Smoking is such a nuisance on cruise ships

[cruiseseal]

I was just on my third cruise on NCL Escape. First was on NCL Gem and second on RC Anthem. Balcony all 3 times, and each time someone was smoking on a balcony nearby.  This time "fortunately" it was our neighbor, and I actually saw them do it, even had cigarette ash blown over to our balcony, so I had enough evidence to have security have a chat with them to make them stop. It would be so simple to install temper-proof smoke detectors on balconies, but I guess cruise lines do not care enough to spend the extra money on it.

 

In addition, the casino is located in the middle of the ship, near all the restaurants/bars/etc., so it's impossible to avoid the stinky smell, which permeates throughout a large portion of the ship (the casino is especially disgusting). I think cruises are great otherwise, and I hope someday we'll be able to experience them with just the fresh air from the ocean. There is some improvement, for example, on Escape, only half of the casino allows smoking, but more change is needed.

 

I don't really have a problem with smokers in general, I know many get hooked on this nasty habit due to circumstance beyond their control, often early in their life, I am just a fan of clean fresh air, especially on vacation.

[Newleno]

9 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

I was just on my third cruise on NCL Escape. First was on NCL Gem and second on RC Anthem. Balcony all 3 times, and each time someone was smoking on a balcony nearby.  This time "fortunately" it was our neighbor, and I actually saw them do it, even had cigarette ash blown over to our balcony, so I had enough evidence to have security have a chat with them to make them stop. It would be so simple to install temper-proof smoke detectors on balconies, but I guess cruise lines do not care enough to spend the extra money on it.

 

In addition, the casino is located in the middle of the ship, near all the restaurants/bars/etc., so it's impossible to avoid the stinky smell, which permeates throughout a large portion of the ship (the casino is especially disgusting). I think cruises are great otherwise, and I hope someday we'll be able to experience them with just the fresh air from the ocean. There is some improvement, for example, on Escape, only half of the casino allows smoking, but more change is needed.

 

I don't really have a problem with smokers in general, I know many get hooked on this nasty habit due to circumstance beyond their control, often early in their life, I am just a fan of clean fresh air, especially on vacation.

i just got off the breakaway all the good areas are reserved for smokers, and the smoke permeates everywhere.  H2O area bar alllows smokers so basically the whole area is polluted, one area on river walk is dominated by smokers and the smoke comes in the ship, deck 17 mid forward area a bar with smoking that permeates the whole area, the pool area there is a designated spot for smokers that is the best area on the whole ship and smokers ruin the whole pool area, then of course some smokers think they can smoke wherever they want like a balcony,  casino area ah forget it smokers heaven

[Sweetnspicy]

I just can't believe its okay to smoke on a cruise ship! It could be so dangerous. We were on a flight where someone tried to smoke in the lavatory and it scared me to death. I worry about people smoking in their state rooms and everything catching on fire. I have never been around smokers as no one in my family or husbands family smokes so the smell is super offensive to me when I have to pass through an area that is smoky. I look forward to the day when smoking is no longer allowed on cruise ships just like it is at hotels, restaurants and airplanes. 

[Two Wheels Only]

4 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

..I know many get hooked on this nasty habit due to circumstance beyond their control, often early in their life, ...

 

"beyond their control"? You'll have to explain that one.

 

As for the ships, the problem of smoke leaving the smoking areas and drifting to the non-smoking areas is being worked on. Bliss (NCL's newest ship) has an improved casino design to deal with smoke.

 

People smoking where it isn't allowed can still be a problem. You did the right thing by calling and reporting it.

[cruiseseal]

9 minutes ago, Newleno said:

i just got off the breakaway all the good areas are reserved for smokers, and the smoke permeates everywhere.  H2O area bar alllows smokers so basically the whole area is polluted, one area on river walk is dominated by smokers and the smoke comes in the ship, deck 17 mid forward area a bar with smoking that permeates the whole area, the pool area there is a designated spot for smokers that is the best area on the whole ship and smokers ruin the whole pool area, then of course some smokers think they can smoke wherever they want like a balcony,  casino area ah forget it smokers heaven

Escape is a bit better in this regard, especially near the kids pool/play area and slides/rope-course/sports complex. The problem is mostly the areas around the casino, and balconies, although it wasn't a problem after we spoke with security, but that was luck, because we wouldn't know where smoke was coming from if it wasn't our neighbors.

[cruiseseal]

1 minute ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

"beyond their control"? You'll have to explain that one.

 

As for the ships, the problem of smoke leaving the smoking areas and drifting to the non-smoking areas is being worked on. Bliss (NCL's newest ship) has an improved casino design to deal with smoke.

 

People smoking where it isn't allowed can still be a problem. You did the right thing by calling and reporting it.

Well, by "beyond their control" I mean that a lot of kids grow up around smoking parents/relatives/friends/etc., some people get hooked in times of great stress in their lives, and so on. It's not much different than getting hooked on other bad habits, like eating junk food, drinking, etc. It doesn't mean they can't change, but I am sympathetic to those who've had trouble dealing with those kinds of issues. In any case, I agree, it's not an excuse for breaking the smoking rules on the ship.

[pete_coach]

I have only been on one NCL cruise and am going on my second soon. My biggest complaint is the smoking areas. They are very intrusive.

It seems you cannot go form one end of the ship to another without having to go through a smoking area. Of the cruise lines I have been on, NCL seems the most generous to smokers. It certainly takes away from a pleasant experience.

Full disclosure, I am a former smoker but in no way an evangelistic non smoker. I am not disgusted by the smoke but do feel sympathy for those that are and am quite surprised by a cruise line that has all this exercise equipment and spa areas and yet, the largest areas set aside for specialties is the smoking areas.

I am also a bit disappointing in their non enforcement of smoking on balconies. I did report and yet, nothing was done. Several reports later, with similar results.

[cruiseseal]

1 minute ago, pete_coach said:

I have only been on one NCL cruise and am going on my second soon. My biggest complaint is the smoking areas. They are very intrusive.

It seems you cannot go form one end of the ship to another without having to go through a smoking area. Of the cruise lines I have been on, NCL seems the most generous to smokers. It certainly takes away from a pleasant experience.

Full disclosure, I am a former smoker but in no way an evangelistic non smoker. I am not disgusted by the smoke but do feel sympathy for those that are and am quite surprised by a cruise line that has all this exercise equipment and spa areas and yet, the largest areas set aside for specialties is the smoking areas.

I am also a bit disappointing in their non enforcement of smoking on balconies. I did report and yet, nothing was done. Several reports later, with similar results.

 

Yeah, there are definitely better ways design smoking areas, so you don't have to walk through them, or so that smoke doesn't spread into common/crowded areas. Also agree with regards to enforcement of non-smoking balconies, unless you can point to the exact cabin #, and can ensure them you actually saw the smoker, they basically ignore the complaint.

[DirtyDawg]

Simple solution, pick a cruise line with stricter smoking rules. 

[chengkp75]

7 minutes ago, Sweetnspicy said:

I just can't believe its okay to smoke on a cruise ship! It could be so dangerous. We were on a flight where someone tried to smoke in the lavatory and it scared me to death. I worry about people smoking in their state rooms and everything catching on fire. I have never been around smokers as no one in my family or husbands family smokes so the smell is super offensive to me when I have to pass through an area that is smoky. I look forward to the day when smoking is no longer allowed on cruise ships just like it is at hotels, restaurants and airplanes. 

Just like there are 16 states in the US (32% of states) with no ban on public smoking, and even those states that do ban smoking in public, many of them allow smoking in hotel rooms.  While home fires in the US are quite often caused by smoking, ship cabins, like hotel rooms, require smoke alarms and sprinklers, greatly reducing the risk of smoking in the cabin.  I quit smoking over 40 years ago, and don't like concentrated smoke smells, but am not bothered by the occasional smoke, and I don't see smoking on a cruise ship to be all that dangerous, given 43 years of career on ships.  Given the fact that not all passengers, and the vast majority of crew, are not US citizens, our anti-smoking philosophy is not that relevant.

[Two Wheels Only]

Taking a picture (digital camera or phone) works pretty well. You can figure out the stateroom deck and number by counting relative to your location.

 

If needed, the staff might even print to photo to show the smoker who denies the act.

[cruiseseal]

6 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

Taking a picture (digital camera or phone) works pretty well. You can figure out the stateroom deck and number by counting relative to your location.

 

If needed, the staff might even print to photo to show the smoker who denies the act.

Smokers know this, so they stay within their balcony, even in case on our neighbor, I had to look in to know it was them (and I wasn't happy about having to do this, because it caused a minor confrontation, they basically told me to f-off). If it's not right next to you, you'll never know who is doing it. The wind is generally strong enough to spread the smoke, and blow it through the adjacent balconies.

Edited November 15, 2018 by cruiseseal

[chengkp75]

53 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

 It would be so simple to install temper-proof smoke detectors on balconies, but I guess cruise lines do not care enough to spend the extra money on it.

I

Exactly how do you have a smoke detector for an outside space, especially one that is subject to possibly 20 knots of relative wind?  Can you give an example of an outdoor smoke detector?

[cruiseseal]

13 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

Simple solution, pick a cruise line with stricter smoking rules. 

Any specific suggestions from your experience? Thanks.

[amscene1]

Did this guy just say smoke detectors on  balcony’s?????

 

seems like he is the one smoking. 

[valleyvillage]

2 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

Any specific suggestions from your experience? Thanks.

Just off the Bliss and had no smoke issues. I think the main reason for this is the casino has a sealed off smoking area and the rest of the casino is non-smoking. And it's a great ship!

[cruiseseal]

16 minutes ago, amscene1 said:

Did this guy just say smoke detectors on  balcony’s?????

 

seems like he is the one smoking. 

How about you lay off personal insults, and do some research on outdoor air pollution monitors/sensors. You don't even need to install one on every balcony, since you can triangulate results from multiple monitors. For something as simple as smoke, you can rely on cheaper sensors, so it's not cost prohibitive. The technology is available, however, it's probably more cost effective for cruise lines to deal with a few complaints and lose a few customers. 

Edited November 15, 2018 by cruiseseal

[amscene1]

2 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

How about you lay off personal insults, and do some research on outdoor air pollution monitors/sensors. You don't even need to install one on every balcony, since you can triangulate results from multiple monitors. For something as simple as smoke, you can rely on cheaper sensors, so it's not cost prohibitive. The technology is available, however, it's probably more cost effective for cruise lines to deal with a few complaints and lose a few customers. 

I’m sure it’s fascinating but I’ll pass. 

[cruiseseal]

22 minutes ago, valleyvillage said:

Just off the Bliss and had no smoke issues. I think the main reason for this is the casino has a sealed off smoking area and the rest of the casino is non-smoking. And it's a great ship!

Cool, thanks. I hear it's coming to the east coast soon, so maybe we'll give it a try.

[chengkp75]

8 minutes ago, cruiseseal said:

How about you lay off personal insults, and do some research on outdoor air pollution monitors/sensors. You don't even need to install one on every balcony, since you can triangulate results from multiple monitors. For something as simple as smoke, you can rely on cheaper sensors, so it's not cost prohibitive. The technology is available, however, it's probably most cost effective for cruise lines to deal with a few complaints and lose a few customers. 

And do these air pollution montors work while moving, and in high winds?  Can they detect a single cigarette smoke in a windy condition?  Most of these monitor particulate smoke, which would not normally be able to be collected from a detector on the overhead of a balcony.  Please give an example of a sensor that would work in a ship's balcony environment that could detect a single cigarette, as I'm genuinely interested to see if the technology is present.

[Phaedrus78]

On behalf of those who enjoy an occasional cigarette along with some adult beverages, we apologize for existing.  

 

I'm not advocating breaking the rules, but for those advocating banning smoking on the ships entirely, I understand.  It's just like a hotel or a restaurant, I'll step outside... oh, wait.

 

Well surely we can treat it just like an airplane flight... that lasts for 10 days.  

[cruiseseal]

1 minute ago, chengkp75 said:

And do these air pollution montors work while moving, and in high winds?  Can they detect a single cigarette smoke in a windy condition?  Most of these monitor particulate smoke, which would not normally be able to be collected from a detector on the overhead of a balcony.  Please give an example of a sensor that would work in a ship's balcony environment that could detect a single cigarette, as I'm genuinely interested to see if the technology is present.

Smoke definitely gets to the overhead of the balcony, if not the immediate balcony, then the next balcony. In general, if you can smell it, sensors can pick it up. Wind reduces the concentration of smoke, but that just means your sensor needs to support these concentration levels. Given that cigarette smoke sensors can pickup second hand and third hand smoke levels, it's not an issue. If you're interested in learning more about cigarette smoke sensors, you can Google "cigarette smoke sensor". Most commercial solutions are designed for indoors, but technology they use can operate in high levels of humidity and wide temperature range, so it's not an issue to adopt them for balcony use.

[cruiseseal]

1 minute ago, Phaedrus78 said:

On behalf of those who enjoy an occasional cigarette along with some adult beverages, we apologize for existing.  

 

I'm not advocating breaking the rules, but for those advocating banning smoking on the ships entirely, I understand.  It's just like a hotel or a restaurant, I'll step outside... oh, wait.

 

Well surely we can treat it just like an airplane flight... that lasts for 10 days.  

You should be able to enjoy it, but not to force others to "enjoy" it as well.

Edited November 15, 2018 by cruiseseal

[Newleno]

23 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

And do these air pollution montors work while moving, and in high winds?  Can they detect a single cigarette smoke in a windy condition?  Most of these monitor particulate smoke, which would not normally be able to be collected from a detector on the overhead of a balcony.  Please give an example of a sensor that would work in a ship's balcony environment that could detect a single cigarette, as I'm genuinely interested to see if the technology is present.

Empirical evidence with statistical significance indicates NCL would make more money if they banned smokers,  ncl should do some studies/trials to determine if the program would  increase revenue.  If they adopted such a strategy because of evidence then anyone caught smoking should be kicked off the ship at the next port.  I would not be surprised if the study indicated over a 93% reductory therefore concluding it would be in the best interest of ncl corp to BAN smokers from their ships

[Phaedrus78]

1 minute ago, cruiseseal said:

You should be able to enjoy it, but not to force others to "enjoy" it as well.

 

That's fair.  I've got no problem obeying the rules. 

 

But it feels like a lot of people would be more comfortable if smokers were pulled along behind the ship in a dinghy.