How bad is the smoking on Allure?

[caribbean sailor]

Please tell me which ship that all the fun stuff for the young and young at heart. You know, I am looking for a ship with ice skate rings, FlowRiders, Zip line, Mini-golf course etc. How about some cartoon characters. Disney is not non-smoker friendly either.

If I am going to take a cruise - I want it to be fun. I would also LOVE to be able to enjoy all the things the ship has to enjoy without having to take something for asthma. I hope RCI is reading this stuff and thinks about the people who want to be able to breathe.

 

I still do not get this you people sail on a ship that allows smoking, then complain about smoking.I am a non smoker and have yet to be bothered by smoke on my balcony.If you have asthma stay home or sail on a non smoking ship.

Royal Caribbean will continue to sail full with or without you.

Have a nice cruise and know that the world was not put here just for you.:confused: :confused:

[maxcruiser00]

I still do not get this you people sail on a ship that allows smoking, then complain about smoking.I am a non smoker and have yet to be bothered by smoke on my balcony.If you have asthma stay home or sail on a non smoking ship.

Royal Caribbean will continue to sail full with or without you.

Have a nice cruise and know that the world was not put here just for you.:confused: :confused:

 

This is very true

[maxcruiser00]

I hope RCI is reading this stuff and thinks about the people who want to be able to breathe.

 

After reading all the post it seems as though the majority of the non smokers don't have a big problem with the smoking on board. So I'd have to say if RCI is reading this they would feel that the smoking policy works just fine as is.

[Big_G]

OP, comments like this should be a red flag as to how out of control the smoking is on Allure. RCI has a 20th Century smoking policy and the smokers realize the end is near before significant changes come and attack anybody who exposes the truth. I would never have sailed Allure had I known how smoky it was. Most of the Royal Promenade reeks because of indoor smoking at Boleros and the pub. The smoke drifts upstairs to the Diamond Lounge and Schooner Bar. The casino is atrocious and is open, so the smoke drifts right over to the nonsmoking side and out to the entrance to the MDR on deck four and entrance to the theater. All the lounges with late night activity (Bloeros, Blaze and Dazzles) have smoking areas. There is a crew smoking area near the fitness center that leads to the gym reeking, especially while the ship is in port. Booking a balcony is a crapshoot. Smoke from indoor areas is vented out to the nonsmoking Central Park neighborhood. On top of this lots of smoking in nonsmoking areas occurred on my sailing.

 

Do your self a favor and avoid RCI and especially Oasis and Allure until they modernize their smoking policy. Celebrity and Princess are good lines and have much, much, much better smoking policies.

 

...and my advice to the OP is you should avoid panicky hyperbolic comments like the one from this contributor. I'm a non-smoker and I've never experienced smoke anywhere that I couldn't avoid and never at all in at least half the areas that this commenter is purporting. Even in Dazzles where they allow smoking on the second floor, we couldn't smell it on the dance floor below.

[rosebud1g]

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 :)

 

I also try to AVOID the smoke. I found the easiest way to get from one end of the ship to the other is walking thru Central Park on deck 8.

It is non-smoking and is beautiful as well. I noticed it was very smoky walking past Bolero's on the promenade, and Dazzles is horrible. Although smoking is only allowed on the upper level at Dazzles, the entire place

smelled of smoke on the bottom floor too.

Your best bet would be to book a Boardwalk Balcony or Central Park Balcony to totally avoid the smoke. Ocean view balconies you will still smell it. Being on the end is ok, but you have to consider the smokers above and below you. I just got off Oasis last month and had a Boardwalk balcony and LOVED it. There are plenty of places smoke free.

[TravelerThom]

...If you have asthma stay home or sail on a non smoking ship.

Royal Caribbean will continue to sail full with or without you.

Have a nice cruise and know that the world was not put here just for you.:confused: :confused:

And that non smoking ship would be??

If you can provide an answer, fine; otherwise a most unhelpful comment.

After reading all the post it seems as though the majority of the non smokers don't have a big problem with the smoking on board. So I'd have to say if RCI is reading this they would feel that the smoking policy works just fine as is.

RCI is merely one part of RCCL which offers ships with more restrictive smoking policies [eg Celebrity, Azamara] and ships with less restrictive smoking policies [eg Pullmantur]. RCCL offers a variety of products for a variety of tastes.

 

Thom

[maxcruiser00]

.RCI is merely one part of RCCL which offers ships with more restrictive smoking policies [eg Celebrity, Azamara] and ships with less restrictive smoking policies [eg Pullmantur]. RCCL offers a variety of products for a variety of tastes.

 

Thom

 

I do believe this thread is about the Allure. Sorry I didn't know I had to qualify my post. Please substitute RCI with RCCL in any or all of my posts whilst commenting on this thread.:rolleyes:

[cb140]

I have been on Allure and Oasis - I dislike the smell of smoke very much and it makes me cough, but I wouldn't go as far as to say I was allergic.

 

The smokiest place I noticed was Boleros, and I didn't go in there at all. Personally, I don't remember ever noticing smoke affecting the Royal Promenade - I never felt I couldn't walk past boleros or anything. Another place that can be a bit smoky is the pub - I think they only allow smoking at the bar, but obviously the whole room gets a little smoky. Didn't stop us going there, to listen to the singer, but it was undeniably smoky at times. The casino has a smoking side and a non smoking side, which is an improvement, but obviously the non smoking side is not completely safe from smoke. I've never been in the casino as such but sometimes you have to walk through it/past it. The non smoking corridor past it is ok. Never noticed any smoke smell in the gym or fitness centre. Don't think I've ever been bothered by neighbouring balcony smoke either but I guess that's just the luck of the draw. I agree, go for a neighborhood balcony if that's a big worry for you.

[TravelerThom]

I do believe this thread is about the Allure. Sorry I didn't know I had to qualify my post. Please substitute RCI with RCCL in any or all of my posts whilst commenting on this thread.:rolleyes:

maxcruiser00:

 

I was attempting to agree with you, and merely trying to elaborate as to why RCI might be very happy with where they have positioned themselves within the RCCL family of cruise lines on this issue. I thought [and still think] that you used RCI entirely appropriately. Sorry if my post came across as contradictory to what you had posted; not my intent at all.

 

Thom

[BeachChik]

I have been on Allure and Oasis - I dislike the smell of smoke very much and it makes me cough, but I wouldn't go as far as to say I was allergic.

 

The smokiest place I noticed was Boleros, and I didn't go in there at all. Personally, I don't remember ever noticing smoke affecting the Royal Promenade - I never felt I couldn't walk past boleros or anything. Another place that can be a bit smoky is the pub - I think they only allow smoking at the bar, but obviously the whole room gets a little smoky. Didn't stop us going there, to listen to the singer, but it was undeniably smoky at times. The casino has a smoking side and a non smoking side, which is an improvement, but obviously the non smoking side is not completely safe from smoke. I've never been in the casino as such but sometimes you have to walk through it/past it. The non smoking corridor past it is ok. Never noticed any smoke smell in the gym or fitness centre. Don't think I've ever been bothered by neighbouring balcony smoke either but I guess that's just the luck of the draw. I agree, go for a neighborhood balcony if that's a big worry for you.

 

No one is allergic to cigarette smoke, it is an irritant not an allergen.

 

No you specifically, but I feel people say they are allergic to make some kind of point when it simply isn't true. It make cause someone with say asthma to have symptoms but the smoke is irritating the asthma not causing an allergic reaction.

 

No I am not a smoker.

[dchillis]

maxcruiser00:

 

I was attempting to agree with you, and merely trying to elaborate as to why RCI might be very happy with where they have positioned themselves within the RCCL family of cruise lines on this issue. I thought [and still think] that you used RCI entirely appropriately. Sorry if my post came across as contradictory to what you had posted; not my intent at all.

 

Thom

 

Looks like everyone gets rattled on a smoking thread

[fudgedown]

I have a severe/deadly allergy to shellfish.. I still cruise.. Never attend lobster night in mdr cause the smell alone makes me very ill. Since cruise ships dock at ports where the local culture worldwide depends on the sea for their primary food source... I suck it up take my meds keep an epi-pen handy and do not ask the cruiselines to move to Nebraska.

[mark290]

I have a severe/deadly allergy to shellfish.. I still cruise.. Never attend lobster night in mdr cause the smell alone makes me very ill. Since cruise ships dock at ports where the local culture worldwide depends on the sea for their primary food source... I suck it up take my meds keep an epi-pen handy and do not ask the cruiselines to move to Nebraska.

 

Shellfish allergy affects 2.3% of the US population. Cigarette smoke adversely affects the health of 100% of the US population and the vast majority of people don't like the smell or stink on their close. Very poor and silly analogy.

[avalon007]

One option to consider is that when sailing on cruises starting in Australia, RCCL adopts the smoking laws of this country which is no smoking indoors. The only smoking allowed is on balconies or on the outside starboard side of the ship.

 

We sailed on Radiance earlier this year from Sydney, I only recall smelling smoke on the starboard side once or twice & just held my breath as I passed through. I don't have asthma but smoke of any kind along with some perfumes & air fresheners, does immediately clog my sinuses which can on rare occasions lead to vertigo in my case, yucky head spins & vomiting - ended up in hospital 2 years ago with it.:( Sort of like a bad hangover but without having at least enjoyed the drinks.

 

My concern on smoking ships is also that the staff in the indoor areas are exposed to the second hand smoke which does present a health risk over time.

 

I believe it was mainly due to this issue that Australia started changing it's smoking laws some time ago & they have slowly become stricter over time.

 

We are sailing on Radiance later next year in Alaska/Hawaii & then home to Sydney so expect their will be the US smoking regulations in place.

I am hoping that the smoking will not be too noticeable & just hope we don't get any chain smoking balcony neighbours. :eek:

 

Will just have to take lots of sinus clearing medication in case.:)

[BillOh]

No problem, easily avoidable.

[LindaAndBillTravel]

On Allure, we found the casino (even the "non-smoking" side) to be unbearable. Boleros was also a problem. The worst part was that they seemed to be trying to mask the smoke with flowery air freshener, which just made it worse for our allergy problems. Easy to avoid once you know though.

[slh182]

I don't think you should miss the opportunity to go on the Allure just because of cigarette smoke.

[Gonzo70]

I don't think you should miss the opportunity to go on the Allure just because of cigarette smoke.

 

The Allure is a horrible choice if you dislike cigarette smoke; I wish I had been forewarned before my cruise as I never would have sailed on Allure if I knew how many smoking areas there were, how poorly the smoking areas are laid out (i.e. that they impact nearby supposedly nonsmoking venues), how poor the enforcement of smoking violations was, and how they vent smoke from indoor smoking areas to outdoor nonsmoking areas. It is difficult to avoid smoke on the Allure.

[johneeo]

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?

 

Teddie

 

I have sailed on the Oasis.

 

If you do not like smoke, you can avoid it completely, so, it should not be an issue.

[dchillis]

I've heard it's somewhere between a 2nd and 3rd stage smog alert.

[dchillis]

The Allure is a horrible choice if you dislike cigarette smoke; I wish I had been forewarned before my cruise as I never would have sailed on Allure if I knew how many smoking areas there were, how poorly the smoking areas are laid out (i.e. that they impact nearby supposedly nonsmoking venues), how poor the enforcement of smoking violations was, and how they vent smoke from indoor smoking areas to outdoor nonsmoking areas. It is difficult to avoid smoke on the Allure.

 

Yeah we know.

[dchillis]

Problem with you fanatic non smokers is, if there is any smoking on the ship your going to complain.

[dmwnc1959]

I'm on Allure of the Seas now (we're docked in Falmouth today with Carnival Breeze) and as far as 'smoking' is concerned I have yet to encounter a situation that is unbearable, and I absolutely HATE cigarette smoke.

 

Since we are at the halfway point of the cruise I'll keep an eye out for some of the mentioned 'hot spots' and see how it goes. Will report back later. :D

[suz1607]

Just off Allure -- there was no problem with smoke as long as you stayed out of the smoking areas. With a ship this large and with so many choices you should have no problem at all.

[smoosh21]

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 :)

 

I don't think it was that bad. Avoid the Port side of the pool deck, that is where the smokers are. I dont recall smoking in Central Park or Boardwalk. If you stay in those areas and also the Royal Promenade, you should be OK. I would avoid the casino though. There are smoky areas in it.