Is there a lot of Smoking on board?

[jakeysmama]

I am pregnant and planning a cruise. We cruised on the Carnival Paradise a few years ago and it was a smoke free cruise which we loved.
I want to try RCCL this time - is there a non-smoking area in the casino's? Do you find that there is a lot of smoking on board?

[trabucocruiser]

If I remember right, there is no smoking at the tables. As far as a lot of smoking, I would say there is some on those decks out side and on the balconies but no inside, enclosed areas.

[lschrage]

[quote name='trabucocruiser']If I remember right, there is no smoking at the tables. As far as a lot of smoking, I would say there is some on those decks out side and on the balconies but no inside, enclosed areas.[/QUOTE]

Except the casino. Lots of people smoking in the casino. And no, there is not a smoke-free section in the casino, unfortunately.

Lynne

[springtxbill]

The casino and Schooner bars are the only places where the smoke is bad.[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]

[Travelgrrl]

Also there are small smoking sections in most lounges; no smoking in any dining room, and only on one side of the ship (in open areas).

Also, you can smoke in your stateroom (ick - and I like to smoke on vacation - but would never do that - and also I've never had a stateroom that smelled of smoke so they must be able to quickly dispel it) and on private balconies.

You should be fine (except for the casino!)

[bpear1600]

[quote name='jakeysmama']I am pregnant and planning a cruise. We cruised on the Carnival Paradise a few years ago and it was a smoke free cruise which we loved.
I want to try RCCL this time - is there a non-smoking area in the casino's? Do you find that there is a lot of smoking on board?[/QUOTE]

The casino on the Mariner was smoky on our first cruise and extremely smoky the last one. While there are smoking and no smoking areas we found the ship much smokier this time with many observed smoking in prohibited places.

People say to just report this to a crew member but try to find one when you need one.:)

[Guest OBAYbee]

While on Mariner December 2003 we were at BlackJack tables in the casino that were non-smoking tables. I didn't notice the smoke anywhere except in ports and the taxi cabs.. LOL
I think many smokers have become more in tune with non smokers and the fact that it can/does bother some people physically. For the most part it isn't much of a problem on any cruise I have been on. (At least not yet.) A real nuisance for me of late are cell phones. Not the object, but those who are on them incessantly while dining etc. But that's a whole different thread I would imagine. : )

[bpear1600]

I think it probably depends a lot on the mix of passengers on any particular cruise. Like I said, our two MOTS cruises, a year apart, were like night and day in this respect.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Casino does have a non-smoking area, but you have to walk through smoking to get there for the most part!

Theaters, dining rooms, etc. are all non-smoking as is one side of the ship even outdoors (don't remember which side).

Biggest problem, however, is the mix of passengers - some people are fine; some just don't care. Also, depends on the home of the passengers - most Americans now are used to non-smoking because it is so prevalent here, not so in many countries - have found that "foreigners" please note I used the quotes trying to explain what I meant, can be the worst offenders, simply because they are not used to "non-smoking." You really don't know how it will be.

[sleepybert]

I don't get alone well with smoke. When on the Rhapsody the only 2 places I even noticed it was in the casino and the bar. Outside decks - 1 side is smoking and the other is non. We stayed to the non-smoking side and had no problems. The smokers on our last cruise were following the rules.

[Shanafan]

[quote name='lschrage']Except the casino. Lots of people smoking in the casino. And no, there is not a smoke-free section in the casino, unfortunately.

Lynne[/QUOTE]

Having just come back from the Jewel of the Seas, I can tell you they do have areas in the casino which are no smoking. I know some slot machines and video poker had no smoking areas. Cigars are not allowed anywhere in the casino. In the Schooner bar, several tables were all marked with the non smoking sticker. The only smoking around the pool area was at the pool bar, and on the starboard side of the ship under the covered area. I saw several times where people did not see the non smoking signs and the staff was quick to point it out to them.

[island lady]

I have still not understood why they don't have a choice of smoking vs. non-smoking cabins. If one side of the ship is non and the other is for smoking, why not do the cabins like that? Or would the ship tip over to one side? ;)
Cheers!

[realtorbmw]

In the Sovereign casino there were a few slot machines areas and tables designated smoke free. And all the lounges had dedicated non-smoking areas. It seemed that most people were courteous enough to respect these boundries.

I smoke myself but even for me it was pretty bad sometimes so I know the non-smokers appreciate having an area for themselves.

[Kaki_and_Mark]

We are vehement non smokers.

We just got back from a 4 night cruise on Majesty of the Seas.

There was some smoking in the casino, but there is a large non smoking sextion there. There was no smoking in the dining rooms, in the halls, in the centrum, in any lines, in the chorus line show lounge.

We saw 2 women smoking on deck near the windjammer cafe one morning, they had smokeless ashtrays, and if we hadn't been sitting right next to them we woulnd't have known they were smoking.

I saw one man smoking near the pool one day. I suppose there may have been more smoking in the bars, but we didn't spend time there. It is so not an issue.

[judybarry]

We were on the Majesty of the Seas from 1/24-1/28 and found there was much too much smoking. My husband had a bad cough and ended up hospitalized with pneumonia three days after we landed. Stay away from the casino, the non-smoking area was a joke. Also in order to get to the entertainment you had to go through the Schooner Lounge. On the outside areas, the left side of the ship was supposed to be for smoking only, but I found that some people just do not believe in following signs or rules.
I for one would love a totally smoke-free cruise. I guess it depends on the mix of people. Unfortunately for us, it was the wrong mix.

[SCOOP]

My co-worker just called RCCL today about this issue. There is no smoking allowed in any cabin(no matter what class)-I am assuming fire hazard reasons. I am sure some inconsiderates violate this for the next cabin residents... but the stewards are suppose to report smokers in the rooms. We will see??
scoop


Granduer 97
Voyager 03
Radiance 20 some days!!!

[DON M.]

[quote name='SCOOP']My co-worker just called RCCL today about this issue. There is no smoking allowed in any cabin(no matter what class)-I am assuming fire hazard reasons. I am sure some inconsiderates violate this for the next cabin residents... but the stewards are suppose to report smokers in the rooms. We will see??
scoop


Granduer 97
Voyager 03
Radiance 20 some days!!![/QUOTE]
This is the first time I have ever read this policy. Does that include the balcony? Is there a fine or are you escorted off the ship?

[dc-snoopy]

[quote name='SCOOP']My co-worker just called RCCL today about this issue. There is no smoking allowed in any cabin(no matter what class)-I am assuming fire hazard reasons. I am sure some inconsiderates violate this for the next cabin residents... but the stewards are suppose to report smokers in the rooms. We will see??
scoop
[/QUOTE]

I'm surprised that the policy changed so recently. We were on the 2/6 sailing of the Jewel and when I called RCI the week before, I was told that smoking was [B]* ALLOWED *[/B] in all staterooms. Since my wife is allergic to smoke and is currently under immuno-suppression which makes things worse, I called to find out what could be done. They said that we should board early and if any smoke smells bothered her, we should report to our cabin attendant or to Guest Relations and they would have a special cleaning of the room. The cleaning would include a high powered ionizer that supposedly was very good at getting smoke out of a room (including the fabrics). Apparently, you could make special arrangements with the Special Needs department, but I didn't find this out until the Friday evening before we sailed and they were closed for the weekend. We were lucky. When we boarded, DW had no problems in the room. The only place I noticed a problem was in the casino. Although no pipe or cigar smoking was allowed, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was pretty high especially at night and towards the end of the cruise. I found times that I would get "smoked out". Otherwise, we noticed almost no one smoking on board.

As for non-smoking chips, Carnival tried that at one point and judging by the fact that they no longer provide any non-smoking ships, I would guess that it didn't work out financially.

[mlroberts23]

As a part time smoker ( i dont smoke in the house or the car or dont let my kids see me smoke) I think I still have a right to smoke somewhere and was hoping I could go out on deck by the pool with my drink and have one. I s this not allowed? I would never expect to light up in the dining room but I am hoping that ther will be places I dont have to hide like I do at home to have one!:) I'm on this cruise without hubby or my boys!!

[DON M.]

Naturally, it was Scoop's co-worker who called. He (or she) would certainly not want to take the credit for this made up story. Iam surprised this op's question went 14 posts ( a record for C.C.) before the non-smokers began the attack. I refuse to get suckered in.

[DON M.]

[quote name='mlroberts23']As a part time smoker ( i dont smoke in the house or the car or dont let my kids see me smoke) I think I still have a right to smoke somewhere and was hoping I could go out on deck by the pool with my drink and have one. I s this not allowed? I would never expect to light up in the dining room but I am hoping that ther will be places I dont have to hide like I do at home to have one!:) I'm on this cruise without hubby or my boys!![/QUOTE]
When by the pool, there are bars nearby that have ashtrays where I smoke. I do not smoke while around the pool on a lounge, and I don't think its allowed but Iam not sure.

[Sheffie]

[quote name='DON M.']When by the pool, there are bars nearby that have ashtrays where I smoke. I do not smoke while around the pool on a lounge, and I don't think its allowed but Iam not sure.[/QUOTE]

The port side of the ship is designated for smoking. The starboard side is smoke-free. I have seen this rule followed by MOST passengers. One that I specifically remember not following the rule was very discreet about her occasional smoke. I really don't know why she didn't just move rather than having to sneak her cigarette. One other time I mentioned someone smoking to a deck officer, and he quickly went to the smoker and explained to them and they quietly moved to the port side of the ship.

I find most smokers on our cruises have been "rule-followers."

[Shanafan]

[quote name='mlroberts23']As a part time smoker ( i dont smoke in the house or the car or dont let my kids see me smoke) I think I still have a right to smoke somewhere and was hoping I could go out on deck by the pool with my drink and have one. I s this not allowed? I would never expect to light up in the dining room but I am hoping that ther will be places I dont have to hide like I do at home to have one!:) I'm on this cruise without hubby or my boys!![/QUOTE]
Smoking is not allowed on the pool deck. You have to go to the designated areas near the windows if you want to smoke in the pool area. They have signs and ashtrays. I was pleasantly surprised to see there is no more smoking by the pool. Nothing worse than a breeze and having someones ashes land on your tanning lotioned body!

[rmchunter]

[quote name='SCOOP']My co-worker just called RCCL today about this issue. There is no smoking allowed in any cabin(no matter what class)-I am assuming fire hazard reasons. I am sure some inconsiderates violate this for the next cabin residents... but the stewards are suppose to report smokers in the rooms. We will see??
scoop


Granduer 97
Voyager 03
Radiance 20 some days!!![/QUOTE]
I have an e-mail from RCCL that states the same thing. They said if someone asks they give them an ashtray for use on the balcony, if they have no balcony, they give them an ashtray so they won't stomp them out on the floor

[raerae]

[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]On our cruise 11/28/04 on the AOS we traveled with 4 smokers. The one couple asked their room steward for an ashtray and he brought them 2. The other couple(different steward) were admonished by their cabin steward. They were told that they [b]prefer[/b] that guests not smoke, however there is no rule against it. The steward said it makes it more difficult to clean the cabin after a smoker has occupied it. I am a non smoker(reformed 8 years ago) and have never had a problem on 9 cruises of smelling smoke in any of our cabins. [/size][/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]Also there was smoking at the pool on the side where smoking was permitted. [/size][/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]I did feel smoked out in the casino[/size][/font]. [font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]I spent very little time in there due to the smoke. I did not notice a non-smoking section in there.[/size][/font]
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[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]I do have to say that there were very considerate smokers on our cruise with the exception of one of the couples we traveled with. The one man walked into our cabin with a lit cigarette and it took several promptings to leave or put out the cigarette. this man is scheduled to travel with us again and I have set guidelines and had a conversation with him and his wife since I have been diagnosed with asthma now. My DH and I always accomodated their smoking at restaurants and other functions and have requested that they now accomodate my needs. they have agreed....we'll see![/size][/font]
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[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3]Cindy ;) [/size][/font]