best Alaska cruises for non smokers

[jusjoan]

We are in our early 50's, active, adventurous and totally not into smoke smells. I am looking to booking a 7 day Inside Passage cruise for our 15th anniversary. We are able to afford a more expensive cruise but hate to spend that amount of money if smokey rooms are in the picture. Does anyone have an opinion on whether smoke is an issue on these ships or not? I am looking at the HAL trip out of Vancouver, Regent cruises or RCCL. I have no idea. Please help me.

 

I have spent hours looking online and thought I had narrowed my search and then I saw a post about smoke on cruises, which I never considered. May be cancelling due to that. How sad. My husband totally doesn't want to be in a smokey room.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Celebrity has one of the strictest smoking policies so you may want to look into one of their cruises.

[jusjoan]

Thanks! You win the prize for first post to my first question.

 

I will check into Celebrity. Have you been on one of there Alaska cruises?

 

I hope the smoking issue is not a deal breaker.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Thanks! You win the prize for first post to my first question.

 

I will check into Celebrity. Have you been on one of there Alaska cruises?

 

I hope the smoking issue is not a deal breaker.

 

YAY...a prize! :D

 

I have not been on any Celebrity cruise...I took HAL to Alaska last year. I can't imagine smoking being a problem on Celebrity as they only allow it in a very few places on deck. Smoking is not allowed in cabins, on balconies, the casino or any indoor bars.

 

You will love Alaska....it is amazing!

[jusjoan]

So,

How was the HAL cruise? It was my first pick. Was smoke a problem or was it a non issue?

Thanks so much!.

 

p.s. the prize is in the mail....

[jusjoan]

I am a first time cruise seeker. My husband and I met on a cross country bike trip. We are still active 50 year olds. Is there a cruise line that is better than another as far as smoking is concerned. We are totally not into smoke smells. Please help me. We are looking for and Alask cruise that is smoke free. I am told that is impossible. What is my next best cruise?

 

We are not into entertainment, casinos, etc. Enjoy fine dining, reading, relaxing, site seeing from our balcony and maybe a shore excursion. Totally want to relz.

[DizzyDallasDi]

So,

How was the HAL cruise? It was my first pick. Was smoke a problem or was it a non issue?

Thanks so much!.

 

p.s. the prize is in the mail....

 

My HAL cruise to Alaska was fabulous but I do want to warn you that they allow smoking in cabins, on balconies, in the casino and in some bars. So, if you are wanting to avoid smoking, they may not be a good fit. I'm a smoker so this was certainly not an issue for me...;)

[jusjoan]

Yeh, you are not a good resource person. Thanks for being upfront. I am sorry , but I am a former smoker and we are the worst for detecting that smell. If you want advice on quiting I can give you that!

[AlanAllyn]

We did the HAL Amsterdam 14-day Alaska cruise this summer and it was very good, but there was smoke smell in many places.

 

We have sailed Celebrity, but not in Alaska; they are by far the best for non-smokers.

[jusjoan]

thank your for your reply. I may check into Celebrity to anywhere. I am not so much interested in Alaska anymore, but now I want as smokefree cruise as possible. What number would you rate the HAL cruise as far as smoke smell? 1 being the least and 10 being the worst?

 

I think I am obsessing too much on this issue but it would be a real bummer to have smoke smells while you were sitting on you balcony enjoying the "fresh" air. Or, to have those lingering smells in you suite. That is why hotels have nonsmoking rooms.

 

Would value your opinion.

Thank you so much.

[jusjoan]

trying to keep my post at the top of the message boards. Amazed that so few cruisers have an opinion. I was expecting a bunch of opinions on this topic....good and bad.

[humglum]

We cruised Alaska on the Golden Princess and smoke wasn't a problem. There was smoking in the casino but I don't recall it being terrible (and we spent quite a bit of time there). Unfortunately I've never cruised any of the other lines so I can't make an opinion there.

I'm a non-smoker and *very* sensitive to smoke.

Of course passengers are permitted to smoke on their own balconies. We had a midship balcony and were never exposed to anyone else's smoke.

Good luck!

[Travelcat2]

Oceania and Regent do not allow smoking in cabins, balconies or restaurants. They have smoking in 1/2 of a cocktail lounge and at the pool bar. There tends to be lots of smokers at the pool bar since they are not allowed in most other places.

[jusjoan]

ok,

you are narrowing down my choices. You are a non smoker like myself so I am putting your recommendation at the top of my list. How was the ship? We would rather hang out in our room, have happy hour on our balcony and have a delicious dinner. Would this ship be a good fit? ys We are not into the casino scene. I would like a good spa, pool. My husband would enjoy a quiet library, game room. We may take in a few shows, but just generally want to relax. We have 3 boys ages 10, 12 and 13 and this is our first time away.

 

You are move to the top of my list for prizes!!!!

 

j

[jusjoan]

Hey travel cat,

Thank you for your input. We would like to be able to spend most of our time in our room, enjoying happy hour on our balcony, and having nice dinners in a smoke free atmosphere.

 

We are not into the bar scene so if people want to smoke there that is ok. My only question is are the policies enforced? I have read alot of reviews that say if people want to smoke in their rooms or balconies that it is not enforced.

 

You are entered for a FABULOUS prize.

 

Keep the posts rollling.

 

A much appreciated 1st time cruiser....maybe,

[jusjoan]

Ok, so this site has not been very useful. Thanks for the 3 or 4 posts I have recieved. I would give my input if I had any opinion about any cruises but since I am a newby I am of no help!!!

 

Any recommendations for decent cruise reviews?

 

Thanks,

jusjoan

[luddite]

Man, who coulda known there was a prize!?

If smoking is a serious deal-breaker, you really need to be looking at Celebrity.

[luddite]

Hey travel cat,

Thank you for your input. We would like to be able to spend most of our time in our room, enjoying happy hour on our balcony, and having nice dinners in a smoke free atmosphere.

 

We are not into the bar scene so if people want to smoke there that is ok. My only question is are the policies enforced? I have read alot of reviews that say if people want to smoke in their rooms or balconies that it is not enforced.

 

You are entered for a FABULOUS prize.

 

Keep the posts rollling.

 

A much appreciated 1st time cruiser....maybe,

 

On any line, dinner will be in a smoke-free environment.

Smoke exposure is nowhere near the problem that you are perceiving it to be. Celebrity is the most strict about cabins and balconies.

[kelmac]

Alright, if you want to do Alaska right -- Cruise HAL northbound to Seward, spend a few days there, and cruise Celebrity southbound. You will get both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay + a bunch of different ports!

 

Celebrity is the best for non-smoking, but HAL and Princess have limited smoking.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[LHT28]

You might have a look at Oceania also

They will be going to Alaska in 2011 but more than 7 day cruises if you can stretch your time it may be worth it

They have 10 to 14 day cruises

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/searchresults.aspx?regionid=alaska

[jusjoan]

Thanks all. I am not at all a negative person. I am feeling better about booking a cruise and hoping for the best. Realy, it was that I read 1 really long rant (and obviously very convincing) about not being able to avoid smoke smell and that got me thinking.

 

You have all given me some good options. I'll let you know what I decide.

 

There is still a prize to be had for the most informative post!!

 

jusjoan

[alcpa1]

If you continue to seek the best lines for smoke free cabins and balconies look also at Azamara. They do not sail in the Alaskan waters yet but there are only two places where smoking is permitted. One is on the pool deck and one area is in the deck 10 Looking Glass lounge. Both areas can be accessed by other doorways so can easily be avoided.

Azamara is part of Celebrity and has the same strict enforcement regulations.

We were also on a HAL ship last year and smoking was permitted in cabins, on balconies, on the aft pool deck and several interior areas including the casino. It was more noticeable on our HAL sailing than on RCI for some reason. It might be because HAL's policy attracts smokers.

[jusjoan]

Thanks,

I am not so dead set on Alaska. It was the first thing that popped into my mind. I will check out your suggestions.

 

What cruises have you been on and do you have any favorites?

 

jusjoan

[annierie]

Jusjoan, I second the recommendation for Regent as the best looking at your interests, but it will be quite expensive if you have three children, and they will have to get their own cabin.

 

For a family, the best choice is Celebrity, unless you can afford to pay quite a bit for that second cabin.

 

Navigator has huge rooms, lots of balconies, includes lots of items the others charge for, in terms of sodas, waters, excursions, air fare, wine, liquor, tips, and really decent food (with 490 people versus 2000, the food is definitely prepared more in line with very nice restaurants and caterers, instead of wedding banquet fare).

[jusjoan]

thanks annerie, I was considering Regent. No, the kids won't be along. Just my hubby and myself. Regent does look pricey at first but it really does include a lot, including airfare. I like the idea of a smaller ship. Not sure we are the dress up type for every evening. Have you been on these cruises and how fancy is elegant casual?

 

I appreciate you help,

jusjoan