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

[kennicott]

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.

 

Yes, I was thinking of your Ruby experience when I said that there were exceptions no doubt. I also paid attention to whether or not there were ashtrays. On this ship, the Caribbean, there are definitely ash trays, and a lot of them, in all those locations I mentioned where smoking is allowed. The same holds true on the Regal although I didn't notice any ashtrays on that portion of the outside promenade where smoking is permitted on that ship.

 

If I recall correctly, in your first post regarding the smoking infractions on the Ruby you didn't go into detail about where the cigarette butts you spotted were other than they were on open deck areas, then you stated that "Princess allowed no smoking on open decks." So I assumed that perhaps you spotted cigarette butts in areas where smoking was in fact allowed. In other words, your mistaken assumption that Princess doesn't allow open deck smoking led into another mistaken impression that guest were violating the rules.

 

Having been on four different Princess ships over the last 12 months I simply don't see where smoking violations are significant at all, if they do occur. Therefore, if smoke bothers someone, Princess will be a perfect fit. If one likes to smoke or it doesn't bother them, cigars or cigarettes, particularly on the balconies, then by all means book HAL.

Edited November 4, 2015 by kennicott

[idiebabe]

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.

 

Yes, I was thinking of your Ruby experience when I said that there were exceptions no doubt. I also paid attention to whether or not there were ashtrays. On this ship, the Caribbean, there are definitely ash trays, and a lot of them, in all those locations I mentioned where smoking is allowed. The same holds true on the Regal although I didn't notice any ashtrays on that portion of the outside promenade where smoking is permitted on that ship.

 

If I recall correctly, in your first post regarding the smoking infractions on the Ruby you didn't go into detail about where the cigarette butts you spotted were other than they were on open deck areas, then you stated that "Princess allowed no smoking on open decks." So I assumed that perhaps you spotted cigarette butts in areas where smoking was in fact allowed. In other words, your mistaken assumption that Princess doesn't allow open deck smoking led into another mistaken impression that guest were violating the rules.

 

Having been on four different Princess ships over the last 12 months I simply don't see where smoking violations are significant at all, if they do occur. Therefore, if smoke bothers someone, Princess will be a perfect fit. If one likes to smoke or it doesn't bother them, cigars or cigarettes, particularly on the balconies, then by all means book HAL.

 

Reading your Posts regarding smoking locations on Princess it appears that Princess actually has a more liberal policy than HAL except for the Balcony Smoking.

 

There is only a limited number of machines in the Casino on HAL. (This seems to be the same on Princess.) The only Outdoor Smoking Areas on most HAL Ships are at the Seaview Bar as opposed to more Outdoor Areas areas on Princess. There is NO indoor Smoking venue on HAL as opposed to Princess having one.

 

Just curious since I have sailed only HAL Ships this past year have you sailed HAL recently since you have sailed on so many Princess Cruises?

 

It appears from your Posts and others that Princess is actually more Smoker Friendly than HAL!

 

Thanks for sharing that info!

[cruz chic]

Reading your Posts regarding smoking locations on Princess it appears that Princess actually has a more liberal policy than HAL except for the Balcony Smoking.

 

There is only a limited number of machines in the Casino on HAL. (This seems to be the same on Princess.) The only Outdoor Smoking Areas on most HAL Ships are at the Seaview Bar as opposed to more Outdoor Areas areas on Princess. There is NO indoor Smoking venue on HAL as opposed to Princess having one.

 

Just curious since I have sailed only HAL Ships this past year have you sailed HAL recently since you have sailed on so many Princess Cruises?

 

It appears from your Posts and others that Princess is actually more Smoker Friendly than HAL!

 

Thanks for sharing that info!

 

I'd be beyond thrilled if Hal stopped balcony smoking and made more smoking areas elsewhere for smokers. Having smoking on balconies encompasses a huge area of the ship. As far as only having a few smoking areas in the casino it sure seems that there was an equal amount to me. Unfortunately the smoke doesn't stay on the smoking side. I've cruised princess a fair bit and it's not more smokey than Hal unless you have an inconsiderate smoker that decides they are going to smoke on their balcony. That happened on my last cruise on princess. Reports have been made that there is now an indoor smoking area on the Noordam.

[albingirl]

I'd be beyond thrilled if Hal stopped balcony smoking and made more smoking areas elsewhere for smokers. Having smoking on balconies encompasses a huge area of the ship. As far as only having a few smoking areas in the casino it sure seems that there was an equal amount to me. Unfortunately the smoke doesn't stay on the smoking side. I've cruised princess a fair bit and it's not more smokey than Hal unless you have an inconsiderate smoker that decides they are going to smoke on their balcony. That happened on my last cruise on princess. Reports have been made that there is now an indoor smoking area on the Noordam.

 

I'd be beyond thrilled too. Every time I book a cabin, I think to myself, what if????? It would wreck my cruise to have smoking next to me, "considerate" or not.

[albingirl]

deleted

 

Agree. And Holland America continues to have this Cancer Walk on the Promenade every cruise! They need to come to terms with the sensitivity of the subject, rather than promoting that they care, when they really don't. They make such a big deal about it on every cruise. I know; I've participated for years. But seriously, they are rather empty on the empathy scale for those who are cancer survivors and participate. A sad charade. They should just stop the empty effort and admit it. They don't care at all about all of those poor souls who walk for the 5k on the ships and actually have lived through the heartbreak of cancer.:(

[sealovers]

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.

 

Out of 18 cruises, I have yet to see a butt thrown overboard. I have always cruise in suites, but since there is no smoking on balconys on other cruiselines, I opt for an inside. That puts me along with the hundreds of other smokers grouped outside, infuriating those who think there should be no smokers onboard. I have booked a SA again on the Oosterdam, only because smoking is allowed on deck. I never smoke when neighbors are out and first chance I have to meet them, I make it clear that I won't be smoking when they are using their veranda, unless they also smoke. I book aft precisely for the reason of airflow. Electronic cigarettes are allowed to be smoked inside cabins, which I now know is a safety hazard. Many explosions and injuries have been reported lately in these Chinese made EC. I think they should only be smoked in open areas on deck. Tossing lit butts out of a vehicle has nothing t do with this forum. There are huge fines for this now and people are reported often by other drivers via cell phone.

[kennicott]

Reading your Posts regarding smoking locations on Princess it appears that Princess actually has a more liberal policy than HAL except for the Balcony Smoking.

 

There is only a limited number of machines in the Casino on HAL. (This seems to be the same on Princess.) The only Outdoor Smoking Areas on most HAL Ships are at the Seaview Bar as opposed to more Outdoor Areas areas on Princess. There is NO indoor Smoking venue on HAL as opposed to Princess having one.

 

Just curious since I have sailed only HAL Ships this past year have you sailed HAL recently since you have sailed on so many Princess Cruises?

 

It appears from your Posts and others that Princess is actually more Smoker Friendly than HAL!

 

Thanks for sharing that info!

 

Yes, it has been a while since we were last on HAL. About 21 months ago, so I have to rely on others to let me know what is going on with HAL anymore. It was shortly after that last voyage that the final smoking on balcony holdouts, among the majors, implemented smoking bans on balconies, excluding HAL of course.

 

You may be correct in that HAL and Princess ships generally seem to share equality in smoking policies if you exclude HAL's balcony smoking and that Princess provides exclusive indoor luxury style turf for smokers on its ships. But that is too elementary to mean much, since balcony smoking and the lack of dedicated lounges for smokers dictate the essence of the dilemma.

 

The context of my previous post regarding my recent smoking observations on four different Princess vessels as well as a Regent vessel was primarily to dispel myths being perpetuated regarding the flagrant disregard of no smoking policy on lines with more stringent smoking rules. We saw no evidence of that.

 

As Cruise Chic points out, the on-board real estate comprising balconies is huge. Eliminating balcony smoking takes away all of that smoking area. I do agree that the absence of other smoking venues enhances balcony smoking. Therefore, the abolishment of casino smoking and smoking in other areas such as some open deck space has to intensify balcony smoking. Adding exclusive smoking lounges will curtail balcony smoking.

 

I have to look no further than family for proof that a balcony smoker will prefer a smoking lounge. My brother-in-law is a cigarette chain smoker. He liked HAL balconies because of that. However, by doing so he received a lot of static from the spouse, not to mention adjacent balcony non-smokers. They often voyage with a small group of others, some of which smoke. So when the smokers had adjacent balconies they had a grand old time, much to the chagrin of non-smokers.

 

But then the group booked with Regent. Regent has the Connoisseur Club. My brother-in-law and the rest of his smoking friends love it. So everybody is happy now and no more balcony smoking for that group. I'm sure that they might book Princess with its Churchill's if the itinerary and perks meet their expectations, but no more HAL.

[cruisemom42]

I have to look no further than family for proof that a balcony smoker will prefer a smoking lounge. My brother-in-law is a cigarette chain smoker. He liked HAL balconies because of that. However, by doing so he received a lot of static from the spouse, not to mention adjacent balcony non-smokers. They often voyage with a small group of others, some of which smoke. So when the smokers had adjacent balconies they had a grand old time, much to the chagrin of non-smokers.

 

But then the group booked with Regent. Regent has the Connoisseur Club. My brother-in-law and the rest of his smoking friends love it. So everybody is happy now and no more balcony smoking for that group. I'm sure that they might book Princess with its Churchill's if the itinerary and perks meet their expectations, but no more HAL.

 

While this may be true for some smokers, it will not be true for all. My mother, who is far from a chainsmoker but does smoke 5-6 cigarettes a day, would much prefer to have most of them on the veranda. In her mid-80s, it is far easier for her to, for example, have a cigarette after breakfast in the room, or have one or two in the evening there rather than having to go elsewhere....

[Aquahound]

While this may be true for some smokers, it will not be true for all. My mother, who is far from a chainsmoker but does smoke 5-6 cigarettes a day, would much prefer to have most of them on the veranda. In her mid-80s, it is far easier for her to, for example, have a cigarette after breakfast in the room, or have one or two in the evening there rather than having to go elsewhere....

 

I agree. If a smoker is physically in his/her veranda room and they want a smoke, I think it would be far more likely for them to light up right there rather than going to the lounge.

 

Just like Princess, Royal Caribbean has had smoking lounges since Voyager of the Seas was built. Back when balcony smoking was permitted on RCI, I saw the same problems I now see with HAL, despite there having been a lounge on board.

 

Same will be true of HAL if they build lounges. The issues associated with balcony smoking will never go away unless its banned all together.

[Lizzie68]

I agree. If a smoker is physically in his/her veranda room and they want a smoke, I think it would be far more likely for them to light up right there rather than going to the lounge.

 

Just like Princess, Royal Caribbean has had smoking lounges since Voyager of the Seas was built. Back when balcony smoking was permitted on RCI, I saw the same problems I now see with HAL, despite there having been a lounge on board.

 

Same will be true of HAL if they build lounges. The issues associated with balcony smoking will never go away unless its banned all together.

 

You are absolutely right. If only the smoke (and often the lung clearing sounds, yuk) could be contained on the smoker's balcony, there would be no issue. It's having to share the smoke, smell and sounds unwillingly, and/or being unable to use your own balcony due to same, which is the crux of the problem. The good thing about a lounge is that it does contain the smoke and others do not have to share it.

[creel5857]

and on and on the smoking thread goes.......I just wonder if HAL even cares or monitors boards like this or if everyone's opinions just go out into the oblivion...... we have decided that we will not go HAL again if the upcoming cruise is badly hampered by balcony smoke and we already have 2 groups of friends and a family member cancel cruises and swap to Princess (total of 9 cabins) because of the ongoing issues with smoking on the balconies.......I guess it is a gamble that HAL is willing to take......if the ships do shift to mostly smokers it will definitely take away the elegant atmosphere they have prided themselves on for many years

[sammiedawg]

and on and on the smoking thread goes.......I just wonder if HAL even cares or monitors boards like this or if everyone's opinions just go out into the oblivion...... we have decided that we will not go HAL again if the upcoming cruise is badly hampered by balcony smoke and we already have 2 groups of friends and a family member cancel cruises and swap to Princess (total of 9 cabins) because of the ongoing issues with smoking on the balconies.......I guess it is a gamble that HAL is willing to take......if the ships do shift to mostly smokers it will definitely take away the elegant atmosphere they have prided themselves on for many years

 

I've been staying away from this thread but social work lady's comment resonated. Cigarette and cigar smoke blowing in your face is worlds away from any kind of elegance. HAL is tolerating smoking because they are weak in the marketplace for a multitude of reasons. . Many long standing customers have moved on to other lines. I read half a dozen cruise critic sections and see countless former posters from the HAL board sailing elsewhere. There are many great choices out there, try something different.

[peaches from georgia]

HAL cruisers are moving on to other lines for many reasons, certainly not just balcony smoking. This thread gives a very unrealistic idea of the smoking "problem" because diehard anti-smokers are posting in one place as a group. HAL is no longer a premium line and with cutbacks in so many areas of course many people are moving to other lines.

[cruisemom42]

I guess it is a gamble that HAL is willing to take......if the ships do shift to mostly smokers it will definitely take away the elegant atmosphere they have prided themselves on for many years

 

I did have to smile a bit at this.

 

In the elegant atmosphere of many years ago, you do realize that many more people smoked (and in many more places) than now?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... we have decided that we will not go HAL again if the upcoming cruise is badly hampered by balcony smoke...

 

If we have a bad time of it on the Koningsdam next November, it may be ANOTHER 50 years before I return to HAL... lol

 

Being in an aft corner there's always a risk that smoke going down the side of the ship whips around and get's caught in the corners (we've seen that with soot from the engines a few times as well).

 

 

Tom

[albingirl]

We find that on the long cruises there are very few smokers. First of all, it's a much older demographic, and they didn't get that way by smoking. So, we've not had any problems on the really long cruises.

[kennicott]

While this may be true for some smokers, it will not be true for all. My mother, who is far from a chainsmoker but does smoke 5-6 cigarettes a day, would much prefer to have most of them on the veranda. In her mid-80s, it is far easier for her to, for example, have a cigarette after breakfast in the room, or have one or two in the evening there rather than having to go elsewhere....

 

Yes, I agree. Most will still light up on the balcony if it is allowed, my brother in law included. I didn't articulate my point very well, what I meant to say was that exclusive smoking lounges will go a long way to make a cruise bearable and enjoyable for a hard core smoker like my brother-in-law if balcony smoking is prohibited.

 

You might recall that last winter on this thread there were some posts originating from a group of C.C.ers who were on a world voyage, where they periodically got together on the Prinsendam and invited ship's staff members to attend. This gathering was visited by Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group (This group includes HAL, Princess, P&O Australia, Seabourn and all Carnival Corp's Alaska land tour holdings) and Orlando Ashford, President of HAL. In other words, "Mr. Buck Stops Here", Mr. Kruse himself.

 

One of the questions asked at the meet dealt with HAL balcony smoking. Kruse apparently did the responding, he indicated they were looking into options. One of which was exclusive smoking lounges on HAL. He didn't say that these would replace the balcony smoking if indeed HAL should go to the expense of providing them. Since the reports we received were third hand it was difficult to determine whether or not non-smokers should be discouraged or encouraged by Kruse's remarks. Trying to read between the lines my impression was that Kruse was evasive and was not poised to eliminate balcony smoking anytime soon.

Edited November 7, 2015 by kennicott

[kennicott]

We find that on the long cruises there are very few smokers. First of all, it's a much older demographic, and they didn't get that way by smoking. So, we've not had any problems on the really long cruises.

 

Yes, we found that to be the case as well. That is, up to the time HAL became the "Only Game in Town" as far as balcony smoking goes among the majors.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

If we have a bad time of it on the Koningsdam next November, it may be ANOTHER 50 years before I return to HAL... lol

 

Being in an aft corner there's always a risk that smoke going down the side of the ship whips around and get's caught in the corners (we've seen that with soot from the engines a few times as well).

 

 

Tom

 

"get's" !! :rolleyes:

 

(it's not against board protocol if I point out my own typos... right?) :o

[SeaBands]

so my partners smoke won't affect our neighbors and we have never had a complaint.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

so my partners smoke won't affect our neighbors and we have never had a complaint.

 

I've never complained to smokers who've caused us issues on our balcony. So I'm guessing they think all is well too. I don't like to start problems with my neighbors, or really anyone for that matter.

 

Not saying that your partner has actually negatively impacted anyone - but it's likely you wouldn't know.

 

 

 

Tom

[freestyling]

On our last 14 day Med cruise we were seated in the Pinnacle next to the same couple 4 times! During the 3rd seating we had a very pleasant conversation and the wife asked if we had a balcony room and were we enjoying it. I said we did but we were unable to enjoy a "nightcap" on the balcony due to cigar smoke. She become very quite and her husband asked if we talked to our neighbor about it in order to work something out. I told him that as long as HAL allows it then I didn't feel right about disrupting our neighbor's enjoyment.

To my surprise he replied that they were our neighbors and even though he did enjoy a nightly cigar he would be more than happy to arrange a schedule for the remainder of the`cruise that worked for both of us , which we did!! We enjoyed their company on 2 wine excursions.

Edited November 7, 2015 by freestyling

[Aquahound]

I've never complained to smokers who've caused us issues on our balcony. So I'm guessing they think all is well too. I don't like to start problems with my neighbors, or really anyone for that matter.

 

Not saying that your partner has actually negatively impacted anyone - but it's likely you wouldn't know.

 

Exactly. Confronting people on things like this, even in a calm, respectful manner, just aren't well received nowadays. It often makes things awkward for the remainder of the cruise.

[Stratheden]

On our last 14 day Med cruise we were seated in the Pinnacle next to the same couple 4 times! During the 3rd seating we had a very pleasant conversation and the wife asked if we had a balcony room and were we enjoying it. I said we did but we were unable to enjoy a "nightcap" on the balcony due to cigar smoke. She become very quite and her husband asked if we talked to our neighbor about it in order to work something out. I told him that as long as HAL allows it then I didn't feel right about disrupting our neighbor's enjoyment.

To my surprise he replied that they were our neighbors and even though he did enjoy a nightly cigar he would be more than happy to arrange a schedule for the remainder of the`cruise that worked for both of us , which we did!! We enjoyed their company on 2 wine excursions.

 

Obviously very nice neighbours and how wonderful for you that things worked out so well.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Obviously very nice neighbours and how wonderful for you that things worked out so well.

 

Agreed - and what a coincidence !

 

Tom