Do the cabins smell like smoke?

[Sailkeywest]

I hate to start a "smoking thread," but I just read another thread that talked about smoking in the cabins. I thought surely this was just a few people who did not follow the usual policy and thought I'd take a look at the policy myself. What I discovered was this:

 

"Smoking

For the comfort of all of our guests, designated smoking and nonsmoking areas are available in most lounges. Smoking is not permitted at any time in dining areas. Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances."

 

This is a great concern to me because Hubby won't be able to enjoy the cruise and possibly not even be able to sleep if our cabin has the stench of cigarette smoke in it. I have smoked on occasion but would also be disgusted by living in a room that smelled of cigarettes. I have never smoked inside nor in a car, that smell just permeates everything and does not go away.

 

I guess my question is, do the cabins smell like smoke? (particularly the SC suites on the Zuiderdam) Also, if someone is smoking in the cabin next to yours, does it get through the ventillation and go into your cabin?

 

Thank you for any insight, as always. Sorry if this question has been asked before :)

[IRL_Joanie]

I hate to start a "smoking thread," but I just read another thread that talked about smoking in the cabins. I thought surely this was just a few people who did not follow the usual policy and thought I'd take a look at the policy myself. What I discovered was this:

 

"Smoking

For the comfort of all of our guests, designated smoking and nonsmoking areas are available in most lounges. Smoking is not permitted at any time in dining areas. Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances."

 

This is a great concern to me because Hubby won't be able to enjoy the cruise and possibly not even be able to sleep if our cabin has the stench of cigarette smoke in it. I have smoked on occasion but would also be disgusted by living in a room that smelled of cigarettes. I have never smoked inside nor in a car, that smell just permeates everything and does not go away.

 

I guess my question is, do the cabins smell like smoke? (particularly the SC suites on the Zuiderdam) Also, if someone is smoking in the cabin next to yours, does it get through the ventillation and go into your cabin?

 

Thank you for any insight, as always. Sorry if this question has been asked before :)

 

 

NO!!! They use some sort of ionizer after any smoking guest disembark. I believe it takes about 2 hours and the smell is gone. The stateroom stewards make notes on which staterooms have smokers, so they are ready to de-smell the staterooms.

 

I've been on 2 vistas, Oosterdam and Westerdam and the only cigarette smoke I smelled was my own, whether in my stateroom or on my verandah. I do not think you will have any problems.

 

Joanie

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

We have not had a cabin yet on HAL ( 9 cruises since 2005) that smelled like smoke. We always take an air freshner like Renuzit with us and set it up in the room for further freshness.

 

I have smelled smoke from other cabins through the ventilation system from time to time and if you have a smoker on the next balcony, you can smell it from your balcony. All depends on your particular cruise and the luck of the draw as to whether smoke gets into your cabin.

 

Others on this board have discussed the deep cleaning that HAL does after a smoker has been in a cabin and before the next person arrives.

[Johanna7]

HAL has European guests and some of their cigarettes, they seem to come from Turkey, the ciggies, not the people, and they stink a lot more than the regular North American smoke types. If you have a problem, let the front desk know immediately and they will then change the bedspread, send the drapes out to be cleaned immediately and wash down the walls. This should help.

 

We do not smoke but while many North Americans no longer smoke, those in Europe really make up for it.

[cp556]

When we boarded Zuiderdam and our SB aft corner cabin, it smelled a little like cigarette smoke. I found the cabin steward and he agreed with me ... and apologized profusely.

 

We left the cabin for maybe an hour to poke around the ship and when we returned ... no smoke smell. Don't know WHAT he used, but it worked. We were impressed and grateful, because we're the worst type of non-smokers: former smokers who can smell a cigarette a mile off.

[Sailkeywest]

:D Thank you all for your incredibly detailed review of "cigarette smell" in the cabins! My heart dropped when I read that policy, it is a great relief to know that it isn't the huge problem that I thought it might be.

 

TY Joanie, for the info about the ionizers, I hadn't thought of that. And thanks for the tip about bringing your own renuzit, SJSULIBRARIAN, I will put that on my list of 'must bring!'

 

Would they really wash down the walls, Johanna? Lol, I would hope not to be that much of a pain in the arse, but would be nice to know that they take it THAT seriously ;)

 

 

And lastly, "we're the worst type of non-smokers: former smokers who can smell a cigarette a mile off." ---Exactly my point, CP. Was a relief to know that even you don't notice it, let alone have it ruin your experience.

 

Hubby has never smoked, but I have, and I can smell it the moment I enter a room. I don't mind it outdoors at all, but indoors it is more than a bit intrusive, maybe because you can't escape it.

 

 

Thanks to all!

[Mary Ellen]

None of our cabins have smelled of smoke. However, the hall has been a different matter.

 

On our Hawaiian cruise some of our tablemates were unable to use their verandah because the cabins on either side had heavy smokers. They also said that the aroma did enter the cabin and it was unpleasant.

 

I have NO problem believing this, as the last time I had a verandah there was painting going on outside. We came back to a cabin that absolutely REEKED from the paint. Our door had been shut and locked. We won't be getting another verandah on HAL as long as smoking is allowed on them.

[Hflors]

NO!!! They use some sort of ionizer after any smoking guest disembark. I believe it takes about 2 hours and the smell is gone. The stateroom stewards make notes on which staterooms have smokers, so they are ready to de-smell the staterooms.

 

I've been on 2 vistas, Oosterdam and Westerdam and the only cigarette smoke I smelled was my own, whether in my stateroom or on my verandah. I do not think you will have any problems.

 

Joanie

 

I totally agree with Joanie. Previously dh and I have traveled on Celebrity and were a bit nervous (dh has asthmia and emphysyma) so he can't be around cigarette/cigar smoke. No problem. Though we did see some people smoking at the back of the promanade deck our cabin nor the area near our cabin was smoke free. The casino has an interesting policy. If you want to smoke you have to carry your ashtray with you.

 

Don't worry you won't have a problem.

[echotumi]

i really like HAL treats there passangers like adults .. any one for a good cigar .. cant wait to light one up in a few days on the ryndam :D:D

[Rutland Gate]

There is no smell of smoke. I don't smoke, once did, I would know.

[garydm]

We have had smokers next to us rendering the balcony virutally useless. We have also had an S suite that reeked of smoke. I requested an ionizer and after a couple days I thought the smell was gone and had them remove the machine. Within an hour the stench was back. We had them bring the ionizer back and ran it thru the entire cruise.

 

You may also encounter the stench in the hallways if there are heavy smokers nearby. We have had this on several occasions. Smokers do not like the terms reek and stench, but sadly that is the result of their smoking.

 

Garu

[Gablin]

"Smokers do not like the terms reek and stench, but sadly that is the result of their smoking."

 

One of the reasons that I was finally able to quit smoking was that a dear niece, only five years old at the time, told me that I smelled bad. Her parents were mortified, and made her apologize to me, but I thanked her for her honesty and began trying to quit. Not very long after quitting, I had to have all of my wool and silk garments dry cleaned and had to have the inside of my car detailed, as I was smelling what my niece had been smelling. If I smelled only half as bad as the inside of my coat closet, it must have been really offensive.

 

Tobacco smoke wrecks havoc with the smokers' nose and mouth, and, of course, they can't smell it.

 

I am, however, extremely sympathetic to those who can't quit smoking yet. I'm even sympathetic to those who believe that they smoke out of choice, not addiction. At one time, I believed that, too. In my case, I was mistaken. I was totally "owned" by the tobacco companies.

 

I'm grateful to be free!

[GloBug]

We have our first HAL cruise coming up, and DH (a former heavy smoker) was wondering about the smoking policy, specifically in the casino. Interesting policy regarding having to carry your ashtray with you.

[TracieABD]

"Smokers do not like the terms reek and stench, but sadly that is the result of their smoking."

 

One of the reasons that I was finally able to quit smoking was that a dear niece, only five years old at the time, told me that I smelled bad. Her parents were mortified, and made her apologize to me, but I thanked her for her honesty and began trying to quit. Not very long after quitting, I had to have all of my wool and silk garments dry cleaned and had to have the inside of my car detailed, as I was smelling what my niece had been smelling. If I smelled only half as bad as the inside of my coat closet, it must have been really offensive.

 

Tobacco smoke wrecks havoc with the smokers' nose and mouth, and, of course, they can't smell it.

 

I am, however, extremely sympathetic to those who can't quit smoking yet. I'm even sympathetic to those who believe that they smoke out of choice, not addiction. At one time, I believed that, too. In my case, I was mistaken. I was totally "owned" by the tobacco companies.

 

I'm grateful to be free!

 

Congratulations on making such an amazing choice! I am glad that you found inspiration in your niece's honesty!

[alcpa1]

Perhaps better than a spray like Renuzit you might want to try OZIUM. It eliminates many odors, including cigarette smoke and after a few minutes does not leave an odor at all. It is used in the hotel industry which is where I discovered it. It also comes in a small size than I get at auto supply stores. I usually find it for about $5.00 for the small size.

I gave some to my mother since she has been very concerned about odors while she is taking chemo and now all of her chemo buddies use it too.

FYI, you cannot smoke in the casino or cabins, with or without verandas on Celebrity or Azamara ships. This policy went into effect November 1, 2009. I think there is one indoor area on each line for smokers but the two lines are virtually smoke free.

[Sailkeywest]

Thank you for the info, alcpa, I will be checking that out, and to see if the airline will let me bring it onboard. Yes, celebrity and other cruiselines have more stringent smoking policies, but I really love the cabin space (and reports of the beds) that I am getting on HAL, as well as the reports of all the free outdoor space that HAL offers. As long as people don't put burnholes in my new dresses, I won't go pee in the pool.

 

And speaking of other cruiselines and not to hijack my own thread, but here are a couple of really insightful and detailed ship reviews comparing HAL to Azsmara and Oceania:

 

(from MightyQuinn, hope he doesn't mind me posting)

 

Azamara (got the lesser favorable review):

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=66719

 

Oceania (more favorable review, but still seemed to be on par with HAL):

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=61359

 

I can't speak for either as I have never been, but I was just perusing one day to see how others viewed the comparisons. Oceania does look amazing! (haven't checked out Azamara)

[cp556]

The casino has an interesting policy. If you want to smoke you have to carry your ashtray with you.

 

 

Please clarify: The Celebrity or HAL casino requires you carry your ashtray with you?? I've not seen that happen in HAL casinos, but policy may have changed.... t I wonder if this was Celebrity's policy before going smoke-free in the casino.... hanks!

[GeriatricNurse]

I hate to start a "smoking thread," but I just read another thread that talked about smoking in the cabins. I thought surely this was just a few people who did not follow the usual policy and thought I'd take a look at the policy myself. What I discovered was this:

 

"Smoking

For the comfort of all of our guests, designated smoking and nonsmoking areas are available in most lounges. Smoking is not permitted at any time in dining areas. Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances."

 

This is a great concern to me because Hubby won't be able to enjoy the cruise and possibly not even be able to sleep if our cabin has the stench of cigarette smoke in it. I have smoked on occasion but would also be disgusted by living in a room that smelled of cigarettes. I have never smoked inside nor in a car, that smell just permeates everything and does not go away.

 

I guess my question is, do the cabins smell like smoke? (particularly the SC suites on the Zuiderdam) Also, if someone is smoking in the cabin next to yours, does it get through the ventillation and go into your cabin?

 

Thank you for any insight, as always. Sorry if this question has been asked before :)

 

For your information, you may 'phone HAL Ship Services Department @ 1-800-541-1576 to request a "deep cleaning" of your stateroom prior to embarkation!:)

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Not to beat a dead horse, the Renuzit we take is not the spray but the adjustable gel-like substance. Definitely, has to be in checked luggage as it is 7.5 oz.

[catl331]

For your information, you may 'phone HAL Ship Services Department @ 1-800-541-1576 to request a "deep cleaning" of your stateroom prior to embarkation!:)

That is a waste of the stewards' precious turn-around time if the cabin hasn't been used by smokers for the previous several cruises, and doesn't need such cleaning. In such a case I would suspect - and hope - that they would ignore your request until you got on board and still felt that it needed such cleaning.

[Djptcp]

No, not at all!

[RevNeal]

I have been cruising since 1994, am nearing 300 days aboard DamShips, and have only had one cabin where smoke residue was overwhelming. It was actually ash residue that had effused the sofa. They tried spraying the couch with the neutralizing agent that combats smoke, and that helped, but the staff eventually decided to change out the sofa and treat it more extensively.

 

In other words, the ship's staff works hard to correct things when there are problems.

[Taxguy77]

HAL has European guests and some of their cigarettes, they seem to come from Turkey, the ciggies, not the people, and they stink a lot more than the regular North American smoke types. If you have a problem, let the front desk know immediately and they will then change the bedspread, send the drapes out to be cleaned immediately and wash down the walls. This should help.

We do not smoke but while many North Americans no longer smoke, those in Europe really make up for it.[/QUOTE]

 

Yes!

We are ex-smokers and have come to the point we have to avoid strong smoke smells. I encountered none on a TA 16 day cruise. Having been on TA'z and ad balconeys before, we opted for an unobstructed OV room and were very happy with the choice.

[ookpik]

No:D

[chrispb]

That is a waste of the stewards' precious turn-around time if the cabin hasn't been used by smokers for the previous several cruises, and doesn't need such cleaning. In such a case I would suspect - and hope - that they would ignore your request until you got on board and still felt that it needed such cleaning.

Believe it or not, there have been a few posters who intend to demand deep cleaning, regardless. I imagine these people are demanding of the staff in plenty of other ways, too.