Experience of non smokers

[Hlitner]

DW and I are both non-smokers and really dislike smelling or breathing anyone else's smoke. We love Celebrity (Elite with them) and also like HA (3 Star soon to be 4) but do try to deal with the HA smoking policy in several ways. When we cruise on X we usually book a nice balcony cabin, gamble in the casino (usually lose), and spend plenty of time drinking booze in the bars. On HA we never book balconies because we cannot justify spending the extra money for a balcony we often cannot use due to the smoke drifting from other balconies. We never spend a penny in any HA casino (it does save us money) and avoid the place as much as possible because we do not like the smoke. On our most recent Prinsendam Cruise we (and many others) were often driven out of the Crows Nest due to smoke so we also save money by reducing our drinking. We do not have a problem with the HA smokers because they are simply following the HA rules, but have adjusted our own onboard spending behavior which saves us quite a lot of money (we take long HA cruises) and costs HA the lost revenue. On our Prinsendam Cruise last May there was one evening when the Crows Nest had about 50 folks near the bar drinking and having a good time (many of us had become good friends on that 41 day cruise). Then several smokers came into the room and went to the smoking area (not too far from the bar) and all lit-up. Since the ventilation in that bar is not very good the bar quickly filled with smoke and nearly 50 patrons (some expressing their displeasure to the ship's beverage manager who was drinking with us) vacated the room. The cost to X was probably at least the sale of 50 more drinks we would have purchased and Petr (beverage manager) was somewhat frustrated but also quite helpless. We will continue to book HA when it does an itinerary that we want to do...but would always choose Celebrity if they have a similar itinerary.

 

Hank

[1 HappyCruiser]

Well, then, it looks like you'll just have to suffer doesn't it? Or find a non-smoking cruiseline. We are non-smokers too - have always been, but we understand the universe was not created for our needs alone.:rolleyes:

 

Thank you all for your responses, after careful consideration we are now looking at a Princess cruse as they now have a similar policy to Celebrity that does not allow smoking on the balcony.

 

While switching cruise lines for the non smokers may be an option that seems reasonable for now the numbers of smokers switching to HAL may very well increase exponentially as more smokers switch because of limiting rules on other lines and not being able to smoke in the rooms any longer. HAL will most likely inherit an abundance of those smokers & it'll only hasten the inevitable - no smoking on any balcony sooner than anyone might guess.

[Indycal]

I usually avoid these threads (growing up with a mom that smoked, so I have asthma, and although mom quite for 2O years later in life, smoking finally caused her death do to COPD). So it is a sensitive subject for me.

 

Anyway, I just got off the Oosterdam. We had a veranda and only smelled smoke a few times, which was good. There were a few smokers on the balconies but not enough to bother us, and we are both sensitive to the smells. We do not use the casino. They had a great question and answer session with James Deering the Hotel Manager and smoking was brought up. He said it is the number one complaint that his office receives. He then said he once heard someone say that having a smoking and non-smoking section is like having a peeing and non-peeing section in a pool:eek:

 

 

Mr. Deering stated that the smoking policies are continuously reviewed, and that 25% of HAL customers are smokers.

[sail7seas]

The percentage they tell us seems to vary.....

 

We've been told everything from 13% to 25%. Maybe Mr. Deering was giving the 'high end' of what they experience on the ships.

 

$$$ will determine the future or lack thereof for veranda smoking on HAL ships.

 

 

 

[bipacco224]

I find this so hard to believe, why leave your home? Oh maybe the fact that the vessel is a diesal engine. People wear offensive purfume. (no doubt bought at sams in bulk) Whatever happenend to common courtesy with both parties. The smoker and non smoker. Did you ever think that smoker might be or have a son or daughter in the armed forces. I find when people discuss and not have there mind made up already things go well. 85 % of the things a person worries about never happens.

 

one more thing ( who passed the gas in the elevator) : ):confused:

[sail7seas]

I find this so hard to believe, why leave your home? Oh maybe the fact that the vessel is a diesal engine. People wear offensive purfume. (no doubt bought at sams in bulk) Whatever happenend to common courtesy with both parties. The smoker and non smoker. Did you ever think that smoker might be or have a son or daughter in the armed forces. I find when people discuss and not have there mind made up already things go well. 85 % of the things a person worries about never happens.

 

one more thing ( who passed the gas in the elevator) : ):confused:

 

Huh? My husband served in Viet Nam and survived. Does that mean we now have to breathe second hand smoke because some other soldier is now serving in a dangerous assignment? I don't see the connection to a parent having a son or daughter in the military to neighbors on a cruise ship having to breathe second hand smoke.

 

Maybe I'm missing something in the translation and I'm sorry if that is the case.

 

[Viesczy]

snip....

 

it was my bad luck on the worst experience Eurodam cruise that neighbors on either side of me never seemed to leave their veranda.

 

 

Dija talk to 'em? Give them a, "yo smokestack why don't have a few less coffin nails while I'm out here basking in the glory of the Blue" (in a polite way of course which prolly wouldn't've included smokestack & coffin nails!)?

 

If someone is an inconsiderate icehole and doesn't compromise, there are ways to get them to see the light! ;):D

 

Derek

[sail7seas]

Yes, of course, we tried a very polite, soft spoken request for us to try and work something out so we could get a bit of enjoyment from our veranda. We got a nasty "it's permitted" response and that was that.

 

[Retired civil servant]

Despite Celebrity's non smoking rule of No smoking allowed in cabins and on balcony's we still found that a few people will abuse this policy.

 

Being an ex-smoker I have a very sensitive nose and now hate any form of cigar or cigarette smoke. Right from the start of a 14 day cruise around the Caribbean I could smell smoke whilst sitting on our balcony, but it was only on the last day of the cruise that I was able to identify the source on a lower deck just forward of us, by then too late to do anything about it. Its a minimum $250 fine on Celebrity ships.

 

The thought of not being able to use my balcony because of inconsiderate smokers either side would have me asking for a refund.

 

I will stick with Celebrity from the comments posted here.

[cruisin'girl]

Despite Celebrity's non smoking rule of No smoking allowed in cabins and on balcony's we still found that a few people will abuse this policy.

 

Being an ex-smoker I have a very sensitive nose and now hate any form of cigar or cigarette smoke. Right from the start of a 14 day cruise around the Caribbean I could smell smoke whilst sitting on our balcony, but it was only on the last day of the cruise that I was able to identify the source on a lower deck just forward of us, by then too late to do anything about it. Its a minimum $250 fine on Celebrity ships.

 

The thought of not being able to use my balcony because of inconsiderate smokers either side would have me asking for a refund.

 

I will stick with Celebrity from the comments posted here.

I'm not sure how smokers are being "inconsiderate" smoking on their balconies. Clearly YOU booked your cabin with balcony in a smoking section. That is not the fault of a smoker. You had a choice and booked in a smoking area. Non-smokers have trouble acknowledging that and taking the blame themselves if they are not happy.

 

I always laugh when the suggestion is made to "work out a schedule" with balcony smokers near your balcony. Again- you booked in the smoking section, but the onus is put on the smokers to give something up which HAL allows just to make you happy. If I as a smoker walked up to the Lido Bar, a non-smoking area, and asked you to "work out a schedule" during the day where I could enjoy a cigarette with a drink, because that is what I like, would you agree? I wouldn't think of asking and you wouldn't think of agreeing to that, so why should it be that smokers are more unless expected to agree to smoke on their balconies just when it is convenient for you? They booked a ship where smoking is allowed on balconies. So did you. Whose fault is that? Why should HAL give a refund?

[sail7seas]

I'm not sure how smokers are being "inconsiderate" smoking on their balconies. Clearly YOU booked your cabin with balcony in a smoking section. That is not the fault of a smoker. You had a choice and booked in a smoking area. Non-smokers have trouble acknowledging that and taking the blame themselves if they are not happy.

 

I always laugh when the suggestion is made to "work out a schedule" with balcony smokers near your balcony. Again- you booked in the smoking section' date=' but the onus is put on the smokers to give something up which HAL allows just to make you happy. If I as a smoker walked up to the Lido Bar, a non-smoking area, and asked you to "work out a schedule" during the day where I could enjoy a cigarette with a drink, because that is what I like, would you agree? I wouldn't think of asking and you wouldn't think of agreeing to that, so why should it be that smokers are more unless expected to agree to smoke on their balconies just when it is convenient for you? They booked a ship where smoking is allowed on balconies. So did you. Whose fault is that? Why should HAL give a refund?[/quote']

 

 

There are No Non-Smoking veranda sections. All verandas on all HAL slips permit smoking.

 

Where in this thread did you read someone asked for a refund? I looked back and cannot find it. I must have missed it.

[cruisin'girl]

There are No Non-Smoking veranda sections. All verandas on all HAL slips permit smoking.

 

Where in this thread did you read someone asked for a refund? I looked back and cannot find it. I must have missed it.

The poster I quoted said he woild ask for a refund if he had smokers next to him. It's right in his post.

[sail7seas]

As I said I missed it. I don't think I'll go back through to find it or who the poster was so thank you for clarifying. :)

 

[cruisin'girl]

As I said I missed it. I don't think I'll go back through to find it or who the poster was so thank you for clarifying. :)

 

Post #66 where I quoted Retired civil servant, his second to last sentence. His original post was #65.

[elou]

I'm sorry to say that non-smokers "pushed" smokers to have a balcony. I just as soon save the extra money and be able to smoke in my cabin, but I can't. Sorry, I know it sounds crude but, YOU CAN'T HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO. I've had cancer and do have COPD, so I do realize. I can only make my decisions, not HALs.

[rafinmd]

You can also encounter smoke on the promenade deck. I believe a smoker is entitled to light up next to you anywhere on that deck. Correct me if I am wrong. Why leave Celebrity?

 

In theory, I would love to have a non-smoking promenade deck, but Celebrity's answer to that "problem" seems to be to eliminate the promenade deck. I am just getting ready to disembark Zaandam after 14 days and about 45 miles on the promenade deck. Yes, there are smokers there but the promenade is wide enough so they can easily be avoided. OP will need to avoid the casino, and perhaps 1 or 2 lounges, but there are most places will be smoke free. I do not generally book balconies and there is really no need to have one on HAL. There are many open decks, and in the rare event there is a smoker nearby it is easy to find a smoke free space. I was bothered by smoke on the cruise, but only in ports, never on the ship.

 

Roy

[Richie2pies]

I would gladly pay the $250 to smoke on my balcony. Happily, I do not have to pay it on HAL. IF and WHEN they eliminate smoking on HAL balconies, I'll go elsewhere. IF and WHEN all lines ever eliminate it, I'll give up cruising.

[mightycruisequeen]

IF and WHEN they eliminate smoking on HAL balconies, I'll go elsewhere. IF and WHEN all lines ever eliminate it, I'll give up cruising.

Well, I guess everyone has their own priorities....:eek:

[boaterette]

I'm not sure how smokers are being "inconsiderate" smoking on their balconies. Clearly YOU booked your cabin with balcony in a smoking section. That is not the fault of a smoker. You had a choice and booked in a smoking area. Non-smokers have trouble acknowledging that and taking the blame themselves if they are not happy.

 

I always laugh when the suggestion is made to "work out a schedule" with balcony smokers near your balcony. Again- you booked in the smoking section' date=' but the onus is put on the smokers to give something up which HAL allows just to make you happy. If I as a smoker walked up to the Lido Bar, a non-smoking area, and asked you to "work out a schedule" during the day where I could enjoy a cigarette with a drink, because that is what I like, would you agree? I wouldn't think of asking and you wouldn't think of agreeing to that, so why should it be that smokers are more unless expected to agree to smoke on their balconies just when it is convenient for you? They booked a ship where smoking is allowed on balconies. So did you. Whose fault is that? Why should HAL give a refund?[/quote']

 

I love your post.

[Silver sailor]

There are No Non-Smoking veranda sections. All verandas on all HAL slips permit smoking.

 

 

And yet as often as you complain about the smokimg policy on Hal , as crusin'girl states YOU continue to sail on a cruise line in smoking areas when YOU are aware of the policy regarding smoking

 

As many have previously stated YOU have other options but, for personal reasons , you continue to sail on HAL and continue to rant about how smokers , on a few of your numerous cruises have ruined a few of your past sailings

[sail7seas]

If what we have been told on the ships is true, it is the constant comments and requests for more smoking bans that has created the changes that have been set in place in the last years. The more people who complain about the smoking the more often the more chance for change.

 

[mightycruisequeen]

If what we have been told on the ships is true, it is the constant comments and requests for more smoking bans that has created the changes that have been set in place in the last years. The more people who complain about the smoking the more often the more chance for change.

 

Absolutely! quoted from HAL's own website:

 

"For the comfort of all of our guests, based on an increased desire expressed by the majority of our guests, we are changing our smoking policy as of January 15, 2012."

[Silver sailor]

If what we have been told on the ships is true, it is the constant comments and requests for more smoking bans that has created the changes that have been set in place in the last years. The more people who complain about the smoking the more often the more chance for change.

 

And what if a majority of smokers abandon X or Princess and go to HAL

And non smokers go the opposite way? As some have already said they will do

$$$ signs are more influential to corporation than comments and requests

[peaches from georgia]

And what if a majority of smokers abandon X or Princess and go to HAL

And non smokers go the opposite way? As some have already said they will do

$$$ signs are more influential to corporation than comments and requests

The new smoking policies on Carnival, Princess, and HAL are not just individual strategies for each cruiseline, but part of an overall Carnival corporate marketing plan for their family of mass market ships. Two of the lines now have no cabin and no balcony smoking, one has balcony smoking allowed. That pretty much follows the national non-smoking/smoking %'s. They obviously are trying to please both groups and it doesn't matter to Carnival Corp if individual HAL cruisers are happy or not as long as this strategy is maximizing bookings and profit for all 3 lines as a group.

 

Always follow the money.

[jennjess]

I'm not sure how smokers are being "inconsiderate" smoking on their balconies. Clearly YOU booked your cabin with balcony in a smoking section. That is not the fault of a smoker. You had a choice and booked in a smoking area. Non-smokers have trouble acknowledging that and taking the blame themselves if they are not happy.

 

I always laugh when the suggestion is made to "work out a schedule" with balcony smokers near your balcony. Again- you booked in the smoking section' date=' but the onus is put on the smokers to give something up which HAL allows just to make you happy. If I as a smoker walked up to the Lido Bar, a non-smoking area, and asked you to "work out a schedule" during the day where I could enjoy a cigarette with a drink, because that is what I like, would you agree? I wouldn't think of asking and you wouldn't think of agreeing to that, so why should it be that smokers are more unless expected to agree to smoke on their balconies just when it is convenient for you? They booked a ship where smoking is allowed on balconies. So did you. Whose fault is that? Why should HAL give a refund?[/quote']

 

Great post!