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

[LMaxwell]

I wonder if those who support balcony and casino tobacco smoking would support balcony and casino marijuana smoking? Yes, I know it is not legal federally, but it is legal in the state HAL is headquartered and sooner or later will be legalized at a federal level. Will the cigarette smokers support such a move or will they be against it? It is many years down the road, but could pose an interesting question.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

..

 

It is my hope that HAL does not abolish balcony smoking. Personally, I see it as a silly suggestion. Rather, I'd like for all cruise lines to simple make one side of the ship for smokers, and the other side for others. This would solve the bulk of issue.

 

I don't think that there are sufficient smokers to warrant (reserving) half the balconies on a ship... although I've been on a couple of cruises that seemed that way!

 

Tom

[BamaRi1962]

I don't think that there are sufficient smokers to warrant (reserving) half the balconies on a ship... although I've been on a couple of cruises that seemed that way!

 

Tom

 

Obviously I was speaking generally. Reserve a section. Problem solved. Or, better yet, dedicate one entire ship to the smokers. I know we'd love to avoid the derision, and I'm sure you'd love not having your olfactory offended.

[LMaxwell]

Or, better yet, dedicate one entire ship to the smokers.

 

Don't think that would ever work. How do you fill the ship?

[Host Walt]

Once again it's time for another reminder.

 

Quoting a pertinent part of our guidelines:

"...The harassment of our members is not allowed.

 

Cruise Critic is committed to providing an online environment that is free from these types of harassing postings. Please, don't attack another poster or group of posters. Do not harass, threaten, embarrass, or do anything else to another member that is unwanted. This means: don't say bad things about them, don't keep sending them unwanted Instant Message notes, don't attack their race, heritage, or their sexual orientation, etc. If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person. Postings of this nature will be removed from the boards..."

 

 

[tim22361]

Once again it's time for another reminder.

 

Quoting a pertinent part of our guidelines:

"...The harassment of our members is not allowed.

 

Cruise Critic is committed to providing an online environment that is free from these types of harassing postings. Please, don't attack another poster or group of posters. Do not harass, threaten, embarrass, or do anything else to another member that is unwanted. This means: don't say bad things about them, don't keep sending them unwanted Instant Message notes, don't attack their race, heritage, or their sexual orientation, etc. If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person. Postings of this nature will be removed from the boards..."

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Walt. I was getting weary of the attacks.

[BamaRi1962]

17% of US adults translates into a huge market opportunity, especially if those 17% feel they are not welcome on other mass market lines (e.g., not able to smoke on their balcony, which many seem to feel is a "must have").

 

Given HAL's inaction to date, it seems their management may well be aware of this and perhaps are even benefiting from it.

 

A very valid point.

[Host Walt]

Please folks. No more opinions about the opinions of others. There's no such thing as a "wrong opinion." You possibly may not agree with someone's opinion so if you want to post a contrary opinion, feel free to do so...but do not derogate the opinions of others.

 

Example, "I love the bouquet of a nice, well aged and stored Bordeaux wine." A good response is, "I really don't care for the aroma of any alcoholic beverage so I don't share your opinion." An unacceptable response is, "How can you say something like that? There's no such thing as loving the aroma of a wine or anything else with alcohol in it."

 

Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one, they are all different and there's no such thing as a "wrong nose."

 

And while we're at it, this thread is about HAL's smoking policies, not LGBT. (Several posts have just been removed because the discussion looped toward HAL's sponsorship of LGBT cruising and was identified as a target audience similar to smokers. That generated several posts that bore no relevance to the subject.)

 

Please stay on topic.

 

Thanks.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Host Walt

[NW Pacific]

don't want to go back 3 wks worth of posts, so if this is already posted, just ignore. Jut off the Noordam, Oct. 25th. The Casino is non smoking- one night was listed on daily as partial smoking. Have added the Oak Room, deck 10 as a smoking room, left literature in room to encourage balcony smokers to use that room as an alternative of their balcony.

[dogo88]

don't want to go back 3 wks worth of posts, so if this is already posted, just ignore. Jut off the Noordam, Oct. 25th. The Casino is non smoking- one night was listed on daily as partial smoking. Have added the Oak Room, deck 10 as a smoking room, left literature in room to encourage balcony smokers to use that room as an alternative of their balcony.

 

Same here. Just off out 10 day Oosterdam cruise and they had two evenings of no smoking in the Casino. While we don't gamble it was nice to be able to walk around there and not have to deal with the smoke.

 

Dan

[Aquahound]

don't want to go back 3 wks worth of posts, so if this is already posted, just ignore. Jut off the Noordam, Oct. 25th. The Casino is non smoking- one night was listed on daily as partial smoking. Have added the Oak Room, deck 10 as a smoking room, left literature in room to encourage balcony smokers to use that room as an alternative of their balcony.

 

That is wonderful news and definitely a step in the right direction. Although, I'd still rather it be the other way around.....stop it on balconies and discourage it in the casino.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

That is wonderful news and definitely a step in the right direction. Although, I'd still rather it be the other way around.....stop it on balconies and discourage it in the casino.

 

Agreed - I'd rather see them throw in a couple smoking nights and have the rest be "clean air" nights. Perhaps that's the next step, as I don't see the cruise lines going Cold Turkey !!

 

Tom

[Host Walt]

Just deleted 57 posts so if you are looking for a lengthy give and take on the subject of business strategies of the major players in the cruise industry or discussions of the various smoking ordinances in place in the various states, counties and/or cities, they have all been removed. Just as a reminder here's my last post:

Please folks. No more opinions about the opinions of others. There's no such thing as a "wrong opinion." You possibly may not agree with someone's opinion so if you want to post a contrary opinion, feel free to do so...but do not derogate the opinions of others.

 

...<<snip>>

 

Please stay on topic.

 

Thanks.

[AV8rix]

don't want to go back 3 wks worth of posts, so if this is already posted, just ignore. Jut off the Noordam, Oct. 25th. The Casino is non smoking- one night was listed on daily as partial smoking. Have added the Oak Room, deck 10 as a smoking room, left literature in room to encourage balcony smokers to use that room as an alternative of their balcony.

 

Same here. Just off out 10 day Oosterdam cruise and they had two evenings of no smoking in the Casino. While we don't gamble it was nice to be able to walk around there and not have to deal with the smoke.

 

Dan

 

This is all good information!! There were no such special directives concerning smoking on my last two cruises on Amsterdam this year, but perhaps they're rolling out the changes slowly and they may be implemented fleetwide in the future.

 

BTW, for the sake of host Walt, everyone please quit feeding the troll(s) <-- don't know if there are really one or two.

[Aquahound]

This is all good information!! There were no such special directives concerning smoking on my last two cruises on Amsterdam this year, but perhaps they're rolling out the changes slowly and they may be implemented fleetwide in the future.

.

 

I don't know if you caught it, but what NWPacific and dogo88 said were 2 different things. Noordam casino seems to be smoke free while Oosterdam is only prohibiting it on formal nights. Either way, definitely a step in the right direction. :)

[dogo88]

I don't know if you caught it, but what NWPacific and dogo88 said were 2 different things. Noordam casino seems to be smoke free while Oosterdam is only prohibiting it on formal nights. Either way, definitely a step in the right direction. :)

 

And the "No Smoking" signs on the Promenade deck are also a step in the right direction.

 

Dan

[creel5857]

The first time I saw this topic I had my opinion but thought there had been so many postings I would not add to the comments as it appeared that all views had been represented .....but I just cant contain myself. My family has 1 or 2 smokers but majority do not....that said, the smokers have always been mindful of which direction their smoke blows and avoids the balconies and acceptable public spaces where they think that it might effect others.........however many smokers do not extend that courtesy......and thus becomes the irritation for all the others on the ship. To be honest Holland policy may cause our family to not book another cruise with them after our upcoming trip.....but that is not the fault of the moderator or this board as it was a decision made by Holland .....and they are who we should take our frustrations out on......if we don't book the cruises with them they will start to sort out the issue themselves when their bottom line starts to sink!!

[IRL_Joanie]

OK, all of you who know me, on line and in person, are quite aware that I am not only a smoker but also a Pro Smoker. So with that in mind I have a HUGE FAVOR to ask of EVERYONE, Smoker and Non Smoker alike!!!

 

Please Smokers and Non Smokers alike, PLEASE DO NOT respond to a couple of very pro smokers trying to push everyobne's buttons on this thread.

 

It does none of any good to reply directly to them and/or to feed their need to push their version of a smoking agenda.

 

The only ones who will be hurt in the diatribe are those who are trying to support their views on the HAL Smoking Policy.

 

We all know the Guidelines and we all know the results if we do not follow them. I will not feed them in any way shape or form, nor will I reply to them.

 

My only response, is ASKING all CC members who want to respond to NOT Do so!! INSTEAD use the Red Triangle above the Post number and ask the hosts to remove the post, why you wish it removed and let the hosts do their thing.

 

I do not wish to see the good CC members get their back sides walloped for the actions of others.

 

Joanie

[iancal]

Yet another reason why we fail to understand how the desire to attract new business/new cruisers/younger cruisers does not mesh with HAL's operational practices.

[sugcarol]

I think it might be helpful if CC copied a large Disney website that has a huge thread about smoking at Disney. It's been going now for several years and nobody insults anyone or their beliefs. Moderator stated from the getgo that everyone had to be civil or it would be taken down for good. People inform folks what hotels and locations of smoking areas. People not interested just don't click on the thread. Everyone is civil and kind. Maybe people on this board should see how civilized people handle the subject. This thread should give info on what they have experienced on each ship not people just stating their opinions. I don't want Walt to close this, I just want to know what is happening with HAL and this issue.

[Lizzie68]

I think it might be helpful if CC copied a large Disney website that has a huge thread about smoking at Disney. It's been going now for several years and nobody insults anyone or their beliefs. Moderator stated from the getgo that everyone had to be civil or it would be taken down for good. People inform folks what hotels and locations of smoking areas. People not interested just don't click on the thread. Everyone is civil and kind. Maybe people on this board should see how civilized people handle the subject. This thread should give info on what they have experienced on each ship not people just stating their opinions. I don't want Walt to close this, I just want to know what is happening with HAL and this issue.

 

Excellent thought. I don't know anything about the Disney thread, but the bit I bolded above is really what this should be about, however each poster is entitled to an opinion - just don't slam other people's opinions. Unfortunately - as happens sometimes with other threads - some come in with the full intention of creating so much mayhem that the thread gets locked down. It should be up to us not to rise to the bait.

[BamaRi1962]

Sugcarol

 

I'll take a look at disneys forum. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Host Walt]

This thread is temporarily closed. It will be reopened shortly.

[Host Walt]

This thread is temporarily closed. It will be reopened shortly.

I hope the 12 hour hiatus (so far) is accomplishing its objective of letting everyone take a deep breath, relax and take a thorough look at our guidelines.

 

This thread will be reopened shortly.

[Host Walt]

I hope the 12 hour hiatus (so far) is accomplishing its objective of letting everyone take a deep breath, relax and take a thorough look at our guidelines.

 

This thread will be reopened shortly.

This thread is now open again for posts. All opinions and points of view are welcome in this thread, but only to the extent that those opinions and points of view pertain to Holland America's policies regarding smoking on board. All other posts will be removed.

 

If you have any questions about our guidelines, please contact community@cruisecritic.com or me directly. Please do not post questions about our guidelines on this or any other thread.

 

Thanks.