Royal Caribbean prohibits smoking on balconies

[Lovely other]

years ago when you were allowed to smoke in hotels in England you'd always be asked whether you wanted a smoking or non-smoking room ...wouldn't this be a possible solution to this dilemma? smoking and non-smoking verandah/suite cabins ?

 

i don't smoke and i help out part of the week in a cancer unit so i see the effects constantly. However i've also seen the knock on economic effects, especially in pubs that occured when smoking was banned in all public spaces in the uk ...legally your not even supposed to smoke in a bus shelter here, although i've yet to see a way that could be enforced.

 

i personally would rather people smoked on their balconies than in the casino

[CruiseWhere]

Yet you would think from reading the HAL CC board that 99.9% of the verandahs have at least 2 smokers puffing away outside at least 20/7. That just isn't reality on the ships. Rarely do we see or smell any smoke when on our verandah and we are out there a lot morning' date=' afternoon, and before dinner. The chances of having chain smokers on a balcony adjacent to yours driving you inside are extremely slim, yet a few posters seem to have it happen to them all the time. Makes you wonder.[/quote']

 

Well here is our reality we have only done 4 cruises with HAL, all in Suites, either "S" or "SA" cabins and we are 2 for 2. Last time we were fortunate:rolleyes::rolleyes: to have a cigarette, cigar, pipe and pot smoker beside us:mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Hlitner]

If that is the case (and I'm not doubting your statistics) then why is smoking such an issue on the ships? That's a very small percentage and they can't all be cruising at the same time:confused:

 

Now that is a great question. Personally, as a non smoker who simply cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke, we have not noticed much of a problem on our last 2 HA cruises (both in the last year on the Westerdam). But one can surmise that with nearly every mass market cruise line severely restricting smoking, a high percentage of smokers may now be booking HA just so they can smoke on their balcony (and in lots of places outside).

 

The irony is that the worst problems we had with smoking were on the smaller Prinsendam (we love that ship) and much of it had nothing to do with the passengers. That ship has a large crew lounge area/ day room on the crew deck where smoking is allowed (we have been in that crew room and it was like being inside an ashtray. Some of the smoke from that room gets out of the room, goes up the nearby atrium to the passenger deck above (where we lived when on this ship) and makes part of the Port hallway smell pretty bad. (because of the way the A/C works it does not seem to affect the Starboard hall). That ship was also a problem because we had many smokers and it was often impossible to find a deck chair where we did not have smoke blowing in our face.

 

In fact it was funny some days on deck. There might be 20 folks in a cozy spot on deck and one smoker would come along and light up in a chair. In a few minutes you would see most of those 20 folks dragging their loungers across the deck to find another spot. But like I said, we cruised 49 days on the Westerdam in the past 12 months and never had a problem with smoke. Of course we did avoid the casino as much as possible.

 

On our upcoming Veendam cruise we decided to book an outside cabin (instead of a balcony) to guarantee that we have no smoking problems on a balcony. But on our next two cruises (Celebrity and Princess) we quickly booked verandas. One wonders if now that Princess has banned balcony smoking we will see a lot of their smokers gravitate over to HA. Smokers are quickly running out of options if they want to smoke on ships....and addicts will go to great lengths to be able to practice their habit :) Who knows, somebody in Seattle may come up with a new marketing slogan, "Cruise Holland America..the line preferred by 99% of all smokers!" LOL

 

Hank

[waASPCrusier]

But one can surmise that with nearly every mass market cruise line severely restricting smoking, a high percentage of smokers may now be booking HA just so they can smoke on their balcony (and in lots of places outside).

 

Exactly. Which one can surmise is going to increase as more mass lines follow suit. This also makes the percent of smokers kind of a mute point, if most of them are coming onto a couple of mass lines. Kind of like saying only 40% of the population drinks, but when in a bar that 40% means nothing. How many mass market cruise lines are even left with the option of balcony smoking ?

 

As for lots of outside areas, we did a little investigating on our Oosterdam cruise at the end of June. What we saw was about 7 tables by the Lido bar, about 4 tables outside the old Oak room and maybe 4-5 of those big railing ashtrays on deck 10, one side only. We heard you could smoke in casino if you were playing. We experienced no smoke issues, but we were also not in a balcony room.

 

It seems that booking a balcony is kind of a gamble and that quite a few people are willing to take that gamble. Not one I would take personally, but to each their own.

[Linda&Vern]

Exactly. Which one can surmise is going to increase as more mass lines follow suit. This also makes the percent of smokers kind of a mute point, if most of them are coming onto a couple of mass lines. Kind of like saying only 40% of the population drinks, but when in a bar that 40% means nothing. How many mass market cruise lines are even left with the option of balcony smoking ?

 

As for lots of outside areas, we did a little investigating on our Oosterdam cruise at the end of June. What we saw was about 7 tables by the Lido bar, about 4 tables outside the old Oak room and maybe 4-5 of those big railing ashtrays on deck 10, one side only. We heard you could smoke in casino if you were playing. We experienced no smoke issues, but we were also not in a balcony room.

 

It seems that booking a balcony is kind of a gamble and that quite a few people are willing to take that gamble. Not one I would take personally, but to each their own.

I assume you meant to say Sea View Bar ... as that is "outside." No smoking at the Lido Bar. There is no smoking inside except for active Casino players.

[startwin]

I assume you meant to say Sea View Bar ... as that is "outside." No smoking at the Lido Bar. There is no smoking inside except for active Casino players.

 

Isn't the Sea View bar on Royal Caribbean? Smoking on HAL is on the aft Lido, by the Lido bar at 7 or 8 tables - or at least, I always thought was was what that bar was called:o.

[sail7seas]

Sea View Bars are in the stern at the aft pools.

 

The pools are called Sea View Pool and the bars are named accordingly.

Smoking is permitted on one side of aft pool and that is the side with the bar.

 

Years ago there were some tables at Lido Pool, under the retractable roof, where smoking was permitted. They stopped that about 2007 or so. There is No smoking permitted anywhere at Lido Pool under the roof whether it is open or not.

 

[RuthC]

Isn't the Sea View bar on Royal Caribbean? Smoking on HAL is on the aft Lido, by the Lido bar at 7 or 8 tables - or at least, I always thought was was what that bar was called:o.

On the HAL ships where the Lido Deck extends all the way aft, there are two bars. The Lido Bar is the indoor one, by the Lido pool. The Sea View Bar is outside, by the aft pool.

[SeaDate]

The "Ralph" and "Rob" show will be returning to HAL after an 18 month absence. We both smoke cigars on our adjoining verandas and we were going to try RCL this winter on a Sat./Sun. B-to-B 14 days out of San Juan, but will now have to cancel due to their new policy. In the spirit of full disclosure, we have been known to close a bar on occasion and turn a card in the casino, all legal adult activities. Why do I share this with you? I'm tired of all the hand wringing, whining and self-righteous diatribes about smoking. If you're bothered by smoke sail Princess, NCL, RCL, Celebrity Etc. and leave us to our vices. Thank you HAL for not caving. End of rant.

 

See you all on board.

 

"Ralph"

 

Agree with you! End of my rant! see you on board & Happy Smoking:)

[waASPCrusier]

I assume you meant to say Sea View Bar ... as that is "outside." No smoking at the Lido Bar. There is no smoking inside except for active Casino players.

 

Sure...I don't know the names of the bars..but yes outside, back deck...

[startwin]

On the HAL ships where the Lido Deck extends all the way aft, there are two bars. The Lido Bar is the indoor one, by the Lido pool. The Sea View Bar is outside, by the aft pool.

 

 

Thank you, Ruth - I didn't know that!:o

[SeaWatch]

I did call and share my concerns about their smoking policy. My instinct tells me it will only change if many more call and of course bookings are cancelled due to smoking allowed.

[cruz chic]

I did call and share my concerns about their smoking policy. My instinct tells me it will only change if many more call and of course bookings are cancelled due to smoking allowed.

 

I've also shared my thoughts with them via email. What they do is quote the smoking policy:rolleyes:. I guess they think people are stupid. It will change when they feel like changing it. I guess they enjoy being the ashtray of the sea.

[SeaWatch]

We ( and the couple going with us) are seriously considering canceling our Mediterranean booking. That would be a $12,000 loss to HAL and a gain for Celebrity. Maybe HAL can sell those cabins to the cigar smoking double verandah folks.

[Hlitner]

Really had a good smile when reading e-500's post (re the cigar smokers). My thought was that all the HA cheerleaders who insist they never smell smoke on their balconies should get a cabin next to those folks :)

 

Hank

P.S. I also enjoy an occasional good cigar, but never smoke them on ships or within 2 city blocks of DW. But I would consider smoking them on a HA balcony if we were upwind from a cigarette smoker

[cruz chic]

Really had a good smile when reading e-500's post (re the cigar smokers). My thought was that all the HA cheerleaders who insist they never smell smoke on their balconies should get a cabin next to those folks :)

 

 

No kidding:D. I've been accused of lying when I said I've smelled smoke on most of my cruises.

Smokers just don't realize how their sense of smell has been dulled by smoking.

[RJ2002]

I've also shared my thoughts with them via email. What they do is quote the smoking policy:rolleyes:. I guess they think people are stupid. It will change when they feel like changing it. I guess they enjoy being the ashtray of the sea.

 

I also wrote to HAL, complaining about the policy which allows smoking on verandas. Thankfully they did quote the current policy, but it is sort of a boilerplate response...

 

Dear Mr. RJ2002,

 

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We have forwarded your email to our management and Marketing team for consideration. They take all guest suggestions into consideration.

 

Again, we thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Our guest's comments and concerns are important to us. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

[name redacted]

Holland America Line

[solocanadian]

Just off the Amsterdam. Made friends with a lady who has COPD. She was very sensitive to cigarette smoke, scents in HAL cleaning products and the exterior paint HAL uses. She got hit with all these things returning to her Neptune Suite one afternoon after lunch in the lido. Don't know who she complained to but she was told changes were coming but they did not elaborate. She had smokers on their balconies each side of her. She also received a gift of special chocolates. I did not have a balcony and only smelled smoke as I walked past the shops and the casino. The Casino stunk of cigarette smoke whenever it was open. It was disgusting.

[solocanadian]

Just off the Amsterdam. Met a lady who had COPD and complained about balcony smokers each side of her balcony in her Neptune suite. She also complained about the scents in the HAL cleaning products and exterior Paint.

She was aplogised to and sent a dish of special hand made chocolates and told changes were coming. The person did not elaborate on the changes and since she was new to cruising she did not questions that person.

[solocanadian]

Sorry for the duplicate post. On cold meds and feeling goofy.[/b:o]

[E-500]

Agree with you! End of my rant! see you on board & Happy Smoking:)

 

Thanks for your support.

 

There are only major 3 lines that still allow cigars on the balcony, HAL, Costa and Carnival. We don't do Carnival because our frat party days are over and Costa is out because our swimming skills have diminished.

 

Someone made the comment that smokers suffer a loss of sense of smell, which is probably true, but like to think our sense of humor is enhanced however by reading all the posts on CC on this topic.

 

Last comment, KAZU (Jacqui) a number of posts back outed me and blew my cover so I have to curb my acerbic tongue. I had some real zingers lined up for the most vocal anti-smoking crowd, but will now have to return to my milquetoast ways.

 

"Ralph"

[cruz chic]

I also wrote to HAL, complaining about the policy which allows smoking on verandas. Thankfully they did quote the current policy, but it is sort of a boilerplate response...

 

Dear Mr. RJ2002,

 

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We have forwarded your email to our management and Marketing team for consideration. They take all guest suggestions into consideration.

 

Again, we thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Our guest's comments and concerns are important to us. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

 

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

[name redacted]

Holland America Line

 

Yeah, that's pretty much what I heard too. I hope they do send it to mgmt but I have my doubts.

[peaches from georgia]

In the final analysis all that really matters is whether HAL makes more money for Carnival Corp's bottom line by filling more verandah cabins at the highest possible price by allowing smoking or by banning smoking. It's a business and it doesn't matter to the bean counters or most stockholders if the cabins are booked by Ms. Smoker or Mr. Non-Smoker. All that really matters is making the most possible profit thereby achieving the highest possible stock price.

[CruiseWhere]

As with everything else in life......

Money talks, Bu*****t walks!

[chrispb]

Thanks for your support.

 

There are only major 3 lines that still allow cigars on the balcony, HAL, Costa and Carnival. We don't do Carnival because our frat party days are over and Costa is out because our swimming skills have diminished.

 

Someone made the comment that smokers suffer a loss of sense of smell, which is probably true, but like to think our sense of humor is enhanced however by reading all the posts on CC on this topic.

 

Last comment, KAZU (Jacqui) a number of posts back outed me and blew my cover so I have to curb my acerbic tongue. I had some real zingers lined up for the most vocal anti-smoking crowd, but will now have to return to my milquetoast ways.

 

"Ralph"

 

I believe NCL still allow balcony smoking?