Are Cunard and Celebrity driving smokers to Princess?

[1 HappyCruiser]

As restrictive as the smoking policy is on Celebrity, there are nonsmokers who continue to complain because they think they can smell smoke while in certain areas of outside decks. If smoking is totally banned, these same whiners will just find something else to whine about. This is what they enjoy doing and it aids them in projecting their image as "victims".

It couldn't possibly be from people sneaking a smoke on their balcony? I doubt if anyone would be that devious. :rolleyes:

Princess and Holland America will not be placing any further restrictions on smokers, so if you have a problem with that, take your business elsewhere.

 

Don't be to sure about that.

[gingera]

Hmm, another smoking thread on the Princess board. Is it really a big problem on this cruise line?

 

 

It is ONLY a big problem if YOU are the one affected...

[vcgeno]

A related thread about vanishing Cigar Bars:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1165175&highlight=

[Tapi]

In the cabins we've had a few problems over the years...

 

I just started frequenting the Princess board a few weeks ago in preparation for our first Princess cruise, and to get a feeling for what to expect.

 

We're booked on the Sapphire. Parents are coming along. They booked a mini-suite and we booked an oceanview cabin. My mom is not likely to be bothered by cigarrette smoke, but my dad will raise hell. (Just FYI, both my parents have taken several cruises including Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Costa all over the world, so they somewhat know what to expect. I'm just wondering if Princess compares to what they've experienced on these other cruise lines).

 

My wife and I had never been bothered by cigarrette smoke on previous cruises (we may have made a comment about a smoky casino, etc, but that's where it ended). However, on our last cruise (Carnival Fascination), we couldn't escape cigarrette smoke. There seemed to be a larger than normal amount of smokers onboard, many who chose to ignore designated non-smoking areas. (I posted a full review if anybody wants to read the details).

 

I'm just trying to avoid back to back cruises where the wife is unhappy because of the cigarrette smoke. If she's unhappy, it's not going to be a fun cruise....:o

[RDC1]

I have been on a number of cruises from different lines, including Princess, HAL, Celebrity, NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Raddison (now regent).

 

As of yet I have not run into a major problem. I have run into some of the minor issues such as smoke on balconies, smoke in non-smoking areas. Where I draw the line is if I am ever assigned a room where one can noticeable detect smoke residue. If I were to encounter that and if it is not corrected immediately, I will be off the ship prior to sailing. That is independent of the issue of refund or not. The cost of my being away from work, is far more then the amount paid for the cruise, and as such I would not subject myself to have to deal with such accomendations.

 

 

There is now very interesting information (from peer reviewed medical studies) showing elevated nicotine levels and other blood chemistry results from time spent in rooms that had previously been used for smoking. The studies I have seen used apartments that had previously been occupied by smokers and then occupied by non-smokers and showed substantial elevation of nicotine, even though they had undergone normal cleaning prior to occupancy by the new tenants. Would be interesting to see the same study done on cruise ships, though I doubt a cruise line would even allow it.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that more and more the travel industry is converting to smokeless environments. First it was airplanes, then airports, then dining establishments, then entire hotel chains. Most of us that travel a great deal have become used to a smoke free environment to such a degree that it generally doesn't rise to top of mind when making travel plans.

[1 HappyCruiser]

I just started frequenting the Princess board a few weeks ago in preparation for our first Princess cruise, and to get a feeling for what to expect.

 

We're booked on the Sapphire. Parents are coming along. They booked a mini-suite and we booked an oceanview cabin. My mom is not likely to be bothered by cigarrette smoke, but my dad will raise hell. (Just FYI, both my parents have taken several cruises including Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Costa all over the world, so they somewhat know what to expect. I'm just wondering if Princess compares to what they've experienced on these other cruise lines).

 

My wife and I had never been bothered by cigarrette smoke on previous cruises (we may have made a comment about a smoky casino, etc, but that's where it ended). However, on our last cruise (Carnival Fascination), we couldn't escape cigarrette smoke. There seemed to be a larger than normal amount of smokers onboard, many who chose to ignore designated non-smoking areas. (I posted a full review if anybody wants to read the details).

 

I'm just trying to avoid back to back cruises where the wife is unhappy because of the cigarrette smoke. If she's unhappy, it's not going to be a fun cruise....:o

 

For the most part if you avoid the casino & smoking side of the main pool you'll probably be fine on Princess. The cabin will also probably be OK but on occasion can have the lingering smoke odors you've heard others commenting on. The major problem for us has usually been the balconies which can be hit or miss. If it's bad, it can be really bad and there's not much you can do about it other than voice your opinion to Princess. I would just hope for the best at this point.

[sarge98]

I think that as other lines become more restrictive that one or two lines will cater to smokers. I will not sail on lines that restrict smoking to only outside areas. Why would we smokers want to spend money on a cruise we don't fully enjoy? Being forced to smoke only outdoors or in one small area is not enjoyable. So I foresee some of the lines catering to smokers as we still have a large amount of money to spend.

 

Another thought, I beleive I read somewhere depending on where/what you read aproximentlt 17-22% of Americans smoke. Bet some have wifes/husbands, maybe even a few friends still. Could add up to quite a few persons.

[Putterdude]

I personally would like to see smoking eliminated from Princess ships, however I have not observed any increase in smokers since X imposed their more restrictive smoking policy. What I did observe in early December on the Sapphire was a lot of people had moved from the Splendor and a number of them would light up wherever they wanted around the pools and outdoor areas ignoring Princess's port/starboard policy.

[Fluffy Terry]

Thank goodness I am a considerate smoker. Yes there is such a thing. I DO NOT smoke in my cabin (even I cannot stand the smoke smell in such an enclosed space) I will smoke on the balcony when the ship is moving. I only smoke in designated areas and would not even consider lighting up where it is marked as a non smoking area (in consideration for those that dont smoke). I was on a RCCL ship last Dec and due to bad weather couldnt use the balcony much and even I found the casino too smokey, so spent most of my time, when I wanted a cigarette, outside.

 

I personally would like to see smoking eliminated from Princess ships, however I have not observed any increase in smokers since X imposed their more restrictive smoking policy. What I did observe in early December on the Sapphire was a lot of people had moved from the Splendor and a number of them would light up wherever they wanted around the pools and outdoor areas ignoring Princess's port/starboard policy.

[iheartbda]

Just off the Crown a couple of weeks ago. The few smokers that I saw were obeying the rules by smoking in a small area where smoking is permitted on the pool deck. :) Even in Skywalkers, there were not many smoking and they too stayed far over to "their area". Never smelled cigarette smoke on the balcony but the guy next door with a cigar was a different story. He could have been out there more than I know but I only ran into the smell twice.