Hailing from New York where smoking is now very limited, we are concerned that if we book a European cruise on Costa or MSC, we may spend our entire cruise trying to avoid cigarette smoke. Looking for advice from non-smokers who have experienced these European cruise lines. I know from research that there is non-smoking dining, but is it worse than taking RC, Celebrity or Carnival on a European itinerary?

We were on Costa's Magica beginning of Feb. only because the price was right! (Balcony cabin, 7 days, $299!!!!)We had stayed away because we were told there was a lot of smoke. Well, there was less smoke on this ship than almost any other, other than Paradise when that was smoke free. Really didn't even notice smoke in the casino! But this was Carribean. We had been told there would be a lot of Europeans on board and they smoke a lot. Costa is very big in Europe.so can't tell you about a European cruise but our cruise was fine re: smoke! We won't hesitate to sail Costa again.

I am a non-smoker who was on the Costa Fortuna last summer (Mediterranean cruise) and didn't find myself dodging cigarette smoke everywhere I went.

The only place where cigarettes might be a problem are the open-air areas (the pool area in particular). I didn't peruse the casinos so don't know the situation there, the bars and lounges were relatively smoke free (or I just didn't notice them).

There is a smoke free dining section on the boat, which, of course, is indoors. I ate outdoors every now and then (by the pool no less) and didn't notice any smoke except when we sat next to a heavy smoker in the smoking section (clearly our bad, as we couldn't find a non-smoking seat indoors).

I would prepare for a very Italian way of life (read: no regard for queues, so stand up for yourself! Also, second seating is usually more than 10 minutes late). And announcements in 4 languages throughout the boat, which I enjoyed, for better or worse.

I've not yet taken a European cruise with anyone else (but will this summer on Celebrity Constellation), so I can't compare and contrast European cruises amongst other lines. If you’ve been on another cruise line, say Celebrity, then it is a bit different than what you’re used to, but not in a bad way, IMHO. For instance, people embark and disembark at almost every port.

I would consider another Costa cruise if the price is right. Likw Bonniejns who scored big! $299 for a balcony cabin for 7 days sounds blissful to me!

I was on MSC last summer, did not have any more issues with smoke than on the other lines.

What I did have a problem with was the behavior of the kids who took over the entire ship. The Captain acknowldged the problems at his reception and then basically told everyone to get over it, that kids are "special and wonderful".

I liked everything else about my MSC cruise except this.

suggest you look into Oceania, the only cruise line I know of with a very prohibitive smoking policy. No smoking any where on the ships (including cabins and balconies) except two very small areas which are easily avoidable.

As a smoker myself I think we all can live in the same world very well if we respect each other. Policies like Oceanias are fine provided they make them well known - which they did not to us. 30 other smokers on our 2005 ship also were caught totally unaware.