HAL the last line allowing balcony smoking

[DeeniEncinitas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmare

With such short notice time for both Carnival and NCL I am wondering if there are some new regulations for fire safety coming soon. My guess for HAL would be mid January at the soonest so that the GWC and Grand South America is not impacted, but if (a big IF) they announce, and the start date is sooner there might be a push because of regs taking place by the end of the year.

Just me thinkin' because I'm retired and have the thinkin' time.

Good point Mountaimare! That makes sense to me! Cross fingers

__________________

Deeniencinitas URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com][/url]

[3rdGenCunarder]

With such short notice time for both Carnival and NCL I am wondering if there are some new regulations for fire safety coming soon. My guess for HAL would be mid January at the soonest so that the GWC and Grand South America is not impacted, but if (a big IF) they announce, and the start date is sooner there might be a push because of regs taking place by the end of the year.

Just me thinkin' because I'm retired and have the thinkin' time.

 

Nov 1 is short notice. Longer than the 90-day final payment time, but not much. (The 90-day final payment is a guess, as I don't sail NCL, but it seems to be the industry norm) There are probably a lot of smokers with only a few weeks to decide if they will cancel or not.

[dobiemom]

Not only do I think they should ban use of all colognes, perfumes and scented body lotions, they should not allow anyone on the ship who has bad body odor. Only unscented deoderant should be allowed.

 

Diane

Where's the "LIKE" button when you need it?! :D

[DaveOKC]

My heavy smoker sister just won a free cruise on NCL, so I bet she is not too trilled about this. Well, at least she does not have to upgrade to a balcony now!

 

DaveOKC

[Oceanwench]

Carnival's takes effect Oct. 9.

[Shining Clem]

trend on balconies soon.

 

We would like to seriously consider all or part of their S America cruises, but will not until there is no smoking allowed on the balcony.

 

Perhaps they will ease into it as Cunard did - starting with their shorter cruises, and then waiting until their longer cruises, such as long segments world wide, were completed. That seems fair enough.

 

We had hoped to book with Cunard for a trans-Atlantic this fall, but the available sailing dates did not jive with our schedule. And we rejected a Norwegian sailing because of the smoking. We are going with Celebrity instead.

 

You smokers should keep in mind, that some of the European & Asian based lines still have more lenient smoking rules. Some are now offering cruises in the Caribbean this winter (MSC?). I'm sure a good TA can help you.

[Oceanwench]

MSC release from last year:

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 5, 2013) – With the upcoming arrival of MSC Divina to PortMiami, MSC Cruises is expanding its smoke-free policy in order to accommodate the North American market.

Effective November 2nd, when MSC Divina’s Grand Voyage departs Venice en route to Miami, smoking areas on MSC Divina will be limited to two general areas: the Cigar Lounge and port side of designated outside decks (away from all bars and food areas). The Top Sail Lounge, located in the prestigious and private MSC Yacht Club, and the Black & White Lounge will also become 100% non-smoking. In addition, the casino has been designated as non-smoking. At the discretion of the casino manager, smoking will be occasionally allowed for playing guests, during certain hours and in limited areas that will be clearly designated as smoking permitted.

As with all other MSC ships, smoking will continue to be prohibited in staterooms, on balconies, and in corridors, elevators, stairways, and public bathrooms.

[mame42]

Nov 1 is short notice. Longer than the 90-day final payment time, but not much. (The 90-day final payment is a guess, as I don't sail NCL, but it seems to be the industry norm) There are probably a lot of smokers with only a few weeks to decide if they will cancel or not.

 

Pipe dreaming (pun intended) that HAL ban on balcony smoking will go into effect in time for my 31 October cruise...

[Vict0riann]

Pipe dreaming (pun intended) that HAL ban on balcony smoking will go into effect in time for my 31 October cruise...

 

Wouldn't that be great! But we are already in the penalty phase....

[sail7seas]

Costa sails the Caribbean and I think they have a more liberal smoking policy.

[Oceanwench]

Appears so:

 

Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes is not permitted on board, except in the “Cigar Lounge” area. Electronic cigarettes may only be used cabins and in the “Cigar Lounge” area. In public areas outdoors smoking is only allowed in specially designated areas that have ashtrays. We would like to remind you that smoking is not permitted in cabins, but only outside on private balconies. To avoid the risk of fire, cigarettes must be extinguished and left in the ashtrays provided and never thrown overboard when they are still lit. We would also like to remind you that on board the ships Costa Mediterranea, Costa Classica, Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria there are no indoor smoking areas.

[sail7seas]

Appears so:

 

Smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes is not permitted on board, except in the “Cigar Lounge” area. Electronic cigarettes may only be used cabins and in the “Cigar Lounge” area. In public areas outdoors smoking is only allowed in specially designated areas that have ashtrays. We would like to remind you that smoking is not permitted in cabins, but only outside on private balconies. To avoid the risk of fire, cigarettes must be extinguished and left in the ashtrays provided and never thrown overboard when they are still lit. We would also like to remind you that on board the ships Costa Mediterranea, Costa Classica, Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria there are no indoor smoking areas.

 

 

Sounds similar to HAL.

[peaches from georgia]

My heavy smoker sister just won a free cruise on NCL, so I bet she is not too trilled about this. Well, at least she does not have to upgrade to a balcony now!

 

DaveOKC

And she's not out any money if she decides to not accept the free cruise. Someone else mentioned NCL is giving November cruisers only a few weeks before final payment to decide if they will cancel or not. It wouldn't take me even a few minutes to decide.

[idiebabe]

trend on balconies soon.

 

We would like to seriously consider all or part of their S America cruises, but will not until there is no smoking allowed on the balcony.

 

Perhaps they will ease into it as Cunard did - starting with their shorter cruises, and then waiting until their longer cruises, such as long segments world wide, were completed. That seems fair enough.

 

We had hoped to book with Cunard for a trans-Atlantic this fall, but the available sailing dates did not jive with our schedule. And we rejected a Norwegian sailing because of the smoking. We are going with Celebrity instead.

 

You smokers should keep in mind, that some of the European & Asian based lines still have more lenient smoking rules. Some are now offering cruises in the Caribbean this winter (MSC?). I'm sure a good TA can help you.

 

If you are holding up booking a SA Cruise on HAL based on a ban on smoking on the balconies, I wouldn't let it concern you. We went on the March 4th sailing and probably spent a total of 3 hours on the Balcony over the course of the entire 13 day cruise. It's not weather friendly for balcony use between being chilly when sailing and the winds! When we popped out for pics we never saw our neighbors!

 

Book, sail and enjoy! It's a great cruise!

[LMaxwell]

Pipe dreaming (pun intended) that HAL ban on balcony smoking will go into effect in time for my 31 October cruise...

The original dates I had heard being discussed was between April and a June 2015. Although my source says they were a bit surprised that NCL changed policy before New Years.

 

I told him I thought cruise lines wanted the inevitable cancelations before the holidays so they could resell balcony space at a premium.

 

I personally suspect HAL business model is different and that Caribbean roundy rounds and not what they are most concerned about in terms of revenue.

[RDC1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainmare

With such short notice time for both Carnival and NCL I am wondering if there are some new regulations for fire safety coming soon. My guess for HAL would be mid January at the soonest so that the GWC and Grand South America is not impacted, but if (a big IF) they announce, and the start date is sooner there might be a push because of regs taking place by the end of the year.

Just me thinkin' because I'm retired and have the thinkin' time.

Good point Mountaimare! That makes sense to me! Cross fingers

__________________

Deeniencinitas URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com][/url]

 

Probably does not have anything to do with regulations. Remember back a couple of years when lines stopped smoking in staterooms. There was a similar pattern where a number changed their rules within a short time. HAL was one of the last to change, but they did follow relatively soon after the others.

[iancal]

Looks like HAL will be one of the last to announce.

 

A day late and a dollar short.

[TXCruiser10]

Have booked a balcony for December...would love to be able to enjoy it smoke-free!

[chrispb]

Sounds similar to HAL.

 

Not really, only those 4 ships. There are others:cool:

[sail7seas]

Not really, only those 4 ships. There are others:cool:

 

 

 

I don't know how many ships Costa has and truthfully am not going to go research to find out. :cool:

 

My comment about similar to HAL refers to verandah smoking permitted but I guess I should have clearly specified precisely that. It must have been confusing. Sorry.

 

Edited July 16, 2014 by sail7seas

[Oceanwench]

This is directly from Costa PR:

 

Costa Cruises Changes Its Onboard Smoking Policy

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (Mar. 11, 2014) – Costa Cruises has significantly

changed its onboard smoking policy, effective immediately. Smoking of

cigarettes, cigars and pipes is now banned in all internal areas of the ship

including guest private cabins and casinos. Smoking will only be allowed in

designated cigar lounges clearly indicated as smoking areas.

Guests may still use electronic smoking devices in their stateroom, but

cannot use them in other interior public spaces. Smoking will be permitted

on clearly indicated outside deck areas and on guest cabin balconies.

 

[Oceanwench]

HAL is not changing its policy at this time, a spokesperson told me.

[Shining Clem]

If you are holding up booking a SA Cruise on HAL based on a ban on smoking on the balconies, I wouldn't let it concern you. We went on the March 4th sailing and probably spent a total of 3 hours on the Balcony over the course of the entire 13 day cruise. It's not weather friendly for balcony use between being chilly when sailing and the winds! When we popped out for pics we never saw our neighbors!

 

Book, sail and enjoy! It's a great cruise!

 

Thanks for the helpful comment. On the cruise to Alaska we were able to stay out of the way of the few smokers by getting a cabin at the very front of the ship so there were fewer around us. I think 'nature' type cruises attract a different type of cruiser. Our TA thought we would have less of a problem - and in Alaska, we made great use of the balcony. The cabin was also right next to the forward deck under the bridge.

 

Having said that, I know if one is addicted to smoking it is very tough to stop. And of course some don't want to stop or cut back.

 

Our cruise to NZ made me a penguin lover!!! Want to see more - and take a clothes pin or gas mask for the smell, LOL! If the second hand smoke doesn't get you, the penguin sh*t will. :D:eek:

 

*****************

On a personal note, I watched my mother fight with her 70 yr addiction the last year of her life. She had strokes caused by a brain tumor. When she finally went into a coma for nearly 6 months, her body reacted positively to the lack of cigarettes. Especially her facial skin which had been very sallow. When she died she looked younger and more beautiful than she had in years - skin pink with fewer wrinkles. Bitter sweet memory.

[Sir PMP]

"It's only a matter of time. We will hit the 3,000 and HAL will join the herd."

 

Hal is a little slow, 5000 sounds better!!

[Fouremco]

HAL is not changing its policy at this time, a spokesperson told me.

But maybe tomorrow, next week, next month... "At this time" is a very flexible term. :)