Can you still smoke in...........?

[Clarea]

While we are at it, does anyone have any idea where you can smoke on the Freedom/Independence? And for all you people who love to smoke cigars/pipes I can tell you from our Oasis trip last month from early morning to late at night a lot of persons were doing just that on the 15-16th level-one side only, so I don't think anyone is going to miss a beat.

 

Go and have a wonderful vacation don't concern yourself with all the crap you read here.

Freedom class has the Connoisseur Club where smoking is allowed. The only other indoor area would be the casino. Outdoor would be one side of decks 4, 11, and 12, however I'm not 100% sure about deck 11 on Freedom. I thought I remembered that there was no smoking on the pool deck, but I could be getting confused.

[LLindaC]

I'm a musician who worked smoky bars and now suffer from lung problems. It is not the stench, but the chemicals which make some people truly sick. Times are changing, countries, states...the minority of smokers cannot freely foul the air. I have empathy for smokers and watched my father try to quit over and over. It is not a war on smokers, it's the reality check that tobacco smoke kills. When you cannot breathe, you have no freedom at all. Peace!

[LLindaC]

Ventilation does not remove the poisons, btw.

[Royal2464]

I'm a musician who worked smoky bars and now suffer from lung problems. It is not the stench, but the chemicals which make some people truly sick. Times are changing, countries, states...the minority of smokers cannot freely foul the air. I have empathy for smokers and watched my father try to quit over and over. It is not a war on smokers, it's the reality check that tobacco smoke kills. When you cannot breathe, you have no freedom at all. Peace!

 

Linda,

 

You nailed it. If anyone's rights are being infringed upon it is the non-smokers. Under no circumstances should we be forced to breathe in air that contains toxins harmful to our health. It is a smoker's right to kill themselves, but not to hasten the death of others just to satisfy their addiction.

[jessicalorene]

I'm concerned about having to use my vaporizer in smoking areas, I quit about 4 months ago and fear being around the smokers will make me want to smoke :p Hopefully by July I'll have hit my the "this is repulsive" point otherwise I may be keeping my vaporizer in my purse for quick bathroom stops ;)

[wassup4565]

What I said is the business will decide. RCI has banned smoking on balconies, and I will not pay the extra money for a balcony because I can`t now have an occasional cigarette there. Of course I enjoyed the balcony for other reasons - the view, the privacy, the sound and sight of the sea. However, I spend less time on that balcony now because I have to traverse the ship and go up several decks just to have a cigarette, and then come all the way back. Not worth it to me any more. (And please don`t slag me for incessantly smoking on the balcony when I was previously allowed. It was a few smokes a day, not all the time).

 

jstraw20, good post. Very reasoned and reasonable.

 

On my last cruise we were allowed to smoke outdoors on the port pool deck and on Deck 4 port. However, Deck 4 port was closed more than half the time because of weather or maintenance. So the only place to smoke, for a lot of my time on that ship, was the port side of the pool deck - a journey of about ten minutes both coming and going. Or the casino, with all its noise and frenzy. Not enough options.

 

Finally about the E-cig. This is a breakthrough that could help smokers transition to an alternative that is much less harmful to them and harmless to others. Moreover, treating it as an actual cigarette is harmful to people trying to transition. Why bother, when you have to sit surrounded by people puffing away on the real thing?

[cruiseclues]

Besides Plagiarism...copied text is just a point in time...where a link allows the information to evolve and remain current...note that I say allows. :):):):)

[Da books]

As a non-smoker, I agree too. I don't think its fair to take away ALL the indoor smoking areas, but I think the current experiment of making the casino the only indoor smoking spot is doomed to failure. It would seem that a smoking lounge could cater to both cigar smokers and other smokers too - especially if it were well-designed ventilated. Heck, I'd even spend a little time there with a cigar and a cognac on occasion!

 

Now you're talking :)

 

A smoking lounge would be a great idea. I cruised on VOS Last April and for some reason the cigar lounge was closed for the entire 14 days. I snuck in there to have a look and there wasn't any renovating or anything going on just a big empty room. You could smoke on balconies then so all good.

 

The laws in Australia have been pretty strict for a long time now so it's second nature for me to go outside and smoke. I hate the smell of stale smoke inside now but they seem to be restricting more and more outside areas all the time.

 

Somewhere clean and comfortable to smoke is all most people would want (the smokers that is)

[SunEyedGirl]

I'm concerned about having to use my vaporizer in smoking areas, I quit about 4 months ago and fear being around the smokers will make me want to smoke :p Hopefully by July I'll have hit my the "this is repulsive" point otherwise I may be keeping my vaporizer in my purse for quick bathroom stops ;)

 

 

Hi Jessica and everyone,

 

First time poster here. I vape an e-cigarette and am not planning to stop prior to my cruise. It's allowed me to go 11 months without a nasty cigarette, and I'm not ready to give it up. Since it doesn't smell any more than briefly spraying hairspray or cologne would, I'm pretty sure we can get away with "stealth" vaping on the ship. Just make sure we're not blowing clouds of vapor around and avoid being showy with the ecig itself, and we should be fine I would imagine. Wondering what you think of this, and what the die-hard anti-smokers think as well.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited March 19, 2014 by SunEyedGirl

[LetsGetWet!]

Hi Jessica and everyone,

 

First time poster here. I vape an e-cigarette and am not planning to stop prior to my cruise. It's allowed me to go 11 months without a nasty cigarette, and I'm not ready to give it up. Since it doesn't smell any more than briefly spraying hairspray or cologne would, I'm pretty sure we can get away with "stealth" vaping on the ship. Just make sure we're not blowing clouds of vapor around and avoid being showy with the ecig itself, and we should be fine I would imagine. Wondering what you think of this, and what the die-hard anti-smokers think as well.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Not sure exactly what you're intending with your "stealth vaping." I'm not really a "die-hard anti-smoker" but if I'm smelling smoke on my balcony I'm going to report it - I'm paying for a balcony without smoke smells & irritation. On the other hand, if you're vaping on your balcony next to mine & I can't smell anything, then I have no reason to report anything or even concern myself with it.

 

If you're openly vaping in public areas around quite a few other people in non-smoking areas, that's different & I'd expect someone (not me if it's not affecting me) will object.

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 via Tapatalk

[niksmom630]

While we are at it, does anyone have any idea where you can smoke on the Freedom/Independence? And for all you people who love to smoke cigars/pipes I can tell you from our Oasis trip last month from early morning to late at night a lot of persons were doing just that on the 15-16th level-one side only, so I don't think anyone is going to miss a beat.

 

Go and have a wonderful vacation don't concern yourself with all the crap you read here.

 

 

I can't comment on freedom, but on independence the outdoor smoking venues are port side deck 4, and port side deck 11. No smoking on deck 12. However, it does seem to vary by ship, even in the same class. I read a recent review on liberty, and smoking was not allowed on deck 11 (pool deck), but instead was allowed on deck 12.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Erex]

Using a vaporizer does produce a lot of vapor that looks like smoke. However, most of the juice used does not produce much smell.

I did a test in the car. Had with me my DW, DD and DS. This was an 8 hours drive and I had a rest and were sitting (napping) in the back. My DD was sleeping beside me. The two in the front did not realize I was using my Vaporizer. The vapor was blown down on the floor and since they did not see the vapor, they did not register the smell.

If/when they saw me using it, they said that they could smell a sligh odour, but nothing to be worried about.

 

So I will use my vaporizer outside the smoking areas, but not in public

[itching2cruiseagain]

Hubby and I were both able to quit smoking using vaporizers. I am truly grateful they exist.

 

We were on the Liberty a few weeks ago and were able to use vaporizers without a problem. When "Vaping", you can produce more or less vapor. When we were in our room, on Deck 12 or in the casino, we produced as much as we wanted. On our balcony, in an empty elevator, in an empty hallway, or in a bathroom, a small vape would suffice. Some people might be thinking they can charge you a $250 "Cleaning fee" for using it in your room. Unless they have a camera in my room, nobody will ever know because there is no residual odor to clean. The odor is almost non-existent to begin with and dissipates very quickly. Nobody said anything to us I believe because nobody noticed. To my fellow vapers, if we use common sense and don't get in anybody's face, we can vape almost anywhere.

 

To the smokers of cigarettes, I feel you, I was you. Many, many years ago I had quit cold turkey. For a few weeks I was the queen of mean. For a couple of months after I was still edgy. I stayed away for four and a half years, then on vacation I stupidly had one cigarette. That was it, I was hooked again. I didn't like the way the patch made me feel, I didn't want to take mood stabilizers (Ex: Wellbutrin, Chantix) and the thought of quitting cold turkey again was too difficult.

 

Fast forward a number of years to a few months ago, my husband got a vape for himself and one for me. Best move ever, we quit without even trying. I have to say my first puff on a vape made me cough. I took in too much as I was used to taking a big drag from a cigarette. The next one I adjusted and it was much better. We started out by using both cigs and vapes. In two weeks neither one of us liked the taste of the cigarettes anymore in comparison to the vapes. The disposable e-cigs are not the same as the vapes with batteries and refillable tanks. I have a battery that I can adjust the voltage and in the refillable tanks I can use any flavor I like. I mix two different tobacco flavors to make what I like. Hubby uses a few tobaccos with apple. There are so many options and combinations that IMHO just about anyone can find something to their liking. There are also different levels of nicotine from 0 (no nicotine) - 2.4 (highest level). I started at 1.8 and am down to .6. Next step mixing in 0 and then maybe getting rid of the vape. For now, I can breathe better, I can take a deep breath without coughing, my senses of taste and smell are stronger again and my gums are healing. Hubby has found the same to be true. Also dollar wise, one battery tank setup costs less than a carton (in the US, not on the ship), and the maintenance (liquid and coils) are pennies in comparison to smoking. Just to name a few wonderful side effects of quitting smoking.

 

I hope what I am saying is not coming across as lecturing, I am so happy with the results, and thrilled at how easy it was, that I am hoping it might help other people who want to quit smoking.

[sharod]

Fast forward a number of years to a few months ago, my husband got a vape for himself and one for me. Best move ever, we quit without even trying.

 

May I ask what e-cig you are using?? Where do you buy it from?

[fridaythe13th]

Not ONCE in our cruising history have I been driven off my balcony due to cigarette smoke smell. Has this just been my luck or do others exaggerate when a thread like this comes up? We are both ex-smokers and smoke smell does bother us. If the casinos jam up with smokers they may have to inforce another policy regarding loitering. Yes, quitting is hard, but if you chose to smoke then you need to follow the rules. I don't really think anyone would want to work in a venue where it's packed with smokers either. I never did understand why pipes and cigars can't be smoked where cigarettes are allowed. The cigarette smokers might not like the smell??? They actually smell better to me than cigarettes.:eek:

[yj2cute]

Not ONCE in our cruising history have I been driven off my balcony due to cigarette smoke smell. Has this just been my luck or do others exaggerate when a thread like this comes up? We are both ex-smokers and smoke smell does bother us. If the casinos jam up with smokers they may have to inforce another policy regarding loitering. Yes, quitting is hard, but if you chose to smoke then you need to follow the rules. I don't really think anyone would want to work in a venue where it's packed with smokers either. I never did understand why pipes and cigars can't be smoked where cigarettes are allowed. The cigarette smokers might not like the smell??? They actually smell better to me than cigarettes.:eek:

 

I always felt bad for casino dealers having to have smoke in their face all night. This can't be pleasant.

[tserface]

I agree with this... With my limited experience with vaping I haven't smelled or had any adverse reaction to it whatsoever. So even if I saw someone doing it on their balcony next to me I would not report it because I'd have no reason to and that would just make me a "snitch" with nothing to gain.

 

I hate smoking. The smoke irritates my eyes and nose to the point of making it difficult to breathe (if there is a lot) and, at minimum, really smells bad. My parents smoked and it eventually took my mom's life. I never understood why anyone would want to do it, but I know it's an addiction and difficult to quite.

 

I also think vaping is a less dangerous form of smoking and many people use it as a bridge to quit or cut down on smoking and I think it should be encouraged. To me, it's super easy to tell the difference between smoking and vaping. I don't know if there are any hidden dangers with second hand vapor or something like that, but I'd guess that the amount of risk I have sitting on a balcony with the ocean air dispersing the vapor would be minimal. And it certainly doesn't inhibit my experience at all. And, I'd gladly take that risk to help someone cope with cutting back or quitting smoking.

 

I think RCI should reconsider allowing e-cigs on balconies. I can understand not having them in rooms. Perhaps there are more risks with an enclosed environment. Not allowing them on balconies may even encourage people to sneak them into their rooms. It seems to me to be a reasonable practically non-smoking compromise. I know that RCI reads these forums so that's why I figured this is a good place to vote in that direction.

 

Tom

 

Not sure exactly what you're intending with your "stealth vaping." I'm not really a "die-hard anti-smoker" but if I'm smelling smoke on my balcony I'm going to report it - I'm paying for a balcony without smoke smells & irritation. On the other hand, if you're vaping on your balcony next to mine & I can't smell anything, then I have no reason to report anything or even concern myself with it.

 

If you're openly vaping in public areas around quite a few other people in non-smoking areas, that's different & I'd expect someone (not me if it's not affecting me) will object.

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 via Tapatalk

[tserface]

I think saying we were "driven off the balcony" would be a stretch. Certainly we could have endured, and did to some extent, the stinky cigarette smell. But, on three different cruises our balcony was a lot less usable because of nearby chain smokers. I think people get balcony rooms for different reasons and one of them is to have a place to smoke.

 

It is somewhat luck of the draw (pun intended). There are likely lots fewer smokers than non-smokers so the likelihood of being near enough to one to make it that annoying is pretty slim. I can only say it's happened to us 3 times on RCI ships. That's why we decided to cruise Celebrity more often.

 

I can't imagine how anyone works in a venue, like the casino, where smoking is allowed in an enclosed area. I hope they get paid extra for the health risk they are forced to take. Or, maybe they only hire smokers who save a lot from not having to use their own cigarettes and, instead, just count on the second hand smoke.

 

Having a room with smoking on one side and no smoking on the other side just doesn't make sense. That's like having a no-peeing section in a pool.

 

I agree about pipes and even cigars to a point. The smoke still irritates my eyes, but it does smell better. I could live with that smoke on a balcony much better than cigarettes.

 

Tom

 

Not ONCE in our cruising history have I been driven off my balcony due to cigarette smoke smell. Has this just been my luck or do others exaggerate when a thread like this comes up? We are both ex-smokers and smoke smell does bother us. If the casinos jam up with smokers they may have to inforce another policy regarding loitering. Yes, quitting is hard, but if you chose to smoke then you need to follow the rules. I don't really think anyone would want to work in a venue where it's packed with smokers either. I never did understand why pipes and cigars can't be smoked where cigarettes are allowed. The cigarette smokers might not like the smell??? They actually smell better to me than cigarettes.:eek:

[lovesthebeach2]

I disagree with you. For every person who does not wish to cruise with RCI due to the smoking policy, there is someone else who does. :)

 

Yup :D

[DrD]

I have no problem with e-cigs, a patient of mine once demonstrated in the clinic and I could barely smell anything and there was no lingering odor. I don't think I'd like to be in a small space with someone vaping but I think it's silly to be banned on balconies.

 

Personally I'm much more bothered by loud people in the corridor at night. After years of call I wake up easily and fully.

[penlee31]

Its rare that I respond to threads, I prefer to read them and try to glean good and often helpful information as opposed to getting drawn into a bun fight. I am a smoker my wife is not. I have smoked throughout my life and given up on two separate occasions once for 10 years so I have been on both sides of the fence so to speak. I can say that I only smoke when cruising in the areas indicated, whether that be on the deck in a given area on a balcony when it was allowed or in a smoking area of a given bar etc.

 

where ever this may be I will adhere to that request I can do no less. I cannot for the life of me however see that a I can be blamed for sticking to that given area. This is Royal Caribbean's policy, the company may be blamed but not the me. Ban it, fine no smoking at all but indicate a smoking area and that's that. If the company keep containing it into single areas then those areas will end up being used and the result will be of a greater concentration. that's the trade off for containment. instead of the occasional cigarette you have scores of smokers in one area constantly.

 

I will never feel bad about using an area that has been indicated as a smoking area. If that means the casino then so be it. the top deck again so be it. I will go to any area indicated for smoking and only those, I will not feel the need to gamble if its in the casino, I will not feel the need to swim if its next to a pool. I will go to that location have my cigarette and move on again. I am a smoker not an animal. I don't feel I have a god given right to smoke anywhere. If someone specifically asked me not to while around them then I would not until they had left. I do not smoke in my home at my wife's request or around my children when they were growing up. I go out of my way to stick to any guide lines placed upon me as smoking is my choice and I feel that it's my responsibility to do that. I do not however have an issue when sticking to a specified area.

[LetsGetWet!]

Hubby and I were both able to quit smoking using vaporizers. I am truly grateful they exist.

 

We were on the Liberty a few weeks ago and were able to use vaporizers without a problem. When "Vaping", you can produce more or less vapor. When we were in our room, on Deck 12 or in the casino, we produced as much as we wanted. On our balcony, in an empty elevator, in an empty hallway, or in a bathroom, a small vape would suffice. Some people might be thinking they can charge you a $250 "Cleaning fee" for using it in your room. Unless they have a camera in my room, nobody will ever know because there is no residual odor to clean. The odor is almost non-existent to begin with and dissipates very quickly. Nobody said anything to us I believe because nobody noticed. To my fellow vapers, if we use common sense and don't get in anybody's face, we can vape almost anywhere.

Congratulations on your success in quitting smoking! As long as you're speaking of empty elevators, hallways, etc - I completely agree with everything you've said. I can't imagine you getting "caught" in your stateroom. As for balconies, hallways, bathrooms etc - just try to make sure you can't be readily seen/observed - there will always be a militant anti-smoker "snitch-busybody" to ruin things for you.

[LetsGetWet!]

I will never feel bad about using an area that has been indicated as a smoking area. If that means the casino then so be it. the top deck again so be it. I will go to any area indicated for smoking and only those, I will not feel the need to gamble if its in the casino, I will not feel the need to swim if its next to a pool. I will go to that location have my cigarette and move on again. I am a smoker not an animal. I don't feel I have a god given right to smoke anywhere. If someone specifically asked me not to while around them then I would not until they had left. I do not smoke in my home at my wife's request or around my children when they were growing up. I go out of my way to stick to any guide lines placed upon me as smoking is my choice and I feel that it's my responsibility to do that. I do not however have an issue when sticking to a specified area.

You most certainly should not feel bad about using an indicated smoking area. I feel RCI has created problems regarding the casino and the new smoking policy - but that's RCI's issue, definitely not yours. My guess is they'll eventually outlaw smoking in the casino, but hopefully they'll provide some alternate indoor venue for you at that point.

[itching2cruiseagain]

May I ask what e-cig you are using?? Where do you buy it from?

 

I am not sure I am allowed to post the brands and where I got them. I know we aren't allowed to post travel agencies, not sure of other things. Does anyone know if I am allowed to post that info.?

[DrD]

Its rare that I respond to threads, I prefer to read them and try to glean good and often helpful information as opposed to getting drawn into a bun fight.

 

where ever this may be I will adhere to that request I can do no less. I cannot for the life of me however see that a I can be blamed for sticking to that given area. This is Royal Caribbean's policy, the company may be blamed but not the me. Ban it, fine no smoking at all but indicate a smoking area and that's that.

 

What is a bun fight? Never heard that one before.

 

As a non-militant, non-smoker I agree with the above. If there's a smoking area you should use it without any grief. The casino on Freedom class can easily be avoided, you have to go up and down a flight of stairs but for most of us that's a good thing!