I Kicked the Habit at Sea
Robin quit smoking on a cruise to Alaska.
April 24, 2012
by Robin Tawfall
I smoked for 35 years – often as much as two packs a day – but it wasn’t until I boarded a Regal Princess cruise to Alaska that I was finally able to kick the habit for good. A friend of mine had booked the cruise with her husband and other family members. Sadly, her husband passed away before the cruise, so she asked me to go in his place.
Because he lost his life due to smoking-related problems, I decided to honor him on this cruise by quitting smoking. I had been trying unsuccessfully to quit for many years, but I decided the day before the cruise that this would be the right time.
My friend, Alice, and her extended family made wonderful cruise companions, and although they didn’t know it, they made quitting so much easier. They were a fun, lively group who kept me busy throughout the day and, more importantly, well into the night when I was most likely to be craving cigarettes.
I started noticing changes pretty quickly. The food was wonderful throughout, but I was surprised to find that every day it got better and better. My taste buds were coming alive, so to this day the food on this cruise is among the best I’ve ever eaten.
One night I found myself awake and having the worst craving I was ever going to experience. I quietly dressed and went up on deck. I found the crew busy making sure the ship was spotless while most people were sleeping. Just as I was about to start asking crew members if they smoked, I realized this was a ridiculous addiction! I willed myself to go back to the cabin and fall asleep. When I awoke in the morning I knew – I finally had it beat.
Immediately after, I found I could enjoy my cruise without distraction. There were so many things to do — shore excursions, movies, bingo, great shows to see, and of course enjoying that amazing dining room food and the fantastic, helpful servers who brought it to us.
Alaska is definitely a destination that should be on everybody’s bucket list, with its pristine wilderness, fresh air and very colorful, fun residents. The trip through Tracy Arm’s Glacier was breathtaking. But it was on an excursion in Juneau that I started noticing that not only was I enjoying the clean air, but I having an easier time breathing it. When I walked up a hill to an observation area without being winded, I knew I was getting better.
I found this sailing so healing that three years later, I returned to Alaska on a another cruise to “pay it forward” with a very brave friend of mine who was battling breast cancer. Remembering how the earlier cruise had helped me to rebuild my health, I treated my friend and her 12-year-old daughter to the same cruise. This time sailing to Alaska helped both my friend and her daughter renew their bond and heal from the emotional toll this illness had taken on their lives for so long. Thankfully, today my friend is cancer-free.
As for me, I am happy to report that since that first Alaskan cruise I have now been an ex-smoker for seven years. I’ve since cruised to Alaska a third time to celebrate quitting smoking, and am planning to go again this year. I am thankful to this day for that sailing that helped me finally beat the cigarette cravings and move on to a healthier life.
Robin lives in Paradise, California, and has been on six Princess cruises. She plans yet another Alaska voyage in June.
50 Comments Post a Comment
Continuing the Discussion
-
says... June 1, 2012 | 9:02am
[...] To Quit Smoking [...]
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Robin. We’re so happy you had the willpower to make such a positive change. Enjoy your celebration cruise!
Robin, I am so proud of you for quitting smoking. I so hoped that after you went home after the cruise you would have the will power to remain a non-smoker. I am so glad that the words “would you like to go to Alaska with me?” just fell out of my mouth the Sunday we went to the movies and dinner. I know my family also enjoyed you and your sense of humor too. You really kind of fit in with our crazy little family. Thanks for going with me. Have fun on your cruise in June. Alice
Robin – been there, So proud of you! And, I bet you get a better night’s sleep – right? (I did!)
Robin! We have something in common. Princess Cruises that made a big difference in our lives. On a Princess cruise to the S. Caribbean I met a lady from Vancouver who loved to dance. She had lost several relatives due to lung cancer due to smoking. We had a great time on that cruise, but I didn’t know how to dance. But she heard me huffin’ and puffin’ when we took walks on the shorex’s. I called her after the cruise and she told me again she could hear my labored breathing. Long story short, I quit smoking and started the next day and have been smoke free (and dancing) since Jan. 2003!
My husband and I went to a hynsptiot together to quit smoking. We get there and it is a big open room with the lights dim the Dr. talked to us for a little while and then he proceeded to hypnotize us. I really had wanted to quit so I was paying close attention to what he said even though I didn’tt feel like anything was really happening until . he said your arm will slowly raise and you won’t be able to put it down. I could see and feel everything and my arm started to raise it freaked me the hell out! And I guess I came out of the trance. I let him finish his thing but I was dying to leave. I was so freaked that when I did leave I lit a cigarette as soon as I walked out! I did not like the feeling of losing control over myself at all. It is a very unsettling experience. I do have to say though it probably would have worked if he wouldn’t have used that arm thing lol.
You are amazing, your story is inspiring and bless you for ‘paying it forward’, now that’s a truly special thing to do.
People can only quit smoking or make other immense life choices when they are ready and only that person can know the right time. You found yours! Well done doesn’t cover it
))
After 35 years of smoking and trying to quit so many times, one saturday after dinner I convinced my daughter in law to quit smoking which she did and after that I didn’t dare to smoke again, it’s been 10 years last January
Robin, I am very happy you shared your story. I have been smoke free for 14 1/2 years. It is not easy, you have to really want it. I am so glad you made it. I too am going on an Alaska cruise, in September. I wish you all the happiness in the world.
I used the “carrot” to quit smoking. By quitting I could go on yearly cruises instead of the every other year cruise. Been on 30 cruises in 27 years.
I do the same thing…..I put all the money I would have spent on cigarettes and put it into my cruising fund. Now we cruise every year and sometimes twice!
Wonderful story. I am now smoke free for the past six months! This is huge for me. While I wish I could put my “smoke” money away everyday to treat myself to a crusie, sadly I cannot. Since quitting smoking been diagnosed with Diabetes. So any money saved is out the window on medications and such now… lol… but with that said I am still thankful I have quit smoking. Wonderful story!!!!
Congratulations! The one thing that helped me when I got stressed and wanted to smoke is remembered that
it won’t help the situation at all it will add stress because you will add the worry about what the cigarettes are doing to your body.
You should try a llitte negative reinforcement, assuming that you are male of course, every time you light up a smoke have one of your friends kick you in the nards really hard. After successful attempts every time you see a cigarette your gonna associate it with pain, henceforth no more smoking. If your a girl that won’t work, the kicking in the nards that is. If you are a female then you should remember this, females love to talk and talk and talk. We as guys dont really want to listen to your boring blabbering, and the effect of us not listening is amplified upon smelling your nasty nicotine breath.
Well I just stopped smoknig, its been about mounth. What I did was I didn’t make a big deal about it. I finished my last pack and didn’t buy another one. I didn’t tell anyone until they asked. Because I didn’t want to disappoint people if I didn’t quit. When I didn’t have the pressure on me it helped me quit and I haven’t had a cravings. The first day was hard, but I made it through it. Good Luck.
hola..you have issues!!!
Very inspiring!
I’ve been thinking about attempting to quit while cruising.
And Princess attracts the most interesting passengers of any line I’ve been on.
Guess I need to get my passport renewed and sign up!
It varies from pesorn to pesorn. Not everyone is susceptible to being hypnotized. My (now ex) husband I went for a private session and it was quite expensive. I think it was about $100 for each of us. It worked for him, but not for me. The therapist who did the hypnosis was recommended to us by friends who had seen him as well.Of all the people I know who have tried hypnosis to quit smoking, about 50% of them found success with it.
I quit smoking for my trip to alaska because the group I am traveling with no one smokes. I knew I would have to sneak off somewhere to have a smoke so after 30 yrs I quit the habit . smoke free about 12 weeks and my trip is in June 8th 2012, so I will be ready. Thanks for sharing your story
Congratulations on kicking this habit , I also smoked for 35 years and I quit when I read that tobacco is the reincarnated Devil trying to steal good christians … It helped me to never think about Tobacco again !
Like many others I skmoed when I was young but managed to kick the habit before I was totally hooked, I was lucky and suffered no damage to my health. But for a close friend it was different, even though she was only a moderate smoker, her health was being seriously affected and getting worse with time. Now this is where I really sympathize with smokers. She like many smokers knew the dangers and had genuinely tried many different ways to quit smoking. She tried patches, hypnosis and read several books on the subject of quitting, nothing had worked. She always ended back at square one, knowing she needed to quit, but how, nothing had a lasting effect. That was until she tried Smoke Deter.So why am I telling this, because I played a small part in her success. You see I heard about Smoke Deter through my son, his best mate had quit smoking using Smoke Deter and I convinced my friend to try it. She was very skeptical, but I was so concerned about her health that I said that if it didn’t work I would pay for it, so she had nothing to lose and that convinced her. That was a year and five months ago, it worked and she is no longer a smoker, she has never has the urge to smoke since she quit using Smoke Deter, that’s a fact and it’s the only product she tried that she’s happy to tell others about.Smoke Deter is an herbal based liquid oral spray that is used 3 times a day, this is also supplemented with herbal pills which when combined is very effective at reducing your nicotine cravings. How quickly it works depends on the extent of your habit, it can work as quickly as 2 weeks or may take 3 months, regardless of the time, your health is worth the effort to kick your smoking habit.It’s worth noting that Smoke Deter is safe, natural and has no known side effect and no known drug interactions. It’s highly rated on many stop-smoking product review sites, often with genuine testimonials from people that have also kicked the smoking habit using it. So I am not the only one that knows Smoke Deter gets the desired result.Smoke Deter also offers a lifetime free membership support program, so you are never on your own, help is available 24 hours a day if you feel the need, like if your resolve is weakening. There is also a free Stop Smoking Relaxation Audio MP3 available, it might not be for everybody but my friend said it was definitely a help to her, it changed the way she thought about smoking. That’s what I like about Smoke Deter it changes your whole attitude to smoking, it works on your mind as well as your body. Unfortunately I’ve seen the damage smoking has done within my own family and also in my circle of friends, consequently I’m fully aware just how hard it is to stop smoking without some kind of help. I’ve seen first hand how Smoke Deter helped my friend quit smoking and so it’s not surprising she can’t say enough about it. So if this article brings Smoke Deter to your attention and as a result helps you kick the smoking habit, then for me writing about it has been worthwhile.So if you’ve been wondering if these quit smoking products work, well I guess some do and some don’t, but one that has my recommendation is Smoke Deter, I’ve personally seen it work when other methods failed. I’m happy to pass that information on so that others looking for a safe natural way to quit can try Smoke Deter if they wish.If you would like more helpful information on Smoke Deter or other free quit smoking information, you may like to visit the source link below It seems to confirm some of my comments and is dedicated to helping smokers improve their health, fitness and beat the smoking habit.
I smoked for 53+ years. I broke my leg, was in the hospital,then Rehab. So I quit and would not give in. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Gained a lot of weight, can’t lose, but I can breathe. You have to want to quit and be strong willed to accomplish this deadly habit. It has been 10 years this past January. By the way, we have been on 11 Princess Cruises. Three to Alaska, the first one on the original Pacific Princess. What a CRUISE!!
The only way to quit for good is to take the cigarettes you have on you and throw them all in the gabrage. Tell yourself you’ll never buy another pack and stick with it. Try to realize the money and good heath your wasting on such a nasty habit. You’ll do fine.
Congratulations Robin. My husband quit ten years ago motivated by his love for me and it was the best thing he has done in his life (other than marrying me!). We celebrate the anniversary of his quitting every year. So glad that you celebrate by cruising to Alaska. Continue to celebrate and enjoy life!
Wow !!!! This is a wonderful story……… Congratulation on kicking the habit that is a big achievement & you are so rite you can smell,taste better . I quit for 2 months & it was great. & also i went on a cruise last June & i smoked less. So i truly believe it’s easy to stop when you are @ sea. 1st of all you have to go on desk were the smoking area is.
My husband is struggling to quit cigar smoking and he said he really needed to hear this story of your success in quitting smoking. Thank you and hopefully we will have a nice story like yours to tell after our British Isle cruise coming up this May.
I’ll see you on that cruise. Can’t wait.
Robin, just wondrful.. I’ve been there and managed to quit 2 years ago. Alaska is enticing…it’s on my list for sure
I’m in the same boat as you are, the only difference when I was yungoer I was forced into trying the stuff.Then I was offered the second time and regrett ably agreed to smoke another one the next day I was hooked and never looked back, spent untold thousands of dollars and still can’t stop. I have quit for several months but have always gone back to the stupid stuff I wished I would have walked away from the second time it was offered by the same person who forced me into it.Now I’m having sever breathing problems because of the amount I smoke and I don’t smoke cigarettes. I learned to despise drug dealers and if I had my way I’d execute every drug dealer after what I’ve seen.It doesn’t matter how decent you are to a dealer they’ll always spit you out.
Hugs to all of you who have quit smoking. I was on a Transatlantic cruise with my daughter 2 years ago when my brother was hospitalized suddenly from COPD and heart complications. He would not let my husband inform me he was in ICU so as to not spoil our trip. He died the day I was to fly home. My husband, who never wanted to cruise to Europe, has now taken me 3 times. After 30 years cruising on Princess I am always as excited as the first time! You can escape completely or really find yourself on a cruise. May we all keep cruising as long as we can.
Congratulations, Fellow EX-Smoker!!! I am so proud of you! Quitting smoking was the easiest thing I have ever done in my life…why, I quit at least 200 times (smile)! Finally, in about 1978, I really did it! It was not a picnic for me or for my family….but I stuck it out and can now say that I really and truly am an ex-smoker for 34 years, after having been a 2 pack a day smoker for about 22 years. It takes 5 years for your lungs to go back to being pink…and you have arrived! Stay strong, and stay in the pink!
I don’t know what planet you are all living on but, it must be a galaxy away from where I am. Does anyone have any advise on how to make it easier?
The Quitting Queen for over 10 years of trying.
I quit over 25 years ago, and I was a 2 pack/day smoker. I used cinnamon sticks as a surrogate cigarrette for less than a month (I had read that helps the oral/hand fixation/habit). Also, making it a matter of “word of honor” to my family: I gave my quitting cigarrettes as a Christmas gift to my family. There had been many false “quittings” before that. Both the cinnamon sticks and the “promise that could not be broken” helped me through a few hard times. Good luck! I know it is hard to do, but you can do it.
While I am happy for all of those people who made the above comments,
I must say I am resentful of the fact that my husband and I reserve the
mini-suite w/balcony so we can sit out in the afternoons and he can smoke
his cigar and I my cigarette.
We are signed up for the two-week Hawaiian cruise in January but don’t
think we will cruise again. As much as we both enjoy our trips and have even
taken our family, it seems to be just one more example of someone
else trying to control my life. I’m a little too old to have someone else telling
me what I can and cannot do.
Incidentally, we NEVER smoke inside. Only on our balcony.
Are you very confused, as this story is about celebrating her quitting, not your addiction! Not a single person addressed you Martha nor complained about balcony smoking. Just who do you think is trying to control you? Your resentful comment is odd as well, why would anyone resent a mini- balcony?
Sandra Steve. what about your neighbors who have balconys our 2009 world cruise was spoilt by selfish smokers who smoked in both cabins balconys either side of us, even at 5am in the mornings while coming into San Fransico and under the Golden Gate bridge as well as many other beautiful spots. One day we had an inch of ash on our towel which was on the balcony chair.
You are right on. I smoked for 40 yrs, quit 11 yrs ago & have compassion for smokers. I was going to take a Holy Land cruise but when Princess changed to non-smoking on balconies & decided to go Royal Caribbean who still allow smoking on balconies. I travel with smokers & non-smokers but will not cruise again with Princess even with non-smoker friends. Princess likes to market to Veterans, I am one, but forget about the fact they fought for freedoms but Princess says “too bad” we don’t want you. To the people who complain that the people about people smoking on both sides of them go inside until the finish. Martha-I suggest you do as I did cruise with RC.
Talk about control… You have none! The controller is the addiction. Quit smoking and get a life!
Congratulations, inspiring!
The best way to quit smoking is by slolwy reducing the amount of cigs you smoke, until you get to zero. It could take you a year or more to do accomplish that. Check out this site for more info.
I also quit smoking aboard a cruise. I had the patch to help but I still found the distractions and non-smoking areas helped a lot, too. It’s been two years and I totally credit the cruise for being the major player in my success.
I want to quit smoking, its rllaey a nasty habit. I can’t grasp the hypnosis idea fully because I can’t see where it would affect the physical addiction any, so if anyone out there used this method, I would love to hear about your experience and if it worked on you.
My parents both smoked for over 30 years, including many, many failed attempts at quitting. Congratulations on quitting, and I found your story to be very inspirational. Thank you for sharing!
I agree a cruise is a good starting point to stop smoking. Think of a cruise as part of your reward for not smoking, especially with the money you will be saving from kicking the habit. All the cruise activities and the ability to eat at any time, all day long, helps keep the cravings down, especially with a little positive attitude. Being real though, I would not expect to see any miraculous results on just a one or two week cruise, but it’s a good start.
I am going on the Alaska cruise this August. If I haven’t quit smoking by then I am going to follow in your footsteps and quit during the cruise. We have many shore excursions planned so that should help. Thanks for the boost.
Robin…thank you so much for your inspiration! I have tried quitting numerous times and to no avail. I just lost a good friend to lung cancer and it was close to the same time I read your story. The combination of both made me reach the decision to quit smoking on my upcoming cruise to Alaska in just 2 weeks. I am going with 6 non-smokers and have a lot of port excursions and activities planned to keep me busy – I am hopeful the break from routine will be a big help for me. I already am cutting down, only smoking outside now, etc. in preparation for this upcoming cruise. Alaska has been my life long dream trip and it seems I am equally, if not more, excited about going to Alaska – finally – AND becoming a non-smoker! Thank you for the inspiration and please keep me in your prayers so I can be successful this time.
Hi Robin…Congratulations on kicking the habit! Great that you did it
on a cruise to Alaska! I quit 11 years ago thanks to my love for my
wife and a good deal of faith… We’re cruising on the Golden Princess
to Hawaii for our 30th Anniversary….Smoke free….
Keep on sailing!!!!!
stopped smoking on a cruise pacific sun it was easy buy no smokes before getting on the boat and stay on the non smoker side worked for me
I have been smoking for 39 years. I have quit tpomerarily over the years but have always ended up smoking again. I really want to quit but I don’t think that I can do it cold turkey. Has anyone out there used hypnosis with any success?
I am an 82 year young disabled vet. I didn’t know that Princess liked vets as nobody told me that. I booked from LA to Florida last year, and between the time I booked and the time we
sailed, they said you couldn’t smoke on the balcony. This ruined my trip as I looked forward
to sitting outside reading, and don’t care about all the other activities. I either had got go up a
lot of stairs to the top deck to smoke, or go sit on a plank in the corner of the casino. My legs are not so good any more, so I didn’t go ashore either. I found the crew on my deck to be rather hostile if I asked for anything. Old sailors run on coffee and smokes, and I will never
use Princess again. I also paid dearly for my cabin as I had to get a single suppliment, and
that added insult to injury. With 44,000 horsepower diesels belching smoke, I don’t see why
I couldn’t smoke on my balcony. Next trip will be Hurtigruten from Bergen to Russia….