Question about smoking

[lazarru]

Think I'm going to o with the Island Princess in July, where is smoking allowed on the ship? We went on a cruise a number of years ago and smoke was pretty bad, went on Disney 3 yrs ago and was almost none, likely because it was much more of a family cruise. Wondering(hoping) because it's Alaska people don't smoke, or are all the areas that it's allowed heavy with smoke? Last thing I want to do is get a balcony then not be able to use it because of smokers around

[vbmom87]

Think I'm going to o with the Island Princess in July, where is smoking allowed on the ship? We went on a cruise a number of years ago and smoke was pretty bad, went on Disney 3 yrs ago and was almost none, likely because it was much more of a family cruise. Wondering(hoping) because it's Alaska people don't smoke, or are all the areas that it's allowed heavy with smoke? Last thing I want to do is get a balcony then not be able to use it because of smokers around

 

From what I understand from reading these boards, I believe Celebrity does not allow smoking on their balconies. I think they are the only one of the mass market lines that have banned smoking in cabins and balconies. Perhaps someone else knows if there are others. If you go on your cruiseline's board, you will be able to read plenty about smoking issues. It tends to be a hot topic every other week or so.

 

I was very concerned about smoking on our HAL cruise. I have asthma which is aggravated by smoking. Fortunately it ended up being a non-issue. Our cabin had no odors. We did not go to the casino, so I can't say what that was like. They did advertise several nights that were smoke free, but we still did not go. There was one lounge we liked to spend time in as it had panoramic viewing. They had a smoking area but only one day did we have to leave the lounge because of smokers. I do think we were very lucky to be on a ship without too many smokers. The only other time I was aware of smokers was when we went out on the promenade deck. This seemed to be the spot the smokers hung out. It did detract from being outside, but it was not a major problem. You could just walk in a different direction and get away from it. From my reading on the cruiseline boards, it seems like some cruises are just better than others. No way you will know what you will face, until you get on your cruise.

[Budget Queen]

with Princess and a balcony- it's total luck if you are near a smoker.

[PennyAgain]

As a former smoker I can see both sides of the issue. If you have a balcony and are near smokers, just hope that it is very windy.

[MercedMike]

Wondering(hoping) because it's Alaska people don't smoke, or are all the areas that it's allowed heavy with smoke? Last thing I want to do is get a balcony then not be able to use it because of smokers around

 

If you are indeed so sensitive to smoke that someone smoking outside on the next balcony is going to make it impossible for you to use yours, I am afraid that cruising will be as difficult for you as traveling, sighseeing, and touring in any other part of the US. There are designated smoking areas on most ships, and if simply walking past a place where people smoke bothers you, you will probably be unhappy. There have been complaints on this board from exceptionally sensitive people who walked past smoking tables on the open deck and were bothered, and who did not like walking down the hall outside the casino.

 

The average person, who simply does not much care to be seated next to a smoker indoors, can do very well on a cruise, as almost all the dining areas and the major lounges are non smoking. Even the areas where smoking is allowed are seldom very bad. We often take a table on the deck in the smoking area if that side of the ship appeals to us or is less crowded and it never bothers our enjoyment of the meal. Sitting on the balcony while someone smokes out in the open air next door is also not noxious to us. Of course while the ship is moving there is sufficient wind to blow it away anyhow.

 

So, it is really just a matter of how much smoking bothers you. If you are in a position where that will determine how you enjoy your vacation, then you are probably better off avoiding cruising and going to a health spa or some other place that totally bans smoking. I don't mean to insult anybody or demean any preferences, but I just state the facts.