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

[Arwen]

Hopefully that is not the reason they are not modifying there smoking rules i would not be happy about changing cruise lines ,as there are so many things that draw be to Holland America. A change in the demographics that doubles or triples the amount of smokers will drive me away. We have only had two cruises were our balcony experience was effected smoking out of fifteen . If i thought it would become a given that smoker would be on the next balcony i will take my business elsewhere.

 

Our first cruise was with HAL, and so many more after that. In fact out of 19 cruises, only 5 have been with other cruise lines (Princess and Celebrity).

 

For me, smoking is an issue. I have had balcony smoking neighbors. They have every right to smoke as per HAL's policy, and I have every right to take a different cruise line.

 

There was one time, when our stateroom smelled of horrible stale cigarette smoke. Our room steward brought in an 'Ionizing Air Purifier'..and we had to step out for several hours. It helped, but the odor came back as it would have been in the walls, carpets, and drapes.

 

We haven't taken a HAL cruise in a while. The other factor? When a problem arises (AC control or a broken bedside drawer), it literally takes call after call and sometimes making a personal and demanding appearance at Guest Relations to get the problem solved.

[Host Walt]

I honestly did not mean to imply that all should not reply on this thread. I only mentioned that because there is so much interest regarding the thread about the smoking issue from people who don't normally sail HAL. It's great to read all posts regarding the issue.

 

Diane

Please remember. The thread is about HAL's smoking policy, not about any other aspect of smoking.

 

Thanks.

[LMaxwell]

Your right, they won't. We and two other couples booked cruises in Neptune Suites and the smoking issue had nothing to do with it. Two more other couples may also join us. We hope to have five adjoining cabins on the Rotterdam Deck.

 

HAL was first on our list, except for one who sails mainly on Crystal Cruises, but has been on the Eurodam twice.

Just curious your age? We are all 35 to 45 bracket.

[kjw869]

Are any of the people in your group smokers who will be smoking on their verandah?

 

 

No, none of us smoke, We all are good friends who get together every couple years.

[kjw869]

Just curious your age? We are all 35 to 45 bracket.

 

34 to 68 for the 10 of us . I'll be a 120 in March.;):eek:

[kjw869]

I'd love to know how you know that. Do they only miss smokers if they don't book? Does hal want to lose any bookings especially several people? To me that is a condescending and not necessary.

 

HAL doesn't ask if you smoke when you book a cabin. On our last three cruises, including our recent cruise, the ship was filled. It was the same on the Noordam last year when they were sold out weeks in advance. Our two next cruises have sold out most of the suites.

 

We spent about two hours in the Crow;s Nest with a very well known and long time Hotel Director a while back. By the way, in the two hours, smoking never was mentioned.

 

What was mentioned is all cruise lines are looking for new cruisers. He mentioned that normally on the first cruise, the revenue from the passenger is the highest. The yield diminishes on future cruisers. He said that happens on most cruise lines.

 

No, I'm sure HAL does not have a big X on non-smokers, but as shown, many, many cruises are fully booked, possibly with new cruisers who will generate a higher yield of revenue. I must have talked to at least three dozen folks on the Westerdam who never cruised before. I didn't ask if they smoke as it certainly is none of my business, and of course they do have that right.

 

Smoking was not brought up on the many folks I interacted with on that cruise. The only place it's mentioned is on CC, and not one person heard of the site.

Edited February 2, 2015 by kjw869

[cruz chic]

HAL doesn't ask if you smoke when you book a cabin. On our last three cruises, including our recent cruise, the ship was filled. It was the same on the Noordam last year when they were sold out weeks in advance. Our two next cruises have sold out most of the suites.

 

We spent about two hours in the Crow;s Nest with a very well known and long time Hotel Director a while back. By the way, in the two hours, smoking never was mentioned.

 

What was mentioned is all cruise lines are looking for new cruisers. He mentioned that normally on the first cruise, the revenue from the passenger is the highest. The yield diminishes on future cruisers. He said that happens on most cruise lines.

 

No, I'm sure HAL does not have a big X on non-smokers, but as shown, many, many cruises are fully booked, possibly with new cruisers who will generate a higher yield of revenue. I must have talked to at least three dozen folks on the Westerdam who never cruised before. I didn't ask if they smoke as it certainly is none of my business, and of course they do have that right.

 

Smoking was not brought up on the many folks I interacted with on that cruise. The only place it's mentioned is on CC, and not one person heard of the site.

At this time of year many cruises are sold out because folks are trying to escape the cold. I'm sure if you looked at anything other than short caribbean cruises you would likely find a different story. Also, is selling out of suites the only thing that is important? I would think the cruise lines would want a sold out ship. I'm sure they value all passangers revenue, not just the folks in suites.

 

Just for the heck of it, I just brought up the feb 6 sailing of the Noordam. There is availabity in every catagory. The February 16 th cruise has availability in suites and balconies.

Edited February 2, 2015 by cruz chic

[kjw869]

At this time of year many cruises are sold out because folks are trying to escape the cold. I'm sure if you looked at anything other than short caribbean cruises you would likely find a different story. Also, is selling out of suites the only thing that is important? I would think the cruise lines would want a sold out ship. I'm sure they value all passangers revenue, not just the folks in suites.

 

Just for the heck of it, I just brought up the feb 6 sailing of the Noordam. There is availabity in every catagory. The February 16 th cruise has availability in suites and balconies.

 

Just for the heck of it, look at some Celebrity, you can get about any cabin you want on some of the upcoming cruises. Our friends of ours w booked the Silhouette four days last month got one of the two Royal Penthouses, which neither HAD been booked since the book for that cruise was released.

 

I just know on every cruise we have been in the past year, they are fully booked. Tried to get the other Pinnacle Suite for the May 5th and May 9th sailings on the Noordam for a friend and they are gone, so are the Neptune Suites on the May 5th cruise. ThenInside cabins are sold out on the May 9th and a few cabin types are left for the outside cabins. The ship is about 89 percent filled, with many new first time cruisers according to a relative who works for HAL.

 

Our friend who lives in Boca takes 20-25 cruises a year because of is proximity to the ports. He's never seen a ship empty as the Celebrity Silhouette a few weeks ago.

 

Getting back to your original sentence, I'm sure they value all cruisers from steerage to Penthouse, that's why the May 9th cruise is sold out for the Inside cabins and a few left on the Outside.Its funny that smoking isn't mentioned on the other Cruise Forum. I'm sure they have a business plan to protect many Europe and and Asians who still smoke. We take a cruise every year to Alaska and I cant believe how many of the Asians passengers smoke.

 

There are different lines one can choose if they don't like the policy. Some folks dot like to hear this and get their panties in a wad, buy it certainly is the truth. I don't blame them one bit, but someone will fill there cabin on HAL ships.;)

[sail7seas]

Just for the heck of it, look at some Celebrity, you can get about any cabin you want on some of the upcoming cruises. Our friends of ours w booked the Silhouette four days last month got one of the two Royal Penthouses, which neither HAD been booked since the book for that cruise was released.

 

I just know on every cruise we have been in the past year, they are fully booked. Tried to get the other Pinnacle Suite for the May 5th and May 9th sailings on the Noordam for a friend and they are gone, so are the Neptune Suites on the May 5th cruise. ThenInside cabins are sold out on the May 9th and a few cabin types are left for the outside cabins. The ship is about 89 percent filled, with many new first time cruisers according to a relative who works for HAL.

 

Our friend who lives in Boca takes 20-25 cruises a year because of is proximity to the ports. He's never seen a ship empty as the Celebrity Silhouette a few weeks ago.

 

Getting back to your original sentence, I'm sure they value all cruisers from steerage to Penthouse, that's why the May 9th cruise is sold out for the Inside cabins and a few left on the Outside.Its funny that smoking isn't mentioned on the other Cruise Forum. I'm sure they have a business plan to protect many Europe and and Asians who still smoke. We take a cruise every year to Alaska and I cant believe how many of the Asians passengers smoke.

 

There are different lines one can choose if they don't like the policy. Some folks dot like to hear this and get their panties in a wad, buy it certainly is the truth. I don't blame them one bit, but someone will fill there cabin on HAL ships.;)

 

 

 

:eek: :eek: Why bother to have a home at all if sailing 20-25 CRuises per year? :D Lucky guy. You say 'he' vs they so is he sailing as a solo?

 

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2015 by sail7seas

[kjw869]

:eek: :eek: Why bother to have a home at all if sailing 20-25 CRuises per year? :D Lucky guy. You say 'he' vs they so is he sailing as a solo?

 

 

 

S7S, He has 100s of properties in Florida, Wisconsin and Israel and is only 58 years old. He been sailing since the age of two, and has sailed on over 800 cruises. He has six kids, and they they jump on the Disney ships up at Port Canaveral for the 3-4 days sailing 8-10 times a year. (He has no problem with taking his kids out of the school--because he is the President of the private school.) He takes his six kids, two nannies and his wife on most of the cruises.

 

In the Summer, he takes the Crystal Serenity, Seven Seas and other lines in Europe 3-5 times a year. He often gets off the any, just loves to read on his deck and conduct his business. They take 3-4 Caribbean cruises and absolutely hated the Celebrity Silhouette. He has only been on HAL twice ion the Eurodam in Northern Europe and loved the ship.

 

The family lives in Boca Raton, Florida in the Winter and Bayside, Wisconsin in the Summer. He was the person who interested me in cruising as we used to spend some of the winter in the condo in Ft. Myers Beach each year. Now, with our larger collie, we cant do that because of the weight restriction of our dog.

 

Keeping in line with HAL smoking policy, none of them smoke.:)

Edited February 2, 2015 by kjw869

[cruz chic]

Just for the heck of it, look at some Celebrity, you can get about any cabin you want on some of the upcoming cruises. Our friends of ours w booked the Silhouette four days last month got one of the two Royal Penthouses, which neither HAD been booked since the book for that cruise was released.

 

I just know on every cruise we have been in the past year, they are fully booked. Tried to get the other Pinnacle Suite for the May 5th and May 9th sailings on the Noordam for a friend and they are gone, so are the Neptune Suites on the May 5th cruise. ThenInside cabins are sold out on the May 9th and a few cabin types are left for the outside cabins. The ship is about 89 percent filled, with many new first time cruisers according to a relative who works for HAL.

 

Our friend who lives in Boca takes 20-25 cruises a year because of is proximity to the ports. He's never seen a ship empty as the Celebrity Silhouette a few weeks ago.

 

Getting back to your original sentence, I'm sure they value all cruisers from steerage to Penthouse, that's why the May 9th cruise is sold out for the Inside cabins and a few left on the Outside.Its funny that smoking isn't mentioned on the other Cruise Forum. I'm sure they have a business plan to protect many Europe and and Asians who still smoke. We take a cruise every year to Alaska and I cant believe how many of the Asians passengers smoke.

 

There are different lines one can choose if they don't like the policy. Some folks dot like to hear this and get their panties in a wad, buy it certainly is the truth. I don't blame them one bit, but someone will fill there cabin on HAL ships.;)

 

On the same vein as non smokers booking another cruise line, why don't smokers take any other type of vacation? That option is wide open for them. Hal is my favorite cruise line so I will continue cruising with them. That said, my next cruise will not be in a balcony. I fully believe this will be the last year hal will allow balcony smoking. It will be interesting to see if the smokers will leave like they say they will.

Edited February 2, 2015 by cruz chic

[LMaxwell]

34 to 68 for the 10 of us . I'll be a 120 in March.;):eek:

You look fantastic for your age [emoji51] [emoji106]

[kazu]

On the same vein as non smokers booking another cruise line, why don't smokers take any other type of vacation? That option is wide open for them. Hal is my favorite cruise line so I will continue cruising with them. That said, my next cruise will not be in a balcony. I fully believe this will be the last year hal will allow balcony smoking. It will be interesting to see if the smokers will leave like they say they will.

 

that's interesting.... this in nearly an insinuation that smokers should do something else? could have sworn I've heard you say the opposite when the tables were turned.

 

I don't think any cruise line wants to give up potential clients.

 

I have no idea what HAL will do, but what I do know is we didn't book an aft cabin on a future cruise out of fear of smoke wafting to us.

[kjw869]

On the same vein as non smokers booking another cruise line, why don't smokers take any other type of vacation? That option is wide open for them. Hal is my favorite cruise line so I will continue cruising with them. That said, my next cruise will not be in a balcony. I fully believe this will be the last year hal will allow balcony smoking. It will be interesting to see if the smokers will leave like they say they will.

 

It wouldn't make any difference to us if they stopped smoking on the ship, stop serving ETOH beverages or got rid of the casino. I can only speak for me and my wife. We will still sail with HAL and Crystal.

 

For others, its their choice to sail on a ship that allows smoking, serves alcoholic beverages or has a casino. Its not my place to tell others that they should take other types of vacations because of current policies. It's their choice. Some smokers love cruising, so at this point they can enjoy their vacation. If the smoke bothered me and unbearable after few cruises, I would switch to a line with more prohibited smoking policies, but a land vacation doesn't interest us. That's a NO BRAINER on our part.

[kjw869]

that's interesting.... this in nearly an insinuation that smokers should do something else? could have sworn I've heard you say the opposite when the tables were turned.

 

I don't think any cruise line wants to give up potential clients.

 

I have no idea what HAL will do, but what I do know is we didn't book an aft cabin on a future cruise out of fear of smoke wafting to us.

 

Jacqui, this was brought up at a Greet and Meet a few cruises back by a few smokers who were concerned about further limitations regarding a policy changing. The officer brought up the fact that HAL cruises worldwide, and in many of the countries such as Asia and some European countries, smoking has a higher percentage than in North America. He said they are trying to balance out the policy, but did mention less than 20% of ashtrays are requested than there were five years ago. Some progress it seems.

 

Never saw one smoker on the Westerdam decks in January, and we had a 270 degree with an aft wrap. Of the seven aft wraps we've sailed on, not once did we smell smoke.

 

You are right, smokers shouldn't have to give up smoking if they enjoy cruising. It would be much easier for folks who do not want to be around smoke, to either smoke on a smoke free line, take a land vacation or live in a bubble.;):eek:

 

Haven't heard yet about May 4th from you. Any update?? You can answer on our Roll. Hope you and Jose are staying warm1:)

[cruz chic]

that's interesting.... this in nearly an insinuation that smokers should do something else? could have sworn I've heard you say the opposite when the tables were turned.

 

I don't think any cruise line wants to give up potential clients.

 

I have no idea what HAL will do, but what I do know is we didn't book an aft cabin on a future cruise out of fear of smoke wafting to us.

 

I'm having a very hard time understanding what you are trying to say here. What I think you are trying too say is that I said I would never say that. For a very, very long time I didn't, but I'm beyond tired of being told to go elsewhere. If that is not what you are trying to say I'd appreciate some clarification. Of course, hal doesn't want to lose any potential client. I'm not the one that said someones business would not be missed.

[cruz chic]

Jacqui, this was brought up at a Greet and Meet a few cruises back by a few smokers who were concerned about further limitations regarding a policy changing. The officer brought up the fact that HAL cruises worldwide, and in many of the countries such as Asia and some European countries, smoking has a higher percentage than in North America. He said they are trying to balance out the policy, but did mention less than 20% of ashtrays are requested than there were five years ago. Some progress it seems.

 

Never saw one smoker on the Westerdam decks in January, and we had a 270 degree with an aft wrap. Of the seven aft wraps we've sailed on, not once did we smell smoke.

 

You are right, smokers shouldn't have to give up smoking if they enjoy cruising. It would be much easier for folks who do not want to be around smoke, to either smoke on a smoke free line, take a land vacation or live in a bubble.;):eek:

 

Haven't heard yet about May 4th from you. Any update?? You can answer on our Roll. Hope you and Jose are staying warm1:)

 

Which lines are smoke free? If folks had it their way there would still be smoking everywhere including offices, theatres etc. People need to speak up where their health is concerned or there will never be change. The days of balcony smoking are numbered on hal no matter how much it's disputed. I'm really done with this conversation. The only place it ever goes is to tell non smokers to go elsewhere or to get lost because their business won't be missed. Not exactly productive.

[kjw869]

Which lines are smoke free? If folks had it their way there would still be smoking everywhere including offices, theatres etc. People need to speak up where their health is concerned or there will never be change. The days of balcony smoking are numbered on hal no matter how much it's disputed. I'm really done with this conversation. The only place it ever goes is to tell non smokers to go elsewhere or to get lost because their business won't be missed. Not exactly productive.

 

Who is your source at HAL who told you this? One of my sources is a Carnival Corporation (not cruise line) exec who is a neighbor at our condo in Florida who has never heard this policy being discussed. Please give us a name, or is it a wild guess which seems to go around?

 

There seems to be a lot of Canophobics and Fumiphobics on this board, and I hope they get there wish down the road, so this subject can be retired.:eek:

 

There are no cruise lines that are smoke free, no line would be foolish to eliminate a percentage of their customers. The ony way to take a smoke free cruise, is not take a cruise at all!!

Edited February 3, 2015 by kjw869

[kazu]

Jacqui, this was brought up at a Greet and Meet a few cruises back by a few smokers who were concerned about further limitations regarding a policy changing. The officer brought up the fact that HAL cruises worldwide, and in many of the countries such as Asia and some European countries, smoking has a higher percentage than in North America. He said they are trying to balance out the policy, but did mention less than 20% of ashtrays are requested than there were five years ago. Some progress it seems.

 

Never saw one smoker on the Westerdam decks in January, and we had a 270 degree with an aft wrap. Of the seven aft wraps we've sailed on, not once did we smell smoke.

 

You are right, smokers shouldn't have to give up smoking if they enjoy cruising. It would be much easier for folks who do not want to be around smoke, to either smoke on a smoke free line, take a land vacation or live in a bubble.;):eek:

 

Haven't heard yet about May 4th from you. Any update?? You can answer on our Roll. Hope you and Jose are staying warm1:)

 

I will be happy if we keep power tonight. this blizzard is really something. We are cleaning the 6th time for a path for the dogs. and I have done five of them ;)

 

the piles are so high for just the dogs in the back yard that it is nearly out of control.

 

Sorry, I didn't realize I missed a post on the roll call. I will check

[oaktreerb]

Holland America's "On Deck for a Cause" raised 4.3 million for cancer support. A worthy endeavor. HAL now need to bring their policies and shops in line with their charity promotions. Perhaps a policy announcement could be made with the donation announcement. Just a thought.

[pms4104]

I don't understand ... what type of policy change for the shops are you talking about?

Edited February 5, 2015 by pms4104

[freestyling]

Uh Oh...let's not get into another smoking thread :D. It is a GREAT cause and I'm very happy that I've made the ship walk 5 times now.

[oaktreerb]

Uh Oh...let's not get into another smoking thread :D. It is a GREAT cause and I'm very happy that I've made the ship walk 5 times now.

 

It is a great cause. Just get policy in line with priorities. It's just good business.

[pms4104]

It is a great cause. Just get policy in line with priorities. It's just good business.

I must be very dense and/or stupid, but I still don't understand your thread and posts.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I must be very dense and/or stupid, but I still don't understand your thread and posts.

 

 

I guess that I am dense also as I do not understand OP's post.