Single Smoking Thread (Use for all smoking discussions on HAL) )

[edgee]

Supposedly due to different configurations/locations of casinos so that smoke would drift in a worse way into non casino areas on some ships more than others.

[BarbandDaleT]

On 2/20/2023 at 6:05 PM, KroozNut said:

 

What's the 'inconvenience' in walking around the casino to get from point A to point B? If you're not playing (casino), no harm, no foul, right?

Apparently you are fully able and have no difficulty walking.

[KroozNut]

11 hours ago, BarbandDaleT said:

Apparently you are fully able and have no difficulty walking.

Utilize whatever method of mobility you have and navigate around the casino if you want to avoid the smoke in that venue.

[Ipeeinthepools]

2 hours ago, KroozNut said:

Utilize whatever method of mobility you have and navigate around the casino if you want to avoid the smoke in that venue.

 

Really?  You've indicated that you have sailed on the Pinnacle class ships and I'm sure that you understand that there isn't an alternate route to get around the casino without going outside or walking to another deck.

 

From the Rotterdam deck plans.

 

[RuthC]

2 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Really?  You've indicated that you have sailed on the Pinnacle class ships and I'm sure that you understand that there isn't an alternate route to get around the casino without going outside or walking to another deck.

Exactly. It's not hard. 
Drop down to another deck. Use the elevators at mid-ship, head forward, then come back up a deck. While using the elevators, you even get a chance to rest. 
That's on the Pinnacle class. On other classes it's just as easy to change decks. On some of them you can even stay on the deck you are on; the casino is already on a different deck! 

[Ipeeinthepools]

19 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Exactly. It's not hard. 
Drop down to another deck. Use the elevators at mid-ship, head forward, then come back up a deck. While using the elevators, you even get a chance to rest. 
That's on the Pinnacle class. On other classes it's just as easy to change decks. On some of them you can even stay on the deck you are on; the casino is already on a different deck! 

 

I'm sorry but you can't be serious

[KroozNut]

1 hour ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I'm sorry but you can't be serious

 

Actually, I think Ruth is serious, and spot on I might add.

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I'm sorry but you can't be serious

The person I quoted mentioned he was mobility impaired, as if that is a good reason to say going past the casino is a hardship. It isn't. 
As someone who has had mobility problems for years, I am absolutely serious. For years now, every step has been a new adventure in pain. If I can avoid the casino, anyone with mobility problems can. 

[mightycruisequeen]

The real question is why would Holland America want to make their casino a place that a good 90% of its customers want to avoid like the plague (instead of going there to make donations), just to accommodate maybe 10% of its customers?  This is a question that non-smokers should be posing to Holland America, instead of arguing with people who are addicted to smoking, and will evidently use any ridiculous argument in order to keep as much dedicated smoky space onboard as possible.

[Ipeeinthepools]

5 hours ago, mightycruisequeen said:

The real question is why would Holland America want to make their casino a place that a good 90% of its customers want to avoid like the plague (instead of going there to make donations), just to accommodate maybe 10% of its customers?  This is a question that non-smokers should be posing to Holland America, instead of arguing with people who are addicted to smoking, and will evidently use any ridiculous argument in order to keep as much dedicated smoky space onboard as possible.

 

Excellent summary. 

[Linaeve]

16 hours ago, mightycruisequeen said:

The real question is why would Holland America want to make their casino a place that a good 90% of its customers want to avoid like the plague (instead of going there to make donations), just to accommodate maybe 10% of its customers?  This is a question that non-smokers should be posing to Holland America, instead of arguing with people who are addicted to smoking, and will evidently use any ridiculous argument in order to keep as much dedicated smoky space onboard as possible.

 

I believe the key is that smokers are far more likely to sit and stay gambling if they are able to continue smoking. Especially when there is limited locations to smoke. I don't smoke but I would place high bets that they make significantly more off of smokers compared to non-smokers in smoke free casinos. 

It's also quite silly to say "keep as much dedicated smoky space onboard as possible" there is literally very very very few places and small places for them to smoke. I think the policy of not having it on balconies is good. I remember that I smelled a LOT of smoke on my balcony back in 2009. Then far less in 2017. You are talking about 95% of the ship being smoke free. 

It's also easy to see how unsympathetic people are to the world of addiction. Quite sad honestly. Enjoy the parts of the ship you get to enjoy! I'm certain one day soon we will find that all ships ban smoking indoors anywhere with a singular smoking area. This should be sufficient to please everyone. If someone is still unhappy with that then they need to try and find different cruise lines to accomidate their entitled needs. 

I just can't imagine being so entitled that you have to hold a temper tantrum because of one small area of the ship. Also, as someone who has very limited abilities and even less on previous cruises, avoiding the casino is easy when simply utilizing elevators. Just like you would do to go anywhere else on the ship. 

[cwd79]

I don't smoke. But I enjoy the casino. If someone lights up next to me while I am playing at a slot machine, I will finish my game, smile and go to another machine or play on the craps table. I can only be around smoke for so long before it starts to bother my eyes etc. I have choices as a non-smoker, to walk away if I don't want to be around smoking. There are far more places for a non-smoker to lounge on the ship if they want to be in a smoke free environment. Smokers essentially have two small areas to exist. There are options to get around the casino if you don't want to deal with the smell of smoke. Is it perfect? No but there are options... My husband smokes so I have some bias but he is thankful there is a spot for him to do it. The last thing he wants to do is ruin anyone's trip and I would hope the last thing a non-smoker would want to do is shame someone for being a smoker who is following the rules that Holland America has set in place. 

[mightycruisequeen]

14 hours ago, cwd79 said:

 Smokers essentially have two small areas to exist. 

Smokers essentially have two small areas to  smoke.  They won't cease to exist if they can't smoke.

[Linaeve]

1 hour ago, mightycruisequeen said:

Smokers essentially have two small areas to  smoke.  They won't cease to exist if they can't smoke.

 

People keep saying this as though no one realizes that. Of COURSE we all understand that. No one is claiming they cease to exist so stop being pedantic. It doesn't create any additional point except that you don't have a logical one. 

Smoking is not illegal, it is not banned on the ship in full. ADDICTION IS A REAL THING. Until and unless there is a full ban on smoking then get over it. Smokers have only two small places to take part in something they enjoy or are addicted to. And a lot of ships it's really only one place. 

I'm not a smoker and I also don't cesease to exist just by avoiding tiny places to accomidate people who are just trying to enjoy their life. I also hate gambling but I'm not going to demand a casino no longer be on the ship. I don't drink anymore and I'm not going to demand there be fewer bars because I don't want to be around intoxicated people. 

It's almost like you could mind your own business and avoid the very limited areas that there may be smoke. It's like magic! Or you know, just being a grown adult. 

Edited May 10, 2023 by Linaeve

[mightycruisequeen]

58 minutes ago, Linaeve said:

 

People keep saying this as though no one realizes that. Of COURSE we all understand that. No one is claiming they cease to exist so stop being pedantic. It doesn't create any additional point except that you don't have a logical one. 

Smoking is not illegal, it is not banned on the ship in full. ADDICTION IS A REAL THING. Until and unless there is a full ban on smoking then get over it. Smokers have only two small places to take part in something they enjoy or are addicted to. And a lot of ships it's really only one place. 

I'm not a smoker and I also don't cesease to exist just by avoiding tiny places to accomidate people who are just trying to enjoy their life. I also hate gambling but I'm not going to demand a casino no longer be on the ship. I don't drink anymore and I'm not going to demand there be fewer bars because I don't want to be around intoxicated people. 

It's almost like you could mind your own business and avoid the very limited areas that there may be smoke. It's like magic! Or you know, just being a grown adult. 

Hope that little tantrum made you feel better...🤭

[wannagonow123]

I understand I am supposed to utilize this forum to ask where the smoking areas are on the Rotterdam. I really don't want to scan 33 pages to maybe find the info I am looking for. If someone could please answer me, I will let you continue to chastize me. 

[mightycruisequeen]

9 minutes ago, wannagonow123 said:

I understand I am supposed to utilize this forum to ask where the smoking areas are on the Rotterdam. I really don't want to scan 33 pages to maybe find the info I am looking for. If someone could please answer me, I will let you continue to chastize me. 

(Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam

• Sea View Bar area
• Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players only and only when outside of 12NM from the Netherlands

[wannagonow123]

Thanks for your reply and since we are traveling out of Ft. Lauderdale, I think we will be far enpuch away from the Netherlands.

[scooter6139]

As I have never been on a Pinnacle-class ship, how bad does the smoke waft from the smoking section to other areas adjacent to it?   Would appreciate non-smokers' experiences/opinions on this, as smokers have already desensitized their sense of smell (not trying to be rude, but smokers likely have already severely damaged their sense of smell, especially to 2nd hand smoke).

 

This all reminds me of the days of smoking sections in restaurants as if the smoke was somehow confined to one area of an open area building.  

 

I don't mind people smoking, as that is their right.  I just don't want to be anywhere near them, or in a room/building/ship deck that has smokers on it.  Some NCL ships have Casinos with a specific room for smokers to gamble in, but it still manages to spread to other areas due to it's central location.

[robotpony]

22 hours ago, scooter6139 said:

I have never been on a Pinnacle-class ship, how bad does the smoke waft from the smoking section to other areas adjacent to it? 

It’s fairly minimal. You occasionally catch a whiff from the Rolling Stone room (from the Casion), and occasionally on deck adjacent to the sun bar (outside). I’m fairly sensitive to it and it was fine for our last 3 cruises, even walking through the casino. 

[Ipeeinthepools]

5 minutes ago, robotpony said:

It’s fairly minimal. You occasionally catch a whiff from the Rolling Stone room (from the Casion), and occasionally on deck adjacent to the sun bar (outside). I’m fairly sensitive to it and it was fine for our last 3 cruises, even walking through the casino. 

 

Your experience is far different than mine and many others.  It is often noticeable in the Billboard and Rolling Stone room near the center hallway and the swirling winds can make adjacent deck areas outside unusable for me.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Be thankful, at least, as on my first HAL sailing, smoking (cigs/pipes/cigars) was allowed in the MDR !!

 

Tom

[RuthC]

1 minute ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Be thankful, at least, as on my first HAL sailing, smoking (cigs/pipes/cigars) was allowed in the MDR !!

 

Tom

I remember! The table stewards would race to light the ciggy for you before you could get to it, too. Even to the point of covering for each other if your steward had an armload of dishes. 
It was like a contest to see who could get there first. The stewards loved winning that contest. 

[KroozNut]

On 5/11/2023 at 11:37 AM, scooter6139 said:

As I have never been on a Pinnacle-class ship, how bad does the smoke waft from the smoking section to other areas adjacent to it?   Would appreciate non-smokers' experiences/opinions on this, as smokers have already desensitized their sense of smell (not trying to be rude, but smokers likely have already severely damaged their sense of smell, especially to 2nd hand smoke).

 

This all reminds me of the days of smoking sections in restaurants as if the smoke was somehow confined to one area of an open area building.  

 

I don't mind people smoking, as that is their right.  I just don't want to be anywhere near them, or in a room/building/ship deck that has smokers on it.  Some NCL ships have Casinos with a specific room for smokers to gamble in, but it still manages to spread to other areas due to it's central location.

Wow! 🙄

[KroozNut]

7 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Your experience is far different than mine and many others.  It is often noticeable in the Billboard and Rolling Stone room near the center hallway and the swirling winds can make adjacent deck areas outside unusable for me.

Their experience is the same as ours and many others. You can continue to whine about how bad it is, but the reality is that it is not bad at all for the majority of cruisers, and that is a happy place to be.