Smoking policy?

[SeaWatch]

Does anyone know the smoking policy? Our last cruise on NCL was miserable because of chain smoking on the adjoining balcony.

[Willsot]

We were just on the Eurodam and had smokers on both sides of our verandah. Didn't really bother us because of the nice Caribbean breezes, but it does get annoying to have the butts blow under the divider on to our balcony. There appeared to be fewer public smoking areas than we experienced on previous cruises.

At the end of the cruise we completed a very thorough questionnaire about smoking (separate from the other cruise evaluation). Seems that more stringent rules are being considered.

[penetangjudy]

Well....we had people smoking all around us every time we went out on our verandah :( it was like they had radar.

We did just fill out (2 weeks ago) a questionaire re:would you still travel with HAL if there was no smoking in staterooms. Hopefully they are headed in that direction.

[pipedreams62]

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/gif/cartoon275.gif

[SeaWatch]

Thanks for the input - we are planning a 2010 Europe cruise and do not want to face the same thing...a line that does not allow on verandah or in cabin would eliminate that issue.

[Sleepladypalmdesert]

May want to check into Celebrity. This is a contentious topic and has been fought to the death on these boards. Always entertaining for sure...but gets pretty bloody at times.

[GeriatricNurse]

We were just on the Eurodam and had smokers on both sides of our verandah. Didn't really bother us because of the nice Caribbean breezes, but it does get annoying to have the butts blow under the divider on to our balcony. There appeared to be fewer public smoking areas than we experienced on previous cruises.

At the end of the cruise we completed a very thorough questionnaire about smoking (separate from the other cruise evaluation). Seems that more stringent rules are being considered.

Well....we had people smoking all around us every time we went out on our verandah :( it was like they had radar.

We did just fill out (2 weeks ago) a questionaire re:would you still travel with HAL if there was no smoking in staterooms. Hopefully they are headed in that direction.

That is precisely why I will NEVER choose a verandah with HAL so long as HAL, (unlike Celebrity & Oceania) permits smoking on them!)

[GeriatricNurse]

Well....we had people smoking all around us every time we went out on our verandah :( it was like they had radar.

We did just fill out (2 weeks ago) a questionaire re:would you still travel with HAL if there was no smoking in staterooms. Hopefully they are headed in that direction.


And soon!

[GeriatricNurse]

May want to check into Celebrity. This is a contentious topic and has been fought to the death on these boards. Always entertaining for sure...but gets pretty bloody at times.


And Oceania!

[sail7seas]

They've been doing that smoking survey for a year or more. By now they have all the data they need to finally ban smoking on verandas. IMO, they are using it as a delaying tactic. Make us think they're doing something about it but not acting.

It was a joy to have them finally ban all smoking in Ocean Bar so there has been some progress. It is now time to ban smoking on verandas.

How many more of those surveys do they need to read before they see the huge majority of us who will be happy for there to be fewer smoking permitted areas?

I agree there needs to be a few locations which allow smoking. I don't want all smoking banned totally I just would love for it to be banned on verandas.

[mountainmare]

We also just filled out the questionnaire. The smoke on the balcony was annoying, but the smoke in the hallway--all day everyday was horrid. Also when we first went into our room it reeked of smoke.
We did put down the deposit for a future cruise but I told the cruise consultant and wrote on both the questionnaire and comment card that we will cruise Celebrity, Azamera or another line until HAL's policy changes. If it does not change after 4 years I'll give up the $200.
No drama--no arguments--just taking advantage of choices. There is no need for debate--either accept that you may be next to smokers (more likely now since HAL is one of the few "premium" lines that allows smoking in cabins or balconies) or take your business elsewhere.

[pipedreams62]

http://www.whippedcardgame.com/images/youre_not_trying.jpg

[sail7seas]

Oh Great......


HAL can become known as the Smokers' cruise line. :rolleyes:

[Sleepladypalmdesert]

Making popcorn....ready to enjoy the show....

[CRUZBUDS]

Since Celebrity has abandoned the west coast we are trying the Zaandam in October. The smoking issue is a concern to us. The policy changes Celebrity adopted made our trips more enjoyable. There were several places on the Mercury we use to avoid because of the heavy smoke. On our last trip even the casino was smoke free. I never thought I'd ever see that. (the casino still seemed very busy)

[WouldBeCruiser]

Now I'm really concerned. We are going on our first ever cruise. Alaska, 7 days, with Holland America, all booked and paid for by our family as an anniversary gift.
I had no idea that smoking would be an issue. I guess in my naivete, I thought that it would be like a hotel and we could request a "non-smoking" room. Obviously that is not the case - now we can only hope that it doesn't cause us any problems, as my husband is an asthmatic and smoke really bothers him.

[COLLEYBERRY]

http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/gif/cartoon275.gif


:D:D:D perfect !

[sail7seas]

HAL actually does limit smoking throughout the ship but not as strictly as some other lines have recently enacted.

There is no smoking permitted in any dining venue, show lounge, passageways, Lido pool or the bar at Lido, Ocean Bar, Exploration Cafe and Ocean Bar. Some Crow's Nest are smoke free. Some ships have smoke free nights in the Casino.

They are limited smoking more all the time but IMO they should ban it on verandas. Most times we have not been disturbed by neighbors smoking but there have been exceptions and it has made us uncomfortable.

We wish they would be more bold in their policy and do what other lines have done.

I repeat I do not want the entire ship to be totally smoke free. There should be at least one indoor and one outdoor location where smokers can have their cigarettes, under cover and dry.

[pipedreams62]

Making popcorn....ready to enjoy the show....


The popcorn phrase has been replaced with

"Someone Get Me A Weiner Before I Die"


http://z.*************/u/863511_f520.jpg

[COLLEYBERRY]

Now I'm really concerned. We are going on our first ever cruise. Alaska, 7 days, with Holland America, all booked and paid for by our family as an anniversary gift.
I had no idea that smoking would be an issue. I guess in my naivete, I thought that it would be like a hotel and we could request a "non-smoking" room. Obviously that is not the case - now we can only hope that it doesn't cause us any problems, as my husband is an asthmatic and smoke really bothers him.


Some words of encouragement WouldbeCruiser,both our cabins on Hal have smelled lovely and fresh. We could not detect any smoke what so ever.
Last cruise not a whiff in our hallway or balcony. First cruise not so lucky we had a smoker next door and twice (only) we encountered smoke on the balcony.Not so bad.

I wish you luck ,have the best vacation. What a wonderful gift.Alaska no less, the air is gloriously fresh. H:)ppy Sailings.

[nitnyleo]

Pipedreams . . . thanks for the early comic relief . . . But don't burn yourself out quite yet, especially since you-know-who hasn't posted yet . . .

[nitnyleo]

Well....we had people smoking all around us every time we went out on our verandah :(

My suggestion would be to stop inviting people onto your verandah.

Were you the one who always reeked of lavender at dinner to the point where you couldn't even taste the lobster bisque and also had the TV blasting all night long?

[nitnyleo]

Oh Great......


HAL can become known as the Smokers' cruise line. :rolleyes:

I think Pulmantur has that distinction . . . I hope things don't get so bad that they are my only alternative.

[penetangjudy]

My suggestion would be to stop inviting people onto your verandah.

Were you the one who always reeked of lavender at dinner to the point where you couldn't even taste the lobster bisque and also had the TV blasting all night long?

Not sure if you are trying to be funny here or if you are a smoker who hates hearing his smoke is not loved by all who has to be subjected to it. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't have smelled of lavender since I don't wear perfume, I am aware that scents worn by one might not be loved by all so I tend to stay away from them, I am considerate of others feelings like that.

What is it with these boards, a polite question has to turn into this??

[lettienets]

Now I'm really concerned. We are going on our first ever cruise. Alaska, 7 days, with Holland America, all booked and paid for by our family as an anniversary gift.
I had no idea that smoking would be an issue. I guess in my naivete, I thought that it would be like a hotel and we could request a "non-smoking" room. Obviously that is not the case - now we can only hope that it doesn't cause us any problems, as my husband is an asthmatic and smoke really bothers him.
Try Carnival Splendor and the new Carnival Dream - spa rooms, inside and balcony, no smoking allowed. Fines if you do. All in the fine print.

[WouldBeCruiser]

Some words of encouragement WouldbeCruiser,both our cabins on Hal have smelled lovely and fresh. We could not detect any smoke what so ever.
Last cruise not a whiff in our hallway or balcony. First cruise not so lucky we had a smoker next door and twice (only) we encountered smoke on the balcony.Not so bad.

I wish you luck ,have the best vacation. What a wonderful gift.Alaska no less, the air is gloriously fresh. H:)ppy Sailings.


Thanks Colleyberry - you have reassured me somewhat. I will assume that it's not going to be an issue - and if it is, well we'll deal with it as best we can. And yes - it is a wonderful gift, we have three very generous daughters.

[Vic The Parrot]

Pipedreams . . . thanks for the early comic relief . . . But don't burn yourself out quite yet, especially since you-know-who hasn't posted yet . . .


I think I know "who" you're talking about ... :rolleyes: :D

[usha]

I'd also recommend Celebrity.
Their smoking policy is much friendlier to non-smokers.:)

[chrispb]

So, as a smoker, I can go ahead and book with HAL?:) I'd hate to find myself on a ship where I can't have a ciggie.

[GeriatricNurse]

Now I'm really concerned. We are going on our first ever cruise. Alaska, 7 days, with Holland America, all booked and paid for by our family as an anniversary gift.
I had no idea that smoking would be an issue. I guess in my naivete, I thought that it would be like a hotel and we could request a "non-smoking" room. Obviously that is not the case - now we can only hope that it doesn't cause us any problems, as my husband is an asthmatic and smoke really bothers him.


Then your husband may expect to have problems on your booked HAL cruise! Hope that he does not mind walking down the inside deck corridors with the strong obnoxious smell of smoke coming from the staterooms where people are smoking! Or walking by (or inside) the shops onboard, located near the casino from which smoke "drifts"! (I have often wondered why smoking in the staterooms does NOT activate the smoke detector(s))!

[eh2zed]

There really is no question now that the smoking survey that has been going on for over a year now is a delaying tactic. I suspect it will last some time longer until the recession abates. Has anyone heard or otherwise knows if or when the smoking policy is being reviewed.

[sail7seas]

It must have been reviewed recently as it is only the last 5 or so weeks that it went fleetwide......No smoking in any of the Ocean Bars. That is new. Until now, they all permitted smoking at the bar itself and a few tables near it.

Thanks HAL for making that change. :)

[stevexy]

I was worried about the smoking and the room smelling of smoke, but was on the Veendam last year and didnt see or smell any smoking at all. DIdnt see a single person smoking anywhere. So, I wouldnt worry. My theory is that Holland America tends to run an older age demographic and a lot of the smokers are already dead from cancer before they reach the typical HAL demographic cruising age...

[Vic The Parrot]

My theory is that Holland America tends to run an older age demographic and a lot of the smokers are already dead from cancer before they reach the typical HAL demographic cruising age...


So how do you explain the longevity of George Burns ?? :rolleyes:

[fatcat04]

Not sure if you are trying to be funny here or if you are a smoker who hates hearing his smoke is not loved by all who has to be subjected to it. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't have smelled of lavender since I don't wear perfume, I am aware that scents worn by one might not be loved by all so I tend to stay away from them, I am considerate of others feelings like that.

What is it with these boards, a polite question has to turn into this??

BUT BUT... you are the same person who is smuggling on booze and when people voice their displeasure with your blatant flaunting of the stated rules to which you agreed to when you booked the cruise, you tell them they have no right to criticize your activity since they are not perfect. Hmmm... at least smoking on your veranda is not against the rules and HAL's contract. :rolleyes:

[corkpopr]

i will continue to enjoy my cigars on the balcony with my martinis made with the booze we packed from home!

[JimVrhovac]

We like the new smoking plicy as it saves me ove $100.00 per night by not being able to have a drink in a smoking area with a band.

As you will note below we are changing our vacagtion regime to voice our opinions.

If you do not like smokers on the ship you are traveling on go to a non smoking ship or learn to deal with it.

Jim (without Ruth)

[Boytjie]

We like the new smoking plicy as it saves me ove $100.00 per night by not being able to have a drink in a smoking area with a band.

As you will note below we are changing our vacagtion regime to voice our opinions.

If you do not like smokers on the ship you are traveling on go to a non smoking ship or learn to deal with it.

Jim (without Ruth)

And I have gotten into trouble for telling people they may want to choose an informal ship if they don't want to dress up. :eek:

Net HAL may not be losing if you stop drinking at a bar because of non-smoking policies, you could have been replaced at the bar by non-smokers.

I definitely would spend more time in the casino if it wasn't so smoky but since I have walked away a winner over the last 3 cruises I guess HAL would rather keep me away. ;)

[SeaBlueSkies]

Not sure if you are trying to be funny here or if you are a smoker who hates hearing his smoke is not loved by all who has to be subjected to it. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't have smelled of lavender since I don't wear perfume, I am aware that scents worn by one might not be loved by all so I tend to stay away from them, I am considerate of others feelings like that.

What is it with these boards, a polite question has to turn into this??

Probably because the smoking issue has been beat to death. As long as there are Amerians and Europeans (who are very heavy smokers) there will probably always be wars between the 2 camps.

I think ALL cruiselines have come a long way with their smoking policies...I remember the days when there was smoking in the dining rooms and ALL OVER the ship.

What annoys me more than smoking on the verandahs is when people get back to their cabins after dinner and decide to party hearty on their verandahs all night long with all the loud music and howling when I'm trying to get some sleep.

We all have our pet peeves. Smoke will blow away, but loud obnoxious whining, intolerant people don't blow away...we're stuck with them throughout the whole cruise ;)

[SeaBlueSkies]

So, as a smoker, I can go ahead and book with HAL?:) I'd hate to find myself on a ship where I can't have a ciggie.

You can sail with HAL and have your ciggies. Just don't throw butts overboard, but I know that you, as a smoker, have manners and wouldn't do that.:)

[SeaBlueSkies]

i will continue to enjoy my cigars on the balcony with my martinis made with the booze we packed from home!

Go for it! Have fun...

[SeaBlueSkies]

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Then your husband may expect to have problems on your booked HAL cruise! Hope that he does not mind walking down the inside deck corridors with the strong obnoxious smell of smoke coming from the staterooms where people are smoking! Or walking by (or inside) the shops onboard, located near the casino from which smoke "drifts"! (I have often wondered why smoking in the staterooms does NOT activate the smoke detector(s))!

LOL, it probably doesn't activate the smoke detectors because it's not as smokey as some people think it is. A lot of people these days are exaggerating the annoyance because it's a control thing.

There are some people who have it in their heads that everything should be the way THEY want it to be without regard that other people do things that they have a right to do as well.

The worse ones are the "reformed" smokers...they're as bad as reformed drinkers in many cases.

What I have found out is that a lot of the people who complain are also the ones who say they don't care about what cabin they get because they say they never spend time in it anyway. LOL

[penetangjudy]

I actually wouldn't have thought smoking was allowed in the corridors of the Eurodam because I never once smelled it. The only place I really noticed it was on our verandah and in the casino. It really wasn't bad at all.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Sitting back with my cup of 100% Kona coffee, eating a fresh home baked macadamia nut cookie, and smiling. The show is just beginning. We're only on page 3.;)