stephanie

I've never been on a large cruise ship, and my husband and I are looking at going on a Royal Carrib. cruise with our then to be 2 yr. old & 4 1/2 yr. old. I hate cigarrette smoke with a passion and don't care for my family to have to breath it if at all possible. Are most cruise ships in general smokey? If so, does it pervade the entire ship? Is it impossible to get away from? Incidentally, we are not looking into any kind of Disney cruise - there are already plans from some family members to do this particular cruise. PS - asking only those who have taken children as small as ours on a general carribean-non-Disney cruise - would you do it again? Why or why not? Thanks so much for any comments!!

Mary

I have been on two RCI cruises (Monarch and Majesty). I also hate smoke but found no problems -- just stay out of the casino and some of the bars. We requested a non-smoking dining area but I really never saw anyone smoking anywhere at all in the dining room. (It could be they were non-smoking) Although at the time they had no non-smoking rooms (I don't know about now) ours did not smell like smoke and we are both very sensitive. I understand Carnival has a non-smoking ship and the no-smoking policy is strictly enforced. <BR>As far as your 2 small children I don't know. Our child was 10 when she went along. They seem to have great children's programs but I don't know about the 2 year old. <BR>Have fun!

Elaine

Stephanie, it sounds as though you might want to consider a non-smoking ship, since there will definitely be some smokers on any other cruise. If anyone is caught smoking on the Carnival Paradise, the offender is fined $250 and kicked off the ship at the next port. Actually, I can't personally recommend Carnival, because I've never tried it, but it's a viable option for people who "hate cigarette smoke with a passion". <BR>

Carl

Just got back from Cruising on the Paradise and it was our Best Carnival experience yet. Non-Smoking means All Passengers and Crew. We took our 5yr old and the Kid's program and Babysitting were Great. She had a Ball. If you want Non-Smoking and a Great Kid's Program then head for Paradise!!

pvh

I have never been on a cruise but going on my first one in May. We are sailing on the Celebrity Galaxy. They have no "no-smoking" rooms, but the public rooms on the starboard side are no-smoking (that would include the starboard side of the dining room). We were able to request no-smoking in the dining room. <BR>

April

To address your 'smokey in general' question, I can only say that on the Holland America cruise we were on last fall, I was never bothered by smoke... and I can smell it a mile away (well almost). <BR>

linda

I just got back from a 7 day cruise on Paradise - the nonsmoking ship in the Carnival Line. It was the best! We brought our 3 kids and thoroughly enjoyed our entire vacation. I had cruised previously on NCL and was prepared for Carnival to be a lesser ship and experience. I was wrong. Lots to do; excellent food; clean and spacious ship; highly recommend it!!!