DCL ships will be best ships for avoiding smoke

[Horace Horsecollar]

Buried in a recent Carnival press release, "Carnival to Reposition 'Fun Ship' Paradise to Long Beach to Operate Three- and Four-Day Baja Cruises in Oct. 2004," there's bad news for advocates of smoke-free cruise ships. Carnival is throwing in the towel on its lone experiment in smoke-free cruising:
<blockquote>Dickinson indicated that the Paradise, which has operated since its introduction in 1998 as a smoke-free vessel, will no longer retain that designation. "When we analyzed our redeployment strategy, the Paradise, based on its size and attributes, was the obvious choice to offer a fresh new short cruise alternative from California. And, with only one ship operating that program, we could not limit it to non-smokers," he said.</blockquote>
That means there will only two large cruise ships with non-smoking staterooms -- the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, on which all staterooms are non-smoking.

The other cruise lines that you're familiar with (such as RCCL, Celebrity, HAL, Princess, and NCL) don't even offer a choice of smoking and non-smoking staterooms -- you can smoke in any stateroom, fleetwide. And now Carnival joins that list.

In defense of the lines that I listed, they all have designated non-smoking areas, with no smoking anywhere in the dining rooms. And, from all I hear, they clean the rooms between passengers in such a way that it's unusual to even be aware that the previous occupants were smokers (although I have no idea how they do that).

Now, if DCL would just make Rockin' Bar D and Wavebands 100% non-smoking...

 

[Padre Disney]

We would love it even if DCL made one of those bars non smoking. We end up turning in early because of lack of activites to do for non smokers in the late evenings.

Dh is wondering if we should try a RCCL ship BUT if they allow smoking in any stateroom I would never sail with them. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[kcashner]

I, too, avoid the clubs after 9 because of the smoke. Yes, I wish that one of them would be designated smoke free. (Or both!!!)

 

[MemereMouse]

Hi, I'm a smoker and would be more than willing to go out on deck to have a cigarette. There's no real need to have smoking in these clubs and I feel it's a shame that non-smokers can't enjoy them more.

 

[Padre Disney]

MemereMouse,
Wow. Thank you. Not many smokers would agree with you.


We happened to be on a 3 day a couple of years ago that allowed smoking while families played bingo. At the time it seemed like there was lots of people playing. BUT on our last 7 day they had changed the rules and did not allow smoking during bingo. WOW there was almost no place to sit. It was packed!

I wonder if DCL would even try having just one bar as non smoking for just a trial period how it would turn out? I do think that if a person wants to smoke while having a drink they should be able to do so. HOWEVER I also think that a non smoker should be able to enjoy a drink with out having to breath second hand smoke.
For the comparson I think that each bar would need to have the same level of entertainment in each place. I thought at one time there was one place (a bar I think) that was non smoking. But it wasn't the most happening place to be in the late evening. I love watching others dance and have a good time but just can't handle the smoke. So it's off to bed early for us.

just my .02.

 

[wdwmom2]

I am also a smoker. But like most nonsmokers, I do not like to sit in a room full of smoke. I have no problem with smoking in designated areas. If I need to smoke I can go to a place where it will hopefully bother no one. I like the fact that the staterooms are nonsmoking. I do not like the smell of smoke. Go figure that one out!!!!

 

[tecdavidt]

When we cruised in 2000 on Celebrity's ship Galaxy our room was a nonsmoking room. The ship was divided in half and one side was smoking and the other was nonsmoking, this included staterooms and outdoor decks. There was also a policy of no smoking in the hallways. People actually followed the policy. Kathy

 

[inkkognito]

I love the theme night events such as 70s Night and the games like Match Your Mate and Wonderquest at Wavebands. But even with a non-smoking section, the smoke gets very overwhelming because the ventilation is not too good. Also, a large part of the smoking section is directly behind non-smoking, so you could be sitting there with someone lighting up right behind you. We would probably spend more time there if smoking were banned. I think they should at least ban it while special events are going on. Maybe that would be a good compromise. The smokers can step out to light up, but I can't hold my breath that long!
wdwmom2, I don't think you're unusual. My brother is quite a heavy smoker. He's a truck driver who spends long hours on the road, but when he eats at truck stops, he sits in the non-smoking area because he doesn't like the overwhelming smell! He also never smokes in the sleeper section of his truck for the same reason.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Padre Disney]

Barb,
I never thought of that one. Please DCL ban smoking during special events in the bars. (ex: theme night events such as 70s Night and the games like Match Your Mate and Wonderquest at Wavebands) That way we can all enjoy the shows together. Maybe we should start a thread on banning smoking during special events and see how many people like that idea.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by tecdavidt
When we cruised in 2000 on Celebrity's ship Galaxy our room was a nonsmoking room. The ship was divided in half and one side was smoking and the other was nonsmoking, this included staterooms and outdoor decks.

Celebrity's "no smoking on the starboard (right) side" rule only applies to indoor and outdoor public areas these days. Celebrity has no non-smoking staterooms.

Originally posted by Padre Disney
Maybe we should start a thread on banning smoking during special events and see how many people like that idea.

Rockin' Bar D and the Magic and Wavebands on the Wonder are entertainment venues first and bars second. As such, they should really be non-smoking facilities, just like the Walt Disney Theatre. This is my biggest gripe about Disney's smoking policy. (My other gripe is that smoking on outside decks ought to be limited to designated areas.)

The situation in Rockin' Bar D has improved since our cruise. In the past, people were allowed to smoke in much of Rockin' Bar D whenever it was open, including during afternoon events and family shows. Now smoking is limited to the adult-only hours after 9:00 p.m. But that still means a smoke-filled room during the otherwise wonderful evening events. (Unfortunately, the smoking area is large and the ventilation is inadequate.)

DCL is way ahead of the competition, but there's room for improvement.

 

[DopeysGal]

When we were on the Wonder, the desk in our stateroom (Cat 11) had burn marks on it, where someone had laid their cigarette on the edge and it burned down. I asked our steward about it and she stated that while the rooms are non-smoking, people do smoke in them occasionally. She stated that the verandah rooms especially had guests that would smoke in the room, but with the door open, thinking the smell would just go outside. She also said they do have some type of disinfectant they use to get the smell out (our cabin did not smell of smoke at all but who knows how long those burns had been there). I guess it would be impossible to 'police' the whole ship to make sure every one is following the rules. It's sad that some people think the rules don't apply to them (and they have no regard for their fellow passengers and DCL property).

Deb

 

[disneyholic family]

i could never be in a stateroom that has been smoked in before..
we've turned down upgrades at resorts that would have put us in a smoking room....the rooms stink unbelievably....

as for smoke....i have always been hyper sensitive to smoke...
but now that my sister is dying of lung cancer, having never ever ever ever smoked in her entire life, but was subjected to 30 years of second hand smoke (from two secretaries in the large room they all sit in), my attitude towards smoke and smokers has hardened to the point of wishing ill on every smoker i see....(if looks could kill and all that)..

anyway...that was a non sequiter.....just venting...

 

[wdwmom2]

Disneyholic family

I am so sorry that you feel so much ill will for us smokers. I would never wish ill will on someone that does something that I don't approve of. I have had things happen in my life that have made me hate the person that caused it, but seeing how much energy it takes to hate, I would rather use that energy for the good. I can honestly say that I don't hate anything or anyone any longer. It is just an emotion that eats at your insides. I do feel for your sister. I lost my mom to cancer. But instead of ill feelings, maybe you should say a silent prayer for the people that wronged you and your family, whatever the situation. Believe me, I know where you are coming from, I have been there. And more than once.

 

[Alex]

On this cruise they showed monday nite football in 2 places, in preludes for nonsmokers and in diversions where smoking is legal, it is all nonsmoking untill after 9