Smoking peace talks ....

[soccersharon]

All cabin interiors are nonsmoking, so no matter what category you booked you should have a nice clean, fresh-smelling cabin. Isn't that most important, as you want to sleep well. the restaurants are also non smoking, so no worries there. likewise the shows and shops. and you'll be off the ship exploring ports some of the time. Between the above, that is most hours of the day for most cruisers.

 

if you go to the casino, you are apt to smell smoke. I think there is a small nonsmoking section, but it is small and sensitive people may well detect drifting smells. But casino time is optional and less smoke is likely if you select off-peak times.

 

if you have a balcony, you may or may not have a smoker on an adjacent balcony. most of the time I have not noticed any smoke odor at all on my balconies (I have done about 40 cruises, over half with balconies). sometimes I will smell a small amount of smoke from a nearby balcony, but usually not much odor and usually not that often (open air dissipates the smoke and most cruisers, including smokers, are out and about a lot). Only once did I have heavy, very frequent smokers next door....that was not NCL, but the same could happen on NCL. So, unless you are exceptionally sensitive to smoke, the odds are in your favor. If you are unfortunate enough to have smoke (or some other disturbance) interrupt your enjoyment of your balcony, you could try to politely talk with the neighbor (maybe you two will find a decent comprosuggest otherwise, I suggest you try to smile and get out and enjoy the rest of the ship...there is a lot to do.

 

Well said! I have the same problem in AC, but I think it's more like 90% non-smoking, 10% smoking by current law (with the "temporary" 10% exception to the actual 100% smoke-free law). And that little 10% area is always PACKED, with very few open machines.. Nothing worse than someone coming into the smoking section, waving their hands and coughing and making faces and asking the people near them to put out their smokes when they have 90% of the casino smoke-free, but they want it ALL, because their rights are far more important than anyone else's.... You have to remember that we have come a long way towards non-smokers rights, without giving anything in return to the smokers, and yet the non-smokers just want more and more and more.. Being forced into a corner has made a lot of smokers put up their defenses and fight back, most especially when they are bombarded by nasty looks and insults. We are all on this earth together, and we must all learn to get along, respecting everyone's rights as much as possible. A smoker shouldn't smoke in a non-smoking area, but a non-smoker shouldn't complain and hurl insults when in a smoking area. I spend a LOT of time in the casino when sailing, and would never sit down next to someone who is already playing and light up, but if I am smoking already, and someone sits down next to me and asks me to put put my cigarette, I might or might not but it's MY choice!. Bottom line is: It's rude to come into someone else's personal space and ask THEM to change it to better suit the "invader", no matter who is the smoker or non.

 

I don't quite understand the balcony issue - a cigarette lasts less than five minutes generally, and NO smoker can chain smoke one after another for hours without break.. I smoke maybe five-seven cigarettes on my balcony every day, and the rest of the time I rarely use the balcony, and I suspect most smokers are similar. So that gives my neighbors at most 35 minutes of total subjection to my smoke, leaving them 23 hours and 25 minutes completely smoke-free. How is this unfair? If you are enjoying a special moment or meal on your balcony and I come out to smoke, I usually don't KNOW you are there, much less what you are doin! A kind word or request to hold off for a little while goes a long way, coughing and loudly complaining just makes it more likely that I will stay and smoke. But give smokers a tiny break please! I have been on cruises where my neighbors were on their balcony almost EVERY waking hour, it seems, and I never felt comfortable exercising my rights on my own balcony because no matter when I tried, they complained, and that's just unfair! I am already stressing about my upcoming Breakaway sailing, because it's not the balcony I would have preferred (I always take balcony placement into account when booking my suites, being conscious of my smoking 's effect on neighbors). But you know what? I paid over $10k for that seven days, and I am going to smoke on my balcony probably five times a day and hope for the best.. I pray I have an understanding and kind neighbor who will let me know politely if I am bothering them.

 

I don't complain when your children are screaming in your cabin for maybe 30 minutes per day, or when your TV is so loud it drowns out mine, or when I cannot use the hot tub because your teens are using them 8-10 hours a day, because its their right to be there just as much as mine. I cannot drink the flavored waters on the ship because I am medically unable to tolerate the ingredients, but I would never expect them to replace them for ME, when others clearly enjoy them. A ship is a limited space environment, so we basically have a lot of people sharing a small area, making it impossible for everyone to have everything they want all the time. There are times when everything won't be perfect for YOU, but remember that others have the same experiences and that's just the way it is!

 

 

Well said. It is never easy being on a ship with 3,000 to 4,000 people - all everyone is asking is for a bit of cooperation. I think this would go a long way to appeasing everyone's expectations and needs.

 

Zealots on either side of the smoking issue seem to take up the most space on these boards. I'm sure *most* folks are not bothered either way. Most cruisers understand that everyone has rights, and just enjoy their cruise.

 

I can think of many different things that could ruin a cruise - a smoking is not one of them.

[che5904]

And here in lies the problem. Smokers (as this one honestly admitted) are far less considerate because of their shrinking space, which, I believe, makes the non-smoker far less considerate.

 

Um, this one (me) honestly admits this for sure, however, I would never broad brush this anymore that I would broad brush all non-smokers as complaining pro-no-smokers.

 

So I will respectfully disagree with your idea that this is why pro-no-smokers "are less considerate" which is the way your post comes across. Although I am sure each one has their own reasons, be it real or perceived . This just happens to be my reason why I have changed.

[madelinerose]

:D You can't go to many land-based casinos without reeking when you leave....the cruise ships are no different!:rolleyes:

 

Casinos are non-smoking in Maryland. ;)

[NayRN]

Casinos are non-smoking in Maryland. ;)

 

They are in Canada as well....but not in Michigan....even though smoking is banned in all "public" areas. It's all good though....I just know that I'll be showering when I get home...;)

 

Hey! My brother lives in Germantown....maybe I should move to Maryland!!! :cool:

[frediver]

As someone else posted, I wonder if smoking hours would work?

[bobg529]

Well, before I weigh in let me say that I smoked 2 plus packs a day for years until I finally quit cold turkey. I can say from personal experience that it is a murderous habit to quit. I can also speak from the victims side having seen cigarettes kill my grandfather, my father, and a beloved cousin. That's why I also believe that the solution to this issue is going to be the passing of time. The truth is that fewer and fewer people smoke every day. And fewer and fewer people start smoking to begin with. In five or ten years there won't be enough smokers left to set aside special parts of a ship or a casino to make it profitable for the cruise line to do so. And when that day arrives they will ban all smoking on ships not because they care about anyone's health or anyone's rights. They will ban it because of money. That's all it's about in the end anyway. In the mean time we would all best be served by trying to get along. Both sides will have to continue to live with the situation as it is until the habit of smoking is just a bad memory.

[che5904]

Well, before I weigh in let me say that I smoked 2 plus packs a day for years until I finally quit cold turkey. I can say from personal experience that it is a murderous habit to quit. I can also speak from the victims side having seen cigarettes kill my grandfather, my father, and a beloved cousin. That's why I also believe that the solution to this issue is going to be the passing of time. The truth is that fewer and fewer people smoke every day. And fewer and fewer people start smoking to begin with. In five or ten years there won't be enough smokers left to set aside special parts of a ship or a casino to make it profitable for the cruise line to do so. And when that day arrives they will ban all smoking on ships not because they care about anyone's health or anyone's rights. They will ban it because of money. That's all it's about in the end anyway. In the mean time we would all best be served by trying to get along. Both sides will have to continue to live with the situation as it is until the habit of smoking is just a bad memory.

 

If what you say is true and something you believe. There would be absolutely not reason to ban any smoking or even change the now policy. If there were not enough smoker's left as you say in 5 or 10 years. Very very very few people would even be aware there were smokers on the ship, they would be so scarce. So in other words these threads are a complete waste of time.

[bobg529]

If what you say is true and something you believe. There would be absolutely not reason to ban any smoking or even change the now policy. If there were not enough smoker's left as you say in 5 or 10 years. Very very very few people would even be aware there were smokers on the ship, they would be so scarce. So in other words these threads are a complete waste of time.

 

 

 

I guess I believe they are, except as a place to blow off steam, if you'll pardon the expression.:). The current policies are a compromise. Compromises traditionally try to satisfy everyone, but usually satisfy no one. The cruise lines offer them because they're trying to hold on to as many customers as possible. That is what they will ALWAYS do. All I'm saying is when that means banning smoking entirely, then that is when they will do it. And until then we might as well just chill out...

[palikir]

OK NayRN - I'll listen to your opinion. You seem to share my outlook on smoking and you are also an asthmatic - so if you can manage it then I will be able to too. Thanks very much for your reply :)

[brianosaur]

....(that's why I bring a fan, sorry for the noise of it) .... I think it is better to deal with it in a non-confrontational manner, thus my fan.

 

Does your fan work?

How big is it?

 

I don't quite understand the balcony issue - a cigarette lasts less than five minutes generally, and NO smoker can chain smoke one after another for hours without break..

 

I believe the issue is mainly when there are a few people on the balcony.

We had three adults sitting out there all day and night, and there was not a time that at least one of them was not smoking.

It more of a 'round robin' smoke-fest as opposed to one person chain smoking repeatedly. (Although I doubt it didn't occur)

Never had that issue before until NCL cruise #4.

 

The solo intermittent smoker usually isn't much of a concern, which is why I had continued to book balconies on NCL.

[NLH Arizona]

Does your fan work?

How big is it?

I didn't have to use it for smoke on my first NCL cruise in April; lucked out no smokers on the ajoining balconies. It is about 7 x 5.6 inches, two speeds, battery powered, lightweight. I'm sure it work work just fine. It is my way of trying to compromise; they can smoke all day and when I'm out on the balcony, I'll use my fan to blow the smoke away from me. Seems like a win win for everyone. Bought it on Amazon.

[Starry Eyes]

As someone else posted, I wonder if smoking hours would work?

 

As a non smoker, smoking/nonsmoking hours for balconies would be fine with me. And logistically, it might be easier than smoking and nonsmoking blocks of balcony cabins. But I wonder if smokers would be comfortable with this idea.

[SteveH2508]

As a non smoker, smoking/nonsmoking hours for balconies would be fine with me. And logistically, it might be easier than smoking and nonsmoking blocks of balcony cabins. But I wonder if smokers would be comfortable with this idea.

 

"Bing Bong - cabins xxx to yyy may now smoke"

 

"Bing Bong - it is now smoking hour/bingo hour/chair hogs hour" (choose your vice) - not very 'Freestyle' is it?

 

I can hear the complaints now about excessive announcements...:rolleyes:

[che5904]

As a non smoker, smoking/nonsmoking hours for balconies would be fine with me. And logistically, it might be easier than smoking and nonsmoking blocks of balcony cabins. But I wonder if smokers would be comfortable with this idea.

 

smokers? I can't see either side being happy with that. IMO there is no compromise as someone is always going to want something they don't have and sorry Starry Eyes but that is usually the pro-no-smokers.

 

Someone else pointed out these facts but I'm not sure whether it was on this thread or another.

We want portions of interior places restaurants, bars etc. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

It was the pro-no-smoker, unsatisfied that went on for more.

We want no smoking at all in restaurants, bars etc. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

It was the pro-no-smoker, unsatisfied that went on for more.

Now we want all of interior public places no smoking, you can go outside. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

It was the pro-no-smoker, unsatisfied that went on for more.

Now smokers are too close to doors. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

It was the pro-no-smoker, unsatisfied that went on for more.

We want hotel rooms and ship cabins. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

We don't want the smokers to have patios at restaurants because we may want to sit out there. It wasn't the smoker who continually complained.

It was the pro-no-smoker, unsatisfied that went on for more. and the list goes on.

[beachchick]

but to be honest I don't care how its done... just that it is done and there is an improvement and a compromise.

 

Put non smoking preference on the bottom row... I don't care.

 

Im not unreasonable... I just want a solution to all this fighting.

 

admit it. most balcony claims are about people next to them smoking. this would solve that.

 

Bottom line we are all adults and have rights. So smokers... I acknowledge yours so acknowledge mine!!!

 

I am an adamant non-smoker (quit many, many years ago), but I do not think smoking and non-smoking balcony cabins is a solution. It's especially not a solution when you then limit the areas of the ship that people can book. Put the smokers at the top deck of balconies, which are typically more expensive and may not be where those passengers are comfortable; tell non-smokers they need to book lower decks, whether they like it or not. I just don't see that working on a cruise ship.

 

It is not a solution, IMO. I would prefer that all balconies be non-smoking, but I am sure I will be stomped on by smokers who think I'm wrong. I am not attacking smokers personally, just stating my opinion.

 

As for non-smoking sections in the casino? Forget it. We've been on ships that have so-called "non smoking" casino areas. Trouble is that smoke doesn't honor signs and drifts wherever it will, including right into the non-smoking areas. Ditto for lounges and bars with "non smoking" signs on some tables or in some areas. Simply doesn't work. What might work would be to install killer ventilation systems as are found in RCI's cigar lounges. My hubby and I went into one once when my sister and her hubby (non smokers both) decided they just had to say they'd smoked a Cuban cigar. We were amazed at how well the lounge was ventilated. We hardly noticed the smoke throughout the lounge and our clothes and hair barely smelled smoky afterward.

 

I doubt there's a solution that will please everyone. But it is nice when people can discuss or debate the matter without name calling and attacking.

 

beachchick

[che5904]

I am an adamant non-smoker (quit many, many years ago), but I do not think smoking and non-smoking balcony cabins is a solution. It's especially not a solution when you then limit the areas of the ship that people can book. Put the smokers at the top deck of balconies, which are typically more expensive and may not be where those passengers are comfortable; tell non-smokers they need to book lower decks, whether they like it or not. I just don't see that working on a cruise ship.

 

I agree, People keep asking for this, it's already done on Carnival and not working, their spa balconies are no smoking. But the boards are still full of pro-no-smokers who aren't satified because they can't have a balcony exactly where they want it.

[shaun07]

Question for non-smokers is the smoke an issue when the ship is sailing or just when its stationary like in port. I would think the wind would blow the smoke away while the ship is sailing?

If it is only an issue when in port maybe if NCL installed a small ceiling fan or regular fan ( RE: NLH Arizona) it would help?

[che5904]

Question for non-smokers is the smoke an issue when the ship is sailing or just when its stationary like in port. I would think the wind would blow the smoke away while the ship is sailing?

If it is only an issue when in port maybe if NCL installed a small ceiling fan or regular fan ( RE: NLH Arizona) it would help?

 

I think you will find that you will get both answers to this yes and no, depending on who posts.

 

The biggest problem I can see is, NCL would not do it. The cost involved would be too high for what they would gain.

 

They probably have installed (especially in their newer ships) better quality air purifiers in their casinos because smoker's probably are their biggest contributors to the casino, but hope to bring in some non-smokers as well. If you think about it, you burn up dollars in the price of smokes for enjoyment, so those are the people that would most likely burn up large amounts of $$s to hopefully win some.

[latebloomer56]

Hi All,

Maybe NCL can provide fans to blow the smoke away from you on your balcony. Not sure if this really works but read a post awhile ago that somebody does this with a small personal fan. Cheap for NCL if it works and people can pick where the cabin they want regardless of smokers next door. I plan to give this a try next balcony trip. Not next year as Princess changed to no smoking on balcony's (hubby is thrilled). Me I just ask my neighbors to let me know when they are done by banging on the wall. Most folks are good eggs and want to get along. In 15 years of cruising on different lines only had 1 VERY RUDE neighbor. But he was just a mean angry guy anyhow so he doesn't count.

Have a good day know this HOT topic will never be solved, like chair hogs :).

[Blondie008]

Smokeless ashtrays - some are very efficient.

We used to take one with us when we travelled. If they were provided for smokers for their balconies the problem would be solved (at a cost price charge to the occupant). Even better than a fan.

That IS a solution which would indeed work and everyone would be happy. I am sure smokers would not mind paying a small charge rather than a balcony ban - which will come sooner or later.

 

 

Nearly seven months smoke free now - yipppeeee :D

[shaun07]

Smokeless ashtrays - some are very efficient.

We used to take one with us when we travelled. If they were provided for smokers for their balconies the problem would be solved (at a cost price charge to the occupant). Even better than a fan.

That IS a solution which would indeed work and everyone would be happy. I am sure smokers would not mind paying a small charge rather than a balcony ban - which will come sooner or later.

 

 

Nearly seven months smoke free now - yipppeeee :D

 

Interesting idea...what happens to the smoke that people exhale?

[CaribJoey]

Well Here we go again Our rights we keep trying to change them so lets not walkside ways lets all give up drinking because drunk people can sometimes smell worse then smokers ban everything NOT just 1 heck there even allowing pot smokers now as long as the have a scripe

people who drink can be loud and obnoxious we live in a free country if u dont like smokers dont go cruisin on this cruise line because they allow it there are other cruise lines that dont, thats where the non smokers should its only in the US, other countries permit it :mad:

[che5904]

Smokeless ashtrays - some are very efficient.

We used to take one with us when we travelled. If they were provided for smokers for their balconies the problem would be solved (at a cost price charge to the occupant). Even better than a fan.

That IS a solution which would indeed work and everyone would be happy. I am sure smokers would not mind paying a small charge rather than a balcony ban - which will come sooner or later.

 

As a smoker I wouldn't mind renting one at all. However, it would have to be something better than the ones I have used. The ones I have used do nothing for the cigarette being smoked, unless you to hold it under your nose, since the fans are pretty powerless. It's more for those that set a cigarette in the ashtray, which on a ship would not be a wise move. I have also never seen them in "safety ashtrays" like what NCL gives out now, which do not allow butts to fly out of them when left on the balcony because the place for ashes and butts are enclosed.

[Warmer Climes]

I am long time ago ex-smoker. We have had balconies on six cruises and on only one did our neighbors' smoking bother us because they smoked and coughed pretty much around the clock. It didn't make us angry- after all, they were following the rules. It made it unpleasant to use the balcony. It hasn't stopped me from booking NCL balconies. I don't go on vacation to spend it P.O.'d especially about something that's permitted.

 

When we eat in restaurants ashore in the Caribbean it looks kind of shocking to see people smoking but we are all just getting used to things being smoke free. I don't go to the casino because of the smoke but that's my gain and NCL's loss.

[Blondie008]

As a smoker I wouldn't mind renting one at all. However, it would have to be something better than the ones I have used. The ones I have used do nothing for the cigarette being smoked, unless you to hold it under your nose, since the fans are pretty powerless. It's more for those that set a cigarette in the ashtray, which on a ship would not be a wise move. I have also never seen them in "safety ashtrays" like what NCL gives out now, which do not allow butts to fly out of them when left on the balcony because the place for ashes and butts are enclosed.

 

 

I do know what you mean and I remember some we had were not great. There are some however that are powerful and have a "pot" style (safe).

Personally it doesn't bother me - my feelings are that I know the rules. I am still enjoying my new found non smoking status.

I am sure though there must be some kind out there which would do the job and remain safe.