Is HAL Next to Change Smoking Policy. Princess Did!

[sail7seas]

Bravo! I have not yet told DH the news, but I'm having a hard look at Costa. Like what I see so far, and the price for a balcony is more affordable than on HAL.

 

I figure DH and I have only a few choices -- try another line, cruise less and book balcony cabins on HAL when we can afford them, or quit cruising and buy a winter place.

 

I won't be selling my CCL shares quite yet, but once the price is right, I will feel ZERO twinge about getting rid of them.

 

I'm really rethinking my October cruise on HAL. Why should I give HAL any more business when they really don't give a darn about me?

 

 

Seems HAL has not pleased either side with their wishy washy position.

 

They didn't please the smokers who do not want to pay for a veranda and they did not please the non-smokers who hate losing using of their veranda due to neighbors whose smoke wafts to their veranda.

 

Princess at least pleased the non-smokers.

HAL disappointed IMO

[dennbr9]

I would just consider the $250 charge as part of my cruise fare and smoke away on my balcony or in my cabin if I should so choose.

 

And your neighbors be damned? Nice!

[gregdude]

Way to go HAL, you are the best!!!

[iceleven]

Remember when there was smoking allowed on airplanes? The back half were allowed to smoke and the front half didn't. Were any of you "non-smokers" stuck in the first row, the row that separated the smokers from the non-smoking section? Just how were we avoiding the smoke when everyone who smokes blows their air forward? It never made sense. It was never a fair compromise and the air was always re-circulating anyway.

 

What the cruise lines need to do is to find a way to make it fair to everyone. Allocate a certain number of rooms available to only smokers. Offer both inside and outside but keep them to a certain area that would affect the non-smokers the least. Perhaps only one side of the ship and the back half since smoke, while the ship is moving, will flow toward the rear?

 

I have never been asked by a cruise line whether I was a smoker or not or whether I was traveling with a smoker. Has anyone experienced this? I think it would at least allow each traveler to feel he/she has some control over their choices.

 

And ladies--gentlemen, how important is it that you wear your cologne on your vacation? Really? You've heard it several times already that (some) people find it offensive and some actually have allergies to some of these scents. I am one. It makes no difference how expensive it may be or how much "You" think it smells heavenly, others will either get sick from it or use it as an excuse for their being able to smoke. Why cannot you give it up for this short period of time? We ask the smokers to be considerate, and many are and I, for one, greatly appreciate it!

[sail7seas]

Many smokers and non-smokers wear unscented products.

 

I am an 'unscented' non-smoker. :D

 

[RevNeal]

Here is the new HAL Smoking Policy, taken from HAL's website:

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, based on an increased desire expressed by the majority of our guests, we are changing our smoking policy as of January 15, 2012.

 

Presently, all indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

 

Casino

Northern Lights Disco (ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)

Seaview Bar (except ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam & ms Statendam)

Sports Bar

Crow's Nest (except ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam)

 

All showrooms are nonsmoking during performances.

There are selected areas of the outside decks where smoking is allowable. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the outside decks.

Our ships do not currently have "nonsmoking" staterooms; however, all rooms are thoroughly cleaned after each cruise to assure the comfort of our guests

 

For all cruises departing on or after January 15, 2012

 

All staterooms will be non-smoking areas, in addition to the other areas that were already defined as non-smoking. Smoking will continue to be permitted outside on stateroom verandahs. There are designated areas available for smoking both inside the ships and on outside decks as detailed above.

[Globaliser]

... based on an increased desire expressed by the majority of our guests ...

Obviously, it's not going to please everyone.

 

But Celebrity hasn't sunk because of its change, and these other cruise lines would not be clamouring to follow suit if they were seeing any signs of Celebrity's decision being a self-inflicted injury.

 

So I think we can safely infer that more people will be (quietly) pleased by the change in policy and more likely to book or book again with HAL than there are people who are (vocally) displeased.

[sapper1]

You know what, take it over to that other internet spot you so love and leave me alone to have decent, calm, and non argumentative debates with other cruise critic members who care about all HAL cruisers, Not the ones that have been banned from Cruise Critic because of being so argumentative and disruptive.

 

Many may disagree with me and other smokers, but they tend to keep things civil, as do I. You on the other hand tend to pick me out of the group and I will not rise to you. This is my last comment to you ever:)

 

Whether HAL cares about me cruising or not is not my point. My point is that I care enough to leave HAL if they institute such a policy!!

 

Joanie

Don't jump to conclusions about who is doing the posting. Many of us have been impersonated over there. I have communicated with Walt about it but he cannot do anything. I know they have been very cruel to you and others while hiding behind regular posters names and I think you just need to consider the source. Just don't assume that because you see a name attached to a post that it is one of the regulars here doing the posting.

[GeriatricNurse]

I would just consider the $250 charge as part of my cruise fare and smoke away on my balcony or in my cabin if I should so choose.

 

Oh, so you would not follow the rules/policy of the cruise line? :mad: Perhaps, if you were "disembarked" at the next port of call, then you would have a different attitude! ;)

[bellebaby]

I think CCL chose Princess as the line to compete with Celebrity for guests that prefer a more restrictive smoking policy. HAL and Carnival's new policies are similar to Royal Caribbean. It's doubtful HAL will restrict verandah smoking in the near future.

 

We have a 2012 cruise booked directly with Princess and received an e-mail last evening notifying us of the smoking policy change. Looks like they are being pro-active with communicating to those that will be impacted.

 

Has anyone received a notice from HAL?

 

B

[kazu]

I think CCL chose Princess as the line to compete with Celebrity for guests that prefer a more restrictive smoking policy. HAL and Carnival's new policies are similar to Royal Caribbean. It's doubtful HAL will restrict verandah smoking in the near future.

 

We have a 2012 cruise booked directly with Princess and received an e-mail last evening notifying us of the smoking policy change. Looks like they are being pro-active with communicating to those that will be impacted.

 

Has anyone received a notice from HAL?

 

B

 

no notice for us and we DO have a cruise booked in 2012

[IRL_Joanie]

There ya go....threatening some call center person (I don't for a second believe you talked to "HAL's Media" whatever you mean by that :confused:) is going to scare the pants off them. But, I'm sure it made you feel better.

I never threatened anyone! That is so rude to threaten anyone. I called the Media Toll Free number on HAL's site and told the person who answered my name, my Mariner number and asked to speak to someone who might know what was going on with possibly newly breaking information regarding the smoking policy that was being discussed on Cruise Critic, as I wanted it literally from the horses mouth.

 

I talked to the person nicely and did not threaten them in any way. I am not that type of person. I merely asked for the HAL stance on Carnival Corporations newly announced policy for some of its other lines and how it might impact MY Cruises.

 

I then asked about the cancellation policy being lifted for those smokers, such as myself who might be affected by this possibly new policy (at the time the official change had not gotten to us)

 

I also let them know, nicely, I am not a yeller or rude to people on the phone, I speak kindly to 99.99% of people as it works best for me, that if smoking is not allowed in either the stateroom or verandah, I will be cancelling.

 

I also let them know that I understand I might be in the minority on this, but that will be the end of us cruising HAL.

 

It was not a threat, it was a promise that I will keep in order to enjoy my vacations.

 

And no, it did not make me feel happier. I love HAL and do not wish to leave this line, but will if I have to!

 

And all done in a calm and reasonable manner, as is my normal style:)

 

Joanie

[VermeulT]

I'm confused to all the upheaval with the new policy.

The only thing changing is no smoking IN cabins. Verandas are the same.

 

Are you all leaving because you smoked in you room... Or because the policy was changed but not the way you would have liked.

 

In NY and CT (CA too, I believe) you pretty much can't smoke anywhere - no restaurants, no bars, not inside businesses - heck not even within 50 feet of a building entrance.

If I had an apartment with a terrace and a neighbor smoked, would I move? No.

 

I'm not a smoker. I HATE the smell. But while it is still legal to smoke, let them poison themselves in peace.

[cruz chic]

I'm confused to all the upheaval with the new policy.

The only thing changing is no smoking IN cabins. Verandas are the same.

 

Are you all leaving because you smoked in you room... Or because the policy was changed but not the way you would have liked.

 

In NY and CT (CA too, I believe) you pretty much can't smoke anywhere - no restaurants, no bars, not inside businesses - heck not even within 50 feet of a building entrance.

If I had an apartment with a terrace and a neighbor smoked, would I move? No.

 

I'm not a smoker. I HATE the smell. But while it is still legal to smoke, let them poison themselves in peace.

I'm with you. Can't really see much of change here. Most of the people that have replied here that they are leaving do book balcony rooms. To each there own.

[LindaM]

no notice for us and we DO have a cruise booked in 2012

 

I got an email notice from Princess already---and some forms. That was quick!!

[ironin]

Don't jump to conclusions about who is doing the posting. Many of us have been impersonated over there. I have communicated with Walt about it but he cannot do anything. I know they have been very cruel to you and others while hiding behind regular posters names and I think you just need to consider the source. Just don't assume that because you see a name attached to a post that it is one of the regulars here doing the posting.

 

For the longest time, I had no idea what people were talking about. Then I accidentally discovered that site while searching for something. Read enough to feel like I had been transported to some junior high school had I not been familiar with the people being discussed. :D

 

Although often intentionally cruel, most of those apparently posting there are not posting here. The few around here pursuing personal vendettas against another fellow poster are usually far more careful about being blatant about it because the TOS are pretty straightforward about harassment. It also makes it hard for those at the receiving end (and so inclined) to register a complaint about such disruptive behavior. I generally try to avoid wading through the heat generated by the personal attacks by the one mentioned here, but the exercise of self-restraint is not exactly a feature of many internet conversations ;)

 

Caveat: JMO. YMMV.

[LindaM]

I would just consider the $250 charge as part of my cruise fare and smoke away on my balcony or in my cabin if I should so choose.

 

I doubt seriously if they would let you do that. Your steward would turn you in everyday, and they would probably charge you per day. They do have the right to remove passengers from the ship. They will come up with something, because like you , smokers may just think they will pay the fine.

[Randyk47]

You know this is a pretty significant statement.

 

Randy books suites and so do a number of other smokers. (excuse me 1/2 smokers - a partner - and most are not chain smokers)

 

It's going to be interesting now. does HAL want to upgrade everyone to a suite? I have a suspicion that's why the balcony is still allowed.

 

they know who books what - they have the numbers. They have been doing the surveys for years. I suspect this has been done to try to keep everyone happy. Randy isn't:(

 

Just to be clear I have always been very clear about our intentions if and when HAL changed their policy. Obviously we'd have to be living under a rock or with our heads stuck in the sand not to know that eventually HAL would make this change. Smoking on the veranda just doesn't make it for us. Interestingly we cruised on the Volendam next to a couple who objected to the few times we did smoke on the veranda and it caused us to consider the potential that it might bother some people. Without specifically talking about it with the couple we worked out a way to make it work and that was, without being offensive or intrusive, to check if they were on their veranda. If they were we didn't smoke. It worked and we've kind of followed the same process, as best we could, in subsequent cruises. Some have asked here that since veranda smoking is still permitting what's the issue. Well, it's not like we're chain smokers or fill the cabin up with smoke to the point you have to bend down to see across the cabin but we do smoke in the cabin early in the morning when we're not quite acceptable for public viewing or late at night or during bad or rough weather.

 

As to bailing on HAL. That's our decision. We knew this was most probably going to happen some day so we'd discussed it. Actually, kind of been there, done that before with Celebrity. In fact, when Celebrity changed its policy back in 2007 we were booked on a Caribbean cruise on the then "new" Azamara Quest which hadn't at the time been broken out as a somewhat separate cruise line from Celebrity. We canceled the cruise and asked Celebrity to remove us from all mailings and emails which they graciously did. The only difference from yesterday was that our upcoming cruise was not a HAL cruise so no cruise to cancel. Should also add that there was absolutely no expectation that HAL would all of a sudden change their mind because Randyk47 and his wife didn't want to get anymore advertisements from HAL. Sure, they asked why and I told them but it wasn't contentious or argumentative on either side by any means. We both were sorry but that was our decision as was it HAL's decision.

 

I fully realize some here will think we're totally misguided to drop HAL as our cruise line of choice. Got it, understand that viewpoint. I'm not now anti-HAL, it's just no longer our cruise line of choice. It's our vacation and only we can decide what is acceptable or not acceptable for us and right now HAL's decision falls into the unacceptable category. Probably our loss but it is what it is. Might even add that this doesn't mean we'll never, ever cruise HAL again. Never say never, it's just unlikely.

 

All that said doesn't mean you won't see my "smiling face" around here from time to time. The little green button next to "Randyk47" will be still be bright for at least the next few months as we research our upcoming Silversea's cruise so I'm not abandoning Cruise Critic. Somewhere along the line we'll make a decision about 2013 and our vacation options. It may be a cruise, it may not, it may be HAL, it may not. Again, never say never. :)

[IRL_Joanie]

I have just sent an email off to my HAL PCC asking the following question(s):

 

"I do have a question for you that I hope you can get answered from the higher ups.....

 

What happens when the Outside Public smoking areas are unavailable due to rough conditions?? When the Captain decides that it is unsafe for anyone to be on an open deck?? Where can the smokers go?? My question is that if conditions are so bad that the open decks are closed to passengers, is it also not true that the verandahs would be to dangerous as well?? Where do we go then to smoke?? Sometimes these rough conditions can last for several hours if not days???"

 

I hope to hear back from her soon with an official answer from those who did not think this through prior to considering weather and sea conditions.

 

Joanie

[maxout]

Joanie, I imagine they will tell you that you could go to the Casino or Sports Bar (?)

[cruzeluver]

Celebrity has a far stricter smoking policy then what HAL's will be once it changes, yet the smoking areas on board are hardly overwhelmed with smokers. Can't imagine why HAL would be different.

[sapper1]

Joanie, I imagine they will tell you that you could go to the Casino or Sports Bar (?)

 

It's too smokey in there. :p:D

[cruz chic]

It's too smokey in there. :p:D

OMG...thanks for the best laugh I've had in a while:D.

[IRL_Joanie]

It's too smokey in there. :p:D

 

So very true though!! Heck even I could not take the smoke from those 2 locations as I took photos:eek::D

 

Joanie

[maxout]

It's too smokey in there. :p:D

 

Love it!!! :D :eek: :p