Should HAL follow suit

[Sea King]

RCCL has apparently decided to eliminate smoking in cabins effective in 08'

 

if that be the case, should HAL follow suit

 

put another way, is it time to pull in the reins at HAL

 

what's your vote?

[Nutrioso]

I definitely think HAL should follow along. I have worried for quite a while that HAL would become some kind of smokers cruise line - if most other lines have restrictions, smokers might migrate en masse to my favorite HAL. Although I am tolerant of smokers, I would be uncomfortable in an environment consisting of mainly smokers.

[LizB1]

If they do that will be the end of my cruising, and I know other long time cruisers feel the same way.

[Odd Ball]

They should NOT follow what RCCL did.

[eh2zed]

I respectfully disagree. HAL will have to follow suit particularly if RCI does Celebrity as well. There simply is no business case for HAL to become the smoking friendly cruise line. Don't get me wrong, I think smokers ought to be accommodated, however, HAL will have to follow the world wide trend to more smoking restrictions. Wherever restrictions have been implemented businesses have generally done better.:D :) :D :)

[ger_77]

I find this interesting, because Carnival started this whole thing when they designated the Paradise as a non smoking ship about 7 or 8 years ago. That lasted about a year or two and they reverted back to smoking areas onboard. We were onboard when the Paradise was non-smoking and it was quite nice; there weren't any grumblings from passengers, as everyone knew before they purchased their tickets that the ship was entirely smoke-free. There was even a warning that came with our tickets that anyone found smoking onboard (passengers or crew) would be put off at the next port and would have to find their own transportation home. I wonder how this will play out on RCCL?

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[newmexicoNita]

I definitely think HAL should follow along. I have worried for quite a while that HAL would become some kind of smokers cruise line - if most other lines have restrictions, smokers might migrate en masse to my favorite HAL. Although I am tolerant of smokers, I would be uncomfortable in an environment consisting of mainly smokers.

How long has it been since you cruised HAL? They haven't ban smoking in the cabins, but certainly have many other places on the ship. The casino, on the Amsterdam as well as some other HAL ships have certain nights that are smoke free except for the little bar which isn't actually in the casino. You can't even smoke in the lounge area in that bar, only at the bar. One side of the ship is smoke free all the time, of course many other areas as well.

 

should they ban smoking in cabins? I don't really care one way or the other as I do not smoke in my cabin or even on the balcony. In fact I smoke very little period but to refer to HAL as some kind of smokers cruise line now or in the future isn't even an issue.

 

Nita

[sijid]

I do not think that HAL should follow suit. Neither my husband nor I smoke (although DH enjoys the occasional cigar), so our ox is not being gored here, but I'm really tired of smokers being shunned. As for the theory that businesses do better when they ban smoking--some do, but others go out of business. With cruiselines, people who want to cruise will. I don't see any real business benefit to the cruiseline of restricting smoking more, and the downside is the possibility of losing loyal customers. So I say, why not just leave things as they are? There's plenty of room on a ship, so let everyone enjoy their space.

[bUU]

I would like HAL to follow-suit. I feel that would make our cruising experiences much better overall.

[lka1012]

While I do not smoke, I have friends and cruising friends (hi ruth & jim) that do. Why can't HAL (and other lines) do what restaurants do, designate cabins as smoking, non-smoking and the equivalent of first available (or don't care). When things are banned, such as smoking, I get the urge to "light one up!"

 

The only reason I could see to ban smoking in cabins would be from a safety (fire hazard) point of view.

[Copper10-8]

Enforcing a potential ban on smoking in cabins (I don't smoke) will be a logistical nightmare! And, trust me, there will be complaints "My neighbor is smoking in their cabin, I want you to do something about it" Just take a look at some of the other "hot buton/can of worms" issues like dress code, chair hog, 'puter game in the dining room playing, diaper pool baby, bungee cord balcony door opening violators (who did I forget?) and look what it takes to (or not to) enforce them.

Ban smoking in the casino, show lounge, restaurants, etc.? Hey, have it and/or give the smokers a designated area or two like A-deck aft by the rear anchor chain.

[innlady1]

I, too, would like HAL to follow suit. Frankly, I was surprised, after the fire on the Star Princess, that at least the ships under the Carnival umbrella didn't put a no smoking policy into effect. :eek:

[molly361]

They should NOT follow what RCCL did.

 

I agree!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I think HAL should follow suit.

 

Don't agree with Ika1012 - you can't designate one set of cabins to be smoking another set to be smoke free. Some of us like certain cabins and would be upset - for example - if I discovered that the cabin I like is one allowed for smoking. That idea won't work.

[AZjohn]

My understanding of the new RCCL smoking rules is basically the only difference is that there will not be any smoking inside the cabins. Smoking outside is still a go, as well as many inside public areas.

So even when I use to smoke I would/could not even think about doing it inside that little closed up cabin (Yuk). I think smoking should still be allowed outside though, just as it will be on RCCL.

John

[bepsf]

Frankly, I don't think that enforcement will be a problem - after all the room steward would know immediately upon entering a stateroom during his twice-daily visits if a pax had been smoking inside.

There were naysayers about the no-smoking laws here in SF and New York - saying that bars and restaurants were all going to go out of business if these laws went through, but guess what? Business in the Bars and Restaurants actually improved!

Also bear in mind: RCCL has not totally banned smoking - it's still allowed on verandahs, certain lounges and specific open deck areas.

This is a change I'd support.

[earl_m]

No HAL shouldn't follow RCL, A person should be allow to smoke in there own room or balcony. many people will go some where else. there is such a thing as going too far. what going to be next, no drinking!

[Copper10-8]

Frankly, I don't think that enforcement will be a problem - after all the room steward would know immediately upon entering a stateroom during his twice-daily visits if a pax had been smoking inside..........

 

Knock, knock

"Who is it?"

"Security, Sir"

"What can I do for you on this lovely evening"

"We have reliable information that you've been smoking in your cabin, Sir. It's not allowed!"

"I have not been smoking"

"Sir, your room steward smelled smoke"

"He is wrong"

"Sir, he smelled it!"

"Circumstantial evidence! Prove it! I want your name and badge number"

"Have a nice evening, Sir and please refrain from lighting up"

[Clutterlady]

RCL will allow smoking on balconies, just not in your room.

 

So, if someone is smoking on their balcony and opens their door and smoke should drift in, will they be assessed a cleaning fee???? It's going to be interesting on how their going to enforce this:confused:

[Juanita462]

I would like to see smoking banned in cabins - both from the safety factor and because there are inconsiderate people out there. We did one cruise on Celebrity and the cabin people on each side were chain smokers and sat in their cabins and smoked all day - the corridor was blue and they would prop their doors open to dissipate the smoke and of course it was sucked in under our door - we spent a whole week with burning eyes and throats. The cruise line would do nothing about it - even the room steward said he didn't like it as he had to work in that smoke all day. When I wrote to Celebrity they didn't even answer my letter.

 

We have been fortunate on HAL and have only smelled smoke occasionally when we passed cabins on the way to ours.

 

My father-in-law was a heavy smoker and fell asleep on the couch, dropped his cigarette and started a fire - only the ringing of the phone woke him up in time. He also had burn holes in the blankets on his bed.

It seems safer to keep smoking to public areas or out on deck.

[sail7seas]

I hope HAL follows suit and further restricts smoking on HAL ships. I absolutely see the possibility of some of those who defect from RCI because of their new smoking rules coming to HAL.

 

I surely do not want HAL to become known as the 'smokers' cruiseline'.

 

Did I misread but didn't NCL also announce tigher smoking restrictions?

What a coincidence that would be. IF that is the case.......NCL makes smoking more restrictive on their ships at the same time HAL begins to offer AYW Dining. Those who liked NCL because of its dining program can now bring their smoking over to HAL. I could be mistaken about NCL also tightening their smoking policies.

[SALTYBILL]

Ban smoking in staterooms and balconies.Have a few bars and deck areas that are smoking areas.No one should have to put up with second hand smoke!Having a smoking section in a common area is lke having a peeing section in a pool.

[bUU]

I think it is true that enforcement will be difficult -- however, the same is true of the dress code, and most passengers do comply with that.

[DixieCaribe]

I don't want to see cruises become smoke-free...the folks who smoke are a lot friendlier and easier to get along when they can light up on the ship.

Personally, a fine cigar with a good French Burgandy after dinner is the perfect ending to a fine night.

I don't want to see Holland America do something that might jeopardize the loyalty of many folks who smoke, because myself and others I know who are loyal to HAL would think twice about another cruise on the line if they enact that rule.:confused:

[lawyerrose]

NO NO NO!! Not if they EVER want my business!!!!! Or any other smokers or nonsmokers who don't like smokers being browbeat into submission!