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

[SteveH2508]

HAL does not need to make indoor smoking areas for smokers even on longer voyages. People choose to smoke and their options are becoming more limited everywhere. They can also choose not to cruise if they cannot curtail their habit for those days that the outdoor weather is bad. HAL is moving forward with this latest step. Please keep moving forward and eliminate ALL indoor smoking.

 

The other advantage an indoor cigar bar has is the type of friendly, tolerant people that one meets in there.

[fatcat04]

The other advantage an indoor cigar bar has is the type of friendly, tolerant people that one meets in there.

 

:D;) Met some fine tolerant people in cigar friendly zones. Always good conversation.

[Lizzie68]

To my earlier point, I think there will eventually be a sticky above on this change. History is that we have had a thread on a HAL change and been talking about it for a week when a sticky suddenly appears - and then we all complain about too many stickies.:D

[Aquahound]

Celebrity also does not offer the type of long and/or exotic itineraries that HAL does. I would think that a smoker may be willing to take a chance on a week or two of good weather -- but 40 or 50 days without options in areas known to have rough weather may not be attractive.

 

I'm not following your argument. I don't see what difference the cruise length makes with regard to an indoor smoking venue.

 

I couldn't care any less if HAL put a smoking lounge on all their ships like what is on Noordam. But evidence (Celebrity) has already shown that 100% ban on indoor smoking does not hurt their business. Regardless of length, Celebrity still does transatlantic and transpacific cruises and this hasn't been an issue.

[TonyC1952]

Seems there's a debate about veranda smoking going on here- which is interesting, however, there's a ton of indoor smoking going on every afternoon and evening on the Veendam- the Casino! The stench from a few casino smokers wafts into the adjacent bars, and it is pretty stinky. For the price of dropping a few pennies into a penny slot, any smoker can smoke to their heart's content when the ship set sail every afternoon. It definitely impacted our enjoyment of Mike playing guitar in the Mix. Indoor smoking should be completely banned on HAL ships.

[tip]

Holland America finally joins the 21st century!

Smoking in the US is widely considered to be anti social behavior, even smokers know that. Tens of millions have quit and every restriction on public smoking motivates more people to quit.

 

Thank you and very well-said. Although for the past year or so every time I posted that smoking was no longer socially acceptable, my posts disappeared!:confused:

 

We have cruised HAL six times. Our last cruise with them was four and one half years ago and I just became sick and tired of the balcony smoke and vowed never to return until balcony smoking was banned. We were on a RCCL cruise last winter and twice me darling wife stated she would love to return to HAL. My next move after this post will be to research HAL cruises for 2017 and hopefully book one!

[shebag]

Wow, I agree with previous posters, nothing will make these anti smokers happy except banning smoking 100%. The next thing to go will be the casinos then they will want the outdoor spaces banned as well!! I would hedge a bet that most of them are past smokers thus why they have a holier then thou attitude because they were able to beat the habit. People remember although not as popular as it once was, smoking is still a legal activity!!! Until society bans the selling of cigarettes and cigars the activity should be allowed and those who chose to partake should be treated with respect!!! BTW I am a non smoker I understand that ppl who don't smoke don't want to smell it but come on give them a well ventilated room where they can relax and socialize and not bother those who don't want to be around it. A few years ago on the VOV it was really sad to see ppl bundled up in blankets and mittens on the outside deck so they could have a smoke. It was either that or spend money at the slots so they could smoke indoors!! If anything this increased the number of smokers in the casino!!!

[RuthC]

Wow, I agree with previous posters, nothing will make these anti smokers happy except banning smoking 100%.

So true, even ignoring all the previous posts about how banning smoking on balconies would be sufficient. There wasn't even time to start a countdown, or set up the office pool, over the next battleground before the battle moved on to the next venue to attack. :rolleyes:

[Aquahound]

So true, even ignoring all the previous posts about how banning smoking on balconies would be sufficient. There wasn't even time to start a countdown, or set up the office pool, over the next battleground before the battle moved on to the next venue to attack. :rolleyes:

 

I'm ecstatic that HAL is finally banning it on balconies. I'm good.

 

That said, I can also read the thread title and understand this topic is not specifically about balconies. Therefore, flaming isn't justified.

[alwaysfrantic]

I for one am satisfied. If the Seaview pool is too smoky I can go to my veranda. Or any place, really. I don't care about smokers on the cruise. I just wanted options including my own verandah. Now HAL has insured that.

Edited October 1, 2016 by alwaysfrantic

[kazu]

So true, even ignoring all the previous posts about how banning smoking on balconies would be sufficient. There wasn't even time to start a countdown, or set up the office pool, over the next battleground before the battle moved on to the next venue to attack. :rolleyes:

 

As usual RuthC, you are right on the money.;)

 

I'm ecstatic that HAL is finally banning it on balconies. I'm good.

 

That said, I can also read the thread title and understand this topic is not specifically about balconies. Therefore, flaming isn't justified.

 

I saw no flaming in RuthC's post. If the truth hurts, so be it.

 

this thread has always been about balcony smoking. problem is solved so rather than the thread being allowed to R.I.P., several are now pushing for new areas.

[Lizzie68]

Wow, I agree with previous posters, nothing will make these anti smokers happy except banning smoking 100%. <snip>

 

That is totally untrue. Have you actually read this thread? The majority of non-smokers have advocated (as I did, very early on) for a comfortable, ventilated indoor space for smokers, in addition to the outdoor permitted spaces for smoking, but not balconies.

[Lady Arwen]

Wow, I agree with previous posters, nothing will make these anti smokers happy except banning smoking 100%. The next thing to go will be the casinos then they will want the outdoor spaces banned as well!! I would hedge a bet that most of them are past smokers thus why they have a holier then thou attitude because they were able to beat the habit. People remember although not as popular as it once was, smoking is still a legal activity!!! Until society bans the selling of cigarettes and cigars the activity should be allowed and those who chose to partake should be treated with respect!!! BTW I am a non smoker I understand that ppl who don't smoke don't want to smell it but come on give them a well ventilated room where they can relax and socialize and not bother those who don't want to be around it. A few years ago on the VOV it was really sad to see ppl bundled up in blankets and mittens on the outside deck so they could have a smoke. It was either that or spend money at the slots so they could smoke indoors!! If anything this increased the number of smokers in the casino!!!

 

Have you ever been on a Celebrity cruise? As I'm sure you're aware, ALL indoor smoking is prohibited and the smoking policy is strictly enforced. Smokers who choose to sail with Celebrity are very aware of this. I have never seen anyone on a Celebrity ship complaining about having to smoke outdoors. They're provided areas that are protected from the elements with chairs, sofas and tables and they all seem to be quite happy. Non-smokers are happy not to have worry about second smoke and can enjoy the casino every single night. Hopefully, HAL and others, will also move to prohibit smoking in the casino.

[fatcat04]

So true, even ignoring all the previous posts about how banning smoking on balconies would be sufficient. There wasn't even time to start a countdown, or set up the office pool, over the next battleground before the battle moved on to the next venue to attack. :rolleyes:

 

Spot-on! ;)

Edited October 1, 2016 by fatcat04

[Aquahound]

If the truth hurts, so be it.

 

It doesn't hurt at all. Nor should it. This thread is about HAL's smoking policies. I know that, as does everyone else when they decide to click on it. To willingly open the only thread on this board people are allowed to talk about it and post a rolling eyes emoticon to those wanting casino smoking eliminated is pretty uncalled for.

 

That is totally untrue. Have you actually read this thread? The majority of non-smokers have advocated (as I did, very early on) for a comfortable, ventilated indoor space for smokers, in addition to the outdoor permitted spaces for smoking, but not balconies.

 

Exactly. I think it's safe to say that most are satisfied with the new policies. But if anyone wants to take it further to include the casino, smoking lounges, etc, so be it. This is the only thread on which they are allowed to do so.

[Hlitner]

This is an excellent thread because it gives the smokers a chance to blow off some smoke :)

 

Hank

[pnkandpurple]

Soooooo happy! it was an overdue change. I can stop worrying about veranda fires and enjoy my veranda. Just to bad it's not in time for my next three cruises before the new policy goes into effect.

[kevingastreich]

This has been my position for years. As an ex smoker (one who had the good sense to quit many decades ago) I understand the level of addiction of smokers (many of whom will insist they are not addicts). We have long said that your right to smoke stops at my lungs. If I cannot smell the stink....then I could care less. So if HAL (or other cruise lines) finds a way to accommodate smokers without impacting on my own air quality....then we are at peace :). As far as the HAL casinos, we took a personal vow to not gamble a penny in any casino that allows smoking...and have kept that vow on HAL and elsewhere. On our hundreds of days of HAL cruising we have not lost (or gambled) one penny in a HAL casino. Given my skill at Blackjack and Craps (my games)...HAL is the loser...big time :). On the other hand, when we cruise on Celebrity (which has no smoking in their Casinos or anywhere else inside their ships) we have paid a price for enjoying the clean smelling casinos.

 

Hank

 

Would you gamble in a HAL casino on non-smoking nights?

[DizzyDallasDi]

Every single smoker on board has an indoor place where smoking is allowed on all ships: their cabin. Just be sure you're smoking an e-cig. Problem solved! :D

[kevingastreich]

Soooooo happy! it was an overdue change. I can stop worrying about veranda fires and enjoy my veranda. Just to bad it's not in time for my next three cruises before the new policy goes into effect.

 

Veranda fires? I wonder when the last time a veranda caught on fire because of a smoker? Just curious.

[Ken the cruiser]

Anyone know how to stop following a particular CC thread (ie, this one)? You folks on both sides of the discussion have been great and I'm glad HAL has eliminated smoking on balconies. However, it's time to move on and start following other more important threads without having a ton of messages associated with this thread being sent to my email account.

[kevingastreich]

 

I'm serious when I say I'm quite happy HAL has delayed this change so long. At 90 and 84 years I suspect my parents' cruising days were near an end anyway. But it's sad to me that this has pretty much guaranteed it. Now they'll have less to motivate them to keep traveling/cruising after a couple of difficult years.

 

 

Am I reading this correctly? Your parents are 90 and 84 and THEY SMOKE?

[kevingastreich]

Anyone know how to stop following a particular CC thread (ie, this one)? You folks on both sides of the discussion have been great and I'm glad HAL has eliminated smoking on balconies. However, it's time to move on and start following other more important threads without having a ton of messages associated with this thread being sent to my email account.

 

It's easy. Use thread tools at top of page

Edited October 1, 2016 by kevingastreich

[Hlitner]

Would you gamble in a HAL casino on non-smoking nights?

 

No, and we have not! Even on non-smoking nights the casinos smell like a dirty ashtray...although the staff does try to mask the odor by regularly cleaning the carpet. But, to be very honest, the casino is just not important to me (DW does not gamble) as I am quite happy to keep my money rather then donating it to HAL. But a bigger problem (for us) is that we often spend evenings in the Piano Bar (we usually close the place) and there are times when smoke drifts into that venue (from the casino). We wonder if this will become a bigger problem with the banning of balcony smoking (will more smokers hang out in the Casino just to smoke?).

 

 

Hank

Edited October 1, 2016 by Hlitner

[Ken the cruiser]

It's easy. Use thread tools at top of page

 

Found it. Thanks!