Smoke on the Escape

[jeffregpuck]

As yes it may be a matter of time but you can't compare ships that are out at sea for days with no where to go to planes, trains, etc. because you aren't in those for days like a cruise ship. Have to disagree with this logic

 

I think he may have been referring to the "public" areas on the cruise ships. I'm quite sure that smoking will still happen on balconies (although that can be obnoxious too if you are in the cabin right behind that one). I see your point, but do feel that it is time that non-smokers were returned their right to healthy breathable air. I'm not going to say that smokers don't have the right to smoke, but they shouldn't have the right to make ME breathe it too......

[CasinoCruzGirl]

I think he may have been referring to the "public" areas on the cruise ships. I'm quite sure that smoking will still happen on balconies (although that can be obnoxious too if you are in the cabin right behind that one). I see your point, but do feel that it is time that non-smokers were returned their right to healthy breathable air. I'm not going to say that smokers don't have the right to smoke, but they shouldn't have the right to make ME breathe it too......

 

 

Don't think he was referring to public areas. He said make ships totally smoke free.

[zdcatc12]

I'm quite sure that smoking will still happen on balconies (although that can be obnoxious too if you are in the cabin right behind that one).

 

In addition to it being against the rules. However, on my last 2 cruises people were smoking on their balconies.

[Aloha 1]

I'm a former smoker ( 2 packs a day) who quit the addiction and have never looked back. A few months after you quit, you begin to realize how bad your clothes smelled from smoke when you encounter a smoker, like being out a campfire every day. You notice when walking through a cloud of cigarette smoke how it hurts your lungs.

 

I have no problem with people smoking if that's the addiction they prefer. I do have a problem when it interferes with my ability to enjoy my vacation. I don't believe in an outright ban on all ships but I think lines like Celebrity, Princess, Oceania, etc. have got it right by providing specific areas where one can "feed the habit". Everybody knows where they are and no smoker is forced into mandatory withdrawal. However, the casino should not be one of those places, especially with the open air design on Escape and the Away ships. I'm a pretty big gambler, but when in Vegas, I avoid the "cloudy" tables like the plague. Come on, NCL. You said you were addressing this so do it.

[bobg529]

I just want to make it clear that it's my belief that smoking will eventually be banned, but I'm not calling for it to happen. I'm not a fan of the nanny state and people have a right to live their life as they see fit, as long as it doesn't interfere with someone else's rights. But everything is about money in the end. When it becomes more cost effective for cruise lines to ban smoking outright, then that is what they will do. They won't do it because they give a damn if you live or die. They just want whatever will make them the most money. That's business, and THAT is inevitable.

[Sunmamma]

we were on the inaugural sailing from Hamburg to Southampton and no smoking allowed in Casino-was noticeable how fresh the area was

friends continued on the Transatlantic and again no smoking in the Casino

 

since the regular runs from Miami smoking has been allowed and subsequent complaints of cigarette smoke smell

 

Sounds as if NCL succumbed to pressure from smoking gamblers.

 

 

it would seem that the High rollers they attract that spend an average of 10K plus on their cruises do like to partake in smoking, so my guess is that the whales often do have a say in it. sorry for those who don't smoke but this whale does not want all their privileges taken away

Edited January 7, 2016 by Sunmamma

[boopsahoy]

As yes it may be a matter of time but you can't compare ships that are out at sea for days with no where to go to planes, trains, etc. because you aren't in those for days like a cruise ship. Have to disagree with this logic

I agree with you. You're in a cab for a few minutes and a plane for a few hours not days.

[DMH15]

it would seem that the High rollers they attract that spend an average of 10K plus on their cruises do like to partake in smoking, so my guess is that the whales often do have a say in it. sorry for those who don't smoke but this whale does not want all their privileges taken away

 

 

 

I spend that much on my cruises and I do not smoke. If the casino is too smoky I just take my casino funds home and buy more shoes and purses.

 

Like March on the Epic. I was in the DOS but went to the casino once or twice and could not tolerate it.

 

In 2015 on the Jewel the casino was not smoky and I was in there a lot!!!

 

I like Celebrity but I like NCL's Haven more so I go with the mindset that the casino is a take it or leave it proposition.

 

 

 

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[The Merrill]

Regarding the partition in the casino on the ESCAPE. No sign of that happening as recent as two weeks ago. There is not any up-graded ventilation in either the casino or the cigar lounge. I heard that the casino workers were going to "throw out" those that just sit at a machine to smoke but I also did not see that happening. You can certainly smell the smoke near Le Bistro and of course outside of the lounge near Tobbaco Row. Although NCL is quick to advise that smoking is not allowed on the balcony other passengers were doing that as well and not just cigarettes. Just my two cents worth ...

[Sand and Seas]

We were on the Escape earlier this month for our 5th cruise on her. Although they keep making announcements in the casino that you can only smoke there if playing- this 'rule' was clearly not enforced. I saw many non- players hanging out right by the door to the players club booth. All the casino hosts would be in and out of that door and they never said a word to those non-players smoking in that area. Very frustrating as this is the main place for all of the video poker machines. The small 'non-smoking' area only has a few machines and none of them were video poker.

[Casino Comp Chick]

We were on the Escape earlier this month for our 5th cruise on her. Although they keep making announcements in the casino that you can only smoke there if playing- this 'rule' was clearly not enforced. I saw many non- players hanging out right by the door to the players club booth. All the casino hosts would be in and out of that door and they never said a word to those non-players smoking in that area. Very frustrating as this is the main place for all of the video poker machines. The small 'non-smoking' area only has a few machines and none of them were video poker.

 

Don't they have VP built into the bar like the BA?

[ALS1214]

I had read a review a few weeks ago.. the person mentioned some "construction" happening in the casino with glass partitions?.. seemed like it was constructing a separate smoking area. Any truth to this?.. I don't quite understand why NCL wouldn't work on resolving the smoking concern. :confused:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Sand and Seas]

Don't they have VP built into the bar like the BA?

Yes, they do have a limited choice of games at the bar. However, no multi-line, Ultimate X, or Super-times pay.

 

 

Also, sitting at the bar on the Escape is the loudest place on the ship. Every evening they have dance music in there. Fun to watch, but very hard on my ears! The bartenders in there are amazing. Somehow they manage to get your orders correct.....they must read lips:confused:

[AliceIn]

Hi,

 

A question for those who have sailed on the Escape:

 

Is it very smokey? My husband is asthmatic and on the Getaway he was struggling with wheezing and constantly needing his inhalers. Is there and issue with smoke in the main areas of Escape too?

 

Yes - the entire Atrium area is pretty dreadful when the ship is at sea due to many people smoking in the Casino.

 

 

When the ship is at port, there is no smoking - but the stink is still there. It's a really, really bad ship design.

 

 

We avoided that part of the ship as much as possible, and kept the kids out of it entirely.

[Tiggertastic]

Op I just sailed escape and am asthmatic. The waterfront is smoke free as are most the indoor areas. I had no issues at Tobacco Road even though it was just outside the humidor. I've not needed my inhaler for a long time but always carry one. I struggled with the casino so avoided walking through and h20 bar area. They smoked cigars at h20 even though the cruise freestyle says only humidor. We questioned it with officers and was told the freestyle was wrong. I could do the parties outdoors and just moved the other side. There's plenty of places to go to not have the smoke smell and ways round all areas to avoid where it is.

 

 

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[SunCruiseFunSail]

This ship is huge, we are talking 20 decks. Smoking is only permitted outside on Deck 17 in the corner by the bar in H2O and at the Waves bar that overlooks the Adult Pool. Inside you can smoke on Deck 8 in the Humidor by the Tobacco Road bar. (Very Small room.) Also when the Casino (Deck 7) is open, active gamblers are permitted to smoke in most of the casino area. There is a decent size section in the back with table games and slot machines where smoking is not permitted....This area is usually a ghost town. :confused: Not sure why NCL does not offer more outside smoking areas on other decks on the ship, just thinking this may help relieve some of the smoke in the casino? Going from Deck 7 to Deck 17 in the back of the ship is quite a haul and even the Marlboro Man would find the little smoking room by Tobacco Road overbearing.

I guess my point is, even if smoke really bothers you, you should have no problem avoiding the few area's where smoking is permitted. You can still have a fabulous fun smoke free cruise on this beautiful floating city at sea and those that enjoy a smoke now and then have a few area's they can roam off to. After all, everyone is on vacation.

[sjh422]

I was on the sep 30 sailing of the Escape and can confirm that the smell of cigarette smoke is present throughout the casino and particularly bad near the table games. As a result I did not play any slots as I usually do. Also, the smell floats down to Le Bistro and surrounding areas.

[Bootman4U]

Sorry, but I have yet to be on any ship on which somebody is FORCED to go through the casino. There are always ways to avoid it.

[luvtheships]

Sorry, but I have yet to be on any ship on which somebody is FORCED to go through the casino. There are always ways to avoid it.

 

 

 

But on the new builds the casino is open air on deck 7 of the ocean 6/7/8 secondary atrium area

 

It takes lots of planning to avoid the casino plus the areas on 6 and 8 are basically smoke filled as well as is the beautiful glass staircase

 

If you want to take a picture on it lots of luck if you are trying to avoid smoke

 

Le bistro is smelly too and you had better hope you get a table way in a back corner if you want to eat there

 

Others will now dispute this post but so be it

 

 

 

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[kbd388]

Hi, I read on the NCL site that smoking is allowed on the Starboard side of he Waterfront, as long as not near eating establishments. Would we be able to smell smoke from our balcony in a BX room all the way forward in deck 8? Thank you

[coasterbrad]

Just to add another data point to this thread, here are my observations from sailing on the Escape this month.

 

I am very sensitive to smoke and truly hate it. My brother who i was cruising with has severe asthma and can't handle cigarette smoke at all. Neither of us had any issue on the Escape. We spent plenty of time around the 678 atrium, casino, Skyline bar, etc. and never had to leave because of the smoke. Perhaps we got lucky and were just on a less smoky cruise. The only time I coughed on smoke was when I went to the bar above the main pool area that allows smoking.

 

Hi, I read on the NCL site that smoking is allowed on the Starboard side of he Waterfront, as long as not near eating establishments. Would we be able to smell smoke from our balcony in a BX room all the way forward in deck 8? Thank you

 

I'd imagine you'll be fine in that location. The Waterfront does not go all the way forward and I rarely ever saw anybody smoking out there except occasionally at 5 O'clock Somewhere. If the ship is moving that would also push the smoke aft and away from your balcony. Hopefully somewhere with better first hand knowledge of those staterooms will chime in though.

[DMH15]

Sounds like NCL isn't for you. Maybe you should stick to Celebrity, oh and stay away from Italy, France, Greece, and Las Vegas...way too many smokers for you. Actually, you should probably just stay home with your doors and windows closed and your air purifier on.

 

 

 

Actually, I am a non smoker and I go to Red Rock Resort and Spa at least once a year. Usually weekdays. Not smoky at all.

 

On my Med Cruise we had a private driver in Rome and Amalfi Coast. It was not smoky. Do not recall it smoky at the Vatican.

 

Just got to know how to do it.

 

No need to stay home. I avoid places where I would be miserable and if I encounter people smoking legally and it bothers me I make the adjustment.

 

Surely smokers know things will continue to swing away from their favor and in the non smoker's favor. As the numbers decrease, and they have been, it will no longer be financially wise to accomodate them. It is all about the dollars. Especially with the current regime at NCL.

 

 

 

 

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[DMH15]

it would seem that the High rollers they attract that spend an average of 10K plus on their cruises do like to partake in smoking, so my guess is that the whales often do have a say in it. sorry for those who don't smoke but this whale does not want all their privileges taken away

 

 

 

I could be a whale if it was not smoky.

 

Waiting to take your place.

 

 

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[BirdTravels]

Hi, I read on the NCL site that smoking is allowed on the Starboard side of he Waterfront, as long as not near eating establishments. Would we be able to smell smoke from our balcony in a BX room all the way forward in deck 8? Thank you

This is true on the Breakaway and Getaway only.

 

You would smell smoke forward of the smoking area if the ship was sailing backward. Of the tail wind speed exceeded the forward speed of the ship.

[kbd388]

Just to add another data point to this thread, here are my observations from sailing on the Escape this month.

 

I am very sensitive to smoke and truly hate it. My brother who i was cruising with has severe asthma and can't handle cigarette smoke at all. Neither of us had any issue on the Escape. We spent plenty of time around the 678 atrium, casino, Skyline bar, etc. and never had to leave because of the smoke. Perhaps we got lucky and were just on a less smoky cruise. The only time I coughed on smoke was when I went to the bar above the main pool area that allows smoking.

 

 

 

I'd imagine you'll be fine in that location. The Waterfront does not go all the way forward and I rarely ever saw anybody smoking out there except occasionally at 5 O'clock Somewhere. If the ship is moving that would also push the smoke aft and away from your balcony. Hopefully somewhere with better first hand knowledge of those staterooms will chime in though.

 

Thank you! I can't stand the smell of smoke and feel terrible for those that are sensitive or allergic to it. I appreciate your reply!