This Thread Is To Be Used For All Discussions About HAL's On Board Smoking Policies

[HamOp]

What we do know is CC readers/posters represent only a percentage of HAL cruisers and judging from how many reports we read of upsell offers from that small percentage, it is not a stretch to know there are certainly a number of upsells offers we don't hear about. The most common we read are for smoking accommodations........ verandah cabins. The premise you put forth was they are sold out. They are slashing the prices to fill a number of smoking permitted verandahs.

 

If that is the case, and I'm not saying it isn't, the bean counters will not allow it to go on much longer.

[erewhon]

I *did* tell the agent my reasons why I was cancelling. She stated my concerns were "noted". I suspect placed in the circular file.

 

Throughout I received the impression that HAL did not really care one way or the other where I went and what I did with my money. Maybe they think there is an endless revenue stream?

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

Thanks for your reply.

[Lizzie68]

:)They can offset that a bit with our 7 days from last year and the upcoming week in Feb. Both of these only on HAL because of being allowed to smoke on our balcony.

We've been caught with late policy changes on RCL, Celebrity and Princess and no we couldn't cancel, multiple couples and pre-booked airfare each time. Oh, NCL missed out on this winters booking as well, glad i caught the recent policy change

 

Interesting. When you have been around here awhile you'll probably see that many HAL regular pax repeatedly do much more than 7 day cruises, because of the itineraries offered. The bean counters are aware of that.

[CruiseWhere]

If you're so worried then why did you book HAL knowing you may have a neighbor who smokes?

 

Darling it's always a crap shoot isn't it and there many ways to skin a cat ;)

[LindaM]

If you're so worried then why did you book HAL knowing you may have a neighbor who smokes?

 

Other lines have larger ships. Many of us like HAL's ships that hold fewer than 1400 passengers.

[CruiseWhere]

Other lines have larger ships. Many of us like HAL's ships that hold fewer than 1400 passengers.

 

Thank you Linda!

[albingirl]

Seriously, I hope you are kidding. We really don't like the smoking. Does not make us crazy folks. :)

[CruiseWhere]

Nom, nom, nom....

[cruiseing marly]

I don't think it's about having your cake and eating it too . It's more about having the right to use what we paid for ! If I'm out there it doesn't affect the right of a smoker the reverse is not true .

 

 

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[sloth]

I smoke. I am cruising soon on the NA to the Caribbean. We booked a verandah. I will be on my balcony for about 10 minutes in the morning with my cup of coffee. I "may" be there once or twice during the day for 5 or 10 minutes. Probably before bedtime, I will be there for maybe 30 minutes with a cocktail, gazing at the stars.

 

The other 23 hours of the day, I will be eating, swimming, going to shows, sunbathing, shopping, reading, napping, people-watching, enjoying a drink, trying to win my fortune in the casino, or off the ship completely in port.

 

I really have a difficult time believing that there are smokers who sit on their balcony every waking hour smoking cigarettes. If you are my verandah neighbor, and would like to use your balcony during one of my smoking times, kindly make a polite request and I will be willing to accommodate you, as long as you are willing to accommodate me.

 

Really, people, we're all adults. It's not that hard.

[sail7seas]

Actually, there are people who do not seem to leave their verandah. I have been the neighbor who was forced off my verandah a full week of 14 day, b-to-b. We got to enjoy our verandah the second week when the verandah smoker left.

 

Is this your first HAL cruise?

Hope you enjoy.

 

Edited January 5, 2015 by sail7seas

[CruiseWhere]

I can't begin to tell you how much all the non smokers wished they had neighbours like you!!! Unfortunately 99.9% of the time it isn't so....

[Lizzie68]

I smoke. I am cruising soon on the NA to the Caribbean. We booked a verandah. I will be on my balcony for about 10 minutes in the morning with my cup of coffee. I "may" be there once or twice during the day for 5 or 10 minutes. Probably before bedtime, I will be there for maybe 30 minutes with a cocktail, gazing at the stars.

 

The other 23 hours of the day, I will be eating, swimming, going to shows, sunbathing, shopping, reading, napping, people-watching, enjoying a drink, trying to win my fortune in the casino, or off the ship completely in port.

 

I really have a difficult time believing that there are smokers who sit on their balcony every waking hour smoking cigarettes. If you are my verandah neighbor, and would like to use your balcony during one of my smoking times, kindly make a polite request and I will be willing to accommodate you, as long as you are willing to accommodate me.

 

Really, people, we're all adults. It's not that hard.

 

 

I've read a post recently by a regular who begins the day on the balcony at 4 am, and smokes there all day and into the evening. She seldom leaves it, and seldom goes anywhere else to eat. And, other smokers including cigar smoker are invited to share that balcony. So yes, it does happen. Some pax, smokers and otherwise, choose to spend almost all their time on the balcony. Each to their own.

[sloth]

Actually, there are people who do not seem to leave their verandah. I have been the neighbor who was forced off my verandah a full week of 14 day, b-to-b. We got to enjoy our verandah the second week when the verandah smoker left.

 

Is this your first HAL cruise?

Hope you enjoy.

 

No, not our first HAL cruise, and thanks for the best wishes. We are certainly looking forward to it!

 

I guess it's kind of sad to me that someone would pay so much money for a wonderful vacation on a cruise ship, and spend the entire time on the balcony smoking. Seems they are missing out on so many enjoyable things to do and see!

[sail7seas]

No, not our first HAL cruise, and thanks for the best wishes. We are certainly looking forward to it!

 

I guess it's kind of sad to me that someone would pay so much money for a wonderful vacation on a cruise ship, and spend the entire time on the balcony smoking. Seems they are missing out on so many enjoyable things to do and see!

 

Who are we to judge someone else's enjoyment except in cases where it impacts our own......

 

Isn't that what this thread is all about? One group of people (verandah smokers) impacting the enjoyment of others (verandah non-smokers). That is why we who object so strongly to it are consistent in trying to get HAL to change their smoking policy.

 

It is not sad how anyone chooses to enjoy their vacation and especially we shouldn't have opinions when we know nothing about these people except their cigarettes and where they are smoking them.

 

Edited January 5, 2015 by sail7seas

[cbr663]

As HAL currently allows smoking on its balconies, I see this thread about a small group of people, (non-smokers) wanting to completely ban smoking on balconies and hence impacting the enjoyment of people who enjoy smoking on their balconies.

[CruiseWhere]

As HAL currently allows smoking on its balconies, I see this thread about a small group of people, (non-smokers) wanting to completely ban smoking on balconies and hence impacting the enjoyment of people who enjoy smoking on their balconies.

 

Far from a "small group" my dear...

[IRL_Joanie]

I've read a post recently by a regular who begins the day on the balcony at 4 am, and smokes there all day and into the evening. She seldom leaves it, and seldom goes anywhere else to eat. And, other smokers including cigar smoker are invited to share that balcony. So yes, it does happen. Some pax, smokers and otherwise, choose to spend almost all their time on the balcony. Each to their own.

 

Yes that is very true. However, I am the exception to the rule due to my mobility issues and allergies. So when you use me as an example, which in this case is 100% true, you should add that my being out on the verandah every waking hour is the exception, not the norm:)

 

EDITED TO ADD: Sloth; While 99.99% of the passengers go on a cruise for the itinerary, I go for the relaxation and seldom get off the ship. I never go to shows or other such venues, due to allergies, and dining on my verandah, out in the open sea air is next to heaven for me. It is nothing to be sad about, it is where I want to be and am happy to be out there:)

 

Also, just to clarify, this is one of the reasons that I prefer to book an aft wrap stateroom. So that if I have non smoking neighbors, I can move further away from them so that they can use their verandahs also.

 

Joanie

Edited January 5, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[LoveyHowell]

It's 2015, not 1965. Get with it HAL!

[UPNYGuy]

Holland America Line's spin has spun out-of-control. I, personally, do not support the current smoking policy of Holland America Line. Having said this, I recognize that HAL is a business, - a very successful business that brings good value to shareholders. As part of the Carnival group of companies, HAL is the "go to" cruise line for smokers. It makes good business sense to identify one cruise line as being more tolerant for the smoking public. I don't see HAL's smoking policy changing in the near future. It's just good business policy to maintain the status quo.

 

 

The go to cruise line for smokers????

 

As in the ash tray of the seas.... Got it!

 

 

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[tip]

it's 2015, not 1965. Get with it hal!

 

exactly!

[Lizzie68]

<snip>. I never go to shows or other such venues, due to allergies, and dining on my verandah, out in the open sea air is next to heaven for me. It is nothing to be sad about, it is where I want to be and am happy to be out there:)

 

<snip>

 

That would be heaven for a lot of us. Unfortunately that option is taken away from us when we can't enjoy the open sea air or even begin to think of dining on the balcony when impacted by a smoker at all hours of the day.

[qsuzi]

As a non-smoker I wanted feedback regarding is it (on average) going to be that much more of an issue being next to someone who is smoking on their balcony on HAL? . We have sailed Princess, RCL, and Carnival when they allowed balcony smoking and when they changed. We didn't notice that much difference when Princess no longer allowed it and we sailing RCL and Carnival who at that point still allowed it. Seeing remarks like HAL is the ashtray of the seas makes me wonder if this is really worse now and if generally there are more smokers on HAL. Still going to sail on a balcony on HAL.

Edited January 5, 2015 by qsuzi

[IRL_Joanie]

As a non-smoker I wanted feedback regarding is it (on average) going to be that much more of an issue being next to someone who is smoking on their balcony on HAL? . We have sailed Princess, RCL, and Carnival when they allowed balcony smoking and when they changed. We didn't notice that much difference when Princess no longer allowed it and we sailing RCL and Carnival who at that point still allowed it. Seeing remarks like HAL is the ashtray of the seas makes me wonder if this is really worse now and if generally there are more smokers on HAL. Still going to sail on a balcony on HAL.

 

In my opinion it is not going to be any different than what you experienced previously. The difference is here on the HAL Boards non smokers are more vocal about smoking and smokers are almost afraid to admit to it because of what we know will be said about the subject and fear of losing their tempers......

 

Joanie

[Mary Ellen]

As a non-smoker I wanted feedback regarding is it (on average) going to be that much more of an issue being next to someone who is smoking on their balcony on HAL?

Given that there have been a number of posts on this thread from posters who have come to HAL because they can no longer smoke on the balconies of other cruise lines, I believe that to be the case. I'm noticing more reports of people being 'smoked out' of their balcony.

 

Even if the number of smokers has gone up 5-10% (pulling numbers out of thin air only as an example), that has increased the chances of having a smoker near your balcony by the same amount.