Smoking on state room balconies....

[Macadian]

Prior to our recent cruise, our enjoyment has been somewhat spoiled whilst using our state room balcony by having smokers on one side or another (last cruise on the 'Spirit', both sides of us) whilst using our balcony, so much so that we were forced from it on more than one occassion.

 

This is not a dig at smokers!

 

On our recent cruise on the 'Sun' (Feb/March) we were able to use our balcony at all times without this problem. Were we just lucky? Or has NCL's policy re smoking changed regarding smoking on balconies? If it has not changed, would it not be an idea for cruisers to be asked to declare when booking if they were smokers, then when state rooms are allocated, smokers can be kept together so to speak. This would allow smokers enjoy their cruise, and smoke, without causing a problem for other cruisers.....Its only a small thing I accept but it can, and has marred out enjoyment in the past.

 

I avoid the Casino for this reason whenever possible and feel sorry for those 'non smoking' cruise members of staff who work in that part of ship.

 

Waiting for 'in coming'!

[smileysmiley]

Prior to our recent cruise, our enjoyment has been somewhat spoiled whilst using our state room balcony by having smokers on one side or another (last cruise on the 'Spirit', both sides of us) whilst using our balcony, so much so that we were forced from it on more than one occassion.

 

This is not a dig at smokers!

 

On our recent cruise on the 'Sun' (Feb/March) we were able to use our balcony at all times without this problem. Were we just lucky? Or has NCL's policy re smoking changed regarding smoking on balconies? If it has not changed, would it not be an idea for cruisers to be asked to declare when booking if they were smokers, then when state rooms are allocated, smokers can be kept together so to speak. This would allow smokers enjoy their cruise, and smoke, without causing a problem for other cruisers.....Its only a small thing I accept but it can, and has marred out enjoyment in the past.

 

I avoid the Casino for this reason whenever possible and feel sorry for those 'non smoking' cruise members of staff who work in that part of ship.

 

Waiting for 'in coming'!

 

You just got lucky on the SUN. NCL did not change its policy regarding smoking on balconies.

[Mysticks1]

No change in policy. This is from the FAQ section on the NCL website. It explains the smoking policy.

What about smoking on the ship?

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

 

If smoking really bothers you on the balcony you might want to check out Celebrity for your next cruise. They don't allow smoking on the balconies.

[deladypilot]

NCL has not changed their policy.

 

I think the cruise lines would be catching a lot of flack if they designated certain rooms as smoking and non-smoking. The problem being let say you want a room on the port side and are a non-smoker but all port side rooms are smoking. You would then be angry at the cruise line for not allowing you to have a choice of which room only because you wanted a non-smoking room. They would get it from both sides smokers and non-smokers.

[Macadian]

No change in policy. This is from the FAQ section on the NCL website. It explains the smoking policy.

 

What about smoking on the ship?

We want you to be comfortable on board, so public areas throughout all our ships are smoke-free. If you smoke cigarettes, you can do so on your balcony, in the casino or in the Cigar Bar (where available). If you prefer pipes or cigars, you can smoke in the Cigar Bar or designated smoking lounge. Also, you can smoke cigarettes, pipes and cigars outside on open decks (just not around food venues, sports decks, kids’ pool areas and other designated nonsmoking areas). Smoking inside your stateroom will result in a $250 cleaning charge added to your onboard account.

 

If smoking really bothers you on the balcony you might want to check out Celebrity for your next cruise. They don't allow smoking on the balconies.

 

 

Thanks for the tip.....it's appreciated.

[Macadian]

It would seem from the policy still in place per NCL that the comfort of the majority of guests using their balcony is giving way to the probable minority of guests who smoke and use their balconies accordingly. Celebrity could well find themselves with a few new cruisers next time around. I am afraid I don't want to risk being stuck between two state rooms which are occupied by smokers, polluting my balcony area with cigarette smoke , precluding its use much of the time, as was the case on the 'Norwegian Spirit' back in December. I do hope NCL will have a rethink on this as I do enjoy cruising with them.

[Sequim88]

Part of the problem is the "no smoking" in cabins which has driven smokers to book balconies for that first early morning right out of bed smoke. This can be hit or miss for non-smokers as far as neighbors due to demographics of the cruise. Unfortunately we have found that the Transatlantics we like are heavily skewed to older and European/UK cruisers who have higher percentages of smokers. Cruises with young familes and lots of kids will increase chance of smoke free balcony.

 

Last cruise we had a chain smoker immediately forward of us and made balcony use impossible except at meal times and after they went to bed. We knew the guy from our roll call and were on a couple excursions with him. Every time the bus stopped it was get out and immediately "light up". despite loss of balcony use it got to the point where I was feeling sorry for him that his life was so driven by smoking.

[SilentHill]

If you don't like Balcony smoking, you could just get an AFT Balcony. Problem solved :)

[Macadian]

If you don't like Balcony smoking, you could just get an AFT Balcony. Problem solved :)

 

Nice thought. Two points though...

1) I can't afford to, &

2) I shouldn't have to.....:cool:

[Mysticks1]

If you don't like Balcony smoking, you could just get an AFT Balcony. Problem solved :)

 

I have had an aft balcony with a smoker next door and I could definately smell the smoke on our balcony. Luckily on that cruise it was an aft corner so I could stand on the other side to get away from the smoke.

[rvsullivan]

Nice thought. Two points though...

1) I can't afford to, &

2) I shouldn't have to.....:cool:

 

Well then, the best choice is another cruise line probably? NCL is not going to change the policy for you. You said you had smokers on both sides, the one behind you, towards the stern should not have been a bother since the smoke blows away from you.

You were on the Spirit so it was an European cruise and usually many more smokers, would be similar for a Far Eastern cruise.

The complaints have driven the smokers outdoors over the years and now some want to drive them back inside???

By the way, I don't smoke.

[Macadian]

Well then, the best choice is another cruise line probably? NCL is not going to change the policy for you. You said you had smokers on both sides, the one behind you, towards the stern should not have been a bother since the smoke blows away from you.

You were on the Spirit so it was an European cruise and usually many more smokers, would be similar for a Far Eastern cruise.

The complaints have driven the smokers outdoors over the years and now some want to drive them back inside???

By the way, I don't smoke.

 

I would like to think if NCL changes policy, it would be for the majority of cruisers.....and not be, which of course would be nice.:)

 

I have had the same problem with Holland America in the past....and way back on the Norwegian Sun (2008) both Caribbean cruises. Our last cruise on the Sun, we just got lucky I guess. However I don't like depending on luck and it is likely that I will be looking at another cruise line for our next cruise which is a pity as I enjoy sailing with NCL. Thanks for your input.

[che5904]

Part of the problem is the "no smoking" in cabins which has driven smokers to book balconies .

 

You are probably right. Therefore people should be very careful what they ask for.

[Beaver1975]

Prior to our recent cruise, our enjoyment has been somewhat spoiled whilst using our state room balcony by having smokers on one side or another (last cruise on the 'Spirit', both sides of us) whilst using our balcony, so much so that we were forced from it on more than one occassion.

 

This is not a dig at smokers!

 

On our recent cruise on the 'Sun' (Feb/March) we were able to use our balcony at all times without this problem. Were we just lucky? Or has NCL's policy re smoking changed regarding smoking on balconies? If it has not changed, would it not be an idea for cruisers to be asked to declare when booking if they were smokers, then when state rooms are allocated, smokers can be kept together so to speak. This would allow smokers enjoy their cruise, and smoke, without causing a problem for other cruisers.....Its only a small thing I accept but it can, and has marred out enjoyment in the past.

 

I avoid the Casino for this reason whenever possible and feel sorry for those 'non smoking' cruise members of staff who work in that part of ship.

 

Waiting for 'in coming'!

 

Right!!!!

 

You are not here to stir things up?

[sdmike]

... it is likely that I will be looking at another cruise line for our next cruise which is a pity as I enjoy sailing with NCL.

 

Me too. It will be a factor in my decision, but not my only one. It really will be a battle between NCL freestyle (which I love), and the risk of having to deal with smoking (which I don't). If I decide to sail NCL again it will be with the understanding of this tradeoff/risk, and really with my fingers crossed if I choose a balcony room.

[latebloomer56]

I would like to think if NCL changes policy, it would be for the majority of cruisers.....and not be, which of course would be nice.:)

 

I have had the same problem with Holland America in the past....and way back on the Norwegian Sun (2008) both Caribbean cruises. Our last cruise on the Sun, we just got lucky I guess. However I don't like depending on luck and it is likely that I will be looking at another cruise line for our next cruise which is a pity as I enjoy sailing with NCL. Thanks for your input.

Hi, Princess changed their smoking policy to no smoking on the balcony as well as in your cabin. Not really fair to the smokers but last cruise in 2012 was nice having a clean balcony. Folks just never learned don't toss butts and matches over the side. Think in the cabin should have been left though. Want my sister-inlaw and her husband to come next year but they are both smokers. Though they go long stretches without one who knows may NCL has a Pacific coast that will fit the bill.

Oh and we have asked folks in the past if they could just bang on the wall or something when thay are done for a little bit and have only had 1 issue once. He was rude to everyone including who he was traveling with so I didn't take it to heart. Never heard that language on any ship before or since. But just ask and I'm sure your neighbors would work with you. Everybody is on vacation after all.

[Macadian]

Right!!!!

 

You are not here to stir things up?

 

No...It was to raise the topic for discussion, which has been the case, prompted by my own experience and that of other cruisers who I have spoken with who share the same concerns. That's got to be positive right? Whether we all agree or otherwise. :cool:

[raylene5]

I think it's interesting that fire is such a big safety issue on ships and yet they allow smoking. Stupid. Seems like an unnecessary liability.

 

It absolutely sucks when you pay a premium for a balcony and can't use it because you have neighbors who smoke.

 

Times are changing though. Within five to ten years, smoking will be banned on balconies. There are simply so many more people who can't tolerate it vs. the number of people who smoke.

 

And yeah, I'd sail Celebrity in a heartbeat if I could afford it and if they catered a bit more to kids. For now, I'm out of luck.

[che5904]

No...It was to raise the topic for discussion, which has been the case, prompted by my own experience and that of other cruisers who I have spoken with who share the same concerns. That's got to be positive right? Whether we all agree or otherwise. :cool:

 

So obviously your experience, which you state yourself as your most recent "On our recent cruise on the 'Sun' (Feb/March) we were able to use our balcony at all times without this problem", was a postive experience.

 

This topic has been discussed to death on these threads, a search would have easily discovered this.

[che5904]

I think it's interesting that fire is such a big safety issue on ships and yet they allow smoking. Stupid. Seems like an unnecessary liability.

 

It absolutely sucks when you pay a premium for a balcony and can't use it because you have neighbors who smoke.

 

And yeah, I'd sail Celebrity in a heartbeat if I could afford it and if they catered a bit more to kids. For now, I'm out of luck.

 

For one thing 99% of fires on cruiseships start in the engine room, look at the Carnival Triumph. Do you also think it is stupid to travel on a ship with an engine?

 

Do you not know the cruiseline policies of the cruise you are taking with regard to smoking, before you pay a premium for a balcony?

[janice2348]

We just booked the Hawaii cruise for May 2014. We had to pretty much book a balcony because my husband does smoke. On our last cruise on Royal Caribbean we spent more time on deck freezing because he couldn't smoke in the cabin and we didn't book a balcony. I agree that in cabin smoking would solve this problem. I am not a smoker but I take this into consideration on every vacation. Does it get on my nerves-yes. But I accept it. If you are going to book a balcony you need to realize people may be smoking around you. If you are allergic book a ship that is non- smoking. Don't complain about it and don't ask the smoker not to smoke while you are out in your balcony. My husband is very easygoing but don't mess with his habit. We booked an aft cabin in hopes to minimize bothering others. I am asthmatic so I totally understand the non- smoker point of view. I see what he goes through and I think it is reallly unfair. Yes this issue has been debated to death on these boards and I'm not sure why the OP started this thread. It comes down to you just need to use common sense. This is a trip of a lifetime for a lot of us. Lets all try to be respectful of eachother and enjoy our cruise.

[hartsnvt]

My Goodness! There is a little search button and you will be all snuggly with the smoking/non smoking topic beaten to death. (It may take days to go through the hundreds of posts). There are many cruiselines that do not allow smoking on balconies..just google cruise line policies. As for the person who said that they should allow smoking inside the cabin to get the smokers off of the balconies, have you ever entered a cabin (in the old days) where a smoker was? It stinks! I would rather have smoking on the balcony and approach the non smoker so we could work out a plan than to spend a week in a previous smoking allowed cabin.

Remember when Carnival tried the totally non smoking ship? I do not think it lasted very long because there were not enough non smokers to fill it every week. Maybe a line should try it again and see if it flies this time as there are many more non smokers now.

 

And , yes, I am a smoker but I respect non smokers wishes and I book the aft balcony so the smoke goes straight back. If I could not afford the aft then I would get the closest aft balcony as possible as to not offend non smokers. I like the knock on the wall that a previous poster mentioned, it seems very civil and keeps all satisfied.

[johnql]

If you are allergic book a ship that is non- smoking.

There is no such thing as a non-smoking cruise ship - well, at least among mainstream cruise lines. I suppose it's possible that there's a non-smoking small ship or yacht-type cruise that's non-smoking.

 

That said, I agree that everybody needs to do their research and pick the cruise line with the smoking policy that suits them best.

[Beaver1975]

No...It was to raise the topic for discussion, which has been the case, prompted by my own experience and that of other cruisers who I have spoken with who share the same concerns. That's got to be positive right? Whether we all agree or otherwise. :cool:

 

...which is done here about every other week and it inevitably turns into a "bash the smokers" thread. This one will last about another day, maybe, and then the moderators will lock yet another smoking thread. :rolleyes:

[Anginette]

Rather than a non-smoking ship... what about having one or two non-smoking decks?