No more casino bar on the Vista and Horizon.

[cruisingguy007]

15 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

You make it sound like a pick up joint where at last call the bartender plays Donna Summer singing "Last Dance, Last Chance, For Love."  🙂 

 

It can be like that, I'm sure some have made connections there. It's really a happening place. Nearly everyone I actually meet on a cruise I have met or started talking to as a result of the Casino bar. There is just something about it. Could be the circular bar seating, folks standing and squeezing in to the smoking half, flowing booze, higher number of professional drinkers, someone who you have been at a table game together or folks that are easy going and are the live and let live type and not anti-smoking zealots; or a combination of all of that or some of those. Not sure what it is but there is something special there. Besides a winning craps table, it's generally the funnest place on the ship at night. 

[AtSeaWithChris]

3 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

It can be like that, I'm sure some have made connections there. It's really a happening place. Nearly everyone I actually meet on a cruise I have met or started talking to as a result of the Casino bar. There is just something about it. Could be the circular bar seating, folks standing and squeezing in to the smoking half, flowing booze, higher number of professional drinkers, someone who you have been at a table game together or folks that are easy going and are the live and let live type and not anti-smoking zealots; or a combination of all of that or some of those. Not sure what it is but there is something special there. Besides a winning craps table, it's generally the funnest place on the ship at night. 

I have had some great conversations there.

[BlerkOne]

33 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

You make it sound like a pick up joint where at last call the bartender plays Donna Summer singing "Last Dance, Last Chance, For Love."  🙂 

 

 

 

[AtSeaWithChris]

58 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

You hit the nail on the head. The size and location of the space looks like it was originally going to be one of the Fun Shops and at the last moment Carnival came up with the Heroes Bar idea. It does not appear to be a purposely designed space to stay and relax.

It was not designed. It was a concept that was created on the way to Long Beach. 

[Jasonsterling]

Ah that's too bad- I don't smoke but I still loved that bar, especially later at night. The atmosphere was always upbeat. Seems like it'll put a dent in Casino bar sales though, where're they going to bring drinks from? It was always busy. 

[rainbowflag]

48 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

It can be like that, I'm sure some have made connections there. It's really a happening place. Nearly everyone I actually meet on a cruise I have met or started talking to as a result of the Casino bar. There is just something about it. Could be the circular bar seating, folks standing and squeezing in to the smoking half, flowing booze, higher number of professional drinkers, someone who you have been at a table game together or folks that are easy going and are the live and let live type and not anti-smoking zealots; or a combination of all of that or some of those. Not sure what it is but there is something special there. Besides a winning craps table, it's generally the funnest place on the ship at night. 

At this stage in my life I'm happy just knowing I'm chatting with someone who knows who Donna Summer was 🙂

[rainbowflag]

5 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

At this stage in my life I'm happy just knowing I'm chatting with someone who knows who Donna Summer was 🙂

I'd like to add that I know that much of what you describe to be true at the casino and about the ships in general of the socializing between cruisers who are smokers. I smoked for 32 years and half of those years were as an avid smoker on ships. Since becoming a non-smoker in 1997 I have on occasion seen smokers engaging in friendly banter with others smokers on a cruise they have only just met and felt a pang of nostalgia. If I am to be honest, I do miss that instant bond between strangers that is at once both familiar and relaxing. But I don't miss the smoking, I miss the friendliness of the people and the easy conversations we all enjoyed with new found acquaintances. 

[sanmarcosman]

1 minute ago, rainbowflag said:

I'd like to add that I know that much of what you describe to be true at the casino and about the ships in general of the socializing between cruisers who are smokers. I smoked for 32 years and half of those years were as an avid smoker on ships. Since becoming a non-smoker in 1997 I have on occasion seen smokers engaging in friendly banter with others smokers on a cruise they have only just met and felt a pang of nostalgia. If I am to be honest, I do miss that instant bond between strangers that is at once both familiar and relaxing. But I don't miss the smoking, I miss the friendliness of the people and the easy conversations we all enjoyed with new found acquaintances. 

I don't smoke but you've made me more understanding of the people who do. Thanks.

[IntrepidFromDC]

1 hour ago, MamallamaAndDaddy said:

I have had some great conversations there.

I just want my drink as quickly as possible so I can get away from the stench and back to the tables.  Yes I know they serve at the tables but I find the right bartender who makes stronger drinks for little extra tip.  They should put a large plastic cone of silence no more than 8ft high over the entire thing and let the second-hand smoke billow back down to the people who created it only.  Qualitatively, smoker-drinkers tend more often to be life-of-the-party types, and I love being around fun people like that, but the smoke is freaking disgusting and cancer-causing.

[cruisingguy007]

8 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

I'd like to add that I know that much of what you describe to be true at the casino and about the ships in general of the socializing between cruisers who are smokers. I smoked for 32 years and half of those years were as an avid smoker on ships. Since becoming a non-smoker in 1997 I have on occasion seen smokers engaging in friendly banter with others smokers on a cruise they have only just met and felt a pang of nostalgia. If I am to be honest, I do miss that instant bond between strangers that is at once both familiar and relaxing. But I don't miss the smoking, I miss the friendliness of the people and the easy conversations we all enjoyed with new found acquaintances. 

 

That is the beauty of the casino bar. Lots of nonsmokers also hangout and kibitz. That bond you mention is usually reserved for those in smoking section purgatory (wherever that may be) but the casino bar went beyond that and had a wider cast of inclusion. Friends/spouses/significant others/family members etc of smokers, even plenty of singles or solo travelers, many whom don't even smoke, can come together with smokers, drinkers , gamblers, sports bettors  etc and have a good and lively time with great conversation over drinks and smokes (for those who partake) without being shunned. It's inclusive and you get a bit of that Vegas vibe. Good times! 

[rainbowflag]

11 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

That is the beauty of the casino bar. Lots of nonsmokers also hangout and kibitz. That bond you mention is usually reserved for those in smoking section purgatory (wherever that may be) but the casino bar went beyond that and had a wider cast of inclusion. Friends/spouses/significant others/family members etc of smokers, even plenty of singles or solo travelers, many whom don't even smoke, can come together with smokers, drinkers , gamblers, sports bettors  etc and have a good and lively time with great conversation over drinks and smokes (for those who partake) without being shunned. It's inclusive and you get a bit of that Vegas vibe. Good times! 

I understand but you may not know that many former smokers no longer enjoy being around smoke. At all.  It may seem like an odd phenomenon but it's very common. That's why I merely see the good times taking place in smoking sections with a trace of nostalgia.

Edited July 1, 2021 by rainbowflag

[Cruise Related]

10 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

That is the beauty of the casino bar. Lots of nonsmokers also hangout and kibitz. That bond you mention is usually reserved for those in smoking section purgatory (wherever that may be) but the casino bar went beyond that and had a wider cast of inclusion. Friends/spouses/significant others/family members etc of smokers, even plenty of singles or solo travelers, many whom don't even smoke, can come together with smokers, drinkers , gamblers, sports bettors  etc and have a good and lively time with great conversation over drinks and smokes (for those who partake) without being shunned. It's inclusive and you get a bit of that Vegas vibe. Good times! 

Man, I hope we cruise together some time. I’d love to buy you a drink and hear your story. 

Edited July 1, 2021 by Cruise Related

[cruisingguy007]

9 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

I just want my drink as quickly as possible so I can get away from the stench and back to the tables.  Yes I know they serve at the tables but I find the right bartender who makes stronger drinks for little extra tip.  They should put a large plastic cone of silence no more than 8ft high over the entire thing and let the second-hand smoke billow back down to the people who created it only.  Qualitatively, smoker-drinkers tend more often to be life-of-the-party types, and I love being around fun people like that, but the smoke is freaking disgusting and cancer-causing.

 

In that case, should they filter all the ship smoke through the staterooms, have vehicles exhaust into the car interior, planes exhaust flow back inside the aircraft? Get real. All those "strong drinks" are also cancer causing FYI. As is just about everything these days. Heck, nearly every restaurant in California has cancer warning signs plastered everywhere and nearly every product too. Even all those who eat "only organic" are ingesting only three pesticides instead of five. People like to pick on cigarette smoke like it's cyanide. Sure, it may not smell pleasant but with circulations, filters and scrubbers it isn't like you are just sitting in air tight bag inhaling smoke. 

[cruisingguy007]

5 minutes ago, rainbowflag said:

I understand but you may not know that many former smokers no longer enjoy being around smoke. At all.  It may seem like an odd phenomenon but it's very common. That's why I merely see the good times taking place in smoking sections with a trace of nostalgia.

 

Oh I understand the whole "I used to enjoy it but no longer do, so you should't either" or "I used to enjoy it but now find it unhealthy, so it should be banned henceforth" arguments. They come up every time there is a smoking thread and the majority of the antis are former smokers who decided to quit and think they should decide for everyone else too (not implying this is you). That or the self diagnosed allergic's and drama queens who "simply can't go on" if they smell smoke. Not really trying to get off course into that, been there, done that. There are plenty of other smoke-free areas of the ship. It's the one and only single bar that is inclusive of smokers. 

[SNJCruisers]

1 hour ago, rainbowflag said:

At this stage in my life I'm happy just knowing I'm chatting with someone who knows who Donna Summer was 🙂

After all, she did work hard for her money. 

[IntrepidFromDC]

38 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

In that case, should they filter all the ship smoke through the staterooms, have vehicles exhaust into the car interior, planes exhaust flow back inside the aircraft? Get real. All those "strong drinks" are also cancer causing FYI. As is just about everything these days. Heck, nearly every restaurant in California has cancer warning signs plastered everywhere and nearly every product too. Even all those who eat "only organic" are ingesting only three pesticides instead of five. People like to pick on cigarette smoke like it's cyanide. Sure, it may not smell pleasant but with circulations, filters and scrubbers it isn't like you are just sitting in air tight bag inhaling smoke. 

The differentiator is that none of the examples you mention are directly inhaled by nearby people, but rather dissipated to a socially acceptable level.  But you get points for ridiculousness.

[sailingships]

9 hours ago, BrotherCraig said:

Just heard that they removed the casino bar from those ships.  Interesting move and didn't expect that to happen.  Suppose to help with the smoking situation and it adds more games.  

 

 

Does this mean I wont have to hold my breathe going through the casino ? Another place to avoid is outside  Deck 10 Starboard where the smokers congregate.

 

 

[Elaine5715]

6 hours ago, Cruise Related said:

The bar literally had a smoking side and a non-smoking side. I would plop my butt down in the smoking section of the bar, cause there were signs every where, order a beer, and chat with folks. The bar doesn’t have slots/card-tables or any sort of gambling thing. Not sure why it’s for “gamblers” only, just because it’s in the casino. I’ve been on a crap ton of cruises and this is the first time I’ve ever heard the bar is for gamblers only. I’m sure carnival was happy to have my money in any fashion I provided, whether it was through the casino or through booze. 

Not at the bar.  Slot machines were filled with smokers, sitting, smoking and not playing.  Or sitting along the windows between machines smoking nonstop

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

Not at the bar.  Slot machines were filled with smokers, sitting, smoking and not playing.  Or sitting along the windows between machines smoking nonstop

You know why? Because the bar is often full. Removing it will only exacerbate the problem. 

[Cruise Related]

Speaking of Ridiculousness, good show! However, I do feel bad for folks that are allergic/sensitive to cigarette smoke that have to go through the casino to get to dinner. I honestly hate the smell of it as an ex smoker. Yes, I do vape, but I feel like it’s definitely different, at least the odor and it’s ability to permeate everything it touches. However, I won’t judge folks for smoking nor shy away from them. An addiction doesn’t make them a bad person. 

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, cruisingguy007 said:

You know why? Because the bar is often full. Removing it will only exacerbate the problem. 

Cameras cover all of the casino. If Carnival steps up enforcement as was hinted at, the problem relocates to a legal area.

[Elaine5715]

5 minutes ago, cruisingguy007 said:

You know why? Because the bar is often full. Removing it will only exacerbate the problem. 

Not true.  Can't count the number I have asked people "are you playing?" to get a machine.  Or having to move from machines in an alcove area because of chain smokers, sitting in the window ledges.  The worse as on the Dream out of New Orleans where parents would sit at the machines on the edge of the walk through, keep the kids on the walkway and smoke away

Edited July 1, 2021 by Elaine5715

[Cruise Related]

6 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

Not at the bar.  Slot machines were filled with smokers, sitting, smoking and not playing.  Or sitting along the windows between machines smoking nonstop

Ok? Guessing you didn’t read my other post. 

[cruisingguy007]

Just now, BlerkOne said:

Cameras cover all of the casino. If Carnival steps up enforcement as was hinted at, the problem relocates to a legal area.

Yeah sure! LMAO! I'm sure Carnivals secret behind the scenes Mossad agents will spring into action as soon as any infraction takes place. 🤣

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

Not true.  Can't count the number I have asked people "are you playing?" to get a machine.  Or having to move from machines in an alcove area because of chain smokers, sitting in the window ledges.  

 

With an empty bar or seats available at the bar in the smoking section? I doubt it. Sure, there may be some who stop playing to have a smoke and chat/chill but most people who just want to smoke and drink will go to the bar. There are usually just not enough seats.