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

[3rdGenCunarder]

added a very nice cigar room

 

My, HAL what have you done? Going backwards are we?

I haven't seen a cigar or even seen someone smoke a cigar in the last 20 or 30 years.

Don't they know "Hemingway's " era is long gone.

Wonder what they do there? Sit around talking about big game hunting?

I won't get started on that one. This the smoking thread after all.

Watching the progress or lack of.

Waiting for that wonderful day, when HAL discontinues balcony smoking.

Sounds like I may be gone before that day happens.

 

Yes, people still smoke cigars. There was a man smoking a cigar at the Seaview Bar on Veendam (despite the fact that the website specifies that as NOT a smoking area). I smelled cigar smoke two mornings on our balcony. Not strong/close enough to be a bother to me, but noticeable.

 

On the balcony next to us last winter, several men were having a cigar party. Fortunately, it was only one afternoon, and because we were in a corner aft, I could move to the side of the ship to avoid the smoke.

 

It's official, Hal is the ashtray of the seas.

 

Yeah, CC didn't do nonsmokers on HAL any favors with that article.

Edited September 30, 2015 by 3rdGenCunarder

[sammiedawg]

Host Walt, may I suggest you commemorate this Holland America smoking award with a sticky note. That way newbies won't have to read hundreds of pages about the topic.

[cruz chic]

added a very nice cigar room

 

My, HAL what have you done? Going backwards are we?

I haven't seen a cigar or even seen someone smoke a cigar in the last 20 or 30 years.

Don't they know "Hemingway's " era is long gone.

Wonder what they do there? Sit around talking about big game hunting?

I won't get started on that one. This the smoking thread after all.

Watching the progress or lack of.

Waiting for that wonderful day, when HAL discontinues balcony smoking.

Sounds like I may be gone before that day happens.

 

I had a cigar smoker on my Panama Canal cruise in April 2014. He was out there there at least once a day no matter what. I'm good with the cigar room. Smokers can go there no smoke their brains out for all I care. I hope this is a sign that smoking on balconies will soon come to an end.

[qsuzi]

Reporting in that we did not smell or see anyone smoking anywhere on the Westerdam on our recent cruise. I only went in the Casino one time for just a few minutes.

[Lizzie68]

If HAL followed up the cigar room with stopping balcony smoking, it would be a win-win situation. I don't have a problem with smokers having a nice retreat as long as their smoke is contained in there.

[regnig]

Reporting in that we did not smell or see anyone smoking anywhere on the Westerdam on our recent cruise. I only went in the Casino one time for just a few minutes.

 

Good news, perhaps with that information the outcry of "ashtray of the seas" will abate somewhat.

[mountainmare]

Reporting in that we did not smell or see anyone smoking anywhere on the Westerdam on our recent cruise. I only went in the Casino one time for just a few minutes.

 

Where was your balcony located? Did you have one forward?

[nb125]

My guess is that smokers are also voting with their pocketbooks. And sailing on HAL to smoke on their balconies.

 

Wrong! I am a smoker and I would never sail on HAL again despite the balcony smoking. Our one and only cruise on Noordam was the worst cruise we have ever been on. Hated everything about it but especially the awful lukewarm food that took an age to arrive. The only decent meal we had was in the Pinnacle.

[qsuzi]

Where was your balcony located? Did you have one forward?

 

We were in 8099. It is a few cabins forward of the aft elevators.

Edited October 1, 2015 by qsuzi

[Old As Dirt Mom]

We are on Westerdam now, in 5190, aft corner verandah. Smoking has been minimal thus far on our Panama Canal cruise ( we are on our way south to Cabo at this point ). Have only caught slight, occasional whiffs of smoke. Casino largely smoke free, but we only pass through to get to Piano bar. To us, who are 3 non-smokers, it is totally not an issue. Most passengers are from U.S. Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and California, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. We do sometimes catch an intermittent smell of smoke on our verandah, but nothing long-term, and certainly neither strong nor frequent enough to drive us from our beautiful "outdoor living room".:)

[qsuzi]

We are on Westerdam now, in 5190, aft corner verandah. Smoking has been minimal thus far on our Panama Canal cruise ( we are on our way south to Cabo at this point ). Have only caught slight, occasional whiffs of smoke. Casino largely smoke free, but we only pass through to get to Piano bar. To us, who are 3 non-smokers, it is totally not an issue. Most passengers are from U.S. Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and California, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. We do sometimes catch an intermittent smell of smoke on our verandah, but nothing long-term, and certainly neither strong nor frequent enough to drive us from our beautiful "outdoor living room".:)

Happy to see you reporting in about your experience.

[cruz chic]

Good news, perhaps with that information the outcry of "ashtray of the seas" will abate somewhat.

 

This is one cruise by one person. It's hardly proof positive that there are no smokers on Hal :rolleyes::. I'll be thrilled if this is the case on my cruise.

[Browser495]

We were on 5190 on Oosterdam this summer. There was a smoker below us. When this person smoked, he smoked non stop. For a smoker, no doubt it would be a pleasant experience enjoying the beautiful scenery while enjoying a cigar or cigarette. Unfortunately, it was unpleasant for us and we had to go inside. Both of my parents were pack-a-day smokers, and for some reason when I left home, I became very smoke sensitive. In the old days, being in restaurants (etc) with smokers would cause me to "plug up" and feel like I have a head cold. Fortunately, the balcony smoke was not as bad as growing up with heavy smokers, but it was unpleasant and affected our enjoyment of the balcony. Since the smoker was well within his rights to smoke, we just quietly removed ourselves from our balcony.

 

And, yes, this does influence our decision on whether or not to cruise with HAL. If the itinerary is really good, we'll sail with HAL and hope we are fortunate enough not to be too near a smoker on his/her balcony. It's a trade-off.

 

A few years ago on Prinsendam (European cruise) smoke didn't bother us, and we didn't see many/any smokers! This summer on Oosterdam it was....and there were more cigar smokers as well as cigarette smokers.

 

Since one knows what the rules are, one lives with them and adjusts for it by not using the balcony if it's a problem. As mentioned we do factor the smoking policy into our decision-making.

 

Reading these posts makes me wonder if more smokers are choosing HAL, and if the odds of avoiding smoking are becoming less likely.

Edited October 1, 2015 by Browser495

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We are on Westerdam now, in 5190, aft corner verandah....

 

We had that cabin on the Westerdam booked for this coming February, but went with a Celebrity sailing instead.

 

... Have only caught slight, occasional whiffs of smoke. Casino largely smoke free, but we only pass through to get to Piano bar. To us, who are 3 non-smokers, it is totally not an issue. Most passengers are from U.S. Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and California, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. ...

 

... perhaps just with regard to what kind of smoke you're smelling. :)

 

Tom

[tim22361]

We are lobbying HAL to make every cabin, every restaurant, every venue on every ship smoking-friendly.

 

That would be great progress. Enough of the self-righteous better-then-you pleasure police who get hair-lipped at the notion that some cretin, somewhere, might be lighting up.

[cruz chic]

We are lobbying HAL to make every cabin, every restaurant, every venue on every ship smoking-friendly.

 

That would be great progress. Enough of the self-righteous better-then-you pleasure police who get hair-lipped at the notion that some cretin, somewhere, might be lighting up.

 

Good to hear :D. Let us know how that works for you. I bet the smokers are overjoyed to have you in their corner.

[Fouremco]

We are lobbying HAL to make every cabin, every restaurant, every venue on every ship smoking-friendly.

 

That would be great progress. Enough of the self-righteous better-then-you pleasure police who get hair-lipped at the notion that some cretin, somewhere, might be lighting up.

Are you saying that all smokers are cretins, or just some? :confused:

[kennicott]

added a very nice cigar room

 

My, HAL what have you done? Going backwards are we?

I haven't seen a cigar or even seen someone smoke a cigar in the last 20 or 30 years.

Don't they know "Hemingway's " era is long gone.

Wonder what they do there? Sit around talking about big game hunting?

I won't get started on that one. This the smoking thread after all.

Watching the progress or lack of.

Waiting for that wonderful day, when HAL discontinues balcony smoking.

Sounds like I may be gone before that day happens.

 

Well, we cruise on Princess and Regent a lot also and there is no shortage of cigar smokers there either. All one has to do is visit the Churchill's on Princess or the Connoisseur Club on Regent and you will see all the cigars and cigar smokers you want.

 

Actually it is the cigar smokers that are a real turn off for me on HAL. We take long cruises and I don't want to get saddled with a chain smoking cigar smoker on the nearby balcony for weeks on end. Truth is, I don't mind the whiff of pipe tobacco at all, but the cigars? Guess it all stems from the time in New York when the Waldorf Astoria stuck me in a room that had previously been occupied by a cigar smoker. It was terrible and I was there two nights. Now I have a phobia against cigar smoke.

 

Anyway, haven't you heard, cigar smoking is making a comeback. http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestravelguide/2012/02/09/cigar-bars-make-a-comeback-at-luxury-hotels/

[Sow There]

We just completed a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a balcony cabin on a ship on a cruise line that has a total ban on stateroom, balcony and open deck smoking.

 

Amazingly we still had cigarette smoke drifting past us on a few occasions (not very many) and saw several (not very many) empty drink classes with butts swimming in the bottom on the Lido deck.

 

This suggests that, although Princess has a policy that many in this thread would like to have on HAL, it didn't stop the smoking on board.

 

We met a couple on the last night who said they abhor smoking. They said they noticed the butts as well but did not notice any tobacco smoke drift except on shore.

 

This suggests to me that while a smoking ban policy may be a good one, it's impossible to enforce it fully.

[cruz chic]

We just completed a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a balcony cabin on a ship on a cruise line that has a total ban on stateroom, balcony and open deck smoking.

 

Amazingly we still had cigarette smoke drifting past us on a few occasions (not very many) and saw several (not very many) empty drink classes with butts swimming in the bottom on the Lido deck.

 

This suggests that, although Princess has a policy that many in this thread would like to have on HAL, it didn't stop the smoking on board.

 

We met a couple on the last night who said they abhor smoking. They said they noticed the butts as well but did not notice any tobacco smoke drift except on shore.

 

This suggests to me that while a smoking ban policy may be a good one, it's impossible to enforce it fully.

 

I had a smoker next to me on princess. Unfortunately there are rude smokers that don't follow rules.

[kennicott]

We just completed a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a balcony cabin on a ship on a cruise line that has a total ban on stateroom, balcony and open deck smoking.

 

Amazingly we still had cigarette smoke drifting past us on a few occasions (not very many) and saw several (not very many) empty drink classes with butts swimming in the bottom on the Lido deck.

 

This suggests that, although Princess has a policy that many in this thread would like to have on HAL, it didn't stop the smoking on board.

 

We met a couple on the last night who said they abhor smoking. They said they noticed the butts as well but did not notice any tobacco smoke drift except on shore.

 

This suggests to me that while a smoking ban policy may be a good one, it's impossible to enforce it fully.

 

Most interesting, we just got off Regal Princess, Princess Cruise line's newest ship, on Saturday, after an excellent 23 day cruise, (mini-suite with balcony).

 

Experienced just the opposite as you did on the Ruby. I've already posted the following but my point was, that on this thread, we continually see posts stipulating that so many violate the smoking rules, on Princess as well as other lines, it doesn't make much difference whether or not you can smoke on the HAL balconies because you experience almost the same on the lines with strict smoking rules because they are loaded with cheats. Now, over the last year we have been on the Royal, Coral and now the Regal for a total of 2.5 months sailing. We have not witnessed any violations of the smoking policies at all, contrary to what others seem to experience. Here is my pertinent reference on my latest Regal review:

 

"--For almost the first week of the voyage we noticed no smoking, to the point we wondered if a new rule had been implemented making this ship a totally non-smoking one. As it turned out there is a limited amount of smoking in the Casino and some open deck smoking allowed, within a fenced off portion of the Terrace Pool, Deck 17, as well as in a tiny enclosed lounge called "Churchill's" dedicated for smokers only. There might even be a short section of open deck on the starboard side of deck 7 which allows smoking but I never saw any smokers there. I discussed this situation with two separate smokers and they are very displeased with Princess. It appears smokers shun this Princess ship or refrain from lighting up on it. That is good."

Edited October 2, 2015 by kennicott

[kennicott]

We just completed a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a balcony cabin on a ship on a cruise line that has a TOTAL BAN on stateroom, balcony and OPEN DECK smoking.

 

This is not correct, Princess does not impose a "total ban on open deck smoking", however, their rules do leave one confused as they contradict. For instance, "Churchill's cigar lounge" versus "cigar and pipe smoking is permitted only on the open decks". I can say for certain that cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in Churchill's because I was in there twice and lots of cigar smoking was taking place as well as they have a giant assortment of cigars for sale there, as far as open decks, I saw a fellow smoking his pipe once in the smoking permitted portion of the Terrace Pool,---also see my above posts for open deck smoking on the Regal:

 

"PRINCESS CRUISES

 

Where You Can Smoke: Smoking is permitted in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino, and a portion of the open decks.

 

Where You Can't: Smoking is prohibited in show lounges, elevators, dining rooms and all food service areas. Princess also prohibits smoking in cabins and balconies across its fleet.

 

Cigar and Pipe Smoking: Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted only on the open decks."

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=225

[Cruzaholic41]

We just completed a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a balcony cabin on a ship on a cruise line that has a total ban on stateroom, balcony and open deck smoking.

 

Wrong.

[Veronicat]

My DH never smoked a cigar until a Maasdam cruise in 2000 -- they had cigars under the stars. He only smokes them occaisonally outside... will not do it in a 'smoking room'. He always goes to the designated area on the aft deck. I think once in over 200 days onboard he smoked one on the balcony -- it was raining and the balcony was on the side of the ship that was lea of the wind. He has no problem being in the aft after 10pm.

 

At the Mariners Society luncheon during our last vacation (Alaska, 2015 August), my mother and I were seated with two couples.

 

Conversation turned to things which have been discontinued: the Chocolate Extravaganza, shaking hands with the officers before the champagne party, Dutch Night with the bonnets and caps and eating hutspot, the Baked Alaska with the sparklers and the waiters parading through the dining room, caviar and crudité as nightly appetizers, the cigar room and humidor starboard off the Crow's Nest, a canopied section of the deck for smoking just aft of what became the former cigar room, and Cigars Under The Stars by the Lido pool and bar.

 

I particularly miss Cigars Under The Stars.

 

Wonder what they do there? Sit around talking about big game hunting?

 

No. Mainly we talk about sports, cars, current events. Recount interesting things that happened during the day. Very pleasant evenings.

[mamaofami]

I, too, grew up in the late '50's/early to mid 60's and no one I knew smoked marijuana...cigarettes, yes...marijuana, no. Having said that, someone along the line pointed out the smell of marijuana...I don't recall when or where.

 

Anyone having cruised to the Caribbean and enjoyed the beaches on various islands, has smelled it...it's definitely in the air. Not rocket science to distinguish it from cigarette smoke.

 

 

Sheila, we smelled it coming from a cabin not far from the elevators when we were on Maasdam together. I believe the no smoking in cabin rules were to go into effect the following month.