Just off the Dawn 6/13-6/20

[naxos]

This was my 12th cruise and third NCL cruise but I will not sail on NCL again. I am sure I fall out of the targetted demographic to be fair. I booked this cruise at the last minute and for a very low price so my expectatons were set failry low.

 

The pros:

Easy embarkation in NY- on the ship by noon.

Booked inside cabin- cabin a bit small but bathroom larger than most and bed was comfy and stewards were great- always greeted us by name- provided bathrobes promptly and kept the cabin stocked with ice and fresh towels.

 

The wait staff in the restuarants were very good.

 

Bermuda is beautiful- incredibly beautiful empty beaches- just what we were looking for.

 

The cons

 

And this is the deal breaker for me-- Smoking everywhere on deck was a huge problem. It was not possible to walk or sit on the promenade deck without breathing smoke no matter what time of day or night. Same in all outside space. On sea days all deck space was filled with smokers. I'm not sure if

there are more smokers sailing from NY or not but smoking is promoted as evidenced by the humongous cartons for sale as soon as one boards the ship. When I sailed on NCL in the past, one side of the ship was designated for smokers- not so here. I spoke to the Hotel director, Hugo and he told me that one side smoking policy could not be enforced because the passengers would not be able to figure out which side was the smoking side.

 

The 2 towel rule-- I have never had to give my sea pass to get an extra towel.

 

Drinking games at the main pool deck during the day in front of kids- just poor taste IMHO

The main dinig room menus do not vary much and therefore encourage diners to dine for an upcharge.

 

Food was fair and plentiful- desserts in the dining room were unimaginative.

Disembarkation in NY was a zoo- freestyle meant that everyone lined up to leave the ship.

 

NCL provide transportation and food for me to get to Bermuda but I would not sail again at any price point unless the smoking policy changes.

[Susie51]

Pax would not be able to tell which side to smoke is a lame excuse. Put up no smoking signs and enforce the rule. There are plenty of people who do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke.

 

I wonder if they enforce the no smoking rule in the dining room or theater? If NCL enforces in those place, they should enforce the rule on deck, also.

 

I have two cruises booked with NCL. I will express my opinions, if they don't have the no smoking policy on Spirit or Jewel.

[CruiseNurseBabe82]

This was my 12th cruise and third NCL cruise but I will not sail on NCL again. I am sure I fall out of the targetted demographic to be fair. I booked this cruise at the last minute and for a very low price so my expectatons were set failry low.

 

The pros:

Easy embarkation in NY- on the ship by noon.

Booked inside cabin- cabin a bit small but bathroom larger than most and bed was comfy and stewards were great- always greeted us by name- provided bathrobes promptly and kept the cabin stocked with ice and fresh towels.

 

The wait staff in the restuarants were very good.

 

Bermuda is beautiful- incredibly beautiful empty beaches- just what we were looking for.

 

The cons

 

And this is the deal breaker for me-- Smoking everywhere on deck was a huge problem. It was not possible to walk or sit on the promenade deck without breathing smoke no matter what time of day or night. Same in all outside space. On sea days all deck space was filled with smokers. I'm not sure if

there are more smokers sailing from NY or not but smoking is promoted as evidenced by the humongous cartons for sale as soon as one boards the ship. When I sailed on NCL in the past, one side of the ship was designated for smokers- not so here. I spoke to the Hotel director, Hugo and he told me that one side smoking policy could not be enforced because the passengers would not be able to figure out which side was the smoking side.

 

The 2 towel rule-- I have never had to give my sea pass to get an extra towel.

 

Drinking games at the main pool deck during the day in front of kids- just poor taste IMHO

The main dinig room menus do not vary much and therefore encourage diners to dine for an upcharge.

 

Food was fair and plentiful- desserts in the dining room were unimaginative.

Disembarkation in NY was a zoo- freestyle meant that everyone lined up to leave the ship.

 

NCL provide transportation and food for me to get to Bermuda but I would not sail again at any price point unless the smoking policy changes.

 

Just sailed with you as well. I do agree with you about the smoking to an extent, but where do you want them to smoke on the ship? We had people smoking behind us in the Spinnaker which was odd.

 

I do tend to agree the menus are also this way to encourage participation to the fee restaurants, but we don't mind as we usually visit these anyhow. For those who do not, I see how this may be an issue.

 

One thing I found completely gross and this may be because of my profession was the lack of sanitizers being used or encouraged! Last cruise, people practically forced you to use them, this one I saw about 2% using them. I would not be surprised if the Dawn doesn't end up with the Noro virus sometime soon.

 

We had a wonderful cruise and will definitely do NCL again.

[CruiseNurseBabe82]

Pax would not be able to tell which side to smoke is a lame excuse. Put up no smoking signs and enforce the rule. There are plenty of people who do not want to be exposed to second hand smoke.

 

I wonder if they enforce the no smoking rule in the dining room or theater? If NCL enforces in those place, they should enforce the rule on deck, also.

 

I have two cruises booked with NCL. I will express my opinions, if they don't have the no smoking policy on Spirit or Jewel.

 

They had signs posted on one side, can't remember which one and it was on 8.5x11 paper and it was in the tiniest writing I have ever seen in my life. So if the smokers didn't see it, I wouldn't be surprised or blame them!

[naxos]

Actually there were signs on the starboard and port side of the promenade deck which stated "you can smoke here " and there were accompanying ash trays bolted to the rail. NCL has given up the notion of one designated smoking section except at the pool deck where there are moveable ashtrays on one side. But in the Freestyle daily it specifically states that one can smoke on all open decks. One particular problem is that often the promenade deck has shade but if you choose shade you get smoke. A dilemma for me.

 

I think the policy is not to enforce any rules lest it violate the premise of Freestyle cruising.The hotel manager actually said to me that he did not think his friendly staff would be able to tell these New Yorkers that they had to stop smoking and then admitted to me that he is a smoker.

 

I saw no one smoking in the dining room-but do wonder what would happen if one decided to light up. I guess anything goes...

[naxos]

I frankly do not think the smokers are to blame- It is the NCL policy that is the problem for me.

Although if one were to light up while sitting within 2 inches of another person, I do think is is common courtesy to ask if the other person minds.

Celebrity seems to function well with the PORT side smoking arrangement as did NCL in the past.

[antmilant]

First off I take exception to the comment about New Yorkers. Were these people wearing signs that said they were New Yorkers. As far as I know people smoke from all over the world. I am not a smoker and I will mention to someone smoking where they are not supposed to. God gave you a mouth use it. If they're smoking in a non smoking area speak up. Why do you have to get someone to speak up for you. You have rights too.

[skidder]

Just wondering if anyone else had noticed such widespread smoking on the Dawn like this recently?

 

I've sailed NCL twice before and haven't noticed it as much as it sounds like this was. I have to say I have side with naxos on this as it would be a deal breaker for me too and now has me nervous about my upcoming cruise on the Dawn.

[NYcruzzer]

Unless I am mistaken the only indoor areas that allow smoking are the Casino and Cigar bars. Carnival allows smoking in a few small bars as well as the Casino. Royal has a good idea having 1 or 2 "smoke free"nights in the Casino. I think they are their formal nights. Celebrity does not allow smoking indoors (including the Casino) or Balcony. As a former smoker I understand that we all have to co-exist. However I prefer not to breath second hand smoke, and wish NCL's policy was similar to Celebrity. Will NCLs current poilcy stop me from sailing with them ? Absolutely not !!

 

By the way the idea that NY cruises have more smokers than other areas of the country is B.S. I'm pretty sure if you look up statistics the percentage of smokers vs. non-smokers in NY is less than other areas of the country. Perhaps it is the $10.00 a pack...

[SnootieTootie]

We didn't notice excessive smoke last month on the Dawn (and I HATE smoke).

 

Conditions, and passengers sure can vary from sailing to sailing. I am so glad that this wasn't a problem on our sailing.

 

Someone above mentioned about New York and cigarettes. I heard a brief blurb on the news tonight about a new $1.60 per pack tax in New York, making a pack of cigarettes $10 per pack. OUCH!

[DMH15]

Here in Dallas our restaurants are now 100% smoke free. So now smokers have taken over the patios. But I can't blame them. Be it 100 F or 20 F or raining that's all they have. But now even on a pleasant day I know if I want to dine al fresco it might be smoky.

 

So much of a cruise is outdoors. Surely NCL could offer sections for smoking and non-smoking! As long as NCL allows smoking they have a right to smoke somewhere on board... But non-smokers also deserve a place outside to be free of smoke. And in my experience smokers respect rules when rules are in place... So this fault lies with NCL, not the smokers!!! NCL, if you are reading this, please consider all of your pax!

[Mrs. H.]

Nobody know just how many smokers will be on any ship from one week to the next. I had to laugh that people won't cruise NCL because there were too many smokers the week they were on the ship.

 

If I saw too many kids on my cruise I would still travel with that cruise line.

 

You just never know what to expect on any cruise.

[Mrs. H.]

 

By the way the idea that NY cruises have more smokers than other areas of the country is B.S. I'm pretty sure if you look up statistics the percentage of smokers vs. non-smokers in NY is less than other areas of the country. Perhaps it is the $10.00 a pack...

 

I thought that was a lame thing to say, that NY has more smokers. lol

I hope they can afford the new price. $12 soon. :eek:

[naxos]

Just to clarify about NYers and smoking-my speculative question to the hotel manager was a rhetorical why is there so much smoking on board? As I mentioned I have sailed many times and have sailed out of NY before on the Spirit when port side only smoking was permitted and there was not a problem. The answer in my mind is that there are likely not more smokers on this cruise just poor management of the balancing the smoking and nonsmoking areas.

 

 

The notion that the smokers would not follow the rules is not based on fact. I asked the hotel manager, Hugo, if he drives throough red light late at night if there is no one around.

.. I believe that people generally follow rules - BAscially this is a case of what happens when my Freestyle collides with your Freestyle.

 

And to answer antmilant-- the the reality is that there are no posted nonsmoking places except outside the elevators. All outside decks are for smoking...

[Mrs. H.]

I was in a department meeting a couple of weeks ago and

mentioned that all 13 of us do NOT smoke.....and we're all NYers!

[Tideone]

I guess I missed all of the smokers on our Dawn Cruise (June 6-13) and having stayed in an oceanview cabin (we also booked last minute and got a great deal, along with the last cabin on the ship), my wife spent much more time on deck than we ever have before, always having a balcony in the past.

We went on the promenade deck and the upper decks quite often and I saw a few smokers but not what I would consider to be an overabundance... certainly not enough to keep me from sailing on NCL again. I also found there was less smoke in the casino than there usually is but that may have been there weren't as many people gambling as I usually see.

I guess this means New Yorkers smoke more and gamble less than other people. Before anyone flames me for that statement it was meant as joke...

We found the food in the main dining rooms much better than we had ever had on the Dawn before and this was our fourth cruise on her. Actually we started checking the dinner menus each day before we decided if we wanted to eat at a speciality restaurant.

[naxos]

I am just reporting my experience. I love sea days and tend to go up on deck from early morning until sundown And on this cruise , during this week, there was a lot of smoke around- I sailed with Celebrity out of San Juan in January and did not experience the same problem.

 

I am in no way suggesting that others "jump ship" and not sail on NCL. I am just warning others who may be bothered by second hand smoke that the NCL policy differs from other cruise lines and that there are choices. I would rather choose another cruise line.

[halos]

Just wondering if anyone else had noticed such widespread smoking on the Dawn like this recently?

 

I've sailed NCL twice before and haven't noticed it as much as it sounds like this was. I have to say I have side with naxos on this as it would be a deal breaker for me too and now has me nervous about my upcoming cruise on the Dawn.

 

I sailed on the Dawn (repositioning cruise back in Nov) and did not have this problem...I am a non smoker and dislike smokey ships....NCL ships I have sailed on have not been smokey (to me).

 

Sometimes it's luck of the draw....sometimes it is demographics too.....Like if you happen to have a lot of Europeans on a ship, there is more smoking. Southerners also smoke more than Yankees for the most part. People on the west coast smoke less than people on the east coast.

 

It is what it is.....

 

The insane thing is that after a 10 year decline, smoking is again on the rise in young adults and teens. :rolleyes: I can't even imagine how utterly stupid you have to be to start that habit these days.

[Partyatsea]

NCL has designated areas for smoking that is the same fleet wide. If people were smoking in areas that they were not supposed to, it is up to the crew to tell them they should not be smoking there. Perhaps they didn't realize that all of the outside areas are not smoking areas, it maybe unclear to smoking passengers, it is outside and very windy out there most of the time. I think NCL should make it more clear at embarkation and in the Freestyle Daily. To say that it is a deal breaker for you seems a bit ridiculous considering there is no smoking in any of the restaurants, your room, any inside public areas, and one side of the ship outdoors.

[Mrs. H.]

I quit 12 yrs 3 months ago when it was $5 a pack. (cold turkey)

I was wrong earlier....a pack of cigarettes in Manhattan will be $13.

[CruiseNurseBabe82]

I think the number of smokers obviously varies from week to week. As for the guy who was smoking behind me in Spinnaker Lounge, he had a total disregard for the rules and everyone else. I do not mind people smoking in designated areas as it is their right.

 

NCL doesn't seem like it would want to tick off a passenger by telling them to put their cigarette out just because they are on the wrong side of the deck. I did however see an employee in the photo gallery screaming at a passenger for taking a picture of their picture. Guess they will yell when it comes to their bottom dollar.

[stormcastle]

I was on the Dawn in April and again the end of May and never had a problem with too many smokers--and I am a fanatic about avoiding smoke!

[naxos]

P&L Cruising--I think you misunderstood my point. There are no open deck areas that are smoke-free except near hte Blue Lagoon few tables and the kiddie pool (although folks were smoking there) It clearly stated in the Freestyle Daily thastopen decks were opren season for smoking. Hereis the language from the NCL website:

 

What about smoking, drinking and gambling on the ship?

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all NCL ships are smoke free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so in your stateroom, on your balcony, in the casino or Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sport decks, kids' pool areas and other designated non-smoking areas).

 

There were no signed designated nonsmoking areas on the ship and the hotel director Hugo clearly confimed that all open decks were "smoking allowed".

 

 

And Crusienursebabe-- I guess the " friendly" crew can assert themselves.

[raventhebouv]

First off I take exception to the comment about New Yorkers. Were these people wearing signs that said they were New Yorkers. As far as I know people smoke from all over the world. I am not a smoker and I will mention to someone smoking where they are not supposed to. God gave you a mouth use it. If they're smoking in a non smoking area speak up. Why do you have to get someone to speak up for you. You have rights too.

 

I am from Massachusetts and I would have no problem telling someone they were in a no smoking area...even if they were New York Yankee fans! It is amazing to see just how many smokers there still are...from around the world..even though the research shows smoking increases your chances of getting many types of cancer, not just lung cancer! The worst is when you see someone with an oxygen tank smoking...Yikes!

[UandMe4Ever]

This was my 12th cruise and third NCL cruise but I will not sail on NCL again. I am sure I fall out of the targetted demographic to be fair. I booked this cruise at the last minute and for a very low price so my expectatons were set failry low.

 

The pros:

Easy embarkation in NY- on the ship by noon.

Booked inside cabin- cabin a bit small but bathroom larger than most and bed was comfy and stewards were great- always greeted us by name- provided bathrobes promptly and kept the cabin stocked with ice and fresh towels.

 

The wait staff in the restuarants were very good.

 

Bermuda is beautiful- incredibly beautiful empty beaches- just what we were looking for.

 

The cons

 

And this is the deal breaker for me-- Smoking everywhere on deck was a huge problem. It was not possible to walk or sit on the promenade deck without breathing smoke no matter what time of day or night. Same in all outside space. On sea days all deck space was filled with smokers. I'm not sure if

there are more smokers sailing from NY or not but smoking is promoted as evidenced by the humongous cartons for sale as soon as one boards the ship. When I sailed on NCL in the past, one side of the ship was designated for smokers- not so here. I spoke to the Hotel director, Hugo and he told me that one side smoking policy could not be enforced because the passengers would not be able to figure out which side was the smoking side.

 

The 2 towel rule-- I have never had to give my sea pass to get an extra towel.

 

Drinking games at the main pool deck during the day in front of kids- just poor taste IMHO

The main dinig room menus do not vary much and therefore encourage diners to dine for an upcharge.

 

Food was fair and plentiful- desserts in the dining room were unimaginative.

Disembarkation in NY was a zoo- freestyle meant that everyone lined up to leave the ship.

 

NCL provide transportation and food for me to get to Bermuda but I would not sail again at any price point unless the smoking policy changes.

Hi also take exception with regard to NY....There is a designated side (port side of pool area) for smoking. Ashtrays on the tables ARE provided. The other side does not provide ashtrays on those tables. Perhaps some smokers did not pay attention. Please do not put everyone in that category.

 

There is limited smoking on NCL as on most cruise ships! No interior smoking, balcony and cabins OK. No smoking in the Theatre for shows, dining, most bars are non smoking. Maybe the cartons of cigarettes you saw being bought were to be brought back for others!!! How about all those drinkers out there, they cause far more disruption and problems than smokers. Smokers smoke quietly! Many drinkers don't!! Before you generalize about New Yorkers, think first! Insulting NY hurts! We've been hurt enough on 9/11 :-(

 

Feel feee to sail on Celebrity!! There IS smoking on the port side of the pool as well, with ashtrays provided. Same goes for Holland! Most hotels now prohibit smoking...You could think of that scenario. Perhaps a cruise is not the vacation for you! New Yorkers are some of the finest people you will ever find on a cruise or anywhere!

 

Please think before you post.

 

Thanks!