NOn smoking cruise test run

[crusinmama06]

There is a poster here who put a count-up on how long it was since her last cigarette, sorry I can't recall her name, but she's here a lot.

 

She put her smoking money into a savings fund and bought herself a nice piece of jewelry after several months :)

 

That would be SueL. She is the one who told me about Chantix for my hubby. He went on it and didn't smoke for 4 months...then went off of it during our Indy cruise and started having a couple of cigs on the balcony. :(

 

He'll be going back on Chantix. It's expensive, but its better than smoking.

[cruisin' 4 fun]

I had tried last year and quit for 6 mo. Then went to a wedding and that was it I started again. I quit again on Nov. 1, 2008, this time I have it, no cravings, no sneaking and I feel great. I also am saving what I was spending and have over $1000 already for a trip to Disney with the family next year at this rate we could stay at a deluxe resort.

[massfriends]

Denise, sorry, you are absolutely correct. They are keeping this as a smoking lounge.

I know..was hoping you would find us and come say hello... not see my darling husband lifting his kilt then in the disco??? :D He had a plaid on, was only one on ship wearing the plaid as well as the kilt? Mind you, next time I am thinking of leaving it at home. I spend ages dolling myself up and NO ONE comments on me..ONLY HIM!!!!!! ;) In fact, I am sick of his big head ..he spent ages hunting the photo rack for the one of HIMSELF in his kilt and plaid...he never found it..shame eh:D

 

Were you ever up in Dizzys around 7.30 - 8.30pm??

 

I did look around for a group of Champagne drinks but, darn....they were every where as were the Scott's. :) I swear the cruise line must have sold more Champagne than anything else...LOL

 

I don't recall seeing a plaid but, do remember seeing a handsome guy in all black.....:) As for that disco.....wow, it was always busy and very, very noisy in the early part of the evening. Just about impossible to find anyone in there.

 

Yes, we were up in Dizzy's a few time's around 7:30 to 8:30 in the beginning of the cruise.....I needed my fix...:eek: We usually spent that time in the CL on deck 9 before dinner.

Around day 1 or 2 maybe 3.......I remember a few woman and a guy sitting at the first seats at the bar. They were drinking Champagne. I almost said something but, being the shy one I am, I helded back. I would just breeze in for a few minute's and sit at the first table right by the bar.

 

Maybe some day we will cruise together again!!!!!!

[ken_nyc]

For all of those trying to stop smoking, I wish you all the luck in the world...may you live a long HEALTHY LIFE because of it. Years ago my wife was on my case about cutting down when I use to smoke, I use to smoke 3-1/2 to 4 packs a day. There was no way I could cut down and use to tell her I will stop cold turkey when I am in the right frame of mind. Well I eventually did when the price went up twice in one week, that did it for me, that was 27 years ago and I am glad I did. Keep a glass jar with your cigarette butts in it with the top screwed on, when you get that urge, open the top and take a whiff...the smell should be enough of a turn off.

 

Your family will appreciate the fact that you may live longer because of stopping.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I sailed the Paradise when it was smoke-free and it was great. For a non-smoker, it was so refreshing to go anywhere without the smell of smoke - even the casino. It didn't work. As you stated, the bars suffer.

 

I can see where it would be good for people who really cannot stand the smell of smoke to have a choice. Even the cabins smelled better.

 

I doubt the world will go non-smoking anytime soon, though. So, there has to be a place to do it.:cool:

 

I've read the same things over and over again on why the Paradise changed.

 

Can anyone please post a source as to the reason why.

 

Thank you.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

All you need to know is that Carnival's Paradise, when it was smoke free, had the highest occupancy rate of any ship in Carnival's fleet. However, it also had one of the lowest amounts of onboard revenue of any ship in the fleet.

 

Can you cite a source as to the above?

 

Thanks.

[Gonzo70]

Can you cite a source as to the above?

 

Thanks.

 

Wikipedia... so it must be true. :rolleyes::D

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Wikipedia... so it must be true. :rolleyes::D

 

Another good source is "I heard it on the boards":D

[FL_Cruiser64]

Okay, I have had enough for one day, so please dont shoot the messenger:D

I thought maybe someone else would have it mentioned it on here, but not as yet ..so here goes...

 

We were told on our last explorer cruise, that the cruise going out on Feb 13th, was to be a test pilot non smoking cruise. They were going to ban smoking in all indoor lounges including Dizzys, The Casino and Chamber.:eek:

 

The Barmen were not too happy about it. It seems their tips and takings are way down now in the Schooner Bar since it went non smoking, and they were dead against it.

 

I am only repeating the talk on board. (one was an officer who quoted this) We asked several members of staff and they confirmed it, but lets see what the cruisers say when they return.

Personally (for all my opinion is worth), as there are to be over 1000 kids on board, maybe this was just a good time for RCI to have a non smoking family cruise.

We did ask was this a permanent thing, and the answer was no, only for this cruise. BUT, if you are a smoker and found this out at boarding point, mmmmmmm...can guess the outcome!

As I say, dont shoot the messenger!!

Just for those of you who DO smoke, and it does make a difference to your vacation, suggest you keep an eye on upcoming events.

 

As I say, dont take this as Gospel, lets see what the Explorers sat when they return.

 

 

As a smoker: there is nothing wrong with a non smoking cruise. This is something I expected anyways. I think cruise lines like RCI, Carnival, NCL may offer non smoking cruises here and there rather than going totally non smoking.

 

It's a good plan.

 

My problem with that is though: do they tell people when they book?

I think this should be properly announced.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Can you cite a source as to the above?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Actually Carnival stated that when they discontinued.

[ckrobyn]

I am a new non-smoker, yesterday was my 2 month anniversary for being smoke free :D I feel amazing and so glad that I decided to get the monkey off my back!

 

My next cruise is this weekend, and it will be my first as a non-smoker. I have to admit that not smoking while on vacation is going to feel really weird :rolleyes: I'm wondering if the smell of smoke (in places onboard I used to smoke) is going to bother me now? I never smoked in my cabin - only on the balcony.

 

I can't believe I am saying this.....but if there were a non-smoking ship, I would definitely try it :)

 

I hope I can deal with the smell of smoke in the casino.....

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Actually Carnival stated that when they discontinued.

 

Can you please post a link to that?

 

Thanks

[Cheerysmom]

Good luck on quitting - I quit 11 years ago when I was out of work. In the NorthEast if a prospective employer even suspects that you smoke they will find a reason to not hire you. some employers will even do blood tests to make sure you are nicotine free.

 

But my DH still smokes so we are forced to always have a balcony cabin . . and forced to make frequent stops back to the cabin :rolleyes: so he can have a smoke. He leaves the dinner table early - or sometimes in the middle to have a smoke and leaves me there by myself. ugh. We always have to consider when and where he can have a butt . .. and if he has enough .. so much time and energy wasted.

 

My friend and I are cruising in a few weeks and we could book and INSIDE cabin!! How liberating - and CHEAP!

 

You will be amazed at how much easier life will be as a non-smoker. Nothing to carry around (you can even leave your purse in the cabin!), no wondering where you can smoke . .. wonderful.

 

Good luck. Cruising is easier if you don't smoke.

[vator90]

Gonna take a 'wait and see" attitude on this. With revenue down the tubes, the cruiseline is taking a huge risk with this one. A few more quarters of earnings like the last one and RCL may become CCL. :D

[TPKeller]

Can you please post a link to that?

 

Thanks

I don't recall that Carnival came right out and stated it, but I don't have a photographic memory either.

 

Google popped up several web pages with references to the idea that reduced revenue was a primary consideration in the decision:

 

http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/contributors/detail.php?ArticleID=400

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Paradise-(ship)

http://www.tobacco.org/news/146617.html

http://cruise.travel.com/guide/Carnival_Paradise

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/5779834.html

 

Whether or not Carnival actually came out and said it in a press release, it is at least very widely accepted that there is a strong correlation between smoking and the high revenue activities of drinking and gambling on-board.

 

Theron

[FL_Cruiser64]

Can you please post a link to that?

 

Thanks

 

 

Sorry no link. It was down here in the local, hard copy paper a few years back when Carnival discontinued it.

 

The PBP, Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald have pay archives going back several years. Be my guest. I am not sure which paper it was in.

 

I only remember vaguely the story. The Paradise was supposed to become smoking because it switched to 3 and 4 nighters anyways and Carnival decided not to make another year round non smoking ship because it didn't make financial sense. They did not specify if it was a loss of inventory, largely reduced fares to fill the ship or loss of onboard revenue.

 

The Paradise ran on a very popular Caribbean route.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I don't recall that Carnival came right out and stated it, but I don't have a photographic memory either.

 

Google popped up several web pages with references to the idea that reduced revenue was a primary consideration in the decision:

 

http://www.travelworldmagazine.com/contributors/detail.php?ArticleID=400

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Paradise-(ship)

http://www.tobacco.org/news/146617.html

http://cruise.travel.com/guide/Carnival_Paradise

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/5779834.html

 

Whether or not Carnival actually came out and said it in a press release, it is at least very widely accepted that there is a strong correlation between smoking and the high revenue activities of drinking and gambling on-board.

 

Theron

 

How many years has the Paradise been a smoking ship?

 

I know she was smoking in 2005 when I sailed her.

 

Wonder how it would work out today?

 

Seems like we have a lot less smokers then we had when Paradise was smoke free.

[Gonzo70]

Sorry no link. It was down here in the local, hard copy paper a few years back when Carnival discontinued it.

 

The PBP, Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald have pay archives going back several years. Be my guest. I am not sure which paper it was in.

 

I only remember vaguely the story. The Paradise was supposed to become smoking because it switched to 3 and 4 nighters anyways and Carnival decided not to make another year round non smoking ship because it didn't make financial sense. They did not specify if it was a loss of inventory, largely reduced fares to fill the ship or loss of onboard revenue.

 

The Paradise ran on a very popular Caribbean route.

 

What I don't understand is why they kept it smoke free for six years if it was doing so poorly? Did the revenue drop off the last year or two (some have suggested it failed because the itineary became stale and people wanted to try out newer ships, so they lost repeat business), or was it poor all six years?

[Shipyard Cruiser]

What I don't understand is why they kept it smoke free for six years if it was doing so poorly? Did the revenue drop off the last year or two (some have suggested it failed because the itineary became stale and people wanted to try out newer ships, so they lost repeat business), or was it poor all six years?

 

It's seems pretty hard to pin this story down.

 

Not a lot of facts.

[TPKeller]

And most companies, cruise lines included, are very reluctant to talk about their revenue research in public!

 

Theron

[G'ma]

All you need to know is that Carnival's Paradise, when it was smoke free, had the highest occupancy rate of any ship in Carnival's fleet. However, it also had one of the lowest amounts of onboard revenue of any ship in the fleet.

 

And, they couldn't attract large groups and charters...which is the backbone of the cruise industry. In every group, there are going to be smokers and they won't book on a nonsmoking ship.

 

If a nonsmokers could support a nonsmoking cruise ship, there'd be one; no cruise company is going to do away with something that is profitable. But, unless the ships revenue can support itself with the same profit and the same occupancy, it's not going to happen.

[Captain Jake]

And' date=' they couldn't attract large groups and charters...which is the backbone of the cruise industry. In every group, there are going to be smokers and they won't book on a nonsmoking ship.

 

If a nonsmokers could support a nonsmoking cruise ship, there'd be one; no cruise company is going to do away with something that is profitable. But, unless the ships revenue can support itself with the same profit and the same occupancy, it's not going to happen.[/quote']

 

They also need the non-smokers which is why ships are becoming more non-smoker friendly.The problem with the Paradise was that it did the same tired inten.Yes it was popular but with more and more repeat cruisers the idea ran its couse.How many times do you want to see Cozumel?.The current trend of ships becoming more friendly to the non-smoker will continue.The do not want to retrict the non-smoker to one ship so insted they will make a couple dozen much more friendly to the non-smoker.A non-smokers should be happy with recent trends but more needs to be done esp with the balconies

[psupa]

Good luck, lushpuppy. I quit cold turkey in 1986 and never looked back. The trick is to ride out the cravings somehow and once you get past them, keep going!

 

 

I did the same thing. I made up my mind it was time to quit and did it. The first couple of days were tough, but once the cravings subsided, it got easier and easier. It will be 4 years in April for me.

[luvscruising2007]

Good luck Lushpuppy!!! You can do it. My DH quit one day cold turkey when he went to open his fifth(5) pack. That was 40 years ago. I quit 30 years ago on April fool's. Also, cold turkey. As others have said you have to set your mind to it. I got tired of coughing and that burning taste in my mouth. My clothes smelled too. You just don't realize the total impact when you smoke. I'm rooting for you.

And, if for some reason you give in one day and light a cigarette, just don't light the next one.

You will be amazed how good you feel after just a few months.

Good luck. You can do it!!!!:D

 

Oh, and I wish they would have a smoke free casino. It is the only place on a cruise I notice smoke and it does get to me.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

And' date=' they couldn't attract large groups and charters...which is the backbone of the cruise industry. In every group, there are going to be smokers and they won't book on a nonsmoking ship.[/quote']

 

Do you have a source for the above statement?

 

Just the facts please:D