Serenade - Smoking Policy Questions

[sivyaleah]

First, I know this is a touchy subject with many and I'll preface it by saying that cigarette smoke frequently sets of my allergies hence the concern. I'm actually quite tolerant of smoker's habits - I understand their side of the issue and I don't condemn anyone's right to smoke, but it does genuinely cause health issues for me.

 

Because of the allergy issue I'm a bit concerned about the smoking policies on this cruise line. We found out that there are NO non-smoking cabins at all. They come in to clean each cabin prior to boarding to rid it of any potential lingering smoke. This is fine by me, I don't have a problem with this at all - that's usually enough for me to get rid of any lingering effects.

 

Problem is that the smoking is allowed in your cabin and I wonder how much smoke infiltration might occur between cabins.

 

On other cruise lines (such as NCL) they have one side of the ship's cabin areas designated as non-smoking and the other as smoking. This is great, because you are reasonably assured that you will not have to deal with the issue other than common areas where it is allowed.

 

Of course, this isn't always the case. We have experienced being on the non-smoking side of the ship but the person in the next cabin did not follow this rule. We were constantly bombarded with the smoke from their balcony streaming into our room. But once we complained (after all it was the non-smoking side), it was taken care of swiftly and the rest of the cruise there was no smoke to be noticed.

 

We are considering a cruise with RC but the aspect of possibly having smoke coming into our balcony and room is really off-putting and making me wonder if this is the cruise line for us.

 

So, I'm wondering if any non-smokers on the board can clue me in whether this is something I should be concerned about? Or, am I just getting myself worked up over nothing (which, I'll admit, is most likely the case).

 

Thanks!

Siv

[gkrebs]

The same things will happen with the balconies on RCI ships as they do on other lines. Depending on ports you might smellore then just smoke from cigarettes. LOL

[judy&steve]

On your balcony, you will smell cigars and cigarettes from other balconies. The good news is you can go inside and get away from it. Where you can't get away is walking through the bar on the way to Chops and Portofino and the lounge at that end of the ship. Somehow, that bar (Schooner?) is totally smoky all the time.

Other places on the ship were perfectly fine for me. I have never experienced the lingering effect of smokers either in the cabin or coming through the walls.

Judy

[Sheffie]

Yes, there can be someone in the balcony next to you who smokes. Last cruise there was no one out on the balconies near ours who smokes. It is the luck of the draw, I guess. I wouldn't worry about it, but if it is such a concern that it MIGHT happen, then maybe another line would be better for your piece of mind.

[cb at sea]

Never had any smoke infiltration from cabin to cabin. On deck, the wind tends to be enough to blow any smoke away--just don't stand downwind! We've never found it to be a big problem--and I suffer allergies as well. The casino could be a problem at times--I don't know if smoking is still allowed in there. Probably, since many folks won't gamble without a cig!

[sivyaleah]

Thanks everyone. I guess I shouldn't concern myself too much with this. It sounds like from room to room there won't be a problem and since I don't gamble very much, or sit in the bars, I probably won't be dealing with too much second hand smoke. And, if I chose to be in those areas, than I can only blame myself if my allergies start acting up.

 

I appreciate everyone's comments - you all made me feel a bit better about booking this cruise :-)

[Oliver Sudden]

:eek: Confusion say: Many man smoke but Fu Manchu!

 

:) Seriously, there are many places to "hide" from 2nd hand smoke on cruise ships, and the more you cruise, the more places you find. We find many places "off limits" for us because of the smoke, but that is really not a problem as we are outdoor people.

 

:( What a shame that the once smoke-free Paradise is no longer smoke-free, but that is the way things go some times.

 

Occasionally you will encounter smoke in hallways, but usually the ship's a/c will clear it away in no time.

PREVIOUS CRUISES:

Jun 1989, RIVER CRUISES, -- Paddlewheeler Julia Belle Swain, GD

Sep 1993, US NAVY TIGER CRUISE, USS Halsey CG23, HI-CA, EXC

Nov 1997, CAPT. COOK CRUISES, Murray Princess, Australia, EXC

Jan.1993, RCL Majesty of the Seas 1st big cruiseship, we were green

May 1998, US NAVY TIGER CRUISE, USS Fife DD 191, HI-WA, EXC

Apr 1998, US NAVY TIGER CRUISE, USS Fife DD 191, HI-WA, EXC

May 1999, DELTA QUEEN STEAMBOAT CO, Delta Queen, EXC

Sep 2000, US NAVY TIGER CRUISE, USS Fife DD 191, HI-WA, EXC

May 2001, HAL Maasdam. E. Caribbean, VG

Feb 2002, HAL Rotterdam, S. Caribbean, exc. ship decor, EXC

May 2002, CARNIVAL Pride, W. Caribbean, garish decor, VG

Sep 2002, CELEBRITY, Mercury, Panama Canal, Rail & Sail FR

Dec 2002, CARNIVAL Spirit, E. Caribbean, nice decor, VERY GD

Apr 2003, HAL Statendam, CA-HI, good all around, VERY GD

Aug 2003, CARNIVAL Paradise, E. Carib., non-smoking ship, EXC

Sep 2003, CARNIVAL Paradise, W. Carib., non-smoking ship, EXC

Dec 2003, HAL Noordam, E. & S. Caribbean, VG

Mar 2004, HAL Volendam, W. Caribbean Wayfarer, VG

May 2004, MSC, Lirica, West Indies, GOOD

Nov 2004, HAL Prinsendam, 28-day Amazon River Explorer, VG

Feb 2005, CARNIVAL Glory, E. Caribbean, POOR

Mar 2005, CARNIVAL Glory, W.Caribbean, POOR

July 2005, CARNIVAL Miracle, W. Caribbean, FAIR

Dec 2005 RCL Mariner of the Seas, E. Caribbean POOR

COMING UP

Apr 2006 HAL Ryndam, S. Caribbean INCLUDING ARUBA!

Sep 2006 CARNIVAL Sensation, Bahamas (a short one)

[Sheffie]

Thanks everyone. I guess I shouldn't concern myself too much with this. It sounds like from room to room there won't be a problem and since I don't gamble very much, or sit in the bars, I probably won't be dealing with too much second hand smoke. And, if I chose to be in those areas, than I can only blame myself if my allergies start acting up.

 

I appreciate everyone's comments - you all made me feel a bit better about booking this cruise :-)

 

I am sure you will have a wonderful cruise!:)

[rmchunter]

First, I know this is a touchy subject with many and I'll preface it by saying that cigarette smoke frequently sets of my allergies hence the concern. I'm actually quite tolerant of smoker's habits - I understand their side of the issue and I don't condemn anyone's right to smoke, but it does genuinely cause health issues for me.

 

Because of the allergy issue I'm a bit concerned about the smoking policies on this cruise line. We found out that there are NO non-smoking cabins at all. They come in to clean each cabin prior to boarding to rid it of any potential lingering smoke. This is fine by me, I don't have a problem with this at all - that's usually enough for me to get rid of any lingering effects.

 

Problem is that the smoking is allowed in your cabin and I wonder how much smoke infiltration might occur between cabins.

 

On other cruise lines (such as NCL) they have one side of the ship's cabin areas designated as non-smoking and the other as smoking. This is great, because you are reasonably assured that you will not have to deal with the issue other than common areas where it is allowed.

 

Of course, this isn't always the case. We have experienced being on the non-smoking side of the ship but the person in the next cabin did not follow this rule. We were constantly bombarded with the smoke from their balcony streaming into our room. But once we complained (after all it was the non-smoking side), it was taken care of swiftly and the rest of the cruise there was no smoke to be noticed.

 

We are considering a cruise with RC but the aspect of possibly having smoke coming into our balcony and room is really off-putting and making me wonder if this is the cruise line for us.

 

So, I'm wondering if any non-smokers on the board can clue me in whether this is something I should be concerned about? Or, am I just getting myself worked up over nothing (which, I'll admit, is most likely the case).

 

Thanks!

Siv

 

We were on the Serenade last year, I too have a problem with smoke. We had our TA request a deep cleaning of our cabin, there was no smell in our cabin at all. When at sea the balcony was fine, only had a problem a few times when in port. As for the rest of the ship, you can not get past the Scooner bar, from that point on the smoke is too thick. We did not go into the casino at all. Indoor pool was non-smoking, as well as port side of all outside decks. Had no problem anywhere in the common areas. If that works for you, you should have a good cruise.

[kabado]

It is definitely the luck of the draw. Only on 1 cruise (Celebrity Mercury) did our next door neighbors smoke on the balcony and we were downwind. We didn't get to use our balcony at all as a result. We never had the problem on other ships with balcony rooms. However, we did just have a problem on the Monarch of the Seas with an inside cabin. The neighbors across the hall thought it delightful to sit on their beds and chain smoke whilst leaving their door open for all in the hall and us directly across the hall to enjoy their smoke. I had to hold my breath coming and going from our room. However, other than the smoke that wafted into our room when we opened the door, the smoke did not intrude into the room.

 

It also depends on who is on the ship with you. We see more smoking among British and Japanese passengers and that is probably because the American tobacco companies are marketing heavily in those countries.

[gardener68]

Siv

 

We just got off Serenade 1/21-28th

Im not usually bothered by Cigarette smoke, however this ship changed that for me and the 6 families we traveled with !

U will smell smoke throughout the ship at all times, our family stateroom on deck 8, smelled of smoke the minute I walked into it. The entire floor smelled of smoke, maybe from 1 ot 21 smokers, I dont know ???

The casino floor, same as Chops and Portfinos, the cigarette smoke was really bad, made me sick to my stomach...not exaggerating at all !

We dined at Chops (the pay extra restaurant) and the smoke was so bad (in this NON SMOKING restauant) that we asked for our dessert to go !

It is no smoking but the pool tables and smoking area are right outside of the restaurant. Main dining and windjammer no smoke smell.

U can choose to avoid the Casino, Chops, Pool Tables, Shooner Bar, Deck 8, Deck 7 and any other smoking area. I found the smoke to be bothersome regardless.

 

Shelly

[cincicruisers]

Who has the soda????

I have popcorn popping..

:)