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

[PathfinderEss]

Well we all maybe trading the cigarette for the smoke of marajana. Just something to think about as more and more states are making it legal.

[sail7seas]

Well we all maybe trading the cigarette for the smoke of marajana. Just something to think about as more and more states are making it legal.

 

Though some states have decriminalized or made it legal, Federal government still has not. How much Federal marijuana laws are enforced is another question.

 

[PathfinderEss]

Though some states have decriminalized or made it legal, Federal government still has not. How much Federal marijuana laws are enforced is another question.

 

You got that one right. How many other laws are they enforcing now?:rolleyes:

[Lizzie68]

Well we all maybe trading the cigarette for the smoke of marajana. Just something to think about as more and more states are making it legal.

 

That may make for a very mellow nation - with the munchies.:D

[Gerko]

This is supposed the be THE thread for HAL smoking policy but it seems to have gotten way off the track. I'm happy to see any topic discussed but if you go off track like this it just encourages someone to start a new HAL smoking policy thread. If you wanna discuss "60's smoking" maybe a new thread would be the go?

[ithaca gal]

I totally agree. The "smoking on the balcony next to me ruined my cruise" argument is ridiculous. There is NO WAY that the dissipated smoke OUTSIDE for short periods of time could have that effect unless you are, by nature, someone who looks for reasons to be miserable. If so, I feel sorry for you.

 

We've sailed with nonsmokers who have NO problem sitting with us on the same balcony while we are smoking. It's outside, like all the other areas in the majority of the country where smoking is allowed, and the smoke is gone in seconds.

 

As for the "everywhere is now nonsmoking" statement that some have made: also not true. We have no problem finding hotels with smoking rooms..and a cruise ship cabin is our hotel room. We don't smoke in the cabin, of course, but go OUTSIDE to our balcony.

 

Should I bring up the overperfumed, older (found on Holland) cruisers that leave their aroma everywhere? I get an instant headache from that.

 

Enough. I'll probably get blasted, but so be it. By reading all these posts it is obvious that some people on the Holland board live to give their opinion and think they know it all. We will enjoy our January cruise as we have many others and thankfully on those we haven't met any of the closeminded people that post here constantly.

 

Sorry, but you are absolutely dead wrong that dissipated smoke OUTSIDE could have such a negative effect on those nearby. Enough said.

[SteveH2508]

That may make for a very mellow nation - with the munchies.:D

 

Which is not helpful for a country with an obesity problem - an unintended consequence?:rolleyes:

[Cruzaholic41]

Puff away while you can. You're only hastening the inevitable.

 

That sums it up perfectly. Some of these people on this thread, who ironically can't recognize they are in the vast minority, seem totally incapable of facing today's reality as it pertains to smoking. And it's because of them smoking is becoming more and more restricted in public.

[Cruzaholic41]

I totally agree. The "smoking on the balcony next to me ruined my cruise" argument is ridiculous. There is NO WAY that the dissipated smoke OUTSIDE for short periods of time could have that effect unless you are, by nature, someone who looks for reasons to be miserable. If so, I feel sorry for you.

 

And that, right there, proves my point. You are losing your privileges becuase you are incapable of recognizing how offensive that stench is that comes from your cigarettes. Like shellback said, puff away while you can, because the end is near.

[jankn]

Neither of us have ever smoked but I have some weak lungs and smoke affects me.....we totally enjoy our balconies but sometimes have had to stay inside because of the smoke we endure when are out there....this really isn't fair when we pay to have the pleasure of being outside while cruising...shouldn't non smokers rights be considered ? I've never complained to the smokers near us but always hope they may themselves wonder if they are affecting anyone else.

[cbr663]

Neither of us have ever smoked but I have some weak lungs and smoke affects me.....we totally enjoy our balconies but sometimes have had to stay inside because of the smoke we endure when are out there....this really isn't fair when we pay to have the pleasure of being outside while cruising...shouldn't non smokers rights be considered ? I've never complained to the smokers near us but always hope they may themselves wonder if they are affecting anyone else.

 

If you accept the standard definition of something being fair as being in accordance with the rules and standards then there is nothing unfair about your experience. When a passenger books a balcony cabin on a HAL ship, they book it knowing that all balconies are designated smoking areas. Whether they realize it or not, when a passenger books and pays for a balcony on a HAL ship they are paying to access a designated smoking area.

[chrispb]

Thought this thread wasn't supposed to drift from HAL's smoking policies?

 

Who cares what laws are in 50 different states? Especially those I've no wish or intention of visiting.

 

Other than that, it's the same old, same old (both posters and content):(

[Sow There]

Cigarettes are not banned by law because the Federal and state governments like and depend on the tobacco tax income they get from sales.

Same point applies to smoking on board. Many people who give up smoking wind up eating more, some much more. As long as smoking on board remains permitted, HAL's provisions bill will be lower. ;)

 

Bottom line, cigarettes (and pipes and cigars) continue to be legal substances but their use is severely regulated by many cities and states. Because there is no municipal or state legal regulation of shipboard activities, cruise lines are responsible for establishing their own rules and regulations regarding tobacco use on board.

 

Some lines have tried total prohibition (didn't work so well because they are out of business); others have tried total prohibition on specific ships (e.g., Carnival Paradise) (also didn't work because they dropped the prohibition and Paradise is now operating with the same policies as all other Carnival ships.

 

That means that HAL, and other lines must answer the tough question; what is the best smoking policy that achieves a satisfactory response by all of its customer base.

 

Let's's sit back, relax and give HAL our input directly on what our perspectives are.

[Vineyard View]

We just returned from our first HAL cruise - and without intention of creating bad feelings on this thread, I will offer my observations if anyone really cares to read them-

There were times when we needed to be in our cabin due to nearby smokers - although the smoke was not a constant on our balcony, there were a couple times when we really wanted to enjoy being outside - for example 7:30AM having a cup of coffee. And yes, the door needed to be closed to not to smell the smoke.

 

Being outside at the aft pool was nearly impossible - almost the entire seating/table area was constantly (not exaggerating) filled with smokers. And when the door leading to this area was left open - which was frequently - the smoke poured inside the ship through the hallway.

 

While on a HAL ship tour (which we only did a couple times) there were smokers in the group who did not walk a little ways away when they lit up, and in fact were smoking in the middle of the tour group as we were being led through narrow streets with no opportunity to escape their smoke.

 

The casino - always smelled of smoke, but nothing compared to out by the aft pool

 

All this said, I used to smoke - and during those years I was conscientious of stepping away from others, of being aware if my smoke was intruding on others.

I did not experience this courtesy on the Ryndam.

 

There needs to be an effort by HAL to determine a way that all can be happy - smokers and non. Smoking balcony sections, smoking tables sections outside - something! I met people who do in fact choose HAL because they can smoke on their balconies - and I would think that this trend will continue as other lines expand their non-smoking policy. I don't know what the answer is - but there needs to be some type of effort on Hals part to achieve a better balance than it currently stands. JMHO.

[CruiseWhere]

Thank you Vineyard View! I believe you speak for the masses!!

[Lizzie68]

We just returned from our first HAL cruise - and without intention of creating bad feelings on this thread, I will offer my observations if anyone really cares to read them-

There were times when we needed to be in our cabin due to nearby smokers - although the smoke was not a constant on our balcony, there were a couple times when we really wanted to enjoy being outside - for example 7:30AM having a cup of coffee. And yes, the door needed to be closed to not to smell the smoke.

 

Being outside at the aft pool was nearly impossible - almost the entire seating/table area was constantly (not exaggerating) filled with smokers. And when the door leading to this area was left open - which was frequently - the smoke poured inside the ship through the hallway.

 

While on a HAL ship tour (which we only did a couple times) there were smokers in the group who did not walk a little ways away when they lit up, and in fact were smoking in the middle of the tour group as we were being led through narrow streets with no opportunity to escape their smoke.

 

The casino - always smelled of smoke, but nothing compared to out by the aft pool

 

All this said, I used to smoke - and during those years I was conscientious of stepping away from others, of being aware if my smoke was intruding on others.

I did not experience this courtesy on the Ryndam.

 

There needs to be an effort by HAL to determine a way that all can be happy - smokers and non. Smoking balcony sections, smoking tables sections outside - something! I met people who do in fact choose HAL because they can smoke on their balconies - and I would think that this trend will continue as other lines expand their non-smoking policy. I don't know what the answer is - but there needs to be some type of effort on Hals part to achieve a better balance than it currently stands. JMHO.

 

 

I hope you will share your experience and thoughts with Seattle HQ.

[sail7seas]

HAL well knows how many smokers are their new guests as they moved over from cruise lines who have the good sense to protect others from second hand smoke and the unwanted discomfort of breathing the noxious odors.

 

It is a puzzle to me why HAL has chosen to be Ashtray of the Seas but it is clear that is what they want. We all know everything every cruise line does comes down to dollars and I truly wonder if business has been so slow they need to appeal to smokers that no other cruise line wants. For every smoker they attract, one wonders how many non-smokers they are losing.

 

What could be the rationale to make it a reasonable choice in this day and age to serve the 18-20% of adult smokers (and who knows what percentage of them actually cruise ?) at the displeasure of some very large percentage of the 80% who do not smoke? I don't know what percentage of non-smokers are not bothered by second hand smoke but I suspect it is rather low.

 

Why did Carnival Corporation decide that HAL would be their smoking cruise line for North America? How did Princess escape that designation?

 

 

[cruz chic]

HAL well knows how many smokers are their new guests as they moved over from cruise lines who have the good sense to protect others from second hand smoke and the unwanted discomfort of breathing the noxious odors.

 

It is a puzzle to me why HAL has chosen to be Ashtray of the Seas but it is clear that is what they want. We all know everything every cruise line does comes down to dollars and I truly wonder if business has been so slow they need to appeal to smokers that no other cruise line wants. For every smoker they attract, one wonders how many non-smokers they are losing.

 

What could be the rationale to make it a reasonable choice in this day and age to serve the 18-20% of adult smokers (and who knows what percentage of them actually cruise ?) at the displeasure of some very large percentage of the 80% who do not smoke? I don't know what percentage of non-smokers are not bothered by second hand smoke but I suspect it is rather low.

 

Why did Carnival Corporation decide that HAL would be their smoking cruise line for North America? How did Princess escape that designation?

 

 

 

I've seen it written on here that they are putting their money into princess rather than hal. I'm not sure why you think princess would have been a place to leave the smokers. My guess would have been carnival.

[sail7seas]

I Don't think Princess should have been the place to leave smokers. I don't think anyone on any cruise line should have to deal with smoking permitted on verandahs. I don't want smoking completely banned on the whole ship but I don't want it wafting onto my verandah again. I've had enough of that.

 

I only asked why not Princess to see if anyone had a good reason why HAL was the unlucky cruise line designated as permitting verandah smoking vs Princess? I don't even want it to be Carnival.

 

I think they should provide one indoor smoking area and at least one outside (preferably with weather protection) and let the rest of us enjoy our verandahs no matter which Carnival brand ship we are sailing.

Edited November 9, 2014 by sail7seas

[cruz chic]

<snip>

 

I think they should provide one indoor smoking area and at least one outside (preferably with weather protection) and let the rest of us enjoy our verandahs no matter which Carnival brand ship we are sailing.

 

Yes, I agree.

[sammiedawg]

Vineyard View, great post, I've had too many experiences like yours. Most recently, we could not sit and enjoy coffee in the Java cafe as the smoke from the adjacent casino was overpowering. I felt very sorry for the two guys working there. We watched ship officers smoke on the promenade deck and I had to leave, too smokey. A few years ago on Veendam the ship was so smokey I ended up in the medical center with wheezing and difficulty breathing, the diagnosis was reactive airway secondary to smoke. The smoke was everywhere, hallways, poolside, promenade deck and the Explorations cafe. The cafe had so much smoke bleeding in that the young librarian was having coughing fits and had to leave work. The crows nest was nasty and unusable even though they were announcing scenic cruising opportunites in the crows nest. On the Eurodam we were unable to use our balcony, we had paid extra to be in a spa suite that included extra health and wellness amenities. Health and wellness be damned, the people were smoking all around us.

Sail, Your tag line for Holland America says it all, AOTS. I've been saying for a while the parent corporation has devalued this line, it is very sad.

For the very first time onboard I did not purchase a future cruise credit while onboard Prinsendam. I'm not saying I will never sail AOTS again, for now I will wait and see.

Edited November 10, 2014 by sammiedawg

[Vineyard View]

Our next cruise is not with HAL. It was booked previously - but it will not have the smoking concerns.

 

samiedawg - the Ryndam was not as bad as it sounds like you experienced on one of the ships, so I am thankful for that.

 

I did note in my review to them that the smoking was troubling and the details.

 

For now, I am going to wait and see as well.

 

One thing for sure though - you can't find a better crew - the employees on our ship were top drawer all the way!

[Lizzie68]

I Don't think Princess should have been the place to leave smokers. I don't think anyone on any cruise line should have to deal with smoking permitted on verandahs. I don't want smoking completely banned on the whole ship but I don't want it wafting onto my verandah again. I've had enough of that.

 

I only asked why not Princess to see if anyone had a good reason why HAL was the unlucky cruise line designated as permitting verandah smoking vs Princess? I don't even want it to be Carnival.

 

I think they should provide one indoor smoking area and at least one outside (preferably with weather protection) and let the rest of us enjoy our verandahs no matter which Carnival brand ship we are sailing.

 

I have to say I agree with you - and have stated on here many times that HAL really needs to be more considerate with smokers and non-smokers alike. A comfortable inside, well ventilated area for the smokers should be provided, and the area at the aft lido should remain for outside smoking. Stop the smoking in the casino because it impacts on the surrounding areas and lounges, and on balconies.

[Drico]

I Don't think Princess should have been the place to leave smokers. I don't think anyone on any cruise line should have to deal with smoking permitted on verandahs. I don't want smoking completely banned on the whole ship but I don't want it wafting onto my verandah again. I've had enough of that.

 

I only asked why not Princess to see if anyone had a good reason why HAL was the unlucky cruise line designated as permitting verandah smoking vs Princess? I don't even want it to be Carnival.

 

I think they should provide one indoor smoking area and at least one outside (preferably with weather protection) and let the rest of us enjoy our verandahs no matter which Carnival brand ship we are sailing.

 

 

 

Yes, I agree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you be okay if one of you had next door smokers who agreed to not smoke while you were on your balcony?

[sail7seas]

 

Yes, I agree.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you be okay if one of you had next door smokers who agreed to not smoke while you were on your balcony?

 

Yes, of course, but let's be practical.

If they are to say they will not smoke while I am on my verandah that puts pressure on me to limit the amount of time I spend on my verandah in order to allow them time to smoke. I am NOt okay about being answerable to anyone else (my neighbor) for how much time I can be on my verandah and when.