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

[Host Walt]

Sow There[/b]]

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.

 

To clear the air (so to speak), here's the Princess policy (eff. 1/1/12) posted on their website:

 

Smoking Policy Change Keeping the comfort of our guests a priority, and in consideration of consumer studies which show smokers are a small minority of guests, Princess has implemented the following smoking policy:

Designated Smoking Areas

Clearly marked “Designated Smoking Areas” are available onboard and include a sufficient number of ashtrays that are emptied regularly. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub, as well as a portion of the open decks. The Casino and Casino Bar are non-smoking areas on board, with the exception of designated slot machines where guests are permitted to smoke only while playing at those machines. All table games are non-smoking. The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking. As a safety precaution, guests are reminded to properly dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco, which are never to be thrown overboard as this may be sucked back into the ship and cause fires.

Stateroom Smoking Policy Update

For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in guest staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our guests who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the guest’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our guests, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our guests escape completely.

Electronic Cigarettes

The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within the confines of the guest's stateroom (balcony not included) and within designated smoking areas only.

Edited October 9, 2015 by Host Walt

[Daisyloo]

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

 

That is so true. Our last cruise was in April 2015 on the Royal Princess. We had a balcony cabin, and while we were still in port on the first day, I looked down and noticed that a guy in a cabin below us was smoking on the balcony and flicking his ashes over the side, onto the lifeboats below. I called the front desk and told them - they said they would immediately look into it.

A day or so later I notice the same guy is doing the same thing again- smoking and flicking his ashes down onto the life boats. All I could picture was him starting a fire and us having to abandon ship in the middle of the Caribbean. I called the front desk again. I never saw him do it again.

[Retiring cajun]

looking at this old thread. today, October 2015, does HAL still allow balcony smoking. Never cruised with HAL yet. But will not consider if smoking is allowed on balconies. I'll stick to Princess.

[cruz chic]

looking at this old thread. today, October 2015, does HAL still allow balcony smoking. Never cruised with HAL yet. But will not consider if smoking is allowed on balconies. I'll stick to Princess.

 

Unfortunately, it's still allowed.

[Snow storm]

A couple years ago we were at a VIP Party that was attended by senior HAL management on board. I asked about changes to the smoking policy after all of the other cruise lines announced that smoking would no longer be allowed on the balcony. A VP stated that HAL would always allow smoking on the balcony and the use of e-cigarettes would be allowed in the state rooms. We were also told of changes to come such as the elimination of cigars under the stars.

[cruz chic]

A couple years ago we were at a VIP Party that was attended by senior HAL management on board. I asked about changes to the smoking policy after all of the other cruise lines announced that smoking would no longer be allowed on the balcony. A VP stated that HAL would always allow smoking on the balcony and the use of e-cigarettes would be allowed in the state rooms. We were also told of changes to come such as the elimination of cigars under the stars.

 

What did you expect the officer to say? They will eliminate it in 6 moths, a year etc. Always is a long time. I don't believe it for a second.

[Aquahound]

looking at this old thread. today, October 2015, does HAL still allow balcony smoking. Never cruised with HAL yet. But will not consider if smoking is allowed on balconies. I'll stick to Princess.

 

Unfortunately yes, they do... and from reading a recent review, I was painfully reminded of what I might get stuck next to on my upcoming HAL cruise. I've already vowed to not book anymore HAL cruises until this policy is changed.

[chengkgoingalaska]

looking at this old thread. today, October 2015, does HAL still allow balcony smoking. Never cruised with HAL yet. But will not consider if smoking is allowed on balconies. I'll stick to Princess.

 

 

I guess the two being in the same Group are arranged on purpose to carry out different policies on smoking on balcony. The Group as a whole probably is not ready to push the entire balcony smoking community away. Therefore, my guess is the balcony smoking on HAL will continue in place. The Group boss is happy to see the hate-balcony-smoking community on Princess.

 

 

从我的 iPad 发送，使用 Tapatalk

Edited October 11, 2015 by chengkgoingalaska

[dng6325]

Unfortunately yes, they do... and from reading a recent review, I was painfully reminded of what I might get stuck next to on my upcoming HAL cruise. I've already vowed to not book anymore HAL cruises until this policy is changed.

 

I have the same dilemna. I didn't do my homework before booking my Christmas cruise. I found such a good deal that I booked without doing any research on the smoking policy. Now, i'm just hoping that we'll get lucky and have non-smoking neighbors. I have also decided to avoid HAL in the future because I just don't want to take any chance. Such a pity because I found some of HAL itineraries to be very interesting.

[mightycruisequeen]

I guess the two being in the same Group are arranged on purpose to carry out different policies on smoking on balcony. The Group as a whole probably is not ready to push the entire balcony smoking community away. Therefore, my guess is the balcony smoking on HAL will continue in place. The Group boss is happy to see the hate-balcony-smoking community on Princess.

 

I hate to say it, but you're probably right about that. :(

Too bad they didn't pick Princess to keep the stinky balconies, since we really don't care so much for Princess. We love just about everything about HAL except their smoking policy. For now, we just book outside window cabins on HAL.

[Joanandjoe]

Too bad they didn't pick Princess to keep the stinky balconies, since we really don't care so much for Princess. We love just about everything about HAL except their smoking policy. For now, we just book outside window cabins on HAL.

 

You've hit the nail on the head. As we've stated in prior posts, HAL (other than the smoking policy) is a much better fit for us than Princess, and no other line seems to have the itineraries that HAL has. I would love to go back to HAL; but the smoking policy caused us to cancel a lovely cruise, and we'll not book another HAL cruise until the smoking policy changes.

 

PS. We sent our comments on why we cancelled the cruise to the HAL customer relations people about 12 days ago, and have gotten no response other than an automated "we'll get back to you" email.

[SUZCRUZ]

I'm finally a non smoker, and am joining the crowd

[Lizzie68]

I'm finally a non smoker, and am joining the crowd

 

Congratulations! I know how hard it is to do.

[sail7seas]

I'm finally a non smoker, and am joining the crowd

 

Well Done!!!!!

 

Congratulations. What a great thing you have done for yourself.

Happy for you.

 

[retiredkid]

i'm finally a non smoker, and am joining the crowd

 

congratulations!! Well done!!

[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm finally a non smoker, and am joining the crowd

 

Congratulations! Your lungs and your heart will thank you!

 

I have always been a nonsmoker, and smoker really bothers me. And while I don't like HAL's policy about smoking on the balcony, I have to say that not every balcony sitter is puffing away like a chimney. We've been lucky so far. I know my luck may change one day, but I like HAL's itineraries and small ships enough that I'll keep rolling the dice on a balcony.

[tim22361]

You've hit the nail on the head. As we've stated in prior posts, HAL (other than the smoking policy) is a much better fit for us than Princess, and no other line seems to have the itineraries that HAL has. I would love to go back to HAL; but the smoking policy caused us to cancel a lovely cruise, and we'll not book another HAL cruise until the smoking policy changes.

 

PS. We sent our comments on why we cancelled the cruise to the HAL customer relations people about 12 days ago, and have gotten no response other than an automated "we'll get back to you" email.

 

 

I just sent my comments to the customer relations people on why we booked with HAL, namely because they are not smoker-haters and allow smoking on their balconies.

Edited October 12, 2015 by tim22361

[sugcarol]

So far HAL is not hurting by anti smokers cancelling their cruises or booking other lines due to their policy. I'm sure they would change to non smoking on balconies if it was directly affecting their sales. There are a lot of people complaining on here, but this website is a tiny portion of the people who are booking HAL. I'm very happy with their decision.

Edited October 12, 2015 by sugcarol

[cruz chic]

So far HAL is not hurting by anti smokers cancelling their cruises or booking other lines due to their policy. I'm sure they would change to non smoking on balconies if it was directly affecting their sales. There are a lot of people complaining on here, but this website is a tiny portion of the people who are booking HAL. I'm very happy with their decision.

 

How do you know they are not hurting? Maybe that is why they are still allowing people to smoke. There are many threads about Hal losing market share. Maybe this is the reason they haven't stopped the smoking yet. They are proud to be the ashtray of the seas.

[Sow There]

We are, and always have been, ambivalent about the smoking policy and have been sailing with HAL for a long time, even before they introduced their first balcony (veranda) on the ms Statendam. Every cruise since then we've had a Veranda (except one where we splurged for a full suite on the maiden voyage of the ms Maasdam).

 

I can't recall encountering excessive smoking on any cruise except a Baltic cruise where we attended a HAL sponsored shore excursion to a ballet performance in St Petersburg where the room was filled with smoke from Russian cigarettes. It wasn't pleasant but it was tolerable.

 

In any case whatever HAL decides to do regarding balcony smoking, we will probably continue sailing with them because we love the civilized atmosphere of our fellow passengers and especially the reasonable sizes of their ships (we've not sailed the Eurodam and don't expect to sail on the Koningsdam). We've sailed on a 3,000+ capacity Princess which is just too darned big and a 148 capacity Windstar which was wonderful but too expensive.

 

HAL has better itineraries and smaller ships than the other major mainstream cruise lines and offers a better overall experience. We would just like them to do more runs out of Los Angeles.

 

That said, we understand the position of those who would prefer a no smoking policy but whatever HAL decides to do is fine with us, provided they don't mess around with the overall quality of their product.

[tim22361]

HAL is the only adult in the cruising business. All the other lines are backing down and playing to the PC bullies who demonize anybody who uses tobacco. I say kudos to them. I am happy to patronize any company who refuses to be bullied.

[Sow There]

How do you know they are not hurting? Maybe that is why they are still allowing people to smoke. There are many threads about Hal losing market share. Maybe this is the reason they haven't stopped the smoking yet. They are proud to be the ashtray of the seas.

Could be. They may feel that smokers need a legitimate choice. Yes they have lost some market share but if you look "under the covers" you'll see that boarding percentages on their smaller capacity ships are actually equal to or better than RCI, NCL, and their sister companies, Carnival and Princess. HAL is doing price promotions as all lines are doing, but they haven't gotten into excessively deep discounting and/or nickel and dime extra charges for every little thing (NCL with their room service charges and Princess with their extra charge for fancier coffee drinks purchased with their coffee card and Carnival with their $60 early boarding fee).

 

I don't see any evidence that they take pride at being considered the ashtray of the seas by a few people on Cruise Critic. Otherwise you'd see that in their promotional material. You'd also see the return of smoking to some or all of the dining rooms and lounges. Hasn't happened, and isn't likely to happen very soon.

[cruz chic]

Could be. They may feel that smokers need a legitimate choice. Yes they have lost some market share but if you look "under the covers" you'll see that boarding percentages on their smaller capacity ships are actually equal to or better than RCI, NCL, and their sister companies, Carnival and Princess. HAL is doing price promotions as all lines are doing, but they haven't gotten into excessively deep discounting and/or nickel and dime extra charges for every little thing (NCL with their room service charges and Princess with their extra charge for fancier coffee drinks purchased with their coffee card and Carnival with their $60 early boarding fee).

 

I don't see any evidence that they take pride at being considered the ashtray of the seas by a few people on Cruise Critic. Otherwise you'd see that in their promotional material. You'd also see the return of smoking to some or all of the dining rooms and lounges. Hasn't happened, and isn't likely to happen very soon.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with them having fuzzy feelings for smokers. I think it only has to do with $$$$$$$.

[sugcarol]

I haven't gone through every post, but there seem to be several people complaining about smoking that still have cruises booked, so must not be all that bad. It's still legal and HAL allows it so if folks don't like it, there are many other cruise lines to choose from.

[cruz chic]

I haven't gone through every post, but there seem to be several people complaining about smoking that still have cruises booked, so must not be all that bad. It's still legal and HAL allows it so if folks don't like it, there are many other cruise lines to choose from.

 

This suggestion gets very tiresome. Hal is my favorite cruise line. I have a lot of perks with them as well. It doesn't mean I enjoy inhaling toxic fumes. There are many vacation choices. To turn it around why do you have to cruise on Hal? There has to be other vacations where you can smoke to your hearts delight. Why cruise?

Edited October 13, 2015 by cruz chic