Single Smoking Thread (Use for all smoking discussions on HAL) )

[jsn55]

1 hour ago, Bill B said:

January 13, 2024

 

Cruise Contract (U.S.) https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/legal-privacy/cruise-contract -

The use of electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems is allowed within the confines of the Guest's stateroom (balcony not included) and within designated smoking areas only.

 

This Cruise Contract constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between You and Holland America Line N.V., the operator of the vessel , as applicable to Your Cruise, Cruisetour, Land Trip or Air Package ("Carrier"), and supersedes any other prior oral, implied, written or other representations or agreements between You and Carrier, except that in the event of a direct conflict between a provision of this Cruise Contract and a provision of the Cruise Industry Passenger Bill of Rights (PBOR) in effect at the time of booking, the PBOR controls.

 

 

Smoking Policy https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/get-ready-for-your-cruise/faq -

All Holland America Line's public areas, staterooms, suites, and verandahs are non-smoking* areas with the exception of designated smoking areas and casinos on select ships.
 

*Smoking (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaping devices, and e-cigarettes) is only permitted in designated smoking areas.

 

Designated Smoking Areas

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

Sea View Bar area*

 

Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam, Zaandam

Sea View Bar area*

Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players and only when outside of 12 nautical miles from the Netherlands

 

Volendam

Sea View Bar area*

Sports Deck, outside Crow's Nest

Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players an only when outside of 12 nautical miles from the Netherlands

 

*In the Sea View bar area, the smoking section should be away from the bar and any outdoor dining. Onboard management has the flexibility to designate specific areas (port/starboard) adjacent to the Sea View bar. Visible signage must be placed in the smoking area. Please comply with ship signage.
 

Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

 

While the Smoking Policy implies you cannot 'vape' in your stateroom, the Cruise Contract states you can. 🤣😂🤣

 

I don't understand why you wouldn't use an e-cig or vape whatever in the privacy of your cabin.  How could this be a problem?  Does vaping create an odor or harmful 'smoke'?

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, jsn55 said:

I don't understand why you wouldn't use an e-cig or vape whatever in the privacy of your cabin.  How could this be a problem?  Does vaping create an odor or harmful 'smoke'?

vaping does have an odor - and the policy. policy is unclear as @Bill B showed w/contradicting contract and policy.

[Ipeeinthepools]

1 hour ago, jsn55 said:

I don't understand why you wouldn't use an e-cig or vape whatever in the privacy of your cabin.  How could this be a problem?  Does vaping create an odor or harmful 'smoke'?

 

If the vape has an order that exists in the cabin after you leave, that's a problem.

[Haljo1935]

28 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

If the vape has an order that exists in the cabin after you leave, that's a problem.

It may dissipate fairly quickly, but it does produce an odor.

[lyndarra]

11 hours ago, mgtravelsalot said:

funny my 36 year old son vapes pot and cant smell a thing from it

That's because vaping is vaporising a liquid, there's no burning of any vegetable material, therefore no smoke.

[islandgirlejfan]

On 1/9/2024 at 8:08 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

I don't suppose that there's any firsthand info about recent experiences in the Rotterdam casino - with regard to smoking? Fingers crossed for November !

 

If I hold my breath long enough, they'll eventually wake up and smell the coffee...

 

Tom

I do.  I’m onboard the Rotterdam now.  The smoking is tough within the entire vicinity of the casino to include going into the music areas.  Matter of fact, we booked an aft balcony, stateroom 8188 and the smoke from the pool deck above comes in through the ventilation.  It woke me up at 2:30 this morning.  I know ppl smoke as I grew up with two smoking parents, however because they did, I have many issues with it now.  My husband, who rarely has an issue is coughing from it.  We are taking this ship on a TA next October and I booked the 7th floor starboard and I’m hoping far enough away from it. 
It WILL keep me out of the casino next cruise.  We normally sail Celebrity, but their prices have me looking elsewhere.  We have really enjoyed this one other than the smoking.

[RedIguana]

I would suspect if you are having issues with smoke coming through the ventilation and coughing from it in the location you described that it is from the ships exhaust, not smoke from the seaview pool area, especially as your husband doesn't usually have an issue with smoke. If you are physically seeing smoke coming from the ventilation system you are either sucking in a ton of ships exhaust or you have something burning in the ventilation system.

[islandgirlejfan]

18 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

I would suspect if you are having issues with smoke coming through the ventilation and coughing from it in the location you described that it is from the ships exhaust, not smoke from the seaview pool area, especially as your husband doesn't usually have an issue with smoke. If you are physically seeing smoke coming from the ventilation system you are either sucking in a ton of ships exhaust or you have something burning in the ventilation system.

No, it’s definitely cigarette smoke.  I lived with it long enough to know the difference, not to mention this is the only ship we’ve smelled it and we’ve sailed others besides Celebrity.  I saw and smelled the exhaust the other morning.  Two totally different smells.  We aren’t seeing it, but it’s nicotine.  I had surgery years ago and my husband will tell you I have a highly sensitive sniffer after it.  He calls me *Super Sniffer*…while it may be funny, it’s a true story!  I’ve smelled our brand new Mazda CX-5 leaking antifreeze issues and oil burning issues at 25k on the clock….thank goodness covered under the warranty, but they were flaws when the car was built, so yeah, I know my smells.  Now it’s possible that maybe our suite neighbors are coming up for air at 2:30 and smoking on the balcony (haven’t seen them the entire cruise) and possibly they are breaking the rules, but it’s definitely cigarette smoke.  
It’s the same smell in the casino/bar area.

Edited January 13 by islandgirlejfan

[RedIguana]

11 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

vaping does have an odor - and the policy. policy is unclear as @Bill B showed w/contradicting contract and policy.

I don't think it is unclear at all. You are bound to the cruise contract, not the FAQ's. I am half convinced the discrepancy is there for a reason. The FAQ satisfies the anti-vapors that it is not allowed, therefore not happening. The cruise line knows that there is no way to tell if someone is vaping in the cabins, and vaping is gonna happen, and e-cig users will find the allowance in the contract, with the stipulation that it happens in the cabin, and not on the balconies. Why the cabin and not the balconies? They don't want to be hassled by people complaining their neighbor is smoking on the balcony when they are just vaping. It may also be a nod to some of the European countries that actually classify nicotine vapes as a medical device.

[richstowe]

On 1/12/2024 at 11:33 AM, jsn55 said:

EXACTLY!  I hope that people soon tire of complaining about smoking and move on to another topic ... any topic.  If you don't like someone smoking, walk away.  No need to make a fuss.  

Well no . I'm happy to complain about smoke and don't care at all about e-cig vapor . Vape away.

22 hours ago, jsn55 said:

I don't understand why you wouldn't use an e-cig or vape whatever in the privacy of your cabin.  How could this be a problem?  Does vaping create an odor or harmful 'smoke'?

Flavored vapes create a mild odor which is unlikely to persist.

[terrydtx]

On 1/13/2024 at 9:30 AM, mgtravelsalot said:

funny my 36 year old son vapes pot and cant smell a thing from it

Most likely he is not vaping pot, but vaping liquid THC which has no pot odor.

[Genghis Khan]

On 1/12/2024 at 4:30 PM, mgtravelsalot said:

funny my 36 year old son vapes pot and cant smell a thing from it

Agree with this 100%, absolutely zero odor except for maybe a hint of a wisp of sunshine or perhaps butterflies in the air.

[KroozNut]

8 hours ago, Genghis Khan said:

Agree with this 100%, absolutely zero odor except for maybe a hint of a wisp of sunshine or perhaps butterflies in the air.

Or pink unicorns fighting giant cyclops with no hair..

[House_Atreides]

We cruised 12-21-2023 1-7-2024, the circle loop Hawaii from San Diego and back.

 

On the K-dam, there was designated smoking on the starboard side, aft, by the Seaview Pool.  The bartenders were outstanding.  Look for Ronnie.  Nice guy and a great attitude. There are sofas and chairs to sit on, along with regular tables.  The area has plenty of room.

 

As a smoker even I was bothered by the smoke wafting into the indoor area of the aft deck.

 

The casino was a mess by the slot machines, especially on sea days.  Full ashtrays everywhere in that area.  The smell of the smoke was wafting down to the other deck.  I was in the casino all of 20 minutes.  That was too much for me even as a smoker.  Ban indoor smoking!

 

I never noticed anyone smoking on the balconies, we were aft on deck 8, port side.

 

Just sharing my experience.

 

Happy cruising all!

[Ipeeinthepools]

4 hours ago, House_Atreides said:

We cruised 12-21-2023 1-7-2024, the circle loop Hawaii from San Diego and back.

 

On the K-dam, there was designated smoking on the starboard side, aft, by the Seaview Pool.  The bartenders were outstanding.  Look for Ronnie.  Nice guy and a great attitude. There are sofas and chairs to sit on, along with regular tables.  The area has plenty of room.

 

As a smoker even I was bothered by the smoke wafting into the indoor area of the aft deck.

 

The casino was a mess by the slot machines, especially on sea days.  Full ashtrays everywhere in that area.  The smell of the smoke was wafting down to the other deck.  I was in the casino all of 20 minutes.  That was too much for me even as a smoker.  Ban indoor smoking!

 

I never noticed anyone smoking on the balconies, we were aft on deck 8, port side.

 

Just sharing my experience.

 

Happy cruising all!

IMG_6070.mov

 

Thanks for the honest report

[House_Atreides]

You’re welcome!

16 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Thanks for the honest report

 

[oceanbill457]

We were on the Koningsdam Jan 6. As reported the smoking area is aft of the Seaview bar (which doesn't have much of a sea view), The smoke wafts over the Seaview bar. Not many guests use that bar as a result.

[House_Atreides]

On 2/1/2024 at 2:46 PM, oceanbill457 said:

We were on the Koningsdam Jan 6. As reported the smoking area is aft of the Seaview bar (which doesn't have much of a sea view), The smoke wafts over the Seaview bar. Not many guests use that bar as a result.

Agreed, but the smokers sure keep those bartenders running….😅❤️ and they were awesome!

[sealovers]

On 1/8/2024 at 11:10 PM, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Do we know if they were ignoring the rules?

Per Holland America:  cigar smoking is not allowed inside the casino. The only location for cigars and pipes smoking is in the smoking area of the Seabreeze Bar.  

[SUESEABE]

@sealovers  Seaview Bar 

[zSec]

I’m on Rotterdam right now and decks 3-6 forward around the elevator banks are bad. My cabin is nearly half way between forward and mid ship and the smell from the casino on deck two is unmistakable and invasive. As others have reported, standing below then ventelation register in the hallway ceiling, I can smell smoke. Maybe it is just air movement but it seems a lot stronger.

 

The part I object to the most is smelling smoke in my cabin.

 

There was a “coffee chat” with the cruise director and the senior HVAC engineer/officer yesterday. I specifically asked, “can you talk about how cigarette smoke from the casino is handled?” His answer was basically, the casino has a negative pressure and they “do all they can to contain it” but sometimes a little “gets out”. But, it is “closely monitored daily to prevent the smoke from getting far”.

 

While that may be the process and policy, in practice it isn’t working. Why can’t they install glass doors to isolate the air in the area?

Edited February 19 by zSec

[Haljo1935]

11 minutes ago, zSec said:

...Why can’t they install glass doors to isolate the air in the area?

Yes, please!!

[Euby]

Can anyone confirm that the casino on the Eurodam does not allow smoking?  Besides what it says in the policy, that is.

[seagarsmoker]

1 hour ago, Euby said:

Can anyone confirm that the casino on the Eurodam does not allow smoking?  Besides what it says in the policy, that is.

Confirmed no smoking allowed in the Eurodam casino. 

[Ipeeinthepools]

Can someone tell me about the smoking area on the Noordam by the rear pool?  Does the smoke get blown out and affect a much larger area?