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

[Cruise Junky]

Of course money is the reason HAL continues allowing smoking on balconies. HAL's only mission and responsibility is to maximize profits for its shareholders. They must be more profitable with this smoking policy, especially with so few lines allowing smoking on balconies, or HAL too would ban it. Your health is your responsibility, not HAL's. HAL has its act together if they fill the cabins and make money.

 

I've read from some inside sources that HAL is the least profitable of the Carnival lines. So them sticking to a smoking policy to try and maintain a differential is pretty pathetic. Do they honestly have nothing more to offer? They can't compete without their smoking policy? Might was draw the blinds and lock the door.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I am Five Star with well over 800 HAL days and my last cruise was NCL. I do so was delighted with their smoking policy, enjoyed a smoke free verandah with my penthouse and my friends invited me to sail again with them. I likely will though have not finally decided.

...

 

 

What did you think of the NCL suite perks (compared to HAL's)?

 

Tom

[sail7seas]

I found the Suite experience on NCL very nice. I was more than satisfied. The only thing I would miss had I been on the ship longer than a week is included laundry. Not that big a deal to send a few things out and pay but I am so used to having it included it would 'rub me wrong'. :D Suite guests are treated very well on NCL IMO

 

[erewhon]

I don't know.

I've had Captains, Hotel Directors, GRM's etc tell me face to face they thought the policy would change very soon and I have no reason to think they were being anything but honest. However, the policy has not changed. I think some of them are as disappointed as some of us who are tired of putting up with the stench from few that impacts so many.

 

Seeing they have been wrong thus far about when/if the policy would change, no one but those who sit in the Elliott Sstreet Conference Room Meetings really know.

 

 

Thank you for your reply.

[Host Walt]

Several off topic posts have been removed. As posted earlier,

Please stay on topic which is HAL's on board smoking policy. Thanks.

[NoobCruise]

Just checking in to see if HALs policy has changed yet. We sailed a few years ago on the Westerdam and had an amazing cruise. LOVED HAL. Unfortunately, I have asthma and found we couldn't go anywhere near the casino. We could smell the smoke in the Queen's Lounge and the show room, so we felt limited onboard. We had an aft wrap 8147 so had plenty of room to move away from smokers on our verandah, but we could smell it on the side and it carried down from the pool deck right above us a few times. We were in Alaska in September though and it was very cold, so not too many people were around the pool, except for sailing into ports and Glacier Bay. It would be a different story in a warmer climate, especially on a regular verandah. We also sailed before many of the other lines changed their verandah policies, so before HAL became the smoker's choice.

 

We're looking at booking Alaska again, but will book another line, probably Celebrity, so I don't have to suck on my inhaler the whole time. We're 45 and 46 and earned 21 cruise days on a 7 day cruise for our spending. I hope HAL changes their policy soon, because we LOVED the aft-wrap and HAL's style, but we won't book again until they change it.

Edited March 3, 2016 by NoobCruise

[RuthlessBoss]

I've read from some inside sources that HAL is the least profitable of the Carnival lines. So them sticking to a smoking policy to try and maintain a differential is pretty pathetic. Do they honestly have nothing more to offer? They can't compete without their smoking policy? Might was draw the blinds and lock the door.

 

What would you suggest they offer:confused: All those fancy slides, ropes courses, etc. can't magically appear on the top decks. Those things are what draws families in. If they got them, then people would complain about not having the adult atmosphere it used to have.

[Cruise Junky]

What would you suggest they offer:confused: All those fancy slides, ropes courses, etc. can't magically appear on the top decks. Those things are what draws families in. If they got them, then people would complain about not having the adult atmosphere it used to have.

 

oh let's see, fine dining, service,exciting excursions, exclusive ports, exclusive events in ports, longer hours in ports. It can stay adult. But no, they've opted to make themselves stand out by their smoking policy :eek:

[teamflames]

oh let's see, fine dining, service,exciting excursions, exclusive ports, exclusive events in ports, longer hours in ports. It can stay adult. But no, they've opted to make themselves stand out by their smoking policy :eek:

 

 

Nicely said!!!

 

X seems to be doing well without the gimmicks or the smoking.

 

 

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[RuthlessBoss]

oh let's see, fine dining, service,exciting excursions, exclusive ports, exclusive events in ports, longer hours in ports. It can stay adult. But no, they've opted to make themselves stand out by their smoking policy :eek:

 

What was the draw prior to the other lines changing their smoking policies ? If they were all alike previously, what drew people to cruise with Holland if the policies were the same?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

What was the draw prior to the other lines changing their smoking policies ? If they were all alike previously, what drew people to cruise with Holland if the policies were the same?

 

From my (admittedly) limited knowledge, I'd say age !!

 

Tom

[Lizzie68]

What was the draw prior to the other lines changing their smoking policies ? If they were all alike previously, what drew people to cruise with Holland if the policies were the same?

 

Perhaps you should ask that on the main forum. This thread is about HAL's smoking policy.

[cruz chic]

From my (admittedly) limited knowledge, I'd say age !!

 

Tom

 

I assume you are joking. I'm in my 50's and I enjoy Hal for many reasons. That said, their smoking policy isn't one of them.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I assume you are joking. I'm in my 50's and I enjoy Hal for many reasons. That said, their smoking policy isn't one of them.

 

Yes I was - but it's still based on the perception that the average cruiser on HAL is higher.

 

We're in our 50's as well.

 

Tom

[SLOTheta]

Congratulations, GMA...... WELL Done. Happy for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to avoid permitted verandah smoking on an HAL ship, don't let them assign your cabin. You should be designating by number specifically what cabin you want. At the time you booked, those in your group who mind second hand smoking the most should have booked the cabins in the center of your group and others who aren't as bothered by it, should book on either side of you to try to have you further from verandahs that could potentially be used by smokers.

 

 

 

Of course, that won't help if someone on the deck just below you is smoking on their verandah.

 

 

 

Get your TA to get your cabin specifically assigned, ASAP.

 

 

 

 

 

We all chose or own cabins. But, we didn't do it any coordinated manner, except that we needed to be on deck 5.. We weren't aware of the smoking policy when we all started booking. We also weren't aware of the life boats or short verdandahs were on deck 5. If we had known this, we would have tried to be a bit more strategic about picking rooms. Now, everything is sold out on deck 5, we are just going to have to hope for the best.

 

For most of us, we are first time cruisers, who didn't know anything about smoking policies or rooms, except what is shown on the HAL site. If it weren't for this chat board, I would know nothing! I originally had a mid ship room with a short balcony that looked directly over a lifeboat. A poster let me know and I was able to snag the last VB verandah that didn't overlook a life boat.

 

Thanks again. At least if there are smokers, I'll be prepared.

 

 

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[SLOTheta]

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I was shocked and thrilled when I found out the casino on the Eurodam is now non-smoking. We always book a balcony because I am claustrophobic and HAVE to have a balcony.

 

 

 

We just became 4-star Mariners last November and I am happy to tell you that we have NEVER had to deal with cigarette smoke (or cigar smoke!) on our balcony. I hope that you are just as lucky as we have been.

 

 

 

(I always stress on our surveys that we are very disappointed in HAL for not limiting smoking to an enclosed area of the ship where non-smokers will not be subjected to the unhealthy and stinking smoke. Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the SeaView pool area -- however, I entered the area through the port side doors and was hit in the face from the smoke on the other side. I avoided that area for the rest of the cruise -- thank goodness I didn't care that much about missing out on the pizza and adult only pool!)

 

 

I'm glad to hear that smoking isn't allowed in the casino and that you didn't have a bad experience on your verandah. Our group loves to gamble, but we wouldn't have stayed long if they allowed smoking. I'm sure we will be losing more money gambling since its smoke-free!

 

I'll be sure to avoid the smoking areas of the ship.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

 

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[Dusty Wren]

I don't know.

I've had Captains, Hotel Directors, GRM's etc tell me face to face they thought the policy would change very soon and I have no reason to think they were being anything but honest. However, the policy has not changed. I think some of them are as disappointed as some of us who are tired of putting up with the stench from few that impacts so many.

 

Seeing they have been wrong thus far about when/if the policy would change, no one but those who sit in the Elliott Sstreet Conference Room Meetings really kno

 

I just spoke to a HAL representative today & am shocked at some of reasons they still allow smoking on the verandas. She said mostly due to "old school" passengers who smoke & are older & not use to being told when or where they can smoke. She said younger generations conform to the rules because they grew up with them. She said HAL generally has an older generation, many whom are smokers. I am Very disappointed with this policy, it is totally unhealthy, a major fire hazard & awful for polluting the seas when they throw their butts overboard-you know who you are, no finger pointing needed. Just unfair to non-smoking neighbors who pay lots of $$$$ and cannot even sit out on their veranda. I have a hold on a cabin but will not sail with HAL until the policy is changed and........what's with that anyway, isn't this line owned by Carnival, who has a no smoking on veranda policy, as does Princess for goodness sake. I can only imagine whomever makes the decision on HAL are all smokers? We are to respect our older generation, we too will hopefully grow old one day, may have the need for a cane, walker, wheelchair, even oxygen, so,why can't older "smokers" be respectful to the non-smokers.

[Lizzie68]

I don't know.

I've had Captains, Hotel Directors, GRM's etc tell me face to face they thought the policy would change very soon and I have no reason to think they were being anything but honest. However, the policy has not changed. I think some of them are as disappointed as some of us who are tired of putting up with the stench from few that impacts so many.

 

Seeing they have been wrong thus far about when/if the policy would change, no one but those who sit in the Elliott Sstreet Conference Room Meetings really kno

 

I just spoke to a HAL representative today & am shocked at some of reasons they still allow smoking on the verandas. She said mostly due to "old school" passengers who smoke & are older & not use to being told when or where they can smoke. She said younger generations conform to the rules because they grew up with them. She said HAL generally has an older generation, many whom are smokers. I am Very disappointed with this policy, it is totally unhealthy, a major fire hazard & awful for polluting the seas when they throw their butts overboard-you know who you are, no finger pointing needed. Just unfair to non-smoking neighbors who pay lots of $$$$ and cannot even sit out on their veranda. I have a hold on a cabin but will not sail with HAL until the policy is changed and........what's with that anyway, isn't this line owned by Carnival, who has a no smoking on veranda policy, as does Princess for goodness sake. I can only imagine whomever makes the decision on HAL are all smokers? We are to respect our older generation, we too will hopefully grow old one day, may have the need for a cane, walker, wheelchair, even oxygen, so,why can't older "smokers" be respectful to the non-smokers.

 

Whoever you spoke to at HAL is winging it - as is usually the case. Phone 3 times and get 3 different answers on anything.:rolleyes: FWIW, I seldom see any of the "older" generation smoking on board. Seems to me it is mostly middle-age or younger, but that is just my experience. Most of us old folks saw the light long ago, that's why we got to be old folks.:D

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... I can only imagine whomever makes the decision on HAL are all smokers? We are to respect our older generation, we too will hopefully grow old one day, may have the need for a cane, walker, wheelchair, even oxygen, so,why can't older "smokers" be respectful to the non-smokers.

 

Picturing an old school smoke filled boardroom...

 

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[sail7seas]

I don't know.

I've had Captains, Hotel Directors, GRM's etc tell me face to face they thought the policy would change very soon and I have no reason to think they were being anything but honest. However, the policy has not changed. I think some of them are as disappointed as some of us who are tired of putting up with the stench from few that impacts so many.

 

Seeing they have been wrong thus far about when/if the policy would change, no one but those who sit in the Elliott Sstreet Conference Room Meetings really kno......

 

I just spoke to a HAL representative today & am shocked at some of reasons they still allow smoking on the verandas. She said mostly due to "old school" passengers who smoke & are older & not use to being told when or where they can smoke. She said younger generations conform to the rules because they grew up with them. She said HAL generally has an older generation, many whom are smokers. I am Very disappointed with this policy, it is totally unhealthy, a major fire hazard & awful for polluting the seas when they throw their butts overboard-you know who you are, no finger pointing needed. Just unfair to non-smoking neighbors who pay lots of $$$$ and cannot even sit out on their veranda. I have a hold on a cabin but will not sail with HAL until the policy is changed and........what's with that anyway, isn't this line owned by Carnival, who has a no smoking on veranda policy, as does Princess for goodness sake. I can only imagine whomever makes the decision on HAL are all smokers? We are to respect our older generation, we too will hopefully grow old one day, may have the need for a cane, walker, wheelchair, even oxygen, so,why can't older "smokers" be respectful to the non-smokers.

 

Just because some nameless, faceless rep at HAL gave that explanation for HAL's smoking policy, does not make it true.

 

It is fact that literally millions of 'older' people who previously smoked quit long ago. Don't blame the older cruisers for HAL's bad policy. It is an easy 'cop out', IMO.

 

Edited March 3, 2016 by sail7seas

[IRL_Joanie]

Just received some documents from HAL with Booking Information and what caught my eye was *7 listed under IMPORTANT NOTICES (Caps are HAL's)

 

I enlarged the copy, but when I preview it it does not show up the size, I think it is a CC thing. I tried to figure out how to upload it to the CC Gallery and link from there, but cannot remember how to upload... So this is what I get to upload.

 

 

So, according to this, smoking is still allowed in the Casino on all 4 Vista ships as well as the 2 Signature class ships.

 

I'm taking this with me next month when we cruise again.

 

Joanie

[Tyler919]

I'm not reading that quite the same way you are. I think the ship references are for the observation deck, not the casino.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

I'm not reading that quite the same way you are. I think the ship references are for the observation deck, not the casino.

 

The policy shown in Joanie's cruise docs state "Designated smoking areas for ALL ships are stateroom verandahs, the Casino (for active players only), the Seaview Bar, and the Sports Deck." when we now know that there is no smoking in the Eurodam casino. Just like it doesn't state that smoking is permitted in the Oak Room on the Noordam.

 

Her statement that "smoking is still allowed in the Casino on all Vista ships as well as the 2 Signature class ships" is, therefore, correct.

 

I think she is trying to make a point that HAL's smoking policy needs to reflect reality on the ships. Eurodam has a non-smoking Casino so change the on-line policy on HAL's site.

 

Isn't that what both sides want, accurate information on the smoking areas?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

I think she is trying to make a point that HAL's smoking policy needs to reflect reality on the ships. Eurodam has a non-smoking Casino so change the on-line policy on HAL's site.

 

Isn't that what both sides want, accurate information on the smoking areas?

 

Consistency seems to be a problem for EVERY line I'm familiar with (not just limited to smoking policy). One place tells you something, yet another contradicts that - or in practice it's different.

 

It can be quite frustrating.

 

Tom

[ithaca gal]

Just received some documents from HAL with Booking Information and what caught my eye was *7 listed under IMPORTANT NOTICES (Caps are HAL's)

 

I enlarged the copy, but when I preview it it does not show up the size, I think it is a CC thing. I tried to figure out how to upload it to the CC Gallery and link from there, but cannot remember how to upload... So this is what I get to upload.

 

[ATTACH]378724[/ATTACH]

 

So, according to this, smoking is still allowed in the Casino on all 4 Vista ships as well as the 2 Signature class ships.

 

I'm taking this with me next month when we cruise again.

 

Joanie

 

According to that, smoking is allowed in the Eurodam casino. In reality, it is not. Yes, they have erred in not updating that information BUT you now know from those who have sailed since the drydock that there is NO SMOKING in the casino. They have put in new carpeting, furniture, wall coverings, etc. in the Gallery Lounge adjacent to the casino, as well as new carpeting throughout the area. They wisely have decided not to have it infused with cigarette smoke.

 

KNOWING that there Eurodam casino is off limits for smoking, why bring on angst by bringing on the non-update information from the web?