How bad is the smoking on Allure?

[Kesstral]

My husband and I went on our first cruise last May on Rhapsody to Alaska (Vancouver-Seattle). This was the first Alaska trip for the ship after arriving from Hawaii. For some reason the entire interior of the ship, from what I could tell, seemed non-smoking. I never smelled any in the casino or in the Viking Crown lounge (was only in there a few times during the day to read) and never spent any time in the Shall We Dance lounge. Maybe I just got lucky and just managed to avoid the smoke (except on the outside deck on the one side of the ship that I knew was the smoking side).

 

I have an allergy to tobacco smoke which makes me not fun at parties (more accurately parties not fun for me). Basically I get a mild asthma-attack reaction (coughing, little harder to breathe, etc) and do my best to avoid being around smokers.

 

I've been reading a lot of reviews on the Oasis and Allure after having booked an oceanview balcony for Oct 2013 on the Allure to prepare for our trip. I know the oceanview balconies on both sides are smoking so I picked a cabin closer to the front of the ship to help cut down on the number of people who could be smoking in front of us. I seem to be finding many comments lately about how prevelant the indoor smoking areas are on the Allure and I'm worried I wont be able to get from one side of the ship to the other without having to hold my breath.

 

I'm looking for honest comments on the extent of smoking on the ship so I can be better prepared or choose a different vacation. This trip is a very big deal for us as I am a horrible flyer and am expecting to have to take multiple planes from Vancouver, BC. We are also planning to stay several days pre-cruise in Orlando to make it worth while (hubby NEEDS to go to Harry Potter world).

 

Thanks :)

[cb at sea]

You do know that the number of smokers will vary from cruise to cruise. The interior areas of the ship (including the Central Park and Boardwalk areas) won't have smoking, with the exception of a bar or two and the casino.

 

On the outside, open decks, there are only a few designated smoking spaces...you should easily be able to avoid them.

[TEXASMUNK]

Go to a KOA campground!!!!

 

Avoid all ships!

[Debde]

I have an allergy to tobacco smoke which makes me not fun at parties (more accurately parties not fun for me). Basically I get a mild asthma-attack reaction (coughing, little harder to breathe, etc) and do my best to avoid being around smokers.

 

I'm worried I wont be able to get from one side of the ship to the other without having to hold my breath.

 

I'm looking for honest comments on the extent of smoking on the ship so I can be better prepared or choose a different vacation. This trip is a very big deal for us as I am a horrible flyer and am expecting to have to take multiple planes from Vancouver, BC. Thanks :)

 

I have no direct knowledge of Allure but reading the above from you, I would probably look towards a Celebrity or Princess ship where smoking is not allowed on balconies at all and actually very restrictive. You would be guaranteed, less worries.

Smoking is quite the subject around here with many opinions and views so hang tight for the ride. :D;)

[jconeil]

Celebrity and Princess have some lovely cruises to Alaska and have more restrictive smoking policies than RCI. If the ship alone is the main reason, I can't help you. But we did take a lovely Radiance cruise this Jan for the itinerary alone, very apprehensive about the smoking, but it turns out our neighboring cabins did not smoke on their balconies and we were out there a lot enjoying ours. We consider ourselves very very lucky tho and do not plan on booking on RCI again.

[ARCruisinNana]

I am super sensitive to cigarette smoke. I was on Allure in late May and had no problem with cigarette smoke. We had a JS and fortunately didn't have smokers (at least chain smokers) on either side of us. I didn't have any problem in the interior of the ship either. I just avoided smoking areas. It's a fantastic ship. I hope you enjoy.

[cce33e]

We had a balcony room next to some smokers and were afraid to enjoy our time on the balcony (we really do not like cigarette smoke) or even leave our balcony door open. However there was a steady wind and we never even smelled the smoke...

[teddie]

I have an allergy to tobacco smoke which makes me not fun at parties (more accurately parties not fun for me). Basically I get a mild asthma-attack reaction (coughing, little harder to breathe, etc) and do my best to avoid being around smokers...I'm worried I wont be able to get from one side of the ship to the other without having to hold my breath.

 

I'm looking for honest comments on the extent of smoking on the ship so I can be better prepared or choose a different vacation.

 

I am super sensitive to cigarette smoke.

 

We had a balcony room next to some smokers and were afraid to enjoy our time on the balcony (we really do not like cigarette smoke) or even leave our balcony door open.

 

OK; I'm reading through this. I empathize with the posters over issues that are troublesome to them. So why, why, why, would any of the above posters who have such concerns with smoke bother cruising on a ship that permits smoking? Why take the risk? I'll never understand this, and I don't even smoke.

 

 

Teddie

[vrock]

We were on the Allure last year in an ocean balcony we had no issues with smoke. The only time I smelled smoke was in one area of the casino. I hope this helps you really don't want to miss the Allure it is wonderful. Hope this helps happy sailing.

[ARCruisinNana]

OK; I'm reading through this. I empathize with the posters over issues that are troublesome to them. So why, why, why, would any of the above posters who have such concerns with smoke bother cruising on a ship that permits smoking? Why take the risk? I'll never understand this, and I don't even smoke.

 

 

Teddie

 

Why? Because I have sailed on RCCL ships for many years. I like the ships, the perks of the C&A, and they way they treat me. I have rarely had the smoke from a neighboring balcony be a problem. Most areas of the ship are non-smoking. OP asked if smoke was a problem on Allure, inside and out, and for me it wasn't.

[Debde]

Why? Because I have sailed on RCCL ships for many years. I like the ships, the perks of the C&A, and they way they treat me. I have rarely had the smoke from a neighboring balcony be a problem. Most areas of the ship are non-smoking. OP asked if smoke was a problem on Allure, inside and out, and for me it wasn't.

 

No amount of loyalty perks could make me sail a ship that makes me sick!!!

and i'm not directing this at you because you stated you were only super sensitive.;)

I have read over and over other posters state they get migranes, they get so sick they throw up, asthma attack, allergic........ but still on a quest for D+.:rolleyes: Those are the ones I find head scratching!!;)

[molly361]

Another vote for taking Celebrity or Princess here. If it bothers you that much why take the chance!!

[CleveRocks]

I sailed on Allure just last month. Keep in mind that although I don't like smoke, I'm not super-sensitive to it either, so my recollections may be incomplete. That being said, my only recollection of ever smelling smoke was in one half of the casino ... it's split down the middle from front to back, one side smoking and one side not ... in fact, even the two corridors leading to the casino from the aft portion of the ship are divided into smoking and non-smoking.

 

I spent time in only one bar (Studio B) so I can't reallt speak to smoke levels in any of the bars.

[TravelerThom]

Neither of us is allergic to smoke, but neither of us likes cigarette smoke. For that reason Celebrity is usually our cruise line of choice [as of 2012 Celebrity allows absolutely no indoor or balcony smoking]. Last year we cruised in an Allure Central Park balcony [yes, one of the reasons we went with Central Park was no smoking in Central Park] We NEVER had a problem with smoke either on our balcony or anywhere else on the ship. Of course we spent a small amount of effort avoiding areas that might be smoky, but we found it easily avoided for the most part. While Allure does have its smoking areas, almost without exception smokers smoked only in smoking areas [and I trust that anti-smokers left them in peace within their allotted areas]. If you really want to minimize your risk of smoke, you might consider moving to an interior balcony. I enjoyed my almost smoke free cruise on Allure, and I hope you will also.

 

Thom

[ptcruzers]

I can sympathize with you as to your reactions to cigarette smoke. Try to avoid the areas where smoking is allowed. And for all you non-smoker, allergic reaction, knee-jerk reaction smoking haters, remember this- any passenger has to abide by the rules as set forth in the passenger contract, but smokers also have a right to smoke in areas designated for smoking as long as they accept the responsibility of being a smoker and a smoking passenger. The ship does not belong to non-smokers, and the cruise lines try to be as accomadating to ALL passengers as they can be. Have a great day and enjoy your cruise!!:D:D

[poolboyclay]

I can sympathize with you as to your reactions to cigarette smoke. Try to avoid the areas where smoking is allowed. And for all you non-smoker, allergic reaction, knee-jerk reaction smoking haters, remember this- any passenger has to abide by the rules as set forth in the passenger contract, but smokers also have a right to smoke in areas designated for smoking as long as they accept the responsibility of being a smoker and a smoking passenger. The ship does not belong to non-smokers, and the cruise lines try to be as accomadating to ALL passengers as they can be. Have a great day and enjoy your cruise!!:D:D

 

Well said.

[Mimajo]

I have the same asthma induced allergy to smoke.

 

We were on the Allure in May. We had a balcony a bit forward. The only time I smelled smoke on the balcony was when my husband went out there to smoke. So of course I did not go out there at that time.

 

I spent time in the casino on the non smoking side and had no problem. There is one side, port I believe, where you can smoke outside on the deck.

 

I really did not notice any smoke smell inside the ship at all.

 

I think you will be fine as long as you are aware of where smoking is allowed.

 

We are going on the Allure again next year, so obviously, I had no problems.

 

Have fun!

[zaknzoey]

I do understand the concern the OP asked about and the others who have posted on this thread.

 

But what I don't get is, and please, OP, I'm not trying to be rude to you, but how would ANYBODY know what the smoking situation will be like on your cruise?? :confused:

 

To me, it goes in the same bucket as asking, "Will the seas be calm when I cruise?" or "What will the weather be like in ______________ in February of 2014 for my cruise?"

 

No one can look in a crystal ball and predict these things. You may have 15 cabins around you, ALL with smokers. But then again, you may no one around your cabin that smokes. How would anyone know???

[caribbean sailor]

OK; I'm reading through this. I empathize with the posters over issues that are troublesome to them. So why, why, why, would any of the above posters who have such concerns with smoke bother cruising on a ship that permits smoking? Why take the risk? I'll never understand this, and I don't even smoke.

 

 

Teddie

 

I agree 100% why cruise on a ship that allows smoking.You said it all.:confused: :)

[hubofhockey]

You do know that the number of smokers will vary from cruise to cruise. The interior areas of the ship (including the Central Park and Boardwalk areas) won't have smoking, with the exception of a bar or two and the casino.

 

On the outside, open decks, there are only a few designated smoking spaces...you should easily be able to avoid them.

 

One of the reasons we booked Boardwalk balcony cabins (no smoking and still a view of the ocean from the balcony). But generally we do prefer Princess and like the no balcony smoking policy.

[Gonzo70]

Another vote for Celebrity or Princess. I was just on Allure a few weeks ago and was shocked by how many areas reeked of smoke. RCI is really catering to smokers and Allure and Oasis have several indoor smoking areas. The smoke spills into nearby nonsmoking areas and some smoke is even vented out in nonsmoking areas. Even the fitness center reeked of smoke from an adjacent crew smoking area. If you have a decent sense of smell and dislike smoke do not sail Allure. Unless you luck out and have a low number of smokers chances are your cruise will be significantly impacted.

[denamo]

Not sure if you are aware that smoking is not allowed on Boardwalk or Central Park balconies. If you want to insure that no one will be smoking in a balcony next to yours, this would be something to consider. Hope this information is helpful.

[05mak05]

Another vote for Celebrity or Princess. I was just on Allure a few weeks ago and was shocked by how many areas reeked of smoke. RCI is really catering to smokers and Allure and Oasis have several indoor smoking areas. The smoke spills into nearby nonsmoking areas and some smoke is even vented out in nonsmoking areas. Even the fitness center reeked of smoke from an adjacent crew smoking area. If you have a decent sense of smell and dislike smoke do not sail Allure. Unless you luck out and have a low number of smokers chances are your cruise will be significantly impacted.

While we've had both cigarette and cigar smokers next to us on balconies, last year on the Mariner was the first time I've really been bothered by the smoke that spills out to nonsmoking areas. The Wig N Gavel Pub located in the Promenade was packed with smokers. We could smell it from one end of that deck to the other. The stuffed animal booth was right across from Wig N Gavel. Our daughter didn't realize the wait would be as long as it was for the grandchildren to finally get their animals ... she said she had a splitting headache by the time all was said and done. My question is not why people book cruises that allow smoking but why on earth the smoking areas aren't located on upper decks that can be more easily ventilated. Surely there is some middle ground and that a solution isn't all that complicated. When we were on Celebrity some years back, one side of the ship was smoking, the other non-smoking. I know, I know ... it's a touchy subject. Cruise ships and Las Vegas are two of the few places left where smoking is allowed with few restraints.

[Big_G]

Another vote for Celebrity or Princess. I was just on Allure a few weeks ago and was shocked by how many areas reeked of smoke. RCI is really catering to smokers and Allure and Oasis have several indoor smoking areas. The smoke spills into nearby nonsmoking areas and some smoke is even vented out in nonsmoking areas. Even the fitness center reeked of smoke from an adjacent crew smoking area. If you have a decent sense of smell and dislike smoke do not sail Allure. Unless you luck out and have a low number of smokers chances are your cruise will be significantly impacted.

 

Sorry Gonzo but that's a load of crap. Yes there were areas where we smelled smoke but they were far and few and easily avoidable. No one should buy what you're selling.

[Debde]

So to the OP-Are we helping you at all!!! :eek::D

Told you this is a heated discussion.

 

Really- no one can really answer this question but you. How far you can tolerate smoke is really your call. Some people see a pack and claim a migrane and others can get through the smell will little or no drama.