smoking policy aboard oosterdam, just info please

[leeuwarden]

we are thinking about booking the oosterdam, info needed about smoking policy aboard oosterdam, just info please,

[sail7seas]

On all HAL ships, smoking is permitted in cabins and on verandas.

 

It is not permitted in any dining area, most lounges have a small smoking section (normally at the bar and a few tables near it), one side of the ship will be smoke free on outside decks. I don't recall if it is port or starboard.

 

Most ships are now smoke free in the entire Lido pool area.

 

It is varying by ship how much/how often smoking is permitted in the Casino.

[Golfette]

There always seemed to be a lot of smoke in the Sports Bar area whenever I walked by on the Oosterdam. It was nearly across from the casino so maybe that's why.

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

 

Just general info:

 

At Your Service: Cruise Line Smoking Policies

Last Updated: 07/25/07

Editor's note: Cruise lines are starting to announce policy changes for 2008; check back soon for a full update!

 

Nothing fires up some cruise travelers more than the issue of "to smoke ... or not to smoke." Indeed, check out the posts on Cruise Critic's message boards -- but we warn you: put on your oven mitts before you open any thread with "smoking" in the title. It'll be red hot.

 

This "cruise critic" is a conscientious, considerate smoker. I've recently moved from North Carolina (where smoking is practically the law of the land and restaurants bear signs that say "non-smoking section available") to California (where my habit has rendered me the social equivalent of an avian flu carrier, so quitting is likely in my near future). In the meantime, though, I have been subjected to the wrath and fury of the non-smokers aboard cruise ships, I have traveled on the ships listed here that are the most restrictive, and I often travel with friends and family who don't smoke, further limiting my options.

 

This issue is so incendiary (pun intended) that smokers often feel bruised and battered and slink away in shame, while non-smokers are often arrogant and self-righteous and ... well, just plain rude. On the other hand, there are non-smokers whose response is to live and let live, and smokers who take the position that "hell, it's still legal, so leave me alone; I'll smoke if I want to."

 

In the United States, the number of smokers is dropping -- and young people aren't starting to smoke as much as they used to -- but one in four still lights up. (In California, the number is closer to one in seven.) In Europe and Asia, smoking is much more prevalent, although that's changing too. The governments of both Ireland and Italy have recently banned all indoor smoking countrywide. Similar legislation is being considered by France and Great Britain. Still, any ship that sails with a large European or Asian contingent is bound to be smokier than a ship filled with North Americans.

 

Cruise lines, though, have generally taken a more moderate approach. Renaissance Cruises, an entirely non-smoking line, no longer exists. Carnival's Paradise, which started life as a smoke-free vessel and stayed that way for six years, now allows smoking onboard. Two major cruise lines (Disney and Oceania) have very limiting policies, as do many small-ship "boutique" lines and river cruise vessels. For the major companies, the policies are all similar, and not nearly as restrictive as most non-smokers wish they were.

 

It's an issue of "spoilage" (the industry's lingo for unsold cabins) that keeps them from dedicating non-smoking rooms on ships. "It would present an inventory mess," says a spokesperson for CLIA, the cruise industry's official trade association. "The cruise lines' yield management people want the ships to sail full at all times; you can't do that if you set aside non-smoking rooms."

 

We're presenting the policies for you in one neat, tidy package, but first, a couple of pointers:

 

Restrictive: Renaissance Cruises (and its groundbreaking "no smoking anywhere" policies) may now be defunct but the premise is alive and well, to a point, on Oceania Cruises. That cruise line not only is led by Renaissance's former president but also sails with Renaissance's former ships! And while smoking is permitted in two small areas only, its restrictive policies can put the fear of god into even the most obsessive walking chimney.

 

For instance, get caught smoking in your cabin or on your balcony? Check out this little ditty in the Oceania Cruises Guest Ticket Contract:

 

"Guests choosing to disregard the policy may be subject to monetary penalties -- up to the fare paid for passage -- that will be imposed to cover the costs associated with the required cleaning of stateroom furnishings, verandas and surrounding deck and accommodation areas. Guests are also kindly reminded that the Master of the vessel reserves the right to disembark any guests, without prior warning, for violation of this policy and said guest(s) shall be responsible for all fees levied by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities, all costs associated with repatriation and vessel's loss of revenues from said forced disembarkation or costs associated with repairs or replacement of furnishings as a result of combustion of accommodation areas found to be caused by said guest(s)."

 

Don't say you weren't warned.

 

LeaLeast"]st Restrictive: If you are a smoker and want to light up at any time, anywhere, book yourself a Pullmantur vacation. This Spain-based cruise and tour operation runs several cruises in the Mediterranean. You can smoke during your massage, between courses at meals, in the hot tubs, during bingo... All in all you can totally revel, in bliss, pretty much anywhere.

 

Balconies"]Balconies: Considerate smokers who want to least offend their neighbors should look at getting a balconied stateroom as far aft as possible since the smoke tends to drift back while the ship is underway. Conversely, sensitive non-smokers should look at booking their verandahs as far forward as possible, for the same reason. If that isn't possible, non-smokers need to adjust their balcony-use schedule or just tolerate the smoke.

 

Public"]Public Spaces: Most ships have designated smoking areas, usually on one side or another of the ship. If smoking is permitted on deck on the port side, that's where smokers should go to light up and where non-smokers should avoid sitting. You'd think that's pretty basic, but many a fight has started over cigarette smoke because one side or another is in the "wrong" space. It's important to note that shipboard personnel cannot change policy. They cannot and will not ask someone to stop smoking on their balcony (except on Oceania), for example, but they can and will ask someone to move to a smoking area if they are in one that is clearly non-smoking. Avoid confrontation; let the ship's personnel handle the asking.

 

And now, on to our line-by-line roundup of policies:

 

Carnival Cruise Lines

 

There is no FAQ section on Carnival's Web site detailing smoking policies, but we did find this ominous note in the Contract of Carriage: "© Guest acknowledges that Carnival's vessels contain non-smoking sections. Guest agrees to refrain from smoking in those sections and agrees that Carnival has the right to disembark the Guest for failure to observe Carnival's non-smoking policy." Carnival's policy is similar to most cruise line policies: No smoking in the restaurants, no smoking in the theatres and no smoking around the indoor aft pool (on the newer ships) because food is served there. Smoking is permitted on one side in lounges and out on deck, and in cabins.

 

Celebrity Cruises

 

There are no non-smoking cabins. Smoking is permitted in designated areas in the bars, lounges, and outside on open decks. All other areas on board Celebrity's ships, including restaurants and theatres, are non-smoking.

 

Costa Cruises

 

Smoking is allowed in designated areas in most public rooms onboard. However, smoking is prohibited in the main restaurants and in show lounges. Some of Costa's newer ships have at least one lounge that is entirely non-smoking.

 

Crystal Cruises

 

Most areas of Crystal's ships are non-smoking, especially restaurants (though there are designated smoking/non smoking areas in bars and lounges). The Galaxy Lounge, the ships' main production venue, is also smoke-free. Otherwise, pipes and cigars are permitted only in the Connoisseur Club, and on open decks, except all areas of Lido Deck. Pipes and cigars may not be smoked in guest penthouses, in staterooms, on verandahs or in corridors.

 

Cunard Line

 

On Queen Mary 2, all restaurants are non-smoking; pipes and cigars are allowed only in Churchill's Cigar Lounge and on open decks. Most lounges and bars offer both smoking and non-smoking areas. On Queen Elizabeth 2, most restaurants have a small smoking section, with the exception of the Princess Grill, which is non-smoking. Pipes and cigars are allowed in the Chart Room, Golden Lion Pub and Crystal Bar. All theatres, elevators and the library aboard each ship are designated non-smoking.

 

Delta Queen Steamboat Company

 

Smoking is allowed on open decks on all three steamboats and in staterooms on American Queen and Mississippi Queen. Smoking is not allowed in any indoor public spaces or in cabins on the oldest boat, Delta Queen, because of the filtration system.

 

Disney Cruises

 

Second in "most restrictive" only to Oceania, Disney also prohibits smoking in cabins (but does allow puffers to light up on their balcony). Smoking is only allowed in the sports bar and the piano lounge in Beat Street, which has many entertainment rooms for adults. Smoking is allowed on the open deck except around the Mickey Pool and the aft deck where guests dine.

 

Holland America Line

 

Smoking is allowed where designated but it's never permitted in restaurants or theatres. Most public spaces have a smoking section on one side only. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed only in the smoking lounge. There are no non-smoking cabins but Holland America does an air-purifying cleaning so there is no residual odor.

 

MSC Cruises

 

Smoking is allowed in cabins and smokers are permitted to light up in some public rooms on the ships' port sides. MSC Cruises allows smoking on the port side only. Smoking is off limits in any dining room or theater.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line

 

There are no non-smoking cabins. Norwegian Cruise Line recently made all public areas smoke-free save for casinos and cigar bars. All other areas onboard NCL's ships are non-smoking.

 

Oceania Cruises

 

Smoking is permitted only in a designated section on the aft port side of Horizons, and the starboard forward section of the outdoor Pool Deck. All other areas will remain smoke-free. These include all guest suites and staterooms, verandahs, restaurants, public areas, the casino, and everywhere else on the ship. In April 2006, Oceania tightened its smoking regulations with a new "Zero Tolerance" policy, which imposes strict penalties upon those who smoke outside designated areas -- including disembarkation from the ship.

 

Princess Cruises

 

Smoking is prohibited in show lounges, elevators, dining rooms and all food service areas onboard all Princess ships. Smoking is permitted in passenger staterooms and many public rooms offer both smoking and non-smoking areas. Guests who enjoy pipes or cigars are accommodated in the cigar lounge. Guests are asked to refrain from smoking pipes or cigars in other enclosed public areas of the ship.

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

 

No smoking is allowed in the main show lounge of each ship, plus certain other lounges (e.g. Navigator lounge). Nor is smoking is allowed in any of the specialty/alternate restaurants though there is a smoking section in each of RSSC's main restaurants. Pipe and cigar smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Clubs or on open decks. Regent Seven Seas Cruises will ban smoking in all staterooms, suites and balconies fleetwide this December.

 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

 

Beginning in January 2008, smoking will be prohibited in all staterooms and suites, and one designated lounge on each ship. Smoking is currently permitted in designated areas in the bars and outside on open decks. All other areas onboard RCCL's ships are non-smoking, including elevators and showrooms.

 

Silversea Cruises

 

Smoking is allowed in designated spaces in the public lounges, in staterooms and on verandas. There is no smoking in Silversea's restaurants. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed on the open decks and inside in the cigar bar only.

 

Windstar Cruises

 

Cigarette smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the lounges. Pipe and cigar smoking is allowed only on the deck. Smoking is not allowed in the casino on Wind Star or Wind Spirit because of size and the filtration system, but is allowed in the casino aboard Wind Surf. Smoking is not permitted in any restaurants onboard Windstar ships. There are no non-smoking staterooms.

 

--by San Diego-based Jana Jones, the creator and editor of lodging Web site Sleeping-Around.com, as well as one of Cruise Critic's stalwart ship reviewers.

 

 

Have a Wonderful Cruise!

 

Bon Voyage and Good Health!

Bob:)

[SDHALFAN]

Congratulations Bob on a truly masterful post.

 

Like you, I am a conscientious, considerate smoker, and to be honest, I don't actually smoke that often but when I want a cigarette then I really, really want a cigarette (usually when I am enjoying a drink, or just a cup of coffee). I do, however, seek out the areas where smoking is permitted in order to indulge my "habit", hoping not to have offended anyone too much.

 

Thanks so much, I really enjoyed your post and had a few laughs and also learned a lot.

 

Valerie:)

[Toad]

Prescottbob:

Great post and one that needs to be saved and pasted every time the smoking question comes up! Thanks.

[Jsipes]

I smoke on the balcony, and have never had a problem.....the room steward will provide a special ashtray made for outside which has a cover.

On the Dec 1st Oosterdam cruise I noticed Rail Ashtrays were on both sides of the main deck, so I guess you can smoke on both sides outdoors.

 

Another interesting note....apparently on Oosterdam walkers can go either direction. There was no set counter clockwise direction for walking like the other HAL ships if been on or direction arrows steciled on the bulwarks. May be due to the fact that the weather decks are much wider than normal.

[Sundagger]

Azamara:

Azamara Journey has two designated smoking areas. These areas are located in the aft section of the Looking Glass Lounge on the port side, and on the starboard forward section of the Pool Deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there. All other areas of the ship are non-smoking. This includes Public Rooms, Restaurants, Pool Deck, Staterooms and Suites, Verandas and Halls. For the comfort of all of our guests, we request strict adherence to this policy, and thank all of our guests for their cooperation.

 

Seabourn:

For the comfort and convenience of all guests, we ask guests to refrain from smoking:

 

In the Restaurant, Veranda Café and Restaurant “2” (inside and outside)

 

In the main show Lounge during performances and lectures.

 

On the starboard side (right side facing forward) in the Observation Lounge, The Club and the main show lounge.

 

In the ship’s elevators.

 

In addition, we ask that guests refrain from smoking pipes and cigars anywhere inside the ship, including in guest suites. After dinner, an area of the Sky Bar is set aside for this pastime.