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

[peaches from georgia]

What constitutes a vehement anti smoker? I'm definitely against balcony smoking and I have no cruises booked with hal right now. I keep hearing this from smokers but is it really true? I recall when hal banned cabin smoking and smokers said they would leave. I bet very few did. The loudest poster is still puffing away on a hal ship. I fully expect hal to announce an end to balcony smoking sometime after the world cruise leaves. Time will tell.

I never said it won't happen in the future. But if and when it does it will be because HAL was losing bookings and money because of balcony smoking, no other reason.

[cruz chic]

I never said it won't happen in the future. But if and when it does it will be because HAL was losing bookings and money because of balcony smoking, no other reason.

 

It's been pointed out by many posters that hal is the one that is offering the best deals of all the cruise lines for Xmas and New Years cruises. There has the be a reason for that. Is it because of their smoking policy? Who knows?

[sail7seas]

It's been pointed out by many posters that hal is the one that is offering the best deals of all the cruise lines for Xmas and New Years cruises. There has the be a reason for that. Is it because of their smoking policy? Who knows?

 

Good question !

 

[6701wall]

What's the proper protocol for encouraging smokers not to smoke in places where it isn't allowed, like the Promenade outdoor deck? I like to jog/run (or stroll) out there and, since we don't have a balcony for our next cruise, it will be our only way to get outside without going to the Lido.

And what is the proper protocol for encouraging non smokers when going into smoking areas and making a big deal out of the smell and smoke when they can easily avoid the area by going through another door or in the case of the casino go along the starboard side of the ship instead of through the casino and raising a fuss. We had a passenger attempt to head butt my husband on the last cruise because he felt my husband should move from the machine he had been sitting at in the smoking area of the casino (we would not smoke in the non smoking area of the casino), smokers are a hell of a lot more considerate of non smokers than visa versa. Edited December 18, 2014 by 6701wall

[6701wall]

Of course. You say that you don't want smoking on balconies. The smokers see that as not wanting smoking anywhere. Then you get told to vacation elsewhere or that you are an over the top nut case. Meanwhile the smokers are a gentle bunch that are as sweet as pie..

I have also heard while on board - can't wait till you people won't be able to smoke anywhere and then where will you be, it goes both way the non smokers are far worse than smokers to the others plight.

[cruz chic]

I have also heard while on board - can't wait till you people won't be able to smoke anywhere and then where will you be, it goes both way the non smokers are far worse than smokers to the others plight.

 

I've read this twice. I have no idea what you are trying to say:confused:.

[6701wall]

I've read this twice. I have no idea what you are trying to say:confused:.

That non smokers feel they have the right to be verbally and in the case of the last cruise we were on physically abusive to smokers even while smokers are in the area where they are "allowed" to smoke.

[cruz chic]

That non smokers feel they have the right to be verbally and in the case of the last cruise we were on physically abusive to smokers even while smokers are in the area where they are "allowed" to smoke.

 

Physically abusive? Did HAL put these people off the ship for physically abusing you? I would think that would be cause for being put off the ship.

Edited December 18, 2014 by cruz chic

[6701wall]

Physically abusive? Did HAL put these people off the ship for physically abusing you? I would think that would be cause for being put off the ship.

The incident happened in the casino where this couple came in and demanded that my husband move from his machine and go elsewhere with his cigarette (except in foul language), my husband lifted the ashtray and said this is the smoking section of the casino and no I'm not moving anywhere. The man came at him with his head to head butt my husband he moved back fast enough that it only knocked his sunglasses up his forehead and the cap on this head back. Everyone came running pit bosses and manager and this led to a verbal fight with good folks who run the casino. No him and his wife were not put off at the next port, and investigation was done and the surveillance camera's from the casino were reviewed the head of security said that the other man was obviously the aggressor yes they could see that my husband did take evasive action and lucky enough my husband saw what he was doing so that other than knocking his glasses and cap didn't hit him in the head. The couple were then informed of the rules and the smoking and non smoking areas of the casino and were told to not approach us for any reason while on board.

[Lizzie68]

That non smokers feel they have the right to be verbally and in the case of the last cruise we were on physically abusive to smokers even while smokers are in the area where they are "allowed" to smoke.

 

So now you've generalized about all non-smokers being abusive. Not so.

[Sow There]

Of course. You say that you don't want smoking on balconies. The smokers see that as not wanting smoking anywhere. Then you get told to vacation elsewhere or that you are an over the top nut case. Meanwhile the smokers are a gentle bunch that are as sweet as pie..

 

That about sums it up.

 

On board it has been our experience that smokers are in fact a rather docile bunch, even when approached by the anti smoking types who range from those who frantically wave their hands at a smoker in the casino, but say nothing through those who make disparaging comments directly or indirectly, again in the smoking section of the casino.

 

 

Can you point to a single situation where a smoker who is complying with the rules has been aggressive with a non smoker in a manner similar to a non-smoker making a fuss about a smoker who is complying with the rules?

 

HAL's management has only one goal- to make money for Carnival shareholders. If they thought being one of the only cruise lines to allow balcony smoking was resulting in loss of $$$ they would have already banned it. At this point they must think it is helping, not hurting, their bottom line. Maybe in the future that will change, but it's not HAL's responsibility to make policy for any reason but to make a profit. Pax move to other cruise lines for many reason. Many of the vehement anti-smoking pax here on CC are still sailing HAL anyway. All HAL management is meant to care about is selling balconies at good rates, not which pax are leaving if they are have a net gain in balcony bookings with their smoking allowed policy. It's a business.]

BINGO! Yes, the management of HAL has to make calculations about the positive and negative impacts on their business of virtually every decision they make from continuing the tile program to altering the smoking policy.

 

Once again, I suggest that all who would prefer a more stringent smoking policy on board HAL ships express that preference in writing to the folks in Seattle. Bleating about it on Cruise Critic might make the anti smoker CC member feel better but it doesn't have any impact at all on the HAL decision makers.

[Sow There]

So now you've generalized about all non-smokers being abusive. Not so.

I don't see the word "all" in 6701wall's comment. Perhaps the word "some" could be inserted. Most non smokers, in my experience, are courteous and non judgmental. But there are some who decide that they must make a scene even when a smoker is compliant. Edited December 18, 2014 by Sow There

[cruz chic]

So now you've generalized about all non-smokers being abusive. Not so.

 

Yes, non smokers beat everyone up. Meanwhile the smokers are crying in the corner because everyone is so mean to them. I've been a smoker. Nothing remotely like this has ever happened to me nor anyone else that I know that smokes. We've been so lucky. This thread has gotten beyond ridiculous. Why I bother to waste my time with it is beyond me.

[CRUZBUDS]

[tip]

 

I like this. We all need to ease up a bit.

[Lizzie68]

I don't see the word "all" in 6701wall's comment. Perhaps the word "some" could be inserted. Most non smokers, in my experience, are courteous and non judgmental. But there are some who decide that they must make a scene even when a smoker is compliant.

 

Read it again, or maybe I should just point it out.... "That non smokers feel they have the right to be verbally and in the case of the last cruise we were on physically abusive...." Did you see the word some? The sentence clearly states non-smokers.

[chrispb]

There's a smoking thread currently on the Celebrity board. One woman actually took a photo of lighter and an "ashtray" sat on the table of her neighbour's balcony. She says she is asthmatic and severely affected by smoke. Her teeth are also affected by smoke but she hasn't responded when another poster asked her how/why so that's a new one!

 

I would have thought her main health issue was the danger of her falling from her balcony taking the photo:rolleyes:

[bajakiter]

All I want for Christmas is, " no smoking on the balconies " from HAL.

Now that would be a real gift from HAL.

Meanwhile, I can keep dreaming.

[kjw869]

There's a smoking thread currently on the Celebrity board. One woman actually took a photo of lighter and an "ashtray" sat on the table of her neighbour's balcony. She says she is asthmatic and severely affected by smoke. Her teeth are also affected by smoke but she hasn't responded when another poster asked her how/why so that's a new one!

 

I would have thought her main health issue was the danger of her falling from her balcony taking the photo:rolleyes:

 

I mentioned on a thread a year or so ago, that our friends took two Celebrity cruises and there was smoking on the verandahs on both of them. On the Solstice, it was always later at night when they enjoyed the balcony, and nothing was said or done. They did not complain as it wasn't an issue with them. They didn't smoke, but their friends did every night on theie balcony.On the Constellation last year, the neighbors occasionally lit up during the sea days.

 

It happens. It's like no booze is to be brought on board, but

"rum runners" sell like hotcakes. They are brought on ship all the time undetected.

 

There are always those that rules "don't apply to them".

 

There is smoking on Celebrity balconies. Below is a post from Dec. 7, 2014: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44925249&postcount=7.

Edited December 19, 2014 by kjw869

[CRUZBUDS]

There are always those that rules "don't apply to them".

 

There is smoking on Celebrity balconies. Below is a post from Dec. 7, 2014: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44925249&postcount=7.

 

Celebrity has been pretty good about stopping it when it's reported. I think some smokers really believe that those around them don't smell their smoke.

[chrispb]

Even I don't agree with smoking where it's not allowed but I also don't think it's right to peer around balcony partitions to take photos.

 

I'd still love to know about those teeth, though:cool:

[SteveH2508]

Even I don't agree with smoking where it's not allowed but I also don't think it's right to peer around balcony partitions to take photos.

 

I'd still love to know about those teeth, though:cool:

 

One can only guess about the teeth - grinding and gnashing in complete meltdown because they saw a tobacco product in the distance is probably not far off the mark.:rolleyes:

[kennicott]

Even I don't agree with smoking where it's not allowed but I also don't think it's right to peer around balcony partitions to take photos.

 

I'd still love to know about those teeth, though:cool:

 

Did they say they peered around the partition, or was that just speculation? I know on many ships nowadays some balconies can be overlooked from above. For instance, on the Ruby Princess you can see into all or a portion of about 30 other balconies from one balcony. Also, leaning on the rail in the center of our last balcony I could see most of the balcony tables on both sides without even stretching my neck. There was a real interesting discussion on balcony reflections too, in a thread recently, concerning nudity on the balconies.

 

Since September we have been on two cruises, both are no smoking on the balconies. Princess and Regent. However, on both ships you could detect someone was smoking somewhere else from our balcony. This lasted only a few days, then it quit for the duration of the voyage, on both ships. Which leads me to believe that either the smoking parties weren't initially aware of the restriction or they got into trouble.

 

It just isn't the smoke that bothers some. I recall a few years ago a guy, who worked out in the same gym I did, was really looking forward to a cruise on which his family had three adjacent balcony staterooms. I forgot which cruise line it was but I believe balcony smoking was allowed. Anyway, every morning their balconies were littered with cigarette butts. He complained more than once, to no avail, and even found out which stateroom above his contained the offending party. I didn't know the guy very well other that he ran a security firm and was some sort of a martial arts fanatic. Anyway, he took the matter and law into his own hands, I don't know if he actually roughed up the smoker or just threatened and made the day unpleasant for all, including himself. In fact, when he returned he was still unhappy about it, instead of overlooking the matter he let it get to him thus ruining his entire cruise. Don't believe he ever cruised again, good thing too as there is a lot worse stuff happens on a voyage, if that irritated him so I would hate to be around when a real issue came up. He did get the smoker to quit throwing butts though, haw.

Edited December 20, 2014 by kennicott

[Suzcruz57]

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.

 

We are D+ on rccl, and left them and celebrity because of the ban on smoking on balconies. Love the smoking on the balcony on Holland and love Holland Cruise lines as well. A lot of choices of cruise lines for you to choose. Not for us.

[sail7seas]

We are D+ on rccl, and left them and celebrity because of the ban on smoking on balconies. Love the smoking on the balcony on Holland and love Holland Cruise lines as well. A lot of choices of cruise lines for you to choose. Not for us.

 

Have you sailed yet on Holland America Line?