ex-drinker (no AA), soon to be non-smoker, slight gambler
 

Just curious about this one. Used to drink, especially on vacation (usually too much), quit a year ago, no, I don't do meetings... about to quit smoking and like to gamble just a little when cruising. I've quit smoking before but am giving it another shot, hopefully for good. Will be on European cruise in August and just wondering, if the NCL Dream is non-smoking, assuming it's not, and if all the "happy, drunk cruisers" are going to get on my nerves. As I'm sure I used to be one of them and may have irritated someone in "my boat"... Any comments appreciated.
Ciao!

NCL is non-smoking.. people can smoke on deck..BTW I have two friends that just love the Dream... As for the drinking....there is Friends of Bill onboard...but keeping an insulated thermos filled with water or tea might help.. I don't think you'l find the "happy drunk cruisers: on the European itinerary.

We were on the Dream Oct. 03 and will be again 5/01/04. It is not non-smoking but almost. There are smoking areas on the deck. It seems like there was one area like a tobacco bar or something inside where people did smoke. I think smoking is allowed in the casino but there are non-smoking areas too.
Good for you that you are not drinking anymore and are giving up smoking. I don't remember too many drunks on board in Oct. but I don't sit at the bar much either.
Have lots of fun, take it one day at a time.

Whoops.,. I think smoking is allowed in a few of the lounges, but don't hold me to that..

Thank you Ladies for your replies and advice! I'll be drinking lots of water and tea as I'm hoping to give up coffee too. Bad habits really are a biatch!!
Thanks again!

Rosemary, if you want to give up coffee be prepared for 3 days of severe headaches, and I mean SEVERE! After that the headache doesn't come back if you stay away from any caffeine, including tea, coke, and some sodas. I quit coffee during a 3-day weekend.

Rosemary maybe you shouldn't try to give up all of these things at once. You want to make sure you enjoy your vacation without suffering from withdrawls. Good Luck, you deserve lots of credit.

YIKES! But thanks for the warning FainaAgain. Maybe I'll put that "project" off for another time. I definitely wish to enjoy sipping lots of tea while in Europe. I'm also a coke-head, cocacola that is and am not willing anytime soon to give that up. God, getting healthy really bites!
Happy Trails!

Thank you NewYorkGolfer! I appreciate the support! I also couldn't agree more that after the "smokes-go bye bye", I'm stopping there!

Fore!!

rosemary, here is an alternative: become a chocoholic :)

Consider that one recently accomplished Faina, never used to really like chocolate too much, but am starting to like it a lot. I'm lucky in one aspect at least; I could use to gain about 5 lbs. NO MORE than 5 :).

And I know what happens when we quit the "smokie-treats".... Oh well, crash that bridge when I come to it! Thanks again Faina!

As a medical professional I can advise you that suffering from headaches when "giving up" caffeine is NOT a given. That was onbviously one individual's experience but it does not hold true that your experience will be the same.
And since you say you plan to give up caffeine, are you prepared to stop drinking that tea you plan to carry around? It has just as much caffeine as coffee; and then there are the caffeinated soft drinks you may enjoy, etc.
I agree with being reasonable so you don't set yourself up for failure but you also need to be well-informed.
Good luck.

Chocolate...good chocolate..gives you such a high. especially if your going to be on the Dream and they have their famous CHOCOLATE BUFFET...A few pieces of their chocolate goodies and y our walking the decks at 3:00 a.m. Try going to half reg coffee and half decaf...for a while.. I've also learned to drink herbal teas.. and by the way there are decaf teas. As for smoking, I've never been a smoker.