Smoking onboard

We were very excited to have recently booked our first Seabourn cruise – but are now already having doubts after discovering that the SB smoking policy differs from all the other cruise lines we have looked at - by allowing smoking on Verandas.

If this policy stays in place it could greatly affect our enjoyment of our cruise, if we are unable to use the suite we have secured due to smoke fumes from near by verandas.

I have put a lot or research into this cruise but missed this thinking all cruise lines had the same policy and I am feeling very sad at the moment as my gut is now telling me could have made the wrong decision booking with Seabourn.

Does the current SB smoking policy attract more smokers?

I know this can be a sticky topic but would love to hear the experiences of nonsmoking SB cruisers.

Bev

On our last SB cruise a couple of months ago I never smelt smoke. I only saw 1 smoker and only once. There was never any smoke in the Observation lounge.

My first cruise was never a problem, however there was more smoke on the designated side of the Observation lounge at night. Never any sign of smoke on our balcony.

A quick search through the threads will give you lots of information regarding the smoking policy on Seabourn. Although in saying that I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions on this as it hasn't been dredged up recently.

Yes, this is a sticky topic for CC and Seabourn. You will probably get quite a bit of response. Just yesterday I read a recent CC review of a recent Seabourn cruise (I think the title was "Smokin' Smokin Smokin") from one unlucky passenger who was stuck in a penthouse between two other PH suites filled with smokers. IMHO this is a serious health and safety issue for Seabourn that they should fix, but unfortunately are reluctant to. Our 68-day cruise on SB was early 2014, and we were stuck next to a cabin of smokers who were out on their verandah puffing away day and night, so we didn't use ours. And this was before they changed the policy for the observation bar which was full of smoke for much of the evening...now they allow it only after 8:00. Does SB attract more smokers than other lines? I have no idea. Did I experience more unpleasant smoke on SB than on other lines (Cunard, Crystal, Azamara), definitely yes! I can tolerate some smoke and am not a radical about this, but I do advocate in the direction of public health and safety. On the other hand, we did enjoy SB, met some wonderful, wonderful people and loved quite a few things about the experience.

We've never had much of a problem with smokers on Seabourn, but others have and unfortunately it's all down to the luck of the draw. You can avoid designated smoking areas on the ship, but you can't know in advance if your neighbours are smokers or not.

Our recent cruise had very few smokers and I only noticed the smell of smoke in two outdoor spaces, both designated smoking areas.

I'm trying to avoid getting into a heated discussion about different regions and local smoker's habits, but I would say that in my experience, on the itinerary in your CC sig, it's possible there will be smokers on that cruise. But nobody can say for sure.

We've been on five Seabourn cruises, as well as many Regent and Silversea.

We've never had any problem with neighboring smoke on the balcony. Maybe that's good luck; I tend to think there just aren't that many smokers on board.

I actually consider the situation preferable to Regent or Silversea, which have tighter guidelines. The result is only one or two smoking areas, often near the pool. Because however many smokers there are congregate in these areas, it can easily get smelly and dirty, and spoil areas nearby as well.

We've been on five Seabourn cruises, as well as many Regent and Silversea.

 

We've never had any problem with neighboring smoke on the balcony. Maybe that's good luck; I tend to think there just aren't that many smokers on board.

 

I actually consider the situation preferable to Regent or Silversea, which have tighter guidelines. The result is only one or two smoking areas, often near the pool. Because however many smokers there are congregate in these areas, it can easily get smelly and dirty, and spoil areas nearby as well.

Cigar smoking at the pool bar on Regent Voyager is one of the main reasons we never went back to Regent. It was the only outside bar which severely restricted its use for us and the smell wafted up to the walking track on the deck above. Regent also allowed smoking in the casino and in one of the other lounges.

We have been on Regent, Silversea and Crystal in the last two years. We don't like smoking and I tend to be very sensitive to smoke. Anyway, we like that Regent has tighter restrictions, but agree that if you get a crowd of smokers in that area on the pool deck, you have to hold your breath for a bit to pass the area. However, the worst smoking situation we encountered was on Crystal. They allow smoking on a whole SIDE of the pool deck. Therefore, you really can't settle down in one of the lounges on that side (even if no is smoking when you get there) since at any time, someone could (legitimately) light up. Plus it takes a lot longer (and more holding breath) to pass a whole deck length!

We are going to "take a chance" on Seabourn next year and hope the smoking is not an issue. If it is, then we won't be back!

There must be a hundred threads on smoking in existence. Why not add to those instead of making it 101.

There must be a hundred threads on smoking in existence. Why not add to those instead of making it 101.

Maybe Dan could make a single smoking 'sticky'.

 

We are going to "take a chance" on Seabourn next year and hope the smoking is not an issue. If it is, then we won't be back!

I have only done 2 SB cruises and have never had a problem but I am sure it is the luck of the draw with ANY cruise line whether there is a smoker nearby. You may find you run out of cruise lines if the luck is against you. :(

How sensitive are you to smoke? Are you highly allergic (which I am) or is it just something that you wish to avoid? On our Seabourn med cruise last summer, we had no problem with smokers on the balcony or in the outside designated spaces. I would say the Observation lounge is a problem area. The problem being that they leave the main doors to the lounge open and smoke wafts through the hallway (I would never take a penthouse suite on that level) AND the smoke wafts down the stairwell onto the other floor hallways. This is on

Y a problem in the evening. They really should just close the main doors to the Obs lounge..or obviously cease smoking in the lounge. But that has been discussed at much length to no avail!

I think you now know, you can never do enough research to avoid disappointment.

Thank you so much for you replies.

My initial shock has waned somewhat this morning and my Husband and I decided retain our booking and hope that luck is on our side.

I did do a forum search on smoking and there was some talk of SB making changes to their policy. I think it is important to express concerns with anything regarding health and safety and make no apology for “making it 101”.

I wrote to Seabourn yesterday and received this reply, which impressed me with its promptness. It is nice to know they do listen.

“Thank you for your recent correspondence with Seabourn Cruise Line.

We understand you have concerns regarding smoking aboard our ships and regret that you feel your experience will be compromised by smoke from your fellow travelers. Smoking is prohibited or restricted in most public areas aboard Seabourn ships, although guests may smoke in the Observation Bar except during tea service from 4pm to 5pm. And while smoking is prohibited in all guest suites, there are designated smoking areas on some outside decks; cigar and pipe smoking are explicitly restricted to outside decks only.

Smoking will continue to be allowed on suite verandas on board Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest in Categories V1 and higher, and indoors in a portion of the Observation Lounge after 8pm. Although our policy is an attempt to balance the desires of both our smoking and non-smoking guests, we do regret any dissatisfaction it may cause.

Lastly, this is also a policy that is regularly reviewed by senior management based on guest’s feedback, as we endeavor to better enhance the overall experience for our valued guests. I will be passing along your feedback below for review and while it will not likely change anything prior to your next planned sailing it will be kept in mind when the time comes to look at making changes to the policy.”

Thanks again!

How sensitive are you to smoke? Are you highly allergic (which I am) or is it just something that you wish to avoid? On our Seabourn med cruise last summer, we had no problem with smokers on the balcony or in the outside designated spaces. I would say the Observation lounge is a problem area. The problem being that they leave the main doors to the lounge open and smoke wafts through the hallway (I would never take a penthouse suite on that level) AND the smoke wafts down the stairwell onto the other floor hallways. This is on

Y a problem in the evening. They really should just close the main doors to the Obs lounge..or obviously cease smoking in the lounge. But that has been discussed at much length to no avail!

 

I think you now know, you can never do enough research to avoid disappointment.

We are not allergic but do find the smell repulsive and it gives me a headache. I hate that it also ends up in your clothing and hair as well. We do not have any smokers in our family or our circle of friends so it is not something we are exposed to and therefore we are just very sensitive.

Just saw the cruise you are doing. It is the reverse of our first cruise, we did IST-VCE. I am sure you will love it. Even if there are smokers onboard I am sure you will be able to find many parts of the ship you can enjoy where there is no smoke. It is also a port intensive cruise, so you will be in port every day.

Here is some comments/photos from our cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1910832&page=1

Just saw the cruise you are doing. It is the reverse of our first cruise, we did IST-VCE. I am sure you will love it. Even if there are smokers onboard I am sure you will be able to find many parts of the ship you can enjoy where there is no smoke. It is also a port intensive cruise, so you will be in port every day.

 

Here is some comments/photos from our cruise.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1910832&page=1

Thank you so much for sharing your 2013 journey - loved all the photos and have regained the initial excitement when researching this cruise. We did not have the best 2015 and want this one to be a good one. Gallipoli is on my husbands bucket list and will do that at the end of the cruise.

Bev

We are not allergic but do find the smell repulsive and it gives me a headache. I hate that it also ends up in your clothing and hair as well. We do not have any smokers in our family or our circle of friends so it is not something we are exposed to and therefore we are just very sensitive.

Same for us and in fact is the single reason I will not cruise with them.

I know there is luck involved but I want 100% certainty I can enjoy my balcony

We have been on Regent, Silversea and Crystal in the last two years. We don't like smoking and I tend to be very sensitive to smoke. Anyway, we like that Regent has tighter restrictions, but agree that if you get a crowd of smokers in that area on the pool deck, you have to hold your breath for a bit to pass the area. However, the worst smoking situation we encountered was on Crystal. They allow smoking on a whole SIDE of the pool deck. Therefore, you really can't settle down in one of the lounges on that side (even if no is smoking when you get there) since at any time, someone could (legitimately) light up. Plus it takes a lot longer (and more holding breath) to pass a whole deck length!

 

We are going to "take a chance" on Seabourn next year and hope the smoking is not an issue. If it is, then we won't be back!

I don't know when you last sailed Crysta and we are on the Serenity now but the smoking section by the pool has been greatly reduced it is now on the port side forward away from most traffic. This is a great improvement. Crystal does not permit smoking on balconies or in the cabin.

There are smoking issues on Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn. Don't know about Crystal. Silversea apparently allows smoking, perhaps on one side, in the outdoor area of the cafe. Regent allows smoking on one area of the pool deck, and it does get unpleasant anywhere near. Seabourn is no worse than either of these, in fact actually better in some ways, but the real problem is smoking on balconies. I quite understand why people say they would not cruise SB because of danger of fire, and unpleasantness if there happen to be smokers next door.

All we can do is keep banging on about balcony smoking, hoping they will see sense sometime soon.

We are not allergic but do find the smell repulsive and it gives me a headache. I hate that it also ends up in your clothing and hair as well. We do not have any smokers in our family or our circle of friends so it is not something we are exposed to and therefore we are just very sensitive.

I too am one who thinks SB needs to change its smoking policy BUT it would never causer me to cancel a booking. I feel the same way about perfume. Some of those scents are sickening and linger long past the departure of the wearer but just try asking some women (and men) to refrain.

I too am one who thinks SB needs to change its smoking policy BUT it would never causer me to cancel a booking. I feel the same way about perfume. Some of those scents are sickening and linger long past the departure of the wearer but just try asking some women (and men) to refrain.

Maybe women (and some men) should only be allowed to wear perfume in their suites and at designated spots on the decks :p

Maybe women (and some men) should only be allowed to wear perfume in their suites and at designated spots on the decks :p

Possibly not on the balcony as old CHANEL No5 goes off and smells dreadful.

maybe women (and some men) should only be allowed to wear perfume in their suites and at designated spots on the decks :p

+1 :)

Possibly not on the balcony as old CHANEL No5 goes off and smells dreadful.

I prefer a little Chanel 19, as its scent goes better with sea-spray, unless drinking wine, in which case going perfume-free is preferred :)

But back to smoking on SB: unless you are severely allergic, or are very unlucky with your neighbors, the wiff here and there you may get is certainly not likely to be enough to permeate your clothing, and is likely to be less than you will get from locals at the ports you are going to.

I hope you have a wonderful time!

People have "banged on" about the smoking issue for years and the one thing I have come away with is that SB will change its policy only when it wants. We can "bang on" all we want and perhaps it makes us feel better but it won't affect a thing. Our only option, if we so choose, is to sail with someone else and stop "banging on."