Smoking Policy !!!

Can someone tells me Holland America smoking policy For balcony cabins- we just got off a cruise on another line and we could not even open the door due to smoking on both side of us

Holland America allows smoking on balconies, but not in cabins. There are limited public rooms with smoking areas, and some limited deck space outdoors. The specifics can vary a bit based on class of ship.

Holland America needs to tighten up the smoking policy, I'm a non smoker. In March, we experienced lots of balcony smoke waffeling down several decks. Smoke from the casino was bleeding into the Explorations Cafe, very irritating. Some of the hallways were quite smokey. It may have been the mix of passengers on this sailing but I heard many complaints. .

Holland America needs to tighten up the smoking policy, I'm a non smoker. In March, we experienced lots of balcony smoke waffeling down several decks. Smoke from the casino was bleeding into the Explorations Cafe, very irritating. Some of the hallways were quite smokey. It may have been the mix of passengers on this sailing but I heard many complaints. .

Then maybe it is time to look for a different line to cruise on that has stricter policies. I for one switched to HAL because of their smoking policy

Originally Posted by sammiedawg Holland America needs to tighten up the smoking policy,

Then maybe it is time to look for a different line to cruise on that has stricter policies. I for one switched to HAL because of their smoking policy

Nice way to address a hot topic itzmered. Direct and to the point. :-)

Can someone tells me Holland America smoking policy For balcony cabins- we just got off a cruise on another line and we could not even open the door due to smoking on both side of us

Seems the last cruise lines and Holland have the same smoking policy, so guess you need to try another cruise lines that might have a different policy. I wish you luck...

Deleted, sorry.

Oh here we go, I have the popcorn, anybody with the butter?

Holland America needs to tighten up the smoking policy, I'm a non smoker.

Holland America needs to loosen up the smoking policy, I'm a smoker :rolleyes::D:D

Oh here we go, I have the popcorn, anybody with the butter?

I have plenty of butter:D

Oh here we go, I have the popcorn, anybody with the butter?

LOL - love the little popping corn:D:D

Full disclosure: I'm a smoker.

I have no problem with smoking bans in staterooms and most indoor public spaces. Although I think smoking in casinos is fine (I'm not much for picking and choosing vices).

As for outdoor spaces, I think it's excessive to ban smoking. First, unless there were 10 people on either side of you, the amount of smoke generated by one or two people smoking outdoors is minimal. This is especially true when the ship is moving. Sure you might get a whiff of smoke, but there are a lot of things you will get a whiff of when you are outdoors.

And while people are free to disagree, please do not bring up the health risks of second hand smoke. People have shifted into this belief whereby they think smelling one puff of mostly-dissipated smoke is going to cause them to instantly keel over. Yes, sustained exposure to second-hand smoke is unhealthy, but happening upon a puff or two is not.

Finally, while smokers have learned to do without during a dinner, a workday, and even a long flight, going without a cigarette for 3 days or more at sea would likely keep many smokers from cruising. When you consider that well over 20% of the population smoke, eliminating smoking (which is pretty much what OP is suggesting if we are not going to allow smoking to occur on a private balcony), would likely be a poor business decision.

No. No. No. No. A thousand times no. How many times does it need to be said?

Those of you who don't believe balcony smoke can and DOES affect the neighboring balconies are deluded. Smoke does NOT drift out to sea. Ever heard of a 'slip stream?'.....the smoke HUGS the side of the ship...those at the far end suffer the most for it. I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Sort of like when you blow smoke out a car window....usually it comes right back in, or in the back window if it's open....it doesn't just blow out, if the car is under power....it's the same principle if the ship is moving. The guy next door suffers the most. Yeah, yeah, the ship isn't moving as fast as a car but the dynamics are the same. Ask the person in the back seatof your car , or your passenger, if the smoke disappears (or not) when you 'think' you are blowing it out the window. Most of it comes right back in.

Imagine the smoke from the first balcony towards the bow.....that smoke just slips right down the side.....affecting many, but not all, for sure. Some non-smokers can handle more than others. That's why putting all the smokers on one side, IMO, seems like the best solution. Sadly, it appears to be an unattainable solution, not sure why. One or two smoking might be ok....but what if, between all those cabins, there are people smoking constantly? It easily could happen. There are hundreds of people in those cabins. That could mean constant smoke. Might not be like sitting next to an exhaust pipe...but pretty darned close.

For the record, I smoke. I know what I'm talking about. It's a slippery slope but please, it really CAN be a problem. It not always is, but it can be. Many smokers and non-smokers are courteous. But many are not.

Oh wait, almost forgot......I quit smoking months ago....but the truth is that it does just stick to the side of the ship, despite the wishes of many that it doesn't.

Jo-Bob - Many thanks to your honest response and being a smoker to boot!

I am a non-smoker who has had the experience you wrote about. I have it where I live and at work. I cannot open my doors or windows at both places because of the people smoking outside the windows. It comes straight into my place and it isn't just a puff or two like HOUSERULZ claims. It is rather overwhelming.

If I am paying to have fresh air from a balcony on a ship, I shouldn't be forced to not be able to use it because of smoke drifting onto mine and into my room. Be considerate and go to a smoking area and let me breathe in the fresh sea air I paid a lot of money for.

P.s. Jo-Bob - congrats on quitting - I know it is a tough thing but good for you!

Wow! As a smoker I get sooooo tired of hearing people constantly complaining about smokers. At home I'm an outside smoker. But I feel like as long as people aren't eating, all outside smoking should be fair game. A few cigarettes on the balcony aren't the end of the world & besides, I think there is a lot more to do on a cruise then standing on my balcony smoking all day. But if I get up in the middle of the night & want a cigarette, why should have to run all over the ship getting to a smoking area? One other thing, how come smokers have to hear about how we ruin everyone's vacation, but we never have to hear about DRUNKEN idiots, making spectacles of themselves in public & ruining our vacations?

.........But if I get up in the middle of the night & want a cigarette, why should have to run all over the ship getting to a smoking area? One other thing, how come smokers have to hear about how we ruin everyone's vacation, ............

If somebody has a problem with a person smoking in a smoking area, it is that person's problem, not yours. In this case, it is actually the other person who is trying to ruin your vacation. :(

They may not even realize that it is a smoking area, but if you politely inform them and they still persist in bothering you or insulting you, it is best to avoid confrontation and just report them to security.

Then maybe it is time to look for a different line to cruise on that has stricter policies. I for one switched to HAL because of their smoking policy

Seems the last cruise lines and Holland have the same smoking policy, so guess you need to try another cruise lines that might have a different policy. I wish you luck...

finding a business that offeres the product you want? what a unique idea. thanks for pointing that out - obviously some people have never thought of that.

the smoking policy is my 1st consideration now when i book any vacation, land or sea.

businesses are free to make their own policies, i just want them to be upfront about it. hotels are especially bad. it almost always takes several 'clicks' to see if smoking is allowed in the rooms. too bad the search engines do not have that as a checkbox to include or eliminate options right from the start.

To the OP

Yes -- HAL does allow smoking out on the balconies / verandahs.

We had a man on the verandah next to us who smoked cigars.

From HAL's site:

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

Our smoking policy reflects our commitment to the comfort of all of our guests. Presently, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

• Casino
  
• Northern Lights Disco (ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)
  
• Seaview Bar (except that smoking is not permitted in the Seaview Bar on the ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam or ms Statendam)
  
• Sports Bar
  
• Crow's Nest (except that smoking is not permitted in the Crow’s Nest on the ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam or ms Zuiderdam)
  

While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

I have plenty of butter:D

Hey save some for me!

oh here we go, i have the popcorn, anybody with the butter?

 

maybe it should be bluster!

Oh here we go, I have the popcorn, anybody with the butter?

 

pass the popcorn will you:D please:D:D

I understand that smoking on the balcony is allowed on Holland, but just recently I booked a Princess cruise, where balcony smoking is no longer allowed. It won't be long until ALL ships give in & you won't be able to smoke on the balcony, on any line. While I understand not smoking in staterooms, I feel like the balcony is OUTSIDE. I'm tired of smokers being treated like second class citizens. I get looked down on at home for being a smoker, I don't need to pay for the same treatment on vacation. We have very few places to smoke anymore, why do the non smokers feel the need to take the few places we have left away??

Wow! As a smoker I get sooooo tired of hearing people constantly complaining about smokers. At home I'm an outside smoker. But I feel like as long as people aren't eating, all outside smoking should be fair game. A few cigarettes on the balcony aren't the end of the world & besides, I think there is a lot more to do on a cruise then standing on my balcony smoking all day. But if I get up in the middle of the night & want a cigarette, why should have to run all over the ship getting to a smoking area? One other thing, how come smokers have to hear about how we ruin everyone's vacation, but we never have to hear about DRUNKEN idiots, making spectacles of themselves in public & ruining our vacations?

Have you really seen that many 'drunken idiots' on HAL ships making spectacles of themselves? In over 75 HAL cruises, I can honestly say I have only seen such a thing two times and security handled it smoothly and quickly.

Let's keep it real, please>

Have you really seen that many 'drunken idiots' on HAL ships making spectacles of themselves? In over 75 HAL cruises, I can honestly say I have only seen such a thing two times and security handled it smoothly and quickly.

 

Let's keep it real, please>

 

Somehow I don't think the anchor dropping incident was handled all that quickly!!!:eek: