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

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Well, this is really interesting.... from erewhon's Noordam Oak Room thread: (letter to the pax):

 

We'd like to make you aware of a new Lounge on the ship that is available for guests.

The Oak Room is a Smoking and Cigar Lounge on deck 10 forward. While it is open 24 hours a day, full beverage service is available from 12 noon until 10pm daily. The Oak Room also has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating and a large screen TV with a variety of channels, as well as wide array of cigars and cigarettes available for purchase.

 

For guests with verandah staterooms who smoke cigarettes, cigars or e-cigarettes, we encourage you to utilize the Oak Room for your smoking needs rather than your verandah.

Smoking is also permitted outside on the starboard side of Deck 9, adjacent to the Sea View Bar. There will also be a designated area for smoking in the Casino on certain nights of the cruise--this will be highlighted in the Today on Location program.

 

Well, words are cheap. I really hope this is not what HAL considers a solution to this thorny issue, but rather another step on a hopefully not too slow journey.

 

As was mentioned earlier, I doubt smokers (encouraged or not) are willing to forgo their balcony smoking "right" and trudge off to an alternate smoking area every time they get the urge.

 

Tom

[Hlitner]

Delete jjjjjjjjjj

Edited November 11, 2015 by Hlitner

[Fouremco]

At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar.

[EatonDoolittle]

I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar.

 

Yep. Small steps in the right direction

[Lizzie68]

At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar.

 

That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction.

[3rdGenCunarder]

That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction.

 

It's smart to start the smoking room before changing the policy. That way they're giving smokers something before taking away something else. I don't like to encourage smoking, but maybe they could do a smokers' happy hour to get smokers to check out the room, raise awareness of the place.

 

I know a smoking lounge isn't as convenient as a balcony, but I do believe HAL will eventually ban balcony smoking, and they have to give smokers somewhere to go. Banning balcony smoking is a response to a large segment of the clientele, just as backing off on formal night is a response to a large (supposedly) segment of the clientele.

[Aquahound]

At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar.

 

Baby steps, I guess.

[corkpopr]

the oak room is nice but is only on the noordam. they have the friends of bill meetings there every afternoon so they were not that happy! only use the balcony to smoke at six am and midnight

[corkpopr]

i always smoke cigars while i read on the promenade deck near the rear of the ship

[Typhoon1]

The Oak Room has been on the Noordam ever since it was launched. The Noordam is the only Vista ship that has not had it removed. Yet.

 

I suspect the Oak Room will join the rest of the fleet in disappearing.

[sail7seas]

The Oak Room has been on the Noordam ever since it was launched. The Noordam is the only Vista ship that has not had it removed. Yet.

 

Exactly. The day of Noordam's Christening we were in Oak Room.

Captain Draper is fabulous and this provides still another reason for me to respect him greatly. :)

 

[InTheWASide]

Exactly. The day of Noordam's Christening we were in Oak Room.

Captain Draper is fabulous and this provides still another reason for me to respect him greatly. :)

 

 

Guarantee you this was a decision from corporate, and not the Captain choosing to do something entirely on his own... Your statement makes no sense as a result.

 

Like a captain... LOVE a captain... but also give credit where it's due.

[sail7seas]

That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction.

 

I agree.

 

I also wonder if the bean counters are seeing the fleeing of some verandah guests and perhaps the smokers are not as willing to book those higher priced cabins in the same numbers as those who are going to other cruise lines.

 

It was a delight for me this summer to know I would be able to enjoy my verandah on NCL without fear of losing use due to a smoking neighbor.

[sail7seas]

The sky is blue........

 

That letter was signed by Captain Draper. It isn't of any interest or intent for me to analyze corporate interplay and I'll give my personal credit where I think appropriate.

 

[cruz chic]

I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms.

[cruiseing marly]

I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms.

 

 

We keep hoping it sounds like change is on the horizon ! It is a long slow process or sure why .

[albingirl]

I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms.

 

I agree. It's either that or a Lanai stateroom for us. We've had too many cruises ruined by the smoking next door to our verandah.....the smell gets in my clothing and hair. Then I smell like I smoke!:eek::(

[kennicott]

At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar.

 

I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread:

 

"You might recall that last winter 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."

[cruz chic]

I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread:

 

"You might recall that last winter 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."

 

It seems most cruise lines hold info on these changes close to their chest. Even if the policy were to change tomorrow they'd likely be denying it today.

[cbr663]

...

 

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."

 

I also don't see the Oak Room as a step toward banning balcony smoking. In fact, I see it as completely opposite and that it shows that HAL is committed to its passengers who smoke.

 

Passengers who are spending the majority of their time on their balconies are not out and about the ship spending money. This is a huge problem for a cruise line that earns its profits from on-board spending. To increase its profits, HAL has to get all its passengers to spend more. What better way to get passengers who smoke to get out and about then to create a social room/bar/lounge especially for them?

 

I see this as HAL embracing and welcoming its passengers who smoke and do not see this as HAL acknowledging that balcony smoking is an issue. I expect this move to attract more passengers who smoke to HAL.

[Fouremco]

I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking.

The Oak Room has been closed for several years, and it could just as easily have been reopened as some other type of facility. Moreover, not only have they chosen to reopen it as a smoking lounge, but they are actively promoting it as an alternative to verandah smoking. That is definitely new and provides that little bit of hope for the future.

[Lizzie68]

I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread:

 

"You might recall that last winter 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."

 

You are correct about the Noordam Oak Room (not sure if it has actually been used for smoking for years, but yes it has had one) but the interesting part of the letter is the discouraging of smoking on balconies, and encouraging use of the Oak Room instead. That is the attention-getter.

[POA1]

If we're nitpicking the precise words used rather than the point of the message that HAL would not allow any officer (even the captain) to modify the ship's smoking policy in a "lone wolf" fashion due to... a personal preference, a hunch or a "hey what if...?" then sure...

 

I'm not picking nits. Not one bit.

 

With all due respect (and quite a bit that's undue) please, please, please back up your assertions.

[kjw869]

I'm not picking nits.

 

"Picking nits", that's classic. I have to remember to use that line! :)

[albingirl]

I also don't see the Oak Room as a step toward banning balcony smoking. In fact, I see it as completely opposite and that it shows that HAL is committed to its passengers who smoke.

 

Passengers who are spending the majority of their time on their balconies are not out and about the ship spending money. This is a huge problem for a cruise line that earns its profits from on-board spending. To increase its profits, HAL has to get all its passengers to spend more. What better way to get passengers who smoke to get out and about then to create a social room/bar/lounge especially for them?

 

I see this as HAL embracing and welcoming its passengers who smoke and do not see this as HAL acknowledging that balcony smoking is an issue. I expect this move to attract more passengers who smoke to HAL.

 

I see this as a total cop-out. They, HAL, are not brave enough to go beyond the foolish "baby step" of some lounge smoking den. It is a total insult to those of us who wish to simply breathe the clean air we were born with.