HAL Smoking Policy

[GnTcruisers]

My wife and I have sailed on HAL for over 100 days and this Spring spent 36 days on the Oosterdam from Auckland to Vancouver.

We paid ($3400) for an upgrade to a Superior Verandah Suite as we enjoy relaxing and eating on our verandah.

We were virtually unable to use our balcony because of chain cigarette smokers next door to our left and cigar smokers in the suite next door on our right. We like ordering room service and eating outside while enjoying the warmth, the views and the peacefulness but we were only able to eat on our deck on two occasions in 36 days, due to our incessant smoking neighbours.

We complained to the front desk and they said that they can't do anything about it, saying that HAL's policy allows smoking on the balconies.

We spoke to the Hotel Director and while he empathized with us, he said that only 5% of guests smoke, but that HAL won't change the policy because the smokers would go to other cruise-lines and HAL would lose their revenue.

We wrote to Stein Kruse, President and CEO of Holland America, and received a reply saying that "HAL will revisit their policies as attitudes towards smoking change".

We wonder how many non-smoking Holland America cruisers HAL has lost because of their support for their smoking customers.

[mollyanne]

My wife and I have sailed on HAL for over 100 days and this Spring spent 36 days on the Oosterdam from Auckland to Vancouver.

We paid ($3400) for an upgrade to a Superior Verandah Suite as we enjoy relaxing and eating on our verandah.

We were virtually unable to use our balcony because of chain cigarette smokers next door to our left and cigar smokers in the suite next door on our right. We like ordering room service and eating outside while enjoying the warmth, the views and the peacefulness but we were only able to eat on our deck on two occasions in 36 days, due to our incessant smoking neighbours.

We complained to the front desk and they said that they can't do anything about it, saying that HAL's policy allows smoking on the balconies.

We spoke to the Hotel Director and while he empathized with us, he said that only 5% of guests smoke, but that HAL won't change the policy because the smokers would go to other cruise-lines and HAL would lose their revenue.

We wrote to Stein Kruse, President and CEO of Holland America, and received a reply saying that "HAL will revisit their policies as attitudes towards smoking change".

We wonder how many non-smoking Holland America cruisers HAL has lost because of their support for their smoking customers.

 

 

Did you know what the policy was in advance?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We do know about HAL's policy and wish HAL would stop the smoking on the balconies. And we have certainly not been able to use our verandah quite a few times because of the smokers around us.

And right -- nothing can be done about it until HAL stops allowing this to continue.

Other cruise lines have banned smoking on the balconies and verandahs and they are not hurting and cruisers are still returning to them.

[Daisyloo]

I don't understand how people are so bothered by smoking on balconies. I am a non-smoker and hate smoke too. But at sea when a ship is clipping along at 18 or 20 knots, how much smoke can reach you before it is dispersed by the breeze? I understand if you are in port and there is no breeze. I can honestly say we have never been bothered by smoke on our cruises, except sometimes passing through the casino. Maybe we've just been lucky? No flames please, not trying to cause trouble, just wondering.

[peaches from georgia]

It's odd if only 5% of HAL pax are smokers that so many CC posters complain that their cruises are ruined by smokers on balconies next to them. What are the chances that with only a very few HAL pax on each ship being active posting CC members so many just happen to have the few smokers on the ship on adjoining balconies. Strange coincidence. :eek:

[HamOp]

It's odd if only 5% of HAL pax are smokers that so many CC posters complain that their cruises are ruined by smokers on balconies next to them. What are the chances that with only a very few HAL pax on each ship being active posting CC members so many just happen to have the few smokers on the ship on adjoining balconies. Strange coincidence. :eek:

 

Yes, I agree. I've often thought about this. It's either the number of smokers is vastly underestimated or HAL hates non-smoking C.C. Members and wants to make their vacation a disaster!:eek::D

 

I've always had cabins with balconies and don't recall ever having been bothered. (That's not to say that some haven't)

 

The number of smokers, and the number of balcony cabins just don't wash.

 

To the OP, I see this is your third posting to C.C. Welcome to the HAL board.

[MMOMOM]

It's odd if only 5% of HAL pax are smokers that so many CC posters complain that their cruises are ruined by smokers on balconies next to them. What are the chances that with only a very few HAL pax on each ship being active posting CC members so many just happen to have the few smokers on the ship on adjoining balconies. Strange coincidence. :eek:

 

Amazing, isn't it?! :confused: And, what is even more amazing are the same people are complaining about the 'chemical smell' ruining their time as well, from the 'not too well known and not commonly used' electronic cigarettes on the balconies ..... can't figure it out! :eek:

[sail7seas]

It's odd if only 5% of HAL pax are smokers that so many CC posters complain that their cruises are ruined by smokers on balconies next to them. What are the chances that with only a very few HAL pax on each ship being active posting CC members so many just happen to have the few smokers on the ship on adjoining balconies. Strange coincidence. :eek:

 

 

Maybe that 5% figure is not accurate. :cool: :rolleyes:

 

[Hlitner]

Whenever we see a new posting on this topic we think, "here we go again." The OP should have, or could have been aware of HAs smoking policy before they booked. Personally, we agree with the OP and accordingly will seldom book a balcony (unless its a steal) on HA. On the other hand, when we cruise on Celebrity or Princess (where they have a no-smoking policy on balconies and in cabins), we always book a balcony cabin. It is the same with casinos. When we cruise on HA ships we never spend any time or money (HA's loss) in the casino because of the smoke. If we really want to gamble on a ship we wait until we are on Celebrity where they have a no-smoking policy in their casino.

 

Hank

P.S. We think that HA will often have a disproportionate number of smokers. Since many other cruise lines have adopted tough anti-smoking policies...HA is one of the few places where they can go.

[sail7seas]

Amazing, isn't it?! :confused: And, what is even more amazing are the same people are complaining about the 'chemical smell' ruining their time as well, from the 'not too well known and not commonly used' electronic cigarettes on the balconies ..... can't figure it out! :eek:

 

FDA will not state e-cigarettes safe. They have too many questions about them.

 

Perfume.... that is often the next subject raised when smoking threads are first started.

Obesity...overeaters are endangering their health but not anyone else's.

 

Drinking..... good those who enjoy a cocktail or two aren't driving when on a ship.

 

What did I forget?

 

We, too, have been driven off our verandah for a full cruise. Smokers to the right of us, smokers to the left of us and they get to enjoy the air they polute while we must retreat off our verandah.

 

And yes, we know HAL's policy re: smoking being permitted and we use and create every possible opportunity to encourage HAL to change that policy.

 

So far, we have made great progress.

Verandah smoking is the last change we seek.

We have no problem with their being outdoor and indoor smoking designated areas..... just not in places we cannot avoid.

 

 

[peaches from georgia]

Maybe that 5% figure is not accurate. :cool: :rolleyes:

 

If anyone on the ship would know and give correct or near-correct info I would expect it to be a Hotel Director.

[billbunger]

Maybe 3 posts should be a clue seems more like a Troll than anything else.

 

36 days and the poster could eat on the balcony only twice, horse crackers to that. My DW and I have 100 days of cruising too and we love the balcony and have never been bothered by smoke from others on either side of our cabin, as the OP said the ship is clipping along at 17 or 18 knots, smoke does not hang around at that speed.

 

Yes I vote for the Troll on this.

[HamOp]

FDA will not state e-cigarettes safe. They have too many questions about them.

 

Perfume.... that is often the next subject raised when smoking threads are first started.

Obesity...overeaters are endangering their health but not anyone else's.

 

Drinking..... good those who enjoy a cocktail or two aren't driving when on a ship.

 

What did I forget?

 

We, too, have been driven off our verandah for a full cruise. Smokers to the right of us, smokers to the left of us and they get to enjoy the air they polute while we must retreat off our verandah.

 

And yes, we know HAL's policy re: smoking being permitted and we use and create every possible opportunity to encourage HAL to change that policy.

 

So far, we have made great progress.

Verandah smoking is the last change we seek.

We have no problem with their being outdoor and indoor smoking designated areas..... just not in places we cannot avoid.

 

 

 

Sail, I don't have a dog in this race one way or the other, but somehow I think veranda smoking will not be the last change to keep the non-smokers happy. I'm not talking about you, but some of the comments I've read in other posts just seem to be displeased that anyone is allowed to smoke anywhere on board. Fire safety and all that stuff.

 

But then again, I could be wrong........;)

[LDVinNC]

We have been bothered by smoke on our balcony from the next door balcony, but almost more bothered by the incessant coughing (presumably) of the smoker that we heard in the cabin! Still had a good time, though.

[sail7seas]

If anyone on the ship would know and give correct or near-correct info I would expect it to be a Hotel Director.

 

 

Perhaps he misspoke?

Perhaps he was misunderstood?

Perhaps the party game 'tell a secret' got the number confused after numberous mentions of the percentage.

Or, perhaps he was just plain wrong?

 

I am sure there could be more explanations but I do not accept 5% as an accurate number. Other Hotel Directors have 'directly' told differently.

[jennjess]

My wife and I have sailed on HAL for over 100 days and this Spring spent 36 days on the Oosterdam from Auckland to Vancouver.

We paid ($3400) for an upgrade to a Superior Verandah Suite as we enjoy relaxing and eating on our verandah.

We were virtually unable to use our balcony because of chain cigarette smokers next door to our left and cigar smokers in the suite next door on our right. We like ordering room service and eating outside while enjoying the warmth, the views and the peacefulness but we were only able to eat on our deck on two occasions in 36 days, due to our incessant smoking neighbours.

We complained to the front desk and they said that they can't do anything about it, saying that HAL's policy allows smoking on the balconies.

We spoke to the Hotel Director and while he empathized with us, he said that only 5% of guests smoke, but that HAL won't change the policy because the smokers would go to other cruise-lines and HAL would lose their revenue.

We wrote to Stein Kruse, President and CEO of Holland America, and received a reply saying that "HAL will revisit their policies as attitudes towards smoking change".

We wonder how many non-smoking Holland America cruisers HAL has lost because of their support for their smoking customers.

 

I think that the non smoking customers HAL have lost, have been replaced by smoking customers from other lines.

[blueboro]

I don't understand how people are so bothered by smoking on balconies. I am a non-smoker and hate smoke too. But at sea when a ship is clipping along at 18 or 20 knots, how much smoke can reach you before it is dispersed by the breeze? I understand if you are in port and there is no breeze. I can honestly say we have never been bothered by smoke on our cruises, except sometimes passing through the casino. Maybe we've just been lucky? No flames please, not trying to cause trouble, just wondering.

 

It is not like the smoke goes out to sea and disappears. It is usually blown into balconies either forward or aft based on wind. I will say this is a big concern when sailing HAL and like other posters we only go thru the casino if there is not another option.

[sail7seas]

I think that the non smoking customers HAL have lost, have been replaced by smoking customers from other lines.

 

Yes, I agree.

Smokers from balcony cabins on cruise lines which banned it, have moved to HAL. The number we don't know is if HAL lost more than moved over to HAL.

 

 

 

It is not like the smoke goes out to sea and disappears. It is usually blown into balconies either forward or aft based on wind. I will say this is a big concern when sailing HAL and like other posters we only go thru the casino if there is not another option.

 

 

Exactly.

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

Here we go again with another smoking thread!!! UGGGGGHHHHHH:eek:

 

 

Amen to that..........

and believe me, I dislike smoking just as much as some of these folks do. I am a former smoker, the worst kind.

[CruiseWhere]

No need to lose your lunch over it:D Now you know what this thread is about (the title might have given you a clue) just don't click on it anymore.

 

Actually HamOp, and by the way I miss your bug, I was hoping when I clicked on this thread that HAL was changing it just like the wine policy, LOL;);)

[CruiseWhere]

Amen to that..........

and believe me, I dislike smoking just as much as some of these folks do. I am a former smoker, the worst kind.

 

You and I are in the same boat!!;):D

[HamOp]

Actually HamOp, and by the way I miss your bug, I was hoping when I clicked on this thread that HAL was changing it just like the wine policy, LOL;);)

 

Fair enough. I hadn't thought that it might have been a policy change. Sorry.

 

The bug is taking a well deserved rest, but I suspect he will reappear one day:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Maybe 3 posts should be a clue seems more like a Troll than anything else.

 

36 days and the poster could eat on the balcony only twice, horse crackers to that. My DW and I have 100 days of cruising too and we love the balcony and have never been bothered by smoke from others on either side of our cabin, as the OP said the ship is clipping along at 17 or 18 knots, smoke does not hang around at that speed.

 

Yes I vote for the Troll on this.

 

On one of our 21 day cruises, the woman in the cabin next to us (forward) sat right by the partition all morning, all afternoon and all evening smoking one cigarette after another. She even ate out there all the time. Her husband sat on the far side of he verandah so that he wasn't bothered by the smoke.

On the other side of us we had a pipe smoker who stood at the railing quite a bit.

Sadly these things do happen and we have no way of knowing who has booked the cabins on either side of us.

[trixietx]

Amen to that..........

and believe me, I dislike smoking just as much as some of these folks do. I am a former smoker, the worst kind.

 

I couldn't agree more! I used to smoke and DH still does and he smokes on the balcony. I can't imagine that bothering anyone and I can't stand the smell of smoke!

[FRANKIEDNYC]

:cool: Hal is changing the wine policy to keep in step with other lines, so why not step in line with the others on smoking. We have over 400 days and have on a few occasions been bothered by smoke on the balcony, but it was never a constant thing. I guess it depends on how the wind blows. Perhaps the solution would be to set aside a block of balcony cabins as smoking and others as non smoking. Let people choose where they want to be.