Coexisting with smokers?

[runnergirl71]

I don't think it's fair to say that. They are following rules' date=' and I do think they should have somewhere comfortable and warm to smoke inside the ship too, that is well ventilated. [b'] I think all we can hope for - and actually expect - is some consideration from the smoker when neighbours are out on their balcony - smoke on the other side of the balcony, say, not right up against the partition, for instance. Keep the smoke within confines, as far as possible.[/b]

 

I agree with this 100%. If I have smoking neighbors on my Alaska cruise, I'm not saying they should NEVER smoke. I'm just hoping that they're reasonable and don't insist on being out there every waking moment...or they will be willing to do something like move to the other side of the balcony.

[cruz chic]

 

There is no way HAL will ever stop smoking on verandahs. I know many of us have our reasons for sailing HAL, but it is known as a line for older people. If they cut off smoking, there is really no reason for smokers to choose HAL over another line. What is has now that differentiates itself is smoking on verandahs and midsized ships.

 

Time will tell. I'd be willing to bet it will happen, sooner than later. Hal wants to attract younger people. Eventually, the old folks will pass away. Hal can't survive having only smokers aboard no matter who thinks that.

Edited May 26, 2014 by cruz chic

[kazu]

I can say it just as easily as CRUZBUDS can say that HAL is "cowering" to a small number of smokers. You are correct, HAL has never released such statistics and most likely never will.

 

At the same time, out of all the people who post on CC in the HAL forum Smoking threads it seems that it is a small number of the same members who constantly post about HAL being more restrictive on their smoking locations.

 

I try not to post on smoking threads but I think you raise some very valid points and some good observations.

[Harry1954]

Well, they paid for a verandah, so they can do as they please. And, they chose HAL because HAL allows them to smoke. If I were a smoker, I would not sail any line but HAL, for that reason. As a former smoker, I know the drill. I wouldn't have wanted to get dressed and go outside to find a spot for my first smoke!

 

There is no way HAL will ever stop smoking on verandahs. I know many of us have our reasons for sailing HAL, but it is known as a line for older people. If they cut off smoking, there is really no reason for smokers to choose HAL over another line. What is has now that differentiates itself is smoking on verandahs and midsized ships.

yep, it is a win-lose situation. while we have done many HAL cruises, we have gotten back to Crystal because of their smoking policy. we always get a deluxe suite on HAL and prefer to enjoy the verandah ... however, about 20-25% of the HAL cruises we have encountered chain smokers ... we found we would be so upset we just didnt use the verandah. I wrote HAL but that went over like a lead balloon. So, we find ourselves booking less HAL cruises each year and more of others.

 

Boy do I love these topics .. I use to be very considerate of smokers ... but after realizing that it is win-lose, I am no more.

 

I do predict that HAL will indeed ban smoking on the verandahs ... imho.

harry

Edited May 26, 2014 by Harry1954

[Toad]

The OP asked about, "Coexisting with smokers", I only hear a few people who are willing to coexist with smokers, but I am one of them. I am always thrilled to be cruising, always have a balcony, and seldom have been bothered by smoke. So yes, I am perfectly willing to coexist with smokers on a cruise. Not in my house, nor in my office, BUT outside on my balcony on a cruise you betcha!

[LindaM]

I will be very happy to eat my words, when and if HAL bans smoking. VERY happy. People didn't believe HAL would stop letting people bring on more than 1 bottle wine PP. And, it happened. The decision to charge a corkage for more than that happened after the date of the new policy. I had a lot of people tell me I was wrong--that it wasn't going to happen!! I believe they will stop allowing smoking on verandahs when EVERY line does. I'm 62...I don't think it will be in my lifetime. I hope I'm wrong.

[cruz chic]

I will be very happy to eat my words, when and if HAL bans smoking. VERY happy. People didn't believe HAL would stop letting people bring on more than 1 bottle wine PP. And, it happened. The decision to charge a corkage for more than that happened after the date of the new policy. I had a lot of people tell me I was wrong--that it wasn't going to happen!! I believe they will stop allowing smoking on verandahs when EVERY line does. I'm 62...I don't think it will be in my lifetime. I hope I'm wrong.

 

I think the people that didn't think Hal was going to limit wine were in denial. When I made a comment about people abusing the privilege I got my butt kicked severely. I'm quite sure veranda smoking will end in your lifetime. Who would have thought they would have ended smoking in the cabin? Baby steps.

[Chelly]

I guess it depends on whether a smoker is wiling to extend a common courtesy to strangers only a few feet away who may become ill on uncomfortable from cancer causing smoke. People who smoke on their balconies are selfish and only care about themselves. There are other areas on the ship designated for smokers. However, some feel that balconies are "designated smoking areas". It really does come down to respect and common courtesy.

 

'nuf said.

[cruisin'girl]

I guess it depends on whether a smoker is wiling to extend a common courtesy to strangers only a few feet away who may become ill on uncomfortable from cancer causing smoke. People who smoke on their balconies are selfish and only care about themselves. There are other areas on the ship designated for smokers. However, some feel that balconies are "designated smoking areas". It really does come down to respect and common courtesy.

 

'nuf said.

Actually balconies are "designated smoking areas" according to HAL's official rules for where smoking is allowed.

[RuthC]

I guess it depends on whether a smoker is wiling to extend a common courtesy to strangers only a few feet away who may become ill on uncomfortable from cancer causing smoke. People who smoke on their balconies are selfish and only care about themselves.

So, what you're saying is that people who smoke in a designated smoking area are being selfish.

Got it. :rolleyes:

[Okie1946]

The reason why the smokers don't post is because they are tired of getting into it with people. If I were a smoker, I would not read any smoking threads. What would be the point??They are never going to win the argument. But...they ARE allowed to smoke on HAL verandahs. They've won!

 

The smokers are still here. Where else would they be? I think HAL is very accomodating by allowing them to smoke on verandahs. What other line could they have gone to? Doesn't make sense!

 

 

 

Originally Posted by Chelly

 

Agree. We all have the right to our choices. We don't have the right to make others uncomfortable. Smokers are aware that by smoking on balconies, they may be causing the discomfort of others. So, by willfully smoking on that balcony, they are saying "I don't give a dam how you feel. I will do exactly as I please!"

 

 

 

 

Linda - thank you. You are correct - smokers are people too and many (my DH) included must be getting very tired of being attached and vilified for a habit that they have probably had for many years. I have watched my DH try to quit smoking many, many times and he has yet to be successful. He has smoked for 50 years (we have been married 40 of those) and he has always been very respectful of me and our children. He never smoked in our home, in the car or in any public place. He smokes outside in the summer time and in the garage in the winter.

 

He would never intentionally go about making someone uncomfortable over his addiction.

 

Chelly - You stated that people "do not have the right to make others uncomfortable." When a person who is a non-smoker walks into the smoker's designated space (on board ship or in a smoking designated area elsewhere) and makes snide and rude comments and pulls the "fake" cough card, what is that person doing to the smoker. Attempting to make that person "uncomfortable". It isn't that he is taking the attitude that "I don't give a damn" - The smoker is attempting to show respect to the non-smoker by not invading their space.

 

Respect is a two way street - and that IMOP.

 

Barbara

Edited May 27, 2014 by Okie1946

[cruz chic]

How can you tell a fake cough from a real one? I cough a fair bit but it gets worse around smoke. Would that be a fake cough?

[wannagonow123]

I usually don't get involved in these smoking threads because I smoke, but I have to say something about consideration on both parts. On our last cruise, we had a balcony, and the people on the left side of us made the " oh no, smokers" comment. We told them that we would try not to smoke while they were outside, and that we would check before we lit up. I DON"T THINK THE EVER LEFT THEIR STATEROOM! For the first 3 days, We would knock on the partition and speak "are you there" and ever time they said yes. I asked what time they were having dinner, and they said room service. At 9pm the first night we went out, and we were told they prop their door open while the sleep. After 3 days we gave up and said the hell with it. We hear them grumbling rather loudly, but frankly at that point we did not care, and yes, we were childish, but we spent a whole lot of time out of the casino, and on our balcony.

 

There should be some sort of compromise that can be made. I do not agree with 1/2 of the ship. There are not that many smokers. What about 25% of the floor directly under the Lido deck, on one side? Hal notate that it is a smoking balcony. When those balconies sell out, a smoker can decide to take a different cruise, or go upstairs to smoke. Fines to be imposed on anyone smoking in a no-smoking area. If smoking cabins fill up really quickly, then apparently more people smoke than statistics say, then Hal has a decision to make.

 

Where I am sorry that it might impose on someone that only stays in cabin 8282 (just a made up #) and does not smoke, but maybe something like this would work

[cruz chic]

I usually don't get involved in these smoking threads because I smoke, but I have to say something about consideration on both parts. On our last cruise, we had a balcony, and the people on the left side of us made the " oh no, smokers" comment. We told them that we would try not to smoke while they were outside, and that we would check before we lit up. I DON"T THINK THE EVER LEFT THEIR STATEROOM! For the first 3 days, We would knock on the partition and speak "are you there" and ever time they said yes. I asked what time they were having dinner, and they said room service. At 9pm the first night we went out, and we were told they prop their door open while the sleep. After 3 days we gave up and said the hell with it. We hear them grumbling rather loudly, but frankly at that point we did not care, and yes, we were childish, but we spent a whole lot of time out of the casino, and on our balcony.

 

There should be some sort of compromise that can be made. I do not agree with 1/2 of the ship. There are not that many smokers. What about 25% of the floor directly under the Lido deck, on one side? Hal notate that it is a smoking balcony. When those balconies sell out, a smoker can decide to take a different cruise, or go upstairs to smoke. Fines to be imposed on anyone smoking in a no-smoking area. If smoking cabins fill up really quickly, then apparently more people smoke than statistics say, then Hal has a decision to make.

 

Where I am sorry that it might impose on someone that only stays in cabin 8282 (just a made up #) and does not smoke, but maybe something like this would work

You sound very considerate. I appreciate that. I seem to have smokers around me a lot and they seem to spend a lot of time on the balcony. I have not said anything because it is allowed. Doesn't mean I have to like it. Would be happy to have someone as considerate as you next to me.

[vbmom87]

OP: Sorry I did not have time to read through this whole thread. I am also an asthmatic and my main triggers are smoke and odors. I have not had any issues with HAL ships, but I don't book balconies and I stay away from the casinos. Once when I was on the promenade deck someone was smoking, so I simply walked away to another area. I did not find smoke to be an issue on the HAL ships at all. I saw very few smokers on both of my HAL cruises. However, I would not book a balcony on a HAL cruise unless it was dirt cheap.

[DesertPesce7751]

Thank you all for being so helpful! I'm not as worried as I was before about it in general but we're for sure moving to a non-aft cabin! This was a unique and important question and you've helped us out a ton with information we, with certainty, weren't able to find with the search feature.

 

Best,

Halina

[jadona48]

I wonder if HAL has considered implementing a policy whereby anyone who books a room that has a balcony must declare if they would like to smoke on their balcony. It may mean that as HAL assigns rooms, they could attempt to put the smokers in the same general area. If a non-smoker has a specific room request it would be HAL's responsibility to notify that non-smoking traveler that the room they have requested will be in the middle of a group of cabins that have smokers around them. That cruiser would then have the option(s) of staying with that room, moving to a non-smoking area or cancel the trip with no penalty. I get that this is not a perfect solution but I think it might be a better approach than what is in place.

 

Cruising is and should be a pleasure trip. There is enough angst before the cruise - will my flight be late?, What is the weather going to be like? etc. The reality is that there will always be a conflict between smokers and non-smokers but each group has the right to enjoy their cruise.

 

Just some thoughts...

Edited May 27, 2014 by jadona48

[jennjess]

I wonder if HAL has considered implementing a policy whereby anyone who books a room that has a balcony must declare if they would like to smoke on their balcony. It may mean that as HAL assigns rooms, they could attempt to put the smokers in the same general area. If a non-smoker has a specific room request it would be HAL's responsibility to notify that non-smoking traveler that the room they have requested will be in the middle of a group of cabins that have smokers around them. That cruiser would then have the option(s) of staying with that room, moving to a non-smoking area or cancel the trip with no penalty. I get that this is not a perfect solution but I think it might be a better approach than what is in place.

 

Cruising is and should be a pleasure trip. There is enough angst before the cruise - will my flight be late?, What is the weather going to be like? etc. The reality is that there will always be a conflict between smokers and non-smokers but each group has the right to enjoy their cruise.

 

Just some thoughts...

 

This sounds like the most sensible option.

 

As a smoker I always book a balcony cabin and would prefer only to have other smokers around me. I do not want a sensitive non smoker in the cabin next door. I want to enjoy a cigarette without upsetting those around me and I want the non smokers to enjoy their balconies as well.

 

On my last cruise I booked a balcony guarantie and found myself on the highest deck with smokers either side and no one above me. This was perfect and I am sure that HAL had arranged it that way (they know who has asked for an ashtray in the past). Have the smokers together and as far away from the non smokers as possible. Since smoke rises up rather than down I think the higher deck option would work best.

[hal lover]

I usually don't get involved in these smoking threads because I smoke, but I have to say something about consideration on both parts. On our last cruise, we had a balcony, and the people on the left side of us made the " oh no, smokers" comment. We told them that we would try not to smoke while they were outside, and that we would check before we lit up. I DON"T THINK THE EVER LEFT THEIR STATEROOM! For the first 3 days, We would knock on the partition and speak "are you there" and ever time they said yes. I asked what time they were having dinner, and they said room service. At 9pm the first night we went out, and we were told they prop their door open while the sleep. After 3 days we gave up and said the hell with it. We hear them grumbling rather loudly, but frankly at that point we did not care, and yes, we were childish, but we spent a whole lot of time out of the casino, and on our balcony.

 

There should be some sort of compromise that can be made. I do not agree with 1/2 of the ship. There are not that many smokers. What about 25% of the floor directly under the Lido deck, on one side? Hal notate that it is a smoking balcony. When those balconies sell out, a smoker can decide to take a different cruise, or go upstairs to smoke. Fines to be imposed on anyone smoking in a no-smoking area. If smoking cabins fill up really quickly, then apparently more people smoke than statistics say, then Hal has a decision to make.

 

Where I am sorry that it might impose on someone that only stays in cabin 8282 (just a made up #) and does not smoke, but maybe something like this would work

 

I don't see where you were being childish at all. You booked a balcony where smoking is permitted and even went so far as to be super considerate to your neighbor, who in turn took advantage of your good nature. Sounds like it was all about them. I'm glad you took your permitted smoking balcony back!

[cruz chic]

This sounds like the most sensible option.

 

As a smoker I always book a balcony cabin and would prefer only to have other smokers around me. I do not want a sensitive non smoker in the cabin next door. I want to enjoy a cigarette without upsetting those around me and I want the non smokers to enjoy their balconies as well.

 

On my last cruise I booked a balcony guarantie and found myself on the highest deck with smokers either side and no one above me. This was perfect and I am sure that HAL had arranged it that way (they know who has asked for an ashtray in the past). Have the smokers together and as far away from the non smokers as possible. Since smoke rises up rather than down I think the higher deck option would work best.

 

I think you are giving HAL way too much credit. They have two systems that don't even talk.

[JerseyJaguar]

I guess it depends on whether a smoker is wiling to extend a common courtesy to strangers only a few feet away who may become ill on uncomfortable from cancer causing smoke. People who smoke on their balconies are selfish and only care about themselves. There are other areas on the ship designated for smokers. However, some feel that balconies are "designated smoking areas". It really does come down to respect and common courtesy.

 

Wow, the hatred toward smokers oozing out of this statement is impressive.

 

Many smokers get balconies because that is a "designated smoking area" where HAL allows them to smoke. Anyone cruising with HAL is aware this is a designated smoking area.

 

I have been on balconies on both HAL and NCL which both allow smoking and have never been a chain smoking smoker or been next to one, yet from this thread it seems like they are the only kind of smoker getting a balcony.

 

I don't even know how people get to know who is in a balcony next to them, are they peeking around the divider to see who's next door? The only time I ever saw my fellow balcony mates was when we were all looking to see what an ambulance was doing at the gangway (twice).

[donaldsc]

The title of your post "coexisting with smokers" implies that I and the majority of the rest of the people who hate the smell of cigarette smoke must figure out how to coexist with people who feel that they have a right to foul the air that we breath.

 

Rubbish!!

 

Regardless of whether smoking is legal or allowed, nobody has the right to force me to breath foul smelling air laden with carcinogens that makes me and my clothes stink and my lungs black.

 

Remember the days when airports had designated ventilated smoking enclosures so that the smokers contaminated only themselves. They should install these things on ships and require that smokers only smoke in these enclosed areas. Of course this would require that the ships give up some area that might make them money and would also impose on the supposed rights of smokers so it is hardly likely to happen. We can hope however.

 

I recognize that many smokers started when they were young and when smoking was cool and I also recognize that smoking is extremely addictive and very hard to give up. I also recognize that many smokers would love to give up the habit and have tried but were not capable of doing it. However, this is not my problem but it is theirs. I am slightly sympathetic with their problem but only very slightly. Regardless, I do not have to be forced to coexist with them.

 

DON

Edited May 27, 2014 by donaldsc

[mame42]

Wow, the hatred toward smokers oozing out of this statement is impressive.

 

Many smokers get balconies because that is a "designated smoking area" where HAL allows them to smoke. Anyone cruising with HAL is aware this is a designated smoking area.

 

I have been on balconies on both HAL and NCL which both allow smoking and have never been a chain smoking smoker or been next to one, yet from this thread it seems like they are the only kind of smoker getting a balcony.

 

I don't even know how people get to know who is in a balcony next to them, are they peeking around the divider to see who's next door? The only time I ever saw my fellow balcony mates was when we were all looking to see what an ambulance was doing at the gangway (twice).

 

Hello! CC anyone? I have met balcony neighbors several time on roll calls.

[CRUZBUDS]

Hello! CC anyone? I have met balcony neighbors several time on roll calls.

 

 

So have we, we just took another cruise with one couple! (non-smokers ;))

[chrispb]

Reading some of the above posts it is interesting to see how non-smokers like to complain about other things too.:cool: Hence my reason for printing the following paragraph.

 

One of the British MPs wrote the following when there was a debate a month or so ago:

 

"Authoritarians, the busybodies and do-gooders of modern society, love smoking. Not because they are addicted to tobacco - their pure unsullied souls would recoil at such a suggestion - but because it allows them to tell people what to do."

 

This was his opening paragraph, I won't quote the rest of his article because it is rather long, largely irrelevant and too political.