Smoking Policy Revisited

[Maverick430]

I know this is a sensitive topic. I was wondering if anyone recently disembarked from a HAL cruise and if so, are they conducting the smoking questionnaire? I heard they were conducting a smoking policy study by attaching an addendum to the guest survey questionnaire. I have not been back on HAL in a long time, but I have not sailed on a ship since the Westerdam that provides an all around awesome cruise experience like HAL does. I am aware of the current smoking policy but according to cruisemates HAL has been conducting a study about their smoking policy yet no results or updates have been published. Any information is greatly appreciated.

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/Cruise-Line-Smoking2.cfm#axzz10marhuHk

[maxout]

Same survey they have been handing out for about 4 years now. Not aware of any changes to policy that are a result of it.

[YXU AC*SE]

Got off the Eurodam on Labo(u)r Day -- no supplemental smoking questionnaire. Scott.

[sail7seas]

We left Maasdam first week in September and they still are passing out that old smoking survey in the end of cruise general survey.

[RuthC]

I did not get one on my August Amsterdam cruise, but I did see a place for them behind the Front Desk. :confused: I wondered if I was left out of the distribution as I'd completed several of them, including three in the last few months.

Contrary to what some think, over the years there has been a definite reduction in the designated smoking areas on the ships. There has been no smoking allowed in the dining rooms and show lounge for years now. More recently, smoking has been banned by the Lido pool, Ocean Bar, Piano Bar/Lounge, Explorers Lounge. There's no smoking allowed in the Crows Nest on the Vista and Signature class ships. The Oak Room (a smoking room) was removed from three of the four Vista class ships.

[sail7seas]

You're right, Ruth. There have been changes as to where smoking is permitted. Same as in society as a whole.

 

[Bill S]

We got the smoking survey last week on the Ryndam! Same old survey.

[gillianrose]

Contrary to what some think, over the years there has been a definite reduction in the designated smoking areas on the ships. There has been no smoking allowed in the dining rooms and show lounge for years now. More recently, smoking has been banned by the Lido pool, Ocean Bar, Piano Bar/Lounge, Explorers Lounge. There's no smoking allowed in the Crows Nest on the Vista and Signature class ships. The Oak Room (a smoking room) was removed from three of the four Vista class ships.

 

 

When can I book a balcony suite and be certain that there will be no smoke drifting onto it?

 

....especially cigar smoke.

[CtheW0rld]

When can I book a balcony suite and be certain that there will be no smoke drifting onto it?

 

....especially cigar smoke.

 

when? you could book that today, just not on HAL. several lines ban smoking on balconies. if you do a little research you can have the experience you desire.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When can I book a balcony suite and be certain that there will be no smoke drifting onto it?

 

....especially cigar smoke.

 

There is no guarantee that the people on the verandah next to you or even a couple of cabins away, etc., will not be smoking. HAL is not stopping the smoking on the balconies /verandahs.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been getting those questions for over 4 years -- that has been some changes -- not many -- but they are there.

[Cinder Again]

I wrote to HAL last month with the very same question, asking if there was a change, or if they were considering a change, based on several years of surveys.

Their answer was succinct. There is no change planned to the smoking policy at this time.

Of course, that's sort of a non-answer, as it is no longer "this time" even a week later...:o

[IRL_Joanie]

When can I book a balcony suite and be certain that there will be no smoke drifting onto it?

 

....especially cigar smoke.

 

Not to be rude, but the only clear answer is Never. At least not on a Holland America Line ship at this time.

 

Joanie

[sail7seas]

Not to be rude, but the only clear answer is Never. At least not on a Holland America Line ship at this time.

 

Joanie

 

Never, Joanie? Never, at this time. :confused:

What does that mean?

What have your 'sources' told you? Are they in Seattle headquarters?

[Mary Ellen]

Never, Joanie? Never, at this time. :confused:

What does that mean?

What have your 'sources' told you? Are they in Seattle headquarters?

I wondered the same thing. I wouldn't bet on "never". Although, I wouldn't bet the other way either.

[Maverick430]

Thank you all for the replies. I would like to see a more restrictive policy on HAL. We just got off the Solstice and while Celebrity did not live up to our expectations the smoking policy was nice. Thank you all for your input.

 

Ryan

[luvs2travl]

When can I book a balcony suite and be certain that there will be no smoke drifting onto it?

 

....especially cigar smoke.

 

The answer is nowhere in the foreseeable future. HAL allows smoking on their balconies and as far as we can tell, will continue to do so. We have had a balcony cabin on our last several HAL cruises and have had a smoker (a very considerate person, BTW) next door to us only once.

 

Also - we were on the Westerdam in August, and they did hand out the smoking questionnaire at the end of that cruise.

[gooselace]

 

Contrary to what some think, over the years there has been a definite reduction in the designated smoking areas on the ships. There has been no smoking allowed in the dining rooms and show lounge for years now. More recently, smoking has been banned by the Lido pool, Ocean Bar, Piano Bar/Lounge, Explorers Lounge. There's no smoking allowed in the Crows Nest on the Vista and Signature class ships. The Oak Room (a smoking room) was removed from three of the four Vista class ships.

 

You are so right. I just got off the Eurodam and found smoking areas were more limited than when I took it last year. Aside from my veranda, the only areas where smoking was allowed were a few tables on the aft Lido (Seaview Bar), where it was usually cold and windy. The only other option was the Sports Bar on the opposite end of Deck 2. It wasn't even listed on the Daily Program bar list so I have no idea when it was open. Even the small area of the Crow's Nest where smoking was previously permitted has been eliminated.

 

Last year on the Eurodam I could enjoy a social drink and cigarette before and sometimes after dinner in the Explorer's Lounge. Alas, no more.

 

Which Vista class ship still has an Oak Room smoking area?

[RuthC]

Which Vista class ship still has an Oak Room smoking area?

The Noordam.

 

It's a shame that the Oak Room was removed from the other ships. It should be added to those that never had one! Then, there would be an enclosed indoor space reserved for smokers. Smokers would have their space, and non-smokers could avoid it.

Add an outdoor space that can be avoided by non-smokers, and I would like to say "problem solved".

"Like to say...". Of course, I know better than to think that restricting smoking to two places that can easily be avoided by non-smokers, and which do not interfere with non-smokers, would solve the problem. ;)

[startwin]

Just off the Volendam, and was delighted to find no smoking in the Crow's Nest, so we were able to enjoy it to the fullest. Also had no problems with smoke on our veranda. However, walking down the main deck when going ashore - which is all oceanviews and insides - the smoke smell was strong, where people smoked in their rooms I guess. And the casino wasn't too bad at all when we passed by. Overall, no problems with the smoking onboard.

[sail7seas]

The Noordam.

 

It's a shame that the Oak Room was removed from the other ships. It should be added to those that never had one! Then, there would be an enclosed indoor space reserved for smokers. Smokers would have their space, and non-smokers could avoid it.

Add an outdoor space that can be avoided by non-smokers, and I would like to say "problem solved".

 

"Like to say...". Of course, I know better than to think that restricting smoking to two places that can easily be avoided by non-smokers, and which do not interfere with non-smokers, would solve the problem. ;)

 

 

I fully agree there should be an indoor space in public area where smokers can comfortably smoke and non-smokers can avoid.

 

I also agree there should be an outdoor space where that would apply.

 

I hope they stop permitted smoking on verandas.

[drcpa]

Thank you all for the replies. I would like to see a more restrictive policy on HAL. We just got off the Solstice and while Celebrity did not live up to our expectations the smoking policy was nice. Thank you all for your input.

 

Ryan

 

Ryan, might I (respectfully) ask....

My first (and so far, only) real upscale cruise was on the Celebrity Solstice in the Med.

Thanks to people setting my expectations properly (expect a fun, upscale experience, but don't expect over-the-top luxury) I had a great time (admittedly, not much to compare it to).

The ship, service, food, entertainment, logistics, ports, excursions, etc were all top notch.

I have another European cruise scheduled next year on HAL.

I'm interested in your comments about Celebrity not living up to your expectations...what might have gone wrong, etc.

Thanks for the consideration.

[photomikey]

It's a shame that the Oak Room was removed from the other ships. It should be added to those that never had one! Then, there would be an enclosed indoor space reserved for smokers.

An enclosed indoor space for smoking? Would they just call it the "lung cancer room"?

 

Things (thankfully) have changed since the 50's. I don't see HAL (or anyone else, land or see) rolling out an enclosed indoor space just for smokers.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Never?

[m steve]

on the Island P but it is very poorly ventilated and looks like one of those airport smoking rooms that are covered in a cloud. If properly ventilated iit could work on every ship. The bigger problem was that every time someone entered or left smoke billowed out towards the piano bar just across about 15 feet away.