Smoking on Thomson Ships

by **Mrs Johnson** on Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:32 pm

Apologies if this is a subject that's been covered already, but we want to do a trip to the Fjords next June, and have just discovered that no smoking is allowed inside Thomson ships, and then only on top deck - is this right? My husband enjoys a cigarette (each to his own), and I know if the no smoking ban is being strictly enforced then he would not want to go. Pity as the Fjords trip next June from Newcastle is exactly what we want, with only a 40mins drive to the port. We've just returned from a cruise on the Navigator of the Seas and there were plenty of smoking areas in the bars and lounges, with lots of non-smoking bars as well. Seemed to work OK.

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks.

by **mtek** on Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:05 pm

From this year Thomson have decided that there is no smoking inside the ships and smoking on the decks is much the same as it has always been - the starboard side is smoking and the port side is non smoking. So no smoking inside any of the bars of lounges (even in bad weather). I was on the Calypso in June and there was a little slip of paper on the dressing table saying this was as a result of customer feedback as well as changing regulations in the UK and other countries. However I did not see this on the first night as it was buried under the stack of other materials Thomson provide and I asked my cabin stewardess the next day if the cabins were non smoking. Last year I had the same cabin stewardess and there were ashtrays. She confirmed the new rules but a day or so later there was an ashtray placed in my cabin. I was cautioned about keeping this quiet (maybe she was thinking of the tip). I didn't use it as the weather during the two weeks I was on board was great and it was fine to go out to the bistro to have a smoke. However on several occasions when I was going down to deck 2 to my cabin during the evening I got a very strong smell of smoke coming from adjacent cabins. People about the ship did comment that the rule was being ignored by some but nothing was done about it. Pity. I like a cigarette first thing in the morning as I am watching the ship come into port and thinking about the day ahead but rules are rules and I will abide by them. It can't be pleasant for non smokers to go into a cabin that has been inhabited by a smoker for the previous 2 weeks.

by **Mrs Johnson** on Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:14 pm

Thanks for the info - I guessed as much. Hubby will not be too impressed but like you say rules are rules.

I do agree that smoking in the cabins is terrible, not fair on anyone really. Thanks for your reply.

by **kate52** on Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:22 pm

Hi- having just returned from the Calypso, I would advise you check smoking policy carefully, especially if booking the Celebration for next year. Talk on board, among passengers and from officers, was that Thomson's are trialling the Celebration as a totally smoke free ship next year, i.e no smoking outside or in. If this happens it could obviously cause problems for smokers who book early unaware of policy changes.
kate

by **Sekhmet** on Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:10 am

The No Smoking policy / open decks only is causing problems already, you're right. There have been several recent threads on another cruise forum about them....feelings were running very high as one guy had booked, not realising the new open deck rules which applied from at least April '08 (we were on Spirit 12-19 April) & he is furious with Thomson as he feels he didn't get the hol he booked.

by **rosebaskrts** on Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:57 pm

Lets hope he doesn't find this one or we'll all be in for another epic saga!

by **Sekhmet** on Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:46 pm

Oh, Ditto Rosebasket! I'm Nephthys on that forum!
I was losing the will to live!

by **dakdora** on Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:03 pm

I have just come across this forum and am amazed at Thompson's intention. I gave up smoking 5 months ago but even so am no Evangelist - to ban smoking completely is ridiculous...on deck is an open space and an ideal place to "light up". If Thompsons are classing the ship as one huge public area, then that suggests that you don't have the feeliong of space and freedom that is always advertised about cruise ships.

by **eh1** on Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:59 pm

CHECK OUT THE NEW THOMSONSCRUISES JULY 08 EDITION
They appear to have reversed their policy as it now stated smoking is permitted in cabins though strongly discouraged in one bar and designated open decks one up for the smokers yippeee!!!!!

by **Mrs Johnson** on Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:09 pm

I read somewhere in this forum that 25% of cruise passengers are smokers, add in with that spouses/partners (smokers or not) and that adds up to a fair amount of people who WON'T bother with cruise companies who won't cater for them.

Sounds like Thomsons have had a bit of a re-think.