Why We Left NCL?

[sdmike]

Thanks, Mike. So like the other NCL ships.

 

Sounds like it, although I never went into the Jewel casino.

[BubMunkeyBles]

I'm pretty smoke sensitive. I've only had problems on one cruise and it was a cheapo Carnival inside room that wreaked of stale smoke.

[luddite]

It seems that Celebrity is a good fit for you.

[graphicguy]

There is only one casino on Epic. However, there is a small "no smoking" area in it. However, when we were there the ventilation was so bad that non-smokers couldn't even tolerate the non-smoking area.

 

sdmike.....Epic is similar to the Allure we just took. The Casinos had one side smoking, and the other side non-smoking. But, in reality, it's still one big casino in which the non-smoking side you can still tell there's smoking going on.

 

To me, as a non-smoker, courtesy should be the rule of the day. If smoking is allowed outside on the balcony, and one of your neighbors smoke, don't go out at those times if you really can't tolerate it. I relayed a story a month or so ago about one neighbor having a bad flatulence problem. If we knew he was out there, we didn't go out on our balcony (and no, that's not a joke).

 

I've never been on our balcony when a smoking neighbor was so bad that we would not enjoy our balcony when they were smoking on theirs. IF someone asked if it bothered me, I'd tell them if and when it did. However, it is allowed so I should have no complaint.

 

Like others said, there's always other cruise lines that don't allow smoking on balconies. Those are the ones you want to cruise with if that's your primary concern.

 

To my knowledge, NCL always sails full (as does RCL and CCL). So, the current policy looks to be working for everyone.

[unboringuy]

You should consider Princess. Smoking is prohibited in all staterooms, on all balconies, and in most common areas. Smoking is permitted in designated common areas (some bars), one side of outdoor decks, and in the casino. The casino is non-smoking on at least one day during each cruise.

[relaxatsea]

I agree with the OP. I would be in favor of smoke-free balconies. I no longer go to the casino due to the overpowering smoke, and I would like to have my baclony as a place or rest and relaxation and the smell of good sea air.

 

I was on the Carnival Paradise when it was completely non-smoking and it was wonderful. Since then, I have completely given up on Carnival because of the all-pervasive smoke everywhere.

 

We cruise often on NCL and hope they can find a way to solve this serious problem.

[johnsak123]

I think you have a great idea. I think a drawback would be the amount of smoke generated in that area of the ship if you happen to be on deck above that section.

Imagine being next to a smoker who would stand on the balcony and smoke and yell at her children and husband at all hours when she was outside. I couldnt determine which was worse, the smoke or her nasty mouth yelling. I decided it was her nasty mouth. At least the smoke disappered but she seemed to never shut up lol

[e2011]

Thats too bad. I wish people would be more polite or at least stop to think how their behavior affects others. As far as smoking, I think the cruise ships should be like the old airline rules. Smoking rooms at the back of the ship. Those would be the only ones where you would be allowed to smoke on your balcony. That way if a non-smoker booked a room in the back, they know the risks. If you don't want smoke around you on your balcony you could book a

no-smoking room in the front.

[che5904]

Thats too bad. I wish people would be more polite or at least stop to think how their behavior affects others. As far as smoking, I think the cruise ships should be like the old airline rules. Smoking rooms at the back of the ship. Those would be the only ones where you would be allowed to smoke on your balcony. That way if a non-smoker booked a room in the back, they know the risks. If you don't want smoke around you on your balcony you could book a no-smoking room in the front.

 

But what you are suggesting is really no different than what is in effect now. NCL ships allow smoking on balconies. That way if a non-smoker books a balcony they know the risks. If you don't want smoke around you, you could book a non-balcony room.

[QuickieGlenn]

But what you are suggesting is really no different than what is in effect now. NCL ships allow smoking on balconies. That way if a non-smoker books a balcony they know the risks. If you don't want smoke around you, you could book a non-balcony room.

 

I see how much you love to smoke, you also have the option of getting a inside room and going up on deck to enjoy your smoke. For you to tell people to get a inside room is ridiculous, the balcony's are there for people who enjoy the view not just a place for you to smoke

[che5904]

I see how much you love to smoke, you also have the option of getting a inside room and going up on deck to enjoy your smoke. For you to tell people to get a inside room is ridiculous, the balcony's are there for people who enjoy the view not just a place for you to smoke

 

For your information that is NOT what that post was about. That post was actually in defence of some non-smokers.

 

That post came across as "I want prisons, but no prison in my backyard". They suggested that the back of the ship be used for smoking cabins. A lot of non-smokers love the aft cabins, that poster basically said if NCL made those the smoking cabins any non-smoker that wanted one would just have to suck it up. But since obviously those were not important to that poster they felt NCL should make the smoking cabins there.

 

My point was that if you are going to have that attitude then NCL already offers that with my example.

 

BTW yes I do love to smoke, not really sure what point you were making with that.

[QuickieGlenn]

For your information that is NOT what that post was about. That post was actually in defence of some non-smokers.

 

That post came across as "I want prisons, but no prison in my backyard". They suggested that the back of the ship be used for smoking cabins. A lot of non-smokers love the aft cabins, that poster basically said if NCL made those the smoking cabins any non-smoker that wanted one would just have to suck it up. But since obviously those were not important to that poster they felt NCL should make the smoking cabins there.

 

My point was that if you are going to have that attitude then NCL already offers that with my example.

 

BTW yes I do love to smoke, not really sure what point you were making with that.

 

Sorry....smoke away

[BaseballMomof4]

This is a no win situation

Smokers will defend their right to smoke and non-smokers will be pissed if they are forced to smell smoke

 

I don't smoke and cannot stand the smell but what can do

 

Maybe put a bucket of poop on the balcony with a fan blowing in the right direction

 

This is the mentality that would make me chain smoke just to annoy my neighbor as opposed to being considerate of them.

 

My money is the same color green as everyone elses and I spent a lot more of it to have the luxury of sitting on my balcony in peace to have a smoke. I do not try to smoke in public areas where is it not allowed nor do I intentionally smoke to irritate anyone.

 

Quite frankly, there are those who have no idea that dousing themselves in perfume or cologne can be downright nauseating to those around them - shall I send poop smell their way when they sit at a nearby table and ruin my dinner?

 

And what about the loud oboxious drunks? They too ruin a portion of my vacation - can we put all of them on a drunks only ship?

 

While we are at it let's get an unaccompanied brat ship up and running too.

 

Perhaps one for late night loud talkers/door slammers as well.

 

My point? I doubt there is anyone posting here that isn't guilty of something that inconveniences/annoys another cruiser. You need to realize you are in what essentially equates to a small city and not everyone is there to please you. Your vacation is what you make of it. Try to think about that smoke you don't like the next time your are spraying your perfume/cologne before dinner. ;)

[ncklhaus]

This is the mentality that would make me chain smoke just to annoy my neighbor as opposed to being considerate of them.

 

My money is the same color green as everyone elses and I spent a lot more of it to have the luxury of sitting on my balcony in peace to have a smoke. I do not try to smoke in public areas where is it not allowed nor do I intentionally smoke to irritate anyone.

 

Quite frankly, there are those who have no idea that dousing themselves in perfume or cologne can be downright nauseating to those around them - shall I send poop smell their way when they sit at a nearby table and ruin my dinner?

 

And what about the loud oboxious drunks? They too ruin a portion of my vacation - can we put all of them on a drunks only ship?

 

While we are at it let's get an unaccompanied brat ship up and running too.

 

Perhaps one for late night loud talkers/door slammers as well.

 

My point? I doubt there is anyone posting here that isn't guilty of something that inconveniences/annoys another cruiser. You need to realize you are in what essentially equates to a small city and not everyone is there to please you. Your vacation is what you make of it. Try to think about that smoke you don't like the next time your are spraying your perfume/cologne before dinner. ;)

 

Well said!!!

[IMWord]

This is the mentality that would make me chain smoke just to annoy my neighbor as opposed to being considerate of them.

 

My money is the same color green as everyone elses and I spent a lot more of it to have the luxury of sitting on my balcony in peace to have a smoke. I do not try to smoke in public areas where is it not allowed nor do I intentionally smoke to irritate anyone.

 

Quite frankly, there are those who have no idea that dousing themselves in perfume or cologne can be downright nauseating to those around them - shall I send poop smell their way when they sit at a nearby table and ruin my dinner?

 

And what about the loud oboxious drunks? They too ruin a portion of my vacation - can we put all of them on a drunks only ship?

 

While we are at it let's get an unaccompanied brat ship up and running too.

 

Perhaps one for late night loud talkers/door slammers as well.

 

My point? I doubt there is anyone posting here that isn't guilty of something that inconveniences/annoys another cruiser. You need to realize you are in what essentially equates to a small city and not everyone is there to please you. Your vacation is what you make of it. Try to think about that smoke you don't like the next time your are spraying your perfume/cologne before dinner. ;)

 

Never been on a cruise (currently looking) but I am a non-smoker so this topic is important - especially if the 2nd hand smoke is an issue on balconies. I certainly believe individuals who want to smoke certainly can do so - it is, after all a legal act. And, I'm sure all the smokers are well aware of the associated health risks to themselves. However, your analogy is somewhat off the mark. Loud, obnoxious drunks (or any loud person) and perfume/cologne are indeed intrusive, but do not pose any health risk such as second hand smoke - especially in children. Again, if you want to smoke, that certainly is your right. But I do think the majority of non-smokers posting on this thread are more concerned with their health rather than the small inconvenience.

- Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoke, and passive smoke) is the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.

- At least 69 chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to cause cancer.

- Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers.

- Secondhand smoke has also been associated with heart disease in adults and sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, and asthma attacks in children.

- There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. :(

[BaseballMomof4]

Never been on a cruise (currently looking) but I am a non-smoker so this topic is important - especially if the 2nd hand smoke is an issue on balconies. I certainly believe individuals who want to smoke certainly can do so - it is, after all a legal act. And, I'm sure all the smokers are well aware of the associated health risks to themselves. However, your analogy is somewhat off the mark. Loud, obnoxious drunks (or any loud person) and perfume/cologne are indeed intrusive, but do not pose any health risk such as second hand smoke - especially in children. Again, if you want to smoke, that certainly is your right. But I do think the majority of non-smokers posting on this thread are more concerned with their health rather than the small inconvenience.

- Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoke, and passive smoke) is the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.

- At least 69 chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to cause cancer.

- Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers.

- Secondhand smoke has also been associated with heart disease in adults and sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, and asthma attacks in children.

- There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. :(

 

And there is no safe level of exposure to heavy perfumes for an asthmatic. Unless you live in a bubble you will be exposed to something somewhere somehow.

 

We can debate this all day long. The smoke emitted from the ships stacks is also carcinogenic. What about the exhaust from the vehicles in the ports?

We are all exposed to untold amounts of hazardous emissions every day. Perhaps we should ban Caribbean cruises as the suns rays cause skin cancer.

 

I never smoke in public spaces, nor do I smoke around children. But I will be smoking on my balcony on the Epic next May. If you would like my cabin number so you can avoid me I will happily provide it to you.

[luddite]

Never been on a cruise (currently looking) but I am a non-smoker so this topic is important - especially if the 2nd hand smoke is an issue on balconies. I certainly believe individuals who want to smoke certainly can do so - it is, after all a legal act. And, I'm sure all the smokers are well aware of the associated health risks to themselves. However, your analogy is somewhat off the mark. Loud, obnoxious drunks (or any loud person) and perfume/cologne are indeed intrusive, but do not pose any health risk such as second hand smoke - especially in children. Again, if you want to smoke, that certainly is your right. But I do think the majority of non-smokers posting on this thread are more concerned with their health rather than the small inconvenience.

- Secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary smoke, and passive smoke) is the smoke given off by a burning tobacco product and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.

- At least 69 chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to cause cancer.

- Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers.

- Secondhand smoke has also been associated with heart disease in adults and sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, and asthma attacks in children.

- There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. :(

 

A lot of bad science here.

The perfume bombs that we are getting assaulted with are likely worse for us than the second-hand smoke.

[mpk218]

This will never end . Last year when the idea of no smoking in the cabins came out all of the non-smokers cheered . My response was , your going to regret this push because it will force ALL smokers to now buy balconies.

So the campaign worked , no more smoking inside . This is Now some sort of surprise that non smokers find it smoky on balconies. You have got to be s#!ting me . So now here we move to the balcony BAN , then the Pool ban and then the one side of the ship Ban.

For those of you that smoke and would like to continue doing so , you had better get a little more vocal with NCL because the other side has got you on the ropes and they intend on keeping you there .

P.S. I think the OP is doing exactly the right . Choosing a product that suits there life style..

 

ex-smoker ;)

 

PSS. Im sick of Bans and political correctness can kiss my drink of the day !!

[IMWord]

And there is no safe level of exposure to heavy perfumes for an asthmatic. Unless you live in a bubble you will be exposed to something somewhere somehow.

 

We can debate this all day long. The smoke emitted from the ships stacks is also carcinogenic. What about the exhaust from the vehicles in the ports?

We are all exposed to untold amounts of hazardous emissions every day. Perhaps we should ban Caribbean cruises as the suns rays cause skin cancer.

 

I never smoke in public spaces, nor do I smoke around children. But I will be smoking on my balcony on the Epic next May. If you would like my cabin number so you can avoid me I will happily provide it to you.

 

In my experience, your post and that of Luddite's are typical of the denial you will see from smokers. Many will do/say anything to justify their drug addiction and move the conversation away from the topic at hand. As an ex-smoker who struggled to become smoke free - I feel your pain. :o

 

Here's what happens every time one smokes a cigarette:

- Although we may feel more relaxed as we smoke, our blood pressure and heart rate both increase, the heart pumps differently, and the blood flow to the capillaries decreases.

- Blood carbon monoxide levels increase. "Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in some of your red blood cells, and it sticks on to the red cells for days, preventing oxygen from being carried by these cells", warns Currow.

- Other changes happen in our airways: the little finger-like cilia which keep airways clear of phlegm are 'stunned' by chemicals in the smoke and tiny muscles in our airways contract, constricting them.

- There are also measurable changes in the immune system

[mpk218]

In my experience, your post and that of Luddite's are typical of the denial you will see from smokers. Many will do/say anything to justify their drug addiction and move the conversation away from the topic at hand. As an ex-smoker who struggled to become smoke free - I feel your pain. :o

 

Here's what happens every time one smokes a cigarette:

- Although we may feel more relaxed as we smoke, our blood pressure and heart rate both increase, the heart pumps differently, and the blood flow to the capillaries decreases.

- Blood carbon monoxide levels increase. "Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in some of your red blood cells, and it sticks on to the red cells for days, preventing oxygen from being carried by these cells", warns Currow.

- Other changes happen in our airways: the little finger-like cilia which keep airways clear of phlegm are 'stunned' by chemicals in the smoke and tiny muscles in our airways contract, constricting them.

- There are also measurable changes in the immune system

 

Hhaa . You know what they say , No sinner like a reformed sinner :D

[BaseballMomof4]

In my experience, your post and that of Luddite's are typical of the denial you will see from smokers. Many will do/say anything to justify their drug addiction and move the conversation away from the topic at hand. As an ex-smoker who struggled to become smoke free - I feel your pain. :o

 

Here's what happens every time one smokes a cigarette:

- Although we may feel more relaxed as we smoke, our blood pressure and heart rate both increase, the heart pumps differently, and the blood flow to the capillaries decreases.

- Blood carbon monoxide levels increase. "Carbon monoxide takes the place of oxygen in some of your red blood cells, and it sticks on to the red cells for days, preventing oxygen from being carried by these cells", warns Currow.

- Other changes happen in our airways: the little finger-like cilia which keep airways clear of phlegm are 'stunned' by chemicals in the smoke and tiny muscles in our airways contract, constricting them.

- There are also measurable changes in the immune system

 

That is where you are incorrect. I recognize the health concerns associated with smoking. What I am objecting to is the fact that there seems to be an ongoing campaign by some regarding smoking no matter where it is on the ship and the battle cry is always that it is a "health risk".

 

My point is if you want to campaign against "potential health risks" then stop selectively targeting smokers. Perhaps while people are targeting smokers they could also address all other potentially unhealthy activities.

 

Sun causes skin cancer so stay out of the tropics;

Gambling is addictive so shut down the casinos;

Alcohol is addictive and causes liver damage so do not serve it;

Emissions cause toxic fumes so hoist those sails please;

Perfumes/Colognes are toxic to asthmatics so ban all scented items;

Obesity is a leading cause of death in the US these days so shut down that buffet!!!!!

 

and so on and so on and so on.

 

Cloaking the anti-smoking agenda in being "health conscious" while sunbathing with a margarita seated under the ships stacks while gorging on unlimited food makes that argument somewhat less than credible.

[che5904]

This will never end . Last year when the idea of no smoking in the cabins came out all of the non-smokers cheered . My response was , your going to regret this push because it will force ALL smokers to now buy balconies.

So the campaign worked , no more smoking inside . This is Now some sort of surprise that non smokers find it smoky on balconies. You have got to be s#!ting me . So now here we move to the balcony BAN , then the Pool ban and then the one side of the ship Ban.

For those of you that smoke and would like to continue doing so , you had better get a little more vocal with NCL because the other side has got you on the ropes and they intend on keeping you there .

P.S. I think the OP is doing exactly the right . Choosing a product that suits there life style..

 

ex-smoker ;)

 

PSS. Im sick of Bans and political correctness can kiss my drink of the day !!

 

Well said. People do want higher ups (Governments, company heads etc) to get involved continually to "save us all" from everything. Our closest large city has went mental on smoking bans almost everywhere this past summer, they really can't do much more with that. So now, last week, they have moved onto soda.

 

And it is funny to watch the comments in the online newspapers that were rah rah for the city stepping in on some things including smoking that did not pertain to them. To now whining that the city is overstepping and sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.

[mark290]

:D :D :D With all the in-depth debates about statistics and the amazing demonstrations of mathematical prowess I'm surprised it took someone so long to notice! I saw my basic error when I hit post, but decided to leave it to see if anyone noticed! Just probably goes to prove the point that, besides the obvious maths error, my post was not controversial enough to provoke enough interest to pick holes in my theory! :D

 

Maybe it didn't provoke enough interest because it made no sense. A smoker does not smoke all 20 cigs in a row. A person sleeps about 8 hours a day. Figure two hours a day eating in a venue away from your cabin.

Let's say four more hours a day at the pool, casino, shows and bars.

Let's say three ports and four or five hours off the ship in each, call it an average of two hours a day. That leaves about eight hours a day and that number must be high.

 

Now pace out that cig pace to one on and two off. So one every 15 minutes. Twenty cigs would be spaced out over five hours. Cut that in half because all cigs might not be on the balcony. With balconies beside over and under you that could be 11 other balconies within two of yours.

Using the formula posted by someone else the smoking population would be 25%. So you have about three cabins smoking within two of yours. Each one of those spacing their cigs out over five hours, half of which might be on their balcony. That is 7.5 hours of smoking within just two cabins of yours. Adjust that a little for whatever little math errors I made.

[mark290]

That is where you are incorrect. I recognize the health concerns associated with smoking. What I am objecting to is the fact that there seems to be an ongoing campaign by some regarding smoking no matter where it is on the ship and the battle cry is always that it is a "health risk".

 

My point is if you want to campaign against "potential health risks" then stop selectively targeting smokers. Perhaps while people are targeting smokers they could also address all other potentially unhealthy activities.

 

Sun causes skin cancer so stay out of the tropics;

Gambling is addictive so shut down the casinos;

Alcohol is addictive and causes liver damage so do not serve it;

Emissions cause toxic fumes so hoist those sails please;

Perfumes/Colognes are toxic to asthmatics so ban all scented items;

Obesity is a leading cause of death in the US these days so shut down that buffet!!!!!

 

and so on and so on and so on.

 

Cloaking the anti-smoking agenda in being "health conscious" while sunbathing with a margarita seated under the ships stacks while gorging on unlimited food makes that argument somewhat less than credible.

 

However this thread is about smoking. Your may have some valid points in a sun, gambling, alcohol, emissions, perfumes or obesity thread. To bring these things up in this thread about smoking is not really relevant.

[che5904]

Maybe it didn't provoke enough interest because it made no sense. A smoker does not smoke all 20 cigs in a row. A person sleeps about 8 hours a day. Figure two hours a day eating in a venue away from your cabin.

Let's say four more hours a day at the pool, casino, shows and bars.

Let's say three ports and four or five hours off the ship in each, call it an average of two hours a day. That leaves about eight hours a day and that number must be high.

 

Now pace out that cig pace to one on and two off. So one every 15 minutes. Twenty cigs would be spaced out over five hours. Cut that in half because all cigs might not be on the balcony. With balconies beside over and under you that could be 11 other balconies within two of yours.

Using the formula posted by someone else the smoking population would be 25%. So you have about three cabins smoking within two of yours. Each one of those spacing their cigs out over five hours, half of which might be on their balcony. That is 7.5 hours of smoking within just two cabins of yours. Adjust that a little for whatever little math errors I made.

 

A little off topic but adding a little levity to the topic at hand. But this math reminded me a joke I heard years ago.

Dayoff.pdf