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

[CRUZBUDS]

It's the same old story with smokers. I've seen it on every cruise line board here on CC. Loyal Princess cruisers said it. Loyal Celebrity cruisers said it. Loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers said it. "If and when (insert cruise line here) bans balcony smoking, I'll no longer book them." Guess what lines those people are still sailing? One person on the NCL board even threw herself a big pity party, started a thread, and gave a long goodbye saying she was quitting cruising and CC all together. B.S. They all come back.

 

HAL isn't stupid. All they have to do is look at every single other cruise line and they'll see people do not actually leave for this reason.

 

 

We sail with several lines so follow many boards. It has been amusing listening the smokers that rant about canceling cruises. It was particularly interesting when Carnival banned balcony smoking last year. There were many posts from Carnival smokers who were canceling and booking NCL, where "their business would be appreciated". Less than two weeks later NCL joined Carnival in banning balcony smoking. Maybe they didn't want all of the Carnival smokers coming over. :)

[IRL_Joanie]

I think many who came to HAL recently for the smoking policy will go back to their preferred cruise line. Long time HAL cruisers will likely continue to book cruises on HAL as they customarily due.

 

This cruiser WILL NOT cruise with HAL again IF smoking is no longer allowed on her verandah!!

 

This cruiser will instead take her hubby's $$$ and visit her child and grandchild instead either at their home or another LAND vacation spot where she can continue to enjoy her one and only vice:)

 

Joanie

[AV8rix]

Ooops, did I accidentally wander into the wrong forum? Is this Carnival? What with everyone sticking their tongues out at one another and going “Neener neener neener” it’s starting to look like the Carnival age demographic in here.

But I really was amused by (and agree with) UPNYGuy’s characterization of HAL as “ashtray of the seas”. Wish it weren’t so.

[taxmantoo]

This cruiser WILL NOT cruise with HAL again IF smoking is no longer allowed on her verandah!!

 

This cruiser will instead take her hubby's $$$ and visit her child and grandchild instead either at their home or another LAND vacation spot where she can continue to enjoy her one and only vice:)

 

Joanie

 

I am fairly certain you will be making that phone call to your daughter before the end of this year. Hope you have her number ready on speed dial :D

[LandlockedColorado]

We are somewhat new to cruising but have one booked for June on the Amsterdam out of Seattle. Will the average working American be welcome on Holland? While we are very blessed to be able to vacation frequently, I am most sure that there will be many on the ship that have "much bigger money" than we do.

 

We both quit a few months ago so it really doesn't matter to me if they ban it or not. However, I hope those that still choose to smoke in a designated area are allowed until they choose to quit.

 

Musbeus, don't worry, you will be very welcome:) I must admit that I frowned a little on the comment, "my money is bigger than your money, I'll betcha." I'm assuming it was made in fun (I sincerely hope so).

 

The HAL cruisers are great, fun, and usually down-to-earth; most are simply in love with cruising.

 

You sound very polite and gracious and am sure you'll have a great cruise--certainly hope so.

 

LC

[IRL_Joanie]

We are somewhat new to cruising but have one booked for June on the Amsterdam out of Seattle. Will the average working American be welcome on Holland? While we are very blessed to be able to vacation frequently, I am most sure that there will be many on the ship that have "much bigger money" than we do.

 

We both quit a few months ago so it really doesn't matter to me if they ban it or not. However, I hope those that still choose to smoke in a designated area are allowed until they choose to quit.

 

Yes:)

 

We are also working class stiffs, well actually retired stiffs *LOL* and really enjoy the feel of the ships being perfect for those of us, who as children, dreamed of one day taking a cruise with elegance and refinement, but not being made to feel like a fish out of water, or like there was a Class system like the 1st class, 2nd class or steerage as portrayed in the movies.

 

And thank you for your last sentence. It is most appreciated:)

 

Joanie

Edited January 22, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

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Edited January 22, 2015 by Host Walt
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[cruise kitty]

F.

 

<SNIP> As to casino smoking, on HAL we simply avoid the casino (and never gamble a penny). We probably should thank HAL for allowing smoking in the Casino since with our "do not gamble in any smokey casino policy" we have saved thousands of dollars by not gambling on HAL ships :). When we go on Celebrity (which has a no-smoking policy in their casinos) we have "donated" too much to their "health and welfare fund."

 

Hank

 

I have to say, this is the main reason we stay with Celebrity, zero indoor smoking, on all ships, & only 3 or 4 very small outdoors areas where it's allowed. I love some of HAL's itineraries, & honestly balcony smoking doesn't bother me much, as long as the ship is moving, but casino smoking, or being surrounded by the smell of stale smoke when there's not some one smoking, is just a deal killer for us. & yes, this has resulted in Celebrity earning our rather substantial casino donations rather than HAL.

[taxmantoo]

Just got off the Regal Princess and have to say that the Casino was the worst smoking experience we have ever been subjected to. We are not Casino players but had to walk through a few times and what we smelled every time was a lot worse than anything we have ever experienced on HAL where we walk through the Casino every night to reach the Piano Bar where we spend a few hours after dinner. It was nice to experience the rest of the ship, including our balcony, as a smoke free environment but the Casino was just awful.

Edited January 24, 2015 by taxmantoo

[Hlitner]

Just got off the Regal Princess and have to say that the Casino was the worst smoking experience we have ever been subjected to. We are not Casino players but had to walk through a few times and what we smelled every time was a lot worse than anything we have ever experienced on HAL where we walk through the Casino every night to reach the Piano Bar where we spend a few hours after dinner. It was nice to experience the rest of the ship, including our balcony, as a smoke free environment but the Casino was just awful.

 

Funny you mention Princess. They do usually have smoke-free nights in their casinos (often on the formal nights) but we still think that their casinos smell like being in a dirty ashtray. This just makes the case for cruising on Celebrity (or some other lines) that do not ever allow smoking in Casinos. The irony is that after the awful fire on the Star Princess (that caused a death and 13 other passengers suffered from smoke inhalation issues) that was likely caused by a cigarette, Princess lines went an extra step and refitted all of their ships with both outdoor sprinkler systems and fire detectors on every balcony. Then, after spending many millions to make these upgrades, they decided to totally eliminate smoking on those same balconies. Princess will tell you that they ended balcony smoking for two primary reasons, safety and the comfort of most cruisers (based on their own surveys).

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

Funny you mention Princess. They do usually have smoke-free nights in their casinos (often on the formal nights) but we still think that their casinos smell like being in a dirty ashtray. This just makes the case for cruising on Celebrity (or some other lines) that do not ever allow smoking in Casinos. The irony is that after the awful fire on the Star Princess (that caused a death and 13 other passengers suffered from smoke inhalation issues) that was likely caused by a cigarette, Princess lines went an extra step and refitted all of their ships with both outdoor sprinkler systems and fire detectors on every balcony. Then, after spending many millions to make these upgrades, they decided to totally eliminate smoking on those same balconies. Princess will tell you that they ended balcony smoking for two primary reasons, safety and the comfort of most cruisers (based on their own surveys).

 

Hank

 

 

A number of years separated the tragic fire and the banning of balcony smoking on Princess ships. They were not simultaneous events.

 

[Sow There]

...Princess will tell you that they ended balcony smoking for two primary reasons, safety and the comfort of most cruisers (based on their own surveys)...

Source?

[Sow There]

A number of years separated the tragic fire and the banning of balcony smoking on Princess ships. They were not simultaneous events.

Correct. Also, it was never established conclusively that the fire was a direct result of a cigarette.

[hrhdhd]

Just got off the Regal Princess and have to say that the Casino was the worst smoking experience we have ever been subjected to. We are not Casino players but had to walk through a few times and what we smelled every time was a lot worse than anything we have ever experienced on HAL where we walk through the Casino every night to reach the Piano Bar where we spend a few hours after dinner. It was nice to experience the rest of the ship, including our balcony, as a smoke free environment but the Casino was just awful.

 

The Regal Princess also has a staircase/opening in the middle of the casino, which allows the smoke to waft up to the next deck. The smoke is not that bad there, but it does have an impact on the shops area.

 

So someone who tries to avoid walking through the casino to get to the theater has to walk through smoke anyway. To me that design flaw is almost as bad as the lack of midship stairs! :)

[LMaxwell]

Correct. Also, it was never established conclusively that the fire was a direct result of a cigarette.

It's a real shame people cling to this because the reality is it is most likely from a cigarette

[cruisemom42]

Just got off the Regal Princess and have to say that the Casino was the worst smoking experience we have ever been subjected to. We are not Casino players but had to walk through a few times and what we smelled every time was a lot worse than anything we have ever experienced on HAL where we walk through the Casino every night to reach the Piano Bar where we spend a few hours after dinner. It was nice to experience the rest of the ship, including our balcony, as a smoke free environment but the Casino was just awful.

 

I wonder if the heavy smoke isn't partly a result of the banning of balcony smoking; e.g., smokers have relatively few places to smoke, so the concentration of smoke in those places is going to be several factors greater than previously.

[cruz chic]

I wonder if the heavy smoke isn't partly a result of the banning of balcony smoking; e.g., smokers have relatively few places to smoke, so the concentration of smoke in those places is going to be several factors greater than previously.

 

I've cruised princess many times and I will again shortly. I haven't noticed it being more smokey than hal. I love the fact that balconies are smoke free.

[freestyling]

I have talked with a number of people that cruise Princess and Carnival as well as HAL and they say the air is much less smokey on those lines. Our last 10 cruises and the next 2 are with HAL. On the last 9 cruises the smoke was there but not a big deal to me. The last cruise was much worst both in casino and all balconies (the last 3 cruises were in the last 90 days). I understand HAL's smoking policy and that's the risk I take when booking with HAL. I love the intineraries, crew and ships. I will stay with HAL on the cruises that I already have booked but will be looking at other lines for future cruises. This is something I never thought I would consider.

[JudithLynne]

If I am not mistaken, didn't RCCL establish a no smoking on balconies sometime this month? If so, I imagine that HAL will gain a number of smokers.

[The Sunset Glow]

If I am not mistaken, didn't RCCL establish a no smoking on balconies sometime this month? If so, I imagine that HAL will gain a number of smokers.

 

RCI banned balcony smoking about a year ago.

[legalslave]

What exactly is your point? That those who have been affected by smoking should be disbelieved, or disregarded? Or that the 150 people you claim to have talked to should be believed over and above anyone else? I commend you for your efforts on this and taking the time out from your cruise and vacation, but this is about as accurate as the "poll" you launched previously.

 

Lizzie, I wasn't trying to make any point! Yes, I did speak to over 150 people. I kept a tally on a piece of paper from the Sleep Inn hotel note paper from our room and kept the tally with a pen from the same hotel if you really must know. I don't understand why you and others on this thread, attack anyone who posts anything other than an I hate smokers post. I was simply stating what people said and they were very interested in the brief conversations I had with them. I asked the questions while in the Lido Buffet, happy hours in the Crow's Nest and while waiting for shows to start in the Vista Lounge. I personally don't think anyone should have to put up with smoke from a neighboring balcony or in the casino if it bothers them. It is also possible there were not many smokers on this particular cruise, which was sold out. The smokers in the cabin next to us were very polite and told me that if their smoking bothered me, to let them know and they would not smoke if I were on our balcony when they were out there.

 

Diane

[Sow There]

... I personally don't think anyone should have to put up with smoke from a neighboring balcony or in the casino if it bothers them. ... The smokers in the cabin next to us were very polite and told me that if their smoking bothered me, to let them know and they would not smoke if I were on our balcony when they were out there.

Again, a touch of sanity. What Diane describes has been our experience as well.

[Hlitner]

Correct. Also, it was never established conclusively that the fire was a direct result of a cigarette.

 

So we are wondering what your theory is? Perhaps somebody had a big BBQ grill on their balcony? Perhaps King Neptune arose from the sea and brought down a bolt of lightening on the balcony? Hard to come up with any other ideas but assume you must have some basis to doubt the findings of the independent investigation that eliminated all other possibilities. Oh, I have an idea....perhaps the balcony just spontaneously ignited! Or perhaps a Seagull dropped his/her lit cigarette (did you know that Seagulls love to smoke)!

 

What was interesting about the commission report (which we read a few years ago) was the speculation about where a cigarette (or perhaps a cigar) came from to start that fire. The people that lived in that cabin said they did not smoke. So it was speculated that somebody tossed a lit cigarette off another balcony or perhaps from a public deck and it was blown back onto the balcony where the fire originated. This is one reason why nearly every cruise line now routinely announces and/or has written warning to never toss a cigarette/cigar overboard. A few months ago we took a long cruise (38 days) on the Oosterdam and had a decent veranda cabin. We only smelled smoke on our balcony a few times (which quickly drove us inside) so this was not a major issue. But on more then one occasion we would walk out on our balcony to find a cigarette butt (once smoldering) on are balcony that had to have blown onto our balcony from some other place. Some folks just do not follow the rules!

 

 

Hank

[Hflors]

I am happy to report that we just got back from Ryndam. We were on her for 14 days. (loved every minute of it) we had cabin 044 and did not smell smoke on our balcony at all.

 

Something funny - (our own fault) we did not know that passengers were allowed to smoke at the seaview pool. So on the first day we go out there since it was steps from our cabin. We sit down and order a drink and a man comes to the next table and sits down puffing away on a big fat cigar! We just looked at each other like "what in the heck does he think he is doing" and then we see the ashtrays on the tables around us. Well we waited a few minutes and quietly moved to the other side of the pool. It really was a DUH moment for us.

 

I hope this helps anyone who was concerned that they would smell smoke on their balcony.