Balcony Smoking on Carnival

[CRUZBUDS]

I figured HAL would be next, but it looks like Carnival beat them to it -- from Carnival's FAQ today. Just HAL and NCL now in the mass-market lines allow balcony smoking

 

 

 

What is the smoking policy?

Effective on voyages departing October 9, 2014, or thereafter, all staterooms and suite accommodations are an entirely smoke free environment, including the outside balcony.

Cigarette and E-cigarette smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas, as well as in our night club, and in certain areas within the casino and casino bar.

Cigar and pipe smoking will continue to be allowed in designated exterior open deck areas only.

Note: Guests who smoke in their staterooms or on their balconies will be assessed a $250 cleaning and refreshing fee on their Sail & Sign account. Information on this fee is included in Carnival's cruise ticket contract. Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy.

[cruz chic]

We can only hope HAL will be next.

[taxmantoo]

Another step in the right direction ...

[Lizzie68]

Excellent news, we all knew this was coming, for the good of the majority of cruisers. I just hope that when it does happen, HAL gives serious thought to providing a comfortable, well ventilated inside area for smokers, and not treat them like pariahs.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the information.

It would be wonderful if HAL stopped the smoking on the balconies and verandahs.

[cp556]

The other side of the coin is that HAL is now one of even fewer lines permitting smoking on balconies. This may mean a migration of Carnival smokers over to HAL ..... not sure that's a good thing IMO.

[midwest 852]

We'll that wonderful news now all of the above should book on Carnival!

 

Ps

I don't smoke, I hate the smell. But I'm so sick of the bashing of smokers by some of the posters!

Do you have nothing better to do with your time.

Edited July 8, 2014 by midwest 852

[sail7seas]

If HAL does not follow suit quickly, they are now just about guaranteeing the non-smoking verandah category guests who do not like second hand smoke will be bombarded with it.

 

 

HAL you are being backed into a corner. Do you need a brick dropped on your head? I could understand HAL did not want to lose smokers' business but if all the cruise lines are doing that, do they really have to win the price to be the last to ban verandah smoking? How many of us have to lose use of verandahs from being polluted before you join the huge majority and stop allowing it?

 

The time is NOW.

Edited July 8, 2014 by sail7seas

[Lizzie68]

The other side of the coin is that HAL is now one of even fewer lines permitting smoking on balconies. This may mean a migration of Carnival smokers over to HAL ..... not sure that's a good thing IMO.

 

That won't last long, I'm sure.

[Crazy For Cats]

I too would like to see the smoking ban on balconies implemented on HAL. Usually it doesn't bother me but this last cruise was an exception as smoke drifted our way very often.

[kazu]

Oh good, another smoking thread.:rolleyes:

 

Hate to throw a wrench in the mix, but has anyone thought about the impact to HAL if they do this?

 

Those evil people (aka smokers) who book the more expensive cabins will start at looking at other options if this becomes the law of the land (or sea)

 

If the rules are the same then they will look at options and may opt to choose a more upscale line or even a mass market competitor.

 

I know, it's only 20% in America but it is more in Europe and they are the pricier cruises IMO

 

Hopefully, they do a better job of it when and if they do it than they did with the wine policy

[sppunk]

Well if HAL doesn't quickly follow our upcoming cruise in September will be the last. You can guarantee smokers will - and they have all the right in the world - sail on ships where you can smoke on your private balcony.

[sppunk]

CCL also has increased the daily gratuities to $12/daily/person.

 

It won't be long until that's umbrella wide, I'd assume.

[taxmantoo]

We'll that wonderful news now all of the above should book on Carnival!

 

Ps

I don't smoke, I hate the smell. But I'm so sick of the bashing of smokers by some of the posters!

Do you have nothing better to do with your time.

 

You may want to read again the posts before yours. NOBODY has "bashed" smokers in any way, shape or form. People are just saying they are happy with the new regulations.

[sail7seas]

Oh good, another smoking thread.:rolleyes:

 

Hate to throw a wrench in the mix, but has anyone thought about the impact to HAL if they do this?

 

Those evil people (aka smokers) who book the more expensive cabins will start at looking at other options if this becomes the law of the land (or sea)

 

If the rules are the same then they will look at options and may opt to choose a more upscale line or even a mass market competitor.

 

I know, it's only 20% in America but it is more in Europe and they are the pricier cruises IMO

 

Hopefully, they do a better job of it when and if they do it than they did with the wine policy

 

 

 

The reverse is also true.

If HAL does Not change the verandah smoking policy many of those who can't stand second hand smoke and book those expensive Suites may move elsewhere to get away from it.

 

HAL is carefully watching those number, one would guess.

When non-smoking guests make it clear they are going elsewhere, HAL will realize they may be losing more non-smokers than gaining smokers.

 

The odds are far in favor of the non-smokers no matter how much one pulls, twists, contorts and squeezes the numbers.

 

[HamOp]

If HAL does not follow suit quickly, they are now just about guaranteeing the non-smoking verandah category guests who do not like second hand smoke will be bombarded with it.

 

 

HAL you are being backed into a corner. Do you need a brick dropped on your head? I could understand HAL did not want to lose smokers' business but if all the cruise lines are doing that, do they really have to win the price to be the last to ban verandah smoking? How many of us have to lose use of verandahs from being polluted before you join the huge majority and stop allowing it?

 

The time is NOW.

 

With all the brands under the Carnival umbrella, my guess is that corporate has decided to keep non-smokers happy by greatly restricting smoking areas on most lines, and the decision has been made that HAL will be most viable choice for those who want to smoke. It would seem to make good business sense (for now). Kind of like having your cake and eating it too!

 

Some day, HAL will further restrict the allowed areas for smoking, but I just don't see it anytime soon.

 

Then again, I could be wrong!

[midwest 852]

You may want to read again the posts before yours. NOBODY has "bashed" smokers in any way, shape or form. People are just saying they are happy with the new regulations.

 

I see your from CA.:)

[sail7seas]

Kazu

Oh good, another smoking thread.

 

Hate to throw a wrench in the mix, but has anyone thought about the impact to HAL if they do this?

 

Those evil people (aka smokers) who book the more expensive cabins will start at looking at other options if this becomes the law of the land (or sea)

 

If the rules are the same then they will look at options and may opt to choose a more upscale line or even a mass market competitor.

 

I know, it's only 20% in America but it is more in Europe and they are the pricier cruises IMO

 

Hopefully, they do a better job of it when and if they do it than they did with the wine policy

 

 

 

The European cruises are not always the most expensive cruises.

Try pricing an "SA" Suite for Canada/NE cruises. We usually pay around $550 plus or minus per person per day for those pricey suites you mention.

 

 

 

Edited July 8, 2014 by sail7seas

[sppunk]

This makes the following mainstream lines where smoking on your balcony is prohibited:

 

- Carnival

- Celebrity

- Princess

- Royal Caribbean

- Cunard

- Disney

- MSC

- Oceania

 

HAL, Costa and NCL are the remaining stalwarts. Costa actually permits smoking in staterooms as well as balconies.

Edited July 8, 2014 by sppunk

[kazu]

The European cruises are not always the most expensive cruises.

Try pricing an "SA" Suite for Canada/NE cruises. We usually pay around $550 plus or minus per person per day for those pricey suites you mention.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully, not my experience, $700+ per day on the Prinsendam. Maasdam is not that much lower. Port taxes and air flights are higher as well generally speaking. Just my experience and research though.

[Charles4515]

The reverse is also true.

 

If HAL does Not change the verandah smoking policy many of those who can't stand second hand smoke and book those expensive Suites may move elsewhere to get away from it.

 

 

 

HAL is carefully watching those number, one would guess.

 

When non-smoking guests make it clear they are going elsewhere, HAL will realize they may be losing more non-smokers than gaining smokers.

 

 

 

The odds are far in favor of the non-smokers no matter how much one pulls, twists, contorts and squeezes the numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

I won't book HAL again until they follow in line the other cruise lines and ban smoking on balconies. I don't think it will be long before they do that.

[sail7seas]

Respectfully, not my experience, $700+ per day on the Prinsendam. Maasdam is not that much lower. Port taxes and air flights are higher as well generally speaking. Just my experience and research though.

 

 

 

In most cases, you are likely correct but we all know there are always exceptions. We have seen price cuts on some Prinsendam cruises when a particular cruise didn't sell well. As to airfare, there are Europeans who fly to S. to do that cruise. We have sailed that itinerary with a number of Brits as well as Dutch and Germans. They probably had high air fare. Airfare from west coast Canada/U.S. can also be pricey.

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

:)

We have been with HAL since 2007! Always have a balcony, and been on 10 cruises with them so far. We live in San Diego, Ca and love HAL. Will be 4 star Mariners this coming March 2015 on a 2 week cruise to the Carribean! Really only once did we have smokers next door to us and believe it or not were very polite when they heard us coming out to enjoy the morning or afternoon or dinner time what ever, and would tells us to enjoy and that they were finished smoking! We always ask HAL with our reviews to maybe have one side of the cabins be for smokers! That way both sides win. I believe that maybe HAL will not do no smoking because they would rather fill up all cabins and get the smokers who want a balcony. They are a buisness. I sure hope not! We did their 24 day Mediteraniean on the Nieuw Amsterdam last summer in August out of Barcelona and we were sooo lucky that both sides of our balcony were on for 24 days also and did not smoke. But again it would be nice to see HAL come 1/2 way with cabins only on one side for smokers.

[chrispb]

The reverse is also true.

If HAL does Not change the verandah smoking policy many of those who can't stand second hand smoke and book those expensive Suites may move elsewhere to get away from it.

 

 

Aaah, but they know they won't lose you. You've said so very frequently:cool:

[sail7seas]

Aaah, but they know they won't lose you. You've said so very frequently:cool:

 

 

 

I am but one person. I am very sure were I not to book a cabin, that cabin would quickly be sold to someone else. :)

 

There are many here who have posted they have left HAL or are planning to leave HAL because of their verandah smoking policy. They don't care if they lose me, they will care if they lose many 'like me'.