HAL the last line allowing balcony smoking

[LMaxwell]

FYI The Hosts just closed a contentious smoking thread two days ago..

 

This is our third notification in the past two weeks.. This may very well become contentious as well... Please help us keep this board civil & do a search before you start a new thread..

 

Thanks

 

The purpose of my post was to relay information from a personal trusted source within the company. I have not made an opinion one way or the other, nor solicited any. I even stated FYI (For Your Information) in the first post.

 

What would doing a search have done? I am not unaware of the current policy. I am not questioning it.

 

The information I received last week was they were looking to implement by mid 2015. Even they do so even sooner in light of Norwegian's announcement I still consider the information I have to be good and correct.

 

It was never my intention to have a hotly debated, contentious thread. Relaying information without opinion is as civil as something could be. Should I not share information because it may upset people? That seems to defeat the purpose of the forum.

[DeeniEncinitas]

The purpose of my post was to relay information from a personal trusted source within the company. I have not made an opinion one way or the other, nor solicited any. I even stated FYI (For Your Information) in the first post.

 

What would doing a search have done? I am not unaware of the current policy. I am not questioning it.

 

The information I received last week was they were looking to implement by mid 2015. Even they do so even sooner in light of Norwegian's announcement I still consider the information I have to be good and correct.

 

It was never my intention to have a hotly debated, contentious thread. Relaying information without opinion is as civil as something could be. Should I not share information because it may upset people? That seems to defeat the purpose of the forum.

 

I never took what you said as a contentious or hotly debate. I was glad to hear the possibilities! I guess some people take and read things differently! Thankyou for your info, it gives hope to me.

[sail7seas]

LMaxwell,

I appreciate your information. I want to hear of such actions by other cruise lines and seeing I never go to NCL forum, I would not have known.

Thank you.

[magandab]

I understood the purpose and appreciated the tone of OP's original post. I am happy to read this, as I think HAL will not be far behind. I suppose 2-1/2 weeks from now is a bit too soon to expect? :p

[cruisemom42]

If HAL is indeed contemplating such a move, I sincerely hope they will give sufficient notice to those already booked (and considering booking) who are smokers. Some folks have already booked cruises a long way off (and also purchased air) on an understanding of their current policy.

 

I realize this is the way the wind is blowing (no pun intended), but it's sad as it will mean an end to my parents' cruising days unless HAL also makes some sort of significant indoor accommodation for smokers. And I worry what effect this "ending" will have on their outlook on life, since cruising has been one of their chief joys...

[eandj]

. While sparks fly from time to time, most of these threads tend to be more informational than combative.

.

 

A great, seemingly uinintended, play on words and the reason for the no balcony smoking!

Edited July 15, 2014 by eandj

[taxmantoo]

My "source" at HAL told me they are waiting for the 3,000th smoking thread before they make the announcement. ;)

 

If it is going to help speed things up, I will gladly start another one ;)

[summersigh]

My guess on why this thread on balcony smoking seems so harmoniously anti-smoking is ...................

(I'm not a smoker but have never been bothered by smokers from my balcony on any ship while they did/do allow balcony smoking.)

What I do see is that those that do smoke are not bothering to post with differing opinions -mentioning that they are in compliance with the cruise line's policies - because that's when the name calling and derision begins in earnest. One would think they were aboard purposely spreading noro virus based on the venom in some of the replies.

 

Not debating here ... just giving my observation and inference.:rolleyes:

[Lizzie68]

LMaxwell,

I appreciate your information. I want to hear of such actions by other cruise lines and seeing I never go to NCL forum, I would not have known.

Thank you.

 

I appreciate it too. It was informational. If censorship is needed I'm sure the mods will step in without our help.:D

[Lizzie68]

If HAL is indeed contemplating such a move, I sincerely hope they will give sufficient notice to those already booked (and considering booking) who are smokers. Some folks have already booked cruises a long way off (and also purchased air) on an understanding of their current policy.

 

I realize this is the way the wind is blowing (no pun intended), but it's sad as it will mean an end to my parents' cruising days unless HAL also makes some sort of significant indoor accommodation for smokers. And I worry what effect this "ending" will have on their outlook on life, since cruising has been one of their chief joys...

 

After the debacle of the new wine policy which they were going to impose immediately, and the subsequent uproar and HAL backing down to a later date and a modifed policy - I am sure they learned from that and will give sufficient lead time in their announcement. If it comes.

[sppunk]

FYI The Hosts just closed a contentious smoking thread two days ago..

 

This is our third notification in the past two weeks.. This may very well become contentious as well... Please help us keep this board civil & do a search before you start a new thread..

 

Thanks

This thread is not contentious - it relays expected breaking news regarding a subject that specifically impacts Holland America.

 

Thank you for starting this thread, OP.

[eandj]

- I am sure they learned from that and will give sufficient lead time in their announcement. If it comes.

 

 

LOTS of people book the HAL balconies waaay in advance because of the smaller number on most ships. So even if they gave a year's notice, there'd be cruisers that might rethink the booking.

Celebrity ended up with LOTS of cancellations because of their change a couple years back. But no one was charged any kind of cancellation fee from X. Not sure of some of the TA's charged their cancellation fee. (And lots of those smokers switched to HAL per my TA.)

 

Some HAL cruisers will be upset.No getting around it. But considering their cruieline choices allowing smokers on the balcony is dwindling, it's time to take a few steps and head to the smoking areas I guess.

[POA1]

Wow, time to water my plants again already?

Just so you know, there is a high probability that someone will call. You rude. Not me, though. I'll call you opportunistic joke re-appropriator. But I do so with kindness, fondness & respect.

[LindaM]

I read through the NCL posts. They appear to be discussing this in a very calm, civil manner!! Very refreshing! What I DID notice is that they aren't threatening to "jump ship" in mass numbers. It appears the smokers are accepting this. Smokers like to cruise, too. Glad the cruiselines finally figured this out. They may lose a few to all inclusives, but those who like cruising will adapt. I imagine there will be a run on cabins located near the acceptable smoking area--the casino.

[Cruzin Terri]

Just so you know, there is a high probability that someone will call. You rude. Not me, though. I'll call you opportunistic joke re-appropriator. But I do so with kindness, fondness & respect.

I know POA!. You will never be rude, you only spread humor and cheer. BTW. No full moon tonight.

Terri

[Fouremco]

LOTS of people book the HAL balconies waaay in advance because of the smaller number on most ships. So even if they gave a year's notice, there'd be cruisers that might rethink the booking.

Celebrity ended up with LOTS of cancellations because of their change a couple years back. But no one was charged any kind of cancellation fee from X. Not sure of some of the TA's charged their cancellation fee. (And lots of those smokers switched to HAL per my TA.)

If memory serves me correctly, X had no trouble filling the vacancies resulting from these cancellations as non-smokers jumped on the opportunity to enjoy Celebrity's smoke-free balconies. That included many from HAL.

[serendipity1499]

The purpose of my post was to relay information from a personal trusted source within the company. I have not made an opinion one way or the other, nor solicited any. I even stated FYI (For Your Information) in the first post.

 

What would doing a search have done? I am not unaware of the current policy. I am not questioning it.

 

The information I received last week was they were looking to implement by mid 2015. Even they do so even sooner in light of Norwegian's announcement I still consider the information I have to be good and correct.

 

It was never my intention to have a hotly debated, contentious thread. Relaying information without opinion is as civil as something could be. Should I not share information because it may upset people? That seems to defeat the purpose of the forum.

 

OK I give up & stand corrected! I just don't see the reason for another smoking thread & should take my own advice & skip them..

 

Sorry folks..

[PathfinderEss]

OK I give up & stand corrected! I just don't see the reason for another smoking thread & should take my own advice & skip them..

 

Sorry folks..

 

Now here is something we can agree on!

[LindaM]

Now here is something we can agree on!

 

To me, this is not the "usual" smoking thread, debating whose rights are more important. This is newsworthy. HAL is about the make a huge change and I think it is very important for us to know. If not important, it is fun to have something to look forward to.

 

These HAL boards would be pretty boring without some of this drama. As long as people don't get ugly, who is it hurting?

[3rdGenCunarder]

If HAL is indeed contemplating such a move, I sincerely hope they will give sufficient notice to those already booked (and considering booking) who are smokers. Some folks have already booked cruises a long way off (and also purchased air) on an understanding of their current policy.

 

I realize this is the way the wind is blowing (no pun intended), but it's sad as it will mean an end to my parents' cruising days unless HAL also makes some sort of significant indoor accommodation for smokers. And I worry what effect this "ending" will have on their outlook on life, since cruising has been one of their chief joys...

 

(bold is mine)

I think Cunard made the announcement about ending balcony smoking almost a year in advance. They gave a long lead time when they ended smoking in cabins, too. Maybe not long enough for everyone, but long enough for a lot of people to make an informed decision. It will be interesting to see NCL's "as of" date. And HAL's, if they do announce a ban.

[scm1848]

We have an upcoming Med cruise booked on HAL in August in a Neptune Suite, which hopefully will remain "safe" for smokers. We did have a short little Caribbean cruise booked on Carnival for Nov. 1. When their smoking policy changed and we were outside of final payment, we switched to a Dec. 1 NCL cruise. Looks like we'll be cancelling that soon. We were going to book a 14 day New Zealand cruise and a 10 day South Pacific cruise next fall with HAL. If they change before then, we will probably be done cruising. "Some outside" area is not good enough. I don't want to get up in the morning and get dressed and go up a deck or 2 in order to have a cigarette with my coffee. Nor do I wish to be seen in my p.j.'s late in the evening enjoying a cig with my nightcap.

 

Everyone talks about revenue as the bottom line. Reportedly, some 18-20% of American cruisers smoke, and slightly more from other nationalities.

 

Here's my question: How many people do not cruise or book balconies because smoking is permitted on balconies vs. those of us smokers who will not cruise at all if it is banned? With all the non-smoking options available through many other main stream cruise lines, I think it might be a wise financial move for HAL to stay the only cruise line allowing smoking. Many of us smokers, despite the general demographics, are well-educated and financially comfortable and will spend our money on suites and wine and wine and . . .

[Aquahound]

FYI - It is being widely reported on the Norwegian board that a smoking ban policy will be rolled out this week. Customer service already confirming by phone.

 

This leaves HAL as the last of mainstream cruise lines with balcony smoking. I have a source who claims a similar policy will be in place by mid 2015.

 

This is just for informational purposes.

 

Thanks for this report. I was unaware of the NCL news also. To be honest, I'm a little surprised. I always thought NCL and CCL would be the last 2 hold outs. I'm baffled why HAL, an arguably nicer cruise line who, I guess, competes with Celebrity and maybe Princess, would be one of the last hold outs. JMHO.

[Lizzie68]

SCM1848 -I do understand how you feel and it must be like being under attack and constantly retreating further. But with your question about the revenue, I can honestly say that in my town the pub owners were in uproar when smoking in pubs was first banned, (or suggested) and said they would all be closing down. Now, you are hard pressed to find a seat and they are making money hand over fist. Things change, the smokers still go there. They just have to go without their cigarette for awhile, or go to the designated outside area to smoke. I'm not equating it, I'm just saying the revenue picture actually improved.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Lizzie68

[waASPCrusier]

There have been 37 new threads so far this year on the Celebrity board in which smoking is discussed, the latest started last week, and in most cases smoking is the subject of the thread, not just mentioned in passing. While sparks fly from time to time, most of these threads tend to be more informational than combative. For example, there's a designated smoking area on the port side, deck 5 on some of the ships, and many of the threads address the issue of the impact on those with balconies over that area.

 

 

 

Bolding is mine....

 

This is what imagine as well....there seem to be people/non-smokers in three camps, so to speak. Those of us who don't seem to be bothered by the current policy(myself included), those that want the balcony smoking stopped, and those that want the entire ship smoke free. The problem I see is that the first and last group are pretty clear. The middle group is going to be more interesting if balcony smoking is banned. There will be jubilation until a smoking area starts effecting somebody from this group, then the next round of we only need to restrict it from this space and then we will be good. In the end maybe they will have a little platform up by the smoke stacks so that it mingles with the exhaust of the bunker fuel. :rolleyes: Come to think of it that might even work for the totally no smoking on a ship crowd....but probably not.

 

 

I suspect that smoking threads will only disappear after smoking is totally banned from cruise lines.

[tip]

.... This is newsworthy. HAL is about the make a huge change and I think it is very important for us to know. If not important, it is fun to have something to look forward to.

 

I have been waiting for the day when HAL recognizes that it is now the 21st Century. We have sailed HAL six times and will not sail with them again until they get with the program.

 

I check these boards every now and then in hopes of just this type of news!