Is HAL Next to Change Smoking Policy. Princess Did!

[Sea King]

 

When I pay high prices for a Suite, I feel entitled to enjoy my balcony

in a smoke-free environment ! I'm handicapped and probably spend

more time on my balcony . It is not pleasant being exposed to adjacent

neighbors' smoke! The experience is terrible and injurious to my health.

 

bravo!

[Ray in NH]

I'm pretty sure HAL banned balcony smoking on my cruise three weeks ago.

 

We just returned from Bermuda aboard Veendam this past Sunday (12 June) and smoking was still allowed; even had a clean ashtray on our desk. Janet used it for earrings. :D

There was no comment made about the Smoking Policy being changed.

Ray in NH

[twodogmom]

And just why do we all have to conform to what somebody else wants? Don't give me the BS of 2nd hand smoke. When you are in the open air on the balcony, you may get a slight whiff of smoke, but you are not inhaling enough to do one darn bit of damage. I'm a smoker and have been for the last 50 years. I have no intention of quitting. I will quit cruising before I quit smoking! JMHO

 

I agree with the above comment. I'm so sick of the non smokers wanting everywhere to be non smoking, and they are always complaining.

 

I hope HAL doesn't change.

[Ray in NH]

The difference with a Land Hotel and non smoking is that I can go outside to smoke. I cannot get off the ship to do so:( At least, not without becoming Shark Bait:eek::eek:

 

Joanie

 

In reference to the comparison to land-based hotels, one could go out onto the open decks of a ship. True one would have to endure the weather elements, like at a hotel.

I believe the change was only for cabins and balconies.

Ray in NH

[lakemurraykid]

Well, well, here we go again. My DH and I both smoke but not in our cabin. We use our verandah for that. However, we are also very considerate of others when we're on our balcony. If our next door neighbors are out on their balcony, we don't smoke. It's that simple. And, yes I know, most people would just do whatever they wanted. Consideration can go a long way. BUT, if HAL doesn't allow smoking at least on the verandah, then we will no longer cruise with them and the same goes for other cruise lines. We can fly to where we want to go, better yet, maybe buy a second home somewhere.

 

I agree with Joanie, I can't stand the smell of the different perfumes and colognes. I wear Chanel No. 5 and only give myself one little spritz. I don't want to offend anyone. I could gripe about the perfumes that aggravate my sinuses and give me a headache, but I don't.

 

We have a cruise in November and if HAL puts out a smoking policy prior to that, I'm sure we will cancel.

[lettienets]

With both Princess and Carnival, under the same CCL umbrella as HAL, making major changes, I would anticipate a HAL announcement fairly soon.

I am surprised Hal didn't ban smoking in staterooms first, having the older demographic and plenty of smokers who have quit as they got older....

 

But with Carnival allowing smoking on the balconies, that will be a real problem for people who pay alot of money to enjoy a balcony.

 

And unlike the new Princess announcement of no smoking in staterooms and balconies.

 

Wonder where Hal will land.

[bellebaby]

If HAL planned a change, don't you think they would make the announcement along with Carnival and Princess?

 

B

[CowPrincess]

Do you really think HAL cares if you threaten to cancel your cruises with them? Really Joanie, you are no more important to them than anyone else. Smokers or non-smokers.

 

I can't speak for Joanie, but when I read her post, I don't see her implying anywhere that she is more important to them than anyone else. Her comment was she'd cancel her cruise. I'm pretty confident a lot of smokers will cancel cruises IF a new even-more-restrictive policy goes into effect.

 

Now if the cruiselines would ban bragging, oneupsmanship, self-absorption, bad fashion sense, poor table manners, and lack of social ability, wouldn't everything be wonderful? :D

[whogo]

I am amazed that so many consider Any loss of rights to be a good thing. What else will be banned next? No more big brother, it's a vacation!

Big brother baloney! This is an example of a corporation trying to maximize its profits. It is a corporate decision, not a governmental mandate. Big brother is not involved.

[CtheW0rld]

Big brother baloney! This is an example of a corporation trying to maximize its profits. It is a corporate decision, not a governmental mandate. Big brother is not involved.

 

alienating 20 - 30% of your customer base is not good for any business model.

[mightycruisequeen]

alienating 20 - 30% of your customer base is not good for any business model.

I certainly hasn't hurt Celebrity's bottom line.

[TWOFERTWO]

Smokers, you know that you are fighting a losing battle.

[sail7seas]

can they change the rules for us as we were aware of their policy in existance when we booked?

 

 

I imagine if they change their policy after you have booked to take place by the date of your cruise, you will have the option of getting a refund of the fare paid.

 

If I recall correctly (and I think I do), that is what they did when they banned smoking in all areas where food is served.

 

[Travel Travel Travel]

The home page of this site has a link to a story saying all three lines have changed: Carnival, Princess, and HAL.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4518

[CtheW0rld]

I certainly hasn't hurt Celebrity's bottom line.

 

do you have any hard numbers to back that up?

 

what i think may have happened is the hardcore anti-smokers have been graviting to X, while smokers were going to the more smoker-friendly lines. if they all adopt the same policies they will lose business. as i said before - i've been to all the major ports. ships have been a 'hotel that moves'. most of the places i want to go in the future require a plane ride (no cruises to tibet, yet).

 

case in point - i'll be on a business trip for the next month or so. the non-smoking hotel chains didn't have a chance at getting my booking. no hotel operates at 100%, so that is money lost.

[iancal]

I do not think that Princess will alienate their customer base, or HAL for that mater WHEN they follow suit. Twenty - thiry pecent of their current customer base may smoke but I believe that a good proportion of these smokes will understand the reasons behind the change in policy-and accept them.

 

And if they don't well, there won't be too many cruise ships on the seas left for them to try.

 

Princess made a well though out, and well reasoned business decision. Do you really think that they will reconsider this simply because one vocal customer called in and threated never to cruise on Princess again or asked Princess to take them off the mailing list???

 

This is 2011, not 1961.

[CruiserBruce]

The home page of this site has a link to a story saying all three lines have changed: Carnival, Princess, and HAL.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4518

 

Yes, but it says HAL will allow smoking on balconies, but not in the cabin. As DW just said, that will make it worse for other balcony occupants.

[sail7seas]

They have made the conditions worse for non-smokers IMO

 

[jimmy2x]

And just why do we all have to conform to what somebody else wants? Don't give me the BS of 2nd hand smoke. When you are in the open air on the balcony, you may get a slight whiff of smoke, but you are not inhaling enough to do one darn bit of damage. I'm a smoker and have been for the last 50 years. I have no intention of quitting. I will quit cruising before I quit smoking! JMHO

 

I was just trying to be helpful - no need to get upset. I fully recognize that some will never quit smoking as frankly, I never thought that I would.

 

There are two things that are pretty much indisputable:

 

1. Regardless of any health considerations, finding a place to have a smoke in peace had really become difficult (not just cruise ships, but anywhere in public).

 

2. People like us are addicted to nicotine, not to all the rest of the junk in tobacco. The e-cig can give you what you need without the tars, benzene, and all that other crud.

 

And finally

 

"But they only allow ecigs to be "smoked" in the smoking areas of the ship. There is no benefit to smokers unless they are using them to quit smoking."

 

First of all what you say is not true. I used it extensively on Noordam a few months ago and nobody cared beyond curiosity. Virtually all who DID notice it were very supportive. Not everyone wants to be controlling. And the reality is that those of us who have made the switch are pretty discrete about it and won't use them in dining areas, for example. There is no second-hand smoke as nothing is burning. You will never even notice us.

[NHRedSoxFan]

I don't smoke and I would be overjoyed if HAL had no smoking on balconies and no smoking in casinos. I am sailing Celebrity next for this reason. But smokers would hate it if that happened.

 

There is definitely a market for less restrictive smoking policies on ships. Smokers will go to the lines that let them smoke. If it isn't hal they'll switch lines. They won't all just quit smoking at once. I wonder what percentage of hal cruisers are smokers? It seems much higher on European cruises.

[peaches from georgia]

I imagine if they change their policy after you have booked to take place by the date of your cruise, you will have the option of getting a refund of the fare paid.

 

If I recall correctly (and I think I do), that is what they did when they banned smoking in all areas where food is served.

 

The announced date is Jan 15, 2012, 7 months from today. No one already booked has made final payment yet for cruises under the new policy, so everyone who wants to cancel a booking is able to get a full refund. For those booking after today they know the new rules so can book or not if they are smokers. No refund problem for anyone.

[NHRedSoxFan]

I don't smoke and I would be overjoyed if HAL had no smoking on balconies and no smoking in casinos. I am sailing Celebrity next for this reason. But smokers would hate it if this happened. Smokers will go to the lines that let them smoke. If it isn't hal they'll switch lines. They won't all just quit smoking at once. I wonder what percentage of hal cruisers are smokers? It seems much higher on European cruises. I remember when ncl had port side smoking and starboard non-smoking - cabins and public areas. They even had a smoking dining room. It worked out well. . . Until the ratio wasn't 50/50 anymore.

[erewhon]

Well, well, here we go again. My DH and I both smoke but not in our cabin. We use our verandah for that. However, we are also very considerate of others when we're on our balcony. If our next door neighbors are out on their balcony, we don't smoke. It's that simple. And, yes I know, most people would just do whatever they wanted. Consideration can go a long way.

 

Unfortunately, all smokers are not so considerate.

Thank you for considering your neighbours.

[IRL_Joanie]

In reference to the comparison to land-based hotels, one could go out onto the open decks of a ship. True one would have to endure the weather elements, like at a hotel.

 

I believe the change was only for cabins and balconies.

 

Ray in NH

 

Ray in NH and other Cruise Critic members who have pointed out the Open Decks being ok to smoke on. I understand that option, however as someone else pointed out that means we will take over the Aft Lido deck where so many non smoking passengers also love to congregate and enjoy the pools, poolettes, the sun, the loungers etc.... Smoke will be billowing from those open deck areas and any lounges/bars where smoking is allowed, that WE will all be complaining soon enough about that.

 

Also, what about those of us who are allergic to scented products of any sort?? Can we start demanding scent free ships?? Can we start demanding that HAL or any other cruise line start charging a Set $$ Fine for any passenger caught smelling like scents??

 

Where does it end?? As some one else mentioned, Big Brother is breathing down our necks and today it is smokers, tomorrow it might be you.

 

Joanie

[mcduck]

What great news if it happened! HAL would finally be dragged into the 21st century and be no different than almost every other hotel in North America. What is the point of paying for a balcony if you have to put up with your neighbour's smoke. Smoke free is the reason we sailed on Carnival's Paradise with the kids years ago.