After cruising many times on Regent, I have recently booked a Panama Canal cruise on Silversea. It never occurred to me to ask about the smoking regulations onboard, or lack of, before I booked the cruise. I have two major fears....a cabin that smells like stale smoke and second hand smoke drifting in from other suites or balconies. Is this a legitimate concern? I appreciate any feedback.

Kathy

Kathy, I am a smoker, but I would never smoke in my cabin. However, Silversea does allow that, as well as on the balconies, but I am sure they are aware of the problem you suggested about the cabin and the smell. There are so few smokers these days (fortunately) that I hope it will not be a problem for you. I really loved my two cruises on Silverseas, but the smoking policy had nothing to do with it..

Anna,

First I will tell you that smoking as a topic always brings out very strong emotions on chat boards when it comes to travel.

I have had the terrible experience of having a cabin next to an inconsiderate smoker more than once - and fairly recently. My personal feelings are that it is a genuine concern and I limit my cruising to lines where someone cannot smoke on the balcony or in cabin nearby.

As an allergy sufferer, I am very sensitive to smoke. I would much rather sail on a ship where I don't have to worry about my cabin or balcony being smoky. Outdoors, no problem...I can usually be upwind of a smoker.

Hopefully, your cabin and balcony will be free of smoke. The Silversea ships and itineries look wonderful.

.................................
Susan

Thanks so much, Everyone, for taking the time to answer. Looks like I've got some thinking to do.....

Kathy

Kathy, we sail on Silversea/Regent and are non smokers (except for rare celebratory cigar, smoked in the Humidor). On Silversea we have not encountered a suite with "stale smoke" smell. We enjoy our balcony for breakfast on occassion and at sailaway's from each port and have yet to experience smoking wafting from other balconies.
Like Olivia, we enjoy SS--we're booked on the newest SS ship--Spirit on the maiden transatlantic in January.

Recommend you give SS try--the Panama canal
cruise sounds great.

Pls see SS's smoking policy as posted
on SS's website below:

SMOKING
For the comfort of all our guests, The Restaurant, indoors at the Terrace Café, Saletta, Le Champagne, Observation Lounge (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper), the Show Lounge, Card/Conference Room, Library, Spa/Fitness Centre, Internet Point and Gift Shops/Boutiques are smoke-free. Cigarette smoking is permitted in designated areas of The Bar, outside at the Terrace Café, Pool area, Panorama Lounge, Casino Bar and The Humidor (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper). Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated areas outside at the Terrace Café, The Champagne Room (Silver Cloud and Silver Wind) and in The Humidor (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper).

At Silversea, the comfort and enjoyment of our guests is paramount. We recognise that some of our guests smoke and others do not. Most areas on our ships are non-smoking. However, in order to promote an onboard atmosphere that satisfies all guests, there are designated smoking tables in the Panorama Lounge and in certain areas on Decks 5 and 6 for cigarette smoking. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted in The Humidor and in certain areas on open Decks 5 and 6. Silversea kindly requests that all of our guests observe the non-smoking areas. These requests are made to provide a comfortable living atmosphere for everyone onboard.

We were on the Navigator watching John Barron sing - one side of the lounge was smoking and one side was not. There were a few smokers not realizing the special event concert that John did. They refused to put their cigarettes out when asked just because it was allowed. A number of non smokers had to leave the concert. The venue was made non-smoking during the rest of the cruise for any events/shows.

Since this post is about smoking on Silveasea, maybe we could stick to that topic, I would hate for this to turn into another smoking vs non smoking thread :)

AMEN, Karen.

Hey, Kathy! Alice & I have been on the Whisper and Shadow, and ditto Wes' post --- except for the "celebratory cigar" part! :p
I think you're going to love your cruise!

Colonel Wes and Kim, thanks so much for your input. Think we'll go for it and hope for the best. Kim and Alice, when you're ready to come to Sandusky (Cedar Pt.) let us know. :cool:

Kathy

I'm also allergic and a non-smoker.

I find it best to book on a deck with some other things on it. In particular, on Shadow, the first day we felt a lot of smoke in the hallway (stayed in 611). The long hallway was the issue. Nothing has ever affected us in the cabin itself. On that cruise, they did haul out heavy duty machines, and this was gone in two days, but it did happen.

This is not really related to smoking, but yet it is. Lynn and I had waitlisted for a Grand Suite from the Silver(1007) that we had and 801 opened up today, so I grabbed it. Now I can sit out on that huge front porch in the morning and smoke all I want without bothering anyone. There are a lot of nice bennies that come with the suite like 2 hours of free internet each day, 2 hours of free phone service for the cruise, a meal in Le Champagne, free laundry, cleaning and pressing for the cruise, a free newspaper of choice daily for the cruise(I'll take The Wall Street Journal) and a bunch of lesser stuff. The upgrade was at the old pricing that we originally booked with, which was nice too.

Sounds perfect for you. Must say Carol and I miss you and Lynn on Regent. But we do understand your need to cruise with Silversea.

Maybe one of these days there will be an itinerary that will tempt us to give Silversea a try.

Give Lynn a big hug from Carol and me.

We just returned from a SS cruise on the Shadow. While there were a few smokers, it was by no means an issue. We also were concerned after reading the boards but found that it was a wonderful cruise with only a handful of smokers.
We will certainly be booking another SS cruise.