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

[Danni3ll3]

I wouldn't worry about that Danni--There are no-smoking restrictions on most of the public deck areas--some of the posters here even try to make out that HAL is the most limited of the cruise lines for smokers. I have never seen any evidence of that in our almost 300 days sailing with HAL though. In my opinion, their smoking areas are about par with Regent and Princess, with two big exceptions:

 

#1--They are about the only line still going that allows balcony smoking. Matter of fact, that is what creates so much attention to this thread.

 

#2-- HAL does not have exclusive smoking lounges similar to "Churchill's" or the "Connoisseur Club" found respectively on Princess and Regent. This circumstance probably adds to increased smoking on the balconies and other designated smoking areas on HAL ships, for instance, in the casino.

 

Thanks for your response. One minute, I think I made a mistake booking with HAL and the next, someone like you gives me a reality check. I appreciate it. We booked with HAL due to the itinerary and had no idea that smoking was allowed on the balconies. We will have to make the best of that if we happen to have smokers as neighbours but thinking I couldn't walk around the promenade with no non-smoking areas really had me concerned.

[Mary Ellen]

Dumb question here but are there any outside spaces where smoking is not allowed? I haven't been on a HAL ship yet so the way I read the policy is that it is allowed on all outside spaces including the promenade. If that is the case, my plan to walk for exercise might have to be modified. I do not enjoy walking through cigarette smoke and cigars even less.

Smoking isn't allowed on all outside decks. While the policy quoted by kennicott (above) does tend to indicate that it is allowed on all outside decks, the formatting used in that quote is different than on the HAL site. If you'll check what HAL actually says, you'll see that under 'Outside Decks', Sports Deck and Observation Deck are indented. This indicates that smoking is allowed only on those two outside decks - the Sports Deck and on the Observation Deck (on those ships noted). This is in addition to the smoking area at the Seaview Bar (also listed).

 

If HAL policy did permit smoking on all outside decks, the website would just say "Outside Decks" and not need to cite any specific decks.

[kennicott]

Smoking isn't allowed on all outside decks. While the policy quoted by kennicott (above) does tend to indicate that it is allowed on all outside decks, the formatting used in that quote is different than on the HAL site. If you'll check what HAL actually says, you'll see that under 'Outside Decks', Sports Deck and Observation Deck are indented. This indicates that smoking is allowed only on those two outside decks - the Sports Deck and on the Observation Deck (on those ships noted). This is in addition to the smoking area at the Seaview Bar (also listed). If HAL policy did permit smoking on all outside decks, the website would just say "Outside Decks" and not need to cite any specific decks.

 

I said: "There are no-smoking restrictions on most of the public deck areas."

 

 

Okay, for the sake of argument, here is what HAL's smoking policy "actually" is. Fresh off their website, using my four star mariner link . Tuesday, April, 07, 2015, 8:51 PM AST. Any more argument? Geez.

 

"For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

*Stateroom verandahs

*Casino (Active players only)

*Seaview Bar

*Outside Decks

---Sports Deck

---Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

 

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation."

[nb125]

Dumb question here but are there any outside spaces where smoking is not allowed? I haven't been on a HAL ship yet so the way I read the policy is that it is allowed on all outside spaces including the promenade. If that is the case, my plan to walk for exercise might have to be modified. I do not enjoy walking through cigarette smoke and cigars even less.

 

Smoking is allowed around the Seaview Bar. There are no other outside smoking areas.

[IRL_Joanie]

Smoking is allowed around the Seaview Bar. There are no other outside smoking areas.

 

Wrong!!!

 

There is a smoking area with ashtrays on the Observation deck just outside the Crows Nest. It is a nice somewhat covered area with big solid looking tables and chairs. The covering is some sort of porous material that lets the rain through, kind of a tarp type but with minute holes....

 

Keep in mind that the only place I have seen No Smoking signs on the Promenade Deck is at the aft of the ship above the Main Dining Room. Not sure of the Front of the ship. I can see the area in my mind but cannot remember if there are No Smoking signs there or not. I will say this though about the Promenade deck and smokers, I have yet to see anyone, other than myself, smoking out there. But then again, I only go out there now for the Lifeboat drills.

 

For the record, I can attest to personally knowing these allowed smoking areas mentioned above in this post on the following ships: ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam.

 

Joanie

[Bookited]

YES----

 

"Holland America Line Smoking Policy does not allow cigar and pipe smoking anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on STATEROOM VERANDAHS."

 

"Even some cruise lines that no longer have cigar bars per se may make some concessions to the culture. Holland America Line, for instance, has cigars for sale at its open-air Seaview Bars, located Lido deck aft. Smokers can puff with views of their ship's wake."

 

http://experience.usatoday.com/cruise/story/best-of-cruising/2013/11/16/best-cigar-bars-on-cruise-ships/3613997/

 

Holland America Line Smoking Policy---Updated April 2015.

For the comfort of all of guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, Holland America Line Smoking Policy does allow guests to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

Stateroom verandahs

Casino (Active players only)

Seaview Bar

Outside Decks

Sports Deck

Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

 

Holland America Line Smoking Policy does not allow cigar and pipe smoking anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

 

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of the Holland America Line Smoking Policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation. Last Updated : Apr 2015

Thanks for the post, but I do not see any changes to the policyexcept updated April 2015.

[RuthC]

The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

Stateroom verandahs

Casino (Active players only)

Seaview Bar

Outside Decks

Sports Deck

Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only).

 

IThe designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

*Stateroom verandahs

*Casino (Active players only)

*Seaview Bar

*Outside Decks

---Sports Deck

---Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only).

There's a major difference in what these two quotes say.

The first indicates smoking is allowed on outside decks, and does not limit which ones.

The second limits the outside decks on which smoking is allowed to the Sports Deck, and the Observation deck. That's a pretty limited amount of deck space.

 

Mary Ellen was right to point out that out.

[LindaM]

Was it always "active" players in the casino? On our last Prinsendam cruise, a couple of guys hung out in the casino smoking so much, the odor actually got into the library, going past the little room in between. (I'm too lazy to look it up...)

[Lizzie68]

Wrong!!!

 

There is a smoking area with ashtrays on the Observation deck just outside the Crows Nest. It is a nice somewhat covered area with big solid looking tables and chairs. The covering is some sort of porous material that lets the rain through, kind of a tarp type but with minute holes....

 

Keep in mind that the only place I have seen No Smoking signs on the Promenade Deck is at the aft of the ship above the Main Dining Room. Not sure of the Front of the ship. I can see the area in my mind but cannot remember if there are No Smoking signs there or not. I will say this though about the Promenade deck and smokers, I have yet to see anyone, other than myself, smoking out there. But then again, I only go out there now for the Lifeboat drills.

 

For the record, I can attest to personally knowing these allowed smoking areas mentioned above in this post on the following ships: ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam.

 

Joanie

 

 

Please tell me you do not actually smoke when you go to the Muster Drill....:confused:

[sail7seas]

Was it always "active" players in the casino? On our last Prinsendam cruise, a couple of guys hung out in the casino smoking so much, the odor actually got into the library, going past the little room in between. (I'm too lazy to look it up...)

 

It has been smoking permitted by active players only for at least two years.

 

[HamOp]

It has been smoking permitted by active players only for at least two years.

 

 

It's only a rule if it's enforced. Much like the formal night dress code, sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't.

[Dismomx5]

Thanks for your response. One minute, I think I made a mistake booking with HAL and the next, someone like you gives me a reality check. I appreciate it. We booked with HAL due to the itinerary and had no idea that smoking was allowed on the balconies. We will have to make the best of that if we happen to have smokers as neighbours but thinking I couldn't walk around the promenade with no non-smoking areas really had me concerned.

I booked HAL in the fall of 2013 for an Alaska cruise (2014). Like you, I booked the itinerary and didn't realize until later that smoking was a distinct (or is that dis-stink?) possibility. I loved my cruise, and only dealt with smoking one day---Glacier Bay. :p I popped in and out, and went up and down the ship to see other things, so it wasn't horrific, and I survived. Been on one DCL cruise, going on another this fall. But here I am on HAL....loved my cruise. And trying to determine when THAT next HAL cruise will be.

[nb125]

Wrong!!!

 

There is a smoking area with ashtrays on the Observation deck just outside the Crows Nest. It is a nice somewhat covered area with big solid looking tables and chairs. The covering is some sort of porous material that lets the rain through, kind of a tarp type but with minute holes....

 

Keep in mind that the only place I have seen No Smoking signs on the Promenade Deck is at the aft of the ship above the Main Dining Room. Not sure of the Front of the ship. I can see the area in my mind but cannot remember if there are No Smoking signs there or not. I will say this though about the Promenade deck and smokers, I have yet to see anyone, other than myself, smoking out there. But then again, I only go out there now for the Lifeboat drills.

 

For the record, I can attest to personally knowing these allowed smoking areas mentioned above in this post on the following ships: ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam.

 

Joanie

 

When was this Joanie? We were on the Noordam last August and were told that deck was no smoking. I questioned the Concierge in the Neptune Lounge about the difference between the policy and the reality and she confirmed that the only smoking areas were balconies, part of the casino and the Seaview Bar. I e-mailed customer service regarding this descrepancy and received a standard response that never answered the question.

[Aquahound]

Please tell me you do not actually smoke when you go to the Muster Drill....:confused:

 

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who caught that.

[OVgirl]

When was this Joanie? We were on the Noordam last August and were told that deck was no smoking. I questioned the Concierge in the Neptune Lounge about the difference between the policy and the reality and she confirmed that the only smoking areas were balconies, part of the casino and the Seaview Bar. I e-mailed customer service regarding this descrepancy and received a standard response that never answered the question.

 

This area is only on the Vista ships without the new Cabin/Cabana update. Noordam doesn't have this anymore and the others will slowly be updated.

Regardless of the one side for smoking, we always found this a nice shaded area to sit outside.

[mountainmare]

Just read Bill and Maryann's world cruise report on the Q&A. Looks like there the answer to a change in the balcony smoking policy is a big "no change". Not even "we're looking at it" Bummer!

[kennicott]

Just read Bill and Maryann's world cruise report on the Q&A. Looks like there the answer to a change in the balcony smoking policy is a big "no change". Not even "we're looking at it" Bummer!

 

Thanks for the tip mountainmare. Looks like the two big boys were there. Not particularly encouraging if one looking for smoke free balconies anytime in the near to distant future on HAL:

 

"But the highlight of the afternoon, was a special presentation and Questions and Answers with Stein Kruse, Orlando Ashford and Gerald Bernhoft in the Queens Lounge at 3pm. Joining them were Henk M, the Hotel Manager and Captain Mercer for the Q & A later on."

 

"5. Will the veranda suites ever go “non-smoking”? As is stands, there is NO smoking in the cabins, but you are allowed to smoke outside on the balcony. This will not change for now. However, they are looking into other measures to insure the smoke from cigarettes and cigars is less offensive to those who do not smoke."

[taxmantoo]

"5. Will the veranda suites ever go “non-smoking”? As is stands, there is NO smoking in the cabins, but you are allowed to smoke outside on the balcony. This will not change for now. However, they are looking into other measures to insure the smoke from cigarettes and cigars is less offensive to those who do not smoke."

 

As with any announcement of a change of policy by any large corporation, they are planned a long time in advance and would not be announced to reply to a spur of the moment question with a very limited audience The change could be intended for the next week but would still be kept secret until a "major" announcement was scheduled. I am sure they will let us know when THEY are ready. No amount of questioning will precipitate that announcement.

[summersigh]

In no way am I discounting the bad experiences some cruisers have had with smoke on balconies ... but ... to relate our experience on the Eurodam in early March - we had no problem with smoke. Once or twice we had a wisp of smoke but that was gone on the breeze and the odor did not linger for more than 5-10 seconds.

 

We had more smoke odor out on the balcony of a RCCL ship where it wasn't allowed than we've ever had on HAL.

 

We don't smoke so this is just relating our experience, not opinion. :)

[kennicott]

As with any announcement of a change of policy by any large corporation, they are planned a long time in advance and would not be announced to reply to a spur of the moment question with a very limited audience The change could be intended for the next week but would still be kept secret until a "major" announcement was scheduled. I am sure they will let us know when THEY are ready. No amount of questioning will precipitate that announcement.

 

Taxmantoo has a point. When large corporations make up there mind regarding a major issue they will announce it at their own place and time.

 

Having spent many years dealing with major issues within corporations I would agree that is true, but with limitations.

 

For instance, if the matter is going to generally have a positive impact on customers and or shareholders, releasing such good news in response to a random question would be rare, very rare. The business wants to get as much bang for their buck out of said release, so a harmonious environment employing a lot of fanfare, and press, gets the most mileage. In order to avoid answering the question prematurely, but still appearing sincere, "carrot dangling" is employed since there is a reason why this can't be possible, just now. Example: "This will not change for now. But as is stands, there is no smoking in the cabins, but you are allowed to smoke outside on the balcony, however, we are looking into other measures." Therefore, everybody goes away not completely satisfied but still filled with a degree of hope.

 

On the other hand, when the question involves an answer which, no matter what it is, is more than likely going to make a goodly percentage of the companies clientele unhappy, then the "red herring" approach is employed. This type response usually misleads or distracts from a relevant or important issue. Often it is a deliberate diversion of attention, intentionally trying to abandon the original question. The motivation behind it may be that the responder has no intention of complying with the essence of the question at hand but it may also have a logical connotation which achieves the purpose, leading the listeners toward false, knowingly not possible, conclusions. Example: "We are looking into other measures to insure the smoke from cigarettes and cigars is less offensive to those who do not smoke."

[mountainmare]

kennicott--that is exactly how I interpreted the answer.

[sammiedawg]

Kennicott, thanks for the great insight and I totally agree.

I still think an announcement is coming banning balcony smoking. They will pair the news with an announcement of a ventilated indoor smoking den, glass cage or whatever they choose to call it.

[sail7seas]

In no way am I discounting the bad experiences some cruisers have had with smoke on balconies ... but ... to relate our experience on the Eurodam in early March - we had no problem with smoke. Once or twice we had a wisp of smoke but that was gone on the breeze and the odor did not linger for more than 5-10 seconds.

 

We had more smoke odor out on the balcony of a RCCL ship where it wasn't allowed than we've ever had on HAL.

 

We don't smoke so this is just relating our experience, not opinion. :)

 

I have no doubt what you relate is your actual experience but for us, the worst experience we had with neighbors and veranda smokers was Eurodam. We enjoyed that ship, five cruises, so much more than we ever expected but on one b-to-b, we lost complete use of the verandah for an entire cruise. Smokers on both sides of us who never seemed to leave their chair and their ashtray. Every time we attempted to use our verandah we had no choice but to retreat indoors.

 

I do not find that acceptable and thus it is ONE (certainly not the only) reason my next cruise is booked on another cruise line.

 

I hope to return to HAL in the near future but verandah smoking is an issue for me. I am now a solo cruiser and know I will have times I will need that private space to serve my personal needs. I want to be sure I can use it.

 

 

Edited April 11, 2015 by sail7seas

[Drico]

 

In no way am I discounting the bad experiences some cruisers have had with smoke on balconies ... but ... to relate our experience on the Eurodam in early March - we had no problem with smoke. Once or twice we had a wisp of smoke but that was gone on the breeze and the odor did not linger for more than 5-10 seconds.

 

 

Your experience on the Eurodam is probably the same as most everyone else who had a balcony. There are a handful of the regulars who post on this thread all the time who like to make it sound like you will definitely have neighbors who smoke and you will not be able to enjoy your balcony at all.

[sail7seas]

Your experience on the Eurodam is probably the same as most everyone else who had a balcony. There are a handful of the regulars who post on this thread all the time who like to make it sound like you will definitely have neighbors who smoke and you will not be able to enjoy your balcony at all.

 

Seeing your post immediately follows mine, I would like to know where I ever said anyone will 'definitely have neighbors who smoke and you will not be able to enjoy your balcony at all."? As pertains to me, who posted immediately before this statement, it is large exaggeration. If you can find such a post, kindly provide us with a link. Thank you. With over 800 days on HAL ships, all in a verandah cabin, I have some basis of reliable information.