Experience of non smokers

[chrispb]

As non-smokers, the deal breaker with us is the smoking on the balconies with HAL. Just imagine sailing with heavy smokers on either side of you and you will find your balcony virtually useless almost 24 hours daily. If this is a factor, and it sounds like it is, then X is for you. cheers

 

It's when people exaggerate like this that non-smokers can lose all credibility. I'm a smoker and I'm hardly in my room. The main times I would smoke on a balcony would be early morning and late evening - probably no later than 11 pm (once I have my PJ's on and can't venture elsewhere). For you to say this means you spent 24 hrs in your room?

I don't think so.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but I was under the impression that Carnival and Princess both prohibited smoking on balconies effective 1/15/12? For those who sail Carnival, the information posted above may be outdated. (Or, I am completely wrong... and it certainly wouldn't be the first time! :o)

 

You are not mistaken.

 

You have it right.

 

You are both mistaken. Smoking (including cigars) is permitted on Carnival's balconies. Here's the pertinent portion of their smoking policy:

 

"Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony."

[startwin]

You are both mistaken. Smoking (including cigars) is permitted on Carnival's balconies. Here's the pertinent portion of their smoking policy:

"Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms. Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony."

 

I saw no mention of cigars in that rule. This is how it reads:

 

Beginning December 1, 2011, Guests with a balcony stateroom may only smoke outside on their balcony. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival's non-smoking policy.

[sail7seas]

It's when people exaggerate like this that non-smokers can lose all credibility. I'm a smoker and I'm hardly in my room. The main times I would smoke on a balcony would be early morning and late evening - probably no later than 11 pm (once I have my PJ's on and can't venture elsewhere). For you to say this means you spent 24 hrs in your room?

I don't think so.

 

 

That speaks for your habits but not anyone else's.

We do not spend 24 hours in our cabin but I do like to spend considerable time there especially in the Caribbean and certainly want use of our veranda. It certainly does not happen every cruise but we had one on Eurodam that we never got to use our veranda for any amount of time without neighbors' smoke being very disturbing to us. It appeared they both spent even more time in their cabins/on their verandas than we did. We had two smokers on the cabin just forward of us and one smoker in the cabin on our other side. They were very heavy smokers.

 

[mmr923]

On our travels on the Noordam and Ryndam we only noticed smoke in the Northern Lights disco (Noordam) and the casino (both ships). I thought the smoke in the casino in the Ryndam was worse than on the Noordam, but maybe that is because the Noordam is larger and can clean/redistribute air better. Don't know. At any rate, it seemed to "linger" more on the Ryndam and dissipate quickly on the Noordam. We don't gamble so this was just a "passing" odor for us as we walked through or near to get from one end of the ship to the other.

 

On Carnival, we did have balcony neighbors who smoked. They were freqently out there at the same times we were, but they certainly didn't just sit there and chainsmoke the entire time they were on their balcony! They had a cigarette, and then had a cocktail, and sometimes we chatted back and forth. They were very nice people - they borrowed our corkscrew, and gifted us a bottle of wine they decided they weren't going to drink, so we became friends, despite the smoke.

 

Neither my husband or I are smokers, and we certainly don't care for the smell of smoke at all, but we did not let an occasional cigarette odor coming from next door to our balcony dampen our otherwise lovely aft balcony experience. We think HAL, overall, does a good job of getting rid of smoke smell.

[whogo]

You are right, no one person smokes for 24 hours per day on their balcony. The smokers work in shifts so there will always be one or two upwind.

[yarlenna]

I think it a matter of rights. I do sport your rights to smoke - but on the same time I want my right to have air not smokey - AND the right NOT to have the second hand smoke give me a drug I do not want to take. Se, smokers, how can we both have our rights?

I loved my HAL cruises, but I cannot take them right now because of the smoke issue. Before my cancer and stokes, I didn't care. Now I must care - and be careful to avoid the chance of having to inhale anyone's second hand smoke. Even if I can't smell in, the drugs are still there and ready to harm anybody - not just me - but anybody.

I would LOVE to see smoker lounges where people could just smoke as much as they want and leave the rest of the ship and baclonies for everyone who wants to to them.

[jtl513]

you are right, no one person smokes for 24 hours per day on their balcony. The smokers work in shifts so there will always be one or two upwind.

Ahh, now I understand! :D :D

[fleckle]

My husband and I are both avid non smokers and apart from sailing with HAL some years ago have consistently sailed with Celebrity because of their stringent non smoking policy. We did like our previous cruise with HAL and were considering a 21 day HAL cruise for a change but are a bit concerned about booking because of the more relaxed smoking policy. Looking for comments from non smokers on their experience?:confused:

If you are accustomed to Celebrity cruises, there is no denying that you will find a noticeable difference on HAL.

 

We knew that HAL permitted smoking on balconies and in the casino and bars before we booked. We tried to stay away from the smoking areas, avoiding the casino and its surrounding lounge areas and shops as much as possible.

 

If a HAL itinerary is one we want, we will book it with the full knowledge and understanding that nothing will be done to stop people from smoking on the balconies as they have every right to do so on this cruise line.

 

It is a trade off. As non-smokers, we are willing to book with HAL when they offer an itinerary that is not available on a cruise line with a restrictive smoking policy. HAL does have some very attractive and unique itineraries.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I saw no mention of cigars in that rule. This is how it reads:

 

Beginning December 1, 2011, Guests with a balcony stateroom may only smoke outside on their balcony. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival's non-smoking policy.

 

Odd. Pasted below is the entire Q&A from Carnival's FAQ section on their website, which can be accessed by clicking here: http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Header_466#q-544913

 

"What is the smoking policy?

Effective June 15, 2011, cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival’s dance clubs as well as in designated areas within the casino and casino bar.

Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas (starboard side) of all our ships. Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Splendor.

* All Spa suites and staterooms, inclusive of the balconies, are an entirely smoke-free environment.

* Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms.

Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony.

Guests who smoke in their staterooms will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival’s ticket contract.

Note: Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only allowed in the designated smoking areas."

Where did you find the other language?

[startwin]

Odd. Pasted below is the entire Q&A from Carnival's FAQ section on their website, which can be accessed by clicking here: http://www.carnival.com/core/faq.aspx?icid=CC_Header_466#q-544913

"What is the smoking policy?

Effective June 15, 2011, cigarette smoking in public venues will only be permitted in Carnival’s dance clubs as well as in designated areas within the casino and casino bar.

Smoking (including cigars) will be permitted in designated exterior open deck areas (starboard side) of all our ships. Additionally, smoking will also be allowed in the jazz clubs of the following ships: Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Splendor.

* All Spa suites and staterooms, inclusive of the balconies, are an entirely smoke-free environment.

* Effective December 1, 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all guest staterooms.

Guests in balcony staterooms may smoke (including cigars) outside on their balcony.

Guests who smoke in their staterooms will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival’s ticket contract.

Note: Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes are only allowed in the designated smoking areas."

Where did you find the other language?

 

On the Carnival website in the exact same set of rules - no mention of cigars!:confused:

[DizzyDallasDi]

On the Carnival website in the exact same set of rules - no mention of cigars!:confused:

 

This really has me scratching my head and thinking, do you suppose Carnival has two different versions...one for Canadians and one for Americans? :confused: LOL

[Christine Frances]

ROUNDER- Thank you for posting the smoking policies of all these cruiselines. Obviously there are wonderful ships available, many considered premium and luxury, that meet the needs of non-smokers.

 

The policies of Celebrity and Azamara are wrong as posted and should be updated. There is absolutely no indoor smoking anywhere on both these lines.

[boaterette]

Perhaps I am mistaken, but I was under the impression that Carnival and Princess both prohibited smoking on balconies effective 1/15/12? For those who sail Carnival, the information posted above may be outdated. (Or, I am completely wrong... and it certainly wouldn't be the first time! :o)

 

Carnival still allows smoking on balconies.

[GeriatricNurse]

That happened to us on Eurodam. A whole cruise we could not use our veranda.

 

Judy, you pay your money, you take your chances! ;) If you plan on remaining with HAL, you really should consider booking a (non) balcony/verandah stateroom! ;)

[THE BUDSYS]

You are right, no one person smokes for 24 hours per day on their balcony. The smokers work in shifts so there will always be one or two upwind.

The night shift is the worst! I usually switch to a big Churchhill cigar or a Sherlock Holmes pipe around 3am just to break the monotony. DH can't go on any shore excursions because he has the day shift but I take lots of pictures so he can see where we've been.

[madelinerose]

My husband and I are both avid non smokers... but are a bit concerned about booking because of the more relaxed smoking policy.

 

OP, here's your answer.

[DaveOKC]

I wonder if the smoking on balcony issue is more a problem on certain categories of balconies than others? The past several cruises we have booked deluxe suites and we have never experienced a problem. Of course these balconies are larger and therefore further apart.

 

I did talk to one friend who experienced problems on their balcony (non-suite) though.

 

Now, if I was a heavy smoker and in the past booked an inside or oceanview cabin, based on HAL's new rules I would definately upgrade to a balcony cabin, but most likely the least expensive one I could find. Make sense?

 

So, my crazy logic says that if smokers on balconys bother you, you can minimize your chances of being next to one by going with a higher category balcony.

 

DaveOKC

[Viesczy]

As non-smokers, the deal breaker with us is the smoking on the balconies with HAL. Just imagine sailing with heavy smokers on either side of you and you will find your balcony virtually useless almost 24 hours daily. If this is a factor, and it sounds like it is, then X is for you. cheers

 

Uhm... if the ship is moving forward wouldn't you only be bothered by a smoker ahead of you? Long as you're upwind and they're downwind... physics and all.

 

I am a non-smoker, never once in my 40 years of life have I willfully inhaled anything that was burning and I too find it a completely offensive vice, but I'm not going to let the chance that somoene might be smoking in a balcony next to me keep us from booking a cruise that we want to do. It is a 50/50 chance, those are GREAT odds.

 

Should those odds be in your favor, AWESOME!

 

If the odd are not in your favor, simply workout a schedule with your neighbor(s). Most folks have a sense of common courtesy. Everyone gets to enjoy themselves.

 

Is it so hard?

 

Derek

[sail7seas]

I wonder if the smoking on balcony issue is more a problem on certain categories of balconies than others? The past several cruises we have booked deluxe suites and we have never experienced a problem. Of course these balconies are larger and therefore further apart.

 

I did talk to one friend who experienced problems on their balcony (non-suite) though.

 

Now, if I was a heavy smoker and in the past booked an inside or oceanview cabin, based on HAL's new rules I would definately upgrade to a balcony cabin, but most likely the least expensive one I could find. Make sense?

 

So, my crazy logic says that if smokers on balconys bother you, you can minimize your chances of being next to one by going with a higher category balcony.

 

DaveOKC

 

You might have a point but not in all cases.

 

We always book an "S" or "SA" cabin.

We've had a great many HAL cruises and truthfully have only been totally chased off our veranda a limited number of times. I do believe HAL being more permissive it will draw smokers from other cruise lines to HAL and the veranda issue will become worse for those who mind the smoke.

 

There are two categories (at least) of non-smokers IMO ....

Non-smokers who can tolerate a fair amount of smoke around them and

those who are badly bothered by it.

 

Just because some veranda category cruisers have thus far been fortunate to not be bothered by the smoke, it is likely there will be a first time for them if more smokers start booking HAL.

 

 

[sail7seas]

Uhm... if the ship is moving forward wouldn't you only be bothered by a smoker ahead of you? Long as you're upwind and they're downwind... physics and all.

 

I am a non-smoker, never once in my 40 years of life have I willfully inhaled anything that was burning and I too find it a completely offensive vice, but I'm not going to let the chance that somoene might be smoking in a balcony next to me keep us from booking a cruise that we want to do. It is a 50/50 chance, those are GREAT odds.

 

Should those odds be in your favor, AWESOME!

 

If the odd are not in your favor, simply workout a schedule with your neighbor(s). Most folks have a sense of common courtesy. Everyone gets to enjoy themselves.

 

Is it so hard?

 

Derek

 

 

In theory, maybe.......

What you didn't address are all those hours in port the ship is not moving. I often try to use our veranda during some of those hours. Some of us don't spend the whole day ashore and it was my bad luck on the worst experience Eurodam cruise that neighbors on either side of me never seemed to leave their veranda.

 

[sail7seas]

How many freakin hours do you spend on your balcony? Don't you do anything else? I am a smoker and enjoy my cigarettes with coffee on the balcony in the morning (always late breakfast). Rarely are there people on either side of me. I'm busy the rest of the day and smoke wherever I can. I may also enjoy a cigarette on the balcony before dinner and before going to bed. That doesn't amount to even 2 or 3 hours a day.

 

 

I attempt to spend a fair amount of time on our veranda. We cruise often and have cruised some of the same ports many times. We don't always go ashore in port and often for only a few hours.

 

We aren't busy, busy, busy on cruises anymore. That is not what we go on cruises for.

 

[St. Louis Sal]

We've had varied experiences with smokers around our balcony cabins. I really am bothered by smoke and it's very disappointing when you can't enjoy your balcony. My husband rarely gets off in ports and spends a lot of time sitting on the balcony so he is exposed more than I am. I try to avoid the smoking areas of the ships as much as possible. I am worried that HAL's more lenient policy may drive more smokers to their cruises. We wouldn't not book a balcony though so we will just gamble.

 

On our most recent cruise, on Celebrity, our daughters reported a whiff of smoke while on their balcony and I found a cigarette butt on ours. Later in the day we had to have security take a look at our safe which wasn't working and as he left our cabin he reminded us of the no smoking policy and said there had been complaints of smoking on our hallway. I almost felt guilty-I thought they might think that cigarette butt was mine!

 

St. Louis Sal

[tine-tine]

Thank you all for your responses, after careful consideration we are now looking at a Princess cruse as they now have a similar policy to Celebrity that does not allow smoking on the balcony.

[Doh15]

We have a balcony booked on our next cruise and it will certainly be our last cruise on HAL if it turns out that we are bothered by nearby smokers.

 

I don't think the universe was created for my needs alone (although spouse might disagree with me saying that) but the point about smoking is that it legitimately bothers others. Am I being overly sensitive if I think people should not be talking at the top of their voices in the hallways at 2 am?