Best dining venue for smoker

[mexico5]

Hi, this might seem like an odd question, but my mom and I will be going on the Star in December and this is her first cruise and she is a smoker!

 

I would like to know which places are best to eat at night that are closest to either the outside or somewhere that my mom can go for a "smoke break". I just know her and she will be twittling her fingers on the table and really annoying me, so I would rather sit alone at the table while she goes and has her break, but I don't want her getting lost either:eek:

 

Thanks!

[newmexicoNita]

Hi, this might seem like an odd question, but my mom and I will be going on the Star in December and this is her first cruise and she is a smoker!

 

I would like to know which places are best to eat at night that are closest to either the outside or somewhere that my mom can go for a "smoke break". I just know her and she will be twittling her fingers on the table and really annoying me, so I would rather sit alone at the table while she goes and has her break, but I don't want her getting lost either:eek:

 

Thanks!

Golly, there are not many places on any ship where you can smoke anymore. The main dining rooms on the Star are nowhere close to any outside area. Probably the best suggestion would be Cagney's as it is near the outside on the 13th deck or maybe 12th. Other suggestions: of course the buffet, but that isn't much fun for dinner. Endless Summer isn't too far from the casino so you could give that a try. i don't mean it is next door, but certainly not too far. someone else may have other suggestions. Thank goodness, even though I do smoke I don't smoke enough to have a problem with where to smoke while eating. Good luck,

 

Nita

[mexico5]

Thanks for the info! Perhaps I will have to eat faster than I usually would. My husband and I like to take our time and enjoy dinner, but maybe with my mom I will have to do my own "eating contest":eek:

[cruisePRN]

Thanks for the info! Perhaps I will have to eat faster than I usually would. My husband and I like to take our time and enjoy dinner, but maybe with my mom I will have to do my own "eating contest":eek:

Why would you and your DH sacrifice a nice dining experience because you're mom smokes. Let mom adjust to your speed and not the other way around.:eek:

[salty dingo]

I think that with all the dining activity and courses, there won't be time for any smoke breaks during dinner!

[ZoneHPH]

Why would you and your DH sacrifice a nice dining experience because you're mom smokes. Let mom adjust to your speed and not the other way around.:eek:

 

but if mom is paying for the cruise...

[beth4652]

Why would you and your DH sacrifice a nice dining experience because you're mom smokes. Let mom adjust to your speed and not the other way around.:eek:

 

 

Because she's a wonderful daughter with a wonderful mother who she respects, even though she might not agree. I would do the same.

[TPEINC1958]

Why would you and your DH sacrifice a nice dining experience because you're mom smokes. Let mom adjust to your speed and not the other way around.:eek:

 

That is a bit over the top. What happened to "Honor thy Father and Mother"?

 

John

[mexico5]

Actually I am going with only my mom on this cruise. My mom and I take annual vacations together because she has nobody else and she really looks forward to this so I do tend to put her needs above my own because I can vacation anytime with my DH.

 

I am only concerned since this is her first cruise and we have always done all-inclusives and it seems like you can smoke everywhere there and with alot of Europeans vacationing, it seems that the majority of people smoke. Please don't slam me because of the European thing, it is simply an observation of mine over the years of vacationing. Just like the topless thing, just more accepted.

 

Thanks for the input! Wish she would quit smoking, but that's not going to happen so I thought I would map out her smoke routes!

[cruisePRN]

You're a very nice daughter. Cruises are becoming more and more smoke free with fewer and fewer areas to smoke. Just because it's outdoors doesn't mean you can smoke anymore. Smoking policies are changing to enforce non smoking in more areas of the ships. Your mom may find crusing isn't for her because of the restrictions. Good luck in whatever happens.:)

[CanadianTwosome]

I think sometimes in an effort to be nice to people, we forget to let them be nice to us. My mom smokes, and was with us on our last cruise. At any point if we were doing something and she felt like she needed to go have a cigarette, she just told us where she was going to smoke. My husband is very allergic to smoke, so he had to avoid the smoking areas, but I'd always go and find her when we were finished whatever it was we'd been doing (if that was what she wanted). Sometimes she would go and come back... but she wouldn't have enjoyed her cigarette if she thought that her doing so was in any way affecting us.

 

So... do you think your mom wants to inconvenience you? If she needs to smoke during dinner, she's clearly going to have to go a fair distance to find a place to do so... does she need to smoke that badly? If the answer is 'yes', then practice the route if you're worried that she'll have navigation issues. You can even use the little ship map card from your cabin and draw the route on it for her. If you still don't think she'll be able to find her way back, then one of you is going to have to accommodate the other - either she stays or you go (and if the finger twiddling is as annoying as it sounds we probably know which way that will go!! ha ha) If your mom is anything like my mom, though, she won't want to interfere with your enjoyment of your dinner. Respecting your mother doesn't necessarily mean dropping what you're doing to accommodate her - sometimes it means letting her make accommodations for you. It may just be a case of 'wait and see'... she may find herself enjoying the dining experience so much that her fingers stay still... you can only hope!!

[ZoneHPH]

yeah it's getting rougher on the smokers these days on cruise ships. the main dining rooms almost always are on the lower decks...which makes them inaccessible to the promenade decks. i am not a habitual smoker, but i like the after dinner smoke once in a while.

 

just make sure she has a smoke before dinner. and i do understand the need for a cigarette after a meal. she's your mom. you have the right attitude (even though they can drive us bonkers sometimes).

 

and to the poster that suggests that the OP's mom needs to adjust to her daughter....one day we shall all be old...you'll be lucky to have children as thoughtful and considerate (even if she disagrees with smoking) as the OP.

 

sometimes i think it's statements like this that indicate how american society is changing for the worst. (not to generalize...but you all see what i'm getting at).

 

me

me

me

it's all about me.

[Toyz711]

the thing i wonder about if the "pace" of the servers. they are going to wait until she returns before serving the next course. i know they won't seat your for dinner until all members of your party are there.

[newmexicoNita]

Why would you and your DH sacrifice a nice dining experience because you're mom smokes. Let mom adjust to your speed and not the other way around.:eek:

That might be easier said than done. Besides I am not sure DH is cruising with mom and DD. I think she may have been giving that as an example. Anyway sometimes kids just do things for mommies cause mom is getting older and it seems like a nice thing to do.

 

Nita

[lgfromdg]

You and your mother will figure this out. I wish my mom were still alive to go on a cruise with. She smoked and I don't so we would have compromised somehow, just like you will. Have a wonderful trip and cherish the time you have together and the memories you're making. You sound like a great daughter.

[newmexicoNita]

Because she's a wonderful daughter with a wonderful mother who she respects, even though she might not agree. I would do the same.

That is exactly what I meant with my last comment. I know my daughters would do the same for me. Luckily I have 2 awesome daughters and a great son. It's rewarding to know your kids appreciate the years we gave them and they want to return something to us. NIta

[ZoneHPH]

That might be easier said than done. Besides I am not sure DH is cruising with mom and DD. I think she may have been giving that as an example. Anyway sometimes kids just do things for mommies cause mom is getting older and it seems like a nice thing to do.

 

Nita

 

Heaven forbid we do nice things to the women who gave birth to us! (sarcasm)

 

Right on Nita!

[mexico5]

Thanks for all of your nice comments!

 

I will have to remember when I get the urge to get mad at her for smoking that at least she is still here for me to get mad at! Having a relaxing dining experience is not as important as my mom having a good time and I will have to be patient! If this was my only vacation for the year I might make it more about me, but it isn't and I feel very blessed for that:)

 

I am worried that cruising may not be for her, but at least she tried it! Sad if smoking determines that though...with everything else a cruise offers.

[ZoneHPH]

oh that's why you are nice to your mom...YOU'RE CANADIAN!

 

but seriously...every moment we have with our family members should be treasured. it should NEVER be the day you are standing over their casket where you say "i'm sorry. if i only had 1 more day."

 

sorry for the soapbox talk...but 2 family deaths in the past 4 years, both due to cancer shows that life is full of unexpected surprises.

[mexico5]

Hi, another possibility I am looking at is my mom(if she so desires)goes up to our cabin for a smoke. I will have to get a brochure and map it out. We are right at the back of the ship(aft)on deck 9 in a balcony cabin. I am allowing my mom to smoke on the balcony, sorry neighbors! I shouldn't say allowing, but it is such a small space that we both have agreed that she would smoke out on the balcony.

 

Hey, I am sure you Americans are just as nice to your mommies:D

[ZoneHPH]

Hey, I am sure you Americans are just as nice to your mommies:D

 

oh i was just being a wise-arse.

[salty dingo]

Having a smoke after dinner is one thing. Having to leave the table in the middle of a nice dinner to go smoke... well that is just plain sad.

[ZoneHPH]

oh c'mon dingo...there are smokers of every degree. i know people that can have dinner and smoke at the same time.

 

- take a bite

- take a sip

- take a drag

(repeat)

[salty dingo]

oh c'mon dingo...there are smokers of every degree. i know people that can have dinner and smoke at the same time.

 

- take a bite

- take a sip

- take a drag

(repeat)

 

Yes, but do you know anyone like that outside of prison?

[mexico5]

I am not saying my mom will HAVE to go for a smoke, but when/if I see that "crazed look in her eye", I will be able to point her in the right direction:)

 

Anyone watch the show "Mad Men", now THERE is smoking! Guess that's how it was in the old days, quite a switch from today!

 

Hey Salty, I know it is a little weird to want a smoke during dinner, but weren't you the one who started a thread about dogs being allowed on cruises? That's a little weird, a good idea, but still weird:D Sorry if I am wrong about it being you Salty...I am also a dog lover!