What should I have done?

[solocanadian]

I'm a smoker. And I have watched and reported dangerous idiots. In fact, standing smoking talking with them allowed me to report them by name.

 

Good for you. However I do wonder if they suffered any repercussions. Wish HAL would ban smoking altogether. I quit almost 2 years ago after 54 years of smoking and don't miss it for a minute.

Edited January 5, 2014 by solocanadian

[solocanadian]

I don't doubt for one minute I would have torn into anyone I saw tossing a lit cigarette overboard. All our lives are at risk from such an action. I couldn't care less if I embarrassed them or angered them or whatever.......... we are talking major fire risk when a lit cigarette is tossed. :eek:

 

Moron!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here, here!

[startwin]

When I reported the incident to the front office, I was hoping there would be a public announcement shortly thereafter reminding everyone that there is no smoking in Glacier Bay, and the dangers of throwing butts overboard. Nothing. Nada. Silence.

[Fouremco]

Report them how?

You wouldn't know their name or cabin number.

 

I don't mean to be argumentative with you but what would you report? Some man or woman whose name or cabin number you don't know tossed a cigarette 15 minutes ago?

 

If you saw someone trying to break into a cabin you knew not to be theirs, would you report it? If you saw someone shoplifting from one of the stores, would you report it? I'd certainly hope so, even though you wouldn't know their names or cabin numbers. I would provide a physical description and an account of what I observed, in the hope that the ship's crew might be slightly more vigilant.

 

Given the many posts on different threads suggesting that HAL does not always respond to breaches of the rules, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to do something, but I would know that at least I have met my responsibility to bring it to the attention of the appropriate authority.

 

Turning a blind eye to potentially serious wrongdoing is just plain wrong.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Fouremco

[GeriatricNurse]

I would have spoken to them in a non-confrontational manner to explain the potential danger. While it may seem common sense to experienced cruisers and CC members, it may be less so to others. Let's face it, there are still drivers who flick their butts out the car front window and are surprised when they reenter the car through the back window! If the smokers seem genuinely contrite I'd let it go, but if there was any "attitude" displayed I'd definitely report them.[/font]

 

And dump the ash/butt receptacles from their vehicles onto the street while they are stopped at a red light! :mad:

[GeriatricNurse]

I still don't understand why someone was smoking on the Promenade deck. It is not listed as a smoking area ... yet reports of people smoking there continue on all ships. On the Westerdam in March we had a cigar smoker puffing away DURING THE LIFEBOAT DRILL. No crew said a word, yet HAL's current smoking policy says you can only smoke in areas below:

 

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)[/FONT]

 

Well, if the Promenade Deck is NOT listed as a smoking area, WHY are there ash/butt pots hanging from the railings on this deck? :confused:

[Spender Nui]

I agree with "it should be reported". Unfortunately when it is it's just another rule that's not enforced.

[the2ofus]

I hope that I would, in a respectful manner, approach the people who threw the cigarette butt. I think it would depend on their general response when I approached. I am sure that those who don't understand the risk just assume the butt will fall into the water and do no harm.

 

I had a relative who dropped or threw her cigarette butts wherever. One flew into the rear window of the car and hurt their baby who was in a car seat. When her husband became very angry with her she was offended. Sheesh!!!

 

I agree that reporting to the front office serves no real purpose. Perhaps a plea to HAL on the disembarkation survey would do more good in the long run.

[sail7seas]

If you saw someone trying to break into a cabin you knew not to be theirs, would you report it? If you saw someone shoplifting from one of the stores, would you report it? I'd certainly hope so, even though you wouldn't know their names or cabin numbers. I would provide a physical description and an account of what I observed, in the hope that the ship's crew might be slightly more vigilant.

 

Given the many posts on different threads suggesting that HAL does not always respond to breaches of the rules, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to do something, but I would know that at least I have met my responsibility to bring it to the attention of the appropriate authority.

 

Turning a blind eye to potentially serious wrongdoing is just plain wrong.

 

 

I made a post in this thread saying I would speak to the offender immediately. I most assuredly would not turn a blind eye.

 

Edited January 5, 2014 by sail7seas

[WpgCruise]

 

I made a post in this thread saying I would speak to the offender immediately. I most assuredly would not turn a blind eye.

 

 

In todays world of confrontation, that may not be the prudent course. I would suspect anyone on a ship who throws a butt over the side knows it is against the rules, but cares not. Speaking to them immediately would perhaps at best bring indifference, at worst physical confrontation.

 

IMHO, H.A.L. sets the rules and is responsible for enforcement of their rules. As a guest I see my role as bringing the issue to H.A.L.'s attention, and action at that point is their responsibility.

[sail7seas]

In todays world of confrontation, that may not be the prudent course. I would suspect anyone on a ship who throws a butt over the side knows it is against the rules, but cares not. Speaking to them immediately would perhaps at best bring indifference, at worst physical confrontation.

 

IMHO, H.A.L. sets the rules and is responsible for enforcement of their rules. As a guest I see my role as bringing the issue to H.A.L.'s attention, and action at that point is their responsibility.

 

 

Good advice.

 

[cbr663]

In todays world of confrontation, that may not be the prudent course. I would suspect anyone on a ship who throws a butt over the side knows it is against the rules, but cares not. Speaking to them immediately would perhaps at best bring indifference, at worst physical confrontation.

 

IMHO, H.A.L. sets the rules and is responsible for enforcement of their rules. As a guest I see my role as bringing the issue to H.A.L.'s attention, and action at that point is their responsibility.

 

I agree. Voluntarily putting yourself in a one-on-one situation with a total stranger is a risky endeavour. HAL has closed circuit cameras monitoring all public spaces on its ships, so it would be relatively easy for HAL to discover the smokers and to remind them of the smoking policy.

 

I also think that HAL would not want you to approach anyone whom you see is a possible security threat. HAL has staff onboard who are trained and have the authority to take action on any violations. Having untrained, albeit, well-meaning pax assume this role only places HAL at higher risk.

 

And, while I hope this would ever happen, with the world being as it is today, please remember that HAL's policy allows that any obnoxious behaviour that is directed at another guest is reason to have you removed from a ship. Depending on how you approach the situation, the offending guest may actually turn around and make a complaint against you.

 

I would report the incident to HAL and allow HAL to look after it.

Edited January 6, 2014 by cbr663

[sailandcruise]

The smokers were two middle aged men. The incident occurred as a rain storm began, so we all headed inside. So the timing wasn't necessarily due to their having finished smoking the cigarettes; it is entirely possible that what they threw overboard were more than just butts. In any case, when they came inside they met their wives who had not been outside smoking with them. I went up to them and said something like "Please don't throw cigarette butts overboard. They are a fire hazard. Don't you remember the safety briefing we were given? What you did was very dangerous."

 

I wouldn't have recognized them again so I didn't see a point in reporting them to the front desk, but I hoped that their wives would say something to them or cause them to be embarrassed by their unsafe and unacceptable behavior so they wouldn't do it again. However, in light of everyone's thoughtful comments on here, perhaps I should have just reported the incident to the safety officer via the front desk.

[RuthC]

I think you handled it well. You weren't confrontational, there was safety (for you) in numbers, and when you were finished they were aware of the danger. Had you reported it to the Front Office the men would not have had the opportunity to learn.

[cbr663]

The smokers were two middle aged men. The incident occurred as a rain storm began, so we all headed inside. So the timing wasn't necessarily due to their having finished smoking the cigarettes; it is entirely possible that what they threw overboard were more than just butts. In any case, when they came inside they met their wives who had not been outside smoking with them. I went up to them and said something like "Please don't throw cigarette butts overboard. They are a fire hazard. Don't you remember the safety briefing we were given? What you did was very dangerous."

 

I wouldn't have recognized them again so I didn't see a point in reporting them to the front desk, but I hoped that their wives would say something to them or cause them to be embarrassed by their unsafe and unacceptable behavior so they wouldn't do it again. However, in light of everyone's thoughtful comments on here, perhaps I should have just reported the incident to the safety officer via the front desk.

 

I am glad that you did not experience any negative reaction from the guests. You took a great risk and I am glad that no harm came to you. Other groups may not have reacted so peacefully. Admonishing the gentlemen in a public setting may have left them feeling humiliated and embarrassed, and as their wives were not party to the rule breaking, they may have been left feeling quite uncomfortable and embarrassed also. You don't mention whether other people were around, but criticizing people in a public manner is rarely considered appropriate.

 

IMO, it would have been better for you to have let HAL handle it. It is my hope that security would have spoken to the each gentleman privately and reminded them of the smoking policy and the environmental policies of HAL (never throwing anything overboard) and reminded them of the consequences of any further contraventions of these policies.

Edited January 6, 2014 by cbr663

[startwin]

[quote name='WpgCruise']In todays world of confrontation, that may not be the prudent course. I would suspect anyone on a ship who throws a butt over the side knows it is against the rules, but cares not. Speaking to them immediately would perhaps at best bring indifference, at worst physical confrontation.

IMHO, H.A.L. sets the rules and is responsible for enforcement of their rules. As a guest I see my role as bringing the issue to H.A.L.'s attention, and action at that point is their responsibility.[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]I entirely agree.[/SIZE][/FONT]