.

Smoking is indeed legal. But smoking in enclosed public spaces soon will not be.

Are you suggesting that Parliament were ultra vires?

Are you suggesting that Parliament were ultra vires?

I'm not sure. Parliament could have acted by banning the importation of tobacco. Making it an illegal drug in the UK would force everyone to stop (just like the ban on other drugs has:p ). I could support that.

However by using a law to say that you may not smoke in certain places I think that the government is making a decision beyond its moral authority. Is that beyond the power?

Amen.... Malcolm. I try very hard to be a considerate smoker but I too have rights. I do think it is very rude for non smokers to deliberatly take smoking seats when so much of the ship is non-smoking.

Skippyyyy...your portable ashtray idea is a good one for on deck. Can't understand why they don't provide fixed ashtrays as that would seem to be very dangerous. I'll have to try to find one.

This is always such an inflammatory (no pun intended!!) subject, but I would hope that we could all respect, and tolerate each others preferences. Cheers, Penny

As a smoker I always carried an ashtray like this. They're available from http://www.buttsout.net/.

As a non-smoker, I have no problem with others smoking elsewhere. Live and let live - it seems to work on this level. Keeping the matter on topic, there have very rarely been times when I have been disturbed by smoke on QE2. Even though I don't use the Golden Lion/Chart Room much (if at all) as a result, I can't say that I feel particularly aggrieved. Or aggrieved at all come to that. The only thing I'm likely to want the pub for is a Guinness, and I can't see that there will ever be a problem in getting one elsewhere - and there are nearby non smoking places anyway.

Health and Safety laws do make it difficult for an employer to place a person into a risk area - and I think we are all aware that there is a risk (how much may be debatable) frompassive smoking. The new law will certainly make that easier to resolve.

Wouldn't banning tobacco be an even more restrictive policy than the current one?

As a non-smoker, I have no problem with others smoking elsewhere

I pretty much agree - I'm a non smoker who has no problem with others smoking.

Keeping the matter on topic, there have very rarely been times when I have been disturbed by smoke on QE2. Even though I don't use the Golden Lion/Chart Room much (if at all) as a result

Good idea:) Conversely my partner smokes a pipe. The Chart Room, Golden Lion and Crystal bar are the only indoor places he can smoke it so we tend to be there quite a lot. The Golden Lion is not may favourite bar, in fact a long way from it! The idea of Karaoke does not appeal. Isn't that a benefit of a larger ship - it can cater for many kinds of pleasure.

Health and Safety laws do make it difficult for an employer to place a person into a risk area

Just like a coal mine, a hospital, a kitchen, etc! Lets ban anyone working anywhere that could be dangerous.

Wouldn't banning tobacco be an even more restrictive policy than the current one?

It would be an honest law. At the moment we're being told not to smoke, but the Treasury is still willing to take the taxes we pay on tobacco. Lets ban smoking and share the tax burden equally.

The silver fixed ashtrays are attached to the rails on deck seven or they were in 2004 and in July of this year.

I asked the question on board when booking a cruise for next year about the smoking policy for next summer when the smoking ban in England comes in to place.

My answer was that they have already made the non smoking areas in the Golden Lion and other areas bigger than they were before due to many Americans complaining about the smoke.

They also said they had no intention of stopping smoking in the designated areas as this would limit the amount of people that would travel from Europe.

There are many places non smokers can now go and not have smoke near them and not so many for smokers.

Malcolm...thanks for the link. I'll check it out even if it won't be color coordinated with most of my outfits!!:p :D Cheers, Penny

I have just spoken to Cunard who have said that smoking will not be allowed in any public rooms from next summer while in English waters, Once she is out of English waters you will then be able to smoke as normal.

Hope this clears this up.

Patwell - If buttsout doesn't match your wardrobe - here's the link to where I got mine - http://www.rollingpapersdirect.co.uk - Just enter portable in the search box.

I have just spoken to Cunard who have said that smoking will not be allowed in any public rooms from next summer while in English waters, Once she is out of English waters you will then be able to smoke as normal.

Hope this clears this up.

I'm not sure how "English waters" affect things. As a British registered ship, I would assume English law applies to her wherever she is - at least on the high seas.

Also bear in mind Cunard's shoreside operation really don't know their elbow from elsewhere.

It would be an honest law. At the moment we're being told not to smoke, but the Treasury is still willing to take the taxes we pay on tobacco. Lets ban smoking and share the tax burden equally.

You want honesty from Blair? :D

I take your point. But isn't politics the art of the possible? Banning tobacco would lose you the next election.

I have a right not to breathe second hand smoke. Here in the US the government recently validated the fact that second hand smoke causes cancer. I hope that eventually smokers will not be able to smoke anywhere but inside their own homes. I love to play the slots but cruise ships casinos are the worst as far as second hand smoke is concerned. I know this is a topic that has no perfect solution for everyone, but just hearing that QM2 has smoking and non-smoking sides of the ship is good news to hear. Thanks.

Patwell - If buttsout doesn't match your wardrobe - here's the link to where I got mine - http://www.rollingpapersdirect.co.uk - Just enter portable in the search box.

How about that, you've done your bit for the economy too! I have just been on and bought one, what a bargain!! I'm not sure how it will affect my street cred but should keep me out of trouble with angry non-smokers.

I got the butchest one they had, but I have a feeling the pegasus will look more like my little pony when I get it!

I would have prefered one with Orville on it really xx

Banning tobacco would lose you the next election.

I wouldn't argue that. I'm only saying that it's the most honest option.

I have a right not to breathe second hand smoke. Here in the US the government recently validated the fact that second hand smoke causes cancer. I hope that eventually smokers will not be able to smoke anywhere but inside their own homes.

Where does that "right" arise from?

(In the context of either QE2 or QM2)

I have a right not to breathe second hand smoke.

Fine - take your holiday on a totally non smoking ship. I don't stay at a non smoking hotel and then insist on my right to smoke, I just take my business away from them. If non smoking ships are so much in demand then you shouldn't have any difficulty taking your business to a company that operates one.

Here in the US the government recently validated the fact that second hand smoke causes cancer.

As do so many other things - Big Macs, Asbestos, GM food, Alcohol, X rays, etc. However the chance of getting cancer from second hand smoke is a lot smaller than the chances of it being caused by a poor diet.

I hope that eventually smokers will not be able to smoke anywhere but inside their own homes.

A rather mean hope. I would hope that accommodation can be provided that will meet the desires of everybody.

I love to play the slots but cruise ships casinos are the worst as far as second hand smoke is concerned.

Have you ever wondered why it's so smoky? Could it be bad ventilation, a lot of gamblers also smoke or possible a combination of both.

I know this is a topic that has no perfect solution for everyone, but just hearing that QM2 has smoking and non-smoking sides of the ship is good news to hear.

Not only is there no perfect solution it's also going well off the topic of Cunard cruise ships, I think that Cunard don't do too bad a job in providing separate areas.