POA Smoker Oriented, Asthmatics beware

We just returned on September 3rd from The Pride of America, although beautiful, needs to be classified as a smoking oriented ship.The cigar lounge is open and located in the middle of the ship where the smoke goes throughout every centrally located facility, i.e. reservations, excursions,etc. Live music was only performed in bars, which are for smokers ONLY as the "port side" smoking policy was not known by employees nor enforced without argument. Even outside eating areas allowed smoking in all sections unless we argued and demanded the smokers be requested to move. As a highly allergic, non-smoking guest I was unable to enjoy any on-board portion of this cruise and returned w/sinus infection, beginning broncitus and will never, never cruise on NCL again. Other than uninformed officers, the crew was friendly and wanted to help, but were powerless to do so. We have always cruised on Royal Carribean and their ships have been able to accomodate both smokers and non-smokers without problems for either group.

I can tell you that as an officer serving aboard the Pride of America there is no "port side only" policy written anywhere. I just read your post and looked for about an hour before calling upstairs to the hotel directors office and confirming. As a cigar smoker I agree with you most of us do not like the placement of the cigar bar and hope it moves sometime in the future. Also we do offer non smoking rooms just like any other resort or hotel. You just have to ask for them at the time of making your reservation.

I remember on the Norway NCL had a smoking policy(which side of the ship).Why not on the POA?
It matters to many of us.

[lhp]

our family cruises several times a year. We had been thinking about trying some new cruiselines. We appreciate the warning. We will avoid POA.

[nmnita]

I am rather surprised about the OPs comments as I have cruised NCL several times in the past few years and never had a problem. I know on the Jewel, some non smokers were bothered in the casino. This is the case on all cruise ships I have traveled. Like so many other places smoking and gambling seem to go together. On the Jewel the cigar bar was also open and not the best set up. We were with several non smoking couples that were bothered to some degree especially those with alergies, but certainly not enough to stop any of us from cruising the line again. In fact two of the couples booked the Jewel again for next summer while on our cruise. The lounges such as Spinnekers definently enforce the smoking policy on only one side of the ship. BTW, as for non smoking cabins I have yet to find a ship that has them but the disinfectant used seems to answer the problems for most. I do wish ships would follow the trend of resorts and hotels by offering non smoking cabins. It will come just as the non smoking dining rooms and showrooms have come. I can remember when you could smoke anywhere on a ship. That really wasn't too long ago BTW. Hopefully the cigar bar problem will be solved soon as well. NMnita

[bar_20]

Doesn't Carnival offer a non smoking ship. I read somewhere if you are caught smoking on ship or the cabin stewart smells smoke in your room you are let off at the next port to find your own way home plus a fine of several hundred dollars added to your bill.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by bar_20

Doesn't Carnival offer a non smoking ship. I read somewhere if you are caught smoking on ship or the cabin stewart smells smoke in your room you are let off at the next port to find your own way home plus a fine of several hundred dollars added to your bill.

they did at one time, but discontinued it about 18 months ago. It wasn't filling up. I am sure in the near future there will be another ship that will offer either a totally non smoking cruise or one where smoking is only allowed outside. NMnita 8)