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

[Crew News]

Moved from a closed thread:

 

"We have a group going on the Westendam. One lady smokes and wants to know where she can smoke. She has a balcony"

 

Yes. Smoking is permitted on her balcony.

[albingirl]

Moved from a closed thread:

 

"We have a group going on the Westendam. One lady smokes and wants to know where she can smoke. She has a balcony"

 

Yes. Smoking is permitted on her balcony.

 

But not on the Promenade deck and I hope I never have a balcony next to a chain smoker. Her balcony is our balcony. We all share the air on the ship.

[cruz chic]

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.

 

 

 

 

Yes sail but the only posts that count on here are ones that say smoke isn't an issue. It isn't for smokers and a handful of non smokers. I've also seen posters on here that say they are non smokers and admit later on that they are smokers. If it wasn't a problem this thread would have been dead long ago.

Edited April 12, 2015 by cruz chic

[GeriatricNurse]

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.

 

 

 

What cruise line Judy? :confused:

[taxmantoo]

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.

 

I might not be definite but it is a rather expensive gamble ... $6000 or more if you book a suite :eek:

[sammiedawg]

I might not be definite but it is a rather expensive gamble ... $6000 or more if you book a suite :eek:

 

I have refused up sell offers to suites on my last couple of HAL cruises. It is not a premium line, I cannot believe any cabin is worthy of a $6000 price tag. HAL is a decent value cruise line with major smoking problems. Ocean view cabins are safer bets.

Edited April 12, 2015 by sammiedawg

[Drico]

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.

 

 

 

 

I did not say you posted that statement, but you have posted your bad experience so many times on this thread one begins to think you've had smoking neighbors on every cruise. You had a bad experience. Okay, we get it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've also seen posters on here that say they are non smokers and admit later on that they are smokers. If it wasn't a problem this thread would have been dead long ago.

 

 

This thread basically stays active only because of the small group of "regulars' keep posting on it.

 

 

 

HAL is a decent value cruise line with major smoking problems. Ocean view cabins are safer bets.

 

 

"Major smoking problems"? Yet another exaggeration and an example of how a few here want to make HAL sound like the Ashtray of the Seas when that is so far from the truth.

[boards]

We have had four balcony cabins one on Maasdam, the Volendam, the Noordam and the Oosterdam and never had a problem with our neighbours smoking on their balcony. I am not saying it doesn't happen, it so far has not happened to us. We are non smokers.

[Drico]

We have had four balcony cabins one on Maasdam, the Volendam, the Noordam and the Oosterdam and never had a problem with our neighbours smoking on their balcony. I am not saying it doesn't happen, it so far has not happened to us. We are non smokers.

 

Just like the experience from the majority of HAL cruisers. Its the minority who've had an issue that make it sound like HAL is a free for all for smokers.

[sail7seas]

I have refused up sell offers to suites on my last couple of HAL cruises. It is not a premium line, I cannot believe any cabin is worthy of a $6000 price tag. HAL is a decent value cruise line with major smoking problems. Ocean view cabins are safer bets.

 

There are many who agree with you.

There are also many who do not want to cruise, particularly Caribbean, without a verandah and I am one of them. More than ever, I want a verandah for all cruises including Canada/NE and Alaska. :)

 

Each of also decides how much money anything is worth to us. Many agree with you to not pay $6,000 and others go ahead and pay that sum to have what they want. :)

 

[kennicott]

We have had four balcony cabins one on Maasdam, the Volendam, the Noordam and the Oosterdam and never had a problem with our neighbours smoking on their balcony. I am not saying it doesn't happen, it so far has not happened to us. We are non smokers.

 

I keep reading on this thread about HAL smoking experiences years ago. That's fine, but I'm really interested in what the future has in store for us HAL faithful pertinent to balcony smoking, circumstances have really changed you know. We have just shy of 300 days on HAL, most on balconies, and I only recall one or two smokers on an adjacent balcony. But that means nothing, many lines allowed balcony smoking then, today HAL is the only one.

 

Since this is such a recent development, only posts from those with recent balcony sailing experience are meaningful when weighing the impact of these policy changes. Once again, the big concern as you might detect from many posts on this thread, is what happens if smokers begin to saturate most of HAL's balconies?

 

It will take a period of time for repercussions to manifest. Smokers may not flock to HAL as feared, instead remain with their favorite cruise line even though they prohibit balcony smoking. On the other hand, as many have postulated here, HAL ships might become the "Ashtrays of the Seas".

 

No one knows for certain. Therefore, we watch and wait, and pay attention to posts on this thread as pertinent trends develop.

Edited April 12, 2015 by kennicott

[freestyling]

I am happy to report that on our current S. America / Inca Cruise we have had NO / ZERO smokers as of yet when we have been on our Veranda. So pleased with the ship / itinerary and the fellow cruises. Having a blast :). I'll write a full review upon return.

[cruz chic]

I am happy to report that on our current S. America / Inca Cruise we have had NO / ZERO smokers as of yet when we have been on our Veranda. So pleased with the ship / itinerary and the fellow cruises. Having a blast :). I'll write a full review upon return.

 

Excellent news! That's a great cruise. Enjoy the rest of your time.

[Blue Mudshark]

I think that pro-smokers trying to demean and minimize the experience of anti-smokers is inappropriate. I think that anti-smokers trying to demean and minimize the experience of pro-smokers is inappropriate.

 

People on both sides are engaging in what's sometimes called "forced teaming" by using the plural adjective "we", in an attempt to portray their own personal opinions as the general or default opinion.

 

It's a contentious subject, but some rhetorical tricks can be inflammatory. Please be moderate.

[DeeniEncinitas]

GoodMorning all!

We so enjoy HAL!!

Returned on our B2B Eastern/Western Carribean Cruise on March 29th!

I believe along time ago I to posted on this thread about smoking. We are non smokers and yes, I grew up with my mom who was a smoker and died at 59 of lung cancer. So I have grown up with 2nd hand smoke. I never have smoked.

In the past on all our cruises we have been blessed with I believe great experiences. Here are the facts of our last cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

1) at bunkering in ports on both sides of our suites neither one of our cruise mates cared and enjoyed smoking and were saying " so what, I paid for my smoking verandah! I will do as I please"!

At the time were enjoying our breakfast outside and the only reason they commented loudly was my husband who was kind just asked did they understand what bunkering ment, and when he explained they just said we do not care! Now we were recording with our camera on while in port prior to announcement when our breakfast came! We enjoy taking videos while we are in port from our Verandahs.

Now most of the time they were nice enough when we would come out like dinner time if we had room service they were polite and would finish early and we did enjoy our verandah for dinner w/0 smoke!

2) our other suite mates also smoked at bunkering, but on our 2nd 1/2 of cruise

While in FLL, the stewards who were opening up our Verandahs to wash and clean the railings and glass did there jobs, and closed the dividers. We came back from breakfast and were waiting for customs, and went on the verandah and what was our cruise mate doing? Smoking, throwing cig over board, and I guess when he went in he had an ashtray that spilled and ashes, cigs all over the verandah floor and in our verandah! It was wndy that day! Well we took photos!

That is it!!!

We wrote a letter to upper upper management, who had our photos, and we got a big responds that said measures are being taken, and thanked us!

Now do not ask me what measures, we have no Idea!

But at least we feel better that at least we said something?

Will we still cruise, absolutely! I do hope policies change but, remember smokers can also be courteous.not all are like these people!

Remember respect goes both ways.

Sorry for the long email! Please do not respond with bashing! That is not my point! I finally was able to relate an experience?

Denise

Sailing EURODAM 12 day Mediteranian Romance Oct9-21st. Begining in Paris August-ending in Barcelona after cruise.

[Mtn2Sea]

Denise, thanks for your post. Sending photos to HAL and explaining that people still smoke on their balconies during bunkering is probably better at getting HAL's attention than a thousand comments on the surveys.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Denise, thanks for your post. Sending photos to HAL and explaining that people still smoke on their balconies during bunkering is probably better at getting HAL's attention than a thousand comments on the surveys.

 

Thankyou Robert!

I was expecting negativity.

My husband felt the same way as you.

Denise

[midwest 852]

GoodMorning all!

We so enjoy HAL!!

Returned on our B2B Eastern/Western Carribean Cruise on March 29th!

I believe along time ago I to posted on this thread about smoking. We are non smokers and yes, I grew up with my mom who was a smoker and died at 59 of lung cancer. So I have grown up with 2nd hand smoke. I never have smoked.

In the past on all our cruises we have been blessed with I believe great experiences. Here are the facts of our last cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

1) at bunkering in ports on both sides of our suites neither one of our cruise mates cared and enjoyed smoking and were saying " so what, I paid for my smoking verandah! I will do as I please"!

At the time were enjoying our breakfast outside and the only reason they commented loudly was my husband who was kind just asked did they understand what bunkering ment, and when he explained they just said we do not care! Now we were recording with our camera on while in port prior to announcement when our breakfast came! We enjoy taking videos while we are in port from our Verandahs.

Now most of the time they were nice enough when we would come out like dinner time if we had room service they were polite and would finish early and we did enjoy our verandah for dinner w/0 smoke!

2) our other suite mates also smoked at bunkering, but on our 2nd 1/2 of cruise

While in FLL, the stewards who were opening up our Verandahs to wash and clean the railings and glass did there jobs, and closed the dividers. We came back from breakfast and were waiting for customs, and went on the verandah and what was our cruise mate doing? Smoking, throwing cig over board, and I guess when he went in he had an ashtray that spilled and ashes, cigs all over the verandah floor and in our verandah! It was wndy that day! Well we took photos!

That is it!!!

We wrote a letter to upper upper management, who had our photos, and we got a big responds that said measures are being taken, and thanked us!

Now do not ask me what measures, we have no Idea!

But at least we feel better that at least we said something?

Will we still cruise, absolutely! I do hope policies change but, remember smokers can also be courteous.not all are like these people!

Remember respect goes both ways.

Sorry for the long email! Please do not respond with bashing! That is not my point! I finally was able to relate an experience?

Denise

Sailing EURODAM 12 day Mediteranian Romance Oct9-21st. Begining in Paris August-ending in Barcelona after cruise.

 

 

I do hope they respond to your photos of the spilled ash tray! That steward was not doing his job as the ashtrays should be dumped twice a day when cleaning the room. Also the ashtrays used are spill proof so I would suspect that someone tampered with it to make such a mess. Now while I have never been bothered by smokers on any of my cruise's I would not like such a mess. Just a side note I did once have drinkers in the next cabin who spliiled beer that ran under the divider now that was a STINKING, Sticky mess

[wwcruisers]

This is just the opinion of an "outsider" (who is probably going to get flamed, and that's OK). I really think that, if HAL would ban balcony smoking, many Celebrity cruisers (including me) would consider "jumping ship". I keep hearing great things about the food and service on HAL (two things currently suffering from cut-backs, on X). And, I absolutely love the design of HAL's ships! They look like real ocean-going vessels -- as opposed to floating hotels with rooftop amusement parks. :cool:

 

But, for us, balconies are a must. Getting "smoked off" a couple of high-priced balconies on RC is what eventually drove us to Celebrity. Just speaking for myself, I don't mind if there are some indoor smoking areas -- as long as I can avoid them. On some RC ships, you used to have to pass through a smokey lounge or the smokier Casino, to get from one end of the ship to another. I just remember that it was a long walk, when you were holding your breath! :eek:

 

So, I'm just hoping that HAL can strike a balance between the needs of their smoking customers, and those of us who don't tolerate second-hand smoke, very well. I know that there was a lot of resistance when RC finally banned balcony smoking -- but, I think that the policy is fairly well accepted at this point. And, no offense intended to the smokers out there. Most of the smokers that I've known personally have been very considerate people. :)

[sail7seas]

I live in a state with strict smoking bans and am almost never exposed to smoke at home. When I get to the ships and have a neighbor verandah smoker, it is putrid to my nose. I cannot think of a single person I know who continues to smoke. Most who once smoke gave it up long ago, or sadly have passed away.

 

[Lizzie68]

I'm on the westerdam at the moment and can report that as long as we stay away from the casino and the Seaview bar we are not bothered at all by smoke. We have lucked out with no smokers on either side of our balcony.

[albingirl]

Good to know. We had smokers below. Ugh. Oh, make sure you see Kitty and Jason in the BB King Club, oh my, so perfect!

[OVgirl]

I'm on the westerdam at the moment and can report that as long as we stay away from the casino and the Seaview bar we are not bothered at all by smoke. We have lucked out with no smokers on either side of our balcony.

 

Good to hear that you can safely enjoy your verandah. Now about hot showers.......

[Lizzie68]

Good to hear that you can safely enjoy your verandah. Now about hot showers.......

 

Finally got one of those too... we shall see what tomorrow brings.;)

[cruz chic]

Finally got one of those too... we shall see what tomorrow brings.;)

 

Fingers crossed it will stay, and the smoke won't appear.