my3sonsnj

Sorry to say that the Bliss is down to just 3 (cigarette) smoking areas. The cigar lounge is not allowing cigarette smokers. Staff is asking people to leave and there is a new sign posted stating cigar smoking only. Which means if the casino is closed, and you are not a Haven guest, you smoke outside in the elements on 17 (Spice H20)

Thank you for the updated information! Anyone else have information that I can add to the spreadsheet. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

A cruise ship with a passenger capacity over 4000 and only one designated outdoor smoking area is BEGGING for "balcony" smokers along with the associated fire hazards. I don't know what genius made that decision ;p

I will be on the Breakaway this coming October. I am wondering about two things, First i am trying to find similar threads can't seem to find them so here it goes.

 

 

Is Margaritaville worth it? the food?

If you have OBC to use, go for it. Otherwise, I think the dining rooms or O’Sheehans are just as good or better. You can’t use the specialty dining plan in Margaritaville.

how about the VIbe beach club or the Ocean blue?.

I am so sad the Breakaway left NYC and we are now stuck with the Escape!

Wow that was really sweet of you to do that!!! Thanks

Your welcome :D I love the drinks spreadsheet and I thought a spreadsheet for this would be useful as well.

The entire bar was filled with smokers. The bartender tried to tell people they couldn't smoke near the fruit/garnishes, but people ignored him. Then some people would be sitting at the bar and since no seats were left, people talking to them were standing away from the bar more, towards the loungers, still smoking. Cooler days, all rules went out the window, and people were smoking near the rails, hot tubs, etc.

Sorry that was your experience but none of that happened on the 3 times I had Vibe passes on the Breakaway. Just depends on who is cruising and whether they follow the rules I guess.

on Jewel class we love the Gatsby's area bar on deck 6. On Star we love the Biergarten too.

On the larger ships we have never really found "our bar" but often end up at the Atrium.

Thanks for the information! Good to know :)

Since NCL does not list designated smoking areas by ship anywhere on their website, I thought that I would try to create a document for NCL cruisers.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IwhHuxFGVf8GRxIe1V30Bj0elmkPLRuQUxOpmI8LiFE/edit?usp=sharing

This document/thread is for objective informational purposes!!! Thanks you for your cooperation :D

I am looking for more information to complete the spreadsheet. I went back a year and a half on this thread to get what I could. Looking for help from anyone that has current information not on the spreadsheet and any changes/updates.

Escape...the District and 5 Oclock Somewhere with Jay and Johnny be Good.

 

Getaway, never really settled in anywhere for too long....

 

further back is just a blur.

Funny :D

I had the same experience on the Escape that you had on the Getaway, lol.

I really didn't find any place I wanted to stay for more than one drink but I agree the District is very nice with its comfy sofas next to the windows.

I've been tracking prices on cruises for 3-4 years. What I have seen is that the majority of cruises lower the solo rate (supplement) 1-4 weeks prior to the cruise date. I guess it depends on how many cabins remain unsold when that occurs.

NCL doesn't price adjust when rates drop. They will cancel and rebook under new promotions up until the final payment date, at your request.

If rates drop after the final payment date, there is a cancellation fee to make a change and rebook under a new promotion/lower rate. Looks like there may be different rules for Haven according to another post but I don't have any experience in that cabin category.

At least that has been my experience/observations.

For me the main reason to pay for Vibe is that it's adults only because on some sailings there might be too many children. The hot tub outside Vibe might be filled with children and lots of children might be running around, screaming there.

 

I shouldn't take that chance so I should pay for Vibe because it's adults only.

If you sail shoulder season or off season, there are very few kids onboard. That is typically when I book my cruises.

However, I can see your point for summer, spring, winter, holiday, etc. breaks. The Vibe is probably well worth it for the times of year when families vacation.

On our cruise on the Escape every time I walked out of Vibe the bar there was mobbed

Interesting, when did you go? Maybe high season or the itinerary has something to do with it?

I was on the Escape the 3rd week in May and the crowds were more on the pool deck and the one above it at the Waves & H2O bars. Never saw a crowd at the bar outside Vibe as I was passing by it and there always seemed to be a few lounge chairs available.

I guess different weeks, different patterns :D

For me, on the Escape it is not worth the embarkation day hassle trying to get one. The deck right outside the Vibe is free, has plenty of lounge chairs, a hot tub, bar and is rarely crowded.

So have to ask, what is your favorite bar on each ship to hangout and why?

I'll start but I have only been on 2 NCL ships :D

Breakaway - Maltings because the chairs were comfortable and I always met interesting people. The Vibe bar and Shakers are tied for 2nd place!

Escape - ??? Didn't really find a great bar to just hangout. Maybe District Brew even though I am not a beer drinker?

On the Peal? Yes. Pretty much all of one side of the pool deck was smoking with tables and seats for plenty. It was the most generous smoking area I have seen in a long while. Plus it was totally covered.

Good to know! Where is the Pearl's homeport? I only cruise out of NYC.

Excited to hear this about the Escape. The only bad thing about the Vibe on the Breakaway was that roughly 60 - 70% of the people were smoking, and not just at the bar. Still had a blast, but yes lots of smoke.

I never saw anyone in the Breakaway Vibe smoking outside the permitted/designated area. I'm curious to know if Vibe passes sell out as rapidly on the Escape as they did on the Breakaway out of NYC.

I think having all the amenities; bar, lounge chairs, hot tubs & a designated smoking area in close proximity was the draw for smokers and why the majority of people willing to run the gauntlet to get those passes were smokers.

We are booked on the Breakaway. Loved the itinerary! But now I am wondering if we are going to regret it. You aren't the only person that has complained about the Breakaway being really smokey. We went on the Carnival Magic and the casino was the only smoking section that bothered us. Pretty easy to avoid if you wanted to. I am honestly happy that to hear that NCL listening to the reviews. They are still providing smoking areas to smokers (I have family and friends that smoke) but they are more secluded and more avoidable to the non-smokers.

FYI, just wanted you to know that Shakers on the Waterfront is also a bar area on the completely non-smoking side of the ship (port side). Additionally, it is not nearly as busy as Maltings on the Waterfront (starboard side). On the pool deck, the starboard side and starboard side bar are non smoking so if you only travel on the starboard side, you will never pass smoking areas. I'm really not sure why no one ever mentions that. I guess it doesn't fit the agenda.

Most smokers expect to be relegated to designated areas. We are ok with that! :D Just make sure there is sufficient space to accommodate all of us and similar amenities, on a smaller scale, to those provided to non-smoking guests.

<3<3<3 The Maltings designated smoking area on the Breakaway!

I find it illogical that a non-smoker would choose to go to a designated smoking area when there are many non-smoking bar service areas on the same deck, indoor Maltings, Fat Cats (or whatever it is now), Ice Bar, Shakers and Prime Meridian. Additionally, the entire port side, the aft and aft of Maltings on the starboard side was non-smoking Waterfront. I guess it does provide an opportunity for complaints though.

I do think it is ill advised to allow smoking directly in front of doors and should have been confined to the right and left areas of the doors/bar. But other than that, I think the area is great.

ti wasn't my comment, but a quick google search found this. Do you believe the CDC? https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/disparities/low-ses/index.htm

I once had a casual conversation with a psychiatrist about smokers. His theory was that smoking is a coping mechanism people use to deal with untreated/unresolved mental health issues, specifically anxiety and/or depression.

If that theory is correct, it would explain some of the CDC demographics since treating mental health issues requires a lot of time and money. Then there is also the stigma associated with a diagnosis that many may want to avoid even at higher SES's.

But go ahead, keep bashing away . . .

Were the places to smoke on the Escape very crowded? Trying to figure out were I can enjoy my morning coffee and smoke on the Escape.

Does the H2O Bar and Waves Bar have plenty of room to relax and enjoy your cocktail and smoke.

I REALLY hope not to hear rude comments.

Waves bar has a railing opposite the bar with seating overlooking the pool. There are also high-top tables and chairs -- all designated smoking. More crowded during the day than the mornings but it's a great spot. H2O has a section near the bar with chairs and tables as well for smoking.

 

Tracy

When I was on the Escape in May, there were a total of 12 regular seat height chairs outdoors for the entire population of smokers. They are located at 3 tables by the H20 bar. If you get to H20 before 7-8am, you might get lucky.

All other outdoor seating is bar stools or a half dozen low deep half round wicker chairs in H20. I'd say total outdoor seating for smokers is around 35-45.

I did not find anywhere on the ship that was comfortable for smokers to sit, have a drink and chat with friends, i.e. linger and enjoy except those 3 tables in H2O which were hard to get.

Be prepared to have to stand to smoke. You will feel lucky when you find an available seat.

If it is raining, seats will be available but you won't want to sit, lol.

Smokers might want to pack one of those camp chairs with the side table attached for a cruise on the Escape and, from what I have read, also on the Bliss. They are easier to carry around to the appropriate areas and guarantee you have a seat.

The latest statistics that I could find from the CDC shows that 15.5% of the US population smoked tobacco in 2016. So, let's say the downward trend has continued and we are in the 10-12% category in 2018, that means there are currently around 400 smokers on the Bliss right now. Having an outdoor smoking area that holds 20-30 people (from what I've read here on Cruise Critic) is just too small IMO. I understand those of you who are offended by smoke and the published health effects that go along with it. However, there are many of you who really shouldn't be casting any judgement or stones. As I like to say sometimes; "you pick your poison...I'll pick mine". Unless you NEVER use hairspray, perfume, cologne, aftershave, bug sprays with DEET, scented body lotions, air fresheners, etc., please refrain from telling me that my smoke from a cigarette being smoked outside, is doing more damage to you, than your nasty smelling, toxic chemicals that you apply inside of your cabins. Since both actions are still legal in the US, perhaps we should focus on trying to accommodate all people trying to enjoy themselves on their vacation!

I'm a smoker, and would not book a smoking cabin. It would still bother non smokers in the area. When smoking was common on the balconies, it was different, and I would smoke, but I have no problem with the current rules.

I think it depends on how the designated smoking areas have been interpreted on each ship since the policy/non-policy is different depending on the ship. I would definitely book a “smoking” balcony room on the Bliss or Escape but would find that completely unnecessary on the Breakaway or Getaway.

 

hm.. Bliss doesnt have a b3 category. :o so this wont work on that ship.

I used 10,000 points on an upcoming cruise on the Bliss to get to a B1. I had to book a B8 to get to the B1.

I strongly recommend calling the NCL world points number prior to booking in order to figure out which category needs to be booked to end where you want to be after using your points. Every ship has the option to do a 2 category within meta upgrade but the categories are not the same on every ship.

If NCL offered cruises to the moon would you go?

 

If the cruise ship was made of cheese would you eat it?

Are there designated smoking areas? How many? Where are they located? Inquiring minds want to know these things! :'):'):')

what cabin to get if you want to do the 10k points '2 category upgrade' to spa balcony (b9)?

bb balcony?

It depends on the ship so it is best to call before booking to get the information directly. Otherwise chances are you will not book the specific category needed.

If NCL offered 'Smoking' cabins would you book one?

It would depend on whether the designated smoking areas in the public areas were sufficiently accommodating. If there are too few designated areas or no covered outdoor areas with chair seating, then YES since a balcony offers both cover & chairs.

Otherwise, I would see no reason to book a "smoking" cabin.

The question is: If NCL offered 'Smoking' cabins would you book one?

Maybe it should be:

1. Are you a smoker?

If the answer to 1. is NO

End of Survey and thank you for participating.

If the answer to 1. is YES,

then answer:

2. If NCL offered 'Smoking' cabins would you book one?

:evilsmile::evilsmile::evilsmile: