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

[mightycruisequeen]

Since the wife and I are tobacco chewers we always book a veranda cabin.

 

LMBO! Don't forget to ask your cabin steward for a HAL spittoon :D

[mudscraper]

LMBO! Don't forget to ask your cabin steward for a HAL spittoon :D

 

HAL does provide one. A beautiful chrome spittoon set on a chrome tray. It sits on the desk in your room. We love HAL !

[richstowe]

FWIW, this is the reply I received from HAL about my comment on smoking. On our most recent HAL cruise, on the Prinsendam, we unfortunately had prolific smokers on the verandah of the cabin next to us.

 

"Thank you for contacting Mr. Orlando Ashford. Mr. Ashford has reviewed your feedback and asked me to respond on his behalf.

 

We understand your concerns regarding smoking on board, and truly regret any negative impact this had on your recent sailing. We endeavor to balance the needs of both our smoking and nonsmoking guests. Currently, our policy is to allow guests to smoke on their stateroom verandahs and designated areas on deck, as well as in the casino on select evenings each sailing; cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to outside decks and verandahs. However, guest input is always welcome and as attitudes toward smoking continue to change we will revisit this policy with comments such as yours in mind."

I don't believe the implicit meaning of this post has been fully appreciated .

Smoking on HAL balconies will not continue for too much longer . Good .

 

It's actually under 17% now, and the youth age bracket is under 9%. Those of higher education and affluence tend to smoke at a much lower rate as well. The 21% number was from studies over a decade ago but education and attrition have brought that down.

Attrition , hmm , interesting word choice . I hope ,for smokers sakes, this means quitting . Edited August 25, 2016 by richstowe

[marycruz]

This thread is unbelievable, I think the only way all of you complainers would be happy is if they banned smoking altogether. I personally find perfume use to be offensive and bad for my health as well. I have an allergy which results in headaches when I smell perfume. Heh, maybe I should start a protest against the wearing of perfume in public places!!! What do I do, when I smell it I leave!! My choice, perfume is legal and not a banned substance so I just try to avoid it. Seems to me same should be for cigarette smoke. BTW I am a non smoker, however I have seen the ridiculous/offensive behaviour of non-smokers toward smokers on a ship. These happened in smoking areas in the casino. No one ever comes to the defense of the smoker who is smoking in one of the few allocated places on the ship. I have seen non-smokers take up all of the tables on the smoking side of the Lido deck, while there were plenty of tables available on the non-smoking side and then complain to staff about the smoking. People need to remember that it is a legal activity!!!! Oh and as a side note while most ships don't allow balcony smoking, unlike HAL they allow more room inside to smoke. On a recent Carnival cruise there was smoking allowed in the casino, the casino bar and the disco. So people didn't have to gamble just to have a smoke inside. Live and let live is what I say, if you don't like it avoid it, and you never know maybe someday I'll jump on this "everyone should live like me" bandwagon and protest against that offensive perfume that some ladies wear!!!!

 

I second your feeling on the matter. I have seen folks sit in the smoking area and then start waving their hands and coughing. I don't get it. If it stinks so much why would they sit there? I thought they were trying to make a statement - I want to sit where I want and don't want smoke in my face.

 

Personally, I can't stand cigar smoke and have had to move from an outside deck because the smoke went all the way down the deck (it wasn't a smoking side just an area). But I just moved someplace else.

 

What I don't understand either is whether HAL is so wonderful that people want to go on it, get a verandah and then complain if smoke comes from the next balcony. There are so many cruise lines and ships out there that don't allow this. If HAL rules dictate that smokers can smoke on their verandahs then if I didn't like it I would not go on HAL and get a balcony. Maybe a window cabin if this particular line and itinerary was so great?

[Airnocker]

 

You might do a bit of Internet research on Diesel engine exhaust fumes and cancer. The American Cancer Society, the British equivalent, and several other reputable organizations claim that diesel exhaust - that smoke occasionally wafting onto your balcony from the ship's stack - is a very serious carcinogen for humans.

 

I'm surprised that all the nervous nellies here have not jumped on that fact and demanded that cruise lines switch to gasoline or sail power.

 

Yes, diesel soot is toxic. It is fairly rare that it blows within breathing range. It is also a requirement for propulsion. Tobacco smoke is more toxic and does not have any worthwhile function. It needs to be removed as a health hazard to those involuntary persons.

[CRUZBUDS]

If HAL rules dictate that smokers can smoke on their verandahs then if I didn't like it I would not go on HAL and get a balcony. Maybe a window cabin if this particular line and itinerary was so great?

 

There are many of us that will not go on HAL again until they catch up.

 

Our dream retirement cruise was always going to be a R/T south seas on HAL. We booked one in 2018 on Princess, we didn't even consider HAL.

 

(I know Carnival Corp still gets our money - I think HAL has been designated as the Carnival line that caters to smokers)

[blizzardboy]

There are many of us that will not go on HAL again until they catch up.

 

Our dream retirement cruise was always going to be a R/T south seas on HAL. We booked one in 2018 on Princess, we didn't even consider HAL.

 

(I know Carnival Corp still gets our money - I think HAL has been designated as the Carnival line that caters to smokers)

 

Is your avoidance of HAL a matter of principle, or because you've actually had problems with smokers on board?

90 days in HAL Neptunes in the last 12 years, obviously with verandas, and we've never had smoke be an issue.

Edited August 25, 2016 by blizzardboy

[SteveH2508]

I second your feeling on the matter. I have seen folks sit in the smoking area and then start waving their hands and coughing. I don't get it. If it stinks so much why would they sit there? I thought they were trying to make a statement - I want to sit where I want and don't want smoke in my face.

 

Personally, I can't stand cigar smoke and have had to move from an outside deck because the smoke went all the way down the deck (it wasn't a smoking side just an area). But I just moved someplace else.

 

What I don't understand either is whether HAL is so wonderful that people want to go on it, get a verandah and then complain if smoke comes from the next balcony. There are so many cruise lines and ships out there that don't allow this. If HAL rules dictate that smokers can smoke on their verandahs then if I didn't like it I would not go on HAL and get a balcony. Maybe a window cabin if this particular line and itinerary was so great?

 

Some people want to have their cake, eat it and also complain about the cooking process...:rolleyes:

Edited August 25, 2016 by SteveH2508

[CRUZBUDS]

Is your avoidance of HAL a matter of principle, or because you've actually had problems with smokers on board?

90 days in HAL Neptunes in the last 12 years, obviously with verandas, and we've never had smoke be an issue.

 

The last time we had a balcony on a line that allowed balcony smoking was on Carnival. (before they changed) We were made uncomfortable by the smell of smoke many times on that cruise and often retreated to the cabin

 

We only had a balcony once on HAL and we didn't have any issues -- we had a double size balcony and were fortunate not to have any smokers in the area.

 

Like so many say, why cruise on a line that still allows it, since it is mostly just HAL now.

 

HAL was always our first choice for the south seas, the smaller ship would have been nice. The smaller ships demand a high price for their balconies, and we are not the gambling types

[blizzardboy]

The last time we had a balcony on a line that allowed balcony smoking was on Carnival. (before they changed) We were made uncomfortable by the smell of smoke many times on that cruise and often retreated to the cabin

 

We only had a balcony once on HAL and we didn't have any issues -- we had a double size balcony and were fortunate not to have any smokers in the area.

 

Like so many say, why cruise on a line that still allows it, since it is mostly just HAL now.

 

HAL was always our first choice for the south seas, the smaller ship would have been nice. The smaller ships demand a high price for their balconies, and we are not the gambling types

I was given a hard time yesterday about quoting the CDC's smoking stats taking various income, age, education, and other parameters into account. Carnival's customer demographics would make me expect more smokers based on those stats. I do know the number of smokers is in steady decline. Even in the casino, there were only a couple of smokers on our HAL cruise last January, and we've never had a smoke problem on the verandas.

[nb125]

"FWIW, this is the reply I received from HAL about my comment on smoking. On our most recent HAL cruise, on the Prinsendam, we unfortunately had prolific smokers on the verandah of the cabin next to us.

 

"Thank you for contacting Mr. Orlando Ashford. Mr. Ashford has reviewed your feedback and asked me to respond on his behalf.

 

We understand your concerns regarding smoking on board, and truly regret any negative impact this had on your recent sailing. We endeavor to balance the needs of both our smoking and nonsmoking guests. Currently, our policy is to allow guests to smoke on their stateroom verandahs and designated areas on deck, as well as in the casino on select evenings each sailing; cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to outside decks and verandahs. However, guest input is always welcome and as attitudes toward smoking continue to change we will revisit this policy with comments such as yours in mind."

I would not read too much into this. I had exactly the same e-mail two years ago and I was complaining about the lack of outside smoking areas that are supposed to exist according to the policy.

Edited August 26, 2016 by nb125

[EatonDoolittle]

I would not read too much into this. I had exactly the same e-mail two years ago and I was complaining about the lack of outside smoking areas that are supposed to exist according to the policy.

 

I got the same one too a few weeks ago. It is understandable that they are keeping their responses consistent.

 

I suggested that now would be a good time to make a policy change, before the Winter season started. Unspoken, of course is that those inclined to cancel over their loss of freedom, could do so within the cancellation period.

 

I expect someone is tracking the emails and comments, and as others here have said, when they decide that it makes economic sense for them to change, they will.

[Herfnerd]

I got the same one too a few weeks ago. It is understandable that they are keeping their responses consistent.

 

I suggested that now would be a good time to make a policy change, before the Winter season started. Unspoken, of course is that those inclined to cancel over their loss of freedom, could do so within the cancellation period.

 

I expect someone is tracking the emails and comments, and as others here have said, when they decide that it makes economic sense for them to change, they will.

 

By the same token, HAL probably knows they are the only cruiseline that allows smoking on their verandah, so they may be catering to that niche group knowing that they have an option no one else has

[HamOp]

By the same token, HAL probably knows they are the only cruiseline that allows smoking on their verandah, so they may be catering to that niche group knowing that they have an option no one else has

 

That's been my theory for some time.

 

Does HAL think, or know, that without the veranda smokers their ships would not sail at capacity?

 

I don't pretend to know the answer to that question. My guess is HAL does, and has chosen to continue to allow it.

[kevingastreich]

Just got off the Noordam after a beautiful 7 day Alaska cruise. Not too many smokers onboard. Our veranda was pretty much smoke free the entire trip. BUT, the one and only time that smoking was allowed in the casino was on the final GALA night! I didn't go anywhere near the casino that night because I didn't want my "good clothes" to smell like smoke. I was quite surprised to learn that after an entire cruise as no smoking that the casino would allow smoking on a GALA night. It seemed very odd.

[ne1travel]

We are about to cruise Princess for our 3rd cruise. We are interested in HA but the stories of smoking on the balconies has deterred us a bit.

How bad is the problem of balcony smoking on HA and do they have any non-smoking balcony areas.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[CruiserBruce]

DW and I have 200+ days on HAL, all in suites. DW is sensitive to cigarette smoke. In those 200 days, we can count on one hand the number of times/days we have had a problem with smoke.

 

JMHO, but think it is over stated.

 

No, there aren't any non-smoking balcony areas.

Edited September 27, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[Lady Arwen]

We've been on 5 HAL cruises and another booked for this spring for two weeks. I will tell you honestly that we have had 3 cruises which presented an issue. 2 cruises the smoke was not noticeable. I totally depends on who you get as neighbours. Totally unpredictable.

 

We just made sure that we didn't let it impact our enjoyment. We found other areas to lounge in if our neighbour was smoking. You have to go in accepting that it's a possibility and decide whether it's a deal breaker for you. For some people it became intolerable and will not sail HAL again until their smoking policy changes. Celebrity has eliminated all indoor smoking, balcony smoking and casino smoking. It's worked for them and they are more popular than ever.

 

Only you can decide if it's worth taking the chance. For us, we just deal with it if it presents itself. It won't stop has from sailing on HAL. BTW, my DH and I quit smoking years ago, so we've been on both sides of the coin.

[paganwoman]

We have cruised with balcony staterooms many times on HAL. I do not tolerate cigarette smoke (or cigar for that matter) and I can honestly say we have never been impacted with that as an issue with the many staterooms we have enjoyed. The only area of the ship I try to avoid is the seaview pool area outside the lido as that is where many smokers collect. Other than that I have never noticed it as an issue on the balconies.

[navybankerteacher]

Having sailed with HAL balconies a number of times, I have only once NOTICED smoke while on our balcony - not enough to impact our enjoyment of the balcony. I suspect that most of the noise about it as a problem is from people who are extraordinarily (I mean VERY, VERY, VERY) sensitive, or from those who like to post negatives which they have heard from a brother-in-law's friend who knew someone who had heard about the problem: sort of like the "swarms of scooters" and "average age in the mid-80's" uninformed blather often posted on these threads.

[jadona48]

19 HAL cruises all on a balcony. On the rare occasion that I have smelled smoke, I simply go into my cabin. I refuse to allow anyone to ruin my vacation so if necessary, I adjust. It is a non-issue for me

[Hlitner]

Our message to the OP is that booking (and paying extra money) for a balcony on HAL is a bit like playing craps. Sometimes you win, sometimes your break even, and other times you really crap out! We have personally lived all those examples. The crap out time happened when a nearby neighbor spent hours on his balcony smoking cigars. Since he was always out there in the morning and early evenings...it made our balcony virtually unusable. Sadly, we had to abandon two attempts to enjoy breakfast on our balcony because the cigar smoke just did not work well with our eggs.

 

On the other hand, we have been a some HAL cruises when we never smelled any smoke on our balcony....although the casino was often like a dirty ashtray.

 

Hank

[OlsSalt]

Ih has been either non-existent or highly transitory in our own experience. No chronic chain smokers, only the occasional smoker who created a diluted smoke odor for the length of time it takes to smoke a cigarette.

 

Two sides using cell phones in port were far more annoying - talking loudly and telling all the folks back home exactly where they were.

 

Just keep it down, we don't need to also hear you tell everyone you know exactly what it looks like right in front of us at that same moment too. Thanks.

Edited September 27, 2016 by OlsSalt

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are about to cruise Princess for our 3rd cruise. We are interested in HA but the stories of smoking on the balconies has deterred us a bit.

How bad is the problem of balcony smoking on HA and do they have any non-smoking balcony areas.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

 

We have over 1000 days on HAL and always stay in verandah cabins.

And we have been bothered by smoke quite a few times. A couple of cruises we could not even use our verandah.

[Fouremco]

Our message to the OP is that booking (and paying extra money) for a balcony on HAL is a bit like playing craps. Sometimes you win, sometimes your break even, and other times you really crap out! We have personally lived all those examples. The crap out time happened when a nearby neighbor spent hours on his balcony smoking cigars. Since he was always out there in the morning and early evenings...it made our balcony virtually unusable. Sadly, we had to abandon two attempts to enjoy breakfast on our balcony because the cigar smoke just did not work well with our eggs.

 

On the other hand, we have been a some HAL cruises when we never smelled any smoke on our balcony....although the casino was often like a dirty ashtray.

 

Hank

This reflects our experience as well. We've had much less of a problem since moving to stern cabins, but we've had cruises where we simply not able to enjoy the use of our balcony. In one case, the Hotel Manager was able to move us to a different cabin to get us away from a large family group with several adjacent cabins that spent the best part of their day on the balcony next to us. Pretty much non-stop smoking from sun up to lights out! :mad:

 

BTW, OP, don't be surprised when this thread disappears. It will undoubtedly be merged with the sole thread for discussing smoking aboard HAL ships:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2084364