Smoking on Carnival

[shay30]

Carnival seems to be one of the few cruiselines that allows smoking in a large number of public areas and cabins on its ships. I just found that out after I have booked my cruise for this summer.

 

I am still far away from the cruise date that I can cancel the booking without a penalty and I am reconsidering...:mad:

 

For people who have traveled carnival before how big of a nuisance has it been for you? I am more concerned about the rooms and lounges. If we find out that our room smells of tobacco smoke, would they entertain a request to put us in another room? Has anybody tried this before? We are travelling with a baby and I'd like to avoid any exposure to smoke.

 

I'm a non smoker and I love carnival. I somehow avoid the smoking areas cause I cant stand smoking AT ALL. I did go into the club on a couple cruises but its just like going to the club at home. Make sure you wash your hair before you lay on your pillow. My room has never smelled like smoke. However I gladly booked the non smoking spa room for this upcoming trip. Looks like I will avoid smokers all together.

[Justsyd]

Tobacco smoke is not an allergen. If you are suffering an allergy incident on a cruise ship' date=' it's something else....not smoking.[/quote']

 

True, Tobacco is not an allergen, but it can be an irritant. The best thing to do if you can't tolerate smoke is to stay away from those areas. If your cabin smells, talk to the cabin steward.

[lookingtorelaxnow]

Just be glad its not the ship smoking. :eek:

[jaded99]

I really don't like the smell of smoke, and it makes my throat hurt when it's really pervasive, but I would not say that smoking is enough of a problem on Carnival ships to prevent me from booking. I do wish they still had a smoke-free ship, but it's not really that bad.

 

As others have said, casino and piano bar usually smell like cigarettes - sometimes I'm okay in there, but sometimes I need to go outside or get some water after being in there for awhile.

 

I will say I have never seen anyone being rude about smoking on the ships - I'm sure it happens like anywhere else, but on both my cruises smokers were making an effort to stand downwind most of the time when they were outside.

 

I personally would like it better if they only had the cigar bar and maybe one other indoor smoking lounge and then did that port/starboard smoking/nonsmoking (might be reversed, I forget which was which) that I heard they used to do.

[RDC1]

Tobacco smoke is not an allergen. If you are suffering an allergy incident on a cruise ship' date=' it's something else....not smoking.[/quote']

 

 

It may itself not be an allergen, however, according to a paper at pubmed at the National Institutes of Health

 

Allergy. 2009 Mar;64(3):398-405. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Cigarette smoke facilitates allergen penetration across respiratory epithelium.

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that cigarette smoke is a potent factor capable of reducing the barrier function of the respiratory epithelium for allergens and may contribute to increased allergic inflammation, exacerbation of allergic disease and boosting of IgE memory.

 

 

On the other hand there is not any doubt that it does contain toxins.

[WaileaKid]

As a nonsmoker who loves Carnival/I can tell you your stats are off. A recent poll on CC showed that.

 

If you search' date=' you'll find it.....

 

Here's one from October:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1294798&highlight=smoking+polls[/quote']

 

 

G'Ma that poll seems to be run and dominated by some vocal smoking advocates. I doubt the younger crowd that Carnival is attempting to attract cares for a smoke these days. And I am talking about tobacco smoke only

[WaileaKid]

It may itself not be an allergen, however, according to a paper at pubmed at the National Institutes of Health

 

Allergy. 2009 Mar;64(3):398-405. Epub 2008 Dec 16.

Cigarette smoke facilitates allergen penetration across respiratory epithelium.

 

 

 

 

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that cigarette smoke is a potent factor capable of reducing the barrier function of the respiratory epithelium for allergens and may contribute to increased allergic inflammation, exacerbation of allergic disease and boosting of IgE memory.

 

 

On the other hand there is not any doubt that it does contain toxins.

 

Thanks for that report RDC1, quite helpful. My grandpa was a chain smoker and I grew up around him. I saw how he badly it affected his health. I did talk to our physician regarding my allergy and he just advised me to stay away from smoke and hence the question. It's not fatal or dangerous, just makes me really nauseated.

[raylene5]

We are booked on Splendor. That ship seems to have a much better smoking policy than the rest of the ships. But I am not looking for just a single cruise. I stopped sailing on HAL because they wouldn't enforce their smoking policy and I am a little allergic to smoke. I hope I don't have to eliminate Carnival from my options too.

 

I'm really hoping that since the Spirit sails out of CA, they will have more a more strict policy. I have very strong opinions about this topic and won't rehash them here but I am hoping for as much of a smoke-free experience as possible on our trip.

[mcwebber]

As a nonsmoker who loves Carnival/I can tell you your stats are off. A recent poll on CC showed that.

 

If you search' date=' you'll find it.....

[/quote']

 

You will find such polls are meaningless as they only represent the views of those who took the poll. Those who took the poll are in no way an accurate sample of people who cruise.

[DEBnGAB]

The Paradise out of Long Beach allows smoking in the cabins, Piano Bar, Cigar Bar area, Casino and Port side of the Lido Deck...AND I believe the Romeo and Julet Lounge.

 

How is this more restrictive than ships leaving from other ports? How is the Splendor different?

[mcwebber]

The Paradise out of Long Beach allows smoking in the cabins, Piano Bar, Cigar Bar area, Casino and Port side of the Lido Deck...AND I believe the Romeo and Julet Lounge.

 

How is this more restrictive than ships leaving from other ports? How is the Splendor different?

 

I don't think you will find any ships in the fleet are different. Except for Spa cabins, I believe you will find smoking is allowed in all cabins and on balconies on all the Carnival ships. Ditto for some of the lounges and Lido deck locations.

[Cruise4Music]

As a nonsmoker who loves Carnival/I can tell you your stats are off. A recent poll on CC showed that.

 

If you search' date=' you'll find it.....

 

Here's one from October:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1294798&highlight=smoking+polls[/quote']

 

I'm sorry if I upset you.

 

I did not cite ANY hard stats.

 

I only said most cruisers do not smoke.

 

I guess I should have said based on my 15 cruises.

 

So do you believe most people who cruise smoke?

 

In my opinion only I think most cruiser do not smoke.

 

Sorry to disagree.

[DEBnGAB]

I don't think you will find any ships in the fleet are different. Except for Spa cabins, I believe you will find smoking is allowed in all cabins and on balconies on all the Carnival ships. Ditto for some of the lounges and Lido deck locations.

 

 

I agree...with the exception of the Spa cabins on the Splendor. Just that the OP (specifically mentioning the Splendor) and a few others seem to mention that cruises out of Cali have a "stricter" smoking policy. So was wondering how that is or if its even true.

[cosmo cruiser]

Why should they? You can't smoke in most places on the boat. Get over yourselves.

 

Well said! I agree, there are already far more places, activities, and areas geared toward the non-smoker. In the new serenity areas they don't even welcome smokers on even one side of the area like it is on the Lido deck. Maybe all the non-smokers can park their behinds in the serenity area and leave the Lido deck to those that smoke. Far more areas with shows, music, contests, and general floor space are non-smoking. If they take any more areas away from smokers there will be a huge number of people cramed into a few feet of space trying to enjoy a vacation that they paid just as much for as a non-smoker did. How is that fair? Most of the lounges and music venues are non as well as every restaurant.

 

As far as the casino goes, from my experience, the machines in the non-smoking area are far less busy than the other machines. If it really bothers someone then they need to step up and pay for a spa room or an upscale line that will make their world a happy, smoke free place. Carnival had a smoke free ship...........and the non smokers didn't support it enough to keep it profitable so it now sails with fare paying smokers in at least some of the rooms.

 

I love Carnival and think they are more than fair to the non-smokers by making most of the ship non-smoking already. Leave the smokers alone in the very few areas that they are allowed to relax and enjoy the vacation they paid for! If it bothers you go somehwere else that smoking isn't allowed in...........there are certainly plenty of those.

[PrincessLuver]

1. There is only ONE "American" cruise line.....

2. Many more cruise lines worldwide permit smoking than do not.

3. ALL cruise lines leaving from the U.S. permit smoking and most from European ports....

 

Hmmm' date=' you might want to check the statistics on smokers again......Many countries considered a part of the "Western World" have a much higher percentage of smokers than we do, for sure.....

 

Besides, as long as it is a legal activity, folks need to just leave it alone. We've been divided in smoking and non-smoking areas...and as long as everyone watches their personal boundary, there's room for everyone.[/quote']

 

I think it depends on what part of the country you are in. California outlaws smoking in a wide variety of public area. In Hawaii smoking is not allowed even on the beaches. Many hotels I stay in now are smoke free. You sign a contract that if you smoke in the room you CC will be charged $250 or more. I remember the days when you could light up where ever you wanted to on an airplane. Not any more and in some airports smoking is not allowed. It will eventually come to cruise ships. It has a lots to do on how health conscience people are. As you know that varies greatly from region to region in the US. So I do not believe because a person smokes that I should have to be around it or have my health affected. Smoke knows no boundaries. It is an addictive behavior. Cruise ships are way behind the times as the previous OP stated.

[mcwebber]

I agree...with the exception of the Spa cabins on the Splendor. Just that the OP (specifically mentioning the Splendor) and a few others seem to mention that cruises out of Cali have a "stricter" smoking policy. So was wondering how that is or if its even true.

 

Maybe while docked they have to follow California law? That would mean no smoking in any indoor areas.

[mcwebber]

If they take any more areas away from smokers there will be a huge number of people cramed into a few feet of space trying to enjoy a vacation that they paid just as much for as a non-smoker did. How is that fair?

 

Maybe ask Carnival how many non-smokers have burned holes in the furniture and carpets or caused them to spend millions on cleaning and labor.

Or, ask them how much the smoldering cigarette that started the fire on the Star Princess cost.

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/cigarette-started-fatal-cruise-ship-fire/6jpf51w

[Cruise4Music]

Well said! I agree, there are already far more places, activities, and areas geared toward the non-smoker. In the new serenity areas they don't even welcome smokers on even one side of the area like it is on the Lido deck. Maybe all the non-smokers can park their behinds in the serenity area and leave the Lido deck to those that smoke. Far more areas with shows, music, contests, and general floor space are non-smoking. If they take any more areas away from smokers there will be a huge number of people cramed into a few feet of space trying to enjoy a vacation that they paid just as much for as a non-smoker did. How is that fair? Most of the lounges and music venues are non as well as every restaurant.

 

As far as the casino goes, from my experience, the machines in the non-smoking area are far less busy than the other machines. If it really bothers someone then they need to step up and pay for a spa room or an upscale line that will make their world a happy, smoke free place. Carnival had a smoke free ship...........and the non smokers didn't support it enough to keep it profitable so it now sails with fare paying smokers in at least some of the rooms.

 

I love Carnival and think they are more than fair to the non-smokers by making most of the ship non-smoking already. Leave the smokers alone in the very few areas that they are allowed to relax and enjoy the vacation they paid for! If it bothers you go somehwere else that smoking isn't allowed in...........there are certainly plenty of those.

 

Not sure I understand how you keep the smoke out of the "smoke free" area of the Casino.

 

The smoke free ship was quite a few years ago and times change.

 

It's becoming a smoke free world and the cruise lines will follow that trend in my opinion.

 

I too love Carnival and hope to someday see smoking allowed only in areas on the open decks.

[D-Roc]

We are non-smokers and are taking our first cruise. We understand that we will have to deal with some smoking but it is unfortunate that CCL has not updated its policies to match the rest of the world. Smokers have a choice to smoke or not when wanting to participate in a event or go to an area of the ship that is non-smoking. The habits of non-smokers do not affect smokers and prevent them from going to certain bars, etc. The majority are non-smokers and this needs to be reflect more in their policies.

 

But I am sure we will enjoy our cruise regardless.

[crusinpsychRN]

Don't go to the smoking side on Lido and complain there's smoke!

[okwriter]

Carnival seems to be one of the few cruiselines that allows smoking in a large number of public areas and cabins on its ships. I just found that out after I have booked my cruise for this summer.

 

I am still far away from the cruise date that I can cancel the booking without a penalty and I am reconsidering...:mad:

 

For people who have traveled carnival before how big of a nuisance has it been for you? I am more concerned about the rooms and lounges. If we find out that our room smells of tobacco smoke, would they entertain a request to put us in another room? Has anybody tried this before? We are travelling with a baby and I'd like to avoid any exposure to smoke.

 

I think you'll be fine if you keep your baby out of the lounges (and casino). ;)

 

Seriously...I don't think it will be an issue for you. There are plenty of places on a ship to accommodate smokers and non-smokers, as long as both groups have *reasonable* expectations.

[CarnivalCruiseLover]

I'm really hoping that since the Spirit sails out of CA, they will have more a more strict policy. I have very strong opinions about this topic and won't rehash them here but I am hoping for as much of a smoke-free experience as possible on our trip.

 

Well plan on being dissapointed. Ships leaving from California have NO bearing on the smoking policy. I just returned from the Paradise two weeks ago, out of Long Beach, and I would say 50% of the passengers were smoking. Carnival was not enforcing any smoking rules at all. I smoke, it's legal, so deal with it. If you feel that Carnival's smoking policy is not strict enough, try another line.

 

I also sailed the Pride out of Long Beach, and it was the same on there. Just because the fools in California have a strict smoking ban, that has no influence on a cruise ship. The ships at port DON"T have to enforce California law. If that was the case, they wouldn't allow ANY smoking at all on cruise ships.

 

Carnival has no plans on making the smoking rules more strict. They know their passengers, and they also realize they are a "affordable" cruise line that caters to all walks, and that includes smokers.

[CarnivalCruiseLover]

Carnival seems to be one of the few cruiselines that allows smoking in a large number of public areas and cabins on its ships. I just found that out after I have booked my cruise for this summer.

 

I am still far away from the cruise date that I can cancel the booking without a penalty and I am reconsidering...:mad:

 

For people who have traveled carnival before how big of a nuisance has it been for you? I am more concerned about the rooms and lounges. If we find out that our room smells of tobacco smoke, would they entertain a request to put us in another room? Has anybody tried this before? We are travelling with a baby and I'd like to avoid any exposure to smoke.

 

I would suggest placing your baby in a see thru plastic bubble, and wheel it around behind you in a cart that is self enclosed with a oxygen machine trailing behind it.

[Crusing Nut]

As an smoker, I appreciated the fact that Carnival allowed smoking in certain areas of the ship. It allowed me to GO TO that area without hearing anything about OH MY GOD! THAT SMELLS AWFUL! Ok I still heard it but not so much. But I also do not stand right by the doors going into the ship. I also did not flick my ashes over the side of the ship or toss my cigarette overboard.

 

That was 6 yaers ago. As an ex-smoker I appreciate the fact that there are areas where the smokers can go. I also stay away from those areas that smokers go. On my Jan cruise I noticed a burn on the main deck and was amazed that people, even knowing the dangers of a fire, are so careless with their cigarettes and ashes and have little regard for other peoples lives.

 

What many do not realize most if not all industries have to clean up the nicotine that is left on walls, ceilings and hard surfaces. They also have to clean and deodorize all fabric items that retain the smell of smoke.

 

So while you may have paid the same cost of the cruise as I did, you as a smoker, is costing that cruise line more money for cleaning up after the cigarette, pipe or cigar. Do not get me wrong, I do not begrudge you the fact that you smoke, just please be considerate enough to do this in the areas that are assigned to smokers and please do not flick ashes or throw your cigarette overboard which may endanger my life... use an ashtray or a empty soda/beer can that has a little water in it.

[Crusing Nut]

To the OP;

 

Bring a small bottle of Freebreeze. If you find that your room smells of cigarette smoke, spray all the fabrics with a little bit of it. You will smell the difference.