Smoking on a balcony I have questions and need answers!!!

[misguidedangel]

Most everyone in my family smokes or smoked. I was smart and I didn't. I don't like it, but that is my opinion. It sounds like you won't be smoking out there too often and therefore, not really disturbing the neighbors too much. Some non-smokers can be brutal and downright rude to smokers. I don't agree with it because if you're in designated smoking areas it is ok to smoke. Yes, I don't want to breathe it in, but we all share the same space. I cruise with a friend who is a smoker and it doesn't bother me. I just think what she would be doing at home if I didn't invite her along and suck it up because a week away from reality is nice.....

[Gopherpharm]

Not a regular smoker, but sometimes enjoy a cigar or two on a cruise and typically am just careful as ashes do seem to fly a bit.

 

I have only had one bad experience...on my last cruise, we were enjoying the crowded open deck on a sea day. We were on the port side. A fellow passenger asked "do you mind if I smoke?" and when we said no, he replied "good, because I was going to anyway." That was kind of rude, especially since the starboard side (which has ashtrays) was less than 50 feet away. So I'd recommend not doing that.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[toddlangford]

I would never do something as disrespectful as that. My whole thought on starting this topic was to get personal opinions and past experiences on how people went about it. Even if in a smoking area If I was next to someone who was not I would still ask.

 

 

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[deedle7544]

Not a regular smoker, but sometimes enjoy a cigar or two on a cruise and typically am just careful as ashes do seem to fly a bit.

 

I have only had one bad experience...on my last cruise, we were enjoying the crowded open deck on a sea day. We were on the port side. A fellow passenger asked "do you mind if I smoke?" and when we said no, he replied "good, because I was going to anyway." That was kind of rude, especially since the starboard side (which has ashtrays) was less than 50 feet away. So I'd recommend not doing that.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Unbeleiveably rude

[joeyancho]

I smoke cigars. I love them. I smoke out on the balcony. If my neighbor is out there I ask if they mind, as I would be glad to put it out. You wouldn't believe how many people tell me that they don't mind and how much they like the smell. They usually follow with a comment about how their dad or grandpa smoked them. To date no one has ever said that they mind. 28 cruises.

[Josher61]

I smoke cigars. I love them. I smoke out on the balcony. If my neighbor is out there I ask if they mind, as I would be glad to put it out. You wouldn't believe how many people tell me that they don't mind and how much they like the smell. They usually follow with a comment about how their dad or grandpa smoked them. To date no one has ever said that they mind. 28 cruises.

 

LOL this would be me...telling you I like the smell and it reminds me of my Grandfather :)

Now sometimes in an enclosed space it can be overpowering :)

[AngAndBoys]

Totally impressed! This is the most civil smoking thread I've ever seen on cruise critic! I guess all the "rabids" are off on cruises this week!

 

Good thread. Lots of good ideas here for dealing with the issue.

[Jane2357]

As an ex smoker of many years - I hate the smell of smoke. That being said I have several family members and friends who smoke and I just suffer it :cool:. I try to stay on Celebrity due to the no smoking on the balcony rule - but sometimes I go on Carnival to be with friends and I'll admit that I get worried about my neighbors the days leading up to the cruise. I've been very lucky so far - no chain smokers. If you are a courteous smoker - I'd be happy to have you as a neighbor :D but a chain smoker would ruin my cruise experience as I would not get to enjoy my balcony. It is a gamble for us non smokers when we cruise on lines that allow balcony smoking. :( My main issue is that it makes my long hair and my clothes smell - which is why I avoid the casino. Can I ask a question of you smokers? Some of you say that if a neighbor would ask nicely that you would try to work with them on the smoking issue - what you would consider to be the correct way to approach someone about this? Just want to be ready for my Carnival cruise in October! Thanks!

[pyroguy]

I would add to be careful where the ashes go...although they mention it at muster, on our last cruise, the people just forward of us didn't pay attention and my clothes were burnt twice and my right arm once.

 

I would say you're only going to affect those immediately aft of you for the most part...and If you are conscientious about it as you indicated in the OP, it doesn't sound like anyone should have an issue.

[halos]

However, this is a very, very thoughtful post.

 

.

 

It certainly is.

 

I don't think you'll have any problems. Enjoy your cruise and Happy Honeymoon :)

[Kel040]

OP, thank you for your consideration for the non-smoker.

 

 

On our upcoming cruise ( not till FEB :( ) we have a balcony booked for the first time. Although, I did have some concerns about smelling smoke on the balcony, I understand the rules and accept them.

 

This thread is easing my concerns and am not as worried about the smoke issue as before..

 

:D Thanks everyone :D

[AngAndBoys]

As an ex smoker of many years - I hate the smell of smoke. That being said I have several family members and friends who smoke and I just suffer it :cool:. I try to stay on Celebrity due to the no smoking on the balcony rule - but sometimes I go on Carnival to be with friends and I'll admit that I get worried about my neighbors the days leading up to the cruise. I've been very lucky so far - no chain smokers. If you are a courteous smoker - I'd be happy to have you as a neighbor :D but a chain smoker would ruin my cruise experience as I would not get to enjoy my balcony. It is a gamble for us non smokers when we cruise on lines that allow balcony smoking. :( My main issue is that it makes my long hair and my clothes smell - which is why I avoid the casino. Can I ask a question of you smokers? Some of you say that if a neighbor would ask nicely that you would try to work with them on the smoking issue - what you would consider to be the correct way to approach someone about this? Just want to be ready for my Carnival cruise in October! Thanks!

 

I cannot speak for all smokers, but as long as you were friendly and willing to work a fair compromise, I'd be totally fine. You might open with something like, can you yell over when you're coming out to smoke so I can go in? The smoke really bothers me. Most smokers would take that as an opening to negotiate without feeling you are demanding they give up balcony rights. At least it opens the conversation in a confrontational way. Unfortunately, if you open by asking them not to smoke when you're out there, it will most likely be seen by the smoker as an infringement of rights. You have to bear in mind that places to smoke are limited, so you're asking a lot when you ask a smoker to give up the balcony that they probably paid extra for so they could smoke. For me, as a smoker, the only time I would really care is in the morning. I don't want to have to get dressed to get my morning nicotine levels up.

 

That being said, I totally respect that nonsmokers paid extra for the fresh air too. I just think that if you approach it without asking for anything, you'll get good results. Maybe some will have experiences they can share about how they negotiated the balcony. I know there's one lady on NCL boards that brings a small fan to blow smoke away from her balcony. For my part, I do listen and make sure nobody is on neighboring balconies before I light up. On multiple balconies and cruises, I've only encountered one rude nonsmokers, in the casino, sitting at a smoking table game, put out that I wanted to smoke there. Haha! People are crazy sometimes!

[bridgetjonesni]

Some non-smokers are crazy. Some smokers are crazy. But most people are reasonable. I hate smoke, it sets off my asthma and I am really hoping that we don't have smokers as neighbours on our first balcony cruise later this year. BUT even if it did bother me (and my coughs would be legitimate, not faked for effect by the way), I would in no way hold you responsible. Rules are rules and you have as much right to smoke on your balcony as I have to enjoy mine in whatever way I choose. If I were to "blame" anyone, it would be Carnival, but I hope I'll be having too much fun to want to "blame" anyone. So enjoy, and thank you for being so thoughtful about it. And for what it's worth, I'd rather have a considerate smoker than a noisy non-smoker as a neighbour ;)

[Josher61]

As an ex smoker of many years - I hate the smell of smoke. That being said I have several family members and friends who smoke and I just suffer it . I try to stay on Celebrity due to the no smoking on the balcony rule - but sometimes I go on Carnival to be with friends and I'll admit that I get worried about my neighbors the days leading up to the cruise. I've been very lucky so far - no chain smokers. If you are a courteous smoker - I'd be happy to have you as a neighbor but a chain smoker would ruin my cruise experience as I would not get to enjoy my balcony. It is a gamble for us non smokers when we cruise on lines that allow balcony smoking. My main issue is that it makes my long hair and my clothes smell - which is why I avoid the casino. Can I ask a question of you smokers? Some of you say that if a neighbor would ask nicely that you would try to work with them on the smoking issue - what you would consider to be the correct way to approach someone about this? Just want to be ready for my Carnival cruise in October! Thanks!

 

As a smoker, I consider myself to be an "average" one. Which means about a pack a day. Which when I'm not doing something else (eating, hanging out in the pub, shows, etc) it works out to about 1-2 an hour. So with that in mind...a "chain smoker" is not who I am but I'm answering your question from my perspective as a smoker. And your perspective just may be that I am a chain smoker, when you are trying to enjoy your balcony :)

 

You ask how to handle the situation and I will give you my thoughts: If the first time I light up a cigarette you immediately come over and ask (or demand) that I not smoke because you don't like the way it smells I will think to myself, in my warped smokers mind :), hmmmmm...."setting the tone" for not being very tolerant. And we aren't off to a great start :( BUT, if I light that first cigarette and you maybe go inside for the 4 minutes or so that I'm smoking and then come back out....I will notice this. Believe me. As a smoker I am definitely watching for this on the first day or so of a cruise. And I will be conscious of it now that I have figured out you aren't a fan of smoke. But we likely we won't be on those balconies all the time together anyway. Plus, I'm only having one or two an hour. Although I do tend to smoke more when I'm drinking ;) So, now we have an "unpsoken" understanding. And all should be pretty good.

 

But, if I light up in your presence again, by all means, stick your head around that divider and say something like: hi neighbour, I realize that you are allowed to smoke and want to enjoy your balcony just as much as I do so I'm hoping we can work something out because smoke makes me ...(enter whatever here), I will say, sure absolutely....how about if when I'm about to light up I send a quick holler over to let you know? You, being the person that you are, says yes...et voila, we have it worked out :)

 

You may be asking yourself now why I'm not the one to stick my head around first and ask you if you mind or if it bothers you etc. And the reason is: I'm just as afraid of encountering that "anti smoker" on the other side who says to me...yes I do mind and don't want you to smoke! Then what? I can argue my "right" to smoke on my baclony? Makes for a long, tough week. And I know its the same for you...you may also encounter the "smoking jerk" who says...take a hike, I'm allowed to smoke here! And that too makes for a long week. But here's the thing, on Carnival anyway, smoking is allowed on the balcony. So if you are wanting someone to not do something they are allowed to, well, I guess its up to you to take that risk of asking, the onus is on you, not the smoker. As a smoker, I don't need your permission to smoke on my balcony, Carnival already gave it to me, but I sure as heck would like to be cordial about it and work with you; if you ask. I'm not sure I'm expressing that properly lol.

 

Remember this: just as much as you dread the "chain smoking jerk" I too dread the "militant anti smoker". We are both apprehensive about having those people for neighbours :eek:

 

So, don't give it a thought...it will be what it will be and hopefully it will be "us", who are reasonable.

[Josher61]

And I guess while I was writing my response, one of those "anti smokers not willing to work it out" types posted. And thats exactly why I don't ask. I am smoking in a smoking permitted area. I don't need to ask.

[Cruizinman]

By now it should be well known that smokers are going to book balconies.

I don't bother to book balcony rooms unless its a spa.

[Tyme2Cruise]

Thank you for all the replies. Seems like for the most part the smoking isn't a issue if I see that my neighbors are non smokers I may just let them know if I am bothering them to just be courteous and let me know.

 

 

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That is a great way to handle this issue. I wish all smokers were as thoughtful and as courteous as you. Thanks :)

[toddlangford]

That is a great way to handle this issue. I wish all smokers were as thoughtful and as courteous as you. Thanks :)

 

Your very welcome both sides have understanding cruisers. Both sides also have disrespectful ones. Just hope I can have a understanding neighbor on the balcony as long as they are respectful I will be more then happy to set up a agreement to where I don't bother them with smoke.

 

 

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[Jane2357]

As a smoker, I consider myself to be an "average" one. Which means about a pack a day. Which when I'm not doing something else (eating, hanging out in the pub, shows, etc) it works out to about 1-2 an hour. So with that in mind...a "chain smoker" is not who I am but I'm answering your question from my perspective as a smoker. And your perspective just may be that I am a chain smoker, when you are trying to enjoy your balcony :)

 

You ask how to handle the situation and I will give you my thoughts: If the first time I light up a cigarette you immediately come over and ask (or demand) that I not smoke because you don't like the way it smells I will think to myself, in my warped smokers mind :), hmmmmm...."setting the tone" for not being very tolerant. And we aren't off to a great start :( BUT, if I light that first cigarette and you maybe go inside for the 4 minutes or so that I'm smoking and then come back out....I will notice this. Believe me. As a smoker I am definitely watching for this on the first day or so of a cruise. And I will be conscious of it now that I have figured out you aren't a fan of smoke. But we likely we won't be on those balconies all the time together anyway. Plus, I'm only having one or two an hour. Although I do tend to smoke more when I'm drinking ;) So, now we have an "unpsoken" understanding. And all should be pretty good.

 

But, if I light up in your presence again, by all means, stick your head around that divider and say something like: hi neighbour, I realize that you are allowed to smoke and want to enjoy your balcony just as much as I do so I'm hoping we can work something out because smoke makes me ...(enter whatever here), I will say, sure absolutely....how about if when I'm about to light up I send a quick holler over to let you know? You, being the person that you are, says yes...et voila, we have it worked out :)

 

You may be asking yourself now why I'm not the one to stick my head around first and ask you if you mind or if it bothers you etc. And the reason is: I'm just as afraid of encountering that "anti smoker" on the other side who says to me...yes I do mind and don't want you to smoke! Then what? I can argue my "right" to smoke on my baclony? Makes for a long, tough week. And I know its the same for you...you may also encounter the "smoking jerk" who says...take a hike, I'm allowed to smoke here! And that too makes for a long week. But here's the thing, on Carnival anyway, smoking is allowed on the balcony. So if you are wanting someone to not do something they are allowed to, well, I guess its up to you to take that risk of asking, the onus is on you, not the smoker. As a smoker, I don't need your permission to smoke on my balcony, Carnival already gave it to me, but I sure as heck would like to be cordial about it and work with you; if you ask. I'm not sure I'm expressing that properly lol.

 

Remember this: just as much as you dread the "chain smoking jerk" I too dread the "militant anti smoker". We are both apprehensive about having those people for neighbors

 

So, don't give it a thought...it will be what it will be and hopefully it will be "us", who are reasonable.

 

I would LOVE to have you as my smoking neighbor! Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. You gave me two tactics to try if I get a smoking neighbor - 1 - going back inside and waiting 5 minutes or 2 - politely asking for a heads up when they are going to smoke. Now about the "chain smoking" - my mother is a chain smoker - as in 3 packs a day - :eek: I would HATE having my mother as my neighbor! LOL

[Josher61]

I would LOVE to have you as my smoking neighbor! Thank you so much for this thoughtful response. You gave me two tactics to try if I get a smoking neighbor - 1 - going back inside and waiting 5 minutes or 2 - politely asking for a heads up when they are going to smoke. Now about the "chain smoking" - my mother is a chain smoker - as in 3 packs a day - :eek: I would HATE having my mother as my neighbor! LOL

 

LOL, wait!! I haven't cranked my tunes up yet or slammed my door every two minutes! ;) j/k

 

Seriously, in the spirit of co-operation, I think a large percentage of us smokers would act favourably if approached in a non confrontational "anti smoker" way :) I know my smoking sucks....I really do. I'm not trying to be mean when I light up....I'm an addict. :mad:

 

I've only ever had one really bad instance on a cruise with an anti smoking neigbhour...and it wasn't pretty at all. But one incredibly rude person does not make me feel thats the majority I'm going to encounter. So I go with the thought....it will be fine. And that's what I strive to make it...for me and my neighbours.

 

Glad I could help :) Happy cruising!

[momof4boys]

Just another thought......my asthma is a dry hacking cough that cannot be stopped without an inhaler or if really bad, a nebulizer. It truly sounds fake because it is so dry...please do not judge everyone by what you think is fake. :o

[Jimsedge]

I have read on here where some people take a water bottle and half fill it with water to use as an ashtray. From experience, even with an ashtray, the ashes fly around because of the wind out there when the ship is underway.

 

Please be careful when standing at the railing while smoking. The ashes have a tendency to fly around again because of the wind. In our seven cruises, we have never encountered a neighbor that has said anything about us smoking. Maybe they were smokers too.

 

I use a half filled water bottle as well. I flick my ashes into it so they don't blow away and same with the butt at the end. Every day or two I put the capped bottle in a garbage pail and start a new one. No danger of embers floating somewhere and keeps the balcony clean.