rM3panno

I agree with Crazy Cruiser. I recall one time sitting at the aft bar on Summit, on the non-smoking side, on an evening when the bar had plenty of empty tables and bar stools. The man next to us light up a cigar. I politely pointed out that we were on the non-smoking side and he replied in a very nasty and aggressive manor that he could smoke any place he wanted to at the aft bar.

 

I realize that most smokers are much more polite and have good manners. But smoking in a non-smoking area is just bad manners. Trying to justify reasons to smoke in the non-smoking area is just a weak attempt to justify bad manors. Crazy Cruiser said it just right when he pointed out that "No one should have to be put in the position of having to ask you to not smoke when you are in a non-smoking area". While I have occasionally asked a smoker in a non-smoking area to please move or stop I really feel uncomfortable doing so, especially after the episode above. And as far as asking those sitting in a non-smoking area if they mind if you light up: They might mind but not speak up and also even if they do not mind the next person who arrives at the non-smoking area might mind and they shouldn't have to ask you to stop.

 

As for your last sentence in the quote above - that is just plain silly. I respect that the ship has non-smoking areas. I'm not crazy about it just as smokers probably don't like being limited to certain areas, but I know the rules and areas ahead of time and I can live with that. There have been many times when we've found no room at the aft bar on the non-smoking side and we just leave for another place on board rather than sitting in the non-smoking area as we'd never dream of asking someone not to smoke in their designated area. You also say that "My point is that a mindful smoker is probably much more pleasant to be around than someone strictly adheres to the rule". That makes no sense at all as a mindful smoker DOES adhere to the rules - they are pleasant to be around but a smoker who is NOT mindful and does not think the rules apply to them is not pleasant to be around.

 

Most smokers I know, like most people in general, have good manners and respect the rights of others. It's the very few that don't think the rules apply to them that give a bad reputation to all of the others.

I think this is an issue that I just can't seem to convey via the internet. I hope to meet some of you on a sailing someday so that you could see in person how a person smoking on their side of the sunset bar could be much more bothersome to a very large group of guests at that bar than someone against the railing on the edge of the starboard side sunset bar.

Until then keep on believing that the wind always blows from the starboard side of the ship no matter what other weather conditions are present and that any stray smoke is instantly neutralized at the halfway point of the ship at the sunset bar.

Every action I'm defending is out of the consideration of others/those not smoking on the ship not that I simply choose to smoke wherever I please for the hell of it.

My vote would be for Silhouette in March, we did a med cruise in April a few years ago and it was quite chilly on a couple of the days and rainy on one. We had a lovely big balcony that we really didn't get to use.

 

The Caribbean was lovely the year we were there in March, enjoy whatever you decide to do. PS we also much prefer the newer Solstice class ships.

Another vote for Caribbean in March. That's probably my favorite month there, always great weather!

Have fun wherever you go!

I agree

 

Cigars are port side only and I love sitting at the sunset area and many times people do wander over and sit on the starboard side or even try to sit at the bar. And yes they are asked to return to the port side - after all it's a $250 fine for smoking in a non smoking area.

Well I feel like Im getting scolded a bit here. I didnt mean to imply that I sometimes smoke a cigar on the starboard side just for a change of scenery. At times and in certain ports it is fairly busy back there. Given that most people that come to sit down or stand there at sailaway come on a first served basis I have on occasion been forced to sit or most of the time stand on the starboard side while many people on the port side were not smoking.

If that offends some of you I'm sorry but on the rare occasion I choose to smoke a cigar I do take great care in making sure that I try to find a spot were the wind is blowing away from others.

Can you smoke a cigar at the sunset bar. If not where

Yes, that is the only place you can smoke a cigar. Technically only on the port side of the sunset bar but in crowded situations back there I have never been told to stop when I could only find a seat on the starboard side.

I have noticed before that that the total cruise price with this agency is higher than Celebrity's prices.

It all depends on the requested cabin class. We just booked a 7 night Greek odyssey cruise with this TA and their price for a C3 cabin was over $400 less per person than Celebrity. In addition to the 123 Go perks which we got to choose 2 of since it was a European sailing, the TA threw in the only remaining perk. So we will get a C3 room for $800 less than celebrity plus $200 OBC, prepaid gratuities, and drink package which was upgraded from classic to premium 2 days after we booked.

I even called celebrity to see what they could do and was basically told nothing could be done because they don't price match. Funny story is celebrity rep emailed me the day after I booked and asked how they could help in my travel planning. I explained how much better off I was booking with the online TA that I couldn't even justify the cancellation fee.

I have used them before never had a problem. Have heard others that have but I think it really depends on your sales rep. I'm also a member of their loyalty program and have to say I'm not really sure of its purpose, it hasn't done anything for me yet. As others mentioned, just be sure to print that initial contract as that is the only confirmation you will receive of your TA provided perks.

Darn Celebrity. No spirit at all! They tell me no flaming spears on the lawn! But I'm excited we will be seeing our FSU Seminoles play Auburn in the BCS game. Go 'Noles!

I got to watch my TCU Horned Frogs in the celebrity movie theater as they beat the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2010 Rose Bowl. Pretty cool set up actually, they had a buffet and drinks set up in there and overall a cool atmosphere even though it was a bit odd that our group of 4 were the only frog fans. Completely outnumbered by badger fans but we all had a blast!