Smoking on Azamara

[pittipatga]

Just got off the phone with Celebrity and have successfully cancelled our December 8, 2007 cruise on the Quest. They were no problems and they said they had cancelled many today for the same reasons. We have booked another cruise with almost the same itineary on the Summit. I was happy to be able to cancel without any penalty - that's the only reason I started this thread.:confused: I am the non-smoker in our group and hate to see other non-smokers be so unkind to other's in general. We are all human beings with different habits - smokers in general are not bad people - maybe they have just made some bad choices that they haven't been able to overcome yet. Please be kind to one another - Mother's Day is coming - remember what your Mom's all told you - if you can't say something nice, maybe you shouldn't say anything at all.:)

[rebeccalouise]

I don't want to start a smoking debate but have noticed that the cruise lines in general have very limited smoking now. For example, RCL only allows smoking on one side of the pool deck and in the casino. They don't hand out ashtrays either. You have to sit by the sturdy large free standing ash trays. I only noticed a handful of smokers and RCL is doing a gangbuster business.

Oceania is selling out and I am sure that is why Celebrity gobbled up two of the former Renaissance ships and is using the same format.

In Maryland where I live- there will be no smoking in any bar or restaurant as of January 1, 2008. So things are moving in the non-smoking direction. This is just an observation. I am a closet smoker (not in front of my kids or parents!) so I understand the desire but frankly, it is good for everyone to quit.

[joeinsb]

I am joeinsb's wife, and I rarely post on this board, leaving that pleasure to him, but I just have to comment on the Journey smoking issue. I certainly hope Azamara sticks with its no-smoking-on-verandas policy because as we found on our wonderful voyage with Oceania last year, the smokers tend to stay away from those cruises, which makes the rest of us very happy. As a former smoker, I fully understand the cravings that addicted people feel, but let's face it, we all know that smoking is bad for the smoker and anyone else who is subjected to the second-hand smoke. It's terrbile to walk out onto your balcony in the morning for a breath of fresh ocean air and have to choke on the cigarette smoke wafting over from your fellow passenger's veranda.

 

I hope, Pittipatga, for your husband's sake and yours that you won't have to cancel your December cruise because your husband has given you and himself an early Christmas present by quitting smoking. It can be done, and if you do it, you will never regret it. I watched my father lose much of his face to oral cancer and his life later to lung cancer, all due to a lifetime of Lucky Strikes. Even when he was in a coma just before his death, he kept moving his hand to his mouth as if he were smoking phantom cigarettes. It was not a pretty sight.

[JkyLovesRuss]

I am joeinsb's wife,

 

I hope, Pittipatga, for your husband's sake and yours that you won't have to cancel your December cruise because your husband has given you and himself an early Christmas present by quitting smoking. It can be done, and if you do it, you will never regret it. I watched my father lose much of his face to oral cancer and his life later to lung cancer, all due to a lifetime of Lucky Strikes. Even when he was in a coma just before his death, he kept moving his hand to his mouth as if he were smoking phantom cigarettes. It was not a pretty sight.

 

Oh wow, so sorry about your dad. How sad... I bet you are happy you quit. 13 years smoke free here. :)

 

They should keep designated smoking areas on cruise ships for those who indulge...

[pattycakes]

I never smoke in my cabin so this policy with regards to that wouldn't affect me (and I don't spend a whole lot of time in the casino); however, not being able to smoke with my cappacino or pre-dinner or after-dinner drink without having to travel to a different location does put me off. Are these 2 areas accessible 24/7?

 

It definitely puts a damper on it -- most people i meet on the bermuda run are repeaters - there really is no other run comparable to it (and, no, I dont want megaship, the Wharf or NCL).

 

:big sigh:

[cruisingonthecompanydime]

We are booked on the Quest Trans Atlantic on April 12th. This booking was made over a month ago, long before the restricted smoking policy was made public (yesterday)

 

So once we leave port I will be smoking on my suite balcony. what are they going to do, throw me off in the middle of the Atlantic? :D

 

Phil

 

Perhaps not, but they have made unscheduled stops to put people off for other reasons, so....

[cruisingonthecompanydime]

Interesting question. I know on Oceania you would frequently see the officers using the two smoking areas that were for the passengers. I don't know what the rest of the crew does but I would presume they are limited to an outdoor deck and perhaps a somewhat sealed indoor lounge.

 

Officers on Journey are not permitted to smoke in guest areas, period. This is a terminable offense and has already been enforced once.

[Hondu]

I don't think this is a big conspiracy by the cruise line. We booked our Disney vacation and paid in full months ago. Just found out last week all Disney resorts are now non-smoking except in designated areas outside., effective June 1. We check in June 2. Noone offered me a refund or compensation. Don't think the kids will be too happy if we cancel now b/c someone can't smoke in the room.

 

Stuff happens. You make the best of it. Especially with smoking...this seems to be the way most places are headed. It's really not a big surprise.

 

The ship's not that big anyway, so how far could the walk be to the "designated" area??

 

And just think, that extra walk may help clean out their lungs. The most important thing is safety at sea and with people walking around and sitting in cabins with a torch between their lips is a nightmare in the works with no land in site.

[JCDeck]

On a TA cruise on the millenium in 2005, my husband and I were having a drink before dinner on our balcony on a formal night. The wind blew a lit cigarette that someone had carelessly discarded, flying onto our balcony and onto my evening dress, very delicate material, burned a hole the size of a quarter right in the middle of the dress. The dress sold for over $700.00. needless to say I was very sad.

 

I just booked the Antartic Cruise/Journey for Feb. 08.Sky suite. Hopefully I can help to offset some of those cancellations. I told the booking agent at Celebrity that I was booking because of their new restricted smoking policy on this ship.

 

Smoking affects nonsmokers and smokers in many ways (none of them good in my opinion). I think the time is very ripe for this and it's unfortunate that the timing of the policy being made public was not better but it will all work out.

 

I just stayed at a hotel in Amsterdam on a non-smoking floor, if you smoked in the room a 400 EU fine went directly on the credit card you used to book the room and you signed a paper agreeing to that when you checked in.

Eurpoe is becoming much less tolorant of smoking than they used to be.

Hope the restrictive smoking policies spread like wild fire (Pun intended)

 

Yeah Azamara!!!

[greeneg]

Ah, the brig or a inside cabin , that will work, as long as they don't confinscate my beloved Camels:D

By the way, I love the words " violate thier policy" and what kind of person would turn me in?

Phil

 

Phil, the truth is that if your smoke violates my space I would turn you in in a heartbeat with no regrets. Sorry, but that's the way that it is.

[corona5657]

we booked our cruise in aug of 2006 on zenith. found out too late about the smoking policy. doesnt bother me to go to a designated area, bothers me they waited so long to let people know. i go for hours w/o cigs, as i work in a school. i am going on vacation, so i am not going to let this policy bother me. what is worrying me more is what i am reading concerning the shape the ship is in. i am more concerned with the pool area than the smoking areas.:)

[riteonglor]

I hope Azamara sticks to their policy regarding smoking. There are smoking areas on the ship. If a smoker isn't happy with that, then they can cancel their cruise. If they are in the penalty phase then i guess they have no choice but to be an adult and smoke only where allowed or forfeit their deposit. How can we get our children to respect rules if we as adults are going to ignore them whenever we don't like them? Happy Sailing!

 

I like this, "if a smoker isnt happy with that, then they can cancel their cruise." So smug and self righteous. Easy to be that way when its something you want. Lets see what happens when they take something away you enjoy. Who needs to be with someone with an attitude like that.

At least the smoker's I know have some class even if they do have a vise.

[greeneg]

Personally, if someone takes away something that I enjoy then I buy another persons product. I strongly support the increased restrictions on smoking; I see no reason for me to be exposed to increased risks because of someone else's decisions.

 

I would also like to see increased penalties for drunk driving, better control of guns and ammunition, that sort of thing.

 

By the way, it's spelled "vice".

[Hondu]

Yes, and Westin as well. The trend to provide smoke-free vacation environments is growing :) http://hotels.about.com/od/uniqueandunusualhotels/a/hotelsbansmoke.htm

 

And Disney World, Orlando, the ultimate vacation spot.

[nlvc12]

[quote We are booked on the Quest Trans Atlantic on April 12th. This booking was made over a month ago, long before the restricted smoking policy was made public (yesterday)

 

So once we leave port I will be smoking on my suite balcony. what are they going to do, throw me off in the middle of the Atlantic?

 

Phil....

 

You are the sort of person I was expecting to find, actually planning on violating the policy. Aren't you so proud of yourself? You must make your kids proud too. (If they can smile during their asthma attacks).

 

Anyhow, please at least dispose of your death-weeds safely...Please note the experience noted elsewhere on this thread "On a TA cruise on the millenium in 2005, my husband and I were having a drink before dinner on our balcony on a formal night. The wind blew a lit cigarette that someone had carelessly discarded, flying onto our balcony and onto my evening dress, very delicate material, burned a hole the size of a quarter right in the middle of the dress. The dress sold for over $700.00. needless to say I was very sad." If I could figure out it was you, I'd sue your sorry a*s!

 

I don't have a balcony, so I won't have to tolerate fools like you.

[Mr. Tucker]

 

You are the sort of person I was expecting to find, actually planning on violating the policy. Aren't you so proud of yourself? You must make your kids proud too. (If they can smile during their asthma attacks).

I don't have a balcony, so I won't have to tolerate fools like you.

 

You really should have read more of what this person had to say before attacking as you did.

 

He was kidding and since then has repeatedly made reference to the fact that he would go to the assigned smoking area and he hoped no one would mind if he was wearing his robe in the morning.

[JCDeck]

You really should have read more of what this person had to say before attacking as you did.

 

He was kidding and since then has repeatedly made reference to the fact that he would go to the assigned smoking area and he hoped no one would mind if he was wearing his robe in the morning.

 

99% truth is spoken as jest......as the old saying goes.

[GAV BOY]

:eek:

I like this, "if a smoker isnt happy with that, then they can cancel their cruise." So smug and self righteous. Easy to be that way when its something you want. Lets see what happens when they take something away you enjoy. Who needs to be with someone with an attitude like that.

At least the smoker's I know have some class even if they do have a vise.

 

Yes if you smoke you realy have class ! (none) :eek:

[corona5657]

i am a smoker and i will be on the journey on 6/23. i dont stick my smoke in peoples faces. i will gladly go to the "designated areas" to do my "dirty habit". so what if i can't smoke in my cabin, i am never there anyways. my point is i think they could have given us more notice. i wouldnt have canceled, but i am sure some people would have. we found out just a little while ago. i say make the best out of the situation. better to be in bermuda, than sitting on my deck. just wish some of the comments from the non-smokers werent so nasty. we are not second class citizens. we are adults and therefore make our own decisions. i would rather be around a smoker than an obnoxious drunk any day. but i understand non-smokers views. with that said, i am eagerly awaiting my cruise and my new smoking friends i will make in the designated areas. happy sailing everyone!! and by the way, i do have class.

[lisiamc]

I think you hit the nail right on the head there. The typical Celebrity fan loves dressing up for dinner and likes the set schedule for dining. Any upscale experience will not put those restriction on you for a vacation.

 

I think your bias might be showing a bit! Are you saying that a line like Silver Seas isn't upscale? They offer formal nights.

 

Lisa

[garykool81]

I think you hit the nail right on the head there. The typical Celebrity fan loves dressing up for dinner and likes the set schedule for dining. Any upscale experience will not put those restriction on you for a vacation.

 

 

::shrugs:: I love both Celebrity and Oceania cruises for different reasons. I enjoy BOTH casual, upscale vacations *and* more formal ones. Simply depends what I am in the mood for when I travel.

 

I think an individual's tastes and desires change every day. IE -- I've been on everything from Windjammer's *ultra-casual* ships to Celebrity's *ultra-formal* ones, and I enjoyed every minute on all of them. :-)

[Mr. Tucker]

I think your bias might be showing a bit! Are you saying that a line like Silver Seas isn't upscale? They offer formal nights.

 

Lisa

 

Its sort of funny as I absolutely do not remember writing that little gem. Obviously I did!!!

 

Yes I do like Oceania and no I do not enjoy dressing up on a cruise. I would like Azamara to ultimately end up matching Oceania in service and ambience as that would give me another alternate for cruising.

 

As far as upscale cruises and dressing up - I stand corrected. People should research their cruise and if it involves dressing up and they don't want to then another cruise should be selected. For me country club casual is the perfect dress code.

[SheilaNC]

Corona,

I have tried hard not to post on this thread, but feel that I must object to the snarly comments directed towards both smokers and non-smokers by the 'other side'. Come on folks, adults don't call each other names or generalize about total groups based on differences of opinion. Clearly, some smoke, some abhor smoking and, those of us who used to be smokers vacillate between the opinions of both groups. The rules for Azamara are clear (whether you agree or not) so let sleeping dogs lie, make your decision to sail or not sail based on your own needs and desires and stop throwing darts. Thanks for listening to my plea.

[lisiamc]

I would like Azamara to ultimately end up matching Oceania in service and ambience as that would give me another alternate for cruising.

 

We can definitely agree on that.:) I have high hopes for Azamara as well.

 

Lisa

[Mr. Tucker]

Corona,

I have tried hard not to post on this thread, but feel that I must object to the snarly comments directed towards both smokers and non-smokers by the 'other side'. Come on folks, adults don't call each other names or generalize about total groups based on differences of opinion. Clearly, some smoke, some abhor smoking and, those of us who used to be smokers vacillate between the opinions of both groups. The rules for Azamara are clear (whether you agree or not) so let sleeping dogs lie, make your decision to sail or not sail based on your own needs and desires and stop throwing darts. Thanks for listening to my plea.

 

I wholeheartedly embrace this statement.

 

I am a former smoker and never, as a smoker or now as a non-smoker, would ever categorize people in the manner that I have read on this thread. Some remarks are downright childish.