Smokers Beware

Hi all. Just off Carnival Liberty from my 28 night back-to-back cruise. First off, I do not intend this to be a smoking vs. no-smoking thread – the subject has been beaten to death. My intention is to enlighten smokers about the current smoking policies aboard the Liberty.

The daily stated that smoking was allowed in Gloves, The Stage, Piano Man, Hot and Cool Disco, The Casino, The Cabinet and the starboard side of open decks. Sounds good, yes?

The reality: If the areas listed above were not open and staffed or being used for an event/activity, they were non-smoking. Ashtrays were very hard to come by as they were not distributed on the tables. Many mornings I had to go to the lido and get a bowl to use around the main pool because they were ‘out’ of ashtrays or there was no one to ask for one. The aft (quiet) pool is non-smoking even though the roof opens.

I took to carrying a bag with one of the ship’s ashtrays for my use. Plan on doing this. As for the open decks, it is far too windy to smoke responsibly out there. Deck 3 starboard became my refuge as it was quiet and not too windy. The very LOUD, noisy area around they main lido pool is there only smoking area on the ship where you can sit at a proper table. Only a few non-smokers sat in the smoking areas and complained about the smoke.

Pipe and cigar smokers had it the toughest. They were only allowed on deck 12 starboard and The Cabinet. The Cabinet was used frequently for activities during the day. I did see the policy enforced around the lido pool.

That about sums up the situation aboard the Liberty. I’m not sure if this situation is fleet-wide or not. IMHO carnival wants our (smokers') money but they are making it very difficult to smoke.

Did you try the Cigar Bar....located right outside of the dining room, by the internet cafe?

Travel tip. Look for the small plastic ashtrays at the dollar store. 3 in a package for $1. Comes in very handy

Thanks. I'm going on the Legend in December so having advice on the smoking thing (where I can and can't smoke) is great to have. The tip about carrying around your own (well, one of the ship's) ashtray is a great idea. I will try to find out wether it is the same on the Legend as it is on the Liberty as post it here. Us smokers need to stick together and help each other out.

WalMart has an excellent item for us smokers. It's called the "Butt Bucket". We have one in each car and we took one on our cruise last year on the Liberty. It reduces the odors and puts out cigaretts in just a few seconds, keeps the ashes where they belong especially if you are on your balcony and it holds several butts. We didn't expect our cabin steward to empty it, because the top is very hard to twist off, but she did it. She thought it was a great idea. They are only around $2.50 and well worth it. We just bought 2 more.

It's called the "Butt Bucket".

Located in which department please?

Located in which department please?

Usually in the automotive department

WalMart has an excellent item for us smokers. It's called the "Butt Bucket". We have one in each car and we took one on our cruise last year on the Liberty. It reduces the odors and puts out cigaretts in just a few seconds, keeps the ashes where they belong especially if you are on your balcony and it holds several butts. We didn't expect our cabin steward to empty it, because the top is very hard to twist off, but she did it. She thought it was a great idea. They are only around $2.50 and well worth it. We just bought 2 more.

We don't smoke but I agree that's a great idea.

We were on the Inspiration in Oct and didn't see anyone having any issues with the smoking areas, they always seemed to have ash trays at least in the back bar and Lido deck.

The smoking areas are basically the same on all the ships that i have been on, i did notice on the valor that the front half of the casio bar was non smoking and back half was not, it really made no sense because it is all one bar but i think they were trying to keep the smoke away from the promenade walkway.

I also have a butt bucket that i use, they give them away free in San Francisco, it has helped with the butt litering very well.

I also ask the cabin Steward for a few extra ashtrays the first time i see him, just incase he forgets to replace the one i keep on the balcony.

It can get windy on the balcony so i keep a few drops of water in the bottom of the ashtray to make sure the butt is out and does not blow away.

Thanks SO much for the tip...we are going on the Liberty in March and will need this since we are both smokers...

Not being a smoker I just can't fathom what is so great about the habit. I would think a cruise would be an excellent opportunity to try you luck as quitting. You are away from your everyday routine, out in the beautiful sea air, having a wonderful vacation. Give yourself the best holiday of a lifetime... try to quit smoking and celebrate many, many more happy cruises. I have personally seen the horrible affects of smoking on my mother as she is connected to an oxygen machine 24-7 after 42 years of abusing her body. So instead of looking for the ashtray, try reaching for the patch for a week and see if you can kick a habit that will not doubt affect your life.

I wish every smoker the strength to quit and the joys of a smoke free life. The money you save will buy you a cruise every year.

But for those who can't quit (yet), thankyou for respecting us non-smokers, it is really appreciated. And if anyone chooses to sit in the smoking section, they really should not complain, just moving to another area would be more appropriate.

First off, I do not intend this to be a smoking vs. no-smoking thread – the subject has been beaten to death.

So much for that huh??? :rolleyes: LOL

Not being a smoker I just can't fathom what is so great about the habit. I would think a cruise would be an excellent opportunity to try you luck as quitting. You are away from your everyday routine, out in the beautiful sea air, having a wonderful vacation. Give yourself the best holiday of a lifetime... try to quit smoking and celebrate many, many more happy cruises. I have personally seen the horrible affects of smoking on my mother as she is connected to an oxygen machine 24-7 after 42 years of abusing her body. So instead of looking for the ashtray, try reaching for the patch for a week and see if you can kick a habit that will not doubt affect your life.

 

I wish every smoker the strength to quit and the joys of a smoke free life. The money you save will buy you a cruise every year.

 

But for those who can't quit (yet), thankyou for respecting us non-smokers, it is really appreciated. And if anyone chooses to sit in the smoking section, they really should not complain, just moving to another area would be more appropriate.

There is always one preacher in the crowd

Not being a smoker I just can't fathom what is so great about the habit.

You should try it, you may find you like it :D After all, you never know the joys of life until you experience them.

And for the record, as a former smoker, for some people quitting simply is not an option, and others choose not to quit. As a person who has seen the effects of way too many car accidents I think people should stop driving, but as long as they can legally do it I say more power to them, just dont kill anyone else while you do it. :eek:

So much for that huh??? :rolleyes: LOL

Made it longer than I expected.

This is NOT a basher to smokers. In fact, trying to quit smoking must be as hard as trying to stop eating. We each love our stuff.

I don't smoke, but I am a nurse. It just breaks my heart every time I see a lifelong smoker in a hospital bed trying to breath :( .

Wouldn't it be neat if they came up with smokes that don't make us sick, and Good tasting food that doesn't stick to our ribs, chins, buns, thighs,.........:rolleyes:

Dollar General sells a small ashtray called Ash Eliminator for $1.50. Great to use on your balcony.

WalMart has an excellent item for us smokers. It's called the "Butt Bucket". We have one in each car and we took one on our cruise last year on the Liberty. It reduces the odors and puts out cigaretts in just a few seconds, keeps the ashes where they belong especially if you are on your balcony and it holds several butts. We didn't expect our cabin steward to empty it, because the top is very hard to twist off, but she did it. She thought it was a great idea. They are only around $2.50 and well worth it. We just bought 2 more.

Thanks! I am definately going to look for those. It was hard to find an ashtray on the fantasy sometimes too but usually one of the staff would find us one if one wasn't on the table. Besides our room, think the only place we tried to smoke was the smokers side of the pool area. I felt very uncomfortable smoking when there were children on that side but they were there with their parents. Atleast we sat closest to the windows. On the fantasy there was a back deck we could smoke on too. I loved it out there in the mornings drinking my coffee in the sun. We haven't ever had a balcony room..scared to try one incase I get spoiled lol.

I take a couple of 1 lb coffee cans for the balcony, put some water in the bottom and put the lid on them when not is use. Dont have ashes flying all over the place.

ROFLMBO Big Duck that is the cutest picture lol ty for posting that.

Yep trying to quit is hard and very hard on your ego. I have tried 14 times now. My husband refuses to quit..his choice but I am so weak when I smell his and they are just laying there...I give in :( . Nothing is worse than your ob telling you to go back to smoking cause your stress level is no good for your baby...I just cried for days because it has such a hold on me. Didn't help being a nurse myself :( . Thnking of trying that new drug chantix..not sure if my doctor will let me with the other medical problems I have but doesn't hurt to ask....and God willing...it will work for me. Believe me, most smokers would love to be able to. Not all of us are as strong in that regard as others. You did put it so very nicely though and have to say hun, thanks so much for that. It really means a lot when it is said with compassion Top-cat..hugs from a grateful weak smoker.

Was on the Liberty a year ago, policy was exactly the same, did not notice the shortage of ash trays...

Sorry that you thought I was preaching, but I was not. I have worked with smokers and lived with smokers in my family and I do know it is difficult to quit and the price that is paid financially and medically.

I just thought wow what an opportunity to try to quit while in a different environment - something close to paradise.

Anyway, I just wanted to say 'thank you for being considerate' to other cruise guests. I have seen too many smokers on previous cruises who didn't give a crap if they found an ashtray or smoked in any area they felt like smoking in, or tossed their butts overside or butted them next to the pool in the floor tile. You seem to be interested in making sure your cigarettes, etc. are properly disposed of in an ashtray - a simple act but very important when you are at sea.

You all also seem interested in making sure that you smoke in designated areas so you do not offend anyone, for this I am saying thank you also. So go ahead and enjoy your smokes, and I will do my best to make sure I don't walk into your designated area or make a big fuss if I accidentaly do. That way everyone can enjoy their vacation - I know if there is a ship fire it won't be because of those who posted to the thread.

I am not a smoker, but my hubby is. It breaks my heart as I saw my mother die of lung cancer when she was 54. However, I also know that a person has to WANT to quit, for it to be successful. No amount of nagging or lecturing is going to work. Believe me, smokers know the dangers and the risks. That being said, I am sure we can all relate to needing to lose a few pounds and going on diets. I know, for me, a cruise is the LAST place I am going to start a diet. We book our cruises pretty far out...this next one was booked over a year out. I am not going to spend that 7 days on a new eating routine while my body has reactions to being deprived from certain things it is used to getting....therefore, making me crabby and snappy to people around me. I wouldn't expect that a cruise would be a good place to try and quit smoking for the same reasons. Why would you want to feel unlike yourself during a vacation that you have been looking forward to for over a year (in some cases)? Instead, sometimes, I try and make the cruise a goal point for losing some weight beforehand. I think perhaps this might also be a better idea for a smoker that really wants to quit. Try making the cruise incentive to quit, so you can go through hell BEFORE you sail. hehe.

Now...getting off my soapbox...I am DEFINITELY looking into one of those butt buckets for hubby. We have booked a balcony and I am thinking that will be a must have. Thanks for the tip, Yogialf.

LOL at the baby picture, that is a good one

trying to quit smoking must be as hard as trying to stop eating.

I used to equate it with breathing. or lack thereof. Only way I could describe it to a non smoker, especially when you're having that urge.

So to read cruisingrams statement not knowing what it's like to smoke, I just have to laugh.

Signed,

A smoker for 18 years, but a non smoker for 17.