My thoughts on Noordam - 25 Oct 2006

[AAAAmerican]

How about coming about and not in a shout , pout and/or tout...

 

Like in Voting nobody gets elected without a vote being cast. Thats even on a ship without a mast...

 

So speak your mind as a paid and/or past cruiser .. A mariner by any other name..*S*

 

What really may resuly will probably be areas even in a casino aboard the ship where you are able to smoke toke and poke.. not a joke.. with very goog filtration of the air and ionizers..etc...

 

The Oak Room was/is a wonderful place and area as was on the Ships before not just folk lore next to and adjacent to the MASTLESS Crowsnest... *S*:eek:

 

How can they sell Tobacco onboard if they dont allow smokers to smoke too..? Thats a lot of revenue dollars.. and to put on a collar...you can understand why some holler...;)

 

 

A few Cruise Lines have tryed Smokeless and they went up in smoke.. as it was a joke..

 

But the Non-Smokers are relentless in there vocalization..

 

SO should the smokers as well, vocalize, as it is wise.

 

I have to remain neutral as I do not smoke but agree it is ok if others make that choice to indulge.

 

It is so similar to what a lot of people want too. Social Medicine...But who is going to Pay for it? And where does the research go then? ..Up In Smoke ^~^~^^~^

 

 

 

i too was dissapointed about the no smoking in the casino I always put my kids in the kids club at the end of a very long day, they have fun and my husband and I go to the casino to unwind, lose a bit of money and smoke. Well I suppose I'll save some money this year. !!!! or maybe by Dec 16th they will have changed it back again.... I too abide by all no smoking rules and like to chill out with a drink and a smoke when I get some mom / dad time.

[crystal808]

Just as a reference, on the Westerdam 10/29-11/5, there was one evening advertised in the Casino as a "smoke-free" evening. The rest of the week the Casino was back to it's norm....

 

Just in case someone is pushing the panic button! :)

 

Paul

[inai]

Another thing to add to u4ea's being bugged about is:

During lunch at the Lido buffet, I had to wait behind approx. 7-8 ship officers who were ordering their specialty sandwiches. I must have waited 8 -10 minutes for them to finish their orders. They really should have asked the passengers behind them (only two) to go first, as we were paying for this cruise and they were not.

 

I also smoke and am disappointed in the limited number of places that I can smoke on the ship. Thank you to all who are reading this thread and not bashing the smokers. We are sooo tired of it. We know we should not smoke, but when on vacation we like to relax and indulge.

[GayleArc]

Add my husband and I to the list of smokers who are really upset about these

changes. We are booked on the Jan. 6th cruise and would cancel if we hadn't

made final payment. We are also booked for April 11 and Oct. 20, 07 and are

waiting to see what happens in Jan. before we cancel. Cannot imagine

sitting at a blackjack table for a couple of hours without a cigarette. Oh well,

that will be a lot of money we save.Would also like to know if they expect us

to go outside after breakfest and lunch to have a cig. It will sure be to cold

in Jan. If i catch a cold, I hope to give it to the whole ship.

[Cruishappy@aol.com]

Hi Gaylec -- I will probably standing next to you on the Jan 6th cruise as an outcast - perhaps it is time for us smokers to get together and boycott this ridiculous Non Smoking --- we are being treated as second rate citizens and it is not fair --- we should be able to enjoy our cruise - if you decide to spread the cold let me know --- I will be only too happy to join you lol = also am strongly considering on not cruising with HAL in the future until they change these ridiculous limits on the smokers --- hope I do not get bashed for this --- I guess I am just getting discusted

[LizB1]

I will be joining you Cruisehappy and GayleArc out in the cold. In fact, I have decided I will have to have room service for breakfast the first two and last two days at sea and not enjoy the ship as I usually do.

 

So glad we only have one more cruise booked for 2007 -- and it's not on the Noordam. It will probably be our last HAL cruise with the way things are going.

[Gone_Again]

I'm not about to bash anyone for smoking. To each their own.

 

I may be in the minority here, but I am happy that there is no smoking in the casino. I do agree there should be some place for smokers to go, but I'll be able to enjoy the casino alot more now.

 

I used to work in a restaurant before they banned smoking in public places in Canada. There was so much smoke in the room that at times my eyes would water, and look like I was crying. I've never been so happy as to when they stopped that. Many people don't think of the workers who don't smoke...and can't leave.

 

Anyways, as I said, i'm not bashing smokers, but i am happy about the decision. :)

[barbels]

I'm with you Gone Again. I don't think most smokers realize how noxious and yes disgusting cigarette smoke is to non smokers. I generally avoid the casino because of the smoke. I'll be on the Noordam in January and I hope that the no smoking policy is extended. All you smokers out there- I'm not bashing you, but I am bashing your habit. If you foul the air with your smoke, I can't use the casino. If you can't smoke you can still play in the casino and take smoking breaks in your cabin. II know you can refrain from smoking for an hour or two- my mother was a heavy smoker but she never smoked at work. I've never understood why the cruise lines don't designate at least part of the casino as no smoking.

Smokers and non smokers both pay to be on the ship. Smoking essentially puts whole areas of the ship off limis to non smokers and that is simply not fair.

[Gone_Again]

I know that in the Casino in NS, there is a sepreate room, enclosed with glass windows & doors that have slot machines and tables in them. This room is for smokers. The rest of the casino is non smoking. Maybe this is something that would benefit cruise lines. It seems to work well here.

[GayleArc]

What we smolers are upset about is they have taken away the little area that

we had to smoke. We used to have a very small area at the Lido pool. We were very happy with that. Now they took that away and we will have to go

outside in Jan. Can see all sides to the casino problem, but why can't they

at least make a smoking area for the slots and a few tables smoking. Also

they took away the smoking room by the Explores Lounge ( we didn't

complain about being put in an inclosed room) and are now selling Turklish

rugs in there. Are they kidding, or what?

[u4ea]

Interesting debate. Old meets new I guess. You would never hear of this back in the day. Gambling has a rough history, Drinking, smoking, fighting, killing. It was no place for sissies. If you couldn’t take all that once came with gambling, you didn’t go there. Put gambling on a cruise ship with affluent people, and times have changed. For HAL, there’s money to be made, and they try to please the most so to get the max amount of $. HAL decides the rules based on maximum profitability, not on the feelings of the minority, or sometimes, even the majority. IMHO.

Mark.....

[AAAAmerican]

One thing which I still dislike is when they raised the amount of decks (playing cards) in the casino games.

 

It does increase there odds on winning and thusly decreases my odds on winning.

 

Also on the ms Noordam IV why do they not have new machines for the slots?

 

 

But to each there own said the person which kissed the jersey (Isle of Jersey UK) cow...

 

 

 

:cool:

 

Interesting debate. Old meets new I guess. You would never hear of this back in the day. Gambling has a rough history, Drinking, smoking, fighting, killing. It was no place for sissies. If you couldn’t take all that once came with gambling, you didn’t go there. Put gambling on a cruise ship with affluent people, and times have changed. For HAL, there’s money to be made, and they try to please the most so to get the max amount of $. HAL decides the rules based on maximum profitability, not on the feelings of the minority, or sometimes, even the majority. IMHO.

Mark.....

[HeatherInFlorida]

There's really a huge difference between bashing smokers and just saying you'd prefer not to be near smokers. One has nothing to do with the other. Live and let live.

 

While I believe non-smokers should understand a smoker's need for a place to smoke freely, smokers do need to be sensitive to the fact that when you don't smoke, it really is offensive to smell it and breathe it in.

 

Now my question is, where is Vic with his review? How did this thread go from being Vic's "thoughts on the Noordam" to "I need a place to smoke"?????

 

Vic! Come out come out wherever you are ... I'm still waiting!:)

[Copper10-8]

There's really a huge difference between bashing smokers and just saying you'd prefer not to be near smokers. One has nothing to do with the other. Live and let live.

 

While I believe non-smokers should understand a smoker's need for a place to smoke freely, smokers do need to be sensitive to the fact that when you don't smoke, it really is offensive to smell it and breathe it in.

 

Now my question is, where is Vic with his review? How did this thread go from being Vic's "thoughts on the Noordam" to "I need a place to smoke"?????

 

Vic! Come out come out wherever you are ... I'm still waiting!:)

 

I have a feeling he's taking a smoke in a properly designated area somewhere in Joysey

[u4ea]

Heather, Vic’s review ended a few pages ago, some of us who were on this cruise are just blabing and embellishing. ;)

Have a great cruise on the Prinsindam.

Shout out to Greg from last page. Hey Copper, would be fun to cruise with you, maybe after I rob a bank to afford it.. ;) Watch out for those earthquakes out there in Cali :eek:

Mark….

[Copper10-8]

Heather, Vic’s review ended a few pages ago, some of us who were on this cruise are just blabing and embellishing. ;)

Have a great cruise on the Prinsindam.

Shout out to Greg from last page. Hey Copper, would be fun to cruise with you, maybe after I rob a bank to afford it.. ;) Watch out for those earthquakes out there in Cali :eek:

Mark….

 

Likewise, dude;) Any friend of Vic's is a friend of mine, You do the robbing, we'll do the chasing - haven't had a quake for a while - we're due!:eek:

[inai]

Many of us on this thread recently came back from the Noordam's 10/25 to 11/4 cruise. Is there anything in particular that you would like to ask us?

[HeatherInFlorida]

That was my mistake. For me, this thread is only 2 pages. I read it all, but for some reason I didn't see the heading by Vic about the "wrap up". It just didn't seem "over" if you know what I mean. It left me wanting more:) .

 

So ever onward! Have fun.

[glennarm]

I was not aware that smoking is allowed in the cabins -- I haven't had a ciggy in 30 years, don't miss it, sympathize with those who need it, wish you luck, but...... do not want to be in a room that smells like an ashtray -- I hope I luck out.... I like the fact that my clothes don't smell any more, and my house is fresher smelling --- (most of the tiem)

 

I would expect (and say send this to HAL if it would help) the smokers should have places set aside for them -- the casino, if ventilated properly in one section might work quite well. If it doesn't I just won't go there, and the smoking lounge being turned over to sell rugs?????????:confused: (or anything else except perhaps cigars!) That is really unfair -- (as much as I hate smoking I side with you on that) --- and it would seem that ventilation in the lido would probably make that area workable as well -- as long as it isn't too close to the area where everyone else is, such that the smoke really intrudes. If there is air movement, most non-smokers should be able to put up with that.

Unfortunately people have probably complained. Probably the same ones who complain that their cabin is noisy, but they select a cabin directly over the nightclub, and then wonder why there is noise!:rolleyes: DUH!!

[u4ea]

You do the robbing, we'll do the chasing - haven't had a quake for a while - we're due!:eek:

 

 

Just the chasing, not the catching. Cool.........:D

I lived out that way in the late 80's. Earthquakes are a buzz kill:( The lesson: be prepared.

Mark....

[Sunshine91]

We used to have a very small area at the Lido pool. We were very happy with that. Now they took that away and we will have to go outside in Jan.

 

Gayle - You do realize, don't you, that by the afternoon of Day 2, we'll be off the coast of, oh, maybe the Carolinas? It simply won't be that cold outside. As Noordam sails full steam ahead, we'll be getting into warmer & warmer waters.

 

I remember the smokers gathered around the Lido pool bar. Vic reports that the smoking area has been moved to the aft pool area, along with the pool games. Moving the smoking area back there sort of makes sense to me - IF that is to be the ADULT area. Keep the pool games & the kids in the Lido pool (where they belong) & let the adults enjoy their peace, quiet, libations & smokes out there. Goodness knows there's enough outdoor space back there to accomodate everyone.

 

Now, why can't the casino make a compromise & try to please everyone? How about alternating nights? Odds & evens, anyone?

 

ps to glenarm - Regardless of ventilation in the Lido, smoking isn't permitted in any dining area on any of the ships.

[ekerr19]

Vic -

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts etc. on the trip with us... geez, remember the night you & i played the Jackpot Party slot machine til the wee hours... and we won!

 

Personally, I'm sorry to hear of some of the changes, though I will admit to being pretty annoyed when I'm playing a slot machine and someone parks their cigarette right in front of me - then as soon as I cash out because I can't breathe, they jump in my spot, lol!!! Most of time, people are pretty considerate though.

 

We thought the ship wasn't as well run when we were on in July either- just seemed to be many minor little irritants, we tried not to make abig deal, but lots of mis-information from the cruise director (though we understand he was new, we never even met him - which is pretty rare for us).

 

I (a non-smoker) agree that smokers do need their space to smoke - the casino is kind of a mixed issue for me, if they still allow smoking in the Sport's Bar, why not just go smoke there? My hubby does... he would never smoke "on" someone (like some people tend to do in the casino) but they DO need to provide adequate outdoor smoking - otherwise people will smoke where they aren't supposed to and the gung-ho non-smokers will really become unglued... it was bad enough before - having the non-smokers ask people not to smoke in the smoking section - I can't imagine what will be next.

 

Well, I ramble - sorry 'bout that... it's always good to hear from you Vic!!! I miss you! :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Gayle - You do realize, don't you, that by the afternoon of Day 2, we'll be off the coast of, oh, maybe the Carolinas? It simply won't be that cold outside. As Noordam sails full steam ahead, we'll be getting into warmer & warmer waters.

 

................................

.

 

Fair warning, and I'm sure you know this, but January off the coast of the Carolinas can be pretty darn cold!!! Heck, January down here in Florida can be cold and they're predicting a particularly cold winter this year. We have nights in the high 30's and low 40's as the norm quite often even here so unless so headed quite a bit further south (don't know your itinerary), be sure to bring some sweaters for the sail from NY!!!:)

 

I know that's not cold like up North, but it's not warm either!!

[LizB1]

Heather...I agree with you. Having sailed many, many times from NYC during the winter months of December, January and February in the past we always hope it is warmer by the first noon at sea when we are off N.Carolina. However, that is not always the case, and certainly not warm enough to sit outside for any extended period. Also, if we hit stormy weather which is most likely in that area where are we to go. That is my main reason for being upset at them for taking away the few tables on Port Side near the indoor pool that were designated as "smoking". I can live with the no-smoking in the Casino as there is a room right across the way to go to, but DH and I are not at all happy about the Lido area being eliminated. By the way he is a non-smoker having given it up years ago.

[RevNeal]

It may well be that in colder weather -- during the South and North bound legs of the cruise from NYC to the Southern Caribbean -- an area around the midships pool could be re-designated as a smoking area.

 

As for weather ... yes ... on an early January cruise we will not encounter significantly warmer weather until we actually get into the Bahamas. This cruise we'll be on departing January 6, 2007, is nearly 2 months earlier in the season than the Maiden cruise was. Weather may well be commensurately colder. :)

 

Or ... as is always true with weather ... we might be surprised by bright sunshine and unseasonably warm days. Who knows? We'll find out in just 53, or so, days.