Smoking on the Fascination

[katiebeth]

Greetings,

 

We are setting sail on the Carnival Fascination on March 19th out of Jacksonville. I will be traveling with a good friend and her three daughters, along with my daughter for a Spring break cruise. We choose this ship based on proximity to our hometown of Tallahassee and the relative affordability of the cruise. Our family cruises frequently and our cruise line of choice for the past several years, has been Celebrity. We do love Celebrity for so many reasons, but are willing to be open to what other lines have to offer.

 

After reading several of the reviews on Cruise Critic of the Carnival Fascination it appears that the rather liberal smoking policy on Carnival may be something that we have not experienced on Celebrity. As I understand it, Carnival allows smoking in all staterooms, balconies, some lounges, the casino and around the pool deck. This is quite different from Celebrity as they do not allow smoking in staterooms, balconies, the casino, and almost all lounges, and smoking is mostly restricted to designated areas on the pool decks.

 

A few of the reviews have indicated that the liberal smoking policy on Carnival, and particularly the Fascination, had a very negative impact on their overall cruise experience.

 

I would appreciate any input from those that have cruised on the Fascination in the past and your overall experience.

 

I am definitely not trying to start anything between smokers vs. non-smokers, but am not afraid to be honest that I really do not like the smell of smoke at all. It definitely would impact the enjoyment of the cruise if I cannot escape it.

 

Any insight anyone could provided would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Nancy

[raylene5]

I won't be sailing on your ship...I'm about to sail the 9 day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Spirit...my first time on Carnival. I'm as anti-smoking as they come. From what I've read on here, I'm also a bit worried about how my room is going to smell, if I'm going to be able to spend any time on my balcony, if I'm going to have to walk through foggy smoke to get from side of the ship to the other. I will try to remember to post something about it when we get back but my suggestion to you is to stick with Celebrity.

 

We are really excited about our up-coming cruise. We are going with friends we haven't seen awhile but if I can afford the other lines that restrict smoking, I will be using them in the future. Hopefully Carnival goes well and I'm expecting it will. I just hope they change their policy soon.

[katiebeth]

Hi Raylene,

 

Thanks for you reply. Normally, I would stick with Celebrity, but my friend booked the cruise and then asked if we would like to go along. My daughter is very good friends with one of her daughters, and as I said the port is close to our home and since my friend is taking 5 other girls with her, price was a consideration.

 

I am banking on the assumption that there are no bad cruises, but I must admit I am a little concerned, based on the reviews I have read. I do understand that the Fascination has been recently updated, which is a plus. As long as the ship is clean, the food decent, and the smoking is not overwhelming, I am sure we will have a good time.

 

Happy Cruising to you, too!

 

Nancy

[travelntreats]

I don't believe amy particular ship is worse than another... it depends on the # of smokers on the sailing you will be on and there is no way to predict what the outcome of your cruise will be on the "smoking" topic in advance. Hopefully the "smoking" issues will not affect your cruise, but if you have sailed celebrity, be prepared for some major differences other than just "smoking".

 

OP.... if you had researched the "smoking" issues on CCL before booking, you may have changed your mind IF the smoking is that huge an issue to you.

 

I do hope the cruise is enjoyable for you.....just be prepared for a different cruise experience than you are perhaps accustomed to.

[raylene5]

Ah, I understand Nancy. Well, I'm sure you will have a great time. Hopefully your room will be fine...if not, it seems as though you can talk to your room steward and they will do their very best to get the smell out. It's beyond me why the line is so concerned about power bars and irons and incense but they allow smoking in the rooms. Oh well. Happy cruising :)

[Tapi]

You may want to read my review if you haven't done so yet. You can click on the link below. We love Carnival, but our cruise on the Fascination last december was definitely not as enjoyable because of incessant smoking and several fellow passengers who insisted on bending the smoking rules.

[LHP]

The answer is ... it depends.

 

The Fascination is a Fantasy class ship. And since it is an older ship, there is a good size space under the cabin door that can allow smoke to travel out of the cabin...into the hallway and into other cabins.

 

Of course, this will only be an issue IF you happen to have smokers around you.

 

As for walking into the cabin and being able to tell it has been smoked in...that has only happened once out of our 43 cruises.

 

IF that happens, there are remedies that you can ask for. The cabin steward can replace all soft items....duvet covers, mattress covers, pillows, etc. They can even replace the mattresses if necessary. AND they can lightly shampoo the carpets and run the Ozone machine.

 

WE always carry a travel size of Ozium (Walmart - auto section). It can eliminate almost any odor.

 

The designated smoking areas on the Fascination are:

On the Promenade: The Casino, the Cover Lounge, the Disco and 1/2 of the bar outside the back theater.

On Atlantic deck: The piano bar

Lido Deck (outside) - Starboard side

 

IF you have the smoke smell coming under the cabin door, I would suggest stuffing a towel there at night. That will help.

 

We have only cruised Carnival, but look forward to giving Celebrity a try in the near future.

[katiebeth]

LHP,

 

Thank you so much for your great tips!! I will definitely buy some Ozium from Walmart. I have never heard of that before. Also, if the odor is a problem in our cabin, I will definitely request some of the changes in bedding, shampooing of carpet you have suggested.

 

I am hopeful that it will not be a major problem.

 

We LOVE Celebrity and hope that you will be able to cruise the line sometime in the near future.

 

Hoping for wonderful weather and smooth sailing,

 

Thanks, Nancy

[falkcor]

The Fascination is a Fantasy class ship. And since it is an older ship, there is a good size space under the cabin door that can allow smoke to travel out of the cabin...into the hallway and into other cabins.

 

i was surprised to read this. if it's so much of a problem with smoke infiltration (i never really thought of this) on fantasy class ships and such i'm just shocked they haven't handled it as this would be a very simple fix.

 

there's a product that is probably on most people's exterior swing doors called a 'door sweep' - which sits on the bottom of the door and forms a seal to prevent air infiltration. further, it's a simple addition, and if there's enough of a gap they could block in beneath and get a sweep with a larger flange to retrofit...

 

the thought that this in particular could cause so much distress yet not be attended to is perplexing to me.

 

because having to do this - though kudos for your resourceful nature! :)

 

IF you have the smoke smell coming under the cabin door, I would suggest stuffing a towel there at night. That will help.

 

is silly to have to do.

 

As for walking into the cabin and being able to tell it has been smoked in...that has only happened once out of our 43 cruises.

 

and that says a lot - they do a great job. if it caused such operational problems (complaints) then they wouldn't maintain the current policy i'd think.

 

IF that happens, there are remedies that you can ask for. The cabin steward can replace all soft items....duvet covers, mattress covers, pillows, etc. They can even replace the mattresses if necessary. AND they can lightly shampoo the carpets and run the Ozone machine.

 

again toward how well they can service a cabin - very thorough.

 

--

 

and kudos for a very thorough and on point response to the op - i think that was a lot of great information! :)

[Essiesmom]

I just returned 3/5 from a cruise on Fascination. The only smoking I noticed was in the casino and the smoking side of the pool/lido deck. Also, there is a bar that allows smoking outside the aft lounge on Promenade deck, and next to it is a sort of grand staircase down into the Imagination Dining room. I could smell stale smoke as I passed by that staicase in the dining room. If I had a table near it I might have an issue. I did not have any problems in my cabin, or in walking the hallways. EM

[katiebeth]

Thanks Essiesmom,

 

How was your cruise on the Fascination? Hope you enjoyed it. Did you feel the ship was well maintained and the service was good? Also, did you enjoy the food?

 

thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Looking forward to your response.

 

Happy Sailings,

 

Nancy

[Essiesmom]

Yes, I enjoyed my cruise. I thought the food was the same as other Carnival ships...Better than Princess, not as good as Celebrity. You must be sure to be on deck when she pulls out right after muster drill. Go aft on the deck by the Waterworks, to watch when you sail under the Dames Point bridge. You just know she isn't going to fit and half of the funnel is going to come tumbling down! Yes, she is well maintained. EM

[tmt218]

I just returned 3/5 from a cruise on Fascination. The only smoking I noticed was in the casino and the smoking side of the pool/lido deck. Also, there is a bar that allows smoking outside the aft lounge on Promenade deck, and next to it is a sort of grand staircase down into the Imagination Dining room. I could smell stale smoke as I passed by that staicase in the dining room. If I had a table near it I might have an issue. I did not have any problems in my cabin, or in walking the hallways. EM

 

 

I agree with Essiesmom. I only noticed it in those areas too. I did notice that the Club 88 piano bar was smokey and out of the casino, Putin' on the Ritz bar, and the smoking side of the lido it was the worst. I didn't notice any smoke smell in the cabins, halls, or the balconies either.

My sailing was 2/19

[winncove]

We're cruising next month on the Fascination & from what I've read they must have changed their policy since this thread. Seemed as though very few places to smoke [including only a part of the casino]. I use an E Cigg & that's included in the "No Smoking" areas. That doesn't make sense since what goes into the air is only a water vapor, no odor @ all. I have to contact CCL to check this out. The non-smokers should be happier now! Unfortunately after an illegal situation w/my original supplier I was without the E cigg for 6 mos. & reverted back to the analog ciggs most of the time. :( I'd planned on the E Cigg carrying me through on this cruise! :confused:

[DEL67]

I believe that as of 12/1/11, Carnival will not allow smoking in staterooms anymore. Unluckily, they still will allow it on balconies.