Smoking on Starboard

[inkkognito]

I know there was lots of concern from people who switched their verandahs to starboard because that is now the "smoking" side of the ship. We just got back from the Wonder, and I'm happy to report that it made no difference on our verandah. We didn't have smokers next door or close by down the line, so that made it easier to tell if smoke was coming from below (deck 4) or above (deck 9). I didn't notice anything at all. There is no change...the only time you're going to notice it is if you have smokers next door, just the same as when the portside public decks were smoking.

As an aside, it was absolute heaven to be able to sit outside at Cove cafe with a toblerone martini. I am SO happy that they did the side switch!

[Pansy]

We just returned today from a DD cruise. We noticed on deck 9 there is a sign that states "Smoking is allowed on all open decks on the starboard side. We asked one of the crewmembers in white about smoking on deck 10 and he said yes since it was a open deck.

Just passing it on and do not want a debate.

[tinkerone]

Originally Posted by inkkognito

I know there was lots of concern from people who switched their verandahs to starboard because that is now the "smoking" side of the ship. We just got back from the Wonder, and I'm happy to report that it made no difference on our verandah. We didn't have smokers next door or close by down the line, so that made it easier to tell if smoke was coming from below (deck 4) or above (deck 9). I didn't notice anything at all. There is no change...the only time you're going to notice it is if you have smokers next door, just the same as when the portside public decks were smoking.

As an aside, it was absolute heaven to be able to sit outside at Cove cafe with a toblerone martini. I am SO happy that they did the side switch!

i belive smokers should be left alone, however, i think it was about time that they changed the smoking around so that cove cafe is smoke free. the seating area outside of it should be enjoyed by all. never made sense the other way. keep in mind, i'm not saying its right or wrong, just that now everone can use the area and that has to be good doesn't it?

[trimix]

OK, I am lost on the smoking policy. I thought the policy was that smoking on public decks was restricted to starboard, but smoking was also allowed on any verandah. Is verandah smoking also restricted to starboard?

I would much rather be on the starboard side, but if port side verandahs are nonsmoking I will seriously consider a change.

[Pansy]

All verandahs are smoking areas.

[LJC1861]

I was one who had some concern about the switch, and I shouldn't have. In all honesty the switch from port to starboard did not affect me at all. I did notice some smoke while we were in port from the smoker 2 verandahs down, but none at all when we were moving and none at all when my smoking neighbor was not around.

I also have to say that the Cove Cafe is a nice place! I didn't go in last year due to the smoke. This time I did. I also noticed that the comfy chairs outside the cove cafe are now very very popular and hard to get!

Linda

[DVCconvert]

From DCL's web site:

Where can I smoke onboard?

Because we support the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking is prohibited in all interior spaces throughout our ships. However, as we wish to provide a cruise experience that satisfies everyone, Guests are permitted to smoke on private verandahs and the starboard-side, open-air decks.

[dreamcometrue]

the smoking didn't really bother me at all on our cruise. There were people smoking every now and then on the open decks as I walked by and yes, I smelled it, but not to the point where it really bothered me! There is always a breeze so it doesn't "linger" around.

[Fizzgig]

We were bothered on this cruise on our verandah by the smokers living beside us. We just grimaced to ourselves and went back in to the wonderful air conditioning. Oh well. We still got a ton of time outside to enjoy our verandah when they weren't smoking.

And I also went to the Cove Cafe on this cruise because the area was no longer smoking. DH grew to dislike that place because he knew I was settling in to the comfy chairs (and goodies) for a while and he'd have to find something to do by himself.

[inkkognito]

Just to clarify on the verandahs, I didn't mean to imply that it's only on starboard side verandahs. Smoking is allowed on ALL verandahs, but before we left I saw posts from people who booked starboard verandahs and who were worried that the public area side switch would affect them (i.e. smoke drifting up or down from those public zones and affecting the verandahs above or below). Happily, that is NOT the case, just as it wasn't when smoking was on port side.

[owensamo]

The one issue I have with this change is that the starboard side path from the forward elevators aft is basically the only route on deck 9 available to families through the adult area.

Since it's fairly open on that side, walking through with kids when you have a forward cabin doesn't really bother anyone. We had a forward cabin on our last cruise, and while we tried not to use this route too often (out of respect for adults in the adults-only area), we did take it on occasion with our 5yo DD to get further aft on the ship.

As this is now smoking, has anyone noticed more families with kids traveling past the "privacy" screen with the "under 18 not permitted" sign by the Cove Cafe? We'll actually be more aft on our June 1 cruise, so it won't affect us at all this time (or our January cruise, when we'll be midship), but I'm curious as to whether the smoking on the starboard side has caused any changes in family traffic patterns. Is the smoke smell as bad on Deck 9 Starboard as it was by the Cove Cafe?

Amanda

[inkkognito]

I actually didn't notice any more families going through there than usual, but the traffic in general in front of Cove was definitely up. I didn't venture anywhere near the starboard side of that path so I can't speak for that, but when I was in the starboard hot tub I could smell smoke. It wasn't enough to bother me (and I am very sensitive), but I could see it was coming from people sitting at the tables behind the sun loungers.

[klam_chowder]

Thx a mint OP for the post. I was wondering what the implication was for our room and was meaning to find out whether I should request a switch or not. I am sure many others as well are relieved to hear there is no effect.

Also great to hear that there are signs letting guests know explicitly where the adult areas are. It will help with those wandering thru paths - when you want to get away from kids sometimes it's great to know you can get some serenity away from their shrieks.

cheers,

[inkkognito]

Originally Posted by klam_chowder

Also great to hear that there are signs letting guests know explicitly where the adult areas are. It will help with those wandering thru paths - when you want to get away from kids sometimes it's great to know you can get some serenity away from their shrieks.

Yes, it was interesting to watch the effect of the signs on the families as we sat there. Many saw the sign, stopped, and apparently went the other way or made the kid wait while the parent got a beverage. Some walked through anyway but did not linger, and a couple actually cautioned their kids to be quiet. We were both sitting facing the rail/window, so even with the increased traffic it wasn't bothersome.