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

[myne]

As an ex smoker, who truly can not stand the smell of cigarette smoke (pipes and cigars bother me a lot less) the issue with HAL is quite simple. We can cruise on HAL without many smoke related problems if we book an inside or outside cabin and totally avoid the casinos (which often smell like a dirty ashtray). But the problem comes with balcony cabins....and our preference is to book cabins with balconies. Having cigarette smoke drift onto my balcony...makes the balcony unusable. Asking a cruise line to guarantee a cruiser "clean sea air" is not an unreasonable request. Personally, I could care less if folks want to smoke as long as that smoke does not get near my lungs. But given a choice to book a cruise with a line that has no smoking on balconies versus one that allows balcony smoking is a no-brainer. Yes, we continue to cruise on HAL when they have an itinerary (and price) that we find attractive. But, the smoking policy does drive us away from HAL whenever it is reasonable. This year we are cruising Princess, Celebrity and HAL (total of 74 days). The 25 day Ruby Princess cruise would have been a 32 day HAL cruise except for the smoking policy...which made our decision to cruise on Princess very easy. Not only did we not have to deal with smoke, but we got to enjoy Princess Pizza :).

 

We have gleaned a benefit from the HAL smoking policy. Several years ago we took a personal pledge to not gamble in any casino where we could smell smoke. There was a time when we might actually drop more money in a ship casino then we paid for the cruise (we also had cruises where we won money). But on HAL, for about the last 200 days of cruising, we have not lost a single penny in the casino (because we never enter the place). So perhaps we should thank HAL and their smokers for having saved us thousands of dollars :).

 

 

Hank

is this the Hank who sailed nyc to Norway and home on the QM...If so a big Hi to you andyour wife....Ann & John..seattle area

[Hlitner]

is this the Hank who sailed nyc to Norway and home on the QM...If so a big Hi to you andyour wife....Ann & John..seattle area

 

Nope, wrong Hank (although Hi anyway). The only time we cruised on the

QM2 was a crossing from Southampton to NYC. But we do think that Kathy and I met you two on the May 2010 Prinsendam Cruise.

 

Hank

Edited November 25, 2014 by Hlitner

[myne]

Nope, wrong Hank (although Hi anyway). The only time we cruised on the

QM2 was a crossing from Southampton to NYC. But we do think that Kathy and I met you two on the May 2010 Prinsendam Cruise.

 

Hank

 

and you & Kathy CAME HOME WITH US FROM SOUTHAMPTON...SHARED A VAN WITH ANOTHER COUPLE FROM TILBURY WHERE THE PRINZ LEFT US....

HI HANK..HI TO KATHY...REALLY LIKE YOUR POSTS ON SMOKING.....WE ARE OFF ON THE ROTTERDAM FOR 90 DAYS ALL OVER ASIA...

WE WERE ALSO DELIGHTED TO DISCOVER PRINCESS HAD STOPPED THE BALCONY SMOKING...HOW MANY NIGHTS WE SPENT WITH THE DOORS CLOSED TO SAVE US FROM THE CIGAR A FEW DOORS FORWARD WHICK BLEW BACK INTO OUR ROOM YUCK... BEST TO YOU HOPE OUR PATHS CROSS AGAIN...ANN

[Hlitner]

and you & Kathy CAME HOME WITH US FROM SOUTHAMPTON...SHARED A VAN WITH ANOTHER COUPLE FROM TILBURY WHERE THE PRINZ LEFT US....

HI HANK..HI TO KATHY...REALLY LIKE YOUR POSTS ON SMOKING.....WE ARE OFF ON THE ROTTERDAM FOR 90 DAYS ALL OVER ASIA...

WE WERE ALSO DELIGHTED TO DISCOVER PRINCESS HAD STOPPED THE BALCONY SMOKING...HOW MANY NIGHTS WE SPENT WITH THE DOORS CLOSED TO SAVE US FROM THE CIGAR A FEW DOORS FORWARD WHICK BLEW BACK INTO OUR ROOM YUCK... BEST TO YOU HOPE OUR PATHS CROSS AGAIN...ANN

 

Ahhh. Now you jolted my memory about Tilbury. Classic cruise lore in that we cruised into England in one port, left from England at another port, but never missed a meal on a ship :).

 

Bon Voyage to you and hope you do not have any smokers upwind from your cabin :). 90 days in Asia is a wonderful way to spend a few months.

 

Hank

[Avril]

I know this is a sensitive topic so I'm sorry in advance, Let's not turn this into an argument/debate/flame fest ok? Thanks!! :D Here's my question.

 

I was just looking at my express docs online for my upcoming cruise on the Eurodam. Under Smoking Policy is says "For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking." I'm just wondering, does that include stateroom balconies or not? I really hope not as I love to sit on my balcony and have my coffee and a smoke in the morning. Carnival has taken this away from me, I really hope HAL hasn't!!!! And while we're on the subject, where are the public smoking areas on Eurodam? Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on that ship. Thanks so much!!!! :D

[MishelleMcc]

I know this is a sensitive topic so I'm sorry in advance, Let's not turn this into an argument/debate/flame fest ok? Thanks!! :D Here's my question.

 

I was just looking at my express docs online for my upcoming cruise on the Eurodam. Under Smoking Policy is says "For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking." I'm just wondering, does that include stateroom balconies or not? I really hope not as I love to sit on my balcony and have my coffee and a smoke in the morning. Carnival has taken this away from me, I really hope HAL hasn't!!!! And while we're on the subject, where are the public smoking areas on Eurodam? Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on that ship. Thanks so much!!!! :D

 

Hi Avril! No condemnation here! I am also a smoker! I don't have all the answers but I will share what I know.

 

Smoking is still allowed on all HAL ship balconies. In fact, they are the only cruise line left that still allows it.

 

Smoking is also allowed in "designated" out door smoking areas. The only one that I know of for sure is aft Lido deck... BUT we are sailing Eurodam this Sunday and I will report back! I promise!

 

Smoking is allowed in a certain area of the casino for active players only.

 

HOWEVER - there is not outdoor smoking while the ship is "bunkering" (loading fuel) in Fort Lauderdale. This INCLUDES balconies. :eek: I am not sure how smokers are accommodated - if at all during that time. I will report back on this also!

 

Hope this helps! :D

[Boytjie]

From the HAL website:

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

 

• Stateroom verandahs
  
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
  
• Seaview Bar
  
  
• Outside Decks
  
  
  • Sports Deck
    
    
  • Observation Deck (
    ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam
    , and
    ms Zuiderdam
    only)
    
    

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

Edited November 25, 2014 by Boytjie

[Drico]

As mentioned above you can smoke on your balcony. One of my brothers and cruising buddies smokes and like you he also enjoys his morning coffee and cigarette on the balcony. Its also nice that he can have one just before getting in bed instead of having to get dressed, go out on deck, them back to the room. Otherwise he would be wide awake again after getting back to the room.

[Lizzie68]

I know this is a sensitive topic so I'm sorry in advance, Let's not turn this into an argument/debate/flame fest ok? Thanks!! :D Here's my question.

 

I was just looking at my express docs online for my upcoming cruise on the Eurodam. Under Smoking Policy is says "For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking." I'm just wondering, does that include stateroom balconies or not? I really hope not as I love to sit on my balcony and have my coffee and a smoke in the morning. Carnival has taken this away from me, I really hope HAL hasn't!!!! And while we're on the subject, where are the public smoking areas on Eurodam? Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on that ship. Thanks so much!!!! :D

 

 

Take a look at the sticky about a single smoking thread, and then look partway down the page of threads, and there you will find the smoking thread, which you can post to and there's info there.

[sail7seas]

Host Walt has stipulated a single thread for discussion of all HAL smoking questions and comments. He has asked we keep our comments on that one thread.

 

Here is a link to that thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2084364

Edited November 25, 2014 by sail7seas

[rhodanien]

Having been caught out by Cunard's smoking policy changes this year, does anyone know if there is any great likelihood of HAL's current balcony policy changing at any point in 2015? We're looking at pottering around the Med on the Zuiderdam in April, and doing the Pacific Crossing on the Statendam in September. Any thoughts?

[sail7seas]

Various HAL Senior Officers and other crew have been telling us for a while the policy will change soon but what does soon mean? I don't think anyone here really knows and if they do, it isn't likely they would say as they probably work in Seattle headquarters. :D

 

We won't really know until it is officially announced.

 

[Hlitner]

Having been caught out by Cunard's smoking policy changes this year, does anyone know if there is any great likelihood of HAL's current balcony policy changing at any point in 2015? We're looking at pottering around the Med on the Zuiderdam in April, and doing the Pacific Crossing on the Statendam in September. Any thoughts?

 

There are rumors, but they are just rumors. But I did have an interesting call this afternoon from HAL who wanted to further pursue the reasons we cancelled our HAL cruise (for July 2015) yesterday. When I mentioned that the smoking policy did contribute to our decision (to cancel) the rep asked if we wanted to be notified if that policy changed. I found the remark a bit curious but did not pursue it further.

 

Hank

Edited November 25, 2014 by Hlitner

[sammiedawg]

I have no inside info but those who do have reported that changes are coming to the balcony policy in 2015. Nothing official has been announced. I want to put my faith in the new management team.

[cruz chic]

I have no inside info but those who do have reported that changes are coming to the balcony policy in 2015. Nothing official has been announced. I want to put my faith in the new management team.

 

I totally agree with you. It will make it so much more pleasant on this board without some of the trolls that have nothing better to do then be rude to people that disagree with them.

[MishelleMcc]

I think that the OP from today (Avril) was asking a specific question about a specific ship at a specific time. Although I understand the need for a single thread on the subject and HAL's policy in general, I think that we lost this Posters' question. :rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

The poster's question was answered as someone posted HAL's smoking policy in the thread. The answer is clearly stated in that HAL statement of policy.

 

[Lizzie68]

I think that the OP from today (Avril) was asking a specific question about a specific ship at a specific time. Although I understand the need for a single thread on the subject and HAL's policy in general, I think that we lost this Posters' question. :rolleyes:

 

 

The questions is above, along with several replies. What do you think was lost?:confused:

[MishelleMcc]

The questions is above, along with several replies. What do you think was lost?:confused:

 

Well they haven't responded... so I don't know if they saw the replies before the post was moved.

 

Redundant questions are asked frequently in the forum. My only concern was that their question was moved to the bashing thread... when other topics would not have been. :rolleyes:

[sparrc]

I know this is a sensitive topic so I'm sorry in advance, Let's not turn this into an argument/debate/flame fest ok? Thanks!! :D Here's my question.

 

I was just looking at my express docs online for my upcoming cruise on the Eurodam. Under Smoking Policy is says "For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking." I'm just wondering, does that include stateroom balconies or not? I really hope not as I love to sit on my balcony and have my coffee and a smoke in the morning. Carnival has taken this away from me, I really hope HAL hasn't!!!! And while we're on the subject, where are the public smoking areas on Eurodam? Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on that ship. Thanks so much!!!! :D

 

I have sailed on the Niuew Amsterdam and next year I am sailing on the Zuiderdam in July 2015. I have booked a balcony cabin and yes I am a smoker. I don't sit on my balcony all day smoking but I like one with my morning cup of tea before facing the world and one before I go to bed. I love HAL and wouldn't sail with anyone else but not just because of its smoking policy. The ships have a great atmosphere, having said that though if they ban the smoking on balconies I won't be doing anymore cruises.

[Lizzie68]

Well they haven't responded... so I don't know if they saw the replies before the post was moved.

 

Redundant questions are asked frequently in the forum. My only concern was that their question was moved to the bashing thread... when other topics would not have been. :rolleyes:

 

If you think this is a bashing thread then you should have seen all the other individual smoking threads.:eek: This one is very civil in comparison. And it certainly isn't hard for the OP to find the thread and the responses - no map needed.

[MishelleMcc]

If you think this is a bashing thread then you should have seen all the other individual smoking threads.:eek: This one is very civil in comparison. And it certainly isn't hard for the OP to find the thread and the responses - no map needed.

 

I think I started following the forum again about 9 months ago so you are right and I missed most of that. :o The questionnaire had just come out about then...

 

I agree that there is plenty of information regarding smoking policy on all the cruise lines in these forums or even though a google search...

 

I think I just felt bad for the OP today. They tried to preface their question with a disclaimer that they didn't want to cause a ruckus... they just wanted a quick answer... hopefully they got the information they were seeking. :)

[nb125]

From the HAL website:

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

 

• Stateroom verandahs
  
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
  
• Seaview Bar
  
  
• Outside Decks
  
  
  • Sports Deck
    
    
  • Observation Deck (
    ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam
    , and
    ms Zuiderdam
    only)
    
    
   

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

 

Yet again I must point out that the above policy is incorrectand misleading for smokers.

There is no smoking allowed on the Sports Deck and Observation Deck on the Noordam.

[rhodanien]

There are rumors, but they are just rumors. But I did have an interesting call this afternoon from HAL who wanted to further pursue the reasons we cancelled our HAL cruise (for July 2015) yesterday.

First of all, many thanks for all the replies.

 

Secondly, I phoned up HAL yesterday and spoke to a couple of people, who (somewhat sadly) had nothing of any value to say whatsoever. Oh well. So no bookings on HAL for now, but I'll keep an eye on what's happening in the months to come.

[kennicott]

I previously posted that we canceled, about a month ago, a 31 day back to back TA with HAL, scheduled to begin in Athens next fall. As I pointed out, the smoking policy had nothing to do with the decision as I wasn't yet aware that HAL was the "only game in town" for balcony smoking. Rather we have been to all the ports scheduled so elected to try something different as we are tiring of the strife in that war zone neck of the woods.

 

However, as I reflect back on it, perhaps the smoking policy indirectly did have an impact. We decided to do some cruising a little closer to home instead, we decided upon fall foliage New England, Canadian Maritimes down the east coast including some Caribbean. Wife also wanted to see Niagara Falls so we were trying to crank that in pre-cruise. We considered many different options and itineraries. Looked at only HAL, Princess and Regent.

 

When checking out feasibility of the northeast voyages, about two months ago now, there was plenty of space available on every cruise option, except HAL. Nowadays we only cruise if we can get a balcony. Everything HAL had with verandas was "Sold Out". At the time I thought that was rather strange since Regent and Princess had all sorts of openings. Now I'm wondering if we aren't witnessing the advent of a flood of smokers booking HAL?