smoking on carnival

[cruisingdawn]

I tried to look for an answer to this question but I didn't find any. My mom has asthma. It is aggravated when she is in a room with smoke to the point that she can't quit coughing. We have cruised on Disney, NCL Hawaii and several Royal Caribbean cruises. None of these allowed smoking in the staterooms. I had heard that Carnival does and that they don't have separate staterooms for smoking vs nonsmokers. Here's my question for those that have cruised Carnival and other lines...Can you smell the smoke from the previous cruises in your room when you check in and\or have you smelled it on your clothes when you leave the ship? The reason I ask is years ago we stayed at a condo that had a previous smoker. At the time mom couldn't smell it in the condo(pre-asthma) but when she got home she could smell it on her clothes so she washed everything again and aired out the luggage. I'm afraid at this point that type of thing could bring on an attack.

 

We are wanting to do a cruise with extended family and Carnival seems to be the most budget friendly in my research but i'm worried that she could have a bad asthma attack from a previous smoker in her cabin. I'm hoping to get some honest opinions here so I can take it back to her. What has been your experience?

 

I keep suggesting we just save for another year and go with Royal but its not going over so well with parts of the family. They seem to think it will be OK on Carnival and that the rooms can't possibly be like the smokers rooms in hotels.

 

Thanks

Dawn

[silentbob007]

I've never been in a room on Carnival or Royal (back when they still allowed smoking in the stateroom) where I could still smell smoke from a previous occupant. They are very good about turning over the cabin for the next cruise. Will I say that there is no chance of there being an issue ... no.

[GottaLuvCruising]

At embarkation, it is unlikely that your room will smell of smoke (like a smoking hotel room). But we definitely had more issues with smoke on Carnival than on Disney or Royal Caribbean. We actually found NCL to be at least as bad as Carnival. Given your mom's sensitivity, I'd recommend planning your cruise on another line.

[behler0198]

I tried to look for an answer to this question but I didn't find any. My mom has asthma. It is aggravated when she is in a room with smoke to the point that she can't quit coughing. We have cruised on Disney, NCL Hawaii and several Royal Caribbean cruises. None of these allowed smoking in the staterooms. I had heard that Carnival does and that they don't have separate staterooms for smoking vs nonsmokers. Here's my question for those that have cruised Carnival and other lines...Can you smell the smoke from the previous cruises in your room when you check in and\or have you smelled it on your clothes when you leave the ship? The reason I ask is years ago we stayed at a condo that had a previous smoker. At the time mom couldn't smell it in the condo(pre-asthma) but when she got home she could smell it on her clothes so she washed everything again and aired out the luggage. I'm afraid at this point that type of thing could bring on an attack.

 

We are wanting to do a cruise with extended family and Carnival seems to be the most budget friendly in my research but i'm worried that she could have a bad asthma attack from a previous smoker in her cabin. I'm hoping to get some honest opinions here so I can take it back to her. What has been your experience?

 

I keep suggesting we just save for another year and go with Royal but its not going over so well with parts of the family. They seem to think it will be OK on Carnival and that the rooms can't possibly be like the smokers rooms in hotels.

 

Thanks

Dawn

I was on Carnival Legend last March and never smelled any lingering cigarette smoke.

[grandmato4]

On the newer Carnival ships you should not have a problem with smelling previous guest smoke in your stateroom. BUT remember that if neighbors are smoking you will smell it if their doors are open and you're in the hallway.

 

Do not take her on the older Carnival ships that do the 3/4/5 night cruises as for what ever reason previous smoke can be smelled in their rooms. No not badly, but the smell is there and if she is extremely sensitive those ships would not be a good option for her.

[yogi2929]

Need to disagree with grandmato4:(

 

I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke and have never smelled smoke in my cabin, on my sheets or pillows on the Carnival Paradise and Elation on the 3 and 4 day cruises. Have smelled smoke in the hallways when someone is smoking in their cabin. The stewards use some stuff that really gets rid of the smoke odors. Vegas hotels can take lessons from the cruise lines.

 

Something to consider, though. These ships sail out of California and Californians are used to restrictions on their smoking. The three indoor smoking areas do reek of smoke. I think that the cigarette areas smell a lot worse than the cigar area.

 

Balcony areas can also be a problem.

[Bonnie J.]

I don't remember the ship but once my husband-who can smell anything!- could smell smoke when we got to our cabin. WE went to the purser's desk and told them. They apologised and said they would take care of it right away. We were to come back if we could still smell smoke and they would give us fresh linens, draperies, shampoo the carpet and wash the walls! WOW! But when we did go back there was no smell at all. So, if she smells smoke go to the pursers and explain the situation. By the way, we are about to sail on Costa again. The 1st two times we couldn't even smell smoke in the casino! We'll see if that's still true!

[NCTribeFan]

I never even realized that smoking was allowed in the cabins until I found Cruise Critic (that was after 4 Carnival cruises, all on older, smaller ships).

 

I have smelled smoke in the hallways, both the legal and illegal type.

 

Don't assume that because it's a newer ship that it will have a great ventilation system. I cruised Miracle (Sprit-class) a year ago in December and DD & I (we're both asthmatics) and absolutely NO problems on that ship. A few months later, on Glory (Conquest-class) EVERY venue that allowed smoking was much, much, much smokier.

 

Don't know whether it's the different layout or a different ventilation system, but I couldn't believe how awful it was on Glory.

 

Sailed another Fantasy-class ship in December, and while the casino and piano bar were terrible, smoke-wise, there again was absolutely no issue at all in the cabin or in the non-smoking areas.

[fann1sh]

Like your mom, I have medical problems with smoke.

 

I found heavy smoking on my 4 day Carnival cruise (and smoking where it was prohibited, such as in elevators). However, my cabin was meticulously odor free.

 

I've cruise about 4 or 5 lines, and all seem to provide their stewards with not just industrial strength odor neutralizing sprays, but also heavy duty ionizers which can precipitate residue and get rid of the smell. On Holland America, the stewards will even shampoo the rugs/curtains in extreme cases, on request!

 

I did have smoke residue in a cabin, once. My (HAL) steward admitted he was a smoker, so didn't detect the smell ahead of time. The room was OK after a second cleaning (with ionizer) , and just fine by the next day when he's gone over it again (and shampooed all the soft furnishings).

 

If I was your mom, I'd worry my cabin would be one that "fell through the cracks", so I'd post again on the Carnival board. People there will probably know who you can contact in the corporate pyramid (ship's services? Compliance?) who can outline what tools the stewards have for cabin cleaning.

 

However, there will still be lots of smokers aboard. You mom may want to consider being proactive. I always bring a variety of compact items to make my cruise more pleasant. One is a tiny ionizer worn around my neck, which helps precipitate smoke around me and clean the air. You can purchase them on eBay, like this one -

 

http://*****.com/ddm2gm

 

(if that tiny URL isn't working, try searching eBay for "neck ionizer. The very long URL is:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/PERSONAL-IONIZER-NIB-WITH-NECK-STRING-BACK-STAND_W0QQitemZ150322041368QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item150322041368&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 )

 

I also bring a slightly larger ionizer/fan that works on wall current or batteries, which constantly cleans my cabin, or can go in my (very large) purse. Finally, I always have spray odor neutralizer with me when I travel.

 

If your mom is still nervous, and doesn't want to go to the lengths I do, you may want to rebooking a Celebrity cruise, which has very restrictive smoking policies.

[Bonnie J.]

Carnival had the Paradise sailing as a smoke free cruise. Even the crew could not smoke! But they were losing $$$ so it is now a smoking ship./ Other linres were watching this but it just didn;'t work. We spent a great New Year's eve cruise on her!

[LuckyStar]

We were on Carnival Ecstasy in Nov and if the room had had smokers in it prior to us, I would never have known it! They have some fantastic cleaning products. Many non-smokers can be sensitive to smoke; I am and never smelled smoke in our room.

 

Jenny :)

[fann1sh]

I'm a previous poster, and I don't like the way this thread has drifted either.

 

While I have medical issues with smoke (all smoke - fireplaces, car exhaust, candles, you name it) I don't have any issues with smoking or smokers. And by "medical issues", I don't mean the "fake coughing" kind :rolleyes:.

 

My original reply was drafted to mention "I don't mean to offend smokers, but..." then I thought that sounded condescending :o, and edited it.

 

Let's keep it civil, people. I only post to "keep well" threads, not the bashing kind.

[Curt Jerome Wild]

On all of my Carnival cruises, I've never had a problem with smoke smells in my cabin.

They clean it extremely well!

 

Maybe be proactive like fann1sh suggested with those items.

Otherwise, I really don't think it's something to be concerned about.

 

Even on Carnival's Paradise right now, it is SO limited in the smoking areas.

There's only a few areas in the public spaces now that are allowed.

Not even allowed in the show lounges, or nightclubs at the moment.

 

[beachchick]

Carnival had the Paradise sailing as a smoke free cruise. Even the crew could not smoke! But they were losing $$$ so it is now a smoking ship./ Other linres were watching this but it just didn;'t work. We spent a great New Year's eve cruise on her!

 

I just want to mention that one of the reasons the Paradise didn't do well as a non-smoking ship after she had been in service for some time is that it was the one ship doing the same itinerary year-round. Most non-smokers will choose variety of ships and itineraries and deal with whatever smoking is allowed onboard, rather than take the same cruise endlessly. That's especially true for those who do care about the ports and not just the ship.

 

beachchick

[GottaLuvCruising]

I just want to mention that one of the reasons the Paradise didn't do well as a non-smoking ship after she had been in service for some time is that it was the one ship doing the same itinerary year-round. Most non-smokers will choose variety of ships and itineraries and deal with whatever smoking is allowed onboard, rather than take the same cruise endlessly. That's especially true for those who do care about the ports and not just the ship.

 

beachchick

 

We often select cruises just for the shipboard experience, but there's another reason the Paradise didn't do as well as other ships: NO BALCONIES - the only option for a balcony on this ship was a suite. It's also just "Fantasy class" size and many folks prefer the larger ships with more amenities. Carnival did try to mix up the itineraries a bit toward the end, alternating 10 & 11 day cruises, but it was too late - and the ship still didn't have balconies.

 

Folks like to state that the "Paradise lost money" etc, but this is blatantly false. The Paradise made money and like other ships usually sailed full. The problem was that fares were often lower (little variety in itineraries and no balcony options) and it didn't generate as much on board revenue. The Paradise just didn't make as much money as other ships.

[cruisingdawn]

Thank you everyone for your replies. The public areas that allow smoking like the casinoes and bars are not a problem as all ships have that and are not areas she spends time normally. I didn't think about the possibility of the shows having people smoke in them. That is one avenue my mom does enjoy. I guess more research is needed but it was good to hear from several people that the rooms were indeed cleaned well enough to not smell the smoke from a previous person. With a larger group going we can put her cabin in the middle of ours to help lessen smoke coming from surrounding cabins. Not sure about the hallway issues.

 

I will look into some of the suggestions from fann1sh. More research to do but that's half the fun of vacations.

[LHP]

Carnival had the Paradise sailing as a smoke free cruise. Even the crew could not smoke! But they were losing $$$ so it is now a smoking ship./ Other linres were watching this but it just didn;'t work. We spent a great New Year's eve cruise on her!

 

Just a note...the Paradise NEVER lost money. It did not make ENOUGH money.

 

Its MARS were below Corporate expectation and the other ships...but there were other influences that contributed to it not making enough money other than the smoking issue.

 

Groups are the lifeblood of any cruise ship and since even small family unions can have at least one smoker....that severely limited the Paradise's group bookings. That being said...there were several other factors that were just has damaging that Carnival elected not to address....rumored because Uncle Bob really wanted this "experiment" to fail.

 

Had Carnival had the foresight that Oceania did and used their model for the Paradise...it would still be successful and "more" profitable today and still sailing as a "mostly" smoke free ship.

[LHP]

Since this is a health issue (as someone with a brother who is asthmatic who understands how serious this can be)..... here is what I would recommend.

 

While it is true that the length of the cruise can correspond with the "party" crowd....(shorter can equal more of a party) ..... the port you sail from can be just as important.

 

If you are wanting a shorter cruise...then sail from California.

It won't be smoke free...but since the area this port draws from seems to have less smokers...it raises your odds of less smoke.

 

Avoid New Orleans and Mobile....these are not only short cruises, but draw from more of a smoking crowd.

 

We have had more issues not only with the number of smokers...but smokers that can not (or don't think they have to) follow even the simplest of rules ... out of New Orleans.

 

A 7 day out of Tampa on the Legend would probably be your best choice.

The Spirit class is designed so that someone can walk the length of the ship without having to walk through a "designated smoking area". Yes, you will have to go up one floor and do some manuvering....but it can be done.

 

In all our cruises ..in all these years....we have never walked into a cabin that had an obvious smoke odor. However, I have read about it happening...so it CAN happen.

 

I know RCCL is more expensive...but you can't put a price on your health or the way it will affect your cruise...I would go with RCCL.

[Gonzo70]

Thank you everyone for your replies. The public areas that allow smoking like the casinoes and bars are not a problem as all ships have that and are not areas she spends time normally.

 

If smoking is an important issue, you may want to see if their is a Celebrity cruise that interets you that is in your budget. Celebrity does not permit smoking in any staterooms or any private balcony and even their casino is 100% smoke free and all their bars and lounges but one are 100% smoke free. Smoking is limited to one bar/lounge and a couple of outdoor public areas.

[Julz226]

One hallway on the Carnival Inspiration was very smoky on our January cruise but the staterooms were pristine. Likewise, the public areas on the ship were generally smoke free.

 

I don't like smoke. I had the one hallway that I avoided because there was obviously a large group that kept the doors open and smoked in their rooms, but other than that, no problems.

 

Wish people would be considerate and shut the doors if they're going to smoke though.

[Bonnie J.]

What more is there to smoking on a ship?????????? I am getting VERY tired of this post!! The poster has gotten the answer he/she was looking for!!!!!!!!!

[ThePatientOne]

Thank you everyone for your replies. The public areas that allow smoking like the casinoes and bars are not a problem as all ships have that and are not areas she spends time normally. I didn't think about the possibility of the shows having people smoke in them. That is one avenue my mom does enjoy. I guess more research is needed but it was good to hear from several people that the rooms were indeed cleaned well enough to not smell the smoke from a previous person. With a larger group going we can put her cabin in the middle of ours to help lessen smoke coming from surrounding cabins. Not sure about the hallway issues.

 

I will look into some of the suggestions from fann1sh. More research to do but that's half the fun of vacations.

 

 

Oh no worries about smoking in the show lounge.. Carnival as well as all the others I can think of do NOT allow smoking in the show lounge. I, as a smoker, still go to the shows however I do not smoke there..

On Carnival, only half the casino is smoking and the other half is non-smoking. On the Triumph a while back, it did not seem to be an issue. Ventilation is pretty good.

[beachchick]

We often select cruises just for the shipboard experience, but there's another reason the Paradise didn't do as well as other ships: NO BALCONIES - the only option for a balcony on this ship was a suite. It's also just "Fantasy class" size and many folks prefer the larger ships with more amenities. Carnival did try to mix up the itineraries a bit toward the end, alternating 10 & 11 day cruises, but it was too late - and the ship still didn't have balconies.

 

Folks like to state that the "Paradise lost money" etc, but this is blatantly false. The Paradise made money and like other ships usually sailed full. The problem was that fares were often lower (little variety in itineraries and no balcony options) and it didn't generate as much on board revenue. The Paradise just didn't make as much money as other ships.

 

Thank you for posting this info. I had no idea of that.

 

What more is there to smoking on a ship?????????? I am getting VERY tired of this post!! The poster has gotten the answer he/she was looking for!!!!!!!!!

 

Um, you could simply stop posting on the thread. If it angers you, don't read the thread.

 

beachchick

[LHP]

To the OP:

 

IF you do book a Carnival cruise, I would avoid the Fantasy class ships.

 

There is a good amount of space under the doors (since that is where they "slip" notifications ... statements etc ~ the Fantasy class do not have the mailboxes outside the cabin door).

 

This "space" can allow for cigarette smoke to drift out of one cabin ... filling the hallway (even if the smoker keeps the door shut while smoking in the cabin)....it can drift INTO surrounding cabins. We have experienced hallways that looked like a fog machine had been unleashed.

 

We have had to take a towel and block this area at night before.

 

Other classes of ships (like the Spirit Class) do not have this problem....

[NCTribeFan]

And as noted, I've sailed on Fantasy-class ships four times and have never smelled smoke in a cabin.

 

While Miracle had the best ventilation in the public areas, I could smell smoke from the neighbors. No idea why. I did not keep my balcony door open at all, but it's possible a slight amount could have entered from there. I don't think that was it, though. I don't think we had connecting cabins, either, so don't know where it was coming from.

 

Not sure what all this "Paradise doesn't have balcony cabins" is about. It's a Fantasy-class ship. There are 8 of them! They do have balcony cabins. Unless they've had the changeover from family cabins to balcony cabins, though, the only balcony cabins are Cat 11 or Cat 12 (suites).

 

I happen to LOVE inside cabins, so that isn't an issue for me. And if you don't have a balcony, you don't have the issue of the neighbor's smoke whafting up your nose.

 

fann1sh: no idea what you meant in your earlier post. This has absolutely been the most "civil" thread discussing onboard smoking I've ever read! I didn't see a single smoker-bashing comment. Who are you chastising to "keep it civil?"