Should Carnival Try Again?

Tried to post this on general forum, but couldn't find one.

In researching a possible cruise on Carnival Freedom, a very common complaint was smoke from the "open casino". It's surprising Carnival hasn't enclosed the casino and installed a highly efficient ventilation system.

This brought to mind the Paradise (now Carnival Paradise). It was designed to be smoke free and I believe Princess also tried this. Not sure when the policy changed, but as a retired accountant, I'm sure it was because of the bottom line.

My question is : should a cruiseline try again with one of their ships?

This question has the potential to ruffle feathers. Just be courteous to posters with an opinion different from yours.

I don't think you want to isolate the casino because they want you walking back and forth by it so you see and hear people winning and hopefully stop and try to win yourself. You're on the way from the main show to late night comedy and have a few minutes to kill. Stop and throw a few dollars in the slot machine on the way. They want that $. It would be pretty easy to bypass the casino by going up or down a floor and walking past it for people who are sensitive to smoke. Now if they start having problems filling ships due to smoke in the casino I could see them making a change.

I don't think you want to isolate the casino because they want you walking back and forth by it so you see and hear people winning and hopefully stop and try to win yourself. You're on the way from the main show to late night comedy and have a few minutes to kill. Stop and throw a few dollars in the slot machine on the way. It would be pretty easy to bypass the casino by going up or down a floor and walking past it for people who are sensitive to smoke.

No, it wouldnt.

Should Carnival have a ship that is totally non- smoking? Is that what you're asking? What would the ship's itinerary be? Typically, a ship goes on the same itinerary, such as alternating between Eastern and Western Caribbean, from the same home port for about 1 year, before it's moved to a new home port, and possibly going on a different itinerary. There are a lot of people that go on a cruise two, three or more times per year. How many non-smokers would be okay with going on the same itinerary on the same ship multiple times per year, just so they could cruise on a smoke-free ship?

I dont think that a totally non smoking ship is a necessity with any cruise line, and certainly not with Carnival. As much as I would like a totally non smoking casino on Carnival, I would be happy enough with a casino that is divided smoking and non smoking, half and half with a wall between sections. A mild smell of cigarette smoke does not bother me, but a fog/haze that makes my eyes water does. Just wish Carnival would give a consideration to making it more equal to both sides.

I dont think that a totally non smoking ship is a necessity with any cruise line, and certainly not with Carnival. As much as I would like a totally non smoking casino on Carnival, I would be happy enough with a casino that is divided smoking and non smoking, half and half with a wall between sections. A mild smell of cigarette smoke does not bother me, but a fog/haze that makes my eyes water does. Just wish Carnival would give a consideration to making it more equal to both sides.

I feel similarly. The "smoking section" of the casinos has no physical separation so the smoke drifts and pretty much fills the entire area. I'm not sure how they could accomplish this (physical separation) but I would be for it. Maybe two different casinos in different parts of the ship?? :confused:

As to the OP's question about maybe the cruise lines attempting a few smoke-free ships - I'm guessing that flies too hard against the bottom line and so likely won't happen.

:cool: The casino on the Vista is enclosed and all the smoke stays with the smokers (LOL). It's one deck below the promenade. Being non smokers we really enjoyed the smoke free atmosphere and the smokers got to smoke while losing their money so we were both happy cruisers. There were other smoking areas on the Vista but they were all outside.

Perhaps, no outside cigarettes but they then sell their own brand of disposable e-cigs and different vape flavors??...

Many smokers use the casino for a quick smoke thus intensifying the smoke. Putting in air cleaners and fans would be a huge help.

We try to avoid the casino.

Perhaps, no outside cigarettes but they then sell their own brand of disposable e-cigs and different vape flavors??...

Interesting thought, but the idea of two separate casinos, one for smokers (enclosed), and one for non-smokers might be more favorable to both sides of the issue.

Why should anybody be forced to inhale some they didn't consent to? That is my biggest gripe with carnival. They talk about safety being their primary concern, and yet they force me to unsafely by allowing smoke to drift.

Why should anybody be forced to inhale some they didn't consent to? That is my biggest gripe with carnival. They talk about safety being their primary concern, and yet they force me to unsafely by allowing smoke to drift.

Next time don’t inhale

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Why should anybody be forced to inhale some they didn't consent to? That is my biggest gripe with carnival. They talk about safety being their primary concern, and yet they force me to unsafely by allowing smoke to drift.

OK, I will bite, what makes them different from the other cruise lines and what do you think they should do?

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Same issue on every other ship we've been on. The casino fills up with smoke despite some immaginary separation between the smoking and non smoking sides, and the smoke also drifts out of the casino itself.

Solution: Avoid the casino.

It's possible to get around every single ship we've ever been on without setting foot in it. Yes, they're often designed (not surprisingly) as a convenient route between bow and stern on one deck, but there's always other options to avoid it - go up a few decks for example and cross that way instead.

Next time don’t inhale

 

 

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Very helpful. :rolleyes:

We haven't tried Carnival yet but the smoke from the casinos on the other lines we've tried has driven to try Celebrity this March. As far as I know they are the only line with smokeless casinos.

Tried to post this on general forum, but couldn't find one.

 

In researching a possible cruise on Carnival Freedom, a very common complaint was smoke from the "open casino". It's surprising Carnival hasn't enclosed the casino and installed a highly efficient ventilation system.

This brought to mind the Paradise (now Carnival Paradise). It was designed to be smoke free and I believe Princess also tried this. Not sure when the policy changed, but as a retired accountant, I'm sure it was because of the bottom line.

My question is : should a cruiseline try again with one of their ships?

This question has the potential to ruffle feathers. Just be courteous to posters with an opinion different from yours.

I think making the casinos onboard totally smoke-free is the answer, like Celebrity Cruises does. Carnival is behind the times when it comes to smoking policy.

I thought the bar on the lido deck poolside was a horrible place to allow smoking. Several times I saw people walk away from the bar, toward the stairs or other areas, still puffing away.

I thought the bar on the lido deck poolside was a horrible place to allow smoking. Several times I saw people walk away from the bar, toward the stairs or other areas, still puffing away.

Loved being able to smoke a cigar at an actual bar. Now they cram you in the top back corner of the boat where the only thing going on is a bunch of wind.

I'm not sure about a completely non-smoking ship; I think that it would be very limiting (i.e. if one person in your party smokes, it would be off limits; no group cruises, no charters).

I wouldn't object to limiting smoking at only outdoor venues (i.e. outside designated smoking areas), even if it meant increasing the number of places on deck you could smoke (like adding a place on the promenade deck where they allow smoking in addition to the lido and the deck above lido).

We haven't tried Carnival yet but the smoke from the casinos on the other lines we've tried has driven to try Celebrity this March. As far as I know they are the only line with smokeless casinos.

MSC also offers totally non-smoking casinos.

OK, I will bite, what makes them different from the other cruise lines and what do you think they should do?

This is just my observation from 1 CCL cruise, but I know the design is common on CCL ships. The main promenade, which is the hub for evening activity, goes right through the smoky casino. It was my only real complaint about the ship.

Celebrity Solstice Class has a similar design, but the casino is non smoking, so this issue doesn't exist. Same goes for HAL, who recently banned casino smoking.

RCI came up with a smart design on Oasis. The casino spans the width of the ship (which is very wide) and only the port side allows smoking. Plus casino is not on a deck typically used for walking fore and aft. It's pretty well hidden.

As far as what CCL can do...I'd like to see a little better separation between the promenade and casino. Maybe glass walls or something, so the walkway doesn't get so smoky. Another option is banning smoking altogether in the casino. Two other major lines have done it already, (edit...make that 3 including MSC..I wasn't aware of them) so maybe the writing is on the wall for the rest of the industry.

Just my opinions. I'm just happy all the major lines have banned it on balconies. :)

I think making the casinos onboard totally smoke-free is the answer, like Celebrity Cruises does. Carnival is behind the times when it comes to smoking policy.

My exact thoughts.

I've always found that the people who sit at the casino bar and chain smoke are the ones who cause the casino to be smoky. There are a few I've seen who will sit and chain smoke at a machine but the worst is the bar. Perhaps they should open up the bar in the nightclub for those people and have only those who are playing in the casino be able to smoke.

I dont think that a totally non smoking ship is a necessity with any cruise line, and certainly not with Carnival. As much as I would like a totally non smoking casino on Carnival, I would be happy enough with a casino that is divided smoking and non smoking, half and half with a wall between sections. A mild smell of cigarette smoke does not bother me, but a fog/haze that makes my eyes water does. Just wish Carnival would give a consideration to making it more equal to both sides.

Carnival has already tried a non-smoking ship, I believe it was the Paradise. Maybe they just need to redesign the location away from Restaurant/High Traffic areas.