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

Lyndihop

By Lyndihop,
in Holland America Line

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cwd79

cwd79

Posted
Posted

In the 10+ years of sailing with HAL across many of the ships and having a wonderful experience in the smoking section with other guests, we sadly have not had the same experience on our current cruise. We are currently on the Zaandam. I knew the smoking section outside would be small but wow it's super small. There are not enough chairs/tables to accommodate all the smokers on this cruise. There are many people who stay at a table for hours. I mean literal hours, reading, watching shows on their phones etc. That's all fine and dandy but when there are chairs available at your table with no one sitting in them, some people have been very rude. My hubby and I asked if we could sit at a table that had two free chairs and the two people at the table said No. There were no other chairs available to sit in, so we ended up going back to the cabin and waiting an hour and went back down and at that time there were a few more chairs open... Another time we asked a table that had two free chairs, (they were not smoking) if we could sit and they rolled their eyes and said rudely, "fine whatever". I am sorry we bothered you from reading your book but where else can smokers go to sit and smoke? This has been a lesson in patience and showing kindness even with the attitude we have received in the smokers section on this cruise. Don't get me wrong, we have met several very nice people. But the majority of interactions have not been pleasant. Did I miss something? Do people sit in the smoking section and not smoke? Because there are a handful of people that we have seen do that. They read their book and then give you the most annoyed look when you ask if you can sit at the table to use the ash tray. Every other cruise ship on HAL that we've been on have never had any issues... Only wonderful experiences. Maybe this is a one off... 😞

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Navybikermom

Navybikermom

Posted
Posted

Seems like the direction the world is going in general. It’s “all about me” with not much consideration for their fellow humans. I avoid the smoking section since I don’t smoke, but on one cruise I occasionally hung out with my adult son there (he smokes). Some people seemed quite cranky but most were very nice. My son made a few new friends there. 
 

The folks reading a book and not smoking for a long time should move and make room for others, since the area is so small.

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cwd79

cwd79

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, Navybikermom said:

Seems like the direction the world is going in general. It’s “all about me” with not much consideration for their fellow humans. I avoid the smoking section since I don’t smoke, but on one cruise I occasionally hung out with my adult son there (he smokes). Some people seemed quite cranky but most were very nice. My son made a few new friends there. 
 

The folks reading a book and not smoking for a long time should move and make room for others, since the area is so small.

I also don't smoke but every now and then I will go out with my husband. But every time I have tried to sit with him we've run into an issue. We only stay in the section for less than 10 minutes. He has experienced push back as well, when he has tried to smoke and it's just him. Several half empty tables have told him no he can't sit with them and smoke and they aren't smoking. 

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Nickelpenny Holiday Sharing Rare

Nickelpenny

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, cwd79 said:

I also don't smoke but every now and then I will go out with my husband. But every time I have tried to sit with him we've run into an issue. We only stay in the section for less than 10 minutes. He has experienced push back as well, when he has tried to smoke and it's just him. Several half empty tables have told him no he can't sit with them and smoke and they aren't smoking. 

Geez!!  I will admit I smoke and "live" in the smoking section.  I have met the best people there and have always had a great time.  If I was at a table by myself - which happens ALL the time as I cruise solo - I would NEVER tell someone they couldn't sit at the table with me.  I am so sorry this happened to you and your husband.  People as just so dang ...............  enough said; I think you get my drift.

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Dutchman48

Dutchman48

Posted
Posted

As a non smoker I tend to avoid those sections of the ship where it is allowed, but that is just a personal preference, not a judgement call on those who smoke.

 

Smoking on balconies is a different issue. I believe smoking on balconies has been banned on all cruise ships since 2006.  The fire aboard the Star Princes was determined to have been caused by a cigarette tossed overboard from a balcony. For safety reasons if I see someone smoking on a balcony I ask them not too. When I cannot determine where the smoke is coming from I inform my cabin steward of the issue.

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0106 "Live from...." Rare

0106

Posted
Posted (edited)

Rotterdam Smoking Policy

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

 

 

@horseymikeThe Frequently Asked Questions section of the HAL site will provide answers to most of the questions you have been asking. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.html

Edited by 0106
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Banditswife Great Review Rare

Banditswife

Posted
Posted

We were on NStatendam 11/26-12/10 2022.  Rotterdam should be a similar set up.  Seaview bar, deck 9 aft had a nice, but smallish smoking area.  Everyone there was quite friendly & open to others sitting at their table.  Yes, several smokers did hang out there while not actually smoking, but always willing to make room for others.

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0106 "Live from...." Rare

0106

Posted
Posted

According to the website here are the Designated Smoking Areas 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.shipboard-life.is-smoking-allowed-on-board.html

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

  • Sea View Bar area
  • Oak Room (Noordam only, including cigar and pipe smoking)

 

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

 

Volendam, Zaandam

  • Sea View Bar area
  • Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players only and only when outside of 12NM from the Netherlands
  • Sports Deck, outside Crow's Nest
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edgee

edgee

Posted
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47 minutes ago, 0106 said:

According to the website here are the Designated Smoking Areas 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.shipboard-life.is-smoking-allowed-on-board.html

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

  • Sea View Bar area
  • Oak Room (Noordam only, including cigar and pipe smoking)

 

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

 

Volendam, Zaandam

  • Sea View Bar area
  • Casino-smoking is allowed in designated areas for active players only and only when outside of 12NM from the Netherlands
  • Sports Deck, outside Crow's Nest

HAL does not always update their website with the latest info when they change their policies. HAL executives put out word that following Covid they would permanently ban smoking in all casinos. Did not happen.  The current policy of allowing smoking on some ship casinos, but not othersn makes little sense IMHO.

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0106 "Live from...." Rare

0106

Posted
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19 minutes ago, edgee said:

HAL does not always update their website with the latest info when they change their policies.

I know people who recently sailed on the Koningsdam and the Nieuw Statendam; smoking was allowed in certain areas of the casino.

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robotpony

robotpony

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, SUESEABE said:

We were on the Rotterdam 10/2/22-10/30/22 and smoking was allowed in a small area of slots in front of Casino Bar.

 

For our summer Alaska tour on the Koningsdam, there was no smoking in the casino. On our Fall Caribbean cruise there was. Either this is changing over time, or it's up to the hotel director's discretion, or embarkation port laws?

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KroozNut

KroozNut

Posted
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5 hours ago, robotpony said:

 

For our summer Alaska tour on the Koningsdam, there was no smoking in the casino. On our Fall Caribbean cruise there was. Either this is changing over time, or it's up to the hotel director's discretion, or embarkation port laws?

Okay..?

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edgee

edgee

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, robotpony said:

 

For our summer Alaska tour on the Koningsdam, there was no smoking in the casino. On our Fall Caribbean cruise there was. Either this is changing over time, or it's up to the hotel director's discretion, or embarkation port laws?

HAL seems to be consistently inconsistent on this issue.

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  • 2 weeks later...
lyndarra Holiday Sharing Rare

lyndarra

Posted
Posted
On 1/5/2023 at 11:01 AM, suz1607 said:

Just off the Volendam and smoking was not allowed in the casino. I was told by a casino host that smoking was not allowed in the casino of any Holland America ship now. Is this true?

 

I've just come off Westerdam and there was no smoking in the casino and there was no detectable (to me) smoke odour anywhere. Very few smokers in designated outdoor area by pool.

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Ipeeinthepools

Ipeeinthepools

Posted
Posted
38 minutes ago, lyndarra said:

I've just come off Westerdam and there was no smoking in the casino and there was no detectable (to me) smoke odour anywhere. Very few smokers in designated outdoor area by pool.

 

I think the real test is if there is smoking in the Casino on Pinnacle Class ships.  Anyone have any experience?

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