Smoking on Board?

[mbb]

No flames, please ...but please tell me that there are very definite areas for smoking, and not just all over the ship...? We're planning a family cruise, and this could be a make or break decision for us. My parents just returned from their first RC Cruise, and just found the smoke in the common areas VERY uncomfortable...so much so that they really aren't interested in cruising again...LOVED the experience, just not the air quality..thanks!!

 

[sanela]

you can not smoke in your stateroom,but can on a veranda.also smoking is permited in all open areas of the ship.

 

[inkkognito]

This topic can get a bit heated but don't worry about that.
As an allergic non-smoker who has been on 36 Disney cruises, I can assure you Disney is much better than Royal Caribbean. I got really sick on Sovereign of the Seas due to the smoke. On Disney, there are some areas to be cautious of, but there is no smoking in the staterooms and in most interior areas, so you can avoid the majority of it.
Here are areas to be wary of:
Rockin Bar D/Wavebands, which have non-smoking areas but very poor ventilation. Also, some of the non-smoking areas are right in front of smoking, so the people sitting literally right behind you can be puffing on cigarettes.
There may be lots of smokers on deck 4 and decks 9 (except the Mickey Pool) and 10 at times because they have to go to outer areas to smoke. But there is enough space to avoid them if you want to. Remember, that's one of the few places they can light up so that's why they tend to gather on the outer decks.
If you have a verandah, you could have chain smokers before. This has only happened to us a couple of times. Pick a verandah room with a neighbor on only one side or a navigators verandah to minimize this chance.
You could have chain smokers sitting next to you on Castaway Cay, which is bad when your chairs are close together. Choose chairs with a little space between you and your neighbors to avoid this.
Overall, Disney is great for non-smokers.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[karebear1]

Is the smoking really bad or is it like it would be at WDW? I can barely handle cigarette smoke even if it's outside, so if the outside areas are full of smokers and it's heavy- I may as well not go. WHo wants to walk on deck for and get a lung full of cigarette smoke? If the people in the room next to you smoke and your door is closed, can you still smell trheir smoke? ANd why in heavens name has Disney NOT designated specific floors/areas/rooms for smoking on these cruises?

 

[mbb]

I thought it might be a *hot* topic....but really needed an answer...sincere apologies to any who feel it is a sensitive topic...thanks again!!

 

[kcashner]

On our last DCL cruise, I found the smoking situation had improved greatly, even in the night clubs.

As above, no smoking in any cabin (although they can't/don't really enforce this, I've only had a nasty smelling cabin once and was moved at my request). Smoking is ok on verandahs, and can blow to your verandah. Smoking is OK on decks 9 and 10, and any "open air" space, although it was minimal in the family areas of the pool deck. Smoking is ok in the smoking sections of the night clubs after 9 pm. They have gone to "no smoking" during the family shows.

THere is no smoking in any dining room, theatre, etc.

On the 2/7/04 cruise, there was a jerk sitting in the chairs by the elevator puffing away. I told him (not too nicely) that he was in a no smoking area. He asked how I expected him to know that, and I replied that the absence of ash trays should have been a big clue. I then reported him at guest services. That was the ONLY bad smoking event. Even the night clubs were VERY much improved over our previous sailings. Maybe they did something during the dry dock...or maybe we were lucky.

Karebear, no one is supposed to smoke in cabins, and most people respect this. I've never had a problem with smoke from the next cabin, only from the next verandah. At least that is outside. Why no "smoking" cabins....well, as one who likes the fact that all are non-smoking, maybe DCL doesn't want their furniture and carpets burned? DCL was recently rated the highest among all cruise lines for friendliness to "non-smokers." The only other line that had a strict non-smoking policy now allows smoking, so DCL is the best for non smokers.

 

[inkkognito]

I really haven't seen many rule-ignoring smokers either...only four in 36 cruises. One was a moron who lit up in the non-smoking section of Wavebands and then, when told to put it out, went onto the dance floor and lit up another one. He was dancing around a crowded dance floor and waving it wildly, almost burning people! A CM quickly put a stop to that. Other than that, I've seen it in the comedy club (which doesn't exist anymore), Cadillac Lounge, and Wavebands. There have been occasions when I've smelled smoke in the hallways by the staterooms, but I don't know whether it's because people were smoking in their rooms or doing it out on the verandah with the door open. That's the exception rather than the rule anyway. Usually the hallways around the rooms are fine.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

not to complain but there is 1 cruise ship that is 100% smoke free and it cant be filled. its a carnival ship. they have at most times a 80-90 fill rate. now for the fun. i am a smoker and i always go out of my way to not to offend non-smokers. when we went to the MK last year we had 3 non-smokers hanging out the the limited and very few smoking areas. they sat there and complained about the smoke. i walked up to them and said "welcome to the smoking area" if you dont like the smoke please leave. they got offended and left looking for CM to complain to. they returned 5 minutes late with security in hand and started to complain about the smokers and when the security officer told them this is a smoking area and please try to sit in areas that dont have ashtrays they complained about how there are not enough areas to sit and relax for non-smokers. look dont think that all smokers dont care. im just getting tired of all the anti everything attitude that the main stream press is causing. CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG?
im sorry to be long winded but it kills me to see that some non-smokers not all(sorry) like to cry and complain. so please if you can find it in your heart to not complain all the time and ask a smoker "NICELY" to smoke somewhere else or even if you the non-smoker could move up wind (if you are just passing by enjoying the view) thanks and sorry so long

 

[siily047]

THANK YOU AND WELL SAID we have often gone out to eat in the smoking area and some non smoker will choose to sit in that area and then complain about the smoke !! LOL its like hey then wait for a non smoking table ehhe any way thanks

 

[crisi]

I didn't notice a single smoker. Noticed one ashtray full of butts up by the Goofy pool, so there was at least one on the boat.

Gary Delana did a comedy routine. He talked about smoking on the ship. He asked the smokers to clap.....two or three people. He said, "Watch this, now the non-smokers..." the auditorium erupted. Smokers seemed to be the definate minority on the cruise.

 

[Scratch42]

Just remember, as long as each respects the others areas, it is fine!

But I do find that the ventilation system is lax 'cause when we had to meet for one of our excursions, I could smell the leftover smoke from the night before.

Other than that, it was amazing!

Scratch

 

[CheapMom]

I am pretty sensitive to smaoke but I think if smokers respect the rules/boundaries I will be fine. If I am on deck and someone is smoking I can move- hey- it's a big ship. I just hope that if someone is out of doors and they need to light up they will try to find a place that is somewhat away from others.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by KYCruiseCrazy
i am a smoker and i always go out of my way to not to offend non-smokers.

Thank you. Not just on the ship... most smokers follow smoking rules and restrictions, and use good judgement when it's not a clear case of a designated smoking or non-smoking area.

Originally posted by Scratch42
Just remember, as long as each respects the others areas, it is fine!

That sounds good on the surface. But let's take Rockin' Bar D, as an example. 99.9% of smokers limit their smoking to the designated smoking section. They're respecting the rules. But the smoke drifts throughout the whole room, limiting or preventing those who are sensitive to smoke from enjoying the entertainment there.

What should smoke-sensitive non-smokers in Rockin' Bar D do? Leave? Suffer the consequences? Ask all the smokers please not to smoke in the designated smoking section?

Yes, DCL's rules are better than those of other cruise lines. But every adult should be able to enjoy the adult entertainment that the DCL ships provide.

I blame DCL, not the smokers, for this situation.

 

[inkkognito]

Horace, I think you said it well. I love the events in Wavebands, but I don't go there nearly as much as I'd like to because I can't stand more than about an hour without having a bad allergic reaction. I don't fault the smokers because they are following the rules. It's like restaurants where the smoking and non-smoking sections are literally next to each other, with no barrier between them (like the smoke is apparently supposed to know that it must stop at the "invisible wall). I always insist on being seated elsewhere, and I'm noticing more and more people doing the same. Maybe eventually retaurants and other places will learn how to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers.
And even though I am a non-smoker, I think that non-smokers who go into a smoking area and then complain are as bad as smokers who light up in a non-smoking area!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by inkkognito
Horace, I think you said it well....

Maybe eventually retaurants and other places will learn how to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers...

And even though I am a non-smoker, I think that non-smokers who go into a smoking area and then complain are as bad as smokers who light up in a non-smoking area!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

I agree as well.

Thanks again for all your well thought out replies...looks like we might be ON DECK!!