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

[albingirl]

I cannot believe this thread is still going....but the debate continues. I wish Holland America would simply stop the balcony smoking. Period. Enough already.

[cruz chic]

I cannot believe this thread is still going....but the debate continues. I wish Holland America would simply stop the balcony smoking. Period. Enough already.

 

Yup.

 

Just want to report every night was smoking night in the casino on my eurodam cruise October 18 to November 1.

[idiebabe]

Just want to give some info for Smokers and Non-Smokers alike about the Smoking Areas on Eurodam since we just Debarked from the Atlantic Coast 14 Day Cruise a couple of weeks ago.

 

There is No Smoking on Promenade nor in the Sports Bar and this has been consistent with all the other HAL Ships we've sailed (6 or 7) in the last 1 1/2 years.

 

Smoking in a small area of the Casino is allowed.

 

The only Smoking Area is at Seaview Bar, Lido Aft on Deck 9. We did not see any Smoking Areas on Observation or Sports Decks. There were no ashtrays present nor affixed to any rails both Port and Starboard sides on those Decks. Unlike Westerdam there is No Smoking in the area outside of Crow's Nest due to the Retreat Cabanas.

 

Balcony Smoking was not an issue. A little background on this Cruise: The majority of this Cruise was cool weather with only three out of fourteen days being Sea Days. The last two Sea Days and Port Canaveral were warm with Balcony "friendly" weather. We spent a little time in the morning and late afternoon sitting out the last few days but with lots going on plus one day being a Port Day not much time for the Balcony. Balconies seemed to be pretty quiet except pulling into and out of the Ports when many were then out on them.

 

Hope this info helps for anyone wanting to know about the Smoking Areas on Eurodam!

Edited November 2, 2015 by idiebabe

[Hlitner]

We are currently on the last day of a 10 day Regal Princess cruise. We have never smelled any smoke on our balcony since smoking is prohibited on balconies, in cabins, and on nearly all the outside decks. They do allow smoking in the casino except on certain no smoking days. And Princess has a special smoking bar with an excellent dedicated ventilation system. This does work well, but many cigarette smokers whine about the cigar smokers. HAL should also consider a dedicated smoking bar with an effective vent system. This seems to be a great compromise that pleases most folks.

 

Hank

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

This does work well, but many cigarette smokers whine about the cigar smokers.

...

 

Hank

 

Pot, meet Kettle.

 

It would be interesting to listen in on that conversation!

 

Tom

[Lizzie68]

We are currently on the last day of a 10 day Regal Princess cruise. We have never smelled any smoke on our balcony since smoking is prohibited on balconies, in cabins, and on nearly all the outside decks. They do allow smoking in the casino except on certain no smoking days. And Princess has a special smoking bar with an excellent dedicated ventilation system. This does work well, but many cigarette smokers whine about the cigar smokers. HAL should also consider a dedicated smoking bar with an effective vent system. This seems to be a great compromise that pleases most folks.

 

Hank

 

This has been suggested many times in this thread and quite likely (hopefully) directly to HAL - a pleasant well-ventilated area for smokers. Seems they don't listen to either side.

[LMaxwell]

Pot, meet Kettle.

 

It would be interesting to listen in on that conversation!

 

Tom

 

I have been onboard the sister ship Royal Princess and will be onboard Regal soon. Yes, they DO have a nice dedicated indoor lounge/bar for cigar smoking. I checked it out just touring the ship and did notice a number of cigarette smokers in there. To me a cigar has a much different and many distinct smells. I was somewhat surprised they allowed smoking of cigarettes, but understand the concession.

 

Perhaps this sort of lounge is something HAL could look into and move the smoking out of the casino, or look at an NCL style approach towards segregating the casino with walls and air handling hardware. If HAL will not update their current policies then perhaps there are ways they can find to make the situation more palatable to both side.

 

Compromise is not the end of the world always.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

Compromise is not the end of the world always.

 

Agreed, not always ! :)

 

If only more people (thinking of elected souls here) could adopt that mindset...

 

Tom

[kennicott]

Get off the Caribbean Princess tomorrow in Houston, great voyage and cruise tour. With respect to posts on this thread indicating that even cruise lines with stringent non-smoking rules are beset with violators of those rules, rendering HAL's smoking situation not so egregious, we see no evidence of that: Over the last year we have sailed on the Regent South Seas Mariner, Regal Princess, Regal's sister-- Royal Princess, Coral Princess and now the Caribbean Princess. Very little smoking on any of those. Regarding this ship. It is only allowed at: In the casino at a limited number of slot machines except on non-smoking days and no smoking at gaming tables, the port side of the open deck Tradewinds Bar on deck 16, a 30 foot or so stretch for standing only on the open deck 7 portion of the promenade on the starboard side, and in an enclosed lounge called "Churchill's" dedicated for smokers only. It appears smokers shun Princess ships or refrain from lighting up on them. We observed no cheating, that is someone sneaking a puff where they were not supposed to, I'm sure there are exceptions, but rare. That is good.

[Sow There]

<snip>

It appears smokers shun Princess ships or refrain from lighting up on them. We observed no cheating, that is someone sneaking a puff where they were not supposed to, I'm sure there are exceptions, but rare. That is good.

Interesting that you said, "I'm sure there are exceptions." We saw a few of them first and second hand. We just returned from a brief Cal Coastal cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a Mini-Suite. As far as I could tell there was no smoking on any of the balconies. However, there were cigarette butts all around the Lido deck on our one day at sea, some squished out on plates, others floating in abandoned soft drink cups, a few on the floor of the open deck, etc.

 

On Sunday Princess showed the NFL games on the MUTS screen during the day and I noticed 2 people puffing on their cigs. and being served drinks at their viewing seats on deck. The server said nothing.

 

I saw no confrontations between staff and passengers or between fellow passengers. Everyone was relaxed and enjoying a gorgeous sunny day at sea.

 

I did not see smoking anywhere else on board (wasn't particularly trying to find it so there may have been other places). I also did not once smell any tobacco smoke nor see any ashtrays.

 

So I agree that there are exceptions. Rare? Possibly but who really knows.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Get off the Caribbean Princess tomorrow in Houston, great voyage and cruise tour.

 

...

 

In the casino at a limited number of slot machines except on non-smoking days and no smoking at gaming tables.

 

...

 

All of the tables were smoke free?

 

Tom

[sugcarol]

How helpful is it to mention on the HAL board how black a person's teeth are from smoking cigars and posting about what they experienced on Princess. I don't see the connection.

[Fouremco]

How helpful is it to mention on the HAL board how black a person's teeth are from smoking cigars and posting about what they experienced on Princess. I don't see the connection.

I can't speak for others, but knowing what other lines have in the way of policy is helpful in assessing HAL's policy. This applies to most policies affecting passengers, not just the smoking policy. I think that both sides of the debate are striving for "reasonable" policy, and while we may not agree on what actually constitutes "reasonable" policy, we do look elsewhere for a frame of reference.

[Retiring cajun]

kennicott, good to hear that no one was smoking on balcony! We're going out of Houston February. Can't wait:)

[albingirl]

How helpful is it to mention on the HAL board how black a person's teeth are from smoking cigars and posting about what they experienced on Princess. I don't see the connection.

 

Actually, quite helpful, especially when you book an aft cabin and see butts from the Seaview deck on your deck. Disgusting. Cigar butts and cigarette butts stuck in the water well on your deck. It's fair to talk about the associated gross stuff related to smoking.

[Lizzie68]

Interesting that you said, "I'm sure there are exceptions." We saw a few of them first and second hand. We just returned from a brief Cal Coastal cruise on the Ruby Princess. We had a Mini-Suite. As far as I could tell there was no smoking on any of the balconies. However, there were cigarette butts all around the Lido deck on our one day at sea, some squished out on plates, others floating in abandoned soft drink cups, a few on the floor of the open deck, etc.

 

On Sunday Princess showed the NFL games on the MUTS screen during the day and I noticed 2 people puffing on their cigs. and being served drinks at their viewing seats on deck. The server said nothing.

 

I saw no confrontations between staff and passengers or between fellow passengers. Everyone was relaxed and enjoying a gorgeous sunny day at sea.

 

I did not see smoking anywhere else on board (wasn't particularly trying to find it so there may have been other places). I also did not once smell any tobacco smoke nor see any ashtrays.

 

So I agree that there are exceptions. Rare? Possibly but who really knows.

 

That is completely disgusting and shows just how little some smokers (though obviously many on that ship) care for the environment and their surroundings, let alone others travelling on the same ship. It also speaks loud and clear to the lack of cleanliness in general and the crew not caring. It also emphasizes the dangers of allowing any smoking on board a ship with the carelessness of smokers in where they discard their butts.

[albingirl]

Where are our Colorado brethren. How about the marijuana tokers? What about the medicinal license holders? Hey, what is going on with them?

[SteveH2508]

That is completely disgusting and shows just how little some smokers (though obviously many on that ship) care for the environment and their surroundings, let alone others travelling on the same ship. It also speaks loud and clear to the lack of cleanliness in general and the crew not caring. It also emphasizes the dangers of allowing any smoking on board a ship with the carelessness of smokers in where they discard their butts.

 

If the cruise line were a little less restrictive or a bit more proactive and they provided sufficient ashtrays (and emptied them regularly), this would not be an issue - do not necessarily blame it on the smokers.

[scm1848]

They have the swivel type of ashtray that "swallows" the butt and ashes when swirled. Your room steward will provide one upon request. In addition to that, I use a glass of water to tap my ashes off, ensuring that not one hot ash blows anywhere. I have a hard time explaining that to my steward and why I use it; when explained, they get it.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... It also emphasizes the dangers of allowing any smoking on board a ship with the carelessness of smokers in where they discard their butts.

 

I don't know what percentage they represent (of the whole of smokers), and I've brought this up more than once, but with the numbers of butts I see tossed from cars on a regular basis - there are LOTS of smokers who don't really care where their leftovers end up. To that sub-group it's as if cigarettes are some exception to the concept of "trash" which most everyone else shares. I seriously doubt that group understands the "considerate" smoker concept nor would hesitate in tossing one (or a few dozen!) into the sea.

 

Tom

[Blue Mudshark]

If the cruise line were a little less restrictive or a bit more proactive and they provided sufficient ashtrays (and emptied them regularly), this would not be an issue - do not necessarily blame it on the smokers.

 

I pretty thoroughly disagree. I think it's entirely fair to blame improper disposal of cigarettes entirely on the smokers who do it. If there isn't a suitable ash tray or other disposal option, then get one or don't smoke there. Yes, the ship should provide adequate ashtrays for designated smoking areas. Any failure to do that doesn't justify dropping butts on the deck or any other inappropriate cigarette disposal.

[Browser495]

I don't know what percentage they represent (of the whole of smokers), and I've brought this up more than once, but with the numbers of butts I see tossed from cars on a regular basis - there are LOTS of smokers who don't really care where their leftovers end up. To that sub-group it's as if cigarettes are some exception to the concept of "trash" which most everyone else shares. I seriously doubt that group understands the "considerate" smoker concept nor would hesitate in tossing one (or a few dozen!) into the sea.

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

Only too true. We live in a condo complex. This summer someone threw a cigarette butt onto our common garden. It wound up setting fire to the mulch. It wasn't detected until it turned into a full blown fire about 12 hours later. We were lucky no buildings were damaged. Fire department had to be called out to put out the fire. They are the ones who determined a cigarette butt caused the fire....while it hasn't happened before, the important message is to exercise appropriate care whether on a ship or just enjoying a nice walk.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Browser495

[sugcarol]

I's just amazing that fire departments can figure out that a full blown fire was caused by a cigarette butt that was tossed in a garden 12 hours before. God bless them, we need more fire departments like that.

[Fouremco]

I's just amazing that fire departments can figure out that a full blown fire was caused by a cigarette butt that was tossed in a garden 12 hours before. God bless them, we need more fire departments like that.

Yes, you're quite right, arson investigations are quite sophisticated nowadays.

[Host Walt]

Topic drift again.

 

The topic is HAL's on board smoking policies.

 

Thanks