Which line treats smokers nicely

[Ducke116]

I understand that smoking is looked down on these days but we are not breaking any laws and most of us try to be respectful. So which lines do their best to accommodate smokers? I have heard some rumors now I would like to have facts please.

Last cruise we were confined to a small area even though there were a lot of smokers it was uncomfortable and service was awful. Nowhere to sit in the sun at all. So tell me who I should be checking out.

[Clarea]

I believe Holland still allows smoking on stateroom balconies.

 

Here is an interesting CC article:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=225

[cruzeluver]

Holland America is one of the few (only?) that still allows smoking on stateroom balconies. As for public spaces, most have severely restricted the number of available spaces. Carnival and NCL still allow smoking in their casinos.

 

You would most certainly want to avoid Celebrity as they allow no indoor smoking at all and outdoor spaces are very few. They are an amazing line (probably our favorite) but if generous smoking areas are your priority then forget them.

[navybankerteacher]

I'll bite: HAL (otherwise my favorite line) probably gives smokers the most leeway. Of course, if they really wanted to be "nice" to smokers, they would not support their self-destructive habit.

[Flatbush Flyer]

OP: Oceania is not for you - one of the most restrictive smoking policies of any cruise line with one interior (glass walled) area adjacent to a bar and one exterior space tucked away at a pool corner. Same "no smoking anywhere else" applies to E-cigs as well.

On a recent 18 day cruise on Marina, it appeared that there were only about two dozen regular smokers. Now, if only O would go "smoke free."

[paul929207]

HAL sounds like the best choice.

[Aquahound]

I understand that smoking is looked down on these days but we are not breaking any laws and most of us try to be respectful. So which lines do their best to accommodate smokers? I have heard some rumors now I would like to have facts please.

Last cruise we were confined to a small area even though there were a lot of smokers it was uncomfortable and service was awful. Nowhere to sit in the sun at all. So tell me who I should be checking out.

 

I guess it depends on what you consider smoker friendly. HAL has been mentioned because they allow balcony smoking. However, with the exception of 1 ship (Noordam), HAL does not have interior smoking lounges. They do allow it in the casino though on most ships (except Noordam).

 

Other lines like Princess, RCI and NCL don't allow it on balconies, but they do allow it in the casino and many of their ships have an interior smoking lounge, depending on the ship class.

 

Celebrity is the most restrictive of all cruise lines. They do not allow it anywhere inside their ships, nor on balconies.

[Roz]

Don't quote me on this, but I think HAL allows smoking out at the aft pool.

 

Roz

[Aquahound]

Don't quote me on this, but I think HAL allows smoking out at the aft pool.

 

Roz

 

Sorta. It's allowed at the Seaview Bar and several tables next to the bar, not the entire aft pool.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Thanks for the information in this thread. Now I will know what cruise line never to book even though I was interested in the Koningsdam. Guess I won't be now.

[LHT28]

I think Seabourn still allows smoking in many areas

[SuiteTraveler]

Here's a detailed rundown on smoking policies from 2015:

http://www.cruisemapper.com/wiki/676-smoking-on-cruise-ships

 

As I suspected, Asian cruises may be different as smoking is more culturally accepted there. So it may be time for you to schedule that dream cruise to Asia!

[helen haywood]

My husband smokes cigars. On Celebrity's Solstice Class ships (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette and Reflection) the port side of the Sunset Bar allows smoking cigarettes and cigars. I mention this because the OP wanted to be in the sun. This is an outdoor venue. There is also smoking outdoors at the Mast Bar. On NCL's Away ships (Breakaway, Getaway and Escape) there is a cigar/cigarette lounge so you can smoke in air conditioned comfort.

[John Bull]

Costa & to a lesser degree MSC have a much more relaxed attitude toward smoking - more relaxed than their literature might suggest.

 

Yes, I think HAL is now the only US line to allow smoking on balconies.

 

For some lines, including RCI, designated smoking in the casino & some bars is dependent on where the ship sails from.

 

And as other posts, some lines only permit smoking outside.

Something to bear in mind if you're planning a cruise round Cape Horn ;)

 

JB :)

Edited February 16, 2016 by John Bull

[mystik]

Holland allows smoking in certain areas but not inside the ship, if you go to the there's a place if you smoke.

[ithaca gal]

I guess it depends on what you consider smoker friendly. HAL has been mentioned because they allow balcony smoking. However, with the exception of 1 ship (Noordam), HAL does not have interior smoking lounges. They do allow it in the casino though on most ships (except Noordam).

 

Since the drydock in December, smoking in the casino is not allowed on the Eurodam. We returned from a cruise last week and were pleasantly surprised to have this confirmed. They said they received very few complaints, which shows that the non-smokers are happy with the healthy environment (especially the workers!).

[Aquahound]

Since the drydock in December, smoking in the casino is not allowed on the Eurodam. We returned from a cruise last week and were pleasantly surprised to have this confirmed. They said they received very few complaints, which shows that the non-smokers are happy with the healthy environment (especially the workers!).

 

That's good to know. I know there's a lot of anticipation on the HAL boards of an eventual banning on balconies. It's seems HAL is taking extremely small steps though.

[calliopecruiser]

I understand that smoking is looked down on these days but we are not breaking any laws and most of us try to be respectful. So which lines do their best to accommodate smokers? I have heard some rumors now I would like to have facts please.

Last cruise we were confined to a small area even though there were a lot of smokers it was uncomfortable and service was awful. Nowhere to sit in the sun at all. So tell me who I should be checking out.

 

Your best bets would be European or Asian lines, like Hapag Lloyd or Costa (two of the few where it's OK to smoke on balconies).

[CallyCruzer]

Can confirm HAL allows smoking on balconies. After a dozen cruises on HAL, we had the unfortunate cruise where both of our next door neighbors were HEAVY smokers. They sat on their balconies and smoked one after the other. In turn we got zero use of our balcony. So until they change their policy - we will not be booking HAL. However I love that Celebrity has a smoke free casino!

[DirtyDawg]

However I love that Celebrity has a smoke free casino!

 

I thought so too....... at first. Then I couldn't get my DW out of the Casino!:eek: She won't go near the smoke filled casinos on other lines, so it might be HAL for our next cruise. WOW this thread has been so useful!;)

[Langley Cruisers]

I thought so too....... at first. Then I couldn't get my DW out of the Casino!:eek: ...

 

Uh oh! LOL! Yes, I guess you have to weigh the pros and cons - and the financial aspect. ;):p

[EatDrinkCruz]

RCI allows smoking on the pool deck port side if I remember right and in the casino, they use to have a cigar bar on some ships, not sure if that is still the case.

[Aquahound]

RCI allows smoking on the pool deck port side if I remember right and in the casino, they use to have a cigar bar on some ships, not sure if that is still the case.

 

RCI has a cigar bar on all Voyager and Freedom Class ships.

[ithaca gal]

I thought so too....... at first. Then I couldn't get my DW out of the Casino!:eek: She won't go near the smoke filled casinos on other lines, so it might be HAL for our next cruise. WOW this thread has been so useful!;)

 

Careful! After completing drydock with all the new carpeting, etc., there is NO SMOKING in the casino on the Eurodam. HOORAY!

[DirtyDawg]

Careful! After completing drydock with all the new carpeting, etc., there is NO SMOKING in the casino on the Eurodam. HOORAY!

 

Well, strike Eurodam off the list then.:)