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

[erewhon]

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.

 

Indeed it would be a wonderful gift!

[kjw869]

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.

 

But there is still smoking. Nothing was done on the Solstice and on the Constellation, it was occasional. Our friends didn't report it.

 

Our friends are much younger and night owls (along with the smokers next door).They usually went to their balcony after 11 PM and stayed a few hours.

[CRUZBUDS]

But there is still smoking. Nothing was done on the Solstice and on the Constellation, it was occasional. Our friends didn't report it.

 

How can they stop it if it isn't reported. :confused:

[gillianrose]

The only reason I read this thread is in the hopes of seeing the the post with the date that smoking is finally prohibited on the balconies.

 

Waiting, waiting. Hope it is soon, at least before I expire!

 

From time to time I do the same as you and check to see if HAL has prohibited smoking on balconies and made further reductions. The last HAL cruise we took (more than 5 years ago) was the smokiest of all, probably because many smokers fled other cruise lines and have turned HAL into "the smoker's line". It's a pity, but we won't spend any of our money in such a smoky environment.

 

It's unfortunate, but with no improvement in this situation, we will not be cruising on HAL regardless of their numerous ships which provide lots of itineraries.

 

I would like HAL to ban all balcony smoking forever, but until they do they could perhaps at the least come up with a trial plan which significantly restricts smoking on the majority of their cruises and sets aside some "smokers cruises" where a certain number of well-publicized cruises permit balcony smoking.

 

Better yet, in the meantime (i.e. as a temporary measure), HAL could set aside one or two ships that permit balcony smoking. P&O has several ships that don't permit this or that (no children on some ships, as one example and smoking as another) and it is well-publicized.

Edited December 20, 2014 by gillianrose
spelling and last paragraph (re P&O).

[sammiedawg]

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.

 

I abhor smoking but this post from Suzcruz57 sums up the issue. I'm a big believer in voting with my feet and I'm not sure when or if I will do HAL again. Smoking is a big issue but the overall decline in food, service, ship condition is concerning. Our most recent cruises disappointed and for the first time I did not purchase a future cruise credit. I have nothing booked with them but I have four cruises planned on other lines. I hope to sail on one of the new Pinnacle ships but I'll wait and see.

In the short term Holland America is attracting displaced smokers from other lines but their smoking policy is short sighted. Nonsmokers will find other options. If and when HAL wakes up and joins the 21st century I predict a large percentage of the smoking newbies will return to their favorite lines.

In the long term Holland America loses.

Edited December 20, 2014 by sammiedawg

[kjw869]

How can they stop it if it isn't reported. :confused:

 

Not my business, I wasn't on the ship. I don't smoke and if it didn't bother me, I wouldn't report it. :D:If it bothered someone, I'm sure some one would report it.:eek:

 

Another report of smoking on Celebrity: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42660112&postcount=5

 

And the many smoking on Princess last month: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44832909&postcount=609

 

Only a small amount of cruisers post to Cruise Critic. It's harder to implement than in practice, especially when it happens at night.

 

It's like one can't bring liquor on ships. One guy pictured all the liquor he brought on board on a cruise board in Rum Runners a few years ago. There was more alcohol pictured than most of the bars had in stock!

Edited December 21, 2014 by kjw869

[CRUZBUDS]

Your original point seemed to be that there was still balcony smoking on Celebrity.

 

If someone complains, they do a pretty good job of stoping it.

 

If you're bothered by smoke on your balcony on HAL, it just the way it is, for now

Edited December 21, 2014 by CRUZBUDS

[kjw869]

Your original point seemed to be that there was still balcony smoking on Celebrity.

 

If someone complains, they do a pretty good job of stoping it.

 

If you're bothered by smoke on your balcony on HAL, it just the way it is, for now

 

Never have been bothered on any of my 16 HAL cruises on the aft wraps or PS cabins. In fact, I hardly see anyone on their verandahs. Even watching the sailaway from Port Everglades webcam, I rarely see people on the aft cabins.

 

For now, it's perfect. If they stop the smoking or serving alcohol on the ship, it still will be perfect!!;););)

[elou]

Years ago smoking was allowed in dining room and theater. Smokers complained and got their way. Then came NO SMOKING IN ROOM. Boy, they were happy again. Did they not think that you could smoke on balcony. NOW, they complain about the balcony. ALSO, the casino. Why can't people just learn to give a little on both sides. Neither side should be given 100% of what THEY want. The world is not made that way. What I think is illegal----why can cruises in Europe and Asia be allowed to smoke and the US cannot.

[cruz chic]

Years ago smoking was allowed in dining room and theater. Smokers complained and got their way. Then came NO SMOKING IN ROOM. Boy, they were happy again. Did they not think that you could smoke on balcony. NOW, they complain about the balcony. ALSO, the casino. Why can't people just learn to give a little on both sides. Neither side should be given 100% of what THEY want. The world is not made that way. What I think is illegal----why can cruises in Europe and Asia be allowed to smoke and the US cannot.

 

It's a health issue. IF you want to smoke that is your choice. For many, many years non smokers had to put up with smoking. Thankfully the tide has turned.

[sail7seas]

So glad I live where I do and where we don't have to put up with people lighting up in public places.

 

I am almost never exposed to smoke in my real life at home. Years ago, Massachusetts passed no smoking laws that forbid smoking in any workplace. Just about anywhere you go is someone's workplace. Many cities and towns enacted their own ordinances and ban smoking on beaches, parks, outdoor dining patio areas of restaurants etc I cannot remember the last time I got a whiff of smoke at home. That likely is part of the reason it bothers me so much when on the ships. I've become accustomed to living totally smoke free and love it.

 

[cruiseing marly]

The

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Host Walt]

I'm quite sure they will be removed in mere seconds. That said, did you hit the red triangle? I'm always puzzled by folks posting on a thread to the mods...

The offending post has been removed along with responses thereto and several posts containing requests for moderator intervention.

 

Cruise Critic depends on its 1 million + members to read, understand and voluntarily comply with the posted Guidelines. The vast majority of folks on this forum and on all others understand the Guidelines and do their best to comply with them. That means please make sure to preview your post before submitting it for posting to be sure that you are not inadvertently violating our posting guidelines,

 

And cruz chic is right; the red triangle gets much faster attention than a post in a thread. We Hosts are volunteers and cannot read every post in every thread. Our operating standard is a review of all reported posts with action being taken when necessary within 48 hours of the report being filed.

 

In many cases, however, most Hosts do at least one review per day, which is why this issue has been addressed within 4 hours, not after the standard 48 hours, of its being posted as well as the removal of all later posts that raised a concern. My usual procedure is to, first, look at all reported posts, then do a contextual review of all threads with activity since my last review.

 

Thanks.

Edited December 22, 2014 by Host Walt
correct spelling and fix the link

[gillianrose]

It's a health issue. IF you want to smoke that is your choice. For many, many years non smokers had to put up with smoking. Thankfully the tide has turned.

 

The tide turned in many places on land a decade or more ago. I'm always surprised (let alone disappointed) to read that some cruise line policies, like HAL's, are so antiquated. Balcony smoking has caused fires. That's a fact.

 

There are other causes of fires on ships, of course, but why not prevent one easy cause that would make more people happy than the status quo has.

[ithaca gal]

The tide turned in many places on land a decade or more ago. I'm always surprised (let alone disappointed) to read that some cruise line policies, like HAL's, are so antiquated. Balcony smoking has caused fires. That's a fact.

 

There are other causes of fires on ships, of course, but why not prevent one easy cause that would make more people happy than the status quo has.

 

I've often wondered the same thing.

[sammiedawg]

The tide turned in many places on land a decade or more ago. I'm always surprised (let alone disappointed) to read that some cruise line policies, like HAL's, are so antiquated. Balcony smoking has caused fires. That's a fact.

 

There are other causes of fires on ships, of course, but why not prevent one easy cause that would make more people happy than the status quo has.

 

Fire risk led to hotels and rental properties banning smoking on the premises years and years ago.

HAL is dragging its feet in not restricting smoking , especially on verandas. My theory is the HAL market brand is very weak and a sizable percentage of bookings come from smokers. If anyone doubts the weakness of the brand read back a couple pages on this forum.

Edited December 26, 2014 by sammiedawg

[summersigh]

Whew ... there's no reformer like a reformed smoker :D:D

 

Those who are totally against smoking and smokers have every other cruise line regularly sailing out of USA ports to choose from if being aboard with smokers is so totally terrible for them or their health.

 

It's not like they're forced to sail in clouds of 2nd hand smoke - they have choices. I hear them coming back at me with "but we love HAL" and I'm sure they do but as the smokers are fond of reminding us - times are changing - and so is the demographic of cruisers and cruise line's niches. For them maybe, at least for now, HAL is not the perfect fit.

[cruz chic]

Whew ... there's no reformer like a reformed smoker :D:D

 

Those who are totally against smoking and smokers have every other cruise line regularly sailing out of USA ports to choose from if being aboard with smokers is so totally terrible for them or their health.

 

It's not like they're forced to sail in clouds of 2nd hand smoke - they have choices. I hear them coming back at me with "but we love HAL" and I'm sure they do but as the smokers are fond of reminding us - times are changing - and so is the demographic of cruisers and cruise line's niches. For them maybe, at least for now, HAL is not the perfect fit.

 

Taking your example, smokers also have lots and lots of choices for vacations. Why do they have to cruise? Hal is my favorite cruise line. If you have a favorite would you be pleased to be told to have sloppy second instead? Does catering to a small segment of the population actually work for any business?

[Drico]

Whew ... there's no reformer like a reformed smoker :D:D

 

Those who are totally against smoking and smokers have every other cruise line regularly sailing out of USA ports to choose from if being aboard with smokers is so totally terrible for them or their health.

 

It's not like they're forced to sail in clouds of 2nd hand smoke - they have choices. I hear them coming back at me with "but we love HAL" and I'm sure they do but as the smokers are fond of reminding us - times are changing - and so is the demographic of cruisers and cruise line's niches. For them maybe, at least for now, HAL is not the perfect fit.

 

You're right. There are a lot of choices out there but some want their cake and eat it too.

[richwmn]

Whew ... there's no reformer like a reformed smoker :D:D

 

Those who are totally against smoking and smokers have every other cruise line regularly sailing out of USA ports to choose from if being aboard with smokers is so totally terrible for them or their health.

 

It's not like they're forced to sail in clouds of 2nd hand smoke - they have choices. I hear them coming back at me with "but we love HAL" and I'm sure they do but as the smokers are fond of reminding us - times are changing - and so is the demographic of cruisers and cruise line's niches. For them maybe, at least for now, HAL is not the perfect fit.

 

Taking your example, smokers also have lots and lots of choices for vacations. Why do they have to cruise? Hal is my favorite cruise line. If you have a favorite would you be pleased to be told to have sloppy second instead? Does catering to a small segment of the population actually work for any business?

 

At least summersigh is comparing "Apples" to "Apples". cruz chic is saying that smokers should just not cruise. And by the way, many of the other vacation choices have smoking restrictions as well.

[Drico]

Yep. The non smokers complain about smoke on balconies but still continue to sail HAL. One of the anti smoking advocates here recently posted she was on the NA and was letting the crew know what she thinks of the current smoking policy on HAL. Makes me think she booked the cruise so she could just get on board to complain. She even booked a balcony knowing there was a possibility of smoking neighbors. Seems to me if smoke bothers you so much, and you're always complaining about it, then why book a balcony?

Edited December 26, 2014 by Drico

[sapper1]

Yep. The non smokers complain about smoke on balconies but still continue to sail HAL. One of the anti smoking advocates here recently posted she was on the NA and was letting the crew know what she thinks of the current smoking policy on HAL. Makes me think she booked the cruise so she could just get on board to complain. She even booked a balcony knowing there was a possibility of smoking neighbors. Seems to me if smoke bothers you so much, and you're always complaining about it, then why book a balcony?

 

My goodness----the reason we continue to book on HAL is because we will be five star Mariners by this time next year and the perks are worthwhile. Certainly the laundry and the 50% off in the Pinnacle are. If we started on a new line at our age we wouldn't live long enough to reach a worthwhile reward level. That's one reason.

 

Another thing is that the size of cabin we like to have just comes with a balcony. You can't get a cabin with double sinks and and all the extra space without a balcony. Since we have the balcony it is nice to be able to use it without choking on someone else's fumes. I have never complained about it to anyone but that doesn't say I have to like it.

 

We like Holland America and the product they deliver very much. I would never suggest that you go somewhere else so please extend the same courtesy to me.

[sail7seas]

At least summersigh is comparing "Apples" to "Apples". cruz chic is saying that smokers should just not cruise. And by the way, many of the other vacation choices have smoking restrictions as well.

 

There is a message in your post that HAL should be 'hearing'.

 

If 'many of the other vacation choices have smoking restrictions' must be what a vast majority of people want?

 

[cruz chic]

There is a message in your post that HAL should be 'hearing'.

 

If 'many of the other vacation choices have smoking restrictions' must be what a vast majority of people want?

 

 

Bingo!

[Host Walt]

Several more posts have been removed. Reminder (actually reminder # 200). This is the original post for this thread:

Host Walt[/b]]

We have established this thread to be the "go to" thread for all discussions pertaining to Holland America's on board smoking policies. This thread is intended to make it easier for all Cruise Critic members to discuss these policies and any future changes thereto.

 

Here's a link to HAL's policy summary Shipboard Life: Is smoking allowed on board? - Click on "Shipboard Life" and a drop down menu will appear. Click on "On Board Policies" in that menu and you'll see the last question is "Is smoking allowed on board?"

 

Here's the currently posted policy (as of August 9, 2014):

 

-----

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.

 

----

 

Reminders.

 

1. Our community guidelines continue to apply to this thread.

 

2. This is a forum for discussions of cruising and associated topics. It is not a forum for discussing the health, economics and public policy aspects of smoking, whether associated with cigarettes, pipes, cigars or controlled substances (marijuana). [Emphasis added]

3. Discussions of this approach to smoking posts and other board policies are off topic and will be removed. Please post discussions of this approach for smoking posts to this thread: Single Smoking Thread on the HAL Board - a Sticky

Thanks for your understanding and continued participation on the Cruise Critic forums.