Question for smokers only...NCL, Princess or HAL the best for smokers?

[mexico5]

Hi there, I am thinking of taking my mother on a cruise in the spring and have a question for the smokers out there. I do not smoke so I have never paid much attention to the areas in which you can smoke and it's never been an issue on any of my cruises...that is why I am asking that only the smokers reply (don't want this being a thread on the merits of smoking).

 

I am assuming I will love HAL after our cruise in December so I have only 3 lines that I am considering for our cruise. NCL, Princess and HAL. I realize Celebrity is the most non-smoking (if I am correct!) but it would not suit my mom.

 

So...have any of your smokers sailed on all 3 lines or even 2 of them to compare? I do alot of research before each cruise and land vacation and have never been on a bad vacation! I really don't get the people who complain later about smoking or non smoking and I don't want to be one of them!

 

Thanks!

[snrlnd]

I haven't been on NCL or HAL in a few years but I can tell you what the policy is on Princess.

 

Smoking is allowed in cabins (I wouldn't), balconies, smoking area of Skywalkers (nightclub), can't remember if it's port or starboard but one side of the promenade deck outside and allowed some nights in the casino. Other venues are non smoking.

[Shifra]

Princess & HAL are very similar. Cabins, balconies..yes. Most nights in the casino. Designated areas on outside decks. On Princess there is also the cigar lounge and HAL I think also has one. Skywalkers on Princess and Crows Nest on some HAL ships. Not sure about NCL.

 

Just be aware that policies sometimes vary from ship to ship.

[PatriciaF]

I have friends that both smoke and always sail HAL as it is most accommodating per them.

[mexico5]

Thanks! Yes, it seems like HAL has the most lenient smoking policy! I posted this question on all 3 boards...darn...HAL seems the most expensive too!

[cynbar]

My husband used to be a smoker and he always found Princess very accommodating. He smoked on the balcony, was considerate of others around him but usually there wasn't anyone nearby. One side of the pool deck is for smokers, with ashtrays set out ---- there are some tables and chairs there in addition to loungers. In the atrium on the Ruby and Crown (and I assume the Emerald since they are sister ships) there was a nice smoking lounge right there, next to the casino. He could also just pop out to the smoking side of the promenade deck. Anyway, HAL may be the most smoker frinedly, but I think your Mom would be quite comfortable on a Princess ship.

[houch]

I am a smoker and Princess is my favorite. There is smoking on the port side of the promade deck, on the larger ships with an adult pool aft outside from the Caribe Cafe there is smoking on the port side. I just returned from a Crown Princess cruise and I did not notice anyone smoking in the loungers by the pool. There is a smoking area on the port side by the bar by the pool. This is just in addition to what the others have posted.

[boaterette]

I have been on princess and Ncl. The only indoor space besides your cabin on Ncl was the casino. Princess had the Skywalder lounge which was nice. I would take a book up there and read during the day. I have not been on Hal yet but I would shoose Princess or Hal for your mothers comfort.

[UtterCaro]

on the larger ships with an adult pool aft outside from the Caribe Cafe there is smoking on the port side.

 

Not on the Ruby in December. They'd changed it (I assume on the Crown and Emerald as well) to aft port side of Deck 16, outside Sabatini's -- which area is closed to non-suite passengers during breakfast hours. I had to relocate my coffee-and-cigarette morning routine to the smoker's corner of the Neptune pool.

 

Caro

[houch]

Not on the Ruby in December. They'd changed it (I assume on the Crown and Emerald as well) to aft port side of Deck 16, outside Sabatini's -- which area is closed to non-suite passengers during breakfast hours. I had to relocate my coffee-and-cigarette morning routine to the smoker's corner of the Neptune pool.

 

Caro

 

Well, that's a bummer! I have enjoyed my coffee and cigarette in that area on the Grand, Star, Emerald, and Crown. Now on the Ruby in January you say I won't be able to smoke there. We have so few places why did they take that away? I am really bummed.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Not on the Ruby in December. They'd changed it (I assume on the Crown and Emerald as well) to aft port side of Deck 16, outside Sabatini's -- which area is closed to non-suite passengers during breakfast hours. I had to relocate my coffee-and-cigarette morning routine to the smoker's corner of the Neptune pool.

 

Caro

We were on the Ruby in January and noted that smoking was up a level, as you say, on the port side. Then, on the Crown the next week, smoking was allowed at those tables and the curved counter area on the port side just behind the buffet (Deck 15). Seems like it differs from ship to ship.

[CALMOM]

Smoking inside the ship is your cabin, casino except on non smoking night which is usually 2 nights on a 7 day cruise and the Churchhill Lounge. Of course, you can smoke on your balcony and some areas on the open deck, but the differ depending on the ship, as far as location.

 

She will have no problems having places to smoke, not to worry. Have a great cruise.

[Clutterlady]

Smoking inside the ship is your cabin, casino except on non smoking night which is usually 2 nights on a 7 day cruise and the Churchhill Lounge. Of course, you can smoke on your balcony and some areas on the open deck, but the differ depending on the ship, as far as location.

 

She will have no problems having places to smoke, not to worry. Have a great cruise.

 

Posting live from the CB, Canada/New England 7 day cruise and now they are up to 3 non-smoking nights in the Casino!!!!!!!!!!

[houch]

Posting live from the CB, Canada/New England 7 day cruise and now they are up to 3 non-smoking nights in the Casino!!!!!!!!!!

 

That won't bother me anymore! Used to love visiting the casino multiple times while cruising. Just got off the Crown and found I don't care for their new system using your cruise card. I have always brought a certain amount of cash to fritter away on the slots. The new system made me nervous, afraid I would hit the wrong button and run up a bill on my card. I prefer using my cash and just couldn't play the way I usually do. I spent $40 and didn't have any fun. That was the first day of 12 day cruise and I never went back. I never play in a casino where there is no smoking. It now seems I won't ever visit the ship's casino again. Guess I'll save money!

[SteveH2508]

That won't bother me anymore! Used to love visiting the casino multiple times while cruising. Just got off the Crown and found I don't care for their new system using your cruise card. I have always brought a certain amount of cash to fritter away on the slots. The new system made me nervous, afraid I would hit the wrong button and run up a bill on my card. I prefer using my cash and just couldn't play the way I usually do. I spent $40 and didn't have any fun. That was the first day of 12 day cruise and I never went back. I never play in a casino where there is no smoking. It now seems I won't ever visit the ship's casino again. Guess I'll save money!

 

You're not missing much - the slots on the Crown were poo - both in terms of payouts and choice of machine!

[CALMOM]

All of the casinos are cruise ships are not going to make you rich. Your best bet is to play the slots the first night, they are are loosest, so they can suck you in for the rest of the cruise.

 

On my last cruise, on non smoking night, the casino was dead around midnight and they allowed smoking. If you want to gamble go to Vegas, your odds will be better :D

[houch]

You're not missing much - the slots on the Crown were poo - both in terms of payouts and choice of machine!

 

Thanks, nice to know. However I really never play to win, just to have fun for a little while. I have managed to do that on the ships without spending a lot.

[Richie2pies]

On a cruise ship you can't leave the casino and go to one next door or down the street. They know this so they don't have to have loose slots, give free drinks, or have good comps. Unless you are very lucky you won't do too well in a ship's casino.