Smoke smell

[cruising nan]

We have just paid our deposit for our cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney on the Volendam. After seeing the list of where smokers are allowed to smoke in side, as non smokers I am worried how the ship will smell, will it be that bad that we wont be able to even go in the casino etc because of the smoke. Can any non smoker please tell me what it is like, do they have good ventalation in those areas.

[sapper1]

We have just paid our deposit for our cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney on the Volendam. After seeing the list of where smokers are allowed to smoke in side, as non smokers I am worried how the ship will smell, will it be that bad that we wont be able to even go in the casino etc because of the smoke. Can any non smoker please tell me what it is like, do they have good ventalation in those areas.

 

Casino areas can be a little on the heavy side when it comes to smoke but I have never experienced any issues any other place on any of the HAL ships that I have been on.

[Oceanwench]

On our recent cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam, I was not bothered by the smoke in the casino at all. The slots were divided into smoking and non-smoking areas. I am a non-smoker.

[vbmom87]

The casino is the only place I have smelled smoke, so we do not spend any time there. I was on AK cruises on HAL and saw very few smokers. I don't book verandas, so they might be a different story. I have asthma which is triggered by smoke, so I just stay away from the smoker areas. Works for me. On my first HAL cruise they actually had several nights that were smoke free in the casino. That was not the case on my second HAL cruise. I did not smell smoke anywhere else on the ship. I was especially nervous for my first cruise, but it all turned out to be a non-issue.

[Hlitner]

We simply avoid the Casino's on all HA ships. This is a real win for me since I no longer "donate" to the HA coffers :). We do cruise a lot with HA (just booked another 62 days for 2013) but really would prefer to be on Celebrity except they do not have the great itineraries. On HA ships our biggest problem is when trying to relax on deck (with nearby smokers who are upwind) or on a verandah if there are smokers nearby. One other potential problem is on the ships that have the Piano bars near the casino as smoke can drift from the Casino.

 

Hank

[Krazy Kruizers]

The ventilation in the Casino is not good. You will smell smoke.

And there is no way that any ship can keep smoke from going from one section of the Casino to another.

I laughed when I saw these signs on one of our cruises (smoking and non-smoking right next to each other):

This picture is from the Amsterdam -- sister ship to the Volendam so the Casino will be the same:

[Typhoon1]

Casinos are probably the worst for smoke. Any ships that still have an Oak Room would be next.

[sail7seas]

Casinos are now the only place indoor smoking is permitted and then only when it is open and smoking only permitted by people who are actually gaming.

 

[startwin]

We have just paid our deposit for our cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney on the Volendam. After seeing the list of where smokers are allowed to smoke in side, as non smokers I am worried how the ship will smell, will it be that bad that we wont be able to even go in the casino etc because of the smoke. Can any non smoker please tell me what it is like, do they have good ventalation in those areas.

 

It's really not that bad, especially as so few of the population now smokes, and smokers in the casino have to be using the machines or tables, not just going in there to smoke. I tend to avoid the casino and Sports Bar, but that's a choice you have to make yourself. The ship in general will smell just fine, stop worrying:)

[IRL_Joanie]

Casinos are now the only place indoor smoking is permitted and then only when it is open and smoking only permitted by people who are actually gaming.

 

 

You can also smoke in the Northern Lights and if a ship has one, the Oak Room (Even I cannot take the stench in the Oak Room!!).

 

Joanie

[sail7seas]

The only ship that has an Oak Room is Noordam and there is some question whether they will be removing it at her upcoming dry dock. The last I read, it was going to remain in place but there is some uncertainty about it.

 

[sail7seas]

This is from HAL site:

 

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

 

■Stateroom verandahs

■Casino (Active players only)

■Seaview Bar

■Outside Decks

■Sports Deck

■Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

 

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a $250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

 

The policy is effective for all ships as of January 4, 2013 with the exception of the ms Amsterdam which becomes effective on 5/1/2013 and the ms Prinsendam which becomes effective on 5/17/13.

 

 

 

I don't see where it says smoking is permitted in Northern Lights?

 

Is it still permitted there?

 

[RuthC]

I don't see where it says smoking is permitted in Northern Lights?

 

Is it still permitted there?

 

Nothing I've read says it is; everything I've read says it isn't.

As far as I can see, the only indoor place where smoking is allowed is the casino, when in operation, and by those gambling. That, and the Oak Room on the Noordam---just as you posted.

[sandthrush]

We were on the Amsterdam last June for the 14-day Alaska cruise. On sea days, the smoke smell coming from the casino was horrible. It kept me away from the shops in the vicinity of the casino during those times, but I guess that could be considered a good thing. :D

[whogo]

We have just paid our deposit for our cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney on the Volendam. After seeing the list of where smokers are allowed to smoke in side, as non smokers I am worried how the ship will smell, will it be that bad that we wont be able to even go in the casino etc because of the smoke. Can any non smoker please tell me what it is like, do they have good ventalation in those areas.

 

The casino will reek of smoke. You may notice the smell of cigarettes in adjoining areas.

[IRL_Joanie]

This is from HAL site:

 

 

 

 

I don't see where it says smoking is permitted in Northern Lights?

 

Is it still permitted there?

 

 

 

This is what I was sent from HAL and included the effective dates for the 15 ships (they are in a table and I cannot copy and paste from it)

 

Effective January 4th 2013:

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking with the exception of:

• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Northern Lights Disco (ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)
  
• Seaview Bar (except that smoking is not permitted in the Seaview Bar on the ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam or ms Statendam)
  
• Sports Bar
  
• Crow's Nest (except that smoking is not permitted in the Crow’s Nest on the ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam or ms Zuiderdam)
  

While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

 

Effective on all cruises departing on or after January 4, 2013, our smoking policy will change to reflect our commitment to the comfort of all of our guests. The ship by ship schedule is below.

 

For the guests who wish to smoke, there will continue to be designated areas available for smoking on outside decks. In addition, smoking is permitted on stateroom verandahs. Cigar and pipe-smoking is permitted in the designated smoking areas of outside decks and verandahs only and not inside the ship.

Designated smoking areas:

• Stateroom verandahs
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Seaview Bar
  
• Outside Decks
   
  
  • Sports Deck
    
  • Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)
    

   

Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in public areas. Any guest who smokes cigarettes, cigars or pipes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a $250 cleaning fee.

The only area that I question is Sports Bar because I've been told by Hotel Managers that the SPorts Bar is also non smoking. Highlighted and Underlines are mine.

 

I just double Checked HAL Site and found the link that says the same as above, but not as in depth: http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Onboard+Policies&contentSubMenu=Is+Smoking+Allowed+On+Board?

 

Just realized it says Sports Deck NOT Sports Bar. Sorry.

 

Joanie

[sail7seas]

HAL seems to be providing conflicting information.

 

They 'sent' that to you rather than referring you to their website? Who is the 'they' that sent contradictory statement? I don't mean by name but by job description. What is it dated? Is it 'old'?

 

[innlady1]

 

Effective January 4th 2013:

Seaview Bar smoking permitted...except that smoking is not permitted in the Seaview Bar on the ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam or ms Statendam.

 

If this is true, I wonder why smoking was permitted at the Sea View Bar on our recent Ryndam cruise :confused:

[IRL_Joanie]

HAL seems to be providing conflicting information.

 

They 'sent' that to you rather than referring you to their website? Who is the 'they' that sent contradictory statement? I don't mean by name but by job description. What is it dated? Is it 'old'?

 

 

What I posted (what I was sent) is almost word for word what is on HAL's site under Smoking Policy, to which I gave the link. My copy is more in depth than HAL's Online Policy.

 

All you have yto do if you want it is to write/email HAL and ask for it:) They are happy to send it to you.

 

InnLady, I have no idea why it was not enforced on those ships. I only know what I know and that is what is posted:)

 

Joanie

[sail7seas]

I found that on HAL site tonight. :shrug:

[Seago2]

We simply avoid the Casino's on all HA ships. This is a real win for me since I no longer "donate" to the HA coffers :). We do cruise a lot with HA (just booked another 62 days for 2013) but really would prefer to be on Celebrity except they do not have the great itineraries. On HA ships our biggest problem is when trying to relax on deck (with nearby smokers who are upwind) or on a verandah if there are smokers nearby. One other potential problem is on the ships that have the Piano bars near the casino as smoke can drift from the Casino.

 

Hank

 

Exactly. Hold your breath and walk quickly through the casino- best money saving tip going!

[mightycruisequeen]

To this day, the only thing that REALLY bugs me BIGTIME about HAL is their pandering to smokers! There! I've said it!

Nobody (okay, ALMOST nobody) smokes anymore, so why does HAL keep playing footsie with the people who stink up the ship with smoke???

UGH!!!:eek::(:mad:

[pms4104]

The ventilation in the Casino is not good. You will smell smoke.

 

And there is no way that any ship can keep smoke from going from one section of the Casino to another.

 

I laughed when I saw these signs on one of our cruises (smoking and non-smoking right next to each other):

 

This picture is from the Amsterdam -- sister ship to the Volendam so the Casino will be the same:

We saw similar signage in the Noordam casino last fall ... truly surprised that there was not a true separation between smoking and non-smoking areas.

[mightycruisequeen]

It's stupid & pointless, isn't it?

Why aren't we pressing HAL to make some sort of REAL stand on the issue?:cool::cool:

[Richie2pies]

Only players in the casino may smoke. I saw people playing penny machines for ONE cent a spin just so they could smoke. I guess thats a good idea if you smoke and don't wish to donate much.