Smoking question

[ColoradoJuli]

I discovered on another thread that smoking is allowed in the staterooms. Is this true on NCL or was it just that particular cruise line?

 

Both my husband and I are highly allergic to smoke. His throat closes up and my asthma kicks into full gear. I know that we will be unable to stay in a room that previously had smokers in it.

 

If the news is good or bad, I would like to know what to expect.

[seahorse]

Yes smoking is allowed in the cabins, but they do a fantastic job of eliminating the odor. Believe me you will never know. I can smell smoke, and smoker:eek: many yards away

[ColoradoJuli]

Oh dear! I'm not sure if I should tell hubby or let him find out on his own. He gets in a real twit about smoke. I'm thinking that if I tell him he will have 29 days to get over his twit or he might bring it with him onboard. What to do?

[GregInCharlotte]

...Smokers are going to smoke in their cabins - just like they're going to drop their butts whereever they happen to be when they finish.

 

Did you notice the cruise lines don't even ASK if you have a smoking/non-smoking preference?

 

Smoking is generally restricted in indoor public areas (bars and casino smoke yes, other inside public areas smoke no) but how much smoke smell is in your cabin is a matter of how many people have smoked in it how much and how recently since it had its last carpet/bedding/drapes refit.

[seahorse]

Juli,

 

I don`t want to be fresh or anything,but did you not think of this before you booked? Just curious.

[happytogoing]

Seahorse/Ann.... I recently returned from "Spirit" and I booked my first cruise without a second thought to smoke. Where I live smoking is illegal in all public places, (including lounges, bars, pubs, etc..) and non-smoking hotel rooms are the norm. It honestly did not occur to me that there might be more smokers on a cruise than I see in day to day life. It was a real shocker to read about the smoking on these board!

 

In fact, I had a little panic, might have posted a few panicky things :o , and figured the same as the OP... ACK..... figured my husband might balk.

 

So, to the OP... There was lots of smoke on the Spirit, but there are also lots of non-smoking areas, and people respected these always. No smoking in dining rooms or the theatres. And it is true, you cannot smell old smoke in the staterooms. My husband is also asthmatic, he had very few problems. The lounges are smoky, but that is an individual choice to go there. The balcony (contrary to reports) was not. Half of the outdoor decks/promenade is non-smoking. It turned out to be a non-issue for us.

 

I would make sure to bring extra inhalers along, but I wouldn't cancel, based on our experience.

[Host CMLA]

...Smokers are going to smoke in their cabins - just like they're going to drop their butts whereever they happen to be when they finish.

This isn't true of all smokers.

Did you notice the cruise lines don't even ASK if you have a smoking/non-smoking preference?

NCL doesn't offer non smoking rooms at all anymore. They used to have starboard smoking/ port non smoking. I've been a smoker and then a non smoker on NCL ships and I could never tell.

[CruisinMatt]

ColoradoJuli, why not bring one of those ionic air cleaners along just in case??

[seashore]

I am bringing Febreze. I have never used it but I guess it can't hurt.

[CruisinMatt]

Febreze works nice but it takes a while to dry - just an FYI

[sassycarolinacruiser]

Juli, I also have pretty severe asthma so if I may suggest...Febreze triggers an immediate attack for me so unless you've used it before I wouldn't go that route. I use a product called Ozium. It's an air sanitizer that elimanates odors as well as reducing airborne bacteria.(that can come in handy on a cruise ship!!!) You can find it at Target, CVS or sometimes at car parts places such as Auto Zone. Enjoy your cruise!

[ColoradoJuli]

Seahorse - I did think about the smoke issue. (No offense taken, good question) Our three other cruises have been on the Paradise (smoke free until Sept 2004). I have talked with several people and they all assured me that smoke was not an issue and that smoking was not allowed in the staterooms. (Gullable, I believed them.) Now I am finding out (from you all) that I was not informed correctly. I am now very worried. I can not begin to explain how upset my DH becomes over smoke. Can't blame him since his throat starts closing up from an alergic reaction. We have already completely paid for our January cruise. We will take it and see how things go. Our May cruise could end up being on hold or stopped completely if there is too much smoke smell.

 

 

sassycarolinacruiser - Thanks for the note on Ozium. I do have a reaction to Febreeze and can not use it. I will go over to Target this week and see if I can find the Ozuim. Will it be in the air freshner area?

[salty dingo]

As an ex-smoker I sympathize with them, but geez, where else can you find so much open air to go smoke in but on a moving ship. One side or the other, the wind will be blowing the smoke out to sea where no one will be bothered.

 

The cabins are so small, and surely smoking in the room would fog the place up in no time. Hopefully passengers who choose to smoke will realize that a cigarette smoked while watching the waves pass by will be a lot more enjoyable.

 

However, smokers are probably "conditioned" to lighting up in the lounge or casino, and I'm sure that will be the case on the Majesty. I only hope that they will not smoke in the dining room. Does anyone know if the dining rooms are non-smoking? I sure hope so.

 

However obnoxious it is, I would not curse a smoker, especially one who is outside. Except in the dining room, it's too easy just to move somewhere else and not ruin my day or theirs. Don't worry, be happy!

[Host CMLA]

This is a thread about what to expect if you're booked into a room that someone may have previously smoked in. It's not a debate on smoking. Please stay on topic or this thread will be closed or moved. If you have any questions or concerns about how the board is moderated, contact the board administrator. Discussions about removed posts will be removed immediately.

 

Please this thread regarding posting removals.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/announcement.php?f=220&announcementid=16

[salty dingo]

Here is an excellent review by a man just off the Majesty. He specifically mentions the issue of smoking smell in the cabin (or lack thereof). The review is worth a read if you are going on the Majesty.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=109575

[emcemt]

The smoke free Paradise sunk. There cant be that much of a demand.

[Neil too]

I just got off the NCL Majesty yesterday. I'm sure people have smoked in my cabin but I could not detect it at all. There was an ash tray in the desk so I know it was permitted.

 

I quit smoking in 1988 after 40 years of it and am very sensitive to any smoke odor. Don't worry about it if you stay out of the casino and bars.

Neil too

[sassycarolinacruiser]

Juli, I think that's where you'll find Ozium but if not try the automotive dept. in Target. I have also found it in drug stores. It really does work better than other products that I have used. I always take it with me to hotels. I spray it close to the intake vents of the heat/AC units and that always helps. It's also great to have in the bathroom if ya know what I mean:D ...close quarters can be DEADLY :eek:

[ChrisConnolly]

OZIUM <--- Official Air Clearner Of Chris Connolly's House.....

 

 

Be warned though.. it does have a pretty overwhelming smell when you first spray it..

[Dolphins]

emcemt- Paradise did not sink because of lack of demand. It was one of Carnival's most popular ship regarding bookings with many passengers who would normally never sail Carnival booking the Paradise. The reason the smoke free policy on Paradise was terminated was because non-smokers do not drink or gamble as much as smokers and the Paradise produced less revenue for Carnival than any other ship. It was purely a financial decision that had little to do with the popularity of the ship. Passengers loved it and most would not return to Carnival.

 

Finally, I would suggest that passengers extremely sensitive to smoke always get a balcony cabin so they can air it out as much as possible. Hopefully, you will not have somebody smoking a cigar on the next balcony.

[CSM]

Don't just get a balcony. Get the most foreward one available. That will reduce the chances of someone smoking on a balcony ahead of you.

 

I can tell you from experience, if someone smokes on one of the few balconies just foreward of yours, the smoke will blow directly onto your balcony when the ship is moving and NCL will not do anything about it.

 

That's why we booked the very first balcony on our next cruise even though it might be rockier in rough seas. At least we won't have to breathe smoke every time we use the balcony.

[cdkempton]

We had a balcony room on the Wind. The room itself didn't have any smoke residue but out on the balcony if someone was smoking even a few balconies away it came right at us. I would avoid a balcony for that reason and opt for a room with the largest picture window.

[bigsweeps]

Don't just get a balcony. Get the most foreward one available. That will reduce the chances of someone smoking on a balcony ahead of you.

 

I can tell you from experience, if someone smokes on one of the few balconies just foreward of yours, the smoke will blow directly onto your balcony when the ship is moving and NCL will not do anything about it.

 

That's why we booked the very first balcony on our next cruise even though it might be rockier in rough seas. At least we won't have to breathe smoke every time we use the balcony.

 

Why should NCL do anything about it? If you don't like smoke, go inside for those 5 minutes if it blows in your direction. Most people don't sit there all day puffing one after another and honestly, when the ship is moving, unless they are within 2-3 rooms you won't notice. I'm a non-smoker and don't like the smell of smoke, but I certainly would never be upset if someone else wanted to go out on their balcony to have a smoke....at least they aren't stinking up the rooms! And I certainly wouldn't NOT book a balcony cabin because of it. You'll smell more smoke in places like the casino and other areas of the ship - the amount of smoke that might blow by on your balcony is next to nothing in comparison.

[Neil too]

There was no smoking in the main restaurants or the Palace Theater. Smoke was very heavy in the casino. I detected no smoke smell in the hallways where the cabins were and none in my cabin. Most of the bars permit smoking but at least one has a no smoking section.

 

I made a statement to the person who's throat closed up on him in presence of smoke that I didn't think he should go. I guess this is subject to interpretation of "closed up", if it is discomfort or death threat.

Neil

[WaxonWaxov]

Frankly, I am a non-smoker with little tolerance for smoke. It doesn't bother me physically, it just annoys me. I for one plan to be in the casino at least part of the time.

 

That being said I think I go to my local Army/Navy surplus store and buy a biologic agent resistant dust mask like you would use for painting and wear it in the casino.

 

So this is not a anti-smoking post. It is a how to protect yourself from it post, so no deleting is allowed. :)