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

[OCruisers]

Think of it this way.....they are GAINING business from cruisers who do smoke and don't like the more restrictive smoking policies on all the other cruise lines. Believe me, they are not losing any business over this.

 

Quite true above! :D

[Hlitner]

Smokers die younger; that hurts HAL's demographic.

 

On our recent Zuiderdam cruise we were pleasantly surprised to see there were not many smokers (despite having a large group of Europeans aboard). But then we heard a comment that there were quite a few passengers dragging around their oxygen....and the assumption was they USED to be the smokers on HAL. We took our chances and booked a balcony cabin...and only had a few instances where we had the faint smell of cigarette smoke (not bad enough to drive us inside). Fortunately, there were no cigar smokers in are area of the ship.

 

Hank

[iancal]

It is strictly business.

 

HAL will change their smoking policy when and if their bean counters tell them that it will translate into increased revenue and profit. No secret sauce....simply a bottom line decision.

[webecruzin2]

Thanks for the replies to date. I can only agree that HAL will indeed gain more business through smokers opting for their less restrictive rules than other lines.

I was amused by IanCal’s response – I quote, “It may seem odd but HAL does not make it's business and policy decisions based upon your specific cruise preferences. This is not difficult. Simply select another cruise line. Why all the fuss and consternation? It is not all about you.”

Thank you IanCal for showing why I do not bother to post here too often as one can always guarantee an acerbic reply such as yours – and indeed one that entirely misses the point, again like yours.

If you had actually read my posting you will see we HAVE already selected another cruise line!

I am devastated that they did not ring me before making “their business and policy decisions based on my preferences”, ha ha. What a pathetic comment, compounded by the “Its not all about you” further on.

I was merely raising an issue for discussion although it appears you agree with me!

Oh dear!

 

Oh snap! Good response.

[RoyalVisit]

I'm a nonsmoker who also appreciates ships with a no-smoking policy in public areas and as far as I'm concerned, a balcony is a public area when they are adjacent or share the same verandah.

 

My question is on the disposal of cigarettes/cigars? if you smoke on your balcony, does HAL provide a disposal container for your cigarette butts? if not, what are you doing with them?

[blizzardboy]

I'm a nonsmoker who also appreciates ships with a no-smoking policy in public areas and as far as I'm concerned, a balcony is a public area when they are adjacent or share the same verandah.

 

My question is on the disposal of cigarettes/cigars? if you smoke on your balcony, does HAL provide a disposal container for your cigarette butts? if not, what are you doing with them?

 

I'm not a smoker, but I've been told you can ask your steward for an ashtray.

[RoyalVisit]

I'm not a smoker, but I've been told you can ask your steward for an ashtray.

 

Thanks for answering! I've been reading the other posts but they are numerous and I was particularly interested in the complaints from other guests who have had cigarette butts fall onto their balconies from above. I once was in a car with a woman smoking in the front seat. She tossed her butt out of the window, it blew back through my open window and burnt a hole through my jacket which was lying on the seat next to me. I'm sure you can imagine my feelings on that.

 

Second-hand smoke is more my concern which as the American Cancer Society states "This type of smoke has higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) and is more toxic than mainstream smoke." Mainstream smoke being the smoke exhaled by the smoker. I just do my best to avoid people who are smoking but that is difficult in public areas and particularly in the casinos which I feel strongly prohibits nonsmokers from enjoying the facilities if they are concerned about their own health. Our last two cruises were on Carnival and I tried to use the casino but the stench and the cloud of smoke made it impossible to stay more than a few minutes.

[blizzardboy]

Thanks for answering! I've been reading the other posts but they are numerous and I was particularly interested in the complaints from other guests who have had cigarette butts fall onto their balconies from above. I once was in a car with a woman smoking in the front seat. She tossed her butt out of the window, it blew back through my open window and burnt a hole through my jacket which was lying on the seat next to me. I'm sure you can imagine my feelings on that.

 

Second-hand smoke is more my concern which as the American Cancer Society states "This type of smoke has higher concentrations of cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) and is more toxic than mainstream smoke." Mainstream smoke being the smoke exhaled by the smoker. I just do my best to avoid people who are smoking but that is difficult in public areas and particularly in the casinos which I feel strongly prohibits nonsmokers from enjoying the facilities if they are concerned about their own health. Our last two cruises were on Carnival and I tried to use the casino but the stench and the cloud of smoke made it impossible to stay more than a few minutes.

There aren't nearly as many smokers as there used to be, but the non-smoker lobby is very vocal. There was one smoker who played Blackjack, as I do, on our last cruise, but he played at a table under the smoke-eater and I didn't have a problem with it. I honestly think you hear the most complaints from 1 or 2% of the passengers who've had an inconsiderate chain-smoker next door, rather than the 98 or 99% who've never had a problem. Now I'm going to go put on a helmet, as I'm sure there will be lots of rocks thrown my way by that "2%" after these remarks.

Edited August 23, 2016 by blizzardboy

[pnkandpurple]

Thanks K......

We have 10 veranda cabins in a row (our Hialeah High group) so he will be next to a classmate of mine. Not sure if there will be any other smokers as 2 couples are friends of classmates. He is next to elevator with the group on the other side so no unhappy cruisers next to him.

 

I did not know they could bring the duty free back to cabin, thought it was just like duty free liquor. I know I can always count on my CC friends for answers, thanks, Linda

 

What about the neighbors above? smoke does rise................

[Herfnerd]

What about the neighbors above? smoke does rise................

 

Really not an issue - smoke doesn't rise too well when the ship is moving.

[RoyalVisit]

There aren't nearly as many smokers as there used to be, but the non-smoker lobby is very vocal. There was one smoker who played Blackjack, as I do, on our last cruise, but he played at a table under the smoke-eater and I didn't have a problem with it. I honestly think you hear the most complaints from 1 or 2% of the passengers who've had an inconsiderate chain-smoker next door, rather than the 98 or 99% who've never had a problem. Now I'm going to go put on a helmet, as I'm sure there will be lots of rocks thrown my way by that "2%" after these remarks.

 

I get your point too. I don't begrudge people from smoking. I just think chain smokers particularly should be considerate of nonsmokers around them which I agree, is difficult on a ship when you have an addiction like smoking.

 

Many smokers will not smoke in their cars or homes, or even around their own family or friends so for the same reasons, I hope they are considerate of those of us who don't smoke. In Canada, the last statistics I've seen show that roughly 21% of men/14% of women smoke.

 

All of us, nonsmokers and smokers just want to enjoy ourselves on our hard earned vacations so if everyone was just a tad bit more considerate then there will be less objections. Now having said that, if I find a cigarette butt on my verandah I am going to complain!

[kennicott]

Really not an issue - smoke doesn't rise too well when the ship is moving.

 

That might have some merit to it, except, consider that way over 50% of a guest's time on the balcony is spent when the vessel is tied to a dock, moving very slow or at anchor.

[Herfnerd]

Which would be a small percentage of the time and I would think the majority of passengers will be in port.

 

I'm a non smoker, BTW

 

 

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[Aquahound]

What about the neighbors above? smoke does rise................

 

Really not an issue - smoke doesn't rise too well when the ship is moving.

 

Perhaps it doesn't, but the stench does rise, fall, permeate....everything. The stench and the visible smoke are 2 different things.

[Herfnerd]

I've noticed when the ship is moving the smells and smoke tend to move aft - just my experience. I'm not a fan of smoke but understand that it does happen....

 

 

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[bobalink]

We paid the big bucks for a veranda on the ms Koningsdam for a recent Norwegian fjords cruise. Overall, the cruise was great. Loved the ship, very good food, awesome itinerary, good shows, great service, wonderful and helpful crew. But, since I saw this thread, I would like to add my experience in regards to smoking.

 

The disgusting cigarette smell from surrounding smokers detracted from our enjoyment of using our balcony.

 

I wish HAL would ban smoking all together. Or, provide an enclosed room somewhere on the ship for smokers so they can pollute each other's lungs, not mine.

 

On top of the foul smell of smoke permeating the air, the guy next to us brought his guitar and played it on the balcony. Seriously? Who in their right mind thinks their neighbors want to hear that? Some people have no consideration for others.

 

Thankfully, the guitar playing only happened once. Someone must have reported it.

 

There is no justifiable reason for HAL to allow smoking on balconies. Everyone has the right to breathe fresh air.

[kennicott]

Which would be a small percentage of the time and I would think the majority of passengers will be in port.

 

I'm a non smoker, BTW

 

 

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Nope, we ran a survey of this sometime back on this thread. Anyone who spends a lot of time on their balcony knows that balconies are occupied most of the time when the ships are moving slowly or not at all.

 

Sail aways and arrivals are number one, plus the fact that many do not go ashore for the entire time in port, so when on the ship they are on the balcony a lot. If they have one.

 

I meet most of my fellow cruisers during those times while chatting back and forth on our balcony. But we always book balconies so I have a lot of experience on them. When underway rarely do I see those folk out there after we begin rolling fast. In fact, I bet balcony use when not well underway is about 80% compared to when not.

 

Of course, I only cruise on lines where smoking is not allowed on the balcony anymore, so maybe on HAL things are different nowadays.

[erewhon]

We paid the big bucks for a veranda on the ms Koningsdam for a recent Norwegian fjords cruise. Overall, the cruise was great. Loved the ship, very good food, awesome itinerary, good shows, great service, wonderful and helpful crew. But, since I saw this thread, I would like to add my experience in regards to smoking.

 

The disgusting cigarette smell from surrounding smokers detracted from our enjoyment of using our balcony.

 

I wish HAL would ban smoking all together. Or, provide an enclosed room somewhere on the ship for smokers so they can pollute each other's lungs, not mine.

 

On top of the foul smell of smoke permeating the air, the guy next to us brought his guitar and played it on the balcony. Seriously? Who in their right mind thinks their neighbors want to hear that? Some people have no consideration for others.

 

Thankfully, the guitar playing only happened once. Someone must have reported it.

 

There is no justifiable reason for HAL to allow smoking on balconies. Everyone has the right to breathe fresh air.

 

Did you write your comments about smoking on the survey after the cruise?

[Herfnerd]

Nope, we ran a survey of this sometime back on this thread. Anyone who spends a lot of time on their balcony knows that balconies are occupied most of the time when the ships are moving slowly or not at all.

 

 

 

Sail aways and arrivals are number one, plus the fact that many do not go ashore for the entire time in port, so when on the ship they are on the balcony a lot. If they have one.

 

 

 

I meet most of my fellow cruisers during those times while chatting back and forth on our balcony. But we always book balconies so I have a lot of experience on them. When underway rarely do I see those folk out there after we begin rolling fast. In fact, I bet balcony use when not well underway is about 80% compared to when not.

 

 

 

Of course, I only cruise on lines where smoking is not allowed on the balcony anymore, so maybe on HAL things are different nowadays.

 

 

Hmmmm.....so most smokers are out on the balconies in port? Didn't notice that but maybe we've been lucky.....

 

 

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[Mosaic]

Lets just bring back smoking on airplanes with similar policies as Holland America. No problems, no safety issues.

[navybankerteacher]

Lets just bring back smoking on airplanes with similar policies as Holland America. No problems, no safety issues.

 

Only plane I saw with a balcony was in an old W. C. Fields movie when he was on an airliner with an open observation platform, similar to that on old trains; and I've never seen a casino on a plane, so I have a hard time visualizing how your concept could be implemented.

[cruisemom42]

Hmmmm.....so most smokers are out on the balconies in port? Didn't notice that but maybe we've been lucky.....

 

 

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I find it hard to imagine, but a number of posters on this thread insist it is true. Apparently many people who book balconies -- whether smokers or not -- do not go ashore at ports, or if they do they do not stay for long. And they seemingly enjoy sitting on their balconies even in the heat and sun with no breeze, as is often the case when the ship is not moving!

 

Clearly they are made of sterner stuff than me.

[Kathyfromstl]

Went on our first cruise last month to Alaska. Used our balcony to watch pulling into a port and leaving a port; when we returned early to the ship after an excursion and all day in Glacier Bay. We had really good weather in July in Alaska.

 

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[kennicott]

Sounds like a lot of posters here actually do not have much experience with world voyaging and the use of balconies. A little more pertinent experience may result in an eye opener.

 

Anyway, this brings to mind a much earlier post by someone on this thread who mentioned they were tied up opposite a NCL ship one time. This occurred just prior to the time NCL banned balcony smoking. They said they counted 22 smokers on the NCL balconies at the time.

 

Now, we haven't been close to a HAL ship for years so I can't attest to what the smoking situation on HAL balconies looks like now. I can only surmise that many of those balcony smokers the poster observed on NCL have transferred over to HAL and that their smoking habits remain the same. However, we have been docked opposite other ships numerous times in recent years, when there are many out there enjoying their balconies, but since almost all lines ban balcony smoking anymore we didn't observe anyone smoking.

[Wonderingabout]

Nope, we ran a survey of this sometime back on this thread. Anyone who spends a lot of time on their balcony knows that balconies are occupied most of the time when the ships are moving slowly or not at all.

 

Sail aways and arrivals are number one, plus the fact that many do not go ashore for the entire time in port, so when on the ship they are on the balcony a lot. If they have one.

 

I meet most of my fellow cruisers during those times while chatting back and forth on our balcony. But we always book balconies so I have a lot of experience on them. When underway rarely do I see those folk out there after we begin rolling fast. In fact, I bet balcony use when not well underway is about 80% compared to when not.

 

Of course, I only cruise on lines where smoking is not allowed on the balcony anymore, so maybe on HAL things are different nowadays.

 

I must be missing something but this seems somewhat illogical. Using this logic - The presumption is that smokers and non-smokers use the balcony in the same way and therefore Smokers smoke on balconies 80% of the time when the ship is in port and only 20% of the time when the ship is moving. Does this mean that smokers either do not enjoy smoking when a ship is moving or they all head for public locations where smoking is allowed that is the casino or the outside public decks.

 

I suspect that a reason for the presumption that lumps smokers and no smokers together in the use of their balconies is that when the ship is moving given the wind, it is uncomfortable to be out on the balcony. My own experience with smokers is that they accept environmental conditions which would be offputting to most people. They are found smoking in front of buildings in below zero temperatures. They go to remote assigned corners where there is often less breeze to be able to smoke. My guess is that the smoker will use the Balcony when they are in or near their room and the urge to smoke arises and that this urge has nothing to do with whether the ship is moving or not moving.