Just off the Nieuw Amsterdam, great cruise but…….

[Lesinindy]

First off this was one of the best two weeks I have spent in a long time. The ship was spotless; the crew was most helpful and professional. The food was totally out of this world. Our weather was perfect, not too hot, and not too cold. Transition to the second leg of our BTB Collector could not have been easier; get up meet, get off the ship, wave at customs, get back on. I left the cruise relaxed, overweight and happy.

We tried something new for us and it is a great addition to our cruise experience. We arrived 2 days early left for home on Monday. Not only was it less stressful, but the reduced airfare on Monday vs. Sunday paid for 2 of our 3 hotel days.

The Big But for the cruise had to do with verandas. It was our luck to be surrounded by smokers. Now I used to smoke and it does not bother me much, but it drives DW crazy. On many occasions we were forced back in our room by the smoke. Even for me that does not go nuts at the smell of smoke, it is a shame that that wonderful odor of the open sea was covered up by smoke.

Being able to enjoy the outdoors on our verandah is a big part of our cruise experience. Reading for hours out there, having breakfast (via room service) with that wonderful fresh orange juice cannot be beat. But for two weeks we really could not do that. I did not order once from room service, it was just not worth it. There were times that the wonderful verandah experience was available to us, but soon the smokers would emerge.

I can see my three star mariner status on the horizon, but I am going to have to think about alternative lines where the smoking is more restricted.

I know how it is to be addicted to cigarettes, I was for 20 years. I know the feeling of needing a smoke and the relaxation when you light up. Not being able to feed your addiction makes for a horrible time.

I am not out to ban smoking totally, but why can they not make at least half the ship (as is done on the outside decks already) non-smoking.

My only cure for this problem is to reserve aft deck rooms, rarely did we get overcome by smoke there. I must admit that we were blessed by wonderful weather with calm winds that exacerbated the problem, but it was a big problem.

Edited April 3, 2014 by Lesinindy

[kalliekae]

I agree with your comments on smoking. Our last HAL cruise was on the Nieuw Amsterdam and we wish HAL would ban smoking on the balconies. We pay extra for those precious balconies, but it isn't worth it when your neighbor lights up a cigarette or worse, a cigar. We have since cruised on RCCL and very much enjoyed our balcony where smoking is prohibited.

 

 

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[taxmantoo]

I agree with your comments on smoking. Our last HAL cruise was on the Nieuw Amsterdam and we wish HAL would ban smoking on the balconies. We pay extra for those precious balconies, but it isn't worth it when your neighbor lights up a cigarette or worse, a cigar. We have since cruised on RCCL and very much enjoyed our balcony where smoking is prohibited.

 

 

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If enough people complain, they will eventually listen and follow other cruise lines in adopting a 21st Century policy. ;)

[mickey89]

The best advise is give HAL a miss, jump over to Celebrity, they are more in-line with public opinion and ban balcony smoking.

HAL has become the smoker's cruise of choice, so let them kill one another.

[OCruisers]

First off this was one of the best two weeks I have spent in a long time. The ship was spotless; the crew was most helpful and professional. The food was totally out of this world. Our weather was perfect, not too hot, and not too cold. Transition to the second leg of our BTB Collector could not have been easier; get up meet, get off the ship, wave at customs, get back on. I left the cruise relaxed, overweight and happy.

 

Glad you had a GREAT time. Our friends were on this one with you and now are on for their 2nd week. :)

LuLu

~~~~

[aliaschief]

Thanks for the review.

[Typhoon1]

Smoking needs to be banned on balconies. Period. Have some consideration for your fellow cruisers.

[pris993]

I feel for you, I am a former smoker, quit some 20 years ago. There was a time when smelling cig smoke smelled good - have to admit that is no longer the case. We have not been on HAL in 5 years, we are leaving on the N. Amsterdam on Sunday on a TA, I hope we are not near smokers.

 

I agree we need to continue to let HAL know they need to restrict smoking on balconies. Hey, we might do something like the wine policy change, HAL did listen.

 

Princess did so several years ago after a fire, so it is not only unpleasant but it is unsafe. No longer can passengers smoke on balconies on Princess.

 

I hope HAL will wake up.

[momatibm]

I think, and I am speaking as a 4star non smoker, that this is an overblown issue. Okay so flame me. I may have in all my sailing days noticed someone smoking next to me. This even after the latest changes. I have more problems walking into the grocery store or even Target where the 'cigarette' towers are right at the front than on the cruise ship. I don't do the casino so I don't have that issue.

[Linda&Vern]

Les - I am so happy you had a great cruise. I know (from reading your posts) how much having these two weeks away meant to you. PLEASE express your concern about the verandah problem when you do your on-line post cruise survey. If it was me, I would also write to HAL about your great cruise ... and about the one BIG problem you had. HAL won't know if we don't tell them.

[OHSnowLeopard]

We are embarking on our first HAL cruise a week from Sunday, a 16 nighter, and I must admit I am crossing my fingers that we have no balcony smokers by us. It's not the once in awhile folks that ruin it, but the chain smokers who subject the entire area to their pollution constantly. That being said, I find if I prepare myself in advance for the chance that it MIGHT happen I am less disappointed if it does...

[nana51]

As a ex-smoker I do understand. Once of the reasons I quit was it was becoming too difficult to smoke anywhere, the enjoyment was gone. My sister who have both smoked very heavily both quit, after 50 years!!! It can be done. I don't mind a bit of smoke but chain smokers would really bother me.

[OHCruiser]

OP, please take the time to let HAL know about your experience.

[Lesinindy]

OP, please take the time to let HAL know about your experience.

 

I took your advice and forwarded a copy of this posting to HAL. It will be interesting to see if I get a response and if so how they word the response.

[Viesczy]

Firstly I'm sorry Les had a disappointing experience, his $ should've bought his enjoyment. He has every right (and duty) to express his concerns. It is unfortunate that a compromise couldn't have been worked out with all the folks in the vicinity so everyone could enjoy themselves.

 

When you read the rest of my reply know that I am a non smoker (I personally find it abhorrent) and a physical fitness freak.

 

We need to really settle down with the Puritanical attack on vices. The entire sterilization of the world at the behest of squeaky wheels only leads to existing and not living. Really. All our rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are equal.

 

What's next a Talibanesque Dept of Vice and Virtues like was in place in Afghanistan? Something to make sure you're not laughing too much, standing too closely together, eating enough veggies, brushing your teeth in the correct manner for the correct amount of time, that you're not wearing quite too much perfume, and that you're not eating far too many calories?

 

Before someone laments the well lamented dangers of smoking, realize that you're in far greater danger from the levels of arsenic in our (USA's) drinking water than you are from second hand smoke. You can't escape the arsenic in our water as the water is consumed by us, consumed by our stock animals which we then consume, and used in food preparation. At least with the smoke it dissipates into the atmosphere.

 

Derek

[HamOp]

How about if smoking were allowed only during the even hours? 6, 8, 10, and noon. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pm. Also allowed from 12 midnight to 5 am.

 

That would at least give the non-smokers and smokers a fair amount of time to both enjoy there balcony.

 

SING ON BALCONY DOOR:

 

SMOKERS ALLOWED ON BALCONY EVEN HOURS ONLY.

 

NON-SMOKERS FRESH AIR ON ODD HOURS ONLY.

[doublebzz]

How about if smoking were allowed only during the even hours? 6, 8, 10, and noon. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pm. Also allowed from 12 midnight to 5 am.

 

 

SING ON BALCONY DOOR:

 

SMOKERS ALLOWED ON BALCONY EVEN HOURS ONLY.

 

NON-SMOKERS FRESH AIR ON ODD HOURS ONLY.

 

I think this is a good idea particularly the "singing" of the authorized hours.

[Lizzie68]

Firstly I'm sorry Les had a disappointing experience, his $ should've bought his enjoyment. He has every right (and duty) to express his concerns. It is unfortunate that a compromise couldn't have been worked out with all the folks in the vicinity so everyone could enjoy themselves.

 

When you read the rest of my reply know that I am a non smoker (I personally find it abhorrent) and a physical fitness freak.

 

We need to really settle down with the Puritanical attack on vices. The entire sterilization of the world at the behest of squeaky wheels only leads to existing and not living. Really. All our rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness are equal.

 

What's next a Talibanesque Dept of Vice and Virtues like was in place in Afghanistan? Something to make sure you're not laughing too much, standing too closely together, eating enough veggies, brushing your teeth in the correct manner for the correct amount of time, that you're not wearing quite too much perfume, and that you're not eating far too many calories?

 

Before someone laments the well lamented dangers of smoking, realize that you're in far greater danger from the levels of arsenic in our (USA's) drinking water than you are from second hand smoke. You can't escape the arsenic in our water as the water is consumed by us, consumed by our stock animals which we then consume, and used in food preparation. At least with the smoke it dissipates into the atmosphere.

 

Derek

 

 

Just a comment - and I'm not getting into the whole smoking debate - but if you post the argument that I bolded, then it's only fair for the other side to post theirs, and yet you prefaced it by saying "before someone laments....". So it pretty much invites the debate. Fair play, and all that.

[igraf]

You are kidding, right? HAL would need whole police department to enforce such a rule.

 

A far simpler (and fair) policy is to designate sections of cabins as smoking balconies and non-smoking balconies, preferably with the smokers towards the aft end.

 

igraf

 

 

 

 

 

How about if smoking were allowed only during the even hours? 6, 8, 10, and noon. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pm. Also allowed from 12 midnight to 5 am.

 

That would at least give the non-smokers and smokers a fair amount of time to both enjoy there balcony.

 

SING ON BALCONY DOOR:

 

SMOKERS ALLOWED ON BALCONY EVEN HOURS ONLY.

 

 

NON-SMOKERS FRESH AIR ON ODD HOURS ONLY.

Edited April 4, 2014 by igraf

[ksqueak]

How about if smoking were allowed only during the even hours? 6, 8, 10, and noon. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pm. Also allowed from 12 midnight to 5 am.

 

That would at least give the non-smokers and smokers a fair amount of time to both enjoy there balcony.

 

SING ON BALCONY DOOR:

 

SMOKERS ALLOWED ON BALCONY EVEN HOURS ONLY.

 

 

NON-SMOKERS FRESH AIR ON ODD HOURS ONLY.

 

 

 

Or what if they did Port side non-smoking and Starboard smoking? Or vice-versa. You get the idea. As long as it's consistent across the fleet people would know which side to book the cabin on.

[runnergirl71]

Or what if they did Port side non-smoking and Starboard smoking? Or vice-versa. You get the idea. As long as it's consistent across the fleet people would know which side to book the cabin on.

 

 

The only issue there is a lot if people want one side over the other for whatever reason. If their side of preference doesn't match their smoking preference, I predict the complaining would be loud and long.

 

 

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[taxmantoo]

Or what if they did Port side non-smoking and Starboard smoking? Or vice-versa. You get the idea. As long as it's consistent across the fleet people would know which side to book the cabin on.

 

Why would they reserve 50% of ship's cabins for smokers when smokers only account for 20% of the population? :rolleyes:

[Lizzie68]

How about if smoking were allowed only during the even hours? 6, 8, 10, and noon. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 pm. Also allowed from 12 midnight to 5 am.

 

That would at least give the non-smokers and smokers a fair amount of time to both enjoy there balcony.

 

SING ON BALCONY DOOR:

 

SMOKERS ALLOWED ON BALCONY EVEN HOURS ONLY.

 

NON-SMOKERS FRESH AIR ON ODD HOURS ONLY.

 

LOL!! This kind of whizzed over some heads......:D:D

[HamOp]

LOL!! This kind of whizzed over some heads......:D:D

 

Yep, think so.....

[HamOp]

Why would they reserve 50% of ship's cabins for smokers when smokers only account for 20% of the population? :rolleyes:

 

The 20% figure may or may not be true of the general population, but judging by the number of complaints about smokers on HAL, the on-board balcony percentage must be much higher. Like 70 percent?