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

[Sow There]

I'm quite confident smoking will be banned by this time next year.

 

Several years ago Carnival launched a new ship, the Carnival Paradise. It started out as a totally no smoking ship and if a passenger was caught smoking they were put off at the next port.

 

Didn't work. The policy was eventually dropped because there was no demand for a no smoking ship. The Paradise launched in 1997 and dropped its no smoking rules in 2003.

 

Renaissance cruises (remember them?) had a total no smoking policy. Didn't work. Renaissance is out of business.

 

I seriously doubt that HAL will take a chance by becoming totally smoke free by October 29, 2015. The only way would be if many (most?) of the competition goes smoke free before HAL does. Right now there are no lines that have a total smoking ban. Many have tougher policies than does HAL, and it's possible that HAL will toughen their smoking policy by October 29, 2015, but a total ban? I think not.

[cruz chic]

Several years ago Carnival launched a new ship, the Carnival Paradise. It started out as a totally no smoking ship and if a passenger was caught smoking they were put off at the next port.

 

Didn't work. The policy was eventually dropped because there was no demand for a no smoking ship. The Paradise launched in 1997 and dropped its no smoking rules in 2003.

 

Renaissance cruises (remember them?) had a total no smoking policy. Didn't work. Renaissance is out of business.

 

I seriously doubt that HAL will take a chance by becoming totally smoke free by October 29, 2015. The only way would be if many (most?) of the competition goes smoke free before HAL does. Right now there are no lines that have a total smoking ban. Many have tougher policies than does HAL, and it's possible that HAL will toughen their smoking policy by October 29, 2015, but a total ban? I think not.

 

I should have been more specific. I meant on balconies.

[Toad]

Yes, you've made your opinion quite clear, just as I have. Please understand just because you have not smelled smoke doesn't mean others haven't. I cruise princess often and they have banned balcony smoking. I've never smelled an overpowering smell of smoke you say you experienced on ncl. The 2 do not necessarily go hand in hand. I don't think hal is taking anyone's "vote".

 

Cruz Chic: I guess I obviously did not "make my point quite clear" as you apparently did not understand what I was suggesting, which was, if they BAN balcony smoking, all those smokers will go elsewhere, which is what seemed to happen on NCL, that area being around the pool...... that is my fear. Then all those who now smoke on their balconies as many have suggested will go to the "public" areas and smoke, and isn't it better than in common space to possibly have one smoker on a balcony than 100 around the pool congregating and smoking? Just saying, be careful what you wish for.....

Edited October 30, 2014 by Toad

[PathfinderEss]

Cruz Chic: I guess I obviously did not "make my point quite clear" as you apparently did not understand what I was suggesting, which was, if they BAN balcony smoking, all those smokers will go elsewhere, which is what seemed to happen on NCL, that area being around the pool...... that is my fear. Then all those who now smoke on their balconies as many have suggested will go to the "public" areas and smoke, and isn't it better than in common space to possibly have one smoker on a balcony than 100 around the pool congregating and smoking? Just saying, be careful what you wish for.....

Well said Toad.

[Lizzie68]

As a smoker, I've avoided smoking threads like the plague. I've been smoke free for 9 months now, and am finally beginning to see the "other side of the story". I can hardly believe I'm anxious to cruise now, as a non-smoker, and not have to worry about when and where I can get my next smoke. :):):)

 

Though I will always and forever respect the rights of those who choose to smoke. I spent too many years defending that right.

 

Congratulations! It's a wonderful feeling when you are no longer a slave to the cigarettes, worrying about how to find somewhere to smoke! I remember it well.;)

[cruz chic]

Cruz Chic: I guess I obviously did not "make my point quite clear" as you apparently did not understand what I was suggesting, which was, if they BAN balcony smoking, all those smokers will go elsewhere, which is what seemed to happen on NCL, that area being around the pool...... that is my fear. Then all those who now smoke on their balconies as many have suggested will go to the "public" areas and smoke, and isn't it better than in common space to possibly have one smoker on a balcony than 100 around the pool congregating and smoking? Just saying, be careful what you wish for.....

 

Yes, I got your point. I'm not dense. That's why I said I've never smelled overpowering smoke on princess. Just so you understand that means anywhere on the ship. I'm sorry you couldn't understand. Smokers really love to give this to people as a warning. I don't care where smokers smoke. I do not want to smell it on my balcony that a pay dearly for. You can take that to the bank. Just sayin' (I hate that saying)don't paint all non smokers with the same brush.

Edited October 30, 2014 by cruz chic

[Aquahound]

This is funny...the same old discussion/assumptions made on other cruise line boards in years past. If they ban balcony smoking, the public smoking areas will become unbearable smoke pits that overwhelm everyone and everything around them. Blah, blah, blah.

 

I saw this on Celebrity. I saw this on Princess. I saw this on RCI. Yet, it all turned out to be untrue. I've cruised all these other lines numerous times since their new policies were placed into effect and the public smoking areas are no worse than they were when balcony smoking was permitted.

[Hertz Von Seasider]

I have no problem with people smoking and it certainly didn't bother us on our recent HAL cruise.

 

What did though was people throwing their cigarette stubs into the sea which then blew onto our balcony ! :mad:

[Northern Bear]

Just back from the Eurodam. Had a corner aft and it was basically unusable because of the cigar smoker one cabin in front of us. It seemed he was out there every living minute.

You could even smell it as you passed by his cabin door. We talked to the concierge but they said there was nothing they could do, it was allowed.

[sammiedawg]

We had a similiar experience to Northern Bears's Eurodam sailing, it was our last balcony on HAL. We had a "spa suite", much touted for wellness and health. The cabin featured some extra wellness amenities but our balcony was useless due to adjacent smoking of cigarettes and cigars. The stink and smoke overwhelmed us.

[DesertPesce7751]

We had a similiar experience to Northern Bears's Eurodam sailing, it was our last balcony on HAL. We had a "spa suite", much touted for wellness and health. The cabin featured some extra wellness amenities but our balcony was useless due to adjacent smoking of cigarettes and cigars. The stink and smoke overwhelmed us.

 

I thought they banned cigars and pipes on the balconies?

[kakalina]

No DesertPesce they have not. Smoking on balconies of cigarettes, pipes, cigars is allowed by HAL at this time.

[maxxboy]

This is funny...the same old discussion/assumptions made on other cruise line boards in years past. If they ban balcony smoking, the public smoking areas will become unbearable smoke pits that overwhelm everyone and everything around them. Blah, blah, blah.

 

I saw this on Celebrity. I saw this on Princess. I saw this on RCI. Yet, it all turned out to be untrue.

 

Since RCI has banned balcony smoking, I have noticed several posts complaining about smoke being more prevalent in the casino and public areas. Even complaints from those who's balconies were above a designated outdoor smoking areas where the smoke drifted up.

[Daydaes]

We have an aft cabin on the Veendam. It is on the Promenade deck. I've been on another HAL ship walking the deck and did see some people smoking. I just hope they don't set up a chair for the day and sit there and smoke. Even if we won't be in the cabin all the time, I'd hate to have the smoke permeate my room. I have asthma so being around smoke really can bother me.

[nb125]

We have an aft cabin on the Veendam. It is on the Promenade deck. I've been on another HAL ship walking the deck and did see some people smoking. I just hope they don't set up a chair for the day and sit there and smoke. Even if we won't be in the cabin all the time, I'd hate to have the smoke permeate my room. I have asthma so being around smoke really can bother me.

 

I thought smoking had been banned on the promenade deck on all ships.

[DesertPesce7751]

I thought smoking had been banned on the promenade deck on all ships.

 

It has, but some ships are lax on enforcing this. Also, some ships still have built-in ash trays around the Promenade decks, so it confuses people.

[Toad]

Yes, I got your point. I'm not dense. That's why I said I've never smelled overpowering smoke on princess. Just so you understand that means anywhere on the ship. I'm sorry you couldn't understand. Smokers really love to give this to people as a warning. I don't care where smokers smoke. I do not want to smell it on my balcony that a pay dearly for. You can take that to the bank. Just sayin' (I hate that saying)don't paint all non smokers with the same brush.

 

Sorry Cruz chic, I am done trying to explain to you, and just for your information, I am a Nonsmoker, so I guess you really do not get the point I was trying to make. We always cruise in a balcony( so we too, "pay dearly") or suite cabin and I only stated we had not been bothered by smoke except on that one occasion. You have JUMPED to the erroneous conclusion that I am a smoker simply because I do not support your wholesale banning of cigarette smoking on balconies. Apparently I am a bit more tolerant of others than some people.

[hal lover]

Smoker 's and Non Smoker's need to learn to be more tolerant. This bickering all the time is fruitless. I have been smoke free for one and half year's now and at no time has someone elses smoking been a problem for me. I do not walk in their space. I feel that a lot of non smoker's are really anti smoker's and they want all or nothing. Tolerance people, tolerance. JMO.

[Sow There]

Smoker 's and Non Smoker's need to learn to be more tolerant. This bickering all the time is fruitless. I have been smoke free for one and half year's now and at no time has someone elses smoking been a problem for me. I do not walk in their space. I feel that a lot of non smoker's are really anti smoker's and they want all or nothing. Tolerance people, tolerance. JMO.

Perfectly stated, hal lover.

 

Sometimes (no, most of the time) as a non smoker myself, I hear the irrational passion of the anti-smoker being so over the top as showing an intent to shout down any or all opposing perspectives.

 

And the need for tolerance is clearly evident.

 

Thanks, hal lover. You nailed it.

[CruiseWhere]

Tolerance YES!!!! Paying dearly or not for a balcony and having to put up with smoke for your entire cruise....tolerance is not an issue!!

[cruz chic]

I find it amusing how so many non smokers are concerned about the rights of smokers. My guess is that there in a smoker somewhere in their travel circle. No one will ever get bent about something if it doesn't effect them. I have been on a inhaler now since March for a cough I can't kick. Smoke does nothing to make it feel better. I will continue to encourage hal to end balcony smoking.

[CruiseWhere]

I will continue to encourage hal to end balcony smoking.

 

You and me both!!! With an army behind us gf!!!!!

[Lizzie68]

Smoker 's and Non Smoker's need to learn to be more tolerant. This bickering all the time is fruitless. I have been smoke free for one and half year's now and at no time has someone elses smoking been a problem for me. I do not walk in their space. I feel that a lot of non smoker's are really anti smoker's and they want all or nothing. Tolerance people, tolerance. JMO.

 

One-sided tolerance doesn't usually work.:rolleyes: Anything that impacts on others comfort or health, no matter what it is, shouldn't have to be tolerated. It would be considerate for a smoker to remove himself/herself to an area where others do not have to deal with the smoke as well.

 

Edited to add - my post sounds harsh and I regret that. Didn't come across quite as I intended - I am a non smoker now, and I think that naturally tends towards anti-smoking, but I remember how defensive and inconsiderate I was myself back then.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Lizzie68

[RuthC]

I find it amusing how so many non smokers are concerned about the rights of smokers. My guess is that there in a smoker somewhere in their travel circle.

Your guess is wrong in my case. I defend the rights of smokers because it's the fair thing to do---pure and simple.

 

Smoking is still legal in both our countries, although severely restricted. It is also severely restricted on HAL ships. It has been restricted enough that any more changes should be just that---trade offs so that people engaged in a legal activity will have as much space as they do now.

[scm1848]

We have a 25 day cruise booked for next November in a suite. As smokers, HAL will loose some serious $$$$ if we can't smoke on our veranda. I think when HAL sees how far out its expensive verandas and suites are filling up, its smoking policy will remain in effect.

 

Book another cruise line, people, please. You have so many options that we dont'!!!!