Century Smoking

[MizLizzie]

I have read in some reviews complaints of smoking on the Century. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

 

I am a total newbie to cruising, having just returned from a family trip on RCL Radiance of the Seas. Enjoyed it, stayed out of the casino, and found the smoking quite tolerable. Would now like to take my DH on Century's 11 night Western Med cruise this autumn. It is his dream itinerary, and we are looking for an older, quieter crowd. Will the smoking policies be similar? A travel agent told me to be careful of the itineraries, especially with some European lines like Costa, because the smoke would be overwhelming.

 

Thank you for helping out a green cruiser,

Lizzie

[dkjretired]

I have read in some reviews complaints of smoking on the Century. Can anyone tell me what to expect?

 

I am a total newbie to cruising, having just returned from a family trip on RCL Radiance of the Seas. Enjoyed it, stayed out of the casino, and found the smoking quite tolerable. Would now like to take my DH on Century's 11 night Western Med cruise this autumn. It is his dream itinerary, and we are looking for an older, quieter crowd. Will the smoking policies be similar? A travel agent told me to be careful of the itineraries, especially with some European lines like Costa, because the smoke would be overwhelming.

 

Thank you for helping out a green cruiser,

Lizzie

 

Since you have traveled on RCI I will compare the two as best I can without expressing any opinions. Celebrity allows smoking in all staterooms and verandas while RCI does not permit smoking in the stateroom but does permit it on the veranda. RCI has designated areas about the ship which are smoking while Celebrity allows smoking on exterior decks on one side and not on the other. There are a couple of inside lounges on Celebrity that you can smoke. Your TA is correct in warning you about European itineraries as they can be overwhelming.

[Gonzo70]

Celebrity is unfortunately among the most permissive in terms of allowing smoking. On some of their ships there is not even a single bar/lounge that prohibits smoking. Hopefully they will be making some changes soon (they claim they have been reviewing their policy, but they are certainly lagging in this department). In general smoking is permitted on one side of most to all bars/lounges (depends on ship if there is a smoke free bar), one side of outdoor public areas, and most to all nights in casino (sometimes the Captain makes a night or two, often a formal night smoke free), all staterooms and balconies. All indoor food service areas and the main theater are smoke free.

 

Holland America is a comprable line to Celebrity that is much friendlier to non-smokers that would have the older, quieter crowd you are seeking. If smoke is a big deal for you and you find a nice itinerary on Holland America, you may want to go with that.

[Xcruiser]

Celebrity is unfortunately among the most permissive in terms of allowing smoking. On some of their ships there is not even a single bar/lounge that prohibits smoking. Hopefully they will be making some changes soon (they claim they have been reviewing their policy, but they are certainly lagging in this department). In general smoking is permitted on one side of most to all bars/lounges (depends on ship if there is a smoke free bar), one side of outdoor public areas, and most to all nights in casino (sometimes the Captain makes a night or two, often a formal night smoke free), all staterooms and balconies. All indoor food service areas and the main theater are smoke free.

 

Holland America is a comprable line to Celebrity that is much friendlier to non-smokers that would have the older, quieter crowd you are seeking. If smoke is a big deal for you and you find a nice itinerary on Holland America, you may want to go with that.

 

Our experience is that HAL is less restrictive than Celebrity in regards to the smoking policy. HAL doesn’t restrict smoking to one side of the ship and has fewer restrictions on pipe and cigar smoking than Celebrity.

 

HAL published policy:

Smoking

For the comfort of all of our guests, designated smoking and nonsmoking areas are available in most lounges. Smoking is not permitted at any time in dining areas. Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances.

Celebrity published policy:

What is your onboard smoking policy?

Subject: Ship and Stateroom Details

Cigarette Smoking is permitted:

 

• In staterooms.

• In designated areas on the port (left) side of most public areas (Lounges, Bars, Decks).

 

Cigarette Smoking is not permitted:

 

• In the Celebrity Theater.

• In the Cinema.

• In the Conference Center.

• In the Dining Room.

• In the Elevators.

• On the starboard (right) side of the ship, either indoors or outdoors.

 

Pipe and Cigar Smoking:

 

• Pipe and cigar smoking is only allowed in specifically

designated areas on outer decks of the vessel.

• Please check with the Guest Relations Desk for these specific venues.

• Please note that at no time is cigar and pipe smoking permitted in staterooms/suites or on their verandas.

 

 

 

[MizLizzie]

Thank you all for your candor. Perhaps I should take a slightly less desirable itinerary, and stick with RCI? I found my trip on the Radiance very nice.

 

Are there other cruise lines that do a Western Med cruise I should consider that might have restricted smoking? We are not too terribly cost conscious, but don't want to break the bank, either.

 

Appreciate the help, all.

Miz Lizzie

[Gonzo70]

Our experience is that HAL is less restrictive than Celebrity in regards to the smoking policy. HAL doesn’t restrict smoking to one side of the ship and has fewer restrictions on pipe and cigar smoking than Celebrity.

 

The problem with Celebrity is that some of their ships do not have a single bar/lounge that is smoke free. HAL has multiple 100% smoke free bars/lounges per ship, sometimes they have sailings where the casino is smoke free entire sailing, and their main pool is 100% smoke free. I'd say that all this trumps Celebrity by a large margin.

[Xcruiser]

The problem with Celebrity is that some of their ships do not have a single bar/lounge that is smoke free. HAL has multiple 100% smoke free bars/lounges per ship, sometimes they have sailings where the casino is smoke free entire sailing, and their main pool is 100% smoke free. I'd say that all this trumps Celebrity by a large margin.

Oh really,

 

I guess we can agree that our experience differs in this reguard.:rolleyes:

 

Don't want to start another smoking/non smoking debate thread.

[Jade13]

Thank you all for your candor. Perhaps I should take a slightly less desirable itinerary, and stick with RCI? I found my trip on the Radiance very nice.

 

Are there other cruise lines that do a Western Med cruise I should consider that might have restricted smoking? We are not too terribly cost conscious, but don't want to break the bank, either.

 

Appreciate the help, all.

Miz Lizzie

 

 

You could try the Holland America Line Noordam. Great itinerary from Rome and I do not remember any smoke last year. Note that on HAL no matter what cabin category you get 24 x 7 room service including hot breakfast and Elemis Spa products.

[Schplinky]

When we sailed on Westerdam, we noticed that one of the positives there was that the smoke level was a great deal lower than we were used to, even in spaces that allow smoke.

 

On RCL, at least one bar is decalred entirely non-smoking. Hopefully, their sister will follow suit, so that smokers and non-smokers alike can find a bar to enjoy fully during their vacation.