HAL (finally) bans smoking on balconies

[Ocean Dancer]

Funny that you mention this. The only RCI ship on which we've ever sailed is Anthem; we were on her inaugural TA last fall. A couple of days into the crossing, by which time we'd been pretty much all over the ship, it struck me that we hadn't seen the casino. Where was it?

 

Turns out, RCI nicely stuck the casino down in the bowels of the ship. Mostly there was no need to walk through it unless you were going there, and while it was indeed horribly smoky (and yes, I'd prefer no smoking indoors on cruise ships), it was more easily avoided than casinos on most other ships. (And of course I realize that this is not the case for those who enjoy gambling.)

 

Wasn't that wonderful!!!

[Cop Chef]

How does this relate to Celebrity?

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Forums mobile app

 

And why would this have to relate to Celebrity. I'm just saying that i like some of HAL's itinerary and their sales but I don't care for their smoking policy.....is that alright with you

[fshagan]

I don't know anyone who smokes or vapes, but I thought vaping just left water vapor behind. I did walk beside someone vaping once and didn't smell anything. If it leaves nicotine behind, that could be a problem. But it isn't actually burning anything. Anyway, I have little firsthand experience with this, maybe it was too good to true.

 

I work with a lot of 20-somethings that have switched to vaping instead of smoking. They do have scented "juice" they can use with pretty exotic and strong odors ... cinnamon, rose, mint and others. It can be as offensive as perfume at times (I wish I could get ladies to quit wearing what smells like dog barf to me, but I guess I'm in the minority on that).

 

The ones using "standard" vaping have very little odor. A person can be vaping right next to you and you'd never know it. There is no residue left behind when using the standard "juice". There is a kind of heightened sensitivity about smoking and it's harmful health benefits, and we see vapor and think smoke, and our minds go into overdrive and we can smell the acrid tobacco smoke in our minds. I think that's why places ban vaping in public - they will get complaints from people absolutely certain the person was smoking because the mind plays tricks on us. I think that's why HAL is banning vaping on balconies, but not inside the cabin. They know it doesn't leave a residue, the next guest cannot tell someone has been vaping in the cabin, and no one else can see it so they won't get the false reports.

 

I'm more concerned about people who tell me they drench the mattress with insecticide when they first get into their cabin in case there are bed bugs. I'm sure that leaves a residue and is probably much more harmful.

[Chunky2219]

I............. There is a kind of heightened sensitivity about smoking and it's harmful health benefits, and we see vapor and think smoke, and our minds go into overdrive and we can smell the acrid tobacco smoke in our minds...........

I have no problem with something in my mind, I usually smell the stink before I spot the smoker.

 

Then again, I had two parents who died from the direct effects of smoking and an older sister who, never having smoked in her life, most likely died from the effects of second-hand smoke. I didn't escape from that domestic atmosphere until I was 21 so I feel quite justified in not wishing to inhale even one more unwanted lung full of the foul stuff.

 

I have no objection to the smell or lack of it from vaping. I do object to the unknown effects of getting it second hand. It's not so long ago that second hand smoke was deemed entirely safe and look how that turned out. The only evidence today in favour of vaping is that on balance it's better than smoke is for the person using it. Whoopee doo!

 

I'll pass, if that's okay.

 

 

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Edited October 5, 2016 by Chunky2219
typo

[awhcruiser]

It's the Celebrity board?

And why would this have to relate to Celebrity. I'm just saying that i like some of HAL's itinerary and their sales but I don't care for their smoking policy.....is that alright with you

[keithm]

I have no problem with something in my mind, I usually smell the stink before I spot the smoker.

 

Then again, I had two parents who died from the direct effects of smoking and an older sister who, never having smoked in her life, most likely died from the effects of second-hand smoke. I didn't escape from that domestic atmosphere until I was 21 so I feel quite justified in not wishing to inhale even one more unwanted lung full of the foul stuff.

 

I have no objection to the smell or lack of it from vaping. I do object to the unknown effects of getting it second hand. It's not so long ago that second hand smoke was deemed entirely safe and look how that turned out. The only evidence today in favour of vaping is that on balance it's better than smoke is for the person using it. Whoopee doo!

 

I'll pass, if that's okay.

 

 

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Still, they are inhaling something that has oils & other residues. I'm sure somewhere down the line, there's going to be health issues. Remember when they said not to put "vapo rub" in your nose to clear it? Turns out that the oils in vapo rub then would get inhaled into the lungs & once there it stays & does not get absorbed into the body. Nice thought.

[Turtles06]

I'm more concerned about people who tell me they drench the mattress with insecticide when they first get into their cabin in case there are bed bugs. I'm sure that leaves a residue and is probably much more harmful.

 

So I've wondered if people really do that... because....

 

This past winter on the NCL Gem (in a suite, no less), when I got into bed the first night and pulled up the sheets, I smelled a horrible, pungent odor, like Ben Gay, but it wasn't Ben Gay. It was really awful. Too late to do anything about it that night. (Strangely, the smell was only on my side of the bed.)

 

I reported this to housekeeping the next morning. Our steward changed all the bedding, but the smell was still there, apparently in the mattress. Another call to housekeeping, and the Manager himself came up to our stateroom, got on his cell phone, and ordered up an entire new bed. That did the trick.

 

I subsequently did a Google search and learned that there'sa consumer grade bed bug spray that is described as having an awful, Ben Gay like smell. Maybe that was it. (But whatever it was, why only on one side of the bed? What a mystery....)

[Cop Chef]

It's the Celebrity board?

 

I know I'm on the Celebrity Board. Why didn't you question the OP or the other dozen or so posters on How does this relate to Celebrity? Everyone posted their opinions regarding the smoking issues on HAL and their itinerary.

[lvz2cruz]

How does this relate to Celebrity?

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Forums mobile app

 

A lot of us cruise both lines.

I'm glad it's here because on the Hal board it is a sticky and who reads those daily.

Some of us are interested in the news. Those that aren't don't have to keep clicking onto the thread.

[fshagan]

So I've wondered if people really do that... because....

 

This past winter on the NCL Gem (in a suite, no less), when I got into bed the first night and pulled up the sheets, I smelled a horrible, pungent odor, like Ben Gay, but it wasn't Ben Gay. It was really awful. Too late to do anything about it that night. (Strangely, the smell was only on my side of the bed.)

 

I reported this to housekeeping the next morning. Our steward changed all the bedding, but the smell was still there, apparently in the mattress. Another call to housekeeping, and the Manager himself came up to our stateroom, got on his cell phone, and ordered up an entire new bed. That did the trick.

 

I subsequently did a Google search and learned that there'sa consumer grade bed bug spray that is described as having an awful, Ben Gay like smell. Maybe that was it. (But whatever it was, why only on one side of the bed? What a mystery....)

 

On the NCL board there was a thread about bed bugs and one or two people chimed in with how they liberally dose the entire room, including the mattress, with insecticide when they first enter the room.

 

With vaping estimated at 95% safer than smoking for smokers who draw the chemical into their lungs I think we should encourage all smokers to switch over. The social policy aspect of where they can vape is up to the individual property owners like X and HAL, but I'd like to see people live longer and not get diseases such as COPD and cancer.

[Chunky2219]

..........With vaping estimated at 95% safer than smoking for smokers who draw the chemical into their lungs I think we should encourage all smokers to switch over. The social policy aspect of where they can vape is up to the individual property owners like X and HAL, but I'd like to see people live longer and not get diseases such as COPD and cancer.

I think we should encourage all smokers to just give up.

 

Whilst I'm happy to see people live longer and not get COPD, they are making individual choices based on incomplete information. I'm more keen that me and my nearest & dearest live longer and don't get any illnesses that result from the actions and vices of others. Smoking and vaping in public places is every bit as reprehensible as driving a car while drunk or on a mobile phone. The only difference is that in the car you get to meet your victim immediately.

 

I can find my own ways to get to a premature end. They'll likely involve good food or fine wine but no-one else will be affected. Unless I fall on someone when I keel over.

 

 

 

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[docmark]

chunky 2219

 

Are you a prior smoker?

[Cop Chef]

A lot of us cruise both lines.

I'm glad it's here because on the Hal board it is a sticky and who reads those daily.

Some of us are interested in the news. Those that aren't don't have to keep clicking onto the thread.

 

Thank You lvz2cruz for helping to clarify this :cool:

[jlivings]

It makes me want to buy an enormous ship and bill it as the SmokeHouse of the High Sea. Smoking is allowed everywhere except where food is being served. Certain areas of the ship will be for consumption of legal marijuana. I'll be rich!

[Ozzmund]

Just finished the New England Canada cruise on Hal's Zuiderdam. As it was our first HAL cruise, I

was very concerned about their smoking policy.

I can honestly report that with the exception of the designated outdoor smoking locations, I did not encounter cigarette smoke. We were on our balcony multiple times each day, nothing!

While passing through the casino one evening I did see we really folks at slot machines smoking, but did not smell the smoke.

I don't know if this situation is due to the cruise itinerary, the passenger demographics, or other factors, but I was pleasantly surprised and would not hesitate to book with them again if the price and itinerary were to our likely.

With that said we have our sixth X cruise coming up in late November.

Celebrity continues to be our line of choice.

[Luvcrusn]

It makes me want to buy an enormous ship and bill it as the SmokeHouse of the High Sea. Smoking is allowed everywhere except where food is being served. Certain areas of the ship will be for consumption of legal marijuana. I'll be rich!

 

Let me know your ship's name, I'm afraid I won't be contributing to your newly imagined wealth! I'm a major smoke avoider, lost Dad, Mom and sister to smoke related painful, awful, awful deaths. I'll take as much clean air as possible thanks.

[jlivings]

My reply was only in fun. I am an ex-smoker myself, and if asked I will tell you how easy it was to quit smoking, but there are smokers out there that can afford to cruise despite the ever rising costs of tobacco. If they could smoke on their balconies, if they could smoke at their gaming tables, if they could smoke in an indoor bar, they would pay extra.

[Chunky2219]

chunky 2219

 

Are you a prior smoker?

Never had one in my mouth.

 

My dad's greatest gift to me was to wake up every morning and spend ten minutes sitting on the bed coughing up his guts in the bedroom next to mine. It didn't work so well for him, but I'm already 10 years older than he was at his first heart attack so I learned an important lesson from that sound.

 

 

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[ReneeFLL]

Yes, that is a compromise and it is a step in the right direction.

However, I have a cousin that smokes the vapor cigs and unfortunately it does leave an odor. I suppose if the cabin stewards do a good job cleaning cabins, it might not be a problem to be in a cabin occupied by a vapor smoker, but it still raises a question.

Even if they thoroughly clean it would still be in the curtains, carpet, etc. :(

[jlivings]

there are no lingering odors from e-cigs. I agree with others about the toxicity of the bed bug spray compare to lingering e-cig residue, no comparison. However, I would rather the bed be debugged and live with the odor and residue than take home any passengers. If cigarette smoke kills bed bugs, by all means give me a smoking room.