Do you smoke on a cruise?

[G'ma]

Not that my opinion matters...........

 

I don't like the smell of cigarette smoke, and many of the types of cigars out there. If it were just a matter of the smell, I would tend to be more flexable. But it's not the smell, it's the danger associated with the second hand smoke. I know, those on either side of the issue can cite studies that say second hand smoke is safe, or dangerous. But we all KNOW it's hazzardous to the smoker going in, so how can it be any safer coming out? I don't like having that health risk forced on me.

 

It's not "forced" on you. You CHOSE to be there...on a ship....where the smoking policy is liberal.

 

You have other options......nobody is holding a gun to your head.....

[BIG_Steve]

It's not "forced" on you. You CHOSE to be there...on a ship....where the smoking policy is liberal.

 

You have other options......nobody is holding a gun to your head.....

 

I woud never be allowed to carry a poisonous substance into a resturant. I think my right to life supercedes your right to make me sick with the proven cancer causing elements in cigarette smoke.

 

I would tend to agree with you a little more IF the smell of the cigarette were the only issue, but the smell is a minor concern compared to inhaling the poisonous smoke.

[Griller]

I woud never be allowed to carry a poisonous substance into a resturant. I think my right to life supercedes your right to make me sick with the proven cancer causing elements in cigarette smoke.

 

I would tend to agree with you a little more IF the smell of the cigarette were the only issue, but the smell is a minor concern compared to inhaling the poisonous smoke.

 

And you can't smoke in any restaurant on NCL either....................used to on Cunard but not these days unless there are a number of smokers who want to make up a table in the corner somewhere.

 

And elsewhere on NCL the ventilation is pretty good, but it looks like from your post you don't know yet as you won't be taking your first cruise until next month, I hope you enjoy it and find it better than you might expect.

 

And I don't like cigarette smoke either.

 

We all have to co-exist and be reasonable, you might as well try to ban diesel trucks because you don't want to breathe in the proven carcinogenic fumes they emit, they are I believe more likely to give you cancer than occasional and dilute secondhand cigarette smoke.

[mbisson]

I want to compliment the group for keeping this discussion civil for longer than most (about this subject)

 

But it's now breaking down completely

 

This is not aimed at any poster in particular

[BIG_Steve]

And you can't smoke in any restaurant on NCL either....................used to on Cunard but not these days unless there are a number of smokers who want to make up a table in the corner somewhere.

 

And elsewhere on NCL the ventilation is pretty good

 

And I don't like cigarette smoke either.

 

We all have to co-exist and be reasonable, you might as well try to ban diesel trucks because you don't want to breathe in the proven carcinogenic fumes they emit, they are I believe more likely to give you cancer than occasional and dilute secondhand cigarette smoke.

 

Well, I never said anything about not smoking on the ship. It shouldn't be done in public areas where smokers can hurt the health of non-smokers. The diesel truck comparision is not relevant. For all you know, I may be a crusader trying to outlaw diesel engines. But regardless, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

 

I have little sympthy for smokers who can't smoke in public, and I'll tell you why. When I was a kid, smokers in general were extremely rude. The entire world was their ash tray. They thought nothing of grinding out their butts on any floor, or throwing their empty cigarette packs anywhere they pleased. As I got into my teenage years, non smokers were begining to speak up in restuarants and public places. Whether the the non smoker was polite or rude, generally his request for the smoker to please not smoke was laughed at, and frequently he had smoke blown in his face. And of course, any smokers at the table made sure they all lit up. In retrospect, it seems like a pretty stupid ploy by a lot of smokers.

 

I don't care if my neighbor smokes in his house, yard, car etc.. I do care if he smokes in a public place though. His rights end where mine start, and my rights end where the next guys' start. And no-one of has the right to subject someone to chemical ridden tobacco smoke.

[peanutJMV]

i too like to think of myself as a considerate smoker. I only smoke in designated areas and will put one out if politely asked. Unfortunately, like another poster stated, very often the person doing the asking is hardly polite about it.

 

True story: Sailed three years ago on the ncl majesty with three other smokers. We were in a designated, outdoor smoking area. A "gentleman" (and i use the term very loosely) walked by, saw us, and said in a very loud voice: "oh my god! Smokers! How disgusting!" followed by several fake coughs to make his point. Normally i'm fairly tolerant, but the devil voice in my head took over and i replied "oh my god! Fat person! How disgusting!" followed by several grunts.

 

I know, not very mature of me, but for crying out loud.

 

lol

[terrymtex01]

I woud never be allowed to carry a poisonous substance into a resturant. I think my right to life supercedes your right to make me sick with the proven cancer causing elements in cigarette smoke.

 

I would tend to agree with you a little more IF the smell of the cigarette were the only issue, but the smell is a minor concern compared to inhaling the poisonous smoke.

 

Well, I never said anything about not smoking on the ship. It shouldn't be done in public areas where smokers can hurt the health of non-smokers. The diesel truck comparision is not relevant. For all you know, I may be a crusader trying to outlaw diesel engines. But regardless, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

 

I have little sympthy for smokers who can't smoke in public, and I'll tell you why. When I was a kid, smokers in general were extremely rude. The entire world was their ash tray. They thought nothing of grinding out their butts on any floor, or throwing their empty cigarette packs anywhere they pleased. As I got into my teenage years, non smokers were begining to speak up in restuarants and public places. Whether the the non smoker was polite or rude, generally his request for the smoker to please not smoke was laughed at, and frequently he had smoke blown in his face. And of course, any smokers at the table made sure they all lit up. In retrospect, it seems like a pretty stupid ploy by a lot of smokers.

 

I don't care if my neighbor smokes in his house, yard, car etc.. I do care if he smokes in a public place though. His rights end where mine start, and my rights end where the next guys' start. And no-one of has the right to subject someone to chemical ridden tobacco smoke.

 

I honestly do not think anyone, smoker or non smoker would disagree with you at all. I think that is what G'ma was trying to say.. No one is putting a gun to your head for you to be around the smoke. It is your choice to go on a ship that allows smoking. Cruising is not a necessity, it is a luxury. So it is your choice to either have the luxury on one cruise ship or the other.

[BIG_Steve]

I honestly do not think anyone, smoker or non smoker would disagree with you at all. I think that is what G'ma was trying to say.. No one is putting a gun to your head for you to be around the smoke. It is your choice to go on a ship that allows smoking. Cruising is not a necessity, it is a luxury. So it is your choice to either have the luxury on one cruise ship or the other.

 

Hi Terry, thanks for the help. But I did "get it."

 

My first post was my general opinion, and had nothing to do with cruise ships. Further, I never said anything that made the response from G'ma even Germain.

 

CC has had way too much fighting the past few weeks, and this is as far as I go. I stated my opinion, and I have nothing to add, and I'm not going to fan the flames.

 

I didn't notice if you had a count down clock, but if you have a cruise coming up, I hope it's a great one.

[terrymtex01]

Hi Terry, thanks for the help. But I did "get it."

 

My first post was my general opinion, and had nothing to do with cruise ships. Further, I never said anything that made the response from G'ma even Germain.

 

CC has had way too much fighting the past few weeks, and this is as far as I go. I stated my opinion, and I have nothing to add, and I'm not going to fan the flames.

 

I didn't notice if you had a count down clock, but if you have a cruise coming up, I hope it's a great one.

 

Sorry about that.. I had my G's mixed up.. lol..

 

And my posting was not meant in any way as a flame or a bash.. I hope you know that. It was just a discussion to me.

[Coloradodude]

I just got off RCCL's Independence of the Seas on an Eastern route with over 3500 passengers on board.

 

Just my observation.

Approx. 1/3 of the people from Canada, 1/3 from Europe and 1/3 from USA

 

I met a lot of people from Canada, and Europe. Almost everyone from Europe, Canada and the southern USA smoked.

 

People that I happened to meet from the rest of the USA, did not smoke.

 

I believe the poll, I think there is a high number of people who cruise that smoke.

 

Just my thoughts.

 

Wayne

[S&Dcruising]

Can I open my can of diesel fumes now?:D

[fin]

My Doctor tells me that when she asks a smoker how many they smoke a day she immediately doubles it!

 

I told her 10-15 and she would probably be right to double it! Certainly a more accurate answer.

 

Jean

 

This made me smile. Seems your doctor believes all smokers are liars! I do not believe they ALL are.....

[fin]

Ditto.. Love the smell too. In our case, we do indulge on a cruise.. mostly cigars maybe a few ciggs.. It's always hard for the first few weeks to not smoke when we get home. I keep nicorette handy for those occasions. We like to workout pretty heavy when we're home, and coughing and wheezing isn't conducive to that. :rolleyes:

 

 

 

Thanks for my morning laugh! :D

 

 

 

Fin ~ I live in the south near Charlotte. When we moved here from the midwest, I was astonished at the smoking that takes place around me. The tobacco industry is huge here.. could be one reason it's so socially acceptable.

 

It's been a huge issue recently that the governing body of Charlotte, NC wants to make restaurants/bars non-smoking.

 

We were living in Dallas, TX during the time the ban was being considered and the fighting on this issue was not the same as what's going on here. It's not as taboo to smoke in the south, even if you are a Baptist. IMO, it's because of the long time saturation of the tobacco industry. Plus, almost every tax increase on cigarettes has been shot down.. So it's cheap, like you said. In my town, you can buy a pack for $3.50 and a carton of Marlboro's for under $30.

 

As to why the curve is so different with cruisers than what is reported as the US statistic, I think it's because people who like to party, cruise. Many people like to smoke when they drink. Plus, casino folks tend to smoke too. Not all, but a large number, and many cruise ships draw the casinoians.. :p

 

We sailed Carnival Paradise when she was a non-smoking ship. You would not believe the contract we had to sign assuring we would not smoke on the ship, and the penalty that would result. A $300 fine and kicked off the ship. There was actually talk that a couple violated the agreement and were kicked off at the next port. Probably a scare tactic.

 

The staff at the bars would confide in us how low the liquor revenue and casino patronage were. I'm pretty sure that's why she went smoking again.

 

I congratulate you on quitting the habit and knowing how much money you saved.

 

Now if only I could stop having to buy Nicorette, I'd really be saving! That stuff is expensive!

 

Surfgirl ~ You were probably joking about the smokers voting twice, but you can only vote once on a poll. The system won't let you vote again. :)

 

I think you hit it with the 'party' comment. I was hung up on the fact that smoking, drinking and gambling, while all considered vices at one time (and still are by some religions today) they are also all, to some degree, addictions. I have read that gamblers can be just as 'addicted' to their interest as smokers or drinkers who are physically addicted.

 

But cruising, though pleasurable, isn't really 'addictive' unless you count the woman on the Jewel Trans-Atlantic who claimed to be on her 62nd NCL cruise. So the party element is most likely correct. Certainly casinos, as you said, have a high percentage of smokers. I would be interested in how many of those who said yes to the smoking are also drinkers (not necessarily smugglers) and how many use the casino more than casually.

[daw]

I'm really not surprised at the poll either. On our last cruise we sat at a table for eight. Five of the eight left immediately after dinner to smoke. Plus I've been on bus tours with several people who took the opportunity to smoke during stops.

 

I guess what I don't understand is why people come on specific boards to complain about policies. I happen to be a non smoker who has never been bothered by ship smokers but I can assure you, if I were, I would choose a cruise line with the most restrictive policies. That's an easy decision. Why try to change the policies of a specific cruise line when there are several out there that fit your requirements? The only way to change any company is to vote with your $$$ anyway, not posting on forums. Personally, I think some of the "over the top" posters have an agenda which is why most of these threads deteriorate into shouting matches. They aren't interested in a civil discussion.

 

I feel much the same about the "free style" bashers. Why try to change a cruise line's policy? Why not simply choose a cruise line with the dining arrangements you prefer?

I am very glad that cruise lines are not cookie cutter clones of each other and that there are choices out there for people that want them.

 

It's simple, folks. If you want changes, do your research and vote with your $$.

[mbisson]

I feel much the same about the "free style" bashers. Why try to change a cruise line's policy? Why not simply choose a cruise line with the dining arrangements you prefer?

I am very glad that cruise lines are not cookie cutter clones of each other and that there are choices out there for people that want them.

 

It's simple, folks. If you want changes, do your research and vote with your $$.

 

Bingo! We have a winner

[LadyShiva]

I'm really not surprised at the poll either. On our last cruise we sat at a table for eight. Five of the eight left immediately after dinner to smoke. Plus I've been on bus tours with several people who took the opportunity to smoke during stops.

 

I guess what I don't understand is why people come on specific boards to complain about policies. I happen to be a non smoker who has never been bothered by ship smokers but I can assure you, if I were, I would choose a cruise line with the most restrictive policies. That's an easy decision. Why try to change the policies of a specific cruise line when there are several out there that fit your requirements? The only way to change any company is to vote with your $$$ anyway, not posting on forums. Personally, I think some of the "over the top" posters have an agenda which is why most of these threads deteriorate into shouting matches. They aren't interested in a civil discussion.

 

I feel much the same about the "free style" bashers. Why try to change a cruise line's policy? Why not simply choose a cruise line with the dining arrangements you prefer?

I am very glad that cruise lines are not cookie cutter clones of each other and that there are choices out there for people that want them.

 

It's simple, folks. If you want changes, do your research and vote with your $$.

 

Because there is no cruiseline that fits all the requirements on anyone's list. Because the people who post here have the same rights as you do to their opinion, and their ability to voice that opinion. Unfortunately, those that these policies support also have a vested interest in showing dissenters the door and the sole of their shoe (as in, those who yell loudest get the most influence).

 

Cruiselines listen to fads in their market. Smoking on airplanes is no longer allowed; some in this thread would argue that smoking on cruises should also be verboten. Others would argue that disallowing smoking on cruises is financially devastating for the company.

 

Hopefully this rebuttal came across as polite; I'm trying to get out the door so I can't triple check my response. :)

[Griller]

But cruising, though pleasurable, isn't really 'addictive' unless you count the woman on the Jewel Trans-Atlantic who claimed to be on her 62nd NCL cruise.

 

That would probably be my friend Sylva Marnes, I must admit I have never asked her why?

 

But I know she likes meeting people and company, she's a very pleasant person.

 

She has actually done a lot of cruises , not just claimed it, she's a retired schoolteacher.

 

I must have done in excess of 30 myself, but not all on NCL.

[fin]

Hey Big Steve - this one's for you, from the internet (never mind where) this morning:

 

Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing

section in a swimming pool?

[fin]

That would probably be my friend Sylva Marnes, I must admit I have never asked her why?

 

But I know she likes meeting people and company, she's a very pleasant person.

 

She has actually done a lot of cruises , not just claimed it, she's a retired schoolteacher.

 

I must have done in excess of 30 myself, but not all on NCL.

 

Didn't mean to impugn her integrity with the word claim; I used it because she said it and I had no independent means of verifying it. And you know if I said she HAD done, and it was 61 or 63, someone here would have said so in seconds.

[pianomanorlando]

Not that my opinion matters...........

 

.... But we all KNOW it's hazzardous to the smoker going in, so how can it be any safer coming out? I don't like having that health risk forced on me.

 

Nothing is ever being forced on you. 80% of each ship is non smoking. That being said, if you drive a car, you pollute yourself far more than the occasional hour or two around smokers EVER will. If you eat processed foods, you're in even worse shape. I respect that you don't like the smell, but save the self-righteous trash talk. The "second hand smoke" arguement is just a phony issue that non smokers constantly bring up when we all know that their real interest is that they just don't like the smell/taste/atmosphere of smoking.

[pianomanorlando]

I woud never be allowed to carry a poisonous substance into a resturant. I think my right to life supercedes your right to make me sick with the proven cancer causing elements in cigarette smoke.

 

I would tend to agree with you a little more IF the smell of the cigarette were the only issue, but the smell is a minor concern compared to inhaling the poisonous smoke.

 

 

Wow... this could be the most uninformed person here. Congratulations!

 

First Point: Nearly every processed food item you eat has SOME ingredients known to contribute to cancer. Therefore, if you are eating in a restaurant, odds are you are already polluting yourself by choice anyway.

 

Second Point: If you don't like it. Don't Cruise. I don't like dining in restaurants with children around, therefore I avoid kid-friendly restaurants and eat later in the evening when most of the "family" traffic is gone. See how easy that is?

 

Once again, as has been proven over and over again: If you drive a car 1 mile you have put hundreds of times the amount of cancer-causing pollution in the air as a smoker does. Until I can walk down the street without having to breath in your toxic automobile fumes. You cannot complain about smoke.

 

Thank you and have a great day. :-)

[pianomanorlando]

....I don't care if my neighbor smokes in his house, yard, car etc.. I do care if he smokes in a public place though. His rights end where mine start, and my rights end where the next guys' start. And no-one of has the right to subject someone to chemical ridden tobacco smoke.

 

A cruise ship is not a "public place". It is a private place, owned by a private company to whom you have paid a service fee for use of their facilities. Public places are owned the the public (think post offices). If you do not like what a private company has to offer... don't buy their services. If you like public places... try a nice library. Business have the right to create whatever atmosphere they choose, and to cater to the clients in whatever (legal) ways they choose. If you don't like it, patronize business that offer you just what you're looking for. Don't expect everyone else to change to meet your wants / needs. Its all about compromise... and in general the cruise lines do a great job at it.

[pianomanorlando]

I'm really not surprised at the poll either. On our last cruise we sat at a table for eight. Five of the eight left immediately after dinner to smoke. Plus I've been on bus tours with several people who took the opportunity to smoke during stops.

 

I guess what I don't understand is why people come on specific boards to complain about policies. I happen to be a non smoker who has never been bothered by ship smokers but I can assure you, if I were, I would choose a cruise line with the most restrictive policies. That's an easy decision. Why try to change the policies of a specific cruise line when there are several out there that fit your requirements? The only way to change any company is to vote with your $$$ anyway, not posting on forums. Personally, I think some of the "over the top" posters have an agenda which is why most of these threads deteriorate into shouting matches. They aren't interested in a civil discussion.

 

I feel much the same about the "free style" bashers. Why try to change a cruise line's policy? Why not simply choose a cruise line with the dining arrangements you prefer?

I am very glad that cruise lines are not cookie cutter clones of each other and that there are choices out there for people that want them.

 

It's simple, folks. If you want changes, do your research and vote with your $$.

 

This is by far most intelligent post in this thread. Kudos!

[pianomanorlando]

Hey Big Steve - this one's for you, from the internet (never mind where) this morning:

 

Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing

section in a swimming pool?

 

I prefer:

 

Making a non-smoking casino is like making a clothing-mandatory brothel.

[Griller]

Hey Big Steve - this one's for you, from the internet (never mind where) this morning:

 

Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing

section in a swimming pool?

 

Actually this is not a good analogy - when the smoke polluted air around a smoker on a ship is extracted by the ventilation system it is not put back into circulation but is vented to the atmosphere.

 

You cannot say that about urine in a swimming pool which is just diluted by the rest of the water and recirculated. Thats why they test the water for ph value quite frequently and add chemicals to put it right, doesn't get rid of the urine though. The crew tell me its particularly bad after children or very old folk are in the pool, UGH!!

 

I do hope BigSteve doesn't go in the swimming pool or jacuzzi on his first cruise if he can't abide pollutants.

 

Sadly they are just an inescapable part of communal living.