FREEDOM ONLY QUESTIONS re smoking bars

[Blondie008]

Before we go cancelling our cruise tomorrow, and losing around $1500, can someone please tell me which bars precisely on FREEDOM can we smoke in? No abuse thank you, merely trying to establish facts and decide whether or not as a matter of principle, we go on a land vacation instead. Can anyone tell me the NAMES of the bars, we have never cruises carnival before so I would like to research the bar areas which allow smoking. We have two back to back cruises booked, and want to enjoy ourselves in terms of what WE personally call enjoyment. Also, which OUTDOOR bars are there to smoke at, in the day, and at night??? I have absolutely no problem what so ever about banning smoking inside cabins...we have always used only the balcony and book an aft wherever possible. Please do not reply with abuse, I am merely trying to establish facts for FREEDOM only to establish whether or not, we feel it is worth the thousands of $$$$$$$$$s we are paying for two cruises, or whether to take our losses, and go to Sandals as per usual. In the UK we lose deposits, and specifically asked about any forthcoming changes to smoking policies and were told by our travel agent..none... it is highly likley, that we will be happy with whatever bars there are, but please, if anyone knows Freedom well, and can give me as much information as possible, we would be truly grateful. Thank you. :)

[sharecruises]

The "70's" Disco

 

The "Habana" Cigar/(Jazz)? club

 

part of the casino and casino bar (the part not near the promenade)

 

plus one side of the open deck

 

cigars only in the Habana lounge or in your cabin/balcony until Dec...after that only in Habana and/or balcony

[MrsBlair]

I read it to state that the cigar bars are now 100% smoke free, so basically that would leave you with the cabin (before 12/1) and balconies, small portion of casino, portion of the open decks, Swingtime (jazz club) and the 70s disco.

[sharecruises]

Mrs Blair....I think the cigar bar is now called the Jazz club...and will allow smoking...that would be Habanas on the Freedom

 

the aft lounges....are for punchliner and kareoke and they already are non smoking

 

hth

[tropicaledrink]

I read it to state that the cigar bars are now 100% smoke free, so basically that would leave you with the cabin (before 12/1) and balconies, small portion of casino, portion of the open decks, Swingtime (jazz club) and the 70s disco.

 

 

This one is right. JH made a point to say that the cigar bars were being lost so that the fun hubs were more accessible. Swingtime is the Jazz club on the promenade deck.

[spencercoop]

Mrs Blair....I think the cigar bar is now called the Jazz club...and will allow smoking...that would be Habanas on the Freedom

 

the aft lounges....are for punchliner and kareoke and they already are non smoking

 

hth

 

MrsBlair is correct. The cigar bar is now non smoking and the Swingtime bar jazz lounge on deck 5 aft is smoking.

[MrsBlair]

Yeah, I think he was trying to explain how those spaces will now be used, but he was very clear that those spaces will be 100% smoke free - mostly because of the internet cafe.

 

It kind of makes you wonder what they would have used those spaces for when they were designing the ship if they had known they would soon ban smoking in them... :p

[Blondie008]

Thank you everyone for being so kind. I am still a bit confused:confused:

Ok, would this be right??

 

Casino if playing AND casino bar? The casino bar was really one which was quite important to us?

70's 80s disco = FAB IF they play 70s 80s music:)

 

And the bar called showtime which was formerly known at Habanas? Thats the one I am confused with???

 

Any OUTDOOR bars??? I guess this is my issue with cruise ships..if there are outdoor bars with entertainment going on, then we would be totally fine with that..

I am freaking now as a couple from canada I told to come, said they would, if they could smoke... and THEY have invited THEIR friends also from Canada who also smoke... whhooooooooooooops :o

 

Okay, thank you all so much but maybe as a NEW (ex celebrity) Carnival cruiser who is taking 20 days out to do this cruise and a chunk from our pension, just need to establish 100% facts...

 

John Heald Blog has me even more confused :o

 

THANK YOU MMMMWAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! xxxx

[MrsBlair]

Yes on casino, yes on casino bar (but remember, only a section of it), yes on 70's Disco (they play top 40 and then other music depending on the crowd, it's really just the nightclub), Showtime is an existing bar on Deck 5, Habanas is the old cigar bar that is now smoke-free.

 

Lido Deck is the main outdoor area and there are some bars. That's also where you'll find the big screen and the pools and where the band plays during the day. As of now, you can smoke on one whole side of the open decks. John didn't specifically say anything about that so I'm not 100% sure that is staying the same or whether they are now just going to designate one specific section or area of the open decks.

 

Honestly, your smoker friends will be fine. I smoke, and I'm not bothered by the changes at all. Did they book balconies? If they did, they'll be fine. If not, they may be a little annoyed, but they can still smoke - they'll just have to go to the designated areas to do so.

[Blondie008]

Yes on casino, yes on casino bar (but remember, only a section of it), yes on 70's Disco (they play top 40 and then other music depending on the crowd, it's really just the nightclub), Showtime is an existing bar on Deck 5, Habanas is the old cigar bar that is now smoke-free.

 

Lido Deck is the main outdoor area and there are some bars. That's also where you'll find the big screen and the pools and where the band plays during the day. As of now, you can smoke on one whole side of the open decks. John didn't specifically say anything about that so I'm not 100% sure that is staying the same or whether they are now just going to designate one specific section or area of the open decks.

 

Honestly, your smoker friends will be fine. I smoke, and I'm not bothered by the changes at all. Did they book balconies? If they did, they'll be fine. If not, they may be a little annoyed, but they can still smoke - they'll just have to go to the designated areas to do so.

 

 

Mrs. Blaire...THANK YOU!!! OK, I had a look at the deck plan, and it looks like anytime dining is on deck 4, most of the smoking areas are just upstairs on deck 5? Is that right? If so..absolutely fine, especially the casino bar though as we like to play some stuff..have a drink..smoke etc... We ALL have balconies and suites..so fine there.. so it IS looking okay to me so far. I just hate that here in the UK we really do take our chances as they will NOT refund us. Also, my DH and I have several free nights in Butler level suites with Sandals to take..and weighing it all up..we LOVE Sandals..but do miss our cruising at times. This vacation will mean some days on land, 14 nights on the ship, 6 of which we will be joined by friends many of whom are still booking. So before deposits are lost, want to ensure I have the facts! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

We LOVED and I mean ADORED Celebrity cruises..for years and years, but the balcony call for us was a deal breaker :( We know loads of the Captains on the line, and have had many fun vacations with them... but being that we often sail in a group..it was just a NO GO and many of us lost or had to transfer deposits.

We have been to all of the ports several times before, we just love being on the ship..but 14 nights is a lot of time and money not to be 100% happy with what you are paying for..so far.. as far as I can see..only change is piano bar and cigar bar?? As long as there is a bar with live music, at least one.. we will be happy with that! The casino bar has live music huh??? xx

[spencercoop]

Thank you everyone for being so kind. I am still a bit confused:confused:

Ok, would this be right??

 

Casino if playing AND casino bar? The casino bar was really one which was quite important to us?

70's 80s disco = FAB IF they play 70s 80s music:)

 

And the bar called showtime which was formerly known at Habanas? Thats the one I am confused with???

 

Any OUTDOOR bars??? I guess this is my issue with cruise ships..if there are outdoor bars with entertainment going on, then we would be totally fine with that..

I am freaking now as a couple from canada I told to come, said they would, if they could smoke... and THEY have invited THEIR friends also from Canada who also smoke... whhooooooooooooops :o

 

Okay, thank you all so much but maybe as a NEW (ex celebrity) Carnival cruiser who is taking 20 days out to do this cruise and a chunk from our pension, just need to establish 100% facts...

 

John Heald Blog has me even more confused :o

 

THANK YOU MMMMWAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! xxxx

 

Swingtime and Habana are two totally different venues. Swingtime is on deck 5 aft and is the jazz lounge. Habana is the cigar bar on deck 4 midship.

[Blondie008]

Swingtime and Habana are two totally different venues. Swingtime is on deck 5 aft and is the jazz lounge. Habana is the cigar bar on deck 4 midship.

 

 

Thank you! Yup..seeing the deck plans and with all your help with names of bars am figuring it out. Seems a bit nuts a cigar bar is non smoking:rolleyes:

 

Anyone know whats happening about the sports bar? My DH and friend asking about their cigars in that one? THANK YOU for all the kind civil replies!!!!

[DaDivaMom]

We just got off the Freedom you all are incorrect. For the purposes of the Freedom Habana is the JAZZ club, Swingtime is NON SMOKING and Habana on deck 4 is SMOKING and will continue to be so per cruise director Ryan.

 

I think there is some confusion as to what club will be the Jazz club on which ships but on Freedom it is Habana. It is currently listed as the cigar lounge but we were told that they would be changing the name to the Jazz lounge. The bands rotate on this ship but mostly a great Phillipino band played here but also a Latino band a solo rock & roll guitar player. We are NOT smokers but this club was great.

 

Serenity Deck has one side that is non smoking but one that has smoking permitted. I think you will enjoy the ship. We did!

[Blondie008]

Hmmmm more :confused::confused::confused:

Perhaps though, they are turning the jazz club into the smoking area, as according to JH, thats the case, and all cigar bars are to be non smoking? There is to be a change of venue for entertainment ..

Clear as mud :eek:

[spencercoop]

We just got off the Freedom you all are incorrect. For the purposes of the Freedom Habana is the JAZZ club, Swingtime is NON SMOKING and Habana on deck 4 is SMOKING and will continue to be so per cruise director Ryan.

 

I think there is some confusion as to what club will be the Jazz club on which ships but on Freedom it is Habana. It is currently listed as the cigar lounge but we were told that they would be changing the name to the Jazz lounge. The bands rotate on this ship but mostly a great Phillipino band played here but also a Latino band a solo rock & roll guitar player. We are NOT smokers but this club was great.

 

Serenity Deck has one side that is non smoking but one that has smoking permitted. I think you will enjoy the ship. We did!

 

Actually you are wrong. I am getting all this information from John Heald's blog.

 

The Cigar Bar Habana will be non smoking and the Jazz Lounge Swingtime will be smoking.

 

DESTINY, CONQUEST AND SPLENDOR CLASS.

 

Smoking will be permitted in the Nightclub or as people who don’t wear their pants so low that it reveals the crack of their bottom call it…….the disco. Smoking will also be allowed in the aft lounge on the port side of Promenade deck 5 which we generically call the jazz lounge as many years ago that’s what we had there. We will allow both cigarette and cigar smoking there.

 

Carnival Destiny – Downbeat

Carnival triumph – Venezia

Carnival Victory – Black and Red Seas

Carnival Conquest – Vincent’s

Carnival Glory – Bar Blue

Carnival Valor – Paris Hot

Carnival Liberty – The Stage

Carnival Freedom – Swingtime

Carnival Splendor – Cool Club

 

3. Cigar Bars

 

Well if you could see me now you would see me in my underpants wearing a black armband because I for one am mourning the loss of these wonderful lounges. I will miss there deep leather chairs and the ambience and conversation that went with them. It would be ridiculously hypocritical of me if I didn’t say that I don’t agree with this change as a cigar smoker and feel so disappointed that these are being turned completely into 100% non smoking lounges.

[DaDivaMom]

I read John's blog as well Spence but I am clarifying that RIGHT now it is still smoking. When she cruises later it may change. I'm not trying to be "right" I'm just saying what is happening now.

[spencercoop]

I read John's blog as well Spence but I am clarifying that RIGHT now it is still smoking. When she cruises later it may change. I'm not trying to be "right" I'm just saying what is happening now.

 

Supposedly these changes are supposed to be implemented today.

[MrsBlair]

Exactly, this was just announced today and is going to start being implemented today (minus the 12/1 date for cabins).

 

Of course anything that has been occurring on the ships is no longer the case.

 

OP, they do usually have some type of musical act performing in the casino area at different times of the day / night. You should be fine.

 

Have you sailed Carnival before? I can imagine there being some big differences between Celebrity and Carnival.

[Blondie008]

Exactly, this was just announced today and is going to start being implemented today (minus the 12/1 date for cabins).

 

Of course anything that has been occurring on the ships is no longer the case.

 

OP, they do usually have some type of musical act performing in the casino area at different times of the day / night. You should be fine.

 

Have you sailed Carnival before? I can imagine there being some big differences between Celebrity and Carnival.

 

 

Hi, NO, we havent cruised Carnival before but pretty much know its not going to be Celebrity standards in SOME ways, however, in latter days on X, it was becoming a bit zzzzzzzzzzzzz (other than our own big family crowd). We have cruised RCI and HATED it, as we took the one and only Royal Penthouse and got treated like dirt, would NEVER ever ever sail RCI again. We like a good time, we know food is cruise standard etc.. what we ARE looking forward to on Carnival was A), music and live bands B) we could smoke inside and out on balconies and C), meeting up with our family both on board and in various ports where we have family staying. We are very much loved people...kinda people laughing magnets..so tend to go with the flow..but... two cruises, flights scotland - london - miami return..two overnight in uk, one overnight in FL..its GOT to be worth the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ My daughter and I were in Grand Cayman one day (we flew over from her island to watch SATC2!)..got talking to a young couple from the ship..and they kinda got my attention and made me sit up and think about Carnival. So yeah, we are really looking forward to the fun aspect. We DO dress up..but we are used to being over dressed where ever we go..thats just us..and we do it with a smile..but we dont care two hoots if you are in your jeans..thats maybe YOUR happy thing... just...wanting to make sure we have decent bars to go drink until our liver needs cleansed, and smoke until we can drink no more... as we CAN do on ANY land vacation anywhere in the Caribbean at less costs!

[ncb106]

the entertainment in these lounges will change a bit with the immediate plan to move the Latin trio from what was the cigar bar into the smoking lounges on the Destiny, Conquest and Splendor class ships. The Spirit class will keep their 4 piece or duo playing in the mid lounge and all the ships will move karaoke out of the smoking lounges into other areas

[B and C Blake]

Before we go cancelling our cruise tomorrow, and losing around $1500, can someone please tell me which bars precisely on FREEDOM can we smoke in? No abuse thank you, merely trying to establish facts and decide whether or not as a matter of principle, we go on a land vacation instead. Can anyone tell me the NAMES of the bars, we have never cruises carnival before so I would like to research the bar areas which allow smoking. We have two back to back cruises booked, and want to enjoy ourselves in terms of what WE personally call enjoyment. Also, which OUTDOOR bars are there to smoke at, in the day, and at night??? I have absolutely no problem what so ever about banning smoking inside cabins...we have always used only the balcony and book an aft wherever possible. Please do not reply with abuse, I am merely trying to establish facts for FREEDOM only to establish whether or not, we feel it is worth the thousands of $$$$$$$$$s we are paying for two cruises, or whether to take our losses, and go to Sandals as per usual. In the UK we lose deposits, and specifically asked about any forthcoming changes to smoking policies and were told by our travel agent..none... it is highly likley, that we will be happy with whatever bars there are, but please, if anyone knows Freedom well, and can give me as much information as possible, we would be truly grateful. Thank you. :)

 

just read on johns blog you have until june 30th to cancel for FULL refund no penalty

[Blondie008]

just read on johns blog you have until june 30th to cancel for FULL refund no penalty

 

 

No, that doesnt apply in the UK. We will NOT get any refunds and our deposits are way bigger than those direct with Carnival US. WE also lose the airline deposits. THIS is why I get annoyed. We do our research as much as we can but in the UK, unless you have to cancel through medical reasons etc (thats why we MUST have travel insurance at time of booking) we get zero back (the tour operator is on a win win the minute you book!) Even if there was a death in the family, the travel agent will still retain that deposit, and all we can do is try claim on our travel insurance.

[Tripper10]

No, that doesnt apply in the UK. We will NOT get any refunds and our deposits are way bigger than those direct with Carnival US. WE also lose the airline deposits. THIS is why I get annoyed. We do our research as much as we can but in the UK, unless you have to cancel through medical reasons etc (thats why we MUST have travel insurance at time of booking) we get zero back (the tour operator is on a win win the minute you book!) Even if there was a death in the family, the travel agent will still retain that deposit, and all we can do is try claim on our travel insurance.

 

 

It is a medical reason. If you are addicted to nicotine, I think that qualifies as a medical need.

[Blondie008]

It is a medical reason. If you are addicted to nicotine, I think that qualifies as a medical need.

 

Hmmmm no think not... although having started smoking in the 80s back then, EVERYONE smoked... I DID give up before, once when I was pregnant , and again more recently...but I started again after a very tragic bereavment... first thing I grabbed for...BUT....who knows..maybe again... but who knows, and also, there are other family and friends joining us on our back to back 2nd cruise.

 

In saying all of this...from what I am now reading, really, it is only the piano bar and inside cabins..that is NOT a deal breaker for us for sure :) IN fact, I kind of support this!

[sharecruises]

OUch...sorry I was confused about the "jazz club" name....

I thought it was the (old) cigar bar...which on the Freedom is called Habanas and has a cigar decor >>>

 

but no it is the aft bar called "Carnival Freedom – Swingtime"

 

it is where they had kareoke.....which will move elsewhere (really singing and smoking don't go well together I am sure)

 

 

The changes started yesterday but of course the cabin rules do not go into effect till dec 1st

 

(JMO this was a confusing statement by Carnival, John Heald did make it more clear)