Nervous about first cruise as a Non-Smoker

[dvrdude]

Hey, I finally did it!!!! Two weeks under my belt now as a non-smoker. Never thought I'd be able to kick the habit, and am now both excited and a little trepedatious about booking my first cruise as one of THEM. I've alwaysliked HAL in the past, but am contemplating trying a line that's a little more smoke restrictive. Any suggestions? DW hasn't quite kicked it yet, so I don't want anything too restrictive, just a line where I'll not be seduced by the smoke wafting out of the bars or casino. Hey, I've got to do something with the 5K a year I'll be saving! Take that, tax man!!!! :D

 

P.S. I promise not to EVER get militant about it. Have tried some riteous indignation on DW in jest, but she didn't find it funny at all. :rolleyes:

[uppitycats]

Hey, I finally did it!!!! Two weeks under my belt now as a non-smoker. Never thought I'd be able to kick the habit, and am now both excited and a little trepedatious about booking my first cruise as one of THEM. I've alwaysliked HAL in the past, but am contemplating trying a line that's a little more smoke restrictive. Any suggestions? DW hasn't quite kicked it yet, so I don't want anything too restrictive, just a line where I'll not be seduced by the smoke wafting out of the bars or casino. Hey, I've got to do something with the 5K a year I'll be saving! Take that, tax man!!!! :D

 

P.S. I promise not to EVER get militant about it. Have tried some riteous indignation on DW in jest, but she didn't find it funny at all. :rolleyes:

 

Congratulations on quitting! That's a very tough habit to break, but your lungs will thank you for it! :)

 

I can't offer much help -- I've never been a smoker. I've cruised on NCL, Princess and Carnival, and the only places I've really noticed smoke is at/near the casino, so you would likely want to avoid that, for sure.

 

On my most recent cruise on the NCL Jewel, it was quite obnoxious in the casino (we only passed through, never stayed), and in the hallway right around the door into it. Otherwise, we didn't notice smoke anywhere else on the ship....if that's any help.

[cb at sea]

Many of the bar areas are "non-smoking"- and on the outside decks (around the pool) only 1 side is for smokers, and even then, the wind would drive the smell and smoke away---bt you should probably stay on the non-smoking side, so you don't have to SEE folks lighting up!

Congratulations!

[tulsacubfan]

Hey, I finally did it!!!! Two weeks under my belt now as a non-smoker. Never thought I'd be able to kick the habit, and am now both excited and a little trepedatious about booking my first cruise as one of THEM. I've alwaysliked HAL in the past, but am contemplating trying a line that's a little more smoke restrictive. Any suggestions? DW hasn't quite kicked it yet, so I don't want anything too restrictive, just a line where I'll not be seduced by the smoke wafting out of the bars or casino. Hey, I've got to do something with the 5K a year I'll be saving! Take that, tax man!!!! :D

 

P.S. I promise not to EVER get militant about it. Have tried some riteous indignation on DW in jest, but she didn't find it funny at all. :rolleyes:

 

First - congratulations!!!!! It is tough and you should be very proud of yourself.

 

Can't speak to the more/less restrictive lines as I have only been on one prior cruise(on NCL) (second one in 3 weeks :) on Carnival). But, my husband and I quit 3 years ago. About 2 months after we quit, we took a road trip from Tulsa to Minnesota. I was so afraid that I would not be able to make the long drive without breaking down and buying a pack of smokes. But I made it! And you will too!

[sail7seas]

Congratulations on the start of your quit! Good going and good luck!

 

HAL has become more restrictive in the last month and more is coming soon. :)

 

No smoking permitted fleetwide in any Ocean Bar on the ships. This just went into effect.

 

The next to go will be verandahs IMO .......

 

They are well aware the vast majority of us do not want to be around smoke and they are listening.

 

Two weeks is a terrific start..... keep it up.

[wrp96]

RCCL does not allow smoking in cabins, but does allow smoking on balconies. Many of the bars and lounges are now non-smoking but there are still bars that allow smoking. The casino is smoking, except some ships have a few non-smoking nights in the casino.

 

Celebrity does not allow smoking in cabins or on balconies. There are still areas to smoke inside and out but they are very restricted.

[LHT28]

Congratulations

 

You might look at Azamara... no smoking in most areas only one small section on pool deck & one little section in the lounge

both can be avoided if you want

 

http://www.azamaracruises.com/beforeyourcruise/faq/home.do;jsessionid=00004VZbuJ67xExB4FkyArIRfBD:12odmenr5?faqSubjectName=Smoking+Policy&faqId=3170&pagename=faq_answers

[Andee]

Good for you--for you health, your skin, your teeth, your friends, your pocketbook!!

 

Oceania only permists smoking in one part of the pool deck and one part of one lounge. Not in the cabins, the balconies, or the casino.

[luvlake]

Congratulations, and especially since you are doing it with you spouse still smoking. This is tough to do!:eek:

 

I quit almost 9 years ago and did it for my grand children! I would love to say it was for myself but they were the push I needed. I must say it is the hardest thing I ever did but it was also the smartest thing I ever did!:)

 

When I think about it I did not even notice people smoking on the cruise. Of course we were very fortunate that the people on either side of our cabin were non-smokers. I would just go with a sense of accomplishment and to know that you will be in the majority. We are traveling with 21 people to Alaska this summer and there is only one smoker joining us. I know he knows he needs to quit smoking but it can only be accomplished if that person wants to. He is very courteous about smoking and we won't hold it against him!;)

 

You know what they say, we smokers that have quit become the worst militants of all!:D

[dvrdude]

For the kind words of encouragement, all. It is getting easier every day. I probably smoked for 30 years, so putting them away seems to me un-natural, if that makes any sense. I'll tough it out. My breathing is already 100% better. Watching DW spark one up does test my will, but luckily we never smoked in our home, so I just avoid the area while she's out-side smoking. I guess that's why I'm nervous about a cruise, as I do tend to frequent the bars and other places where smoking is permitted, Maybe it won't be a big deal and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. Thanks again. :)

[luvlake]

For the kind words of encouragement, all. It is getting easier every day. I probably smoked for 30 years, so putting them away seems to me un-natural, if that makes any sense. I'll tough it out. My breathing is already 100% better. Watching DW spark one up does test my will, but luckily we never smoked in our home, so I just avoid the area while she's out-side smoking. I guess that's why I'm nervous about a cruise, as I do tend to frequent the bars and other places where smoking is permitted, Maybe it won't be a big deal and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. Thanks again. :)

 

I too quit after 30 years! My best accomplishment!

 

I just wanted to say that as time goes by you are going to find that you are going to have a hard time handling the smoke in a casino or a bar. Not that I don't go, I just sit there and think "OMG that was once me, what was I thinking"!:)

[BruceMuzz]

First - No agenda here. I don't smoke. Never did - but really don't care or mind if anyone else does.

 

The most recent polls and studies tell us that about 10% of all Americans are smokers, but 20% of Americans who cruise are smokers.

 

So if you want to double your chances of meeting smokers, you should take a cruise.

[tulsacubfan]

For the kind words of encouragement, all. It is getting easier every day. I probably smoked for 30 years, so putting them away seems to me un-natural, if that makes any sense. I'll tough it out. My breathing is already 100% better. Watching DW spark one up does test my will, but luckily we never smoked in our home, so I just avoid the area while she's out-side smoking. I guess that's why I'm nervous about a cruise, as I do tend to frequent the bars and other places where smoking is permitted, Maybe it won't be a big deal and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. Thanks again. :)

 

I too had been smoking 30 years, and I know what you mean about it seeming un-natural.

 

I would like to say you are making a mountain out of a mole hill (to ease your concern), but I don't think you are. Or if you are, I did too! But, on the ship you can carry your drink anywhere (at least I think you can)! Take your drink out to the deck or some lounge where there is no smoking!

[hajekfam]

I have to agree that Celebrity has about the most restrictive smoking regulations of the major cruiselines. From their website:

For all Celebrity ships, smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom veranda. Cigarette smoking will only be permitted in designated indoor and outdoor areas of the ship, while cigar and pipe smoking will only be permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking will not be permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, hallway, elevator or corridor. Violations to this smoking policy will result in a $250 cleaning fee being charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through Celebrity Cruises' Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

 

Additionally, there is a non-smoking policy on all components of the land tour portion of all Celebrity Cruises cruisetour products. We appreciate your understanding and adherence.

Indoor area of the ship where smoking is allowed is one side of just one lounge only. And the outdoor areas that allow smoking is the port side of the outdoor decks and one to two outdoor bars.

Besides the large fee - a subsequent violation of the smoking policy can end up with the offending passenger disembarked at their own expense at the next port.

[Azure Moon]

Congratulations on quitting!

You are through the hardest part, which you know since you said it's already getting a bit easier.

Good for you thinking ahead and setting yourself up for success by planning for your time on board and being considerate of your wife also. :cool: This will make things easier for both of you.

We sailed three times with family members who smoked while we didn't. Our next cruise we will be taking my mother on her first cruise as a non-smoker. She had to quit due to health reasons last year. She'd been a smoker for over 40 years.

Though one of you smokes and the other one doesn't, you can make it. My hubby quit smoking before I did.

Cruise critic has an article somewhere on this site that lists the smoking policies of the various cruiselines. I'm unable to find it at the moment, but maybe someone can point the direction.

Just my suggestions from my experiences on the cruiselines we've sailed on:

- Carnival's Fantasy class ships aren't non-smoker friendly. Conquest class was a bit better, Spirit class was better yet.

- NCL's Jewel class ships are very nice. Smoking is permitted in some areas, but not as many as on Carnival ships. There are more lounges, bar areas, and outside area (back of ship where there's buffet and bar) that are non-smoking.

Congratulations again and have a great time on your vacation!

[windsor26]

Think about going on Princess or the other ships that are based in Australia and take one of them as they are fully no smoking inside ships (except for the disco) and only allow smoking on one side of the decks ourside Australia and New Zealand have very strict no smoking under a roof policy and the ships match this Well done Keep[ it up :):)

[nitnyleo]

P.S. I promise not to EVER get militant about it. Have tried some riteous indignation on DW in jest, but she didn't find it funny at all. :rolleyes:

 

You claim that now . . . but, you're still running on an adrenaline high (congratulations!)

 

At least on HAL, you can still smoke in your cabin . . . for the benefit of your DW. Best to be seduced by DW's smoke, than by a stranger's.

[sail7seas]

For the kind words of encouragement, all. It is getting easier every day. I probably smoked for 30 years, so putting them away seems to me un-natural, if that makes any sense. I'll tough it out. My breathing is already 100% better. Watching DW spark one up does test my will, but luckily we never smoked in our home, so I just avoid the area while she's out-side smoking. I guess that's why I'm nervous about a cruise, as I do tend to frequent the bars and other places where smoking is permitted, Maybe it won't be a big deal and I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill. Thanks again. :)

 

 

If you said which HAL ship you are sailing I missed it, but on all HAL ships, no smoking permitted in Explorer's Lounge, Pinnacle Bar, Ocean Bar, Bar at Lido Pool and on Eurodam, no smoking permitted in Crows Nest. It is easy to find a bar where you won't be exposed to smoke.

 

Only Casino/Sports Bar and Crow's Nest on some ships (but not all) permit it.

 

You'll do fine!

[cruzin w chris]

a huge congrats to you !!!!!!!!!!! i just wish i could do it as i have tried numerous times. i actually did go 6 months on my best try and just folded to pressure like a big stupid idiot. i will try again before my next cruise at xmas time ( long before then i hope ) sitting in the casino or in a bar with a drink in your hand is the absolute worst time when you are trying to quit. hang in there and be tough. best of luck.

[MDSue]

The only place that smoke has ever been really noticable is in the casino, enough to make me stay away. Our neighbor on the balcony was a smoker but the breeze was enough to keep the smell at a bare minimum. I've never noticed a smoke smell in any of the staterooms I've stayed in or the inside public areas. There were quite a few smokers on some of the outdoor areas, but again the breezes made it less bothersome.

Congrats on quitting:)

[usha]

First of all, Conga Rats!

I'd also recommend Celebrity, since there is no smoking allowed in cabins or balconies, and only in one bar, and on the port side of the pool deck.

Your wife will still have some areas where she can catch a smoke, but there will be less places you'll be subjected to the temptation.

Keep up the great work! :D

[dvrdude]

Thanks again ,all. The encouragement really means a lot. Love the Conga Rats, Usha! I suppose it won't be any worse than being at work, now that I think about it. Half of the people I work with smoke which is a substantially higher percentage than cruisers. If I can tough it out here, maybe a cruise won't be so bad. It is a good excuse to broaden my horizons from HAL too. As much as I'd like to return to Alaska this Summer, maybe i'll wait 'til this winter and do the caribbean again. I'll have 9 Mos. under my belt by then!! Again, thanks for the support. :)

[donald1403]

For us it is Disney Cruise Lines. NO Casino and seperate

Adult areas. will work for both of you.

[wrp96]

Thanks again ,all. The encouragement really means a lot. Love the Conga Rats, Usha! I suppose it won't be any worse than being at work, now that I think about it. Half of the people I work with smoke which is a substantially higher percentage than cruisers. If I can tough it out here, maybe a cruise won't be so bad. It is a good excuse to broaden my horizons from HAL too. As much as I'd like to return to Alaska this Summer, maybe i'll wait 'til this winter and do the caribbean again. I'll have 9 Mos. under my belt by then!! Again, thanks for the support. :)

 

 

Suggestion for you. A regular poster on the RCCL boards quit last year. She started saving the money that she would've spent on cigarettes - on her last cruise, she used that money to buy a very, very nice pair of earrings. If you start putting back the money you save, you could pay for a cruise or a nice gift to give to your wife as incentive for her to quit.

[ottergal]

Dvrdude: first, congrats again. I quit a couple of years ago and, while I'm not around smokers as much as I used to be, there are still times when I get cravings so hard it makes me want to cave. When that happens, and it will, here's what works for me: I tell myself sure I can have a cig, just not right now. Later. Strangely enough, I haven't gotten to "later" yet! Somehow it helps me feel like I'm making a choice, not restricting myself if that makes sense,

 

In any case, I went on a cruise to Mexico (ooh.. drinks by the pool and a nice breeze? Light me up, baby!) and made it through no problems about 9 months after I quit. I'm not militant about it and I still have friends that smoke, but somehow that part of my brain is turned off.

 

I recently went to a casino (talk about flashbacks and temptation!) and while the smoking didn't bother me while I was there, I was pretty surprised to notice how much my hair, etc, smelled when I got home. Even with a smoking spouse, I think you'll be surprised that you start to get more and more alert to the smell and after awhile it won't smell good anymore.

 

I wouldn't worry too much, you will do GREAT!