Smoking in the Spirit Casino... Really?

[fleet]

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:

 

 

You might want to address your concerns in writing. Our observation was that the ashtrays on the Pearl and other NCL ships was that the crew did not empty the ashtrays or do much general cleaning at all in the casinos. In the Indian casinos that we frequent there are people constantly cleaning, wiping, etc. You can barely put a cigarette out before the ashtray was emptied. The ashtrays on the Pearl were just gross, never emptied while we were there. At the end of the cruise they were cleaning the vents but, hello, why not clean during the cruise? So, it may need to be brought to the attention of NCL that they could step it up a notch. JMHO from a smoker.

[Richie2pies]

People who complain about the balcony smoke invading their open balcony door should realize they are not supposed to keep their balcony door open. By keeping their balcony door open, they reduce the AC efficiency in the entire block of cabins.

[sdmike]

I generally have issues with anything that infringes on my rights, and especially bothered by second hand smoke due to the health ramifications. Lingering smoke on furnishings, clothing, carpets is also very unpleasant (as is getting onto the elevator with someone who just seemingly smoked an entire pack). One reason we chose the Epic was because it was new and it was very unlikely to have a lingering smoke issue. We didn't have any room or balcony smoke issues, but I think the demographic of over 1600 kids and their families had something to do with it. I intentionally choose 100% smoke free hotels. California is very strict, to the point that you can't smoke in any public buildings. I'm actually pretty torn about what I'll do about my next cruise. I love the NCL freestyle concept, but as ships age they're more likely to have lingering affects of smoking.

 

One line not mentioned here is Disney. We loved our DCL cruise. There was no smoking in the casino because....there was no casino! :) No smoking in the room either, but not sure about the balcony (just don't remember). Also will confirm that RCI hasn't allowed smoking in their rooms for a while now. Balcony and designated areas only.

 

I wonder if lines are still so smoke lenient because they still need to attract large percentages of europeans and asians who have significantly higher smoker percentages. Many of us think with our "U.S. brains" where smoking is a dying sport (no pun intended), but the rest of the world isn't there yet.

 

No intention here to bash smokers. What you do to yourselves is your business. If it's allowed where you are, puff away. Same with those that love (insert your least favorite music here), are into fetishes (and you know who you are...lol), or want to praise whatever deity you believe brought you here. Just..really...keep me out of it. It's my right to NOT get involved. :) As someone said, consumers vote with their dollars, and I'm going to have a tough time voting NCL next time due to their smoking policies. It'll be a real bummer though.

[sdmike]

People who complain about the balcony smoke invading their open balcony door should realize they are not supposed to keep their balcony door open. By keeping their balcony door open, they reduce the AC efficiency in the entire block of cabins.

 

On the Epic your AC shuts off with the door open, so you're not "cooling the outside" like my mom used to say. Is it that way on other NCL ships yet?

[dockrocker]

I wonder if lines are still so smoke lenient because they still need to attract large percentages of europeans and asians who have significantly higher smoker percentages.

 

That's part of it, and another part is that the overall U.S. cruising demographic attracts smokers at a higher proportion than we find in the general U.S. population. This becomes even more pronounced when you get into the mass market lines, because the proportion of U.S. smokers goes up the farther down the income ladder you go. Geography has an effect, too -- if you've ever taken a cruise out of New Orleans, for example, you'll note there are many more smokers than on a ship out of, say, San Diego.

 

At this point, the luxury and premium lines are starting to differentiate themselves by going with or rejecting restrictive smoking policies. For example, Azamara, Silversea, Regent SevenSeas and Oceania are restrictive; Cunard and Crystal are less so. Celebrity is the first line with primarily American passengers in the mass market category to embrace restrictive policies, which is no doubt an attempt to attract a growing number of customers who prefer less smoke. (In the U.K. and Europe, P&O has gone largely non-smoking and MSC almost totally so, so despite the fact that smokers are more prevalent in Europe, there's some differentiation going on there. Ironic that mass market cruisers have more choice there!) I expect there will eventually be other majority-American lines that strongly restrict smoking, but it may be a while at the mass market level.

 

There are also numerous studies correlating gambling with smoking and smoking with drinking, which is why casinos still allow smoking on most ships: it simply brings in more revenue than a non-smoking casino does. Again, the tipping point will arrive and it will eventually become more profitable to have non-smoking casinos on mass market lines, but we're probably a decade or two away from that. Hope I'm wrong and that the pace of change is faster. :)

[newmexicoNita]

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.

 

I have said for quite awhile, our almost 4 year old great granddaughter won't know what an ashtray is. What a nice thing to look forward to. Smokers don't take this personally, I was there not many years ago. In fact this will be my first attempt at casino life without a cigarette. I haven't smoked for a few years except when I go to a casino (which is rare) This time I intend on not smoking there either.

 

I remember only too well when we smoked at the bridge tables, after dinner at the kitchen table, yes, in the movies, offices, even in the hospitals. We thought anyone that objected to smoke were just plain as@H$l$s.

 

NIta

[newmexicoNita]

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.

 

speaking with your dollars? Carnival tried a non smoking ship and it didn't work. You mention Oceana and Azuma, they are not considered mass marketed lines.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

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.

Unless Princess has changed very recently they do allow smoking in the cabins. We sailed them twice since the incideant you are referring to and yes, smoking was allowed. They did offer one night of non smoking in the casino. HAL does the same. Carnival does allow smoking, so does HAL. Actually I think the only line that does not is RCI/Celebrity.

[DerekNJ]

There are also numerous studies correlating gambling with smoking and smoking with drinking, which is why casinos still allow smoking on most ships: it simply brings in more revenue than a non-smoking casino does. Again, the tipping point will arrive and it will eventually become more profitable to have non-smoking casinos on mass market lines, but we're probably a decade or two away from that. Hope I'm wrong and that the pace of change is faster. :)

 

For what it's worth, Atlantic City tried going completely non-smoking. (They had small "smokers lounges" without any games in them inside..) And, it failed abysmally. Smoking was allowed again, in certain percentages of the casinos, but the damage was already done. Coupled with the economic collapse and the opening of numerous PA, NY, and DE casinos, business has yet to stabilize for most of the casinos. I have a feeling that casinos will not ban smoking until cigarettes are no longer sold in the US.

[98Charlie]

I've read a few places that there is still smoking allowed in the Casino on the Spirit... is this true?

 

Are there any other places on a ship, outside a persons' cabin, that people are still allowed to smoke?

 

Please tell me NOT the restaurants.. I don't want to be breathing in second hand smoke while i'm eating any of my meals...

 

I'm shocked that its still allowed in a casino?!?! Such a small and confined place??

 

(No offence to any smokers of course)

 

Going back to the OP's original post regarding casino on the Spirit:

 

I got off the Spirit Sunday and have to put my input here. Of the 31 cruises I've taken so far since 2002, this cruise was the most smoke free I've seen. Yes, there were smokers on the ship and smokers in the casino but I did not notice the smoke as much as I have on the other 30 cruises I've taken.

 

I have cruised the Spirit 4 times over the past 4 years and have never felt that the casino was as ``smokey'' as other ships I've sailed. Maybe it's due to the size of the casino combined with the back lounge that is attached. It's really a very large space compared to casinos on other ships.

 

Maybe I noticed the less smoke in the Spirit's casino more than some others since I just cruised Carnival Glory in December where clouds of smoke could be seen in the air in the casino every night. There were no smoke clouds on the Spirit this time and my clothes did not reek of second hand smoke after being in there for an hour or so like I've experienced on other ships.

 

Just my 2 cents worth for whatever it's worth.

 

Dianne

[odessy]

Do they air the rooms out pretty well, between passangers? My family are non-smokers..And always ask for non-smoking rooms when going away, so I hope this is not an issue onboard..

[newmexicoNita]

Do they air the rooms out pretty well, between passangers? My family are non-smokers..And always ask for non-smoking rooms when going away, so I hope this is not an issue onboard..

 

I have never heard of a single person who is being honest say they smelled used smoke in their cabin. You should be just fine. I know we never have smelled anything.

 

Nita

[98Charlie]

Do they air the rooms out pretty well, between passangers? My family are non-smokers..And always ask for non-smoking rooms when going away, so I hope this is not an issue onboard..

 

Cruiselines use a machine called an ozone machine to ``desmoke'' cabins that have been occupied by smokers. The machine does a good job getting rid of the stale smoke odor in cabins.

 

Dianne

[odessy]

Cruiselines use a machine called an ozone machine to ``desmoke'' cabins that have been occupied by smokers. The machine does a good job getting rid of the stale smoke odor in cabins.

 

Dianne

 

Great to know..Thanks...

[dockrocker]

Do they air the rooms out pretty well, between passangers? My family are non-smokers..And always ask for non-smoking rooms when going away, so I hope this is not an issue onboard..

 

I'm very sensitive to smoke and we've always been fine on NCL. I did smell stale smoke once in a Carnival cabin, but even then it wasn't bad.

 

If you get a balcony, you will smell smoke just from opening the door to get in and out and having smoke come in from smokers on nearby balconies.

 

Now, ask me the number of times my bathroom on NCL has smelled like the last passenger's pee. :(

[odessy]

I'm very sensitive to smoke and we've always been fine on NCL. I did smell stale smoke once in a Carnival cabin, but even then it wasn't bad.

 

If you get a balcony, you will smell smoke just from opening the door to get in and out and having smoke come in from smokers on nearby balconies.

 

Now, ask me the number of times on NCL my bathroom has smelled like the last passenger's pee. :(

 

:eek: GROSS!!!!

[dockrocker]

:eek: GROSS!!!!

 

It is gross, but I can't blame the stewards, all of whom have been great. This has only been an issue in the last few years, during which time NCL upped the number of cabins each steward duo is responsible for. These men and women are extraordinarily hard-working and responsive, but 25-30 cabins is too many for two people to do properly, and things naturally get overlooked sometimes.

 

They do bring in extra people to help turn over the cabins on embarkation day, but even then it's a super rush to get everything done. Have no worry -- if you have this problem, mention it nicely to your steward on day two -- NOT on crazy embarkation day -- and it'll get taken care of.

[chrispb]

[quote name=

I remember only too well when we smoked at the bridge tables, after dinner at the kitchen table, yes, in the movies, offices, even in the hospitals.

NIta[/quote]

 

Ah, those were the days ......

[alwalaska]

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?

 

I don't go to Casinos, so I can't say about on land, but I avoid walking through the Casino on the ship even when it is closed because it still reeks of smoke.

 

On the Sky and the Explorer of the Seas, the smoke in the casino was so thick that it came out to the surrounding areas as well. The ventilation is obviously not good.

[scapino]

I've read a few places that there is still smoking allowed in the Casino on the Spirit... is this true?

 

Are there any other places on a ship, outside a persons' cabin, that people are still allowed to smoke?

 

Please tell me NOT the restaurants.. I don't want to be breathing in second hand smoke while i'm eating any of my meals...

 

I'm shocked that its still allowed in a casino?!?! Such a small and confined place??

 

(No offence to any smokers of course)

 

What casinos have you been to where it is not allowed? Smoke free casinos in Vegas have failed. Research shows that ALOT of casino gamblers smoke

[terrymtex01]

I have said for quite awhile, our almost 4 year old great granddaughter won't know what an ashtray is. What a nice thing to look forward to. Smokers don't take this personally, I was there not many years ago. In fact this will be my first attempt at casino life without a cigarette. I haven't smoked for a few years except when I go to a casino (which is rare) This time I intend on not smoking there either.

 

I remember only too well when we smoked at the bridge tables, after dinner at the kitchen table, yes, in the movies, offices, even in the hospitals. We thought anyone that objected to smoke were just plain as@H$l$s.

 

NIta

 

Nita.. Every now and then I think of those days. It actually is almost unimaginable that I used to see people smoke as they shopped for groceries (I was to young to smoke when I saw that), we used to go to someone's house who were no smokers and it was nothing to light up in their non-smoking house (I remember non-smokers who would insist I smoke in their house), smoking on flights, etc. Places as a smoker I wouldn't dream of lighting up these days. Yet, I wouldn't go to a casino that did not allow smoking if there were others that did allow them. If there were no others, I guess I would just quit casino's all together.

 

It really is interesting to look back at what a change it has been over the last 30 years or so. I keep saying I wish they would just outlaw them and then we would have no choice but to quit. 8-)

 

What casinos have you been to where it is not allowed? Smoke free casinos in Vegas have failed. Research shows that ALOT of casino gamblers smoke

 

There was one casino we went to that allowed no smoking.. It was a tiny casino in Taos, NM. I am sure the only way they got away with it was, to my knowledge, they were the only casino within I don't know how many hundreds of miles. We stayed one hour. Which for us is no time at all in a casino.

[dockrocker]

I keep saying I wish they would just outlaw them and then we would have no choice but to quit. 8-)

 

If they outlaw smoking, only outlaws will smoke!!!! ;)

 

I hope the NRA doesn't sue me for copyright infringement.

[newmexicoNita]

Nita.. Every now and then I think of those days. It actually is almost unimaginable that I used to see people smoke as they shopped for groceries (I was to young to smoke when I saw that), we used to go to someone's house who were no smokers and it was nothing to light up in their non-smoking house (I remember non-smokers who would insist I smoke in their house), smoking on flights, etc. Places as a smoker I wouldn't dream of lighting up these days. Yet, I wouldn't go to a casino that did not allow smoking if there were others that did allow them. If there were no others, I guess I would just quit casino's all together.

 

It really is interesting to look back at what a change it has been over the last 30 years or so. I keep saying I wish they would just outlaw them and then we would have no choice but to quit. 8-)

 

 

 

There was one casino we went to that allowed no smoking.. It was a tiny casino in Taos, NM. I am sure the only way they got away with it was, to my knowledge, they were the only casino within I don't know how many hundreds of miles. We stayed one hour. Which for us is no time at all in a casino.

 

when I had my kids 40 plus years ago we could smoke in the labor rooms, the hospital rooms and we had a friend who was a baptist minister and yet they had ashtrays for smoking friends.

 

Nita

[Ms belp]

I remember when we used to be able to smoke everywhere as well and people were much more mellow. Of course, the cocktail hour before dinner probably helped too.

 

As for outlawing it outright so you could quit; you would not want to meet those of us that need a cig. :eek:

[Ms belp]

I guess most here don't remember how well Prohibition worked out for this country.