Questions about smoking on HAL

[luxury-lizard]

My husband and I are considering our first ever cruise on HAL (Australia - New Caledonia etc and/or South America). I've searched this forum but cannot find the exact information I am seeking regarding smoking.

 

1. Are there non-smoking cabins - if not, this is pretty much a show-stopper for us.

 

2. I understand there is smoking allowed in the Casino - but what about other public areas / dining areas. Again - we have significant concerns regarding second hand smoke and smoking general ordours in any public area..

 

I never even thought that this would be an issue (assumed ship would be non-smoking throughout) until I started reading some reviews where people complained about smoking smells.

 

Thanks.

[kakalina]

There are not any no smoking cabins on HAL. All cabins are sanitized and deodorized and if a smoker was in previously they are set up with an ozone machine that eliminates odors.

 

Besides the casino and cabins the only other inside place to smoke is a small section of the Crows Nest.

[Mitwif]

People can also smoke on their private balconies and in the Northern Lights disco.

[furluvcats]

I believe you can smoke on one side of the ship on open decks as well...I am not sure if there are any strictly non smoking ships anymore?

[luvs2travl]

There are no "non-smoking" cabins on HAL or Princess or NCL or Carnival or RCCL So - I guess you are left with Celebrity as they do prohibit smoking in cabins or on balconies.

[IRL_Joanie]

Here is the link to HAL's Smoking Policy. Sorry you will not even give HAL a chance.... http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Onboard+Policies&contentSubMenu=Smoking

 

Joanie

[littlesnit]

Hi,

A friend of mine who is booked for the first time with HAL was also wondering about this, so I thought I'd do some research for her. She doesn't smoke but her travel companion does. This is what I found on HAL:

 

Smoking

 

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

• Casino
  
• Northern Lights Disco (ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)
  
• Outside Decks
  
• Seaview Bar (except ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam & ms Veendam)
  
• Sports Bar
  
• Crow's Nest (except ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam)
  

 

 

Our ships do not have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests. All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances.

Cigar and pipesmoking is permitted on the outside decks only.

[pammypoo]

Even with a thorough cleaning and use of the ozone machines, the smell of smoke can get into the soft surfaces. We have been on several cruises on which our room still smelled of stale smoke. The stewards will replace all drapes, bedding and pillows but that doesn't alter smell of the mattress or sofa. So, if it is truly that big of a deal for you, I would only do nonsmoking cruises. HAL tries really hard, but those of us with sensitive noses will still smell the residue. (I've also smelled perfume and pot on the soft surfaces so you can't just beat up the smokers.)

[DizzyDallasDi]

(I've also smelled perfume and pot on the soft surfaces so you can't just beat up the smokers.)

 

And what do you suppose the previous passengers were doing with the pot and perfume that permeated the soft surfaces? Sounds like a party was taking place. Since your sensory abilities are that acute, did you also detect the smell of cheetos and/or ice cream? :D

[luxury-lizard]

Many thanks for all the quick responses - very helpful. I should have done more research on the HAL website as their policy is clearly stated.

 

For those wondering - my post was not "bogus" in any way; some people really are new to cruising on larger ships (as we are). This all came about with an information evening on South America onboard the Volendam last week while it was docked in Sydney. We attended as we are planning a trip to SA (with a cruise as part of the overall itinerary) in 2011 - we came away with a feeling that HAL was a real option and thought we might first try one of their ex-Sydney cruises to get the feel of the whole thing.

 

So I just jumped in and started reading reviews where I encountered, to my surprise, comments about stale smoke odours in cabins. So I started searching this thread ... etc. And here we are. I was also unaware that it seems to be the exception rather than the rule that larger cruise ships do not ban smoking.

 

It is a surprise considering that most if not all hotels have non-smoking rooms and some chains have banned smoking altogether. So we'll still consider HAL - perhaps with a trial cruise ex-Sydney but it remains a concern.

[williamson_ja]

I actually did not know this either. I have only cruised with Disney and smoking in their cabins is prohibited. I thought that was an industry-wide thing. This concerns me as well and I already have a cruise booked with HAL.

[CtheW0rld]

I actually did not know this either. I have only cruised with Disney and smoking in their cabins is prohibited. I thought that was an industry-wide thing. This concerns me as well and I already have a cruise booked with HAL.

 

is it too late for you to cancel?

[Hlitner]

Many thanks for all the quick responses - very helpful. I should have done more research on the HAL website as their policy is clearly stated.

 

For those wondering - my post was not "bogus" in any way; some people really are new to cruising on larger ships (as we are). This all came about with an information evening on South America onboard the Volendam last week while it was docked in Sydney. We attended as we are planning a trip to SA (with a cruise as part of the overall itinerary) in 2011 - we came away with a feeling that HAL was a real option and thought we might first try one of their ex-Sydney cruises to get the feel of the whole thing.

 

So I just jumped in and started reading reviews where I encountered, to my surprise, comments about stale smoke odours in cabins. So I started searching this thread ... etc. And here we are. I was also unaware that it seems to be the exception rather than the rule that larger cruise ships do not ban smoking.

 

It is a surprise considering that most if not all hotels have non-smoking rooms and some chains have banned smoking altogether. So we'll still consider HAL - perhaps with a trial cruise ex-Sydney but it remains a concern.

 

I will give your post the respect it deserves (although we do not understand how anyone can enjoy Vegemite) and try to relieve some of your concern. We are also folks that do our best to avoid smoke and, most of the time, we are fine on HA ships. We have been on many cruises (about 2 years on cruise ships) and have very seldom had a cabin with that awful stale smoke smell (they do a good job of deodorizing the cabins). Our major smoke problem occurs on our balcony if there is a smoker up-wind. We have also had a few instances where we had to change our deck chair location to avoid a nearby smoker. There is a major benefit to HAs policy of allowing smoking in the casino which is that we never go into the casino (other then to quickly walk through) and have saved a lot of gambling money :) We now avoid booking Celebrity because they have a no-smoking policy in their casinos which makes their cruises too darn expensive!

 

Hank

[Randyk47]

It's actually HAL's smoking policy that keeps us cruising with them. They go the way of Celebrity and we'll find a new line or quit cruising.

[m steve]

we're with you. Let the smoke haters sail X and leave the normal people alone. I don't tell anyone how to live their life and I don't want anyone telling us how either.

[Randyk47]

Steve - Here's back at you. :) I have to say we go out of our way to make sure we abide by the HAL guidelines. I don't know that we've ever smoked in an area not designated for smoking unless it was by accident. We even go as far as to see if our neighbors are out on their verandas before we light up on the rare occasion we smoke on our veranda. Yeah, I know there are those who don't think there's such a thing as a considerate smoker and certainly there are smokers who even bother me when they smoke when and where they shouldn't. On the other hand it sometimes bugs the heck out of me when a non-smoker comes into an area clearly designated as a smoking area and then complains, sometimes directly to my face. I'll admit that sometimes even the psychologist in me takes a vacation and I'm sometimes not so kind in my response on those occasions. Again, I certainly understand smoking really bothers some folks for various reasons. Got that. Understand I ought to quit. Got that. I honestly think we personally go out of our way to accommodate non-smokers to the point of actually not smoking or putting cigarettes out even in a smoking area under certain conditions.

[navybankerteacher]

As a former smoker, I am very sensitive to "left over" smoke -- I must say that I have never smelled smoke in any HAL cabin, so I have to assume that their de-odorizing processes are effective. Probably because HAL attracts a lot of seniors who are hopelessly addicted to tobacco, there seems to be more smokers on HAL than on other lines. Still, I have found that these "dinosaurs" (which term includes me) also seem to be more comfortable with other old ways -- meaning that there seems to be a more courteous atmosphere than on lines which attract a more "modern" crowd.

 

Everything involves some trade-off.

[sail7seas]

There is no courtesy when someone has smokers on both sides of them who smoke one cigarette after another on their verandas making it impossible for us to use our veranda. Trade Off? There was no trade off. It was simple. They pollute the air, make conditions impossible for us and we lose use of our dearly paid for veranda. The cabin forward of us didn't seem to ever leave that veranda the full week.

 

That happened to us twice now and it stinks!

 

[Gunther1]

I've discovered a wonderful way to de-smokatize a room:

 

(1) Wear your HAL bathrobe to the hot tub or pool. Be sure to circle all hot tubs and the pool...slowly....at least three times before entering the water (while still wearing the robe). If possible, also wear it while dining at the lido buffet and/or MDR.

 

(2) After exiting the hot tub or pool, remove the robe and wring it out as to not drip while going back to your room.

 

(3) Hang the now wet robe on the HAL hanger.

 

The wet robe (which smells of chlorine now) will overpower the smoke smell and voila problem solved.

[Bakincakes]

Have any of you attempted to speak to your verandah neighbors?

 

We have..and it worked fine for all.

 

They may not be aware that smoke is bothering you...

 

We don't smoke..granted we aren't allergic to it and don't have asthma...but I'm still confused as to how such highly allergic people are able to survive with other irritants present?

 

Cleaning products..perfumes..after shaves..air fresheners...smog...exhaust fumes..etc all things you might come in contact with on shore..at home..etc.

 

We do realize that smoking makes people uncomfortable and may make them ill..but it seems as if I hear more about cruiseships and this issue..meanwhile people seem to be able to survive on land..and live their lives admist a host of other irritants.

[sail7seas]

We do realize that smoking makes people uncomfortable and may make them ill..but it seems as if I hear more about cruiseships and this issue..meanwhile people seem to be able to survive on land..and live their lives admist a host of other irritants.

 

 

You have hit on most of the answer as to why smoke bothers us more on ships than anywhere else.

 

We live in a state where there is no smoking permitted in any work place. Almost any place you go is a workplace for someone. Many parks and beaches also ban smoking. We are almost never exposed to smoke at home in our everyday lives so when we get to the ships, it really disturbs us.

 

As more states adopt these rules (and each year there are more), then more non-smokers will notice how bothersome the smoking is on the ships. That is the only place we encounter it.

 

 

 

[CtheW0rld]

You have hit on most of the answer as to why smoke bothers us more on ships than anywhere else.

 

We live in a state where there is no smoking permitted in any work place. Almost any place you go is a workplace for someone. Many parks and beaches also ban smoking. We are almost never exposed to smoke at home in our everyday lives so when we get to the ships, it really disturbs us.

 

As more states adopt these rules (and each year there are more), then more non-smokers will notice how bothersome the smoking is on the ships. That is the only place we encounter it.

 

 

and yet you say you still cruise HAL. they very definition of insanity is repeating the same action while expecting a different result.

[sail7seas]

Okay so now I'm insane. :eek:

 

What I am doing is trying my hardest to have the Smoking permitted rules changed.

 

They have changed smoking rules through the years and there is every reason to think they may repeat the same behavior. Smoking used to be permitted in all lounges (designated sections) but now almost all lounges are smoke free. Smoking used to be permitted in designated sections of Lido and Main Dining Room. That is no longer the case. Smoking used to be permitted in designated section of Lido Pool under the retractable roof but not even the bar area permits smoking now.

 

Public pressure by the majority (non-smokers) brought about change in the past so it is not insane to think it can/will do so again.

 

[CtheW0rld]

What I am doing is trying my hardest to have the Smoking permitted rules changed.

 

nagging only works for so long. immunity to it sets in, eventually. i've just put you on my ignore list, so i don't have to read it anymore. it's not like you post anything new.

[Bakincakes]

Okay so now I'm insane. :eek:

 

What I am doing is trying my hardest to have the Smoking permitted rules changed.

 

They have changed smoking rules through the years and there is every reason to think they may repeat the same behavior. Smoking used to be permitted in all lounges (designated sections) but now almost all lounges are smoke free. Smoking used to be permitted in designated sections of Lido and Main Dining Room. That is no longer the case. Smoking used to be permitted in designated section of Lido Pool under the retractable roof but not even the bar area permits smoking now.

 

Public pressure by the majority (non-smokers) brought about change in the past so it is not insane to think it can/will do so again.

 

 

I think the issue is that smoking is legal and lines will have to accomodate them as well as non-smokers.

 

As you say the areas where smoking is allowed is shrinking. I do think that non-smokers won't be happy until smoking is totally banned. Is that fair to those who continue a legal activity?

 

Should non-smokers be prepared to avoid certain ship areas that allow smoking?

 

I do think it a great idea to designate certain cabins as smoking on ships. But I'm willing to bet that if a non-smoker wanted to snag a premium cabin in a smoking area they would do so. If that happened would they then complain about the "smoke" smell?

 

I do understand that ships probably hold in the smokey smell but I have seen non-smokers on deck near a bar b q inhaling smoke while waiting to get their lunch.:eek: Those same pax were heard complaining (loudly) about the smoke in the casino and yet there they are standing in billowing smoke from a bar b q waiting for food?

 

It just seems a bit disingenuous at times.