Help for HAL balcony concerns for non-smokers

[bookandcoffee]

Hello, I am trying to plan an Alaska cruise for next summer, and have spent hours reading this forum and the posted articles but still find myself overwhelmed. Although I plan all of our trips using TA, my husband and I have never cruised, so this has added a learning curve to the planning.

I am leaning toward a round trip from Vancouver with an itinerary to include Glacier Bay. The best options appear to be on HAL, but I have a big concern about their smoking policy. After reading many posts concerning the value of a balcony, I think this would suit our style....we are early risers who enjoy sitting and drinking coffee before beginning the day and also retire early and would love the option of relaxing on the balcony at the end of the day, as well as scenery watching without struggling for a position or chair on deck. The one thing that keeps me from booking a HAL cruise is that smoking is allowed on their balconies and I would hate to pay the extra for a balcony only to have it ruined by heavy smoke.

So, for you non-smokers, has this been a problem for you? Is there any room position that would minimize a neighbors smoking? HAL travelers who don't smoke, would you take HAL again or would you recommend choosing another cruise line, even if the itinerary isn't as good? Or, go with HAL but not book a balcony?

This is just the first of many questions I will be seeking your help with as I plan---I appreciate the wealth of experience and information offered here!

[Daisyloo]

We have sailed in balcony cabins on HAL 3 times and never had any issue with smoke. I'm an ex-smoker and I hate smelling cigarette smoke now.

[oma&opa]

We have sailed in balcony cabins on HAL 3 times and never had any issue with smoke. I'm an ex-smoker and I hate smelling cigarette smoke now.

 

We have sailed with Holland at least six times, had balconies every time, absolutely no problem with smoke. I too am former smoker. We have smelled smoke on our balcony and certainly in the smoking area of Lido deck, but has never been an issue for us. And we have no plan to stop sailing with Holland because of this policy, or wine policy, or formal night policy. They are just the best for us.

[azevedan]

Sorry, but the 'absolutely no problem with smoke' on lines that allow smoking on balconies means you got lucky and didn't have a smoker next to you (or upwind of you, or below you). I will not sail a line that allows smoking on the balcony. I have had cruises (never cruised HAL, I hasten to mention) where chain smokers went out on their balconies to smoke and it basically stopped us from sitting out there or even keeping our balcony door open. Even in the middle of the night, when we wanted to go out and look at the stars was a problem one cruise. Turns a balcony cabin into an oceanview. After a couple of times like that (smoking policies were much more lenient on most lines in the past), never again.

The temperature on an Alaskan cruise may keep some people off the balcony, but it only takes one. Nothing worse than trying to breathe in fresh sea air and getting hit with repeated lungfuls of smoke.

Up to you to decide if the risk of ending up next to a smoker is worth the benefits that are leading you to sail on a line with balcony smoking.

[fleckle]

.......So, for you non-smokers, has this been a problem for you? Is there any room position that would minimize a neighbors smoking? HAL travelers who don't smoke, would you take HAL again or would you recommend choosing another cruise line, even if the itinerary isn't as good? Or, go with HAL but not book a balcony?!

It has been hit or miss for us on HAL, just luck of the draw as to whether or not our neighbors were smokers.

Another smoke problem on HAL was by the casino where the heavy smoke drifted out into the surrounding areas.

 

We really like having a balcony and are willing to pay for one when the extra cost for the balcony is not exorbitant.

Even with balcony smokers beside us or below us, they were not out there smoking 24/7, so we had at least partial use of our balcony.

 

 

As to whether or not we would take HAL again, it depends on how much we want that particular itinerary, as well as whether or not we are traveling with companions who are smokers.

 

As non-smokers, when traveling with family members or friends who are smokers and prefer HAL, we would be more likely to book a HAL cruise than when traveling by ourselves.

 

Although HAL does offer some unique itineraries not available elsewhere.

There are always tradeoffs to consider in picking any cruise.

 

 

Edited September 6, 2014 by fleckle

[chirpy12345]

Our cruise on HAL recently ended, and we did have someone smoking around us. The smoker wasn't always there, but there were plenty of times I was on the balcony and had to endure it for more than I cared to. It didn't ruin my cruise by any means. I think it's really a gamble, but if the smoke will hinder your vacation to the point of not enjoying it, you are better off not taking that gamble.

[kittercat85]

We had a balcony on our cruise last month on the Amsterdam and had a smoke in one of the cabins next to us. I personally cannot stand being around smoking and we luckily had no problems. We used our balcony quite a bit, as did the people next to us. It is always a gamble, but based on our experiences, I would definitely book a balcony again.

[JDinWA]

Just choose a different cruiseline or get a cabin without a balcony.

[bookandcoffee]

Thank you to all who responded---actual experiences are so helpful in considering our choices. I think I will continue to look at itineraries and compare options on cruise lines that do not allow smoking on balconies---I don't think I am willing to pay the money for a balcony and take the chance that a smoker next door would ruin it for me.

I am finding it challenging to balance all the elements in planning an Alaska cruise---month, departure part, balcony or not, cruise line/ship, and itinerary. I know there is no perfect cruise and that many elements are just a matter of chance, such as the weather, but I want to try for the best experience possible for our "bucket list" trip to Alaska!

[sammiedawg]

Balcony smoking ruined a couple trips for us. If you go Holland America do not book a balcony, I personally think adverse selection is going on, they are attracting more smokers booking their ships due to their liberal smoking policies.

[ellbelle]

Thank you to all who responded---actual experiences are so helpful in considering our choices. I think I will continue to look at itineraries and compare options on cruise lines that do not allow smoking on balconies---I don't think I am willing to pay the money for a balcony and take the chance that a smoker next door would ruin it for me.

I am finding it challenging to balance all the elements in planning an Alaska cruise---month, departure part, balcony or not, cruise line/ship, and itinerary. I know there is no perfect cruise and that many elements are just a matter of chance, such as the weather, but I want to try for the best experience possible for our "bucket list" trip to Alaska!

 

It's also been hit and miss for us as well. If you are looking at the Volendam round trip Vancouver and do not want to take a chance on a balcony you may consider an outside cabin on the main deck aft. There is an aft door that leads to a small "private" deck and one flight of stairs up is the lower promenade walking deck. We had one of these cabins last summer (on the sister ship Zaandam) and it was great, we also had the bed made to twins so that the window was not blocked by the bed. I would consider this type of cabin again when we go back to Alaska...

 

Many say that Holland America does Alaska best with their fantastic itineraries many of which include Glacier Bay but they still allow smoking on the balcony, perhaps more gravitating to HAL as smoking is still allowed on the balcony but not positive. On the other hand on a non balcony smoking line you still could have that not perfect neighbor that talks non-stop (or loud) in and out slamming the door, has sinus problems, etc. Still a crap shoot!

 

Good luck in your planning!