Smoking in South America?

[Gablin]

I will post this in the South America ports section, too.

My best friend/travel buddy and I plan to cruise South America from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso sometime next winter (November 2010 - March 2011.)

I have no tolerance for tobacco smoke, mostly because I have lost part of one lung to lung cancer. My friend has no real health issues, but has always found tobacco smoke offensive.

 

We understand that more people smoke in South America than in the US, similar to Eastern Europe. We're prepared to face the land portion of our trip knowing that.

 

Which cruise line do you think would be best for us? We're leaning toward Holland America, as we are both Mariners with HAL, and because we would not have to "sneak" wine aboard the cruise. Is there another line that would have better (for us) smoking policies?

 

We know that we won't enjoy the casino and at least one other bar on most cruise ships. Unless we find a nonsmoking cruise ship (fat chance!) neither of us is likely to spend the money on a veranda cabin and risk not being able to enjoy it.

 

Wine is of secondary importance to freedom from tobacco smoke. Let me know what you think is our best option.

[G'ma]

You might check out both Azamara and Oceania cruise ships.. Both have severely restricted smoking to a few outdoor areas, enclosed and away from passenger areas.

 

They offer South America cruises.

[Blue46]

Also check out Celebrity as they have recently changed thier smoking rules and it is much more restricitve.

[LHT28]

Oceania & Azamara have 2 areas for smoking one outdoor on the pool deck (easy to avoid) one in the lounge deck 10 in a small corner also easy to avoid

 

Not sure in Azamara is doing SA cruises though

[njhorseman]

You might check out both Azamara and Oceania cruise ships.. Both have severely restricted smoking to a few outdoor areas' date=' enclosed and away from passenger areas.

 

They offer South America cruises.[/quote']

 

Oceania & Azamara have 2 areas for smoking one outdoor on the pool deck (easy to avoid) one in the lounge deck 10 in a small corner also easy to avoid

 

Not sure in Azamara is doing SA cruises though

 

 

Azamara is not currently offering any South America itineraries. Oceania is.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Definitely check out Celebrity. Even their casino is smoke free on Solstice, so maybe their other ships too.

[alcpa1]

Celebrity cabins and balconies are now smoke free. There are very few areas on the ship where smoking is permitted. The policy is a fraction less restricted than Azamara, but the X ships are also much larger.

Oceania also has highly restricted smoking areas.

Holland America still permits smoking in the cabin and on the balconies. Their ships have far more smoking areas than the above mentioned cruise lines.

[Gablin]

Thanks to all of you. You've provided some good information. Celebrity looks good to me, if their policy about bringing wine aboard is similar to HAL (or, if we can bring it on in Rum Runners.)

 

Oceania looks lovely, but I'm unwilling to spend that kind of money. It does seem to be a good value for what is offered.

[LHT28]

Oceania looks lovely, but I'm unwilling to spend that kind of money. It does seem to be a good value for what is offered.

One other point about Oceania just so you can compare

You can bring wine or alcohol (no rum runners needed) for use in your cabin

No extra fees for the specialty restaurants, cappuccino, espresso.

No formal nights so you can pack lighter

The base prices listed on the website include air & taxes

 

Check the bottom line with a TA and compare lines before you make your booking;)

 

Enjoy whatever cruise you choose

[JanineM]

Thanks to all of you. You've provided some good information. Celebrity looks good to me, if their policy about bringing wine aboard is similar to HAL (or, if we can bring it on in Rum Runners.)

 

Oceania looks lovely, but I'm unwilling to spend that kind of money. It does seem to be a good value for what is offered.

 

On Celebrity you can carry onboard two bottles of wine at initial embarkation.

 

Celebrity's casinos are non-smoking on all the ships I have sailed - not just Solstice (Summit, Century and Constellation).