Smoking in a Cabin

[4ever]

I had only two complaints on our last cruise 1)The week seemed to go by way too fast 2)Our room smelled of smoke, not bad, but definately noticable- when we first entered the room we did not notice, as I think a nice fragrant deodorizing spray was probably used just prior to our arrival- We had no desire to change rooms as we were in a beautiful OS, however I probably should have inquired if some other deodorizing could have been done, I will not hesitate to ask next time.

[ricko1]

If there is any such thing as a polite smoker, I am one. I hate cigar smoke so I just image what my smoke does to a non- smoker.. That said, On this cruise I went to the schooner bar small smoking area and started puffing my brains out. Two ladys came over a sat two tables down in the middle of the smoking section and began speaking loud enough to wake the dead about me smoking. I was as gentle as can be when I alerted them to the ashtray in front of them on their table. Do you think that made an impression. You can bet your bottom dollar it didn't make not one iota of difference to the bats, no, I mean ladys. If I smoke on my balcony, there is at least one non-smoker there. If they ask me to stop because of some sickness, I will and have stopped smoking on my balcony. Just don't be crude when you ask. Please.. Ricko1

[PGcruiser]

I believe that smokers should smoke outside or in designated bars or lounges on board. Balcony passengers should be able to smoke on their balcony. It is purely a safety issue as far as I am concerned. I do hate the smell of stale smoke however and for some reason it gives me headaches.

 

We have only been on one cruise (balcony room) and smelled smoke maybe once the whole week while we were on our balcony. I appreciated the courtesy of these guests using their balcony instead of their room.

 

This is not a hate on smokers...it is a hate on the dangers of smoking..fires etc.

[beachchick]

jagmanss1 makes some good points about non-smokers complaining about someone smoking in a clearly marked smoking area. I think we are all aware that smoking is allowed in the cabins and on the balconies. We've been lucky to never (knock on wood) have neighbors who smoke constantly. We spend almost no time in the casino--the smoke in there concentrates too much. (Probably just as well; DH lost seven whole dollars in there last cruise--a record high for him! LOL) If we are in one of the lounges or bars and there are no tables in the non-smoking area, we go elsewhere. Not that big a deal; although it is an inconvenience. DH has asthma, so we do take care to stay out of extremely smoky places.

 

OTOH, last cruise my BIL wanted to smoke a Cuban cigar. We all went to the Connoisseur (smoking) lounge. The air venting and filtration is so good in there that neither of us were bothered--and this was cigar smoke! (BIL was also kind enough to share the amazing (read: splurge) port he ordered to enjoy with the cigar--wow.) Anyway, I wish they had that kind of filtration in the casino and the other lounges. Maybe there would be fewer feuds.

 

That said, I must take issue with one thing that jagmanss1 keeps writing: "cigarette smoke is not an allergen." I am not a doctor, but I do know that allergies are caused by reactions to certain chemicals and chemical compounds. We say someone is allergic to nuts, but what we mean is that they are allergic to the chemical components of nuts. Same goes for cat hair, bee stings, etc. Cigarette smoke is composed of simple and complex chemicals. It follows that some people could be (and are) allergic to these chemicals.

 

jagmanss1: Why do you keep saying that there is no way cigarette smoke could be an allergen? Of course it can be. Unless you are a doctor, specifically an allergy specialist, and can explain and prove exactly how you support your assertions, please stop saying that no one could possibly be allergic to cigarette smoke. For many people it is annoying, but no big deal; for others, it is irritating and second-hand smoke is a concern (Like me; and yes I used to smoke a bit--a few a day and sometimes less than that; I also do not complain if I am in a smoking area where people are smoking, I realize I made the choice to be there); for others it is an allergen that can be dangerous, such as asthmatics who are triggered by the chemicals in smoke.

 

A last note, we have never been bothered by smoke smells in our cabins from previous pax. They usually do an excellent job of cleaning. We also now have a small ionizer with night light that helps with smoke and other allergens. For smokers: Please be polite and realize that your smoking does affect others. There are just as many smokers with an "I'll smoke wherever I want to" attitude as there are non-smokers with an "Is someone smoking within a mile of me?" attitude. For non-smokers: If you go into a designated smoking area, DO NOT complain about the smoke. It is not your job to teach or convince smokers of the "error of their ways", etc. That way we can all get along better (I hope).

 

Happy cruising to all.

beachchick

[Starlake666]

I am an ex-smoker who can't stand the smell of cig. smoke, but I usually don't make any fuss unless the smell is really bad.

 

My mother died of lung cancer after 40 years of smoking. She knew it was a nasty habit...she knew it bothered people around her...she knew it was killing her in the end, yet she still defended her "right" to smoke etc. Why?????????Because she was totally addicted to it, just like a drug addict or an alcoholic.

 

So, when I see someone puffing away to their death, I tend to feel sorry cause I know they feel they are powerless to overcome the addiction. We take pity on other "addictions"...maybe we could try having a little more sympathy for the nicotine addicts?

 

And I thank my lucky stars I was able to quit many years ago.

[Tyron]

i've never smelled smoke in any cabin i've stayed in during my cruises BUT i do see the evidence some smokers leave behind (i.e., cigarette burns on nightstands, balcony tables, bathroom sinks, etc.) if you smoke...PLEASE use ashtrays!!!!

[MadCnty]

Ok. We may be opening ourselves up for flaming but here goes... We are both smokers and as another poster said "we can smell stale smoke". In fact on our first cruise we had an OV stateroom and when we left we felt that the room did smell of stale smoke (pretty bad in our opinion). So before the next cruise we purchased a "bathroom" ionic breeze, and guess what NO stale smoke smell. We DID feel bad enough about the smell the first time to do something about it. So we think it is up to the smokers themselves to take the initiative and "do the right thing" and try to make it more pleasant for the others that do not. JMHO...

[imsulin]

As a smoker, I do not smoke in my ship cabin..I go outside to smoke in the designated areas, and if I see kids around, I will wait to smoke until they leave, or ask their parents (if they're around, hopefully) if it's OK. When I have a balcony cabin, I ask those on either side of me if they mind if I smoke. I really try to be as considerate as possible. I don't have to apologize for my habit...I just try not to inconvenience anyone.

[madelinerose]

Another reason to book a balcony - you can open the doors! :D

[nrdsb4]

As a smoker, I do not smoke in my ship cabin..I go outside to smoke in the designated areas, and if I see kids around, I will wait to smoke until they leave, or ask their parents (if they're around, hopefully) if it's OK. When I have a balcony cabin, I ask those on either side of me if they mind if I smoke. I really try to be as considerate as possible. I don't have to apologize for my habit...I just try not to inconvenience anyone.

 

 

Wow! You really are a VERY considerate smoker. I grew up with a chain smoker and considered the smoke and smells as just a fact of life. As an adult, I chose not to start smoking and after being away from it for several years, I noticed that my distaste for the fumes and the smell had increased, as well as my sensitivity to it. Even so, if I had my kids in a smoking area of a ship and someone asked me if I minded if they smoked, I'd say "You are so sweet to ask, but this is a smoking section, so you go right ahead!" I get really irritated with people who light up where they shouldn't, but those who complain to smokers about smoking while in a designated smoking section are just too much.

[lovetocruiserccl]

I'm a smoker and I can't stand the smell of stale cigarettes. I usually bring a plug in air freshener the one with the fan. It keeps the cabin smelling fresh. I've never smelled smoke in my cabin from previous cruisers.

 

I've purchased the new Fabrez electric CD air freshener and I will be taking if with us on the Adventure because I like scented air.

[pelletib]

My DH is a smoker and is very polite about it. He will walk away from an area that has a lot of people to have a cigarette. I cannot believe the amount of people who seem to deliberately walk in his direction and make rude comments. He is very sensitive to perfumes and had nearly vomited in an elevator or a small area when someone has doused herself with fragarance. The smell nauseates him so badly, it's like having a mini case of the flu for about an hour. Sweats, nausea,vomiting in extreme cases. Do people not realize that others are just as sensitive to their fragrances that they think makes them smell good???

[beachchick]

MadCnty: What an incredibly thoughtful and nice thing to do! The bathroom ionic breeze is what I was talking about too. SO much better than a perfumed spray of any kind. (Not to mention that DH's asthma can be triggered by perfumes if they are strong or heavily applied; in fact heavy perfumes bother him far more than smoke in an open or well-ventilated environment.) I hope no one flames you for being considerate--but you never know I guess.

 

imsulin: You also are a most considerate person. I'd say almost "above and beyond" what might be expected. If you were my neighbor, I'd say "Thank you so much for asking. It's your balcony so if you would simply mind not smoking there constantly (you know one after another ad infinitum), please enjoy the pleasures you paid for just the same as we did." After all it is outside and we know that it is an acceptable smoking area. And of course you don't have to apologize. It's no one's business but your own.

 

pelletib: Your DH does exactly what I used to do in a crowd. I never wanted to bother others. He also is a very considerate person. I don't like it when non-smokers go out of their way to harass or intimidate smokers. I say to them: MYOB! Unless someone is actively trying to bother you with their smoke or smoking in a non-smoking area, just let it go. No kidding about the perfume issue. DH has left elevators, small rooms, stores, etc. He can't even walk down the laundry/soap aisle at the store without getting that "closed" feeling.

 

beachchick

[drarill]

Jag,

 

My father died seven years ago from throat cancer, ten years after he quit smoking after a heart attack. I have chronic asthma, like my older brother thanks to the second hand smoke from my dads cigarettes, my younger brother has good lungs because when he was born my mom didnt let my dad smoke in front of him (that was when the studies about second hand smoke started to come out).

 

I'm a dentist and I have seen oral cancer, and can tell you that smokers STINK, I like to enjoy a meal without smoke, and I think that smokers rights end where nonsmokers rights start. If you want to kill yourself smoking is your problem, but I have the right to enjoy a smoke free room, restaurant, etc.

 

We, non-smokers know that smokers are addicts, and either is difficult to quit or you just dont want to do it, but please, just try to be a considerate smoker, that all we ask

Lydia

[Linda/Ohio]

I find the smell of stale smoke is irritating to me too--but I also find that the spray deodorizers do the same thing to my lungs--irritate them. So--I never use the sprays--as they seem to make the problem worse. I travel with a very small ionizer--this works for me. I also get a balcony room---so I can get some air. I prepare myself before hand---and take what I need (ionizer) so I don't have a problem.

 

The ships do have large ionizers that they use in the areas of the ship that they have Cigar Bars. They are in use after the Cigar smoking goes on--pretty efficient machines.

 

Linda/Ohio

[MRIrene]

Didn't smell any smoke in cabin on RCI Majesty cruise, but.....the library also is used for cigar smoking. The whole room reeked of cigar smoke. :eek: Needless to say, we didn't spend any time in there.

[EMc]

Chill out Jagman. No one is bashing smokers. Just simply asking about the smell of smoke. I used to smoke and am now highly sensitive to it myself. You can smoke up all you want, I don't really care. But I am interested along with many other posters of how to deal with our health issues related to it.

 

On top of that, no one forced you to read the thread anyway. So if you don't like the subject line then move on.

 

 

Health issues?? Now? you are worrying about health issues? Look, my DH, a long time smoker, quit 5 years ago...not because he wanted, he had to. He is now super sensitive to the odor, so he says (depending where he smells the odor! quite tolerant in PUBLIC spaces, such as cruiseships, restaurants, etc...... different story, altogether, when it comes to our home). Although, to be truthful, I really do think that it is more to do with the fact that he still, sometimes, has the urge and desire to smoke, PLUS.. I know that he would prefer that I quit.... before he HAD to quit, we talked about such issues, and, we fully agreed that neither one of us would pressure the other to quit HA! He turned out to be quite the "about face non smoker". I assure you that I would never, ever turn into a strident anti-smoking radical.

I find you and other ex-smokers to be quite a bit hypocritical to NOW bring up health related issues! Obviously, you had no such health issues, cares, worries toward non-smokers when YOU were a smoker!

 

You'll find me smoking in my PAID balcony cabin, on my PAID balcony cabin, regardless, whether the balconys to the left and right of me, or below and above of me are non-smokers. I'll also smoke in all of the smoking permitted areas on our upcoming cruise... should you, or any other non-smokers, find your way into smoking permitted areas?.... don't even expect me to put out my smoke.. even DH, a now Non Smoker agrees with this .... if smoking bothers you that much don't go there...like I said, if you do, I won't put it out for you or anyone else. You non-smokers have your areas, so do we. After all, you, non-smokers, fully expect me to comply with the non-smoking areas, right?

 

>>On top of that, no one forced you to read the thread anyway. So if you don't like the subject line then move on.<<

 

LOL! On top of that, No one forces YOU to visit or frequent the clearly stated smoking areas of the ship . soooooo if you don't like the smoking... move on. Geesh! It has always amazed me to see non-smokers, especially, so-called highly allergic, non-smokers (even worse, ex-smokers that now claim to be highly allergic!) expect to sit down next to SANCTIONED smokers and expect those smokers to not smoke!!! Stay out of there! I don't invade your (non-smokers) space... and that NS space gets bigger all the time. Luckily, for us smokers, we will always be welcomed on cruise ships...quite frankly, non-smokers WILL complain and loudly, alas, to no avail... simply because non-smokers will cruise because there is no non-smoking alternative.. smokers? They will NOT cruise for 3, 4, 5 7 days (not to mention 10 -11 or 12-14 days, or longer, PERIOD! End of story! The cruise lines know this! And have taken notice! And, as the CL's have discovered, non-smokers do NOT generate the revenue that smokers do..even IF they did, the demand for non-smoking ships was lackluster, at best...

Eileen

[shipknotshore]

As an ex-smoker I can only say for myself that quitting is the hardest thing to do. It's like losing your best friend. If you were happy - you smoked, if you were sad - you smoked, etc. Those people who have never smoked are so lucky to have never had to deal with having to quit. I'm in the age group of smokers that when they started there wasn't any bad publicity about it. I feel sorry for the people that smoke and know that quitting is most likely on their mind often - because I thought about it every single day.

I know that every day I don't smoke is a great day - but as I vow to not smoke I also vow to never become one of those holier than thou people that think that they can say whatever rude comments they want to smokers.

I don't believe I was ever a rude smoker - I always smoked in the smoking sections. There are so few places one can smoke anymore that when you did find one and a non smoker complained it really ticks you off.

Anyway - sorry for going on & on - it's a really touchy subject on both sides of the fence. All I can say - be courteous to each other.

[GlenandVal]

We have been on rhapsody, radience twice, voyager, majesty and never had a problem with smoke in our room, only if we walked through the casino

 

but on a H A L ship we were in a room that there must have been heavy smokers as i had a very irratated throat and head aches, and that was even after our room steward brough in this very noisy machine to put in fresh air in our room, and to deoderize it.

 

i dotn mind considerate smokers as i know from otehrs what a terrible habit it is

but yes it can be a allergy for some of us

[mojo4trav]

Just got off Navigator and it wasn't a problem IN the cabin, but in the hallway the odor was present from those smoking either in their cabins or on their balconies. The only other time it was noticeable was in the Dungeon and near Bolero's. I sure wish they would increase the venting for areas more prone to having smoke, it would make life easier for those of us who are affected. Overall though, nothing unbearable to report.

[Sea Island Lady]

We were on the Serenade last month. We check into our room and everything seems fine (room smells fresh) until we started to unpack. My husband stepped on a few damp spots in the rug, near the bed. I reached down and felt them as well, and my first thought was that someone had been sick. YUCK...why did I touch it!

 

We asked our steward about the wet spots and he said that the previous occupants had smoked and he had to clean the carpet. he told us that the carpet would be dry in a couple of hours and it was. We were amazed that we couldn't tell because I have an dogs noise and cannot stand the smell of fresh or stale cigarettes. By the next day, as soon as we walked into our stateroom, that entrance smelled a little, and then it wasn't a bother. Having smokers below our balcony was.:mad:

[driftychick]

I will tell you that I just returned from the Serenade of the Seas 11 day Hawaii Cruise. Room 7022 REEKED OF CIGARETTE SMOKE! I reported it to the room steward and also to the head of the Hotel Services and the Purser. They wiped down the cabin, they sprayed the cabin and guess what, it still REEKED of cigarette smoke. It is a balcony cabin so we resorted to leaving the balcony door WIDE open along with the cabin door. Aired out nicely but then when we closed it up the smell came back. We were tod they did not have an ionizer. I got the renuzit smoke killing spray in port, sprayed the drapes, bedspread, couch, carpet and headboard of the bed thoroughly. After about 4 applications the smell finally abated. Of course I was also still using the open door methods described earlier. We also slept with the balcony doors open at night.

[Sea Island Lady]

driftychick - I am so sorry! That doesn't make sense that our stateroom would be wiped down completely and the carpet cleaned with no problems. Did they clean your carpet?

On another note, since we were on the cruise just before you and had many sick passengers...how was your cruise in that area?

[driftychick]

They did not offer to clean the carpet, but, I sprayed the heck out of it! Actually by the 7th day things were much better, after all the airing and treating, I think the Cabin Steward thought I was nuts, but then, HE was a smoker!

 

No sickness on our cruise that I know of in the line you are mentioning,. A lot of colds and coughs, sinus trouble, but not the stomach type.

 

By the way, the gal in the Windjammer was sure great at getting everyon to use the new hand sanitizers! Also great at using them gettin on and off the ship. I think thi s will help alot along those lines. I wonder if all of the ships are doing this now?

[Sea Island Lady]

but then, HE was a smoker!

Could it be that he smoked in your room while you were out? I know that our steward went out on our balcony everyday for some reason, because the door was always unlocked and cracked a tad when we returned. We always closed and locked the door when we left and everyday, we found it the other way. I thought that maybe he was taking a smoke out there.

 

I think this will help alot along those lines. I wonder if all of the ships are doing this now?

No...this process was only started 3 days before our cruise ended. Sally, from your cruise (and on our cruise too) said that there were 8 staterooms that were quarantined and the ship went to code yellow. She said you also had a fecal accident in the pool. Was your pool closed for two days? Maybe she was getting the two cruises confused when she wrote a review.