Non-Disney cruise question

[disneysteve]

I know this doesn't quite belong here but I figured some of you have probably taken other cruises and might be able to help.

My wife and I are considering a Royal Caribbean cruise this summer on Voyager of the Seas. 2 of my cousins and their families are going and we thought it would be neat to all vacation together.

We have only cruised once before on Carnival Paradise which is a completely non-smoking ship. Other ships, of course, allow smoking onboard. We're really concerned that we'll spend all the money for the trip and be miserable all week because of folks smoking around us. Its not like we can decide to leave early or switch hotels. A week around a bunch of smokers would likely make both of us ill and would certainly ruin the trip.

So my question is - on any cruises you have taken, especially Royal Carib. ones, how prevalent and wide-spread was smoking on the ship. I know that the restaurants are smoke-free, but how about the shops, lounges, pool area, etc.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of any online chat boards like this for cruises in general, point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[kmc33]

I too have sailed on the Paradise and loved it! The place we really appreciated the non-smoking environment the most was in the casino and the small lounges, particularly the piano bar. And when I have been on other cruise ships those are the same places that I may end up not spending too much time if they are really smokey. As you mentioned the restaurants are non-smoking and I believe the main show theatres too. Usually out on deck or by the pool it's not too bad because of the ship movement keeping the air flowing.

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks for the reply. What cruises have you taken besides Paradise? How was the smoking situation on those ships? And how was your cabin? I know that the cruise ships don't offer non-smoking cabins. I don't want to board and find out that the previous guests of that cabin spent the week smoking cigars.

Steve

 

[Dean]

RCCL has improved the smoking/non smoking situation but on many ships it's still a problem. I can't speak to the Voyager specifically. on the Soverign you could not walk from one end of the ship to another on Deck 5 without going through a smoking area or going outside. The Port side was the smoking side and the Casino was on the Starboard site.

 

[kmc33]

I have never had a problem with the cabin on any cruise line. I don't know if I just have been lucky or they do a really good job cleaning them in between passengers.

We sailed on the Carnival Pride. I specifically remember on that ship going to the piano bar one night and the smoke was so thick that we left after one song. That is the only place I recall it being an issue. We also sailed on the Grand Princess. I don't remember any specific instances of smoke being a problem and I was pregnant at the time. We have also sailed on older Carnival ships, and on Norwegian and Royal Caribbean (but not on any of the Voyager class yet). Over time, I think there have been changes made, ie the show lounges used to be smoking on one side and non on the other and now most are all non-smoking (although the smaller lounges and bars permit smoking). I think that has helped. On more recent cruises, I don't remember any problems -- there may have been instances where I just moved away from someone smoking if it was bothering me.

Most recently we sailed on the Disney Wonder which was our first cruise after sailing the Paradise. I read about someone finding the smoke in the Route 66 area to be bad, but on our cruise it wasn't a problem. I saw people smoking in those lounges, but I didn't sit right next to them and I guess the ventilation system was good.

 

[mac_tlc]

Steve,

We have sailed on the Explorer of the Seas and the Navigator of the Seas. My DW and I also dislike the constant smoke smell, but on both of those voyages, there was not that constant "cloud" hanging overhead. In some places like the casino or some lounges it is a bit more noticable but it never seemed to be overpowering. We have noticed it much more on some of the Carnival cruises (Imagination, Elation, Triumph) we have taken.

You'll love the Voyager. It's a great ship with so much to do..

A couple of other places to "chat", especially on RCCL would be :

www.cruisecritic.com

www.cruise-addicts.com

I have a farily detailed compasrion of the DCL ships and the RCCL Voyager-class ships posted on my web site, if you are interested:

www.new-horizons-travel.com

Good Luck !

mac_tlc