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

[Hlitner]

Okay now I know your thinking. I don't mind a spot for them to smoke just as long as it.does not impose on my enjoyment inside or outside.

 

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

[albingirl]

Oh,sohappyhappyhappygratefultheydidthis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)

[sail7seas]

HIP HIP HURfah. finally. I WONDER HO w it finally sunk init it was time to end verandah smoking. This might bbe the final impetus I need to make a HAL booking. I was not willing to pay 200% for my Neptune and risk losing use of the verandah because of smokers. It has happenedd to me in th past and I d o not care to put up with that again.

CONGRTATULATIONS , HAL. You have made many loyal Mariners very happy.

[sail7seas]

Like many others here, i am fine with them finding an oudoor space where smmokers can go and not bother others. I do;gt mind ht ry smoke, but I don't want to catch a whiff of it.

Edited October 1, 2016 by sail7seas

[Lis2065]

This is good news as it will make it that much easier to convince my SO to go on a different cruise line - HAL just lost its advantage for him.

 

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[Cruise Junky]

This is good news as it will make it that much easier to convince my SO to go on a different cruise line - HAL just lost its advantage for him.

 

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What's left for you beside Costa? I would think you're running out of options

[Lis2065]

Not a problem for me at all - as I said opens up the options.

 

I'm happy!

 

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[Cruise Junky]

Not a problem for me at all - as I said opens up the options.

 

I'm happy!

 

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I'm being serious - what options ? Honestly, are there any left that you can smoke on the balcony beside Costa?

[erewhon]

Very good news.

If only the new policy was starting on Maasdam,today 1st October.

 

We had thought that our Maasdam cruise beginning later this month would be our last HAL cruise. Will now check out future HAL itineraries.

[Lis2065]

I'm being serious - what options ? Honestly, are there any left that you can smoke on the balcony beside Costa?

Sorry - misunderstanding here - I didn't explain myself well!

 

By opening up the options I mean that all cruise lines will have the same rules so it will be easier to convince my other half to try another line for a change.

 

I've been really wanting to try Princess but he has been wed to HAL - now they'll all be equal for him.

 

That's why it's good news for me.

 

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[Cruise Junky]

Sorry - misunderstanding here - I didn't explain myself well!

 

By opening up the options I mean that all cruise lines will have the same rules so it will be easier to convince my other half to try another line for a change.

 

I've been really wanting to try Princess but he has been wed to HAL - now they'll all be equal for him.

 

That's why it's good news for me.

 

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Ah, yes, now it's clear. Thanks.

[SteveH2508]

We are fortunate that we are able to take 20-30 day cruises a few times each year. We have noticed when the weather is bad (cold/rainy) etc. that smokers still smoke! I would prefer they have an area where it is less likely they get sick and spread it. Also feel that it should not be that big of a deal for a cruise line to make an area for smokers. Sure it will cost some $$ but so is acquiring/maintaining a customer base.

 

The 'problem' arises when the weather is so bad that they close the outside decks completely. A line that only has outside smoking areas (e.g. P&O UK and soon, apparently HAL), at that point, has no provision for smokers at all. Princess, NCL and those who provide a cigar bar do, at least, have an indoor venue (albeit rather crowded and not too pleasant in those circumstances).

[Cindy]

The 'problem' arises when the weather is so bad that they close the outside decks completely. A line that only has outside smoking areas (e.g. P&O UK and soon, apparently HAL), at that point, has no provision for smokers at all. Princess, NCL and those who provide a cigar bar do, at least, have an indoor venue (albeit rather crowded and not too pleasant in those circumstances).

 

 

I think the wave of the future is for no interior smoking at all, and within the next few years most/all the cruise lines will have a similar policy. Much like hotels, restaurants, and bars there will be some complaining and then people will adjust. Some people will stop cruising, and some will cruise more.

 

Your comments about weather/outside decks being closed brings up a valid concern for smokers. While I don't think smoking should be banned completely, I DO think it needs to be restricted to outside areas, since the cruise lines appear incapable of designing an effective ventilation system to extract the smoke. If they could find an effective way to extract the smoke from an enclosed area and keep it from spreading to adjacent venues, then I think an inside smoking area is reasonable and should be added to accommodate the passengers who still smoke. Unfortunately, as things are now with most lines using the casino as a de facto smoking lounge, that makes the space unusable for non-smokers and the odor permeates everything around the casino and lingers in soft furnishings.

 

Whether it's outside or a properly ventilated one inside, I think the cruise lines need to make sure they provide a comfortable seating area(s) sheltered from the elements were smokers can gather. I've seen very nice ones on Celebrity and terrible ones on Royal Caribbean. I don't think it's fair for a cruise line to expect all the smokers to huddle around a single ashtray set in between some uncomfortable chairs. I think if adequate and comfortable spaces are set aside it will be easier for everyone to adjust to the new policy.

 

 

Cindy

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[deliver42]

On Royal Caribbean, it depends on the ship. Other than the Oasis class, there is covered smoking with tables and chairs on the pool deck under cover. I was on the Serenade, and the smoking area was very comfortable.

[sapper1]

Also posted on CruiseRadio.net

 

Do all you doubters want a personalized copy signed in blood and delivered to you in person by Orlando Ashford ? :rolleyes:

 

Of course not--- I want it delivered by Tom Selleck. :D

[Lady Arwen]

We are fortunate that we are able to take 20-30 day cruises a few times each year. We have noticed when the weather is bad (cold/rainy) etc. that smokers still smoke! I would prefer they have an area where it is less likely they get sick and spread it. Also feel that it should not be that big of a deal for a cruise line to make an area for smokers. Sure it will cost some $$ but so is acquiring/maintaining a customer base.

 

People smoking outdoors in bad weather (their choice) cannot contract a viral decease that could be passed around to other passengers. The world is changing to eliminate ALL indoor smoking, so building a smoking area indoors is a step backwards. Give them an outdoor, sheltered area.

[cruisemom42]

HIP HIP HURfah. finally. I WONDER HO w it finally sunk init it was time to end verandah smoking. This might bbe the final impetus I need to make a HAL booking. I was not willing to pay 200% for my Neptune and risk losing use of the verandah because of smokers. It has happenedd to me in th past and I d o not care to put up with that again.

CONGRTATULATIONS , HAL. You have made many loyal Mariners very happy.

 

Indeed. And have made some very loyal Mariners very unhappy.

 

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.

 

People smoking outdoors in bad weather (their choice) cannot contract a viral decease that could be passed around to other passengers. The world is changing to eliminate ALL indoor smoking, so building a smoking area indoors is a step backwards. Give them an outdoor, sheltered area.

 

There are a good number of cruises where there is potential for the outdoor decks to be closed altogether. Unless HAL bans smoking everywhere, they need to have some type of plan for smokers when that happens.

[Lady Arwen]

Indeed. And have made some very loyal Mariners very unhappy.

 

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.

 

 

 

There are a good number of cruises where there is potential for the outdoor decks to be closed altogether. Unless HAL bans smoking everywhere, they need to have some type of plan for smokers when that happens.

 

Celebrity does not make any concessions for bad weather. No smoking indoors anytime, anywhere. Celebrity is so popular and so successful mainly because of their strict smoking policy. If HAL adopted the same policy, it would not impact their popularity, in fact, HAL would probably attract a lot of Celebrity loyalists.

[brainyblonde]

Yeah! Please, please make it true!!!!!

 

We always worry that a smoker will ruin our balcony experience. The worst was a cigar smoker who lit up an hour before sail-away at every port. Miserable! Another time our hallway reeked of smoke every day.

 

We will keep our fingers crossed for our Eurodam crossing!

[cruisemom42]

Celebrity does not make any concessions for bad weather. No smoking indoors anytime, anywhere. Celebrity is so popular and so successful mainly because of their strict smoking policy. If HAL adopted the same policy, it would not impact their popularity, in fact, HAL would probably attract a lot of Celebrity loyalists.

 

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.

[sammiedawg]

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.

[Hlitner]

 

 

There are a good number of cruises where there is potential for the outdoor decks to be closed altogether. Unless HAL bans smoking everywhere, they need to have some type of plan for smokers when that happens.

 

Why?

 

Hank

Edited October 1, 2016 by Hlitner

[blizzardboy]

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.

Sounds like a great opportunity to quit with no temptations around. If that's not on your agenda, they still make nicotine gum and patches.

[cruisemom42]

Why?

 

Hank

 

It's funny. This is exactly what was said upstream in this thread many, many times. E.g., that even HAL banning balcony smoking wouldn't end the debate, that people will not be happy until there is zero smoking allowed onboard.

 

Understand I am not a smoker. That doesn't mean I can't have empathy for those who do smoke. IMO unless HAL wants to completely ban smoking, it seems ill considered to not make some indoor space available to them. If it is a self-contained area, why is that an irritation to anyone else?

[Lady Arwen]

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.

 

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.