This Thread Is To Be Used For All Discussions About HAL's On Board Smoking Policies

[Crew News]

Well i am one of those sinners that smoke guilty as charged !

But

I am very very considerate to people that do not as i would expect in return !

I love a good cigar after a great meal a true story this , we had a balcony and I follow Hal,s rules but I also consider before i light up .

I on the first day try very hard to meet the people in the rooms either side of ours I also let them know I smoke either cigi,s or that cigar . If the cigar might bother them i ask what a good time it would be for me also to enjoy My cigar on My Balcony say after they have retired or maybe if they were going to the casino ect ect . I have only once had anyone be slightly upset by my requests and I think his wife thought more that I was intruding on there privacy then trying to get along with My nasty addiction . That said smokes are free game to Me as it is the reason I book on Hal as they have rules for NON smokers, yes non smokers have far more choices in cruiselines then I do so if you do not like all that nasty smoke go on those lines please !

My money is as good as anyone else and Hal,s rules say I can do it , but all smokers and NON should give each other a little respect as to not ruin each others cruises over something like this .

I have the rules printed out and in my suitcase as long as I stick too my side of the deal peace will be present on My next cruise .

Have a great cruise everyone !

 

Welcome to the smoking thread. You will notice that it is just as lively as the Formal Night attire threads.

 

The HAL smoking area on the aft Lido deck is a good place to meet a lot of CC members. Ask a few fellow smokers if they are CC members and you will soon have a number of tables pushed together with friendly conversation ensuing. We have met doctors, lawyers, nurses, Indian chiefs, a shaman, fire chiefs, police chiefs, authors, and even Lenny Kravitz. You will also meet a number of ship's officers there and it will give you an opportunity to question them about anything.

 

Welcome to HAL.

[natski]

Hi Natski,

 

You sound like a pretty reasonable fellow, one that I could get along with on the adjoining balcony.

 

Here is the problem though with asking someone to pack it up and simply move on to another line that does not allow balcony smoking. Many of us are long time HAL faithfull who have amassed quite a few perquisites over the years cruising with them, so hard to make a move like that nonchalantly. For instance, on our next HAL cruise we reach the 300 day sailing mark with them.

 

Now in our case, we have never experienced a balcony problem with neighbors, smoking or otherwise. We began exclusively booking balconies since 2007. Knew that when we first got one we would be spoiled and we are. What has happened though is a very recent development. All other significant cruise lines have abolished balcony smoking, leaving HAL the only game in town. The big concern, as you might detect, from many posts on this thread, is what happens if smokers begin to saturate most of HAL's balconies?

 

Obviously, this circumstance isn't a given. It will take a period of time for repercussions to manifest. Smokers may not flock to HAL as feared, instead remain with their favorite cruise line even though they prohibit balcony smoking. On the other hand, as many have postulated here, HAL ships might become the "Ashtrays of the Seas".

 

No one knows for certain. Perhaps HAL may even join the others in their prohibition. Anyrate, we watch and wait, and pay attention to posts on this thread as pertinent trends germinate. In the meantime, HAL will be sailing without us.

 

Hi there Kennicott

Yes we are also Hal cruisers when you could pretty well smoke where ever you wanted up until the new rules on many lines either way we cruise on Hal ( well i lie we did cruise RCI when we still had the kids at home poof gone see ya lol )

Like you we love the Balcony , we were talked into it by a old travel agent friend way back and have never looked back , i am also a bit of a camera buff since retired ( not very good at it but enjoy it a lot )

I as a smoker even before rules were put on us was always considerate of the NON smoker , I have legs that work pretty good and can move to another location not as fast as I could but still ok .

Think what as a smoker now only gets under my skin a bit is the NON smokers nasty side , Maybe because i can be considerate I feel I do not once pushed into a corner feel i have to put up with that part of the convo, as i said I have printed the rules and they will be in the suit case if someone has issue . i also mentioned that I have never but once had anyone be upset once I ask and or let them know I do smoke .

Cigar smoke as much as i enjoy a cigar only after a excellent meal now not a daily function , can be nasty and it is the reason I try to have a meet and great with people on either side and if I can have my cigar when there not out enjoying the Sea or port .

But I like anyone do not like very much being pushed into a corner by anyone that will not work well after I have made the effort to communicate .

On the note of go to another line well if hal is the only one to offer smoking guess you will get the smokers on the ship , i would bet they do it for a couple of reasons , older passengers and to grab the smokers from other lines that have harsher rules on smoking Marketing is what it is .

One other small note We have become good frinds with Many NON-smokers over the years on cruise ships and are in contact with them , consideration on both sides can work well I figure .

Tc enjoy your next cruise all the best

Nat

[natski]

Welcome to the smoking thread. You will notice that it is just as lively as the Formal Night attire threads.

 

The HAL smoking area on the aft Lido deck is a good place to meet a lot of CC members. Ask a few fellow smokers if they are CC members and you will soon have a number of tables pushed together with friendly conversation ensuing. We have met doctors, lawyers, nurses, Indian chiefs, a shaman, fire chiefs, police chiefs, authors, and even Lenny Kravitz. You will also meet a number of ship's officers there and it will give you an opportunity to question them about anything.

 

Welcome to HAL.

 

Thanks Crew News appreciated again lol good info , from your pics I think Westerdam is the sister ship too Noordam they sure look the same . I know that smoking area on the Noordam and pool area had some excellent times in that bar tucked up in the corner if I remeber corect lol

[natski]

By quoting professions, are you trying to give some credibility to smoking - as in "even judges, doctors....." smoke? That just goes to show there are people with disregard for their own health and others in all walks of life.

 

I think he was trying to help Me to meet other people on our up comming cruise if you read his post , the gent has been very helpful to us .

[taxmantoo]

After reading these threads for a while, you can easily come to the conclusion that all non-smokers are snarky, unyielding, demanding and not very considerate while smokers on the other hand are all "considerate" people :rolleyes: There has never been even one smoker to come forward on CC and admit to being an inconsiderate *** who does not care what non-smokers think and will light up where and when they feel like it. Do such animals exist? I am sure but you will not find them on HAL according to these threads. Never! :rolleyes:

[natski]

After reading these threads for a while, you can easily come to the conclusion that all non-smokers are snarky, unyielding, demanding and not very considerate while smokers on the other hand are all "considerate" people :rolleyes: There has never been even one smoker to come forward on CC and admit to being an inconsiderate *** who does not care what non-smokers think and will light up where and when they feel like it. Do such animals exist? I am sure but you will not find them on HAL according to these threads. Never! :rolleyes:

 

LOL Meh i,M Canadian we have the rep for saying sorry for stuff we had nothing to do with , think both sides have there points seen Butt heads on both sides of this type of topic .

Well I can see people that have gone thru the total hell of quiting smoking have the more stronger non-smoking view , It can be for some pure hell to quit I have quit in the past and for whatever stupid reason in life started again , when I had quit I made a point not to be one of them tho a alsmost promise to My self you might say .

TC have a great next cruise taxmantoo

Nat

[Host Walt]

Several recent posts have been removed.

 

Reminder, posts to this thread MUST comply with our posting guidelines. Included in the guidelines is this:

 

 

The harassment of our members is not allowed.

 

Cruise Critic is committed to providing an online environment that is free from these types of harassing postings. Please, don't attack another poster or group of posters. Do not harass, threaten, embarrass, or do anything else to another member that is unwanted. This means: don't say bad things about them... If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person. Postings of this nature will be removed from the boards.

 

This means any post that characterizes another Cruise Critic member with negative remarks or aspersions will be removed and the Member who posted that characterization is subject to having his/her posting privileges suspended.

[chrispb]

There has never been even one smoker to come forward on CC and admit to being an inconsiderate *** who does not care what non-smokers think and will light up where and when they feel like :rolleyes:

 

Perhaps that's because the smokers are smoking on their balconies where it is allowed, quite different to "lighting up where and when they feel like".

 

I don't think non-smokers have made many complaints about people smoking where it's not allowed.:cool:

[natski]

Well even as a smoker it is a evil nasty addiction that I and probably many more smokers wish they had never started .

Not sure there are inocents on either side of the issue, seems most of the complaints i have seen here at CC are about people smoking on there balcony , they being NON smokers I would guess yet Hal says you can smoke there . I still think if the smoker takes the time to get to meet the people next door either side and its discussed like adults instead of screw you attitudes on either side things would go much better , just My personal opinion is all .

TC Chrispb have a great next cruise .

[Skoogs]

I am 50 years old, quit smoking on 1-16-01, it took 5 years to get that quit date, the most difficult thing i have done to date.

I love HAL, been on 5 cruises, all on the balcony, 4 out of 5 cruises had smokers next door. I do find it annoying and sometimes i had to go inside while they smoked. On one cruise i did not get to use the balcony at all, the person chain smoked and read on the balcony the whole time, no shore excursions, no kidding. Did I say anything to the person, nope. The rules say they can smoke on the balcony, they paid for their ticket. It's their choice and I have choices too. So, what I'm i going to do? Not cruise on HAL, it's an option. I've cruised on most of the other lines and they are ok, but, i really like HAL.

So, for our upcoming cruise my DW and I choose an OV cabin for a couple of reasons. One was money, the other was money! Hahaha. After i booked it i thought, hey, no more smoke to deal with, what a bonus! I can still find a place in the sun to kick back and read a book or something in a smoke free area. I also think it will get us out of the cabin more often. Would I like HAL to ban smoking on the balcony's, YES! Am i going to quit cruising on HAL if they don't, I don't think so, unless the whole ship turns into a "smoking ship". Then for health reasons I'd have too.

Thanks for letting me rant. Happy Cruising!

[natski]

LOL I like you Skoogs very much

Wow 5 years Well done I have quit before and have just not yet got my Brain in the right place as yet I have purchased a E cigi to try and see if that will get Me half way there .

If I may ask without breacking any rules of coarse how did you do it quit I mean ?

This upcomming cruise we are at the very rear of the ship first time there and like you we love Hal

Thanks for your post got some insperation there FYI I am closer to 60 now

[Lizzie68]

I am 50 years old, quit smoking on 1-16-01, it took 5 years to get that quit date, the most difficult thing i have done to date.

I love HAL, been on 5 cruises, all on the balcony, 4 out of 5 cruises had smokers next door. I do find it annoying and sometimes i had to go inside while they smoked. On one cruise i did not get to use the balcony at all, the person chain smoked and read on the balcony the whole time, no shore excursions, no kidding. Did I say anything to the person, nope. The rules say they can smoke on the balcony, they paid for their ticket. It's their choice and I have choices too. So, what I'm i going to do? Not cruise on HAL, it's an option. I've cruised on most of the other lines and they are ok, but, i really like HAL.

So, for our upcoming cruise my DW and I choose an OV cabin for a couple of reasons. One was money, the other was money! Hahaha. After i booked it i thought, hey, no more smoke to deal with, what a bonus! I can still find a place in the sun to kick back and read a book or something in a smoke free area. I also think it will get us out of the cabin more often. Would I like HAL to ban smoking on the balcony's, YES! Am i going to quit cruising on HAL if they don't, I don't think so, unless the whole ship turns into a "smoking ship". Then for health reasons I'd have too.

Thanks for letting me rant. Happy Cruising!

 

Congratulations on quitting.:) It is indeed a very hard thing to do - I did it some years ago from being a chain smoker. Apart from giving birth to my kids I think think it was my biggest achievement.:D

Whichever side of this argument we are on, there should always be consideration and respect for others.

[Bookited]

smoke break is over time to get back to the thread, I think. Anyone hear about any rumors from HAL. I'm getting ready to go crusing and I do not want to to place any money down on a FC if nothing is going to change.

[successone]

I found your explanation of the facts most eloquent. And very well met and reserved for each and every situation and gallery moment. Good summary. :cool:

[DeeniEncinitas]

Anyone on today's live chat with the CEO!! Was disappointed in regards to whether He would stop smoking on HAL'S balconies. He never answered any of the smoking questions. Only interested on his Carnival brand. P.S I am a non smoker who believes also that smokers have a right to smoking on their balconies, I only wanted clarification on when HAL might change policy like the other ships. Will I stop cruising HAL? Absolutely not. 8 cruises so far and all our balcony mates have always been curtious.

[Hlitner]

smoke break is over time to get back to the thread, I think. Anyone hear about any rumors from HAL. I'm getting ready to go crusing and I do not want to to place any money down on a FC if nothing is going to change.

 

My advice would be that if the current HAL smoking policy causes you hesitation then book a different cruise line! The history of HAL is that they are very slow to change. Perhaps it will take a major fire (like on the Star Princess) to wake up HAL sleeping heads.

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

Heaven forbid, a fire on HAL ship.

I could never utter or write such words even in jest. Nothing funny about it.

 

[sammiedawg]

The corporate evasion is puzzling.

For anyone on the call, how many questions were asked about smoking?

[freestyling]

Was unable to be on the call but heard no answers were given about balcony smoking on HAL

[OceanTraveller4ever]

As a smoker for 30 years in my life (half of it), I have to fess up to polluting other folks with my second hand smoke.

I still feel bad about it.

It is such an insidious and nefarious addictive habit, that I shudder when I see young people take it up.

Out of 6 cruises, there was once where my veranda enjoyment was curtailed by neighbors chain smoking.

The odds are not that bad, considering.

Friends of mine (3 stars) have switched from HAL to Princess to avoid the "laisser faire" smoking policies on HAL.

 

I do go to the casino and sit besides smokers, and suffer the abuse I did to other people when I smoked. Retribution I guess :confused:

 

One day, there will be no place for smoking....anywhere public ;)

Edited March 5, 2015 by jpelleti007

[Hlitner]

Heaven forbid, a fire on HAL ship.

I could never utter or write such words even in jest. Nothing funny about it.

 

 

My comments were not in jest! In 2006, a fire broke out on a passenger balcony of the Star Princess and caused millions of dollars damage over 200 cabins (79 were totally destroyed). This fire also resulted in the death of one passenger. The investigation determined that the most likely cause of the fire was a lit cigarette which blew onto a passenger balcony. As a result of this fire Princess retro-fitted all of it's ships with both sprinkler and heat detectors on their passenger balconies (HAL does not have this). Eventually Princess did decide to eliminate all balcony smoking.

 

Cruise ships have generally eliminated open flames from ships. Galleys now use electric stoves, candles are long gone, and many lines have totally eliminated flame heated chaffing dishes. But for some reason, ships still allow smoking which involves open flames and hot cigarettes/cigars. Ask any mariner the biggest danger to a cruise ship and the answer would be fire! So you are absolutely correct that this is not a laughing matter. Smoking on a ship simply increases the fire risk for all.

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

Yes, of course. I believe most of us are aware of the Star Princess fire.

[sammiedawg]

As a smoker for 30 years in my life (half of it), I have to fess up to polluting other folks with my second hand smoke.

I still feel bad about it.

It is such an insidious and nefarious addictive habit, that I shudder when I see young people take it up.

Out of 6 cruises, there was once where my veranda enjoyment was curtailed by neighbors chain smoking.

The odds are not that bad, considering.

Friends of mine (3 stars) have switched from HAL to Princess to avoid the "laisser faire" smoking policies on HAL.

 

I do go to the casino and sit besides smokers, and suffer the abuse I did to other people when I smoked. Retribution I guess :confused:

 

One day, there will be no place for smoking....anywhere public ;)

 

Very nice post.

Fortunately the percentage of young people smoking declines with each generation. In my daily life I rarely encounter smoking . I rarely see young people smoke but when I do I am sad for them.

[Cruzaholic41]

Perhaps it will take a major fire (like on the Star Princess) to wake up HAL sleeping heads.

 

From what I'm told by close friends of mine in the cruise industry - lets call them leaks - the Grandeur of the Seas fire was also the final straw for RCI to ban balcony smoking. I obviously cannot prove it with any source info, but I'm told they suspect a lit cigarette was thrown from an aft balcony. It'll be interesting to read the final report if and when it is ever released.

[sammiedawg]

My comments were not in jest! In 2006, a fire broke out on a passenger balcony of the Star Princess and caused millions of dollars damage over 200 cabins (79 were totally destroyed). This fire also resulted in the death of one passenger. The investigation determined that the most likely cause of the fire was a lit cigarette which blew onto a passenger balcony. As a result of this fire Princess retro-fitted all of it's ships with both sprinkler and heat detectors on their passenger balconies (HAL does not have this). Eventually Princess did decide to eliminate all balcony smoking.

 

Cruise ships have generally eliminated open flames from ships. Galleys now use electric stoves, candles are long gone, and many lines have totally eliminated flame heated chaffing dishes. But for some reason, ships still allow smoking which involves open flames and hot cigarettes/cigars. Ask any mariner the biggest danger to a cruise ship and the answer would be fire! So you are absolutely correct that this is not a laughing matter. Smoking on a ship simply increases the fire risk for all.

 

Hank

 

Hotels and apartment complexes banned smoking years ago because of the fire risk. People used to routinely die smoking in bed, falling asleep and major fires ensued. Property owners ban smoking in their rental units for a multitude of reasons, fire risk and insurance costs included.

Cruise ships sail under flags of convenience and seem to skirt some business realities we face in the US.

I remember the Star Princess Fire well. For a long time they posted sentries on the bridge to watch for smoking violations.

My guess is the Carnival CEO is embarrassed by the HAL smoking policy and evaded questions in an open forum.