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

[cruise kitty]

[quote name='idiebabe'][B]Conflicting reports on this one by those that sail Celebrity![/B] :confused:

[/B][/QUOTE]

Hi, I'm a Celebrity regular, & there is zero indoor smoking on Celebrity, the cigar lounge (Michael's club) hasn't been a cigar lounge for years.... probably since 2008 or so.

[cruz chic]

[quote name='ithaca gal']I just received a message from a friend who works on the Eurodam. There is no smoking in the casino. They said it is so much better now. OK, this is from a non-smoker's perspective but there you have it. I am so happy because the casino workers will now have a much healthier environment. As well the rest of us![/QUOTE]

The person that is doing the live from thread also mentioned this.

[Lizzie68]

[quote name='RuthC'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Except that "first step" started years ago when the Vista class ships were first introduced. There was even another inside smoking room near the dining room, where someone could go between courses, should the desire arise. I remember it from the third cruise on the Noordam, and it was gone very shortly thereafter.

Over the years HAL has removed those rooms from the ships, except (so far) the Oak Room from the Noordam.
This is not a move in the right direction.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

But if the Oak Room remains (or has been re-instituted) on the Noordam, this gives smokers a comfortable inside venue. So I do see it as a step forward and hopefully it will spread across the fleet eventually. It is obviously back according to recent reports, so HAL may be changing their thinking somewhat.

[IRL_Joanie]

[quote name='ithaca gal']I just received a message from a friend who works on the Eurodam. There is no smoking in the casino. They said it is so much better now. OK, this is from a non-smoker's perspective but there you have it. I am so happy because the casino workers will now have a much healthier environment. As well the rest of us![/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][COLOR=Blue][B]That is bad news for smokers in the case of Severe weather and the Captain closing ALL outside decks, which includes verandahs.

At least if you were playing in the Casino you could still enjoy yourself.

I know it makes anti-smokers happy, but it leaves those of us who are pro-smokers with no where to go.

Joanie[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='cruz chic']The person that is doing the live from thread also mentioned this.[/QUOTE]

... and that they've got a cigar smoker on the balcony next to them that drives them back inside... :eek:

HERE (and for reference, just as with quotes within the same thread, if you click on the icon next to the posters name, it will take you to the thread):

[quote name='sue117']Correct. No smoking indoors anywhere on the ship. You can smoke on the back deck of the Lido and on your balcony.
(And of course we are next to a smoker this time...I wouldn't care so much except that it's a CIGAR. GROSS!!! At least a cigarette would be over faster. Every time he comes out onto his balcony I have to come inside. Hopefully he's only on for a week! lol[/QUOTE]

Tom Edited January 1, 2016 by Tom-n-Cheryl

[RuthC]

[quote name='Lizzie68']But if the Oak Room remains (or has been re-instituted) on the Noordam, this gives smokers a comfortable inside venue. So I do see it as a step forward and hopefully it will spread across the fleet eventually. It is obviously back according to recent reports, so HAL may be changing their thinking somewhat.[/QUOTE]
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]I'm either confused myself (possible), or there are conflicting reports (also possible), but I thought I read that the Oak Room on the Noordam was open when there was bunkering going on. That is not to say that it is open for smokers all the time.
Makes a difference, especially in light of Casino smoking being eliminated on the E-dam.

HAL is sending mixed messages when what is needed is a very clear policy. Enforced.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[erewhon]

[quote name='CHOPPERTESTER']That's because on embarkation day the ship is bunkering and no smoking is permitted outside anywhere until bunkering is completed closer to departure time.

The oak room is the only place to go for a smoke until bunkering is completed as the casino and casino bar are closed.[/quote]

No, the Oak Room was not for smokers to use only on embarkation day.
The letter clearly stated "We look forward to welcoming guests to the Oak Room throughout the voyage".

[cruz chic]

[quote name='erewhon']No, the Oak Room was not for smokers to use only on embarkation day.
The letter clearly stated "We look forward to welcoming guests to the Oak Room throughout the voyage".[/QUOTE]

I was hoping you would check in. I was pretty sure that you said that was the case. It would be odd to only have it open for the one day.

[OceanTraveller4ever]

The smoking debate will go on for quite a while.

I wish a merry, happy, healthy new year to all.

I just keep my fingers crossed that there will be no smoking close to my verandah on my next cruise.

Have a great 2016 :) Edited January 1, 2016 by jpelleti007

[erewhon]

[quote name='cruz chic']I was hoping you would check in. I was pretty sure that you said that was the case. It would be odd to only have it open for the one day.[/quote]

The letter also stated that "the Oak Room is open 24 hours a day, a full beverage service is available from 12 noon until 10 pm daily. The Oak Room has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable seating and a large screen TV with a variety of channels, as well as a wide array of cigars and cigarettes available for purchase".

[cruz chic]

[quote name='erewhon']The letter also stated that "the Oak Room is open 24 hours a day, a full beverage service is available from 12 noon until 10 pm daily. The Oak Room has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable seating and a large screen TV with a variety of channels, as well as a wide array of cigars and cigarettes available for purchase".[/QUOTE]

Thx for the info :).

[cbr663]

[quote name='ithaca gal']I just received a message from a friend who works on the Eurodam. There is no smoking in the casino. They said it is so much better now. OK, this is from a non-smoker's perspective but there you have it. I am so happy because the casino workers will now have a much healthier environment. As well the rest of us![/QUOTE]

Is this for the entire cruise or only for specific nights? I ask this as when we were on the NA a few weeks ago, the casino was smoke free for certain nights only. We were there one night that was smoke free and another night that wasn't.

[cruz chic]

[quote name='cbr663']Is this for the entire cruise or only for specific nights? I ask this as when we were on the NA a few weeks ago, the casino was smoke free for certain nights only. We were there one night that was smoke free and another night that wasn't.[/QUOTE]

Its for the entire cruise. Smoke free nights are nothing new.

[Lizzie68]

[quote name='RuthC'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=RoyalBlue]I'm either confused myself (possible), or there are conflicting reports (also possible), but I thought I read that the Oak Room on the Noordam was open when there was bunkering going on. That is not to say that it is open for smokers all the time.
Makes a difference, especially in light of Casino smoking being eliminated on the E-dam.

HAL is sending mixed messages when what is needed is a very clear policy. Enforced.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

Ahh, I see. I think it's in how you interpret the letter. However, since you posted erewhon made further clarification in post #2935, so I remain hopeful.

[ithaca gal]

[quote name='IRL_Joanie'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=4][COLOR=Blue][B]That is bad news for smokers in the case of Severe weather and the Captain closing ALL outside decks, which includes verandahs.

At least if you were playing in the Casino you could still enjoy yourself.

I know it makes anti-smokers happy, but it leaves those of us who are pro-smokers with no where to go.

Joanie[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

That is certainly a possibility but smokers literally drove me out of the casino. I would find a machine to play on and a smoker would sit down next to me and light up. I would have to leave immediately.

This new Policy protects the dealers who cannot leave the area. It shows consideration for the workers

[gillianrose]

[SIZE="6"][/SIZE][quote name='ithaca gal']That is certainly a possibility but smokers literally drove me out of the casino.[/QUOTE]

[B][SIZE="5"][B]Smokers, especially balcony cigar smokers drove us and our friends off cruising HAL, altogether. Oh, I check in here once in awhile to see if it is safe to book a HAL cruise, but apparently it's not.

I can't believe that we are heading into 2016 and HAL still permits smoking on balconies. It's just disgusting and so unfair to everyone else who has paid . [/B][/SIZE][/B][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][/COLOR]

I just read this evening that the Veendam has Norovirus onboard, with 5% of passengers affected. (That's why I signed on to the HAL board this particular evening, to see if there was more news.)

[Copper10-8]

[quote name='OVgirl']We were on Noordam in 2014 (I know it's not current) and there was no smoking in the Oak Room. Like someone already mentioned, they might just allow smoking for the time they are bunkering fuel.

Hopefully, we'll hear from more people who have been on Noordam, if smoking is allowed there for the duration of a cruise.[/QUOTE]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Navy"][COLOR="Navy"]The NODM Oak Room was designated "No Smoking" as recent as May this year (2015)
[/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE][/FONT]

[tim22361]

[quote name='gillianrose']

[B][SIZE=5][B]Smokers, especially balcony cigar smokers drove us and our friends off cruising HAL, altogether. Oh, I check in here once in awhile to see if it is safe to book a HAL cruise, but apparently it's not.

I can't believe that we are heading into 2016 and HAL still permits smoking on balconies. It's just disgusting and so unfair to everyone else who has paid . [/B][/SIZE][/B]



Why is it unfair? When you booked, were you aware smoking on balconies was allowed? If so, then it must not really bother you all that much.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Eurodam just went through a refit where they actually reduced the size of the casino and removed some machines. Banning smoking in the Casino for the entire voyage is a big move that you would have thought HAL would like to advertise to all cruisers out there.

Since HAL has not posted anything about the change, I can only assume they are trying it out and are hesitant to do so on other ships until they gather data, good or bad, on the revenue change.

Even if the Oak room, King's room or another room is used people will still object.

Sue117 in her posts has stated that Eurodam now has no interior spaces that permit smoking and the only exterior locations are the verandahs and the Seaview bar. Not a good move on HALs part as smoking in the Seaview bar is already a sore spot for some. Not setting up an interior space for smoking like Noordam, especially after a refit, is poor planning. No smoking on embarkation day, anywhere on the ship, until bunkering is complete and no smoking when the close the exterior decks for weather.

We'll be on Eurodam for a B2B in April/May, in the Med, this new policy, for Eurodam at least, will be fun to watch while sailing in European waters. Edited January 1, 2016 by CHOPPERTESTER

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='CHOPPERTESTER']Eurodam just went through a refit where they actually reduced the size of the casino and removed some machines. Banning smoking in the Casino for the entire voyage is a big move that you would have thought HAL would like to advertise to all cruisers out there.

Since HAL has not posted anything about the change, I can only assume they are trying it out and are hesitant to do so on other ships until they gather data, good or bad, on the revenue change.

Even if the Oak room, King's room or another room is used people will still object.[/QUOTE]

As long as their data comparison accounts for the new casino being smaller. Any idea what did they did with the space gained by the removal of some machines?

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

[CHOPPERTESTER]

[quote name='Tom-n-Cheryl']Any idea what did they did with the space gained by the removal of some machines? [/QUOTE]

I read that they expanded the Piano Bar area to set up space for dueling pianos but Sue117 confirmed they still only have one piano in place even though they expanded the Piano Bar.

They gutted the Northern Lights disco and opened it up towards the Casino. Unclear where dance music will now be, Sue117 thought they had moved that type of entertainment up to the Crow's Nest lounge. Edited January 1, 2016 by CHOPPERTESTER

[cruz chic]

From reading on here celebrity has no indoor smoking area. I wonder how smokers manage with that. They don't seem to have problems selling their ships out and I assume smokers do cruise with them.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

[quote name='cruz chic']From reading on here celebrity has no indoor smoking area. I wonder how smokers manage with that. They don't seem to have problems selling their ships out and I assume smokers do cruise with them.[/QUOTE]

Nicorette gum or patches, LOL, during bunkering/closed decks.

Even on Celebrity they still complain about the exterior space set aside for smokers, Celebrity not enforcing the imaginary smoking/non-smoking line painted on the deck, Why do they have to have a covered area?, etc etc.

For me I think karaoke on a ship is a wasted space but I don't complain about it. Point is HAL did a refit on Eurodam and didn't think it through.

HAL is not alone in not planning well. Carnival when they refit Destiny/Sunshine added for pay restaurants where handicapped cruisers cannot go as there are no tables their height and added a comedy club where only the smallest wheelchairs can navigate the room.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

[quote name='CHOPPERTESTER']I read that they expanded the Piano Bar area to set up space for dueling pianos but Sue117 confirmed they still only have one piano in place even though they expanded the Piano Bar.

They gutted the Northern Lights disco and opened it up towards the Casino. Unclear where dance music will now be, Sue117 thought they had moved that type of entertainment up to the Crow's Nest lounge.[/QUOTE]

Thanks :)

Tom

[RuthC]

[quote name='Lizzie68']Ahh, I see. I think it's in how you interpret the letter. However, since you posted erewhon made further clarification in post #2935, so I remain hopeful.[/QUOTE]
[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]Thanks, I did see Erewhon's post and it returned a flicker of hope.

However, even if HAL were to have an enclosed, ventilated, comfortable, indoor space (or two), as well as an outdoor space (or two), on every ship as the only spaces where smoking is allowed, there would still be people who are not satisfied. The crabbing that smokers have ANY space whatsoever, or complaints about the particular space allocated, would go on. As would this thread. :rolleyes:[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]