Why We Left NCL?

[jdarch]

First off, please indulge us and try not to flame; we are posting this hoping that someone from Norwegian actually reads these threads.

As you can see from our signature, our trips to our favorite island have varied only in the cruise-line: either X or NCL, over time we've gone back and forth. In retrospect, even with the occasional hmm, we obviously enjoyed NCL and the Dawn:

- Even from PA, we especially loved NCL's Manhattan embarkation - never had a problem driving in, parking, and/or leaving.

- Even with some obligatory dings, the Dawn (and I suspect the cruise line) is maintained very well, and the crew members, if sometimes tired, were generally at least friendly and helpful.

- The many dining options on the Dawn, from so-so to excellent, we could always find something worthwhile.

- The entertainment was very good - there always seemed to be music everywhere you went. In addition to the very talented (if stretched) resident party band, we enjoyed Jose and Patti, Fire and Ice... (This year, unfortunately, at least on the Star the entertainment appears to have been cut back...).

Now. When the Dawn shifted to Boston, we looked at the Star, but decided to give X a try. Without getting into subjective differences, other than entertainment, the clincher for us with Celebrity is the non-smoking policy. NCL's new policy stipulates smokers can only do so on one part of the upper deck - or on their balcony; a minor inconvenience for those who smoke, but for those next door? I'm a former smoker and generally believe in live and let live, BUT:

If we spend $3K of our vacation money to pay for the balcony room we love so much, what happens when our NCL neighbor(s) smoke like chimneys, and we can't even open our sliding doors? And we found it does happen.

Really? Can't one side/section of the ship be balcony-smoking optional?

We would book another NCL cruise in a heartbeat - especially the Breakaway (!!) - if we knew we wouldn't have to worry about our balcony being downwind of an ashtray. Is there really no answer to this?

Our two cents. Thanks.

[www3traveler]

I agree with you. I would love to see the ships go completely smoke free including the staff. I do not think that will happen, but I can dream.

To answer you question, Yes Norwegian does monitor these threads.

[wasiii]

First off, please indulge us and try not to flame; we are posting this hoping that someone from Norwegian actually reads these threads.

As you can see from our signature, our trips to our favorite island have varied only in the cruise-line: either X or NCL, over time we've gone back and forth. In retrospect, even with the occasional hmm, we obviously enjoyed NCL and the Dawn:

- Even from PA, we especially loved NCL's Manhattan embarkation - never had a problem driving in, parking, and/or leaving.

- Even with some obligatory dings, the Dawn (and I suspect the cruise line) is maintained very well, and the crew members, if sometimes tired, were generally at least friendly and helpful.

- The many dining options on the Dawn, from so-so to excellent, we could always find something worthwhile.

- The entertainment was very good - there always seemed to be music everywhere you went. In addition to the very talented (if stretched) resident party band, we enjoyed Jose and Patti, Fire and Ice... (This year, unfortunately, at least on the Star the entertainment appears to have been cut back...).

Now. When the Dawn shifted to Boston, we looked at the Star, but decided to give X a try. Without getting into subjective differences, other than entertainment, the clincher for us with Celebrity is the non-smoking policy. NCL's new policy stipulates smokers can only do so on one part of the upper deck - or on their balcony; a minor inconvenience for those who smoke, but for those next door? I'm a former smoker and generally believe in live and let live, BUT:

If we spend $3K of our vacation money to pay for the balcony room we love so much, what happens when our NCL neighbor(s) smoke like chimneys, and we can't even open our sliding doors? And we found it does happen.

Really? Can't one side/section of the ship be balcony-smoking optional?

We would book another NCL cruise in a heartbeat - especially the Breakaway (!!) - if we knew we wouldn't have to worry about our balcony being downwind of an ashtray. Is there really no answer to this?

Our two cents. Thanks.

 

.....you would never have smoke smell from anyone since it would be going behind the ship. :cool:

 

wasiii

[my_crib_too]

Both of you make good points... Making half the ship smoke free seems reasonable.

[www3traveler]

In 1974 my mother died at 65 because of her cigarette smoking. This November I will be cancer free 28 years (different type of cancer). I tend to care more about smoking issues and cancer than a lot of other people.

[gatime]

I want a smokers only ship.

[Partyatsea]

Since we first cruised the spaces where smoking is allowed has steadily been reduced and we have never once complained. Now our balcony is one of the few places we can smoke. If the day comes we can't smoke on our balcony we will definitely be doing land AI resorts instead of cruising.

 

Maybe they should do a smoke free ship. I'm sure there would be huge demand and they could charge a nice premium. All the non smokers would be happy.

OP it sounds like you found a line that suites you. Thats why there are different lines.

 

My 2 cents. Thanks

[Hikini]

I understand your dislike of wishing to have your balcony door open, but you can't because you have smokers on one or both sides and their smoke drifts right into your cabin. Ick!

[Tomct]

We had a smoking related problem on the Epic, though it was related to drinking! On the first two overnights, we were awoken about 3:30/4:00 am each morning, when there seemed to be a "balcony" party on the deck beneath us. At least 3 couples in two adjoining cabins were the culprits, as they apparently returned from their evening out and around, and went outside to smoke, and unfortunately drink, too. We could smell the smoke, but it was the loud talking that woke us up, and kept us awake. In the morning we reported the incident, and asked that they just be aware of the problem, and hopefully on call if it happened again. Well it did, and we called the desk, and within minutes, security was at our door to observe what was happening down below. Other than thanking the desk in the morning, we never had another problem, though we still observed some partying, and of course could smell the smoke on occasion, but we were pleased that NCL took immediate action and took care of the problem for us.

[sadiecat]

What I can't figure out is why so many people can't use their balconies because of the smoking and when we are on our balcony and there is smoking next to me (and I do know for a fact someone was smoking) that I can't smell anything. What's up with that.......

[bonvoyagie]

OP - now worry about being flamed on this issue. Yes it seems to be a polar topic and being a non smoker - I also do not like to smell smoke when I am trying to enjoy my outdoor space - I also hate to walk by the casino for the very same reason. Hotels have non smoking rooms - why not have dedicated smoking balconies on the ship - make them towards the aft so the smoke blows backwards :). I know that on our last cruise we had an aft balcony and I know there were people above us that smoked as well as one the cabin beside us - but we never really smelled their smoke because it did indeed blow backwards.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Since we first cruised the spaces where smoking is allowed has steadily been reduced and we have never once complained. Now our balcony is one of the few places we can smoke. If the day comes we can't smoke on our balcony we will definitely be doing land AI resorts instead of cruising.

 

Maybe they should do a smoke free ship. I'm sure there would be huge demand and they could charge a nice premium. All the non smokers would be happy.

OP it sounds like you found a line that suites you. Thats why there are different lines.

 

My 2 cents. Thanks

 

Carnival tried that concept on one of their ships and it did not have huge demand and the prices were cut.

 

Finally they threw in the towel and made that ship like the rest of the fleet.

 

They found out that non smokers don't gamble or drink as much as smokers and that you couldn't get too many group bookings because everybody in the group would have to be non smokers.

 

Bill

[English_in_Spain]

Carnival tried that concept on one of their ships and it did not have huge demand and the prices were cut.

 

Finally they threw in the towel and made that ship like the rest of the fleet.

 

They found out that non smokers don't gamble or drink as much as smokers and that you couldn't get too many group bookings because everybody in the group would have to be non smokers.

 

Bill

 

Carnival Paradise was actually built as a non-smoking ship. Workers involved in the building and fitting out of the ship were not allowed to smoke.

 

You were not even allowed to take smoking materials onboard. If you did you were put off the ship at the next port. It was that strict.

 

This was nearly 10 years ago. I think attitudes have changed since then. Maybe now is the time for one of the cruise lines to try it again.

 

Having one side of the ship smoking and one non-smoking (in terms of cabins and balconies) has been discussed many times here in CC. It is generally considered impractical to only allow people to book one side or another. Again, it would be nice for one of the cruise lines to give it a try.

 

 

[musicorn]

Before the smokers flame those that have issues on balconies or the non-smokers flame everybody that smokes, I think we need to remember there are a lot of variables that affect all of this.

 

1. It depends on the direction of the wind if the smoke goes behind the ship or into the next balcony or the one above,

 

2. It depends on the type of smoke being enjoyed - some are more offensive than others,

 

3. It depends on the sensitivity of the non-smoker to the smoke,

 

4. t depends on the frequency of the smoker having a smoke - becomes less tolerable if it is all of the time when you go out on the balcony or there are many smokers around you.

 

I am sure there are more as well. On the Australian ships the only places you can smoke is in the designated open decks and on one side of the swimming pool.

 

I have found booking an aft cabin if possible helps with smoke issues as it is less likely to blow in. I suffer really badly with smoke so try to avoid if possible.

 

I think one side of the ship for smoking cabins and the other for non-smoking would be great.

[njhorseman]

Reserving one side of the ship for smokers has been discussed on many occasions. It would never work, because fewer than 20% of adults in the US smoke cigarettes. You can't fill that half of the ship when 80% of potential passengers wouldn't book a cabin there.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/#national

 

An estimated 45.3 million people, or 19.3% of all adults (aged 18 years or older), in the United States smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is more common among men (21.5%) than women (17.3%).

[che5904]

I want a smokers only ship.

 

Me too! :D

[NJLVW]

If my memory serves me correctly many years ago go on either my 1st or 2nd NCL cruise I was asked if I smoked because one side (& I don't remember which side) was smoking and the other was non smoking. This was for the cabins. I also seem to remember that there were wall ashtrays on only one side of the ship as well again where the cabins were located. I could be wrong as it was quite some time ago. The point being is there may be a way for NCL to offer 1 side for smokers and if for instance you wanted to be on that side well you know in advance it is the smokers side. JMO

[che5904]

IMO booking a balcony cabin on a ship that allows smoking on their balconies, and then complaining about the smoke. Is akin to renting an apartment over fish store and complaining about the smell of fish.

 

If smoke may bother you from your neighbor smoking on their balcony, then don't get a balcony cabin. If the balcony is important to you, choose another line.

 

OP I think you made a wise move in choosing another line that suits your needs by prioritizing what is important to you.

 

Funny thing about life is we can't get everything we want, we have to choose to prioritize.

[English_in_Spain]

Reserving one side of the ship for smokers has been discussed on many occasions. It would never work, because fewer than 20% of adults in the US smoke cigarettes. You can't fill that half of the ship when 80% of potential passengers wouldn't book a cabin there.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_smoking/#national

 

An estimated 45.3 million people, or 19.3% of all adults (aged 18 years or older), in the United States smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is more common among men (21.5%) than women (17.3%).

 

 

This is what I don't understand. If such a small percentage of people smoke, how come everyone seems to have a smoker on the balcony either side of them as well as above and below :confused:

 

[Medtech2]

I want a smokers only ship.

You know, they should try this. If it is a sellout, great. Apparently they think no smoking at all would not work so try one ship only to see demand, I would not be on it but if it turns out to be a sound business model it would answer a lot of questions...

[che5904]

This is what I don't understand. If such a small percentage of people smoke, how come everyone seems to have a smoker on the balcony either side of them as well as above and below :confused:

 

 

:D :D Good question. Probably because statistics are only as good as the one that thinks they know what they are talking about. I'd bet if you polled all the smokers on CC and ask if they have ever been included in a smoking poll for statistics. The number would be very small.

[Medtech2]

What I can't figure out is why so many people can't use their balconies because of the smoking and when we are on our balcony and there is smoking next to me (and I do know for a fact someone was smoking) that I can't smell anything. What's up with that.......

I work in a scent free environment in a hospital and I also have allergies. There were days I had to take a Zyrtec and cortisone spray in the morning and also add Benadryl at night. Now that we are scent free it is much better. It has gotten to the point that I cannot even wear my favorite perfume...

 

Everyone's sensitivities are different.

[Medtech2]

Sorry CC board said it did not go thru then my post appeared twice...

[LifeNJ]

I am a former smoker and when I did smoke I was very conssiderate of people around me. There should be no smoking on balconies. There should be areas on top deck for smokers.

[LifeNJ]

I am a former smoker and when I did smoke I was very conssiderate of people around me. There should be no smoking on balconies. There should be areas on top deck for smokers. I have stayed at hotels that were non smoking and being on the 20th floor you would have to go down stairs to smoke. If you worked in a high raise building and there was no smoking where would you go? You would have to go down and out.