Non smoking cruise?

[Nora94]

DH brought up the idea of going on a disney cruise for spring break. Before I get committed to the idea I need to know if there are non smoking cruises. Not just smoking only in certain spots, but a totally smoke free ship?
I am HIGHLY allergic and even smelling it on people can set off an asthma attack.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

No. DCL has designated smoking areas and smoking is allowed on the verandahs of cabins.

 

[calmpets]

Here is an article on non-smoking cruising that may be helpful (or not since all but one line offers smoking in some areas): http://www.frommers.com/articles/5872.html

 

[NancyIL]

I was on my first Celebrity cruise last month, and it was the most smoke-free cruise I've been on. People can't smoke in their cabins OR their balconies. Even the casino was non-smoking! I wish more cruise lines would adopt those smoking rules.

 

[kcashner]

I used to find the smoking to be a problem on DCL. No more. Over the years, smoking has been more and more restricted. It is now limited to outdoors only on the starboard side of the ship decks 9 and 10. It's allowed on deck 4, not sure if the starboard side thing is carried thru there. However, it is allowed on private verandahs. NOT in staterooms...but that one is hard to police. If you check into a stateroom and it smells like smoke, GS will take care of it either with a room change or a "deep cleaning" that really does work!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Here is an article on non-smoking cruising that may be helpful (or not since all but one line offers smoking in some areas): http://www.frommers.com/articles/5872.html

Thanks for the link but for the absolutely opposite reason. DH is a smoker but strictly adheres to the ship rules. We were thinking of trying another line and its great to know their policies in advance!

 

[barney4liz]

I used to find the smoking to be a problem on DCL. No more. Over the years, smoking has been more and more restricted. It is now limited to outdoors only on the starboard side of the ship decks 9 and 10. It's allowed on deck 4, not sure if the starboard side thing is carried thru there. However, it is allowed on private verandahs. NOT in staterooms...but that one is hard to police. If you check into a stateroom and it smells like smoke, GS will take care of it either with a room change or a "deep cleaning" that really does work!

I can't remember which side on Deck 4 the smokers were on, but I have to say that it is a real drag (pun intended) to have to run through cigarette smoke while using the Promenade/walking-jogging track for exercising!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I can't remember which side on Deck 4 the smokers were on, but I have to say that it is a real drag (pun intended) to have to run through cigarette smoke while using the Promenade/walking-jogging track for exercising!

DH says its the starboard side but maybe he has this in his mind about Deck 9 and just applied the same logic to Deck 4. And I have to tell you that he's a smoker and thinks the same thing as you.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I can't remember which side on Deck 4 the smokers were on, but I have to say that it is a real drag (pun intended) to have to run through cigarette smoke while using the Promenade/walking-jogging track for exercising!

Couldn't agree with you more. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. We pretty much don't use deck 4 anymore and just use the fitness center.

 

[calmpets]

Thanks for the link but for the absolutely opposite reason. DH is a smoker but strictly adheres to the ship rules. We were thinking of trying another line and its great to know their policies in advance!

Happy to help! I travel with a couple of smokers too, and they are always very careful to follow the rules. I always get annoyed when non-smokers go to the smoking section and then complain about the smoke! Which is why I wanted to make a point to help the OP trying to find a cruiseline with rules they can live with, instead of just sailing on whatever and expecting everyone to work around them.

 

[tm2924]

On our last cruise in 05/09, I didn't see that many smokers, even in the smoking areas. It was not a problem at all. I do hope the make the new ships non-smoking though.

 

[mmouse37]

Years ago the Carnival Paradise was designated as the first "smoke free" cruisel ship. Well it lasted a few years and then they made is a smoking ship. The revenue was just not there to support a completely smoke-free ship week after week. It did have a casino, just no smoking.

They had some pretty tough restrictions too....before sailing you had to sign a contract that you would not smoke or even bring any smoking materials with you. If you were caught with a pack of cigarettes (even if purchasing and bringing home for someone else) you would be fined a minimum of about $250.

They said even the workers building the ship had to be non-smokers but I do not know how realistic that was.

Last month on the Magic there was a cabin where there was a smoker as we could smell it in the hall whenever we walked to our cabin. It was a pretty strong smell. Not sure if the person was smoking IN their cabin or out on their balcony, but if it was on the balcony then they must have had their door open so kind of defeated the purpose of a non-smoking cabin.

MJ

 

[taswira]

I don't think the Carnival Paradise's lack of adequate revenue was due to low demand for a non-smoking ship. I believe the demand is definitely there. The downside of the Paradise was that she was a relatively small ship (compared to DCL's) and that it was Carnival. Those were the reasons I (and many other smoke-sensitive non-smokers I know) never sailed on the Paradise. I think if Disney had at least one totally smoke-free ship, they'd have no trouble filling it consistently. However, since that would cut their revenue from onboard tobacco sales, I don't think they'll be going that route any time soon!

 

[lbgraves]

The smoking policy for the current DCL ships is noted in the DIS DCL FAQ thread linked in my signature. This lists the areas where smoking is allowed so that you can avoid it.

 

[taswira]

The smoking policy for the current DCL ships is noted in the DIS DCL FAQ thread linked in my signature. This lists the areas where smoking is allowed so that you can avoid it.

I've read that. GREAT FAQ - Thanks!

But when it refers to "all interior spaces," does that mean that they no longer allow smoking in ANY of the adult clubs? I am SO hoping, because too many times I've had to leave a club due to the smoking. It wasn't so much the number of smokers, but more the fault of poor ventilation systems I think. Are those clubs non-smoking now? And I know the Cove Cafe can't be. We weren't even able to go in and enjoy coffee because of the smoking. Oh, well . . .

 

[mmouse37]

I don't think the Carnival Paradise's lack of adequate revenue was due to low demand for a non-smoking ship. I believe the demand is definitely there. The downside of the Paradise was that she was a relatively small ship (compared to DCL's) and that it was Carnival. Those were the reasons I (and many other smoke-sensitive non-smokers I know) never sailed on the Paradise. I think if Disney had at least one totally smoke-free ship, they'd have no trouble filling it consistently. However, since that would cut their revenue from onboard tobacco sales, I don't think they'll be going that route any time soon!

Then what was it. If the revenue was there they would have kept it non-smoking. The Paradise came out in 1998. She is only 100 or so feet shorter than the Magic and about 18,000 tons less. Not really that much smaller.

Maybe nowadays, because non-smokers have increased even more it would have a chance, but I am still doubtful that a ship could sail full with non-smokers week in and week out. If there was a market wouldn't another line have done it again?

Disney lovers are both non smokers and smokers, I don't think just because it is Disney that it would sail full each week with non-smokers....but that is just my opinion, obviously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_Paradise


MJ

 

[kcashner]

Then what was it. If the revenue was there they would have kept it non-smoking. The Paradise came out in 1998. She is only 100 or so feet shorter than the Magic and about 18,000 tons less. Not really that much smaller.

Maybe nowadays, because non-smokers have increased even more it would have a chance, but I am still doubtful that a ship could sail full with non-smokers week in and week out. If there was a market wouldn't another line have done it again?

Disney lovers are both non smokers and smokers, I don't think just because it is Disney that it would sail full each week with non-smokers....but that is just my opinion, obviously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_Paradise


MJ

Right now, DCL is working really hard to fill ships--we're seeing all kinds of specials. They're not about to make any restrictions on who can and can't sail.

Yes, I'd LOVE to see the port verandahs be "non-smoking." It would be consistent with the starboard vs. port policies on the open decks. However, it would cause booking headaches and possibly turn off some cruisers--exactly the last thing DCL needs in the current economy.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

but I am still doubtful that a ship could sail full with non-smokers week in and week out. If there was a market wouldn't another line have done it again?

If you dig up smoking threads from 5 years ago, you'll see similar points being made about places that are now smoke free. Right or wrong, there is a clear and growing trend to make more places off limits for smokers. While there are special circumstances with cruise ships which make it hard to be 100% non-smoking, I expect (again - not saying if it's right or wrong - just what I expect) to see smoking restrictions on ships becoming stricter in the next few years.

There's a significant chunk of the population that has never been on an airplane or in a movie theater with a smoking section. Soon there will be folks who've never been asking "smoking or non-smoking" at a restaurant or Disney hotel. I don't see the trend slowing down.

 

[taswira]

The revenue probably wasn't there for the Paradise because the ship was not one to draw repeat cruisers in the way that DCL does. We were once docked adjacent to it. It was not only noticeably smaller but seemed to lack balconies. I believe the only way to get one was to be in a suite, and they were all on one deck very high up, plus only 20-something on the entire ship I think. I never booked it because I like my Navigator Verandah and stateroom with split bath and am not interested in casinos. Disney ships are a world apart in too many ways to list.

I'm not trying to "rock the boat" here. Although for health reasons I have never smoked, I have friends who smoke, and we respect each other's differences and requirements. The reason I (and many non-smokers) would prefer the clubs to be non-smoking is not anything personal against smokers. It's because poor ventilation systems make us miserable and sick from the smoke so deprive us of enjoying the clubs. I agree that "Disney lovers are both non smokers and smokers," but I feel that clean air should be an entitlement for all. That's not just my opinion, but that of the Surgeon General, among others. My dad smoked, and died of lung cancer. A friend died as a result of decades of exposure to second-hand smoke. However ...

I agree with DisneyWalker44 and kcashner: In the current economy, no line would be likely to fill a non-smoking ship on a regular basis. Four or five years from now, I think it's quite possible, IF the economy turns around. Only time will tell.

 

[lbgraves]

I've read that. GREAT FAQ - Thanks!

But when it refers to "all interior spaces," does that mean that they no longer allow smoking in ANY of the adult clubs? I am SO hoping, because too many times I've had to leave a club due to the smoking. It wasn't so much the number of smokers, but more the fault of poor ventilation systems I think. Are those clubs non-smoking now? And I know the Cove Cafe can't be. We weren't even able to go in and enjoy coffee because of the smoking. Oh, well . . .

Yes, both ships have had the adult clubs ALL be non-smoking for over a year now. This includes the Cove Cafe, which was non-smoking and has been since it opened but the smoking seating was outside the door and the smoke would be pulled in whenever the door was opened. Now the decks have been split to have smoking only on the starboard side. The CC's door is on the portside of the ship...so no more smoke being pulled into the area. I was able to enjoy RNBD last August on the repo cruise for the first time and I am also sensitive to smoke and/or the smell left on fabric etc. I couldn't smell anything in the club and we sat in the middle of the room.