Dear HAL

[solocanadian]

I don't smoke, but I do likes me a good rant. :) This is a good rant.

Oh, you are a naughty boy. Don't egg them on!:)

[taxmantoo]

Hear, Hear!

 

Hear, Hear, Hear !!!

[sail7seas]

Hear, Hear, Hear !!!

 

 

 

 

Add another HEAR for me, please. :D

[Boytjie]

OP: bon voyage on Celebrity. I hope you come back and report about how it compares to HAL in all facets.

[PathfinderEss]

Well let see, has it been a week since the last smoking thread...... no I don't think so......... It never seems to do any good to explain how many cruises we've been on and never had a problem with people smoking on balconies next to us, below us, or any where else around us. I guess we have just been lucky. Thank goodness we have lots of cruise lines to chose from for all our different taste and my suggestion is instead of constantly complain about it, just take your cruising dollars somewhere else. I just need to figure out how to get away from passengers that 'smell like the roses of Bulgaria's Rose Valley'.:eek::eek::eek: What is it with women who think they need to take a bath in perfume?

[bvocruise]

OP: bon voyage on Celebrity. I hope you come back and report about how it compares to HAL in all facets.

 

I already know I'm going to miss the laundry packages that HAL has along with small ships in general.

[Linda&Vern]

Well let see, has it been a week since the last smoking thread...... no I don't think so......... It never seems to do any good to explain how many cruises we've been on and never had a problem with people smoking on balconies next to us, below us, or any where else around us. I guess we have just been lucky. Thank goodness we have lots of cruise lines to chose from for all our different taste and my suggestion is instead of constantly complain about it, just take your cruising dollars somewhere else. I just need to figure out how to get away from passengers that 'smell like the roses of Bulgaria's Rose Valley'.:eek::eek::eek: What is it with women who think they need to take a bath in perfume?

I have to honestly say we have not been bothered by smokers on any of our verandahs. I also don't think the Casino is near as bad as it used to be - but do admit there is a "smell" in there. I don't have too much of a problem with perfumed women ... :rolleyes: but there are men who are sure the more cologne or after-shave they pour on the more handsome they are - when actually they have just left me in an elevator chocking to death!! :eek:

[sapper1]

Yet another smoking thread and I've learned the only purpose is for each side to sling barbs at one another.... and now we have the flatulence and perfume brigade as well. Peace will never break out.:(

 

What if somebody were to start an obviously contentious smoking thread and nobody bit? I think we might consider that we had a minor miracle on our hands. All these threads do is cause hurt feelings on both sides. To what end? The thread goes into lockdown and nothing is solved.

[AlohaPride]

Yet another "My way or else" rant! The cult of the individual is overwhelming. How to accomadate a non-smoking, vegan, celiac, by-polar passenger.

 

You can't.

 

The answer is to establish campgrounds each specializing in the individual customers whims.

 

Please learn to be tolerant of others and do not try to force your attitudes on the rest of us,

 

You had me until you brought in legitimate health issues (celiac and by-polar passengers) who honestly NEED certain services that are medically necessary. :(

[jimmy2x]

my two kopeks...Ummm SIX cruises with Holland America? We spend 4 to 6 months a year in HAL ships. My partner and I have well over 2,200 days EACH with HAL. He smokes, I don't and even I find HAL's smoking policy restrictive. IF you're over 60 like I am you grew up and spent years with and around smokers. How the hell did you survive the smell? And I never found someone's cigarette as offensive, say, as others' FLATULENCE (MINE, of course, is perfumed and smell like the roses of Bulgaria's Rose Valley).

 

YES, I am snarked up and so tired of smoking threads and would suggest we all be grateful that we can afford to cruise in the first place.

 

GO on, slam and flame. I really expect it

 

Well said.

[kazu]

What if somebody were to start an obviously contentious smoking thread and nobody bit? I think we might consider that we had a minor miracle on our hands. All these threads do is cause hurt feelings on both sides. To what end? The thread goes into lockdown and nothing is solved.

 

yup, I'm looking for that LIKE button.:D

[Sam.Seattle]

Thanks OP for sharing your position regarding HAL's smoking policy.

.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Sam.Seattle

[goleta]

Honestly, until a smoker stops smoking, it is impossible for them to understand how awful the smoke is for non-smokers. My sister is a chain smoker and I can't stand to be around her. Really sad! She smells and is killing herself and all I can do is watch her. COPD's are terrible diseases and some are caused by smoking; what an awful way to die! Second hand smoke causes disease too and I don't want to smell it.

Now, I am not unsympathetic to smokers. I do understand that it is very difficult for smokers to quit and I am truly sorry for those who want to quit but find it impossible to do. I wish I had a solution. I would be wealthy and fewer people would be suffering the effects of cigarette/ cigar smoke toxins.

I am thankful that the balcony cabins were booked when I booked my upcoming cruise. I would have been upset if I had to breathe another's smoke and not be able to enjoy my balcony. To bad smoking was not confined to one side of the ship to allow the other side to be smoke free so non-smokers could be assured of having a smoke free balcony experience.

This is my second cruise with HAL. In the mid 90s I said never again because of all of the smoke. We have been Celebrity fans for awhile now and I am hoping the changes for smoking on HAL will allow me to enjoy my vacation. Yes, I told HAL about my issues back in the 90s with all of the smoke and I will do so again if need be. I hope I don't have to.

[erewhon]

So just because it doesn't bother you it doesn't bother anyone. Got it now. I will continue to ask Hal to end smoking on balconies and I believe they eventually will. I do believe there needs to be smoking areas on the ship just like Princess or celebrity does.

 

Agreeing with you.

[lolane1]

Honestly, until a smoker stops smoking, it is impossible for them to understand how awful the smoke is for non-smokers. My sister is a chain smoker and I can't stand to be around her. Really sad! She smells and is killing herself and all I can do is watch her. COPD's are terrible diseases and some are caused by smoking; what an awful way to die! Second hand smoke causes disease too and I don't want to smell it.

Now, I am not unsympathetic to smokers. I do understand that it is very difficult for smokers to quit and I am truly sorry for those who want to quit but find it impossible to do. I wish I had a solution. I would be wealthy and fewer people would be suffering the effects of cigarette/ cigar smoke toxins.

I am thankful that the balcony cabins were booked when I booked my upcoming cruise. I would have been upset if I had to breathe another's smoke and not be able to enjoy my balcony. To bad smoking was not confined to one side of the ship to allow the other side to be smoke free so non-smokers could be assured of having a smoke free balcony experience.

This is my second cruise with HAL. In the mid 90s I said never again because of all of the smoke. We have been Celebrity fans for awhile now and I am hoping the changes for smoking on HAL will allow me to enjoy my vacation. Yes, I told HAL about my issues back in the 90s with all of the smoke and I will do so again if need be. I hope I don't have to.

 

This is very well said and I agree completely. Since December, I have taken two cruises on NCL and both were nightmares with the smoke. The casino set up on the Breakaway has smoke wafting through the mid ship from deck to deck. And on the Gem, I had smokers next door who smoked in their rooms and it came through an adjoining door besides collecting on the balcony. When my balcony door was opened, the smoke rushed in. That's it for me and NCL.

 

I haven't sailed Celebrity in a number of years and wasn't aware of their new smoking policy. Time to give them a try again

 

Princess, for me, is hit or miss with balcony smoke. Generally, OK. but once had an extremely heavy cigar smoker downstairs. (Dolphin deck to Caribe for those of you who know the set up) Stinky....... and stale.

 

As far as I am concerned, it is the nature of the game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I have a balcony on the Veendam soon. Hope I get lucky with neighbors.:)

[dateacher]

I guess I missed the earlier parties on smoking. As a former smoker who hasn't been on a cruise for about 6 years, smoking never crossed my mind as a problem I might face. I deal with it in Las Vegas so I can deal with it on a ship but am now glad I didn't pay extra for a balcony if I could get a smoking neighbor.

Now just to make sure my pillows don't smell of smoke.

[cruz chic]

This is very well said and I agree completely. Since December, I have taken two cruises on NCL and both were nightmares with the smoke. The casino set up on the Breakaway has smoke wafting through the mid ship from deck to deck. And on the Gem, I had smokers next door who smoked in their rooms and it came through an adjoining door besides collecting on the balcony. When my balcony door was opened, the smoke rushed in. That's it for me and NCL.

 

I haven't sailed Celebrity in a number of years and wasn't aware of their new smoking policy. Time to give them a try again

 

Princess, for me, is hit or miss with balcony smoke. Generally, OK. but once had an extremely heavy cigar smoker downstairs. (Dolphin deck to Caribe for those of you who know the set up) Stinky....... and stale.

 

As far as I am concerned, it is the nature of the game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I have a balcony on the Veendam soon. Hope I get lucky with neighbors.:)

Actually Princess no longer allows smoking on balconies. It's a pleasure not having to smell it.

[steamtrainfan123]

Not sure about your question - do you want a totally non-smoking ship.

 

We have just returned from Ryndam (Norwegian Fjords) and smoking was only allowed in one small area (and I mean small) on Deck 10 and a small area outside the nightclub on Deck 12. As smokers (trying to give up) we found this very restrictive compared to other cruise lines who usually restrict you to one side of promenade deck and a part of one of the upper outside decks.

 

I personally did not find Ryndam's policy to be intrusive but Idid object to other things. Please see my post today on "insults to British ....passemgers"

[lolane1]

Actually Princess no longer allows smoking on balconies. It's a pleasure not having to smell it.

 

Thanks Cruz chic. What great news! When did that happen? The last Princess cruise I took was the summer 9 day caribbean out of NY before they changed itineraries.

 

And what exactly is Celebrity's smoking policy, if you wouldn't mind answering.

[cruz chic]

Thanks Cruz chic. What great news! When did that happen? The last Princess cruise I took was the summer 9 day caribbean out of NY before they changed itineraries.

 

And what exactly is Celebrity's smoking policy, if you wouldn't mind answering.

 

I'm sorry, I don't have a specific date for Princess but I want to say it's been at least a couple of years. Celebrity doesn't allow smoking on balconies either. I do know that they have areas on deck and maybe a indoor bar where you can smoke. I could be totally wrong on the bar thing. I don't smoke and none of the people I cruise with on occasion do either so I'm not up on their policies. I'm just thrilled about the balcony situation.

[lolane1]

I'm sorry, I don't have a specific date for Princess but I want to say it's been at least a couple of years. Celebrity doesn't allow smoking on balconies either. I do know that they have areas on deck and maybe a indoor bar where you can smoke. I could be totally wrong on the bar thing. I don't smoke and none of the people I cruise with on occasion do either so I'm not up on their policies. I'm just thrilled about the balcony situation.

 

Thanks CruzChic. Good information.

 

Steamtrainfan - Kudos for you in trying to give it up. As a former smoker, I would say it was the hardest thing I ever did and that was more than 30 years ago. Keep trying; one day it will stick.

[Sam.Seattle]

I'm sorry, I don't have a specific date for Princess but I want to say it's been at least a couple of years. Celebrity doesn't allow smoking on balconies either. I do know that they have areas on deck and maybe a indoor bar where you can smoke. I could be totally wrong on the bar thing. I don't smoke and none of the people I cruise with on occasion do either so I'm not up on their policies. I'm just thrilled about the balcony situation.

January 15, 2012 - No smoking in cabins or on balconies

 

Smoking will continue to be allowed in the Churchill's cigar lounge, a section of the disco and casino, and a portion of the open decks.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Sam.Seattle

[Sam.Seattle]

I'm sorry, I don't have a specific date for Princess but I want to say it's been at least a couple of years. Celebrity doesn't allow smoking on balconies either. I do know that they have areas on deck and maybe a indoor bar where you can smoke. I could be totally wrong on the bar thing. I don't smoke and none of the people I cruise with on occasion do either so I'm not up on their policies. I'm just thrilled about the balcony situation.

Here is Celebrity's policy:

 

Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the ship. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, lounge, hallway, elevator, or corridor. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes. Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom, nor on any stateroom veranda.

[agabbymama]

Thanks CruzChic. Good information.

 

Steamtrainfan - Kudos for you in trying to give it up. As a former smoker, I would say it was the hardest thing I ever did and that was more than 30 years ago. Keep trying; one day it will stick.

 

Not necessarily! I have smoked for 54 years, and tried to quit for the last 30. I have tried gum, patches, medication and cold turkey. NONE of them stuck. I always returned to the tobacco cigarette.

 

1 year ago, a co-worker introduced me to the Electronic Cigarette. I was doubtful it would work, but was willing to give it a try. I was tempted only once to purchase a pack of cigarettes (when my husband suffered a stroke), but I did stick it out with the e-cigarette. I do still get the nicotine liquid but hope someday to drop that too. My doctor was even pleased that I had managed to quit the tobacco cigarettes.

 

However, e-cigarettes are treated the same as tobacco cigarettes on a ship, plane or anywhere else that tobacco cigarettes are banned.

 

As another poster stated, how did anyone survive 20 or 30 years ago when smoking was so prevalent as to be found everywhere??? Now non-smokers can't stand even a whiff of smoke out in the open air? Give me a break.

[chaperonemom]

I have asthma. My allergist said asthma onset after age 40 was due to being raised in a smoking home. I never smoked. Lesson, it does indeed pose health risks, whether you object to the smell or not and can show that damage in the future. From what I am reading here, I am understanding that the designated smoking areas don't keep the smoke in those designated areas. I have until today to cancel my cruise. I'm going to have to think seriously about that now!