Smoking Policy (More...)

[peaches from georgia]

Georgeous ship! Unfortunately the itinerary doesn't include Glacier Bay. Also the fare of $6700pp apparently includes "free air" which I can't use as we live a 3 hr drive from Vancouver. (One way air from Anchorage to Seattle is only $382.)

 

But am making a note of this line for future reference... The price (although spendy) seems to include a lot more than on other lines... Thanks!

The Navigator fare includes everything except what you might buy in the shops. It is an All-Inclusive cruise line- airfare, shore excursions, gratuities, all beverages, dining in the alternative gourmet restaurants- all included in your basic fare. That can make it a very competitive cost if you compare it to the verandah rooms/suites on mass market lines and include all your onboard spending on non-inclusive lines to make the cost comparison realistic. I'd pick it for Alaska in a heart beat with or without Glacier Bay. We saw the Navigator docked in Nassau with a movie being filmed on it with Pierce Brosnan on one of our cruises. Gorgeous ship (and so was Pierce Brosnan when he drove by in a golf cart!).

[zone8grandma]

I, like many of you, are so weary of the smoking posts and debate! It really comes down to this in my mind.....go elsewhere if you do not like the smoking policy of HAL. Which, by the way, I find very reasonable and rational. Go to the many, many other cruise lines which have far more prohibitive smoking policies. Enjoy your smoke free balcony and never have to obsess about whether or not your vacation will be ruined by a smoker in the next cabin, the next deck, the deck two floors up, the aft balcony, the lido deck, the dock, the private island 200 miles away........

 

Why do I care about this? Because I am a very considerate smoker who books only Neptune or Pinnacle suites on HAL. I truly appreciate their reasonable policies. I am soon to be four star mariner and had 3 future cruises booked in either Neptune or Pinnacle Suites. I have never sailed in anything less on HAL and have never paid for or had a complimentary upgrade.

 

I just booked the Pinnacle suite for a 12 day Australia/New Zealand cruise. Not a small price. I was so angry about the change in wine policy for those of us who love to bring our own wines onboard. While it is still a huge disappointment to me, and I cancelled a HAL cruise to sail the NCL Breakaway in October, I will sail my 2 booked cruises and enjoy a HAL cruise in the Pinnacle Suite. HOWEVER, if the smoking on verandah policy changes then I will take my significant cruise dollars over to NCL exclusively.

 

I hope that HAL monitors these boards. I do know that NCL does so. Hopefully this thread can be closed, but I had to weigh in as I am so tired of this debate!

 

I know I'm new here, but imo, any smoker who smokes on a balcony (thus inflicting smoke on their neighbors) is an inconsiderate smoker.

[RuthC]

I know I'm new here, but imo, any smoker who smokes on a balcony (thus inflicting smoke on their neighbors) is an inconsiderate smoker.

Even though that's a designated smoking area?

 

Your complaint should not be with the smokers who are following HAL's rule. Your complaint, if you don't like smoking on private balconies, is with HAL. Your choices are accept HAL's policy, campaign to have the policy changed, or go elsewhere.

[zone8grandma]

Even though that's a designated smoking area?

 

Your complaint should not be with the smokers who are following HAL's rule. Your complaint, if you don't like smoking on private balconies, is with HAL. Your choices are accept HAL's policy, campaign to have the policy changed, or go elsewhere.

 

I simply posted my opinion.

We've decided to give HAL a try because they have the only boat and itinerary that meets our criteria. If someone else's smoke mars our enjoyment it will be our first and last HAL cruise. Eventually they will change their policy - and I have no doubt they will. It's just a matter of time.

[kazu]

Even though that's a designated smoking area?

 

Your complaint should not be with the smokers who are following HAL's rule. Your complaint, if you don't like smoking on private balconies, is with HAL. Your choices are accept HAL's policy, campaign to have the policy changed, or go elsewhere.

 

Common sense, common sense - don't you know common sense doesn't belong on these boards Ruth:p:D Of course, you are 100% correct (in case anyone misinterprets this post).:)

[FNJ]

Wot?!? Soooo, if you walk past the smoking area where I've just had a cigarette and you can smell it then that would make me inconsiderate?

 

Thanks for being a cosiderate smoker. When walking past a smoking area what do people expect? You will at times smell the smoke. The thing is when the people who are smoking migrate back to the non smoking areas, they bring the smell of smoke that clings to them which is worse then the smoke itself. The wife and I have changed seats in restaurants , movie theaters etc to get away from 3rd hand smoke. Just think if you had somebody with really bad body oder sitting next to you.....you might think they are inconsiderate. So the considerate smoker who trys to do the right thing....cant catch a break with us, but thanks for trying.

[zone8grandma]

Even though that's a designated smoking area?

 

Your complaint should not be with the smokers who are following HAL's rule. Your complaint, if you don't like smoking on private balconies, is with HAL. Your choices are accept HAL's policy, campaign to have the policy changed, or go elsewhere.

 

If I choose to go up to a designated smoking area, I expect to have to deal with smoke.

But when I pay $1000 or more for a private balcony, I have no way of knowing whether I will have inconsiderate smokers for neighbors. Yes, it's a HAL policy, but for me, right now, it's simply a gamble. We will chance it - once.

[RuthC]

But when I pay $1000 or more for a private balcony, I have no way of knowing whether I will have inconsiderate smokers for neighbors.

OK, I get it. In your opinion, people who smoke in designated smoking areas are inconsiderate. As you said, it's your opinion and you do have the right to it. :rolleyes:

[zone8grandma]

OK, I get it. In your opinion, people who smoke in designated smoking areas are inconsiderate. As you said, it's your opinion and you do have the right to it. :rolleyes:

 

What I actually said was, Imo people who choose to smoke on private balconies (knowing their smoke may bother their neoghbors) are inconsiderate.

[Fouremco]

OK, I get it. In your opinion, people who smoke in designated smoking areas are inconsiderate. As you said, it's your opinion and you do have the right to it. :rolleyes:

 

What I actually said was, Imo people who choose to smoke on private balconies (knowing their smoke may bother their neoghbors) are inconsiderate.

Ruth, I believe that zone8grandma is referring solely to balconies, not to all designated areas.

 

One could argue that a considerate smoker would refrain in the situation cited by zone8grandma, even if he or she was was under no obligation to so. That would differentiate the considerate smoker from the one who is simply policy compliant.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Fouremco

[zone8grandma]

Ruth, I believe that zone8grandma is referring solely to balconies, not to all designated areas.

 

One could argue that a considerate smoker would refrain in the situation cited by zone8grandma, even if he or she was was under no obligation to so. That would differentiate the considerate smoker from the one who is simply policy compliant.

 

Exactly. Thank you for stating it more clearly (and elegantly) than I did. One smoker is policy compliant. The other (who refrains from smoking on balconies) is considerate. Seems to me that if all smokers were considerate, policies would not be needed.

Edited November 16, 2013 by zone8grandma

[Himself]

I do NOT smoke. I quit on June 8, 1992 and have no wish or desire to go back smoking.

Right now smoking is limited to the wrap around deck (Lower Promenade on the S and R Class ships and Promenade on the Vista and Sinature Class Vessels) and the aft part of the Lido deck just outside the Lido Cafeteria on the Starbord side of the Vessel. If one is lucky enough to have a balcony, out there. I don't even know if is allowed in the Casino, since I don't go in there. So, smoking is very very restricted. One has to go looking for it to have the smoke blown in one's face. My sister smokes and she is a wonderful person. However when I read certain posts, I gather she would not be welcome on a HAL ship. Yet, she sailed them back in the late 70's before all of the intolerant complainers got the policy changed.

[iancal]

I am not a smoker.

 

But if I was, you could hardly expect me not to smoke on my verandah since the ability to smoke on my verandah was one of the reasons that I may have selected HAL.

 

Why would you expect a smoker NOT to smoke on his or her balcony, or in designated smoking areas when it is permitted? That logic seems more than a little odd to me.

 

If you do not like this, then simply select another cruise line or book an outside or inside cabin.

 

It is hardly reasonable to imply that someone is inconsiderate because they smoke on their verandah.

Edited November 16, 2013 by iancal

[cruisin'girl]

I know I'm new here, but imo, any smoker who smokes on a balcony (thus inflicting smoke on their neighbors) is an inconsiderate smoker.

And what about smokers in the casino where smoking is allowed? Aren't they also inconsiderate for smoking around non-smoker gamblers? Smokers at the aft pool bar when there are non-smokers at the bar- inconsiderate? All of these 3 places are designated smoking areas, yet smokers are only supposed to smoke in these areas if they get the permission of the non-smokers who choose to be there knowing smoking is allowed. I think 'inconsiderate' is being applied to the wrong group.

[zone8grandma]

I am not a smoker.

 

But if I was, you could hardly expect me not to smoke on my verandah since the ability to smoke on my verandah was one of the reasons that I may have selected HAL.

 

Why would you expect a smoker NOT to smoke on his or her balcony, or in designated smoking areas when it is permitted? That logic seems more than a little odd to me.

 

If you do not like this, then simply select another cruise line or book an outside or inside cabin.

 

It is hardly reasonable to imply that someone is inconsiderate because they smoke on their verandah.

 

1) I've already gone tnrough a process of elimination. The Statendam is tne only boat that meets our criteria

 

2) I'm not implying. I'm statting that, imo, a considerate smoker would not smoke on a balcony. A truly considerate smoker would smoke only in a location that could be easily avoided. One's own private balcony can't be easily avoided.

[ScriptOhio]

We have gone round and round on this subject with HA and attached is the latest correspondence.

 

FYI, we did book our cruise on a different line but would sail again on HA if and when the policy changes.

 

Regards, Jane

 

Just sayin': A good compromise would be for Holland America to ban smoking on the port side verandas and allow it on the starboard side verandas.

 

:D

[cruisin'girl]

1) I've already gone tnrough a process of elimination. The Statendam is tne only boat that meets our criteria

 

2) I'm not implying. I'm statting that, imo, a considerate smoker would not smoke on a balcony. A truly considerate smoker would smoke only in a location that could be easily avoided. One's own private balcony can't be easily avoided.

But smoking on a neighboring balcony CAN be easily avoided on a HAL ship if you strongly object to smoking. Just don't book a balcony because you know beforehand balconies are a smoking allowed area.

[zone8grandma]

But smoking on a neighboring balcony CAN be easily avoided on a HAL ship if you strongly object to smoking. Just don't book a balcony because you know beforehand balconies are a smoking allowed area.

 

Huh?

I shouldn't book a veranda cabin bevause smoker MIGHT foul the air I breathe?

 

If I have to book a cabin with a window only, then I might as well not book at all.

Edited November 16, 2013 by zone8grandma

[zone8grandma]

Just sayin': A good compromise would be for Holland America to ban smoking on the port side verandas and allow it on the starboard side verandas.

 

:D

That would be a good solution.

[Mimosa09]

 

Princess - only does RT trips from Seattle. Doesn't permit time to explore on land

 

Ok, I'm confused:confused:. I know Princess doesn't just do RT out of Seattle to Alaska. Our very first cruise was out of Vancouver on the Sapphire to Whittier. And yes, it went to Glacier Bay. Plus we added on one of those land tour options and saw Denali.

 

 

-Rose

[Linda&Vern]

I am also new to this board, so the "smoking" threads are not old to me.

 

My husband and I are planning our first Alaskan cruise next summer. Since it's our first, we have no biases towards (or against) any of the companies. I looked at the companies that have Alaskan cruises and went through a process of elimination.

 

Seven Seas Navigator - no balcony

 

Radiance of the Seas - good itinerary for us, but carries 2500 passengers (toooo big)

 

Celebrity Millennium - doesn't go to Glacier Bay and carries 2000 passengers

 

Princess - only does RT trips from Seattle. Doesn't permit time to explore on land

 

Statendum (HAL) - good itinerary, goes to Glacier Bay carries 1200 passengers.

 

Soooo, the only boat that meets our criteria (not too big, starts in Seward, goes to Glacier Bay, and has balcony cabins) is the one that has a liberal smoking policy.... Hence our delimna....

 

We're considering booking the Statendum and getting a cabin as far forward as possible. Is that a reasonable approach?

The good new is that smoking was not allowed in Glacier Bay. As far as I know that rule is enforced. There was recently someone on Facebook demanding his money back because the cruise line did not disclose that policy before he took his trip. He was greatly distressed he could not smoke during Glacier Bay viewing.

[cruisemom42]

Huh?

I shouldn't book a veranda cabin bevause smoker MIGHT foul the air I breathe?

 

If I have to book a cabin with a window only, then I might as well not book at all.

 

I am not a smoker, but I can't understand your thought process. At some point, we have to assume responsibility for the choices we make. If someone books a balcony cabin knowing that smoking is allowed, that person is taking their chances that they may smell smoke from other balconies at some point on their cruise.

 

It's just the same as knowing that foul weather could deprive you of the use of your balcony (in Alaska in particular) for a number of days. Would you then consider Mother Nature to be inconsiderate?

 

It seems to me you had other criteria when you booked (itinerary, timing, etc.) and settled on HAL as meeting those criteria. If smoking were as high up on your list, you wouldn't have booked the cabin. Senseless to complain about it now.

 

P.S. I am willing to book any cabin on a cruise I like and have been in rooms from a tiny inside single to a deluxe balcony and anything in between and would do any of them again.

[regnig]

While I’m really loath to post on a “smoking” thread my irritation with the verbiage being used has reached its limit. The definition of considerate is ”thinking about the rights and feelings of other people”. As you will note, I have bolded the word “rights”. Under HAL’s current policy it is the right of anyone who books a balcony to smoke on it PERIOD. As a non-smoker it is not your right to attempt to deny or disregard the rights someone else or to belittle them for exercising their rights. That makes you the inconsiderate person. HAL is upfront about their policy and when a smoker books a balcony stateroom they are afforded the right by HAL to smoke on it. If a non-smoker books a balcony they are giving up their rights to possibly have a smoke free environment. If someone does not agree with the HAL’s policy then they shouldn’t spend their money on a balcony. But, by all means please, please, please stop calling those who paid for the right to smoke on their balconies and then do so inconsiderate.

[midwest 852]

Ok, I'm confused:confused:. I know Princess doesn't just do RT out of Seattle to Alaska. Our very first cruise was out of Vancouver on the Sapphire to Whittier. And yes, it went to Glacier Bay. Plus we added on one of those land tour options and saw Denali.

 

I have done this also

Edited November 16, 2013 by midwest 852
Wrong post

[Cashew14]

While I’m really loath to post on a “smoking” thread my irritation with the verbiage being used has reached its limit. The definition of considerate is ”thinking about the rights and feelings of other people”. As you will note, I have bolded the word “rights”. Under HAL’s current policy it is the right of anyone who books a balcony to smoke on it PERIOD. As a non-smoker it is not your right to attempt to deny or disregard the rights someone else or to belittle them for exercising their rights. That makes you the inconsiderate person. HAL is upfront about their policy and when a smoker books a balcony stateroom they are afforded the right by HAL to smoke on it. If a non-smoker books a balcony they are giving up their rights to possibly have a smoke free environment. If someone does not agree with the HAL’s policy then they shouldn’t spend their money on a balcony. But, by all means please, please, please stop calling those who paid for the right to smoke on their balconies and then do so inconsiderate.

 

Thank you and well said!!