Smoking on NCL Ships

[johnql]

Where does it end!!!

It "ends" with the behaviors that the cruise line considers relevant, as far as generating income. It's all based on demographics, which by its very nature deals in generalities and trends. Given a choice of a ship full of smokers or non-smokers, the cruiseline will choose smokers, because generally speaking they drink more and gamble more. As I said previously, there are always exceptions to any generality.

[GregInCharlotte]

Hi everyone! It's always nice to see someone ask a basic question about where you can and can't smoke and have it turn into a debate/fight between smokers and non smokers. That's not the topic of this thread. If you want to debate smoking and health and free will, please don't do it on a cruise board. Thanks! :D

 

...necessarily leads to a discussion of smoking in general.

 

I feel mistreated by the cruise ships approach to WHERE you can smoke. Sometimes, there's a nonsmoking bar - you know the one farthest away that doesn't have entertainment.

 

So if I want to listen to the piano player I must put up with smoking. If I want to gamble I must put up with smoking.

 

This is a cruise issue. It's easier for me to avoid cigarette smoke everywhere than it is on cruise ships. How are all the bars in California and New York different than the bars on an NCL cruise ship? All the bars in CA and NY all non-smoking.

[seahorse]

The Star bar on the Dawn and Star has a non-smoking area:D

[Host CMLA]

...necessarily leads to a discussion of smoking in general.

That's fine Greg. However a general discussion about smoking doesn't belong on this board and I've asked that it be kept to how it relates to cruising. Anything else will be removed.

[TurboDan]

Smoking is allowed in the cabins. I asked my room steward if it was allowed and he said yes and that there are no "non-smoking rooms". I found two ashtrays in my room, one in the bathroom and other on a table near the TV. I had a balcony room and the people on the next balcony smoked every time they were out on the balcony. I had to have my door closed at those times. :mad:

[cliffd64]

[quote name=GregInCharlotte

How are all the bars in California and New York different than the bars on an NCL cruise ship? All the bars in CA and NY all non-smoking.[/quote]

 

Easy answer. The bars in CA and NY are regulated by the LAWS of CA and NY. NCL is not regulated as such, and therefore caters to both clientel. There is no law telling them they can't allow smokers. Trust me, the bar owners in NY, CA and every state that has non-smoking laws are not fond of those laws.

 

Go to a bar in a state that has no such laws... and you will experience second hand smoke, without a doubt.

[donna@donnaanderson.com]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

I hope Cecilia won't delete this post because she thinks it it argumentative!

What do my follow-cruisers think on this issue?

[johnql]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

I hope Cecilia won't delete this post because she thinks it it argumentative!

What do my follow-cruisers think on this issue?

I agree with you - it would be nice to have non-smoking cabins and decks (or half-decks).

[Retired not Expired]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

I hope Cecilia won't delete this post because she thinks it it argumentative!

What do my follow-cruisers think on this issue?

 

It would only work if you have the same ratio of smokers and non-smokers on every cruise. The cruise lines wants to fill every cabin. Since they do such a good job of removing the smoke smell from the cabin, what they have works except for the ones that have a smoker on the next balcony. I still wish I knew how they remove the smoke smell.

[Host CMLA]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

I hope Cecilia won't delete this post because she thinks it it argumentative!

What do my follow-cruisers think on this issue?

Contrary to what you may think Donna, any post can exist on this board as long as it's about cruising and it doesn't break the community guidelines. A fight between those that smoke and those that don't smoke, isn't an NCL cruise related topic. Stating that it would be nice for there to be smoking and non smoking rooms on an NCL ship is an NCL cruising topic.

 

I don't smoke and I've never noticed a smoke smell in a cabin on any of the NCL cruises I've taken. NCL used to designate the port side of the ship for non smoking rooms and the starboard side for smoking rooms (That's how I remember it from the Wind and the Dream; can't be sure about other ships.) but they stopped that practice in order to fill the ship.

[KeystoneCruiser]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

 

 

As I have stated before, I am very sensitive to second hand smoke and have to avoid it. None of my NCL cabins have ever had the lingering odor of a previous smoker. I don't know if I have just been lucky and never followed any but I think perhaps it is due to the circulation systems on board and/or their cleaning methods for the cabins. As I stated earlier, the second hand smoke never really got to me on this cruise, even in the casino and that is why I think the Star has a very good air circulation system.

 

The only time that I was bothered by second hand smoke was out on my balcony during glacier bay. An older lady three cabins down was out on her balcony smoking and the smoke drifted down by us and I had to go inside the cabin a couple of times. (the actual scary part was that the hallway door to her cabin had a big sign on it: "caution: oxygen in use.")

[Cosmopolitan]

Most hotels have non-smoking rooms; wouldn't it be nice to have non-smoking cabins and non-smoking cabin areas so that we would not get second-hand smoke on our balconies?

I hope Cecilia won't delete this post because she thinks it it argumentative!

What do my follow-cruisers think on this issue?

 

And then would everyone be happy?

Would they complain that they don't like where the "smoking", "non-smoking" cabins are located?....you bet they would!

Would the cruise ships also have to separate those who imbibe too much from those who don't?? Some balconies get very loud late at night!..there was the guy on the wave cruise who drank too much and opened his door to let the waves in!!! The cruise line would have to control how much each passenger drank!

Does the cruise line weigh everyone and distribute the weight evenly on each side of the ship????? Then you could not have the cabin you requested as you had to balance the ship! Would passengers complain...YUP! Uh oh, Cecilia, that big tummy may restrict you from a cruise! lol

Or, maybe, no one overweight should be allowed to cruise???

 

And, the liquor smugglers...should they be confined to cabins marked with a RED X ???? I want them on the opposite side of the ship from me:D

This could go on forever...we all know the rules ~ smoking, liquor, service charge et al.

 

Relax and enjoy your cruise! Life's too short for all of this nitpicking.

We don't live in a PERFECT world and we never will;)

Bon voyage!

[Host CMLA]

Uh oh, Cecilia, that big tummy may restrict you from a cruise! lol Or, maybe, no one overweight should be allowed to cruise???

I'm pregnant. I'm exempt. ;)

[Surfgirl]

I actually think the cruise lines would benefit if they limited smoking to the decks. The vast majority of Americans do NOT smoke... so they would be catering to most of the passengers.

 

Example: I live in NJ, and none of my friends, nor me smoke. Do we go to NJ bars or restaurants? Nope.. we drive over the border and spend our money in NY State where it's illegal to smoke in bars and restaurants. The non-smoking areas in NJ restaurants are a joke. The smoke travels across the room and you smell it. If you're smelling it, you're inhaling. Not only does it ruin your lobster dinner, but it's ruining your lungs.

 

I can't WAIT until NJ finally passes legislation like NY! But until then, we're willing to drive an extra 30 to 45 minutes to have a smoke-free environment.

 

So... if casinos on board had a no smoking policy, then you would be catering to the majority of customers. And I'll betcha you'd get a lot more gamblers in there.

 

Other alternative would be to put a sort of "cone of silence" :D (remember Get Smart!) on a portion of the Casino... totally glass off a blackjack table and a few slot machines from floor to ceiling. Designate ONE bar for smoking in its own room.

 

So yeah... non-smokers.. PLEASE be sure to note your wishes on the comment cards. I did.

[Host CMLA]

I actually think the cruise lines would benefit if they limited smoking to the decks. The vast majority of Americans do NOT smoke... so they would be catering to most of the passengers.

What's considered vast? 50%? 75%? 95%? Not questiohing whether more or less Americans smoke or not. Just wonder what your definition of vast is and where your stats come from. I'm a non smoker that used to smoke for 18 years. I see people smoking everywhere so from my perspective, I think lots of American still smoke; expecially the older generations. I think that with cruising you aren't talking about all Americans. A very very small percentage of Americans have ever been on a cruise. And it's usually an older crowd. Things are changing now with lower cruise fares but for decades, older people were the cruisers of the world. And older people tend to smoke more. It wasn't a big taboo to start smoking in the 40s and some people can't or don't want to quit. So I think it's more important to look at the demographic of cruisers and not of the whole US when trying to decide what would be in the best interest of the cruise lines to keep their customers happy. Just my opinion. I'm a non smoker now so I like non smoking areas too. ;)

[Retired not Expired]

What's considered vast? 50%? 75%? 95%? Not questiohing whether more or less Americans smoke or not. Just wonder what your definition of vast is and where your stats come from. I'm a non smoker that used to smoke for 18 years. I see people smoking everywhere so from my perspective, I think lots of American still smoke; expecially the older generations. I think that with cruising you aren't talking about all Americans. A very very small percentage of Americans have ever been on a cruise. And it's usually an older crowd. Things are changing now with lower cruise fares but for decades, older people were the cruisers of the world. And older people tend to smoke more. It wasn't a big taboo to start smoking in the 40s and some people can't or don't want to quit. So I think it's more important to look at the demographic of cruisers and not of the whole US when trying to decide what would be in the best interest of the cruise lines to keep their customers happy. Just my opinion. I'm a non smoker now so I like non smoking areas too. ;)

 

Yes, and people need to realize these are not American ships. I meet many nationalities on them. I was shocked a couple years ago when flying into Germany. People got off the plane and lit up as soon as they hit the terminal. Took a few seconds to realize I was not in Kansas anymore, Toto. During my travels I've found many places that are like 1950 America when it comes to smoking.

 

Also, if you go into a land based casino, where they know the odds, you will normally see about 20% or less for non-smokers. Making the cruise casinos non-smoking will not increase revenue but will decrease it. They know, and money rules in these decisions.

[donna@donnaanderson.com]

I do not remember where I read it, but I think some cruise lines have some non-smoking ships.

In my previous post that was taken off I mentioned how much we disliked smoke on our balcony (we were talking about on cruises). Just for your information.

 

When I lived in Howard County, MD smoking was not allowed in restaurants and near where I live in Oro Valley, AZ smoking is banned in resturants as well. All the offices I have worked at in the past 15 years have not allowed smoking as well.

I see very few people smoking too. But of course there will always be those who do and when I travel to Europe I am amazed at how many people smoke. There seem to be more smokers over there than here and, of couse, many travelers do come from Europe, particularly England is they cruise.

 

I do admit that I have never smelled smoke in any of the cabins I have stayed in; however, more than once we have experienced cigar or cigarette smokers smoking heavily and often on neighboring balconies and it made us go in our rooms; we love the balconies and spend a lot of time out there reading, viewing the sunsets, having a glass of wine, etc.:o

[johnql]

I do not remember where I read it, but I think some cruise lines have some non-smoking ships.

Once upon a time, Carnival had the Paradise as a non-smoking ship. It lasted a few years (5 or 6) but it was discontinued almost 2 years ago. Renaissance also used to have non-smoking ships, but they were on shaky financial ground when 9/11 pushed them into bankruptcy. Those are the only examples that I know of.

[Surfgirl]

Hi Cecilia:

 

First, congratulations for quitting smoking! I really admire that. Although I've never so much as had a single puff, I've read that giving up smoking is harder than giving up heroin.

 

My mother gave up smoking (after a REALLY difficult struggle) and remarked that she never realized how much cigarrettes smelled. When you smoke, apparently, you're desensitized to the smell and the smoke. So, I see where some smokers don't realize how much their smoking bothers non-smokers.

 

I looked up some statistics for you, and I originally had thought you were right that older people smoked more than younger people... but I was very surprised to find the opposit in the statistics. The FCHS shows that in 2003, less than 11 percent of Americans over the age of 60 smoke. It seems to be those in their 30's and 40's that smoke more.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/smoking.htm

 

I found that 25.2 percent of men aged 18 and over and 20.7percent of women smoke.... so that means that non-smokers comprise 3/4 of the population. It surprises me that the cruise ships would cater to a quarter of the population).

 

Since there appears to be a sizable population of Brits who cruise on NCL ships, I checked those stats as well... in 2003, 26 percent percent of ALL Brits smoke (that's only a quarter of the population)-- of those only 16 percent were aged 60 and over.

 

http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact01.html

 

I don't think there are any statistics kept on smoking cruisers vs nonsmoking cruisers, but it would make an interesting question on the comment card! Maybe it's time the cruise lines started rethinking their policies on smoking.

[Host CMLA]

First, congratulations for quitting smoking! I really admire that. Although I've never so much as had a single puff, I've read that giving up smoking is harder than giving up heroin.

I've never done heroin so I'll have to take whoever's word on how hard it is to quit that. :D Smoking was pretty easy for me to quit when I finally decided to do it. Once I made the decision to not do it, there was no other option so cheating or starting again didn't fit into my plan. I missed it but I was determined. That was in June of 2000. I started when I was 12 and in 2000 I turned 30. That's a long time and a lot of money to waste.

My mother gave up smoking (after a REALLY difficult struggle) and remarked that she never realized how much cigarrettes smelled. When you smoke, apparently, you're desensitized to the smell and the smoke. So, I see where some smokers don't realize how much their smoking bothers non-smokers.

I always knew how bad it smelled because even as a smoker, it smelled bad to me. But the high you get from smoking is moere important than the smell. The smell is the nasty side effect for getting to have the drug. It makes no sense but how many addictions are rational? LOL ;)

I looked up some statistics for you, and I originally had thought you were right that older people smoked more than younger people... but I was very surprised to find the opposit in the statistics. The FCHS shows that in 2003, less than 11 percent of Americans over the age of 60 smoke. It seems to be those in their 30's and 40's that smoke more.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/smoking.htm

 

I found that 25.2 percent of men aged 18 and over and 20.7percent of women smoke.... so that means that non-smokers comprise 3/4 of the population. It surprises me that the cruise ships would cater to a quarter of the population).

 

Since there appears to be a sizable population of Brits who cruise on NCL ships, I checked those stats as well... in 2003, 26 percent percent of ALL Brits smoke (that's only a quarter of the population)-- of those only 16 percent were aged 60 and over.

 

http://www.ash.org.uk/html/factsheets/html/fact01.html

 

I don't think there are any statistics kept on smoking cruisers vs nonsmoking cruisers, but it would make an interesting question on the comment card! Maybe it's time the cruise lines started rethinking their policies on smoking.

Very interesting. I don't know what numbers I expected to hear but I didn't think they'd be so low. It would be really interesting to know what percentage of smokers are cruisers. That would be a huge marketing research undertaking and the cruise lines probably wouldn't put the money into it. But a survey of cruisers while on board would be a good idea. They're a captive audience. And since smokers and non smokers usually feel strongly about their position on the subject, you could probably get people to respond to a questionnaire. Could it be that smoker numbers are declining and that's why NCL doesn't designate smoking and non smoking rooms because there are too many non smokers and they want to fill the rooms? One other thing...I wonder what percentage of people constitute social smokers. Social smokers who only smoke when out at bars or on vacation don't consider themselves full time smokers or real smokers. I can't tell you how many of my friends say they only smoke when there's a drink in their hand or when they're in Las Vegas gambling and they don't call themselves smokers. Maye there's a large percentage of those people that only smoke on their vacations including cruises? I find that especially true for men that only have an occasional cigar for a special event. I've seen countless men and some women light up a cigar and say it's not really smoking. All interesting things to ponder. Thanks for the stats.

[corkpopr]

I dont smoke cigarettes and never have. Growing up in the 50's and 60's i was used to 50% of adults smoking. I can eat dinner at a table with 5 other people smoking and i could care less. Not that i don't think it is rude and classless for those that don't like it but it doesnt bother me in the least. I do and have smoked about 6 cigars a week for 35 years now. I don't care if people tell me it's ok to smoke in their homes or cars, i will not in consideration of the next person there. When i cruise which is twice a year i smoke about 15 in ten days. i smoke on the stern not the bow or midships so only i will enjoy it.

That being said, i think the piano bar should also be the smoking/cigar lounge and the casino will never be non-smoking. If U.S. smokers are a combined male/female 23% of the adult population that is over 45 million smokers. if you go to asia or europe it seems like 33% smoke and it has held steady there for years now.

[SailAways]

In researching in preparation for our upcoming September cruise, I only recall one poster mentioning being bothered by a smoky odor in their cabin on one of the NCL ships.

The steward quickly addressed this concern by placing a machine of some sort (I would suspect an ionizer/filter system) in their cabin. They were not bother by the smoke again.

The poster stated that this did not take up too much room.

 

It would seem that smoking in a cabin is a potential fire hazard. I would agree with many here, that smoking should only be done in designated areas of the ship.

[donna@donnaanderson.com]

I bet some cruise line will have a totally non-smoking ship in the future; maybe it will be a small upscale one, but every year there are less smokers out there and every year there are more people that do not want to be around smokers.

So it is just a matter of time until some cruise line jumps on this again!

[Host CMLA]

It would seem that smoking in a cabin is a potential fire hazard. I would agree with many here, that smoking should only be done in designated areas of the ship.

The argument could then be made that curling irons aren't allowed. Or hairdryers. Anything that plugs in that could cause a spark if not used correctly. I'd be interested to know the stats on fires caused by cigarettes, irons, curling irons, hairdryers, or other plugged in appliances on cruise ships. I don't think I've ever heard of even one.

[SailAways]

The argument could then be made that curling irons aren't allowed. Or hairdryers. Anything that plugs in that could cause a spark if not used correctly. I'd be interested to know the stats on fires caused by cigarettes, irons, curling irons, hairdryers, or other plugged in appliances on cruise ships. I don't think I've ever heard of even one.

 

True enough, Cecilia - but,

 

The only place a cigarette plugs in is to a person's mouth!

And, it does have fire on the end of it. :eek: