Smoking?

[ma2patrick]

I know this is a touchy subject, but I just wanted to check what I'm reading. Is it true that there are areas of the ship where there will be smoking, and non-smoking areas in close quarters? Also, I understand that the coffee lounge is also a smoking area? This saddens me, because I have asthma, and it is more than just an annoyance for me to be around smokers, it is life threatening. In past cruises I've been on, there have been outdoor smoking areas, and one lounge dedicated to smokers. Can anyone help me understand the rules on DCL so I can plan accordingly?

Boy, I would hate to have to cancel my trip because DCL is opening smoking to many areas of the ship.

 

[torontodisney]

Hi, We were on the ship in February and had no problem with smokers. I did see a couple outside near the bar surrounding the adult pool area but other than that, I can't say there was an issue. I don't think you will have a problem. I suffer with asthma as well and loved being on the ship, did not have one attack while at sea. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[aprilgail2]

All the clubs at night havesmoking in them...I didn't get to go to one club because I can not stand to be around smoke in such enclosed quarters...I dont see the big deal in just making smokers go outside and smoke but they let them smoke inside and cause many of us to miss out on the clubs.

 

[confal1]

I'm part of the non-smoking club. My sister just went on a smoke free Carnival Cruise and said it was so nice not to have to deal with it. I am surprised and disappointed that Disney allows smoking in all the clubs. Don't they know it is so disgusting for people who don't smoke. If we smell like smoke when we get the kids and get back to the cabin then we have to have the discussion on why people smoke but that you (our kids) shouldn't. Not to mention showering at whatever time you get back. I hope Disney is listening to this thread and does something about the smoking.

 

[SeaSpray]

The coffee lounge, "Cove Cafe", is non-smoking.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by confal1
Don't they know it is so disgusting for people who don't smoke. If we smell like smoke when we get the kids and get back to the cabin then we have to have the discussion on why people smoke but that you (our kids) shouldn't. Not to mention showering at whatever time you get back.

Not only showering the stink out of your hair but if you leave your clothes you wore in the room they stink up the room of stale smoke....when I used to go out to clubs when I was younger I would have to change in the garage and leave the stink out there before washing the clothes the next day (then I also spent the next few days coughing my head off!). I have no desire to be at the ships laundry at 1am to get the stink out of the clothes.

 

[confal1]

Seaspray you just made my day! Thanks

 

[tchoney]

My family is a NON SMOKING family. In fact, my ds and I have tremendous allergies one of which includes cigarette smoke. On our first Disney cruise I was really shocked that Disney Allowed smoking on their ships especially catering to children and families. The only problems that we had were occassionally, you get the inconsiderate parent that doesn't care about anyone else, and sits at the pool and smokes. By the way, It doesn't matter where I am, the wind always blows in my direction... Anyway, there is also smoking in the clubs which we did not attend at night. On our 3rd morning, we had to wait in a club for our excursion and we felt really nasty by the time we made it to our excursion. Not to mention, my ds and I had really bad headaches and our sinuses were stopped us. I think if cruise ships are going to have smoking, they need to have it outside only and in a secluded area with a gigantic wall surrounding it. That way smokers can stay in that area, smoke and inhale and resmoke their smoke and us non smokers will not be hindered.

 

[tkd lisa]

The Promenade Lounge is also non-smoking. I believe all outside areas are considered smoking optional except the area immediately surrounding the Mickey pool.

I know people feel strongly about this subject, but please try to keep the posts non-judgemental or I can guarantee this will be locked. I've seen it happen in the past because these types of opinions lead quickly to personal attacks, which are not allowed on the DIS.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
The Promenade Lounge is also non-smoking. I believe all outside areas are considered smoking optional except the area immediately surrounding the Mickey pool.

I know people feel strongly about this subject, but please try to keep the posts non-judgemental or I can guarantee this will be locked. I've seen it happen in the past because these types of opinions lead quickly to personal attacks, which are not allowed on the DIS.

I'm with you on this one Lisa. There are 2 sides to this and both sides have their points in my opinion. And these topics tend to get very personal very quickly.
There are plenty of places that never allow smoking and they have greatly limited the smoking areas in other places. I have never found the Disney cruises to be overly smokey places. Disney is one of the few cruise lines that don't seem to allow smoking in the cabins so that is a positive.

 

[BethC1952]

The coffee lounge, "Cove Cafe", is non-smoking.

That's the best news I've heard so far today!

We spend a lot of time at the Promenade Lounge because it's non-smoking and have never gone to any of the clubs on the ship because of the smoking. We also move away when smokers come to the adult pool. It's just easier and more polite not to make a fuss about it, although I would strongly urge Disney to reconsider the smoking policies on board. I understand that smokers spend money on cruises just as non-smokers do, and that the company is in business to make money. However, I do think it would be possible to assign specific out-door non-smoking areas (maybe all the way forward on each outside deck) so that the smoke blows away from the non-smoking areas, and making one indoor club totally non-smoking all the time.

Beth

 

[westjones]

I'm so glad to hear the coffee place is non-smoking too! We didn't even bother to go in because there were so many smoker sitting at table right outside the door that it made us assume it was a 'smokers hangout'. I guess that is why they were outside (the tables right outside do have ash trays).

My BIGGEST disappointment on our Sept. 18th Magic cruise was the smoking at Goofy's Pool (the family pool). I had assumed that if we stayed away from the adult pool we would be away from the smoke. But as we sat at a table near the Goofy Pool watching our kids using the Goofy Pool the people who sat down at the table next to us lit up and smoked. The smoked blew right at us, so DH went and found us another empty table to move to.

I don't know if they did this and they were not suppose to smoke there, or if it is just allowed. No one (CMs) said anything to them and they were there a long time, so I assume it was alright.

If Disney every decided to offer 'special' smoke free cruises I bet I could talk DH into booking that one! He was NOT happy with all the smoke we encountered on this last Magic cruise. It was the worse with regards to smoke of any of the 5 Disney cruises we have ever been on. I am hoping that our December cruise has less smoke.

OH, and BTW, we went to the future cruise prensentation by Donna in Diversions, and there was smoking allowed in there (DH almost wouldn't stay but I found a place for us to sit where the smoke wasn't blowing and he stayed for most of the presentation--but he won't go back again now that he knows it is a smoking allowed activity).

DJ

 

[ma2patrick]

I really don't mean for this to seem like a personal attack. Or for this thread to turn into one...but if those who smoke could realize how much discomfort and pain they cause to those of us who don't smoke or be around smoke. My asthma was induced by my mother driving us around all the time with the car windows rolled up while she smoked. I now can't laugh too hard, or I have a severe attack...it's really very sad.

If those of you reading do smoke, please know that we aren't trying to pick on you for the sake of picking on you. It's not that we are disagreeing with a choice of taste in music, or favorite colors. If you feel the need to smoke, go ahead, but please, please try to be considerate of those of us who are severely affected by it.

Please don't smoke by the family pools. If you need a smoke break, you can find a place away from families and kids, and then return to the pool once you've finished your cigarette.

Again, I'll be respectful in my request to you, if you promise not to blow smoke in my face just because you can.

Thanks.

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

Originally posted by ma2patrick
I know this is a touchy subject, but I just wanted to check what I'm reading. Is it true that there are areas of the ship where there will be smoking, and non-smoking areas in close quarters? Also, I understand that the coffee lounge is also a smoking area?

Here's my take on it, from someone who spent a month in the hospital with bronchitis when I was pregnant because there was so much smoke on a (non-DCL) cruise:

The Disney cruise on the 9/27 Magic was one of the most smoke-free places I've been in a VERY long time. The only time I had a problem was on Pirate Night on deck 9 because so many people were smoking in such close quarters.

However, I also avoid all nighttime activities in clubs that allow smoking, and did not spend any tim in those clubs even during the day. That meant I missed out on a couple of activities, but none so memorable that i can name them. I spent a lot of time in the lounge (is that the Promenade Lounge) next to Parrot Cay, in Cove Cafe, in Studio Sea, and in the atrium, shops, and theatres. None of these had even a hint of smoke in them.

The one time a woman was smoking by the Goofy Pool (by the drink station), I nicely asked her if she would mind moving away from me and the kids because we're allergic to smoke. She immediately put out her cigarette and moved down near the adult pool.

When we sailed RCCL in 1999 (the last time we sailed with them, even though they had been my FAVORITE cruise line before that), everyone smoked everywhere, including right outside the dining rooms, so that the smoke permeated the dining room. It was horrible, and when I spoke with Guest Services, they told me to "stay in my cabin where there is no smoke".

I also think the percentage of smokers on the DCL cruises -- esp. the Magic -- is VERY, VERY low. The smoking on the ship does not dissuade me frm cruising with DCL again because the smoking is in areas that i normally don't frequent on land, either (like bars and clubs).

Marcy