QM2 Smoking Issues

micropooz · May 27, 2004

Could anyone offer their experiences with other passengers smoking in areas of the ship which Cunard (in their brochure) has declared as non-smoking? I understand there are ashtrays in every cabin and throughout the ship.

I'm not talking about an occasional incident, but flagrant abuse and absolutely no enforcement by the crew members?

It seems as if the only place you can be assured of no smoking is your own cabin! I expect smoking in the casino and bars, but not in the passageways, shops, elevators and in one posting, believe it or not, the Princess dining room!

Several other boards I read, have numerous complaints about this exact issue. Some people plan to contact Cunard about this, but after reading these boards since January, I have little faith in Cunard doing ANYTHING about this.

We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary on our cruise Nov. 16, but now I am worried our 10 days on board will be misery. Our fare is almost $6000. and that is not easy for us to just "blow". This was to be a life-time experience and we are almost heartbroken at the thought of cancelling, but how much do we have to put up with?

We have been trying to keep a positive attitude about the postings regarding poor food, service and so forth. This new issue has us throwing our hands in the air with desperation!

We are both highly sensitive to tobacco smoke and my husband's mother spent 7 yrs. dying from emphysema (sp) due to her smoking addiction. Obviously, this is a difficult issue.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Malinda and Dennis/micropooz

Majesty of the Seas 10-03

Queen Mary 2 11-04

ABoatNerd · May 27, 2004

QM2 Smoking Issues

I am thinking about QM2 for a 25th anniversary and am also concerned about the smoking issue - I have read and seen on TV critiques of QM2 and the high level of smoke in corridors and all bars. My local cruise travel agent said a number of clients were very upset at the smoke VS other cruises they have taken.

For both health and basic courtesy reasons - I will not tolerate anyone else's cig smoke (or perfume, excessive noise). Like many acquaintances, I have not yet patronized Europe due to the excessive smoking on that continent.

Since QM2 has a european context, I automatically assume there will be MORE smoke than on ships patronized by North Americans. So I will delay providing my business to Cunard until they consistently prove that I will not be affected by cig smoke.

Any observations from QM2 patrons?

ABoatNerd

mtbny7 · May 27, 2004

It sounds like you should not book passage on an international ship. Why spend money if you're going to be miserable? I'm sure there are many "American-style/what-I'm-used-to-at home/everyone is just like me" ships that would be happy to have your business.

Michael

New York City

sailsalot · May 27, 2004

I don't know if this will answer your concerns, but when I was on for an 11-day cruise, I NEVER noticed any smoking or strong odor anywhere, even in the smoking sections. The only time someone started smoking a cigar was when we were all waiting to be called to disembark, and there was a big crowd in the Golden Lion Pub. I was concerned as well about this issue before leaving for the cruise, but it never was an issue once on board.

Not to knock other people's opinions or criticisms, but sometimes people tend to exaggerate their complaints of the ship, and while there might have been one or two smoking incidents, I can't believe there were flagrant rule-breakers all over the ship.

I would not let this stop you from having a memorable experience on the QM2 for your 25th anniversary.

Good luck and have fun!!

May 27, 2004

I think it also is based on peoples sensitivity to smoke, I just got a off a princess cruise with a friend who smelled smoke everywhere, I could not smell a thing and I am a non smoker.

nyckruzer · May 27, 2004

"For both health and basic courtesy reasons - I will not tolerate anyone else's cig smoke (or perfume, excessive noise). Like many acquaintances, I have not yet patronized Europe due to the excessive smoking on that continent."

Pardon me "ABoatNerd", please allow me to understand something. You have avoided travelling to Europe because of European smoking habits?

Since QM2 has a european context, I automatically assume there will be MORE smoke than on ships patronized by North Americans. So I will delay providing my business to Cunard until they consistently prove that I will not be affected by cig smoke.

Any observations from QM2 patrons?

ABoatNerd

Calliope · May 27, 2004

I am very sensitive to second hand smoke, and during my recent crossing on the QM2 (April 25 to May 1) there were a few areas I tried to avoid. The starboard side of the Commodore Lounge along with the smoking sections of the Empire Casino, Golden Lion, and Chart Room the filmy haze did get to be a bit oppressive.

I did not see or smell anyone smoking in the Britainnia Restaurant, elevators, or hallways. Yes, I'd travel on her again so long as the smoking regulations are not loosened and properly enforced.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"When we presently got under way and went poking down the broad Ohio, I became a new being and the subject of my own admiration. I was a traveler!"

Mark Twain

juneann · May 27, 2004

I have read many comments regarding smoke and all that I read has said that it has not been a problem.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip.

lknick · May 27, 2004

If you look for it, it will come. Expect the worst and you'll get it.

Only the most rabid anti-smoker smells smoke...even in church.

None of the ships I have sailed lately have any smoke smell. All of them seem to be populated by one or two whe insist on walking into smoking areas to practice their arm waving and coughing.

40 cruises: mainly Cunard, Carnival, HAL, NCL, RCI, Starclipper, Seabourn. ~511 days total, ~325 on HAL

Luckycol · May 28, 2004

When we were on board we did not experience any excessive smoke or odour my partner is a reformed smoker and therefore less tolerant tna myself who has never smoked and she had no issues.

The only places smoking is evident is in the bars and on deck where there are designated no smoking areas and there was no seepage we could detect into the Commodore Club from the cigar/pipe room adjoining this. During our trip people attempting to smoke in no smoking areas were immediately instructed to stop and I feel that anyone flagrantly ignoring the rules would end up in the brig! People attempting to smoke cigars in smoking areas were also immediately told they could not.

Don,t worry about excessive smoke it is simply not there look forward to your trip and stop reading the boards if you worry too much you are going to have a great time.

Plus to Aboatnerd we don,t want you in Europe anyway why don't you change your ID to simply Anerd?

Shipping Out · May 28, 2004

I recently sailed on the QM2 with my mother. I am a smoker but like yourselves, she is very sensitive to cigarette smoke. Smokers like myself can smoke in the designated areas of the Chartroom, the Golden Lions Pub, the Casino, and the Commodore Club. Cigar smokers can smoke in Churchhills. Passengers were very courteous about not smoking in any of the restaurants, or other public rooms, even though half of them were European and we were confined because of bad weather. My mother had no problems except when she went into the Casino. Your cabin may be another issue - if the passengers before you were smokers, or the ones next to you do smoke. I would be very explicit with Cunard that you wish to be placed in a non-smoking cabin, avoid areas where you can expect to encounter smoke, and free your mind up to enjoy the adventure of a lifetime!

cusyl · May 28, 2004

Just a suggestion, I always pack OUST when I cruise and spray the cabin and ducts when I arrive. If the prior occupant smoked this would solve the problem.

Unless things have really gone downhill since the 2nd voyage, I never was bothered by any smoke. I am very sensitive to smoke so I avoid the designated smoking areas on the ship. If you encounter anyone smoking out of these areas you should report it immediately.

A bad day at sea is better than a good day at work

26 cruises since 1964 -Proud member of O.A.T.C.

Queen Mary 2 Maiden Caribbean Voyage 1/31/2004

Zuiderdam 3/27/2004

Caribbean Princess 8/28/04

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Carnival Miracle from Tampa 11/7/04

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mufi · May 28, 2004

Don't know if there are non smoking cabins on QM2. QE2 does not have them and if you are a non smoker the stink can hit you in the face on first entering. The solution is to ask the housekeeper, via the Purser's office to have your cabin de fumigated. They have a device that seems to do the trick perfectly. How it works I have no idea, I was having dinner at the time. Result - a nice clean smelling cabin.

David.

gillianrose · May 29, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR> I expect smoking in the casino and bars <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Casino yes, bars no. There should be some bars that are totally non-smoking.

I was wondering about the comment re the QE2, because we might like to take a cruise on her.

PAULNJILL · June 8, 2004

We are contemplating a QM2 cruise for September and are both non smokers / anti smokers mainly due to asthma.

We find some of the comments amusing regarding some people not wanting to come to UK due to smoking issues. We have found that during our travels to USA that there are a lot more smokers in USA than in UK and we have the problem in reverse. On our recent Panama cruise on the Dawn Princess we were plauged by cigar smoke on ajoining balconies and also on the open decks around the pool areas . Fortunatley other than the Casino and the Wheelhouse Bar there was not any other permitted indoor smoking area.

We shall not be put off by the smoking but adjust our stateroom position accordingly , but would be put off if passengers smoked in gangways or that the non smoking areas were not adhered to

CANBERRA JUNE 97

OCEAN PRINCESS OCT 01

DAWN PRINCESS MARCH 03

STAR PRINCESS AUGUST 04

PAULNJILL

Crouton · June 8, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Calliope:

I am very sensitive to second hand smoke, and during my recent crossing on the QM2 (April 25 to May 1) there were a few areas I tried to avoid. The starboard side of the Commodore Lounge along with the smoking sections of the Empire Casino, Golden Lion, and Chart Room the filmy haze did get to be a bit oppressive.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>...My experience pretty much exactly. Unless someone is blatantly discourteous one way or the other, it isn't a problem on this ship IMHO.

A few times someone lit up next to me, and I just walked away. It's easy to escape.

Also, no one has mentioned it yet, but there is a dedicated cigar smoking room, Churchill's, next to the library.

Crouton

Westies · June 13, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by micropooz:

Could anyone offer their experiences with other passengers smoking in areas of the ship which Cunard (in their brochure) has declared as non-smoking? I understand there are ashtrays in every cabin and throughout the ship.

I'm not talking about an occasional incident, but flagrant abuse and absolutely no enforcement by the crew members?

It seems as if the only place you can be assured of no smoking is your own cabin! I expect smoking in the casino and bars, but not in the passageways, shops, elevators and in one posting, believe it or not, the Princess dining room!

Several other boards I read, have numerous complaints about this exact issue. Some people plan to contact Cunard about this, but after reading these boards since January, I have little faith in Cunard doing ANYTHING about this.

We are celebrating our 25th Anniversary on our cruise Nov. 16, but now I am worried our 10 days on board will be misery. Our fare is almost $6000. and that is not easy for us to just "blow". This was to be a life-time experience and we are almost heartbroken at the thought of cancelling, but how much do we have to put up with?

We have been trying to keep a positive attitude about the postings regarding poor food, service and so forth. This new issue has us throwing our hands in the air with desperation!

We are both highly sensitive to tobacco smoke and my husband's mother spent 7 yrs. dying from emphysema (sp) due to her smoking addiction. Obviously, this is a difficult issue.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Malinda and Dennis/micropooz

Majesty of the Seas 10-03

Queen Mary 2 11-04<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Westies · June 13, 2004

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Westies: I recently returned from the May 24 Jewels of Iberia Cruise. The cruise originated out of Southampon,England. I thoroughly enjoyed the QM2 and have booked a cruise for Feb. The smoking was noticeable in some of the public areas (Casino, Lion's Gate,Commodore Club, Chart Room is especially smoky and in the elevator areas surrounding these bars. I did not eat in the Britannia so cannot comment on that dining area. I did not notice alot of smoking in the hallways or other public areas. There was no ash tray in my cabin and it did not smell of smoke. I noticed in Europe that smoking is MUCH more acceptable (and prevalent) there than in the US. The passengers on my ship were mostly european. I am wondering if they cruises that originate out of the states have less of a population of smokers. I abhor cigarette smoke but my love of the ship would not prevent me from traveling on her again. If you absolutely do not want to deal with smoke at all, this ship may not be for you.