Smoke Free Cruise

[BethC1952]

All of the rooms on the ship are non-smoking. It's only on the verandahs that people can smoke. Unfortunately, the smell (and the allergens) cling to people's clothing and hair, etc., which leaves it behind in the room even if no one smokes there.

Beth

 

[4nana]

This is a very sensitive subject to me. Our family are non smokers
and yes, we have the courtsey not to 'pick-on' smokers unless blowing our way. What you put in your body is your business.
However, until you watch a loved one suffer for years from an illness directly linked to smoking, you have NO idea! I lost my dear Dad in Jan due to cancer of the esophagus and emphysema.
He'd quit smoking 20 yrs ago. Nuff said

Smokers are NOT the root of all your evils! You are pumping your family with fermaldihyde(sp?) every morning they brush their teeth...you wash their hair with cancer-causing SLS in your shampoos...your softening their connective tissues by cooking with meat tenderizers...and I won't even get into the toxic chemicals you are breathing (and...yes...the putrid smells) of the perms, hair colors and acrylic nail supplies when you go to the beauty shop....and on...and on...and on...! I work for the local Health Dept and if only half of the public hazards were as publicized as smoking.....you would find many issues to be more "outraged" about !!!

I would be interested in more reasearch on this,
most rumors can be found true or not on:
http://www.snopes.com/toxins/toxins.htm

 

[Scott5150]

I voted 100% non-smoking. I considered other cruise lines, but came back to Disney because I know that the ship will be tolerable. I cannot imagine booking a cabin that had a smoker in it the last week. Carnivals Paradise sounds nice, but its Carnival - not really in the same class as Disney. I would certainly support increasing the smoking restrictions aboard the ship.

Scott

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Please... Let's not turn this into a discussion of health hazards, or rights, or "us. vs. them." That will only get the thread locked, and it's unlikely that anyone will learn anything new or change their mind.

The issue is whether DCL's smoking policies are okay as they are, or if some modifications are in order.

A non-smoking ship is not a realistic business option. DCL cannot afford to turn its back on business from smokers and from extended family groups, which often include one or more smokers. There have been several references to the Carnival Paradise. That's only one ship in the much larger Carnival fleet. And Carnival has chosen not to repeat this experiment with any of their newer ships. The reason the rates on the Paradise are low is not because it costs less to clean (although it may, in fact, cost less to clean), but because cruise rates are based on what people are willing to pay. I'm sure Carnival would gladly charge everyone $500 more on the Paradise to increase the profit margin if they could.

The DCL ships are big enough to accommodate smokers and non-smokers.

DCL is the only major cruise line on which every cabin is non-smoking. On all the major lines (with the exception of one Carnival ship), you can smoke in every cabin. Some lines used to have designated smoking and non-smoking cabins, but no longer do.

Other cruise lines limit smoking in outdoor areas. Port (left) side allows smoking and the starboard (right) side is non-smoking. DCL allows smoking in all outdoor areas except by the Mickey Pool.

Dining rooms and big showrooms are now non-smoking on all the major cruise lines that sail out of US ports. But bars, including bars with entertainment, typically allow smoking. DCL has some non-smoking entertainment lounges, including Rockin' Bar D during family shows.

Here's what I would like to see on DCL:

-- Limit outdoor smoking to specific, designated areas; and make sure that passengers know what those areas are. It's not fair that someone should need to move from their deck chair because of second-hand smoke.

-- Eliminate smoking during any entertainment, regardless of whether it's a family show or a later show for adults. Rockin' Bar D is home to wonderful evening cabaret shows, but there are passengers who are unable to go to them because of the smoky air throughout that room (despite having smoking and non-smoking sections).

-- Set up some indoor smoking lounges, with good ventilation to the outside, on several decks. (I'm not sure where they would get the space, but some space would have to be re-missioned.) Make the lounges comfortable and pleasant so that it's not an insult to smokers.

-- Designate a range of verandah cabins as "smoking permitted on verandah" and designate the rest as non-smoking.

Yes, what I'm proposing involves further restrictions on smoking. But it means that smokers could continue to smoke without hurting the ability of non-smokers -- especially those with allergies and other health issues -- to enjoy the full range of activities on the ships.

[edited to fix spelling errors]

 

[Bacrd]

Horace...I hope someone at Disney is paying attention to your post !!! Even with futher smoking restrictions...your suggestions are very intelligently put and well though out...without being judgemental or condescending.

Bravo!!

 

[AnnMorin]

Horace I love your idea! That would still be courteous to the smokers and allow the non smokers enjoyment too! I hope Disney is listening.. I think everyone just wants to live their life and get "what they paid for" Smokers pay for a veranda so they can smoke, non smokers pay for one to enjoy it smoke free- as for the shows I HATE it how the adult caberet turns into a fog in the evening. I love the shows but the smoke gets all in your clothes etc... yuck. If they had a smoking bar the smokers could go there to enjoy a cigerette and a cocktail- I don't think anyone feels they should be treated as leapers just don't subject me to their habit since I quit years ago I don't want to breathe it now.

ps if Disney is listening... we are in cabin 6596 for our 12/13 cruise and would prefer no smokers in the cabins next to us

 

[jgalecpa]

Horace,

Another well thought out, well written post.

The problem with 100% no smoking is it would break up families. Like many things, the art of reasonable compromise on all sides is key.

BTW, on page two of this thread someone noted that "Walt loved his smokes and would be rolling over in his grave".

Walt died at the relatively young age of 65:

Birthday: December 5, 1901
Birth Place: Chicago Illinois USA
Birth Name: Walter Elias Disney
Date of death: December 15, 1966
Cause of death: (Cardiac arrest/Lung Cancer )

Just think how much more living he had to do, and how much more all of us could be if he hadn't smoked....

 

[Jeanny]

Hey Horace~
I hope Disney is listening, because they should implement suggestions like yours... It's a good beginning. Although I would prefer a totally non-smoking cruise, I understand everyone's points. I may not agree with all of them, but I understand them.

As I posted earlier, I am a reformed smoker. I still remember what it was like to "have to have that cigarette". I'm glad I was among the "quitters". I just wish more smokers would be more tolerable of "rules" and ASK people around them if they mind if they smoke. They're putting that crap into their lungs, doesn't mean I want it in mine!

I know smokers and non-smokers will never meet in the middle, but as someone said earlier it's a right to smoke, but it's my right to not smoke.
Oh and if Walt were alive today....I think he would have quit smoking 30 years ago!
Jeanny

 

[Gina]

Horace, I think all but one of your suggestions are very sound and reasonable. The only one I disagree with is the nightclub one -- a bar is a bar is a bar, even on a cruiseship, even on a Disney cruiseship. I am one of those considerate smokers... and I would hate to think that I couldn't even smoke in a nightclub. I'm not trying to go smoke in the middle of Studio Sea, or in the Oceaneer Club or something... but at a dance party, late at night, in a nightclub, I expect to be able to smoke in a designated smoking section.

But the other ideas I would totally agree with. I think having the outdoor areas and veranda staterooms of one side of the ship designated as smoking and the other side non-smoking is fair and effective.

But if I am in a smoking section, minding my own business, and someone comes up to me and asks me to put out my cigarette, I assure you they are going to get an earful.


-gina-

 

[ducklite]

I'm a non-smoker. I hate it. I watched my dad die from cancer caused by his three pack a day habit, while the tobacco companies fattened their wallets.

That said, I also feel that adults that want to kill themselves have the right to do so (and they also have the right to pay significantly higher insurance premiums, but that's another thread).

I don't want to see a 100% smoke free Disney cruise. Smoking is an addiction, an illness, and I'd hate to see some little kid not be able to cruise DCL because mommy or daddy smokes and can't quit. And taking a non-smoking cruise to quit cold turkey doesn't work.

I'd rather see significant restrictions placed on smokers. Have a dedicated smoking room (maybe two) with dedicated ventilation onboard. That would be the ONLY place that smokers could puff away. The room could be made of fire retardent materials to lessen that hazard.

This is a solution I think most people could live with. Non-smokers wouldn't even realize smokers were onboard, and smokers would still be accomodated.

Anne

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by ducklite

I don't want to see a 100% smoke free Disney cruise. Smoking is an addiction, an illness, and I'd hate to see some little kid not be able to cruise DCL because mommy or daddy smokes and can't quit. And taking a non-smoking cruise to quit cold turkey doesn't work.

I'd rather see significant restrictions placed on smokers. Have a dedicated smoking room (maybe two) with dedicated ventilation onboard. That would be the ONLY place that smokers could puff away. The room could be made of fire retardent materials to lessen that hazard.
Anne

BUT, if they could go for a week without smoking.... maybe they could quit easier (more easily??) ...

The smoking room is a good idea...so if they want to smoke, they can go to the DSA (designated smoking area) and not bother anyone, including children.


Gina, I'm glad to hear you are one of those considerate smokers... believe me, you are in the minority. I was at a Red Sox game, which Fenway Park is COMPLETELY non-smoking... guess what I saw?? some guy sitting on the railing at the top of the stairs... his hand had a stream of smoke coming out of it... guess he didn't think anyone could figure out what he was doing....hmm.

At my school, we are completely non-smoking in the offices, residence halls, common areas. There are "smoking areas". At first you were allowed to smoke outside of each building, but we had to walk through the smoke haze. so now we have designated areas BEHIND the buildings and a "Butt Hutt"by the Campus Center, looks like a bus stop... hey at least they have shelter in bad weather. I still have to remind some students they need to go to the smoking areas, especially when they're walking in front of me and I'm inhaling their smoke....

jeanny

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by Jeanny
Gina, I'm glad to hear you are one of those considerate smokers... believe me, you are in the minority. I was at a Red Sox game, which Fenway Park is COMPLETELY non-smoking... guess what I saw?? some guy sitting on the railing at the top of the stairs... his hand had a stream of smoke coming out of it... guess he didn't think anyone could figure out what he was doing....hmm.

There will always be people like that, unfortunately, who think rules never apply to them -- whether it be non-smoking ordinances, stop signs, leash laws, whatever. They are somehow magically exempt from it all.

But at the same time, being courteous gets you punished sometimes, too. I know one time when I was at WDW, and having a cigarette on a bench in a smoking section. ((And if you smoke, you know that most of the smoking sections are pretty tucked away -- someone has to go out of their way to get there.)) This lady was sitting on the next bench -- in said smoking area -- talking on her cell phone. She made this big pantomimed deal out of me smoking on HER planet. Hello?? There are like a gazillion other places to go sit! Pick one that isn't in a very well-marked smoking area!!

/vent off

I do NOT smoke at or near any of the pools, whether it is allowed or not. There are simply too many people there, and it's rude. I have sometimes gone to a secluded part of deck 10, or deck 4 next to an ashtray when there are no other people close by. I try and do what I can to not make other people uncomfortable, but I hate being treated like a leper....

-gina-

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Gina
The only one I disagree with is the nightclub one -- a bar is a bar is a bar, even on a cruiseship, even on a Disney cruiseship. I am one of those considerate smokers... and I would hate to think that I couldn't even smoke in a nightclub.

In the specific case of Rockin' Bar D on the Disney Magic, the problem is that the location of the smoking section (across the entire back of the club) — combined with poor ventilation — means that the entire room is smoky when there are people smoking.

That, in turn, means that people with asthma, certain allergies, other respiratory ailments, or who just don't like the strong smell of cigarette smoke find themselves unable to enjoy the live entertainment or dancing at night in Rockin' Bar D.

So, while a smoker might enjoy Rockin' Bar D even more if allowed to smoke there, it's at the expense of other passengers who also paid for the cruise.

I don't have a complaint with smokers who light up in designated smoking areas. But I have a complaint with poorly thought out smoking areas that reduce or prevent my enjoyment of a place.

When going to shows at Rockin' Bar D, we sat as close to the wall at the left of the stage as possible, to maximize our distance from the smoking area. But the whole room was smoky.

Until recently, smoking was allowed in Rockin' Bar D at all times (including at family shows), but now it's only allowed at night. The easy answer is to make Rockin' Bar D into a non-smoking club at all times.

The other alternative would be for DCL to limit smoking to the starboard side of Rockin' Bar D and to install exhaust fans that pull air out of that section to the outside. That would work for me, but, even then, there would be people who could not go to Rockin' Bar D.

 

[AnnMorin]

Hey Werner maybe that would help.. the starboard only part.. I really enjoy the shows but REALLY hate the fog that starts, I have to take a shower before retiring just to get the smoke smell off of me.

 

[colleen costello]

Hi folks. New to these cruise boards. We are a family disgusted by smoke. I am grossed out by all the outdoor smoking that goes on at WDW resorts and have written to them about it -- to no avail, of course. Please fill me in on the smoking situation on the boats... too much money to spend if I have 4 days of dodging smokers.

SO: smoking is not allowed in any room, but on the verandahs you can smoke? SO this means that only inside rooms are guaranteed totally smoke-free? I certainly don't want a room that has been around smokers. Also, do they truly let people smoke around the pools? YUK... this has been another complaint of mine at WDW. Are the restarants smoke-free? How about the adults-only places? What I am trying to understand is, if I hate smoke and refuse to be around it, how limited will I be on these cruises? Sounds like my family might be better off waiting a bit til Disney gets a clue...

 

[trishy]

Originally posted by Hygiene99
WALT DISNEY, would roll in his grave,
loved his smokes peter

It's what put him there.

As it is, Rockin bar d and off beat are smoking after 9 pm and that's what keeps me from enjoying the activities there for the most part. I would love to see a new policy of 100% nonsmoking anywhere "inside" and let the smokers have ONE side of the ship (verandahs and deck 4) for their habit. Okay, now hang me all you smokers

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by colleen costello
SO: smoking is not allowed in any room, but on the verandahs you can smoke?

Yes. People are allowed to smoke on their verandahs, but not in any staterooms, including verandah staterooms. When the ship is moving this should not be a big problem. Between the sea breeze and the movement of the ship, any smoke will dissipate quickly.

But, in St. Thomas, I had to leave our verandah when the occupant of the next verandah was talking loudly on his cell phone, bragging about the Cubano he was smoking. Unfortunately, I had really hoped to enjoy our departure from St. Thomas on our private verandah.

Originally posted by colleen costello
SO this means that only inside rooms are guaranteed totally smoke-free? I certainly don't want a room that has been around smokers.

There's nothing different about inside staterooms when it comes to smoking. All rooms — inside, outside, and verandah — are officially non-smoking. But any stateroom can be occupied by a smoker. They just aren't supposed to smoke in it.

Originally posted by colleen costello
Also, do they truly let people smoke around the pools? YUK... this has been another complaint of mine at WDW. Are the restarants smoke-free? How about the adults-only places?

Smoking is allowed anywhere on the pool decks and all other outside decks, except by the Mickey (children's) Pool. This is a policy that DCL really needs to modify. And they could do so without inconveniencing smokers.

On our cruise, a group of smokers was usually right outside the door from the forward stairs to the pool deck; we learned to hold our breath while exiting. (That and Rockin' Bar D were the two worst smoke problems.)

Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the three dining rooms or Palo. The adult area has some designated smoking areas — including the Rockin' Bar D problem area.

Originally posted by colleen costello
What I am trying to understand is, if I hate smoke and refuse to be around it, how limited will I be on these cruises? Sounds like my family might be better off waiting a bit til Disney gets a clue...

Actually, aside from the Carnival Paradise, Disney Cruise Line is your best choice of all the cruise lines if you want to or need to avoid smoke. DCL has 100% non-smoking staterooms. The other lines have 100% smoking. There are very few designated indoor smoking areas on DCL. And, I would think, DCL is less likely to attract the "party, party, party" crowd that you might find on some other ships.

The smokers on our Disney Magic cruise respected the rules. DCL just needs to do some fine tuning to those rules.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks for the great info! It will help us make a decision about cruising with Disney.

 

[lbgraves]

I would definantly choose this option if it was available. I am also allergic to cig smoke & do not appreciate not being able to finish my meal or enjoy spending time with the kids outside because someone decided to light up next to us. I would like to go to the shows that people talk about in the clubs, but wont even consider it due to the smoke. I agree that a kid friendly ship should be smoke free.

 

[AnnMorin]

I see there are seven votes for more smoking. Where did those individuals think smoking should be added?