Cruises are some of the most luxurious experiences you can have, and they’re usually quite affordable. Some family packages start as low as $400 per person and you can take an Alaskan cruise, Mediterranean Cruise, Caribbean cruise, and much more. With so many options available, it’s no wonder the cruise business is a multi-billion-dollar industry.
If you’re a smoker, going on a cruise can be a bit more difficult. Not all cruises allow smoking on the ship, and while some have smoking areas, you’ll still feel uncomfortable and won’t have any access to cigarettes or tobacco once you run out. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms during the cruise, which is pretty much the last thing you want when you’re trying to relax.
The best tip we can offer is to quit smoking before you ever go on your cruise, but that’s not always possible. Here are five tips for smokers who want to go a on a cruise.
1. Take A Tobacco Alternative
Smoking might be banned on your cruise line, but tobacco alternatives like tobaccoless chew from Black Buffalo (https://blackbuffalo.com/) can keep symptoms at bay while still providing that nicotine buzz you crave. It’s no secret that nicotine is addictive, but cigarettes are incredibly dangerous, filled with thousands of toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals that make their way into your lungs.
Tobacco alternatives don’t have the additives that cigarettes do. In fact, cigarettes contain everything from cyanide (used to kill rats) to nickel (a dangerous metal) to uranium (a radioactive element). Is that really what you want to breathe into your lungs or expose your family and other people on the cruise to?
The fact is, you just can’t enjoy your cruise while you’re a smoker. Eventually, you’ll run out of cigarettes, and when you do, your mood will plummet.
2. Keep Yourself Busy
There should be plenty to do on a cruise ship, so this tip should be a no-brainer. Whether you’re scuba diving, lounging on the deck catching some rays, or just swimming in the pool, if you lack for entertainment, you’re doing something wrong. Keeping your mind and your hands occupied is one of the best ways to fight the nicotine cravings and keep the need to smoke in the back of your mind.
If you find yourself bored on the cruise ship, try something new. Maybe there’s food being served that you’ve never had before, or maybe you never played blackjack. Cruises are rich with experiences and fun, so don’t miss out!
3. Expect Withdrawal Symptoms
If you’re going on a cruise with no cigarettes, you should expect that you’re going to experience withdrawal. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can vary, but they all add up to one thing: an anxious, unpleasant experience. Obviously, you don’t want to spend your whole cruise going through withdrawal, so if you’re deciding to quit, at least give yourself several weeks before going on the cruise.
Managing your symptoms can be the key to not spoiling your own fun (and everyone else’s). Practice anxiety management exercise so you can get things under control when you feel your mood starting to boil over. Remember that it’s not the people around you making you feel that way; it’s your addiction to nicotine.
4. Expect Non-Smoking Areas
Once you’re off the ship in a luxurious location for a visit, you should still expect that there may be no-smoking areas. Smoking has been largely banned in public places simply because second-hand smoke is dangerous, so don’t be surprised if a beach, park, or restaurant onshore doesn’t allow smoking.
Non-smoking areas are meant to protect other people, not take aim at smokers. It’s not a personal attack on your habit, but the habit is deadly to other people, especially because they’re breathing in the unfiltered smoke from the other end of the cigarette.
5. Quit Before You Go
Obviously, the best way to handle a cruise as a smoker is to simply quit smoking before you ever step foot on a cruise ship. This will prevent any withdrawal issues during your relaxing vacation, and you’ll be better off for it. You’ll have more money in your pocket, and your mental and physical health will greatly improve so you can properly enjoy your trip.
Don’t tarnish your travel experience by being dependent on tobacco. There’s never been a better time to quit, and there are thousands of resources at your disposal to assist you with the cessation process. Apps, support groups, therapy, and more exist to help smokers leave behind the habit for good.Your doctor will ask questions about your erection problems, your alcohol, and smoking habits if you’ve got any illnesses or are taking any medications.
You’ll thank yourself and your family and friends will be grateful, as well. When you travel with other people, they’re essentially at the mercy of your habit, too, and that’s simply not fair to them.