Smoking in the Spirit Casino... Really?

[dockrocker]

Why do all these complainers who hate smoking continue to cruise on lines that allow it? HYPOCRITES!

 

Because there's no mass market line that doesn't allow it? (Are there even any luxury lines that totally disallow it? Anybody know?)

 

Because we're entitled to ask any cruise line we patronize to make changes, just as any passenger is?

 

Because, to paraphrase Inigo Montoya, "You use this word 'hypocrite.' I do not think it means what you think it means"?

[dockrocker]

Believe Holland, Royal Caribbean, Princess and others do also except Celebrity!

 

RCL prohibits it in cabins.

 

Here's an interesting source of info, assuming that it's still up to date: http://www.frommers.com/articles/5872.html. The only totally smoke-free line is American Cruise Lines, which only does inland U.S. waterways. The only two lines that are close to non-smoking are Azamara and Oceania, both of which are out of the price range of many if not most cruisers.

[Ms belp]

Peace pipes people. Smoking has been around forever. I guess you'd complain about smoke signals. Ugh.

[newmexicoNita]

Permit me to ask: So when I choose a 100% non-smoking hotel over a 75% competitor (legally allowed in my state) I am being self righteous?

 

Oh, I didn't mention you or anyone else. I was simply saying there are many out there that want everything thier way. This was not directed anyone particular. Sorry you misunderstood. Of course you can choose to stay at a hotel that does not allow smoking, many do not. I would say, I do disagree all hotels should be non smoking. Why, because, as I said, there needs to be something for everyone and there are those who do still smoke. as long as it is legal and it will be for quite awhile, there has to be places for smokers to enjoy. I was one of them for many years. I do not preach to those who still smoke and I do understand they have rights. As long as I know there are places I can go where there is no smoke I am fine. If I choose to go to the casino, or to the side of the ship that allows smoking I know I will smell the smoke. That is my decision.

 

 

Nita

[mtwingcpa]

Why do all these complainers who hate smoking continue to cruise on lines that allow it? HYPOCRITES!

 

Because of the relative lack of choices.

 

But I didn't cruise at all in 2010, and I probably won't in 2011 (although I have a number of other travel plans in the works). This issue is a big reason why.

[mtwingcpa]

No, but if you say all hotels should be 100% non-smoking that would be!

 

So when a voter initiative to ban ALL smoking in restaurants and bars passed by a 65% margin in Washington State a few years ago, that was an act of "self righteousness" on the part of the thousands of people who voted for it?

[TrinaLC]

I find the ashtrays on all sides of the ship confusing as well. As a non-smoker, I appreciate that you try to confine your smoking to where it is allowed. I try to walk outside on the promenade deck on the non-smoking side where possible. It is interesting though that so many people say that one side of outdoor areas on NCL ships is non-smoking. I have never found this in writing. Neither the Sky's nor the Spirit's Dailies state this. In my Welcome Aboard packet I just received, it says nothing about one side or the other. It simply states that outside, smoking is not permitted near the kids pool, sports areas, jogging tracks, or food areas.

 

I think that smoking is allowed on either side in open deck areas - but in the pool/dining areas, only on one side.

 

I could be wrong though.

[brockwell]

I just returned from our cruise last week on the Spirit. My husband and I spent approximately 1 - 3 hours every day in the casino, and commented frequently how much the smoke was bothering us. There were a LOT of smokers there! Also, we had two adjoining rooms with balconies - both rooms on either side of us had cigar smokers in them. We couldn't leave our balcony doors open when they were out there because our rooms instantly stunk like cigars. Not a pleasant experience for a non-smoking family with three young children!

[terrymtex01]

I just returned from our cruise last week on the Spirit. My husband and I spent approximately 1 - 3 hours every day in the casino, and commented frequently how much the smoke was bothering us. There were a LOT of smokers there! Also, we had two adjoining rooms with balconies - both rooms on either side of us had cigar smokers in them. We couldn't leave our balcony doors open when they were out there because our rooms instantly stunk like cigars. Not a pleasant experience for a non-smoking family with three young children!

 

I don't imagine that would be pleasant for a couple that had been married for 50 years with all grown children either. We are smokers and I hate a hotel room or a stateroom that smells like smoke. I even hate it when we walk down the hallway and it smells of smoke.

[dockrocker]

I just returned from our cruise last week on the Spirit. My husband and I spent approximately 1 - 3 hours every day in the casino, and commented frequently how much the smoke was bothering us. There were a LOT of smokers there! Also, we had two adjoining rooms with balconies - both rooms on either side of us had cigar smokers in them. We couldn't leave our balcony doors open when they were out there because our rooms instantly stunk like cigars. Not a pleasant experience for a non-smoking family with three young children!

 

And NCL doesn't even allow cigar smoking in cabins or on balconies, so that must have been particularly annoying.

[DerekNJ]

I've noticed an incessant amount of people complaining about smokers on the NCL boards. As a smoker, I actually picked NCL due to their mostly lax smoking policies (among a few other things). I often wonder.. if this is such a concern to you, why not choose a different cruise line?

[dtiger]

How are people "incredibly insensitive" to smoke on their balcony when it's permitted. And as another poster noted, there are signs to NOT leave your balcony door open.

[chrispb]

How are people "incredibly insensitive" to smoke on their balcony when it's permitted. And as another poster noted, there are signs to NOT leave your balcony door open.

But if they close their doors they won't be able to smell the smoke. Then what will they have to complain about? :D

[brockwell]

I can't seriously believe that there are people who think I'm out of line to complain about my neighbors cigar smoke in my OWN room. I never said anyone was 'incredibly insensitive', I merely said that it was unpleasant for us. And to suggest that I need to leave my balcony doors closed all the time - what the heck are balconies for if you can't sit out there and enjoy them??? We never once complained to either of our neighbors or the staff - we just chose to leave when they were out there smoking. But I do have the right to my own opinion and to suggest that we're just looking for something to complain about is absurd.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

I've noticed an incessant amount of people complaining about smokers on the NCL boards. As a smoker, I actually picked NCL due to their mostly lax smoking policies (among a few other things). I often wonder.. if this is such a concern to you, why not choose a different cruise line?

 

Great question! There are lots of possible answers so I'll post my .02

 

1. COST. NCL is less expensive than most of the other US main 5 (RCL, =X=, Princess)

 

2. Suites. NCL, from what I've come to understand, treats their suite guests the best of all the 5 mainstream lines

 

3. Anytime Dining - up until a few years ago NCL was the ONLY cruiseline to have this. Since that time the other 5 have jumped onboard

 

4. CAS (Casino at Seas) - When it comes to casino play NCL is the best for active players. Teaming up with Harrah's really helps them in this aspect

 

People COULD choose other cruiselines but since smokers constitute less than 15% of the population and public opinion keeps pressuring smoking restrictions maybe people figure it's easier to ask NCL to keep up with the times and further restrict smoker?

 

All I know is my wife and I really enjoyed our last NCL Sun cruise but the smoke in the casino was really a bummer - especially since we don't have to deal with it on Celebrity!

[newmexicoNita]

I've noticed an incessant amount of people complaining about smokers on the NCL boards. As a smoker, I actually picked NCL due to their mostly lax smoking policies (among a few other things). I often wonder.. if this is such a concern to you, why not choose a different cruise line?

 

remember more people do not smoke than smoke and many are very vocal. It is always easier to bitch than say positive things. You are right, I don't think you are going to have any problems with complainers. yes, let them choose other lines if it really is a huge issue.

 

Nita

[DerekNJ]

4. CAS (Casino at Seas) - When it comes to casino play NCL is the best for active players. Teaming up with Harrah's really helps them in this aspect

 

 

All I know is my wife and I really enjoyed our last NCL Sun cruise but the smoke in the casino was really a bummer - especially since we don't have to deal with it on Celebrity!

 

See, this is where I get especially confused. As a New Jerseyan, I regularly frequent Atlantic City... (Actually, Harrahs, but that's besides the point.) I've never heard anyone complain about the cigarette smoke in any of the casinos there. Are the ventilation systems in the ships' casinos that poor?

[Mr. Luckytoo]

See, this is where I get especially confused. As a New Jerseyan, I regularly frequent Atlantic City... (Actually, Harrahs, but that's besides the point.) I've never heard anyone complain about the cigarette smoke in any of the casinos there. Are the ventilation systems in the ships' casinos that poor?

 

Wow you're kidding right Derek? The smoke in AC is bad but not as bad as it used to be when they didn't have non-smoking areas.

 

The problem with a ships casino is simple - SIZE. Look at Harrah's in AC and how BIG the floor is. Smoke diffuses - especially with the high ceiling. On the ship you don't have the vaulted ceilings and space is at a premium. I mean on the Sun they had like 4 blackjack tables (one was $100/hand and the other $50 minimum).

 

Imagine squeezing Harrah's into 1/10 the size of the AC property and keeping the smoke the same - that's why people don't like it.

[newmexicoNita]

See, this is where I get especially confused. As a New Jerseyan, I regularly frequent Atlantic City... (Actually, Harrahs, but that's besides the point.) I've never heard anyone complain about the cigarette smoke in any of the casinos there. Are the ventilation systems in the ships' casinos that poor?

 

They aren't as good maybe as casinos on land, but I think there are just more on cruise ships that like to complain. When you go to a land based casino you know what to expect, on a cruise ship it is different.

 

Nita

[dockrocker]

In about half a generation this will all be settled. People will be shaking their heads--"Do you believe people used to smoke in cruise ship cabins and casinos?"--the way we currently do about people smoking in offices, movie theaters, etc.

 

Those of you who can't wait half a gen for the relief, my sympathies to you. I will raise a glass to your memory as I enjoy my finally pleasant balcony and casino.

[HazyDavy]

Because there's no mass market line that doesn't allow it? (Are there even any luxury lines that totally disallow it? Anybody know?)

 

Early on this thread I posted that Celebrity (X) doesn't allow smoking in their casinos and hasn't for over 2 years. My post was removed for some reason. I bring it up again because people are uninformed that there is at least one mass market line that has a strict smoking policy. Celebrity doesn't allow smoking in cabins, on verandas or in the casino. So there are options. Oceania and Azmura also have strict smoking policies. Those lines are not directly competitive with NCL for regular cabins but they are if you compare a balcony cabin on O or A with a suite on NCL.

 

I'm strongly anti smoking but I agree with the smokers who say as long as the cruise line allows it, people really have no reason to complain if they smoke in the areas where the cruise lines allow smoking. On NCL that includes the cabins and the verandas and the casino. You may not like it if your neighbor is smoking in their cabin or on their veranda but the cruise line sets the rules and they're following those rules.

 

Speak with your dollars. If bookings go down, and you let the cruise line know you're not booking because of the smoking policy, things may change. If you're booking anyway, why should they care? Because you complain on Cruise Critic or send them letters? :rolleyes:

 

I'm not bashing NCL or promoting X or any other line. NCL has a somewhat unique product that many people like. But when you book an NCL cruise to take advantage of freestyle and the lack of dresscodes or the entertainment on the Epic, all big pluses, you're also risking that smoking neighbor and the smoky casino. So, we all do our own personal benefit/detriment calculation and make our choices, but don't say there aren't any other options, there are.

[dockrocker]

Early on this thread I posted that Celebrity (X) doesn't allow smoking in their casinos and hasn't for over 2 years...So, we all do our own personal benefit/detriment calculation and make our choices, but don't say there aren't any other options, there are.

 

If you reread my post and the one it was responding to, you'll see neither was focused on smoking in casinos. The poster to whom I replied asked why people who dislike smoking cruise on lines that allow it period. And I correctly noted that no mass market lines and possibly no upmarket lines completely disallow it. In the very next post, I backed that up with a link to Frommer's 2009 roundup of cruiseline smoking policies: Exactly one cruiseline, a small outfit that only does inland U.S. waterways, is 100 percent non-smoking. If any others have joined it since 2009, please let us know.

 

Yes, there are options for those of us who can manage minimal secondhand smoke (I'm one of them). But these aren't the people or the totally non-smoking cruiseline to which the poster referred.

[nosekh]

We were on the NCL Spirit last summer.....and the only place that the smoke was unbearable was in the casino. If you don't go into the casino you won't be bothered, but for me...who loves the slots...it was gross....

Cough Cough:eek::eek::eek:

[klingoncruiser]

You stated most lines now ban smoking in rooms! Can you provide information on which lines as I think that statement is incorrect. It is my understanding most cruiselines allow smoking in cabins and on balconys. We have sailed many cruiselines over the last two years and find your statement totally incorrect.

 

Of the lines I have been on. RCI does not, Princess did not on the last ship I was on, Celebrity does not and I have not been on Carnivore in a while but have heard that they also have banned it in the rooms. Princess is the one that nearly burned down a ship with a carelessly tossed cigarette. I think they also banned the smoking on balconies shortly after that accident that killed one person.

 

So..... I still go on NCL. Doesn't mean I have to like the policy, just have to live with it. Our Xmas leg of our b to b on the spirit was as bad as I have had in about 10 years. Luck of the draw to get two heavy smokers in the room next to us. There was a door between the two rooms and every time they left the balcony door open we were inundated in smoke from the room. (That was often).

 

I am a big boy and know what I am getting into. I will be on the Spirit at spring break are still in that room. We will fix that problem next xmas as we have changed rooms to get rid of that door.

[cruisemom42]

Of the lines I have been on. RCI does not, Princess did not on the last ship I was on, Celebrity does not and I have not been on Carnivore in a while but have heard that they also have banned it in the rooms. Princess is the one that nearly burned down a ship with a carelessly tossed cigarette. I think they also banned the smoking on balconies shortly after that accident that killed one person.

 

So..... I still go on NCL. Doesn't mean I have to like the policy, just have to live with it. Our Xmas leg of our b to b on the spirit was as bad as I have had in about 10 years. Luck of the draw to get two heavy smokers in the room next to us. There was a door between the two rooms and every time they left the balcony door open we were inundated in smoke from the room. (That was often).

 

I am a big boy and know what I am getting into. I will be on the Spirit at spring break are still in that room. We will fix that problem next xmas as we have changed rooms to get rid of that door.

 

Wow, that's a whole lotta misinformation....

 

Princess, HAL, and Carnival all allow smoking in cabins and on balconies (with the exception of spa cabins on a few Carnival ships).

 

Royal Caribbean does not allow smoking in cabins, but still allows it on balconies.

 

The cruise line policies are all clearly laid out here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=225