This Thread Is To Be Used For All Discussions About HAL's On Board Smoking Policies

[Aquahound]

It amazes me that after all these years of smoking threads on CC, people still think a cruise line could designate veranda smoking/non smoking sides. I can only guess these people have no or very little business sense.

[cruz chic]

It amazes me that after all these years of smoking threads on CC, people still think a cruise line could designate veranda smoking/non smoking sides. I can only guess these people have no or very little business sense.

 

I have to agree with that point. Not really practical no matter how you look at it.

[Hlitner]

Re" the balcony issue, about 3 years ago we were offered an upsell on a long (62 day) Prinsendam cruise from our Porthole cabin to a large suite (with balcony). The upsell cost was expensive, but it was a good deal when compared to the normal price for the suite. My response to our TA was to make a counter offer of half what HAL wanted....and I mentioned that since we might not be able to enjoy our balcony due to nearby smokers we thought our counter offer was generous. HAL said no! That nice suite was empty for the entire 62 days except when it was used by a few Guest Entertainers (who paid zero).

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

It's too late to edit my comment right now but I just looked at many of hal cruises leaving within the next week. 90% of these cruises still show balcony availability.

 

Seeing this is not an unusual circumstance, it is reasonable to say there have to be empty verandah cabins close to sailing date or why do we constantly read here about upsells? If the verandahs were sold, they would not be giving cheap prices for those to move to a higher category cabin..

 

[chrispb]

Re" the balcony issue, about 3 years ago we were offered an upsell on a long (62 day) Prinsendam cruise from our Porthole cabin to a large suite (with balcony). The upsell cost was expensive, but it was a good deal when compared to the normal price for the suite. My response to our TA was to make a counter offer of half what HAL wanted....and I mentioned that since we might not be able to enjoy our balcony due to nearby smokers we thought our counter offer was generous. HAL said no! That nice suite was empty for the entire 62 days except when it was used by a few Guest Entertainers (who paid zero).

 

Hank

 

Even without the chance of smokers next to you, I bet HAL wouldn't have given you the suite. Good try, though:cool:

[Hlitner]

When it comes to HAL verandas we have a simple philosophy. We will book a Veranda on cruises where the incremental cost (over a standard outside cabin) is pretty reasonable..such as on the Visa Class ships. When the cost is not too much more we take our chances with smokers. But on some of the HAL ships, the additional cost of a veranda is substantial...and we are not willing to take a chance on smokers for that price difference. So on those cruises we generally book a normal outside cabin and thank the smokers for saving us thousands of dollars :).

 

Hank

[chrispb]

When it comes to HAL verandas we have a simple philosophy. We will book a Veranda on cruises where the incremental cost (over a standard outside cabin) is pretty reasonable..such as on the Visa Class ships. When the cost is not too much more we take our chances with smokers. But on some of the HAL ships, the additional cost of a veranda is substantial...and we are not willing to take a chance on smokers for that price difference. So on those cruises we generally book a normal outside cabin and thank the smokers for saving us thousands of dollars :).

 

Hank

 

Very wise. That's exactly what I'd do if I was a non-smoker bothered by smoke:)

[cruz chic]

Seeing this is not an unusual circumstance, it is reasonable to say there have to be empty verandah cabins close to sailing date or why do we constantly read here about upsells? If the verandahs were sold, they would not be giving cheap prices for those to move to a higher category cabin..

 

 

Yes, exactly.

[jimmy2x]

I have absolutely seen a number of unoccupied verandah cabins. I know for sure they were vacant. I've also sailed when there was empty Pinnacle Suite. Knew for sure that was empty, too. ;)

 

 

I am sure that what you say is true - you have been on far more cruises than we have. I freely admit that almost ALL of our cruises have been in "high season" and due to a health issue we only go to the Caribbean so that I can drive to the port.

[jimmy2x]

It's too late to edit my comment right now but I just looked at many of hal cruises leaving within the next week. 90% of these cruises still show balcony availability.

 

OK - so I took a look last night at HAL, Princess, and Celebrity. All had balcony cabins available on most of their Florida departures over the next couple of weeks. Pricing is lessened accordingly. Which, of course, proves nothing except that they all scramble to fill the ships and try their best not to sail with empty cabins.

 

It is also the reason that we always seem to run into folks who live in South Florida, can leave on very quick notice, don't really care what cabin they are in, and pay peanuts.

[KirkNC]

We've never seen an unoccupied balcony on a HAL cruise. Obviously, that is only 1st hand observation, but I do suspect that empty balcony cabins are rare indeed.

 

How would you know if some are unoccupied? I am not saying they are I just don't know.

[kindling maker]

That is a nice thought, however the black flecks on the upper decks would suggest the smoke might go up and away, the ash or whatever it might be doesn't.

 

 

The black sludge that needs to be wiped off of the patio furniture every morning on the aft facing balconies would also suggest otherwise.

[cbr663]

The black sludge that needs to be wiped off of the patio furniture every morning on the aft facing balconies would also suggest otherwise.

 

SSSSHH. Passengers are not suppose to know about this. That's why it is cleaned up early in the morning before they awake. Most passengers think that the cruise line is just being meticulous about cleaning.

 

It's the same reason why nearly every photo of every cruise ship is photoshopped to remove the ugly smoke from the stacks. We aren't suppose to see that we are travelling on and supporting one the largest environmental pollution machines ever built. :eek:

 

One cruise ship can emit 1.5 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (the equivalent of 12,000 automobiles) every day. Blasting the health effects of second hand smoke whilst sitting on the balcony of a cruise ship is akin to someone driving a Hummer and complaining about the price of gas, IMO.

[cruz chic]

i don't understand why folks that are so disgusted with the pollution of a cruise ship still cruise. Also wonder if they drive or take any kind of transportation or do they walk everywhere:rolleyes:.

[PirateShark]

The black sludge that needs to be wiped off of the patio furniture every morning on the aft facing balconies would also suggest otherwise.

 

Strange. Five of my six cruises were on aft balconies and I most certainly did NOT have sludge or even flakes or ash on them from engine exhaust. Guess I'm just lucky or you are extremely unlucky :rolleyes: being smoked out or having ash form the smoking area above or beside was an issue. On HAL. YMMV.

[Drico]

i don't understand why folks that are so disgusted with the pollution of a cruise ship still cruise.

 

 

And why do people who are disgusted with HAL's current smoking policy on balconies still book HAL?

[cruiseing marly]

And why do people who are disgusted with HAL's current smoking policy on balconies still book HAL?

 

 

Personally I like the size of there rooms and the ports of call they offer . So far we have only been affected on a couple of cruises by smokers on balconies close to ours. If to many smokers are pushed toward holland America because they are the only one that they can smoke on that will push us toward a different holiday plan.

 

 

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[sparrc]

And why do people who are disgusted with HAL's current smoking policy on balconies still book HAL?

 

I ask the same question.

[Lizzie68]

The black sludge that needs to be wiped off of the patio furniture every morning on the aft facing balconies would also suggest otherwise.

 

 

Ugh. Another good reason not to book afts.;)

[cruz chic]

Personally I like the size of there rooms and the ports of call they offer . So far we have only been affected on a couple of cruises by smokers on balconies close to ours. If to many smokers are pushed toward holland America because they are the only one that they can smoke on that will push us toward a different holiday plan.

 

 

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Don't you worry. Before this year is done hal will announce the end to balcony smoking. There will be no balcony smoking on the new ship.

[babyher]

And why do certain posters only pick on woman? There is another question that needs to be answered. I bet you could help shed some light on that one:D. I have NO cruises booked on hal so what in the world are you talking about? Please explain.

 

 

I think the poster asked a valid question. On all the dress code threads people always ask why would someone choose a line that has formal nights and then not abide by the dress code.

 

Well it holds true here too. If someone (not specifically you or a woman in general ) but anyone book a cruise on a line that they know allows smoking on balconies , book a balcony, and then complain about not being able to use it because people are out there smoking.

[LvBlueWater]

Hello. We are looking at different cruise ships for a Feb cruise. Would like to do the new HAL however I have asthma and concerned about smoking allowed in the casinos Amd balcony as we normally get a balcony room. Is the smoke really bad?

[PhDUnderTheSea]

Hello. We are looking at different cruise ships for a Feb cruise. Would like to do the new HAL however I have asthma and concerned about smoking allowed in the casinos Amd balcony as we normally get a balcony room. Is the smoke really bad?

I will not risk my finite vacation time and hard earned money on a HAL balcony. The risk outweighs the rewards when considering I can sail similar itineraries at similar rates and be afforded a smoke free experience.

 

Sorry HAL, you have lost my 49 day booking.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[cruz chic]

I will not risk my finite vacation time and hard earned money on a HAL balcony. The risk outweighs the rewards when considering I can sail similar itineraries at similar rates and be afforded a smoke free experience.

 

Sorry HAL, you have lost my 49 day booking.

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

We all need to stop booking with Hal. The more pressure to stop balcony smoking the better. I also think it's a good idea to post on their facebook page regarding stopping smoking on balconies. Keep the pressure up.

Edited January 4, 2015 by cruz chic

[erewhon]

I will not risk my finite vacation time and hard earned money on a HAL balcony. The risk outweighs the rewards when considering I can sail similar itineraries at similar rates and be afforded a smoke free experience.

 

Sorry HAL, you have lost my 49 day booking.

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

Did you tell HAL the reason why you cancelled the cruise?