Rare Tom-n-Cheryl Posted November 11, 2015 #2751 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Well, this is really interesting.... from erewhon's Noordam Oak Room thread: (letter to the pax): We'd like to make you aware of a new Lounge on the ship that is available for guests. The Oak Room is a Smoking and Cigar Lounge on deck 10 forward. While it is open 24 hours a day, full beverage service is available from 12 noon until 10pm daily. The Oak Room also has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating and a large screen TV with a variety of channels, as well as wide array of cigars and cigarettes available for purchase. For guests with verandah staterooms who smoke cigarettes, cigars or e-cigarettes, we encourage you to utilize the Oak Room for your smoking needs rather than your verandah. Smoking is also permitted outside on the starboard side of Deck 9, adjacent to the Sea View Bar. There will also be a designated area for smoking in the Casino on certain nights of the cruise--this will be highlighted in the Today on Location program. Well, words are cheap. I really hope this is not what HAL considers a solution to this thorny issue, but rather another step on a hopefully not too slow journey. As was mentioned earlier, I doubt smokers (encouraged or not) are willing to forgo their balcony smoking "right" and trudge off to an alternate smoking area every time they get the urge. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 11, 2015 #2752 Share Posted November 11, 2015 (edited) Delete jjjjjjjjjj Edited November 11, 2015 by Hlitner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted November 11, 2015 #2753 Share Posted November 11, 2015 At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EatonDoolittle Posted November 11, 2015 #2754 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar. Yep. Small steps in the right direction Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted November 11, 2015 #2755 Share Posted November 11, 2015 At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar. That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted November 11, 2015 #2756 Share Posted November 11, 2015 That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction. It's smart to start the smoking room before changing the policy. That way they're giving smokers something before taking away something else. I don't like to encourage smoking, but maybe they could do a smokers' happy hour to get smokers to check out the room, raise awareness of the place. I know a smoking lounge isn't as convenient as a balcony, but I do believe HAL will eventually ban balcony smoking, and they have to give smokers somewhere to go. Banning balcony smoking is a response to a large segment of the clientele, just as backing off on formal night is a response to a large (supposedly) segment of the clientele. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted November 11, 2015 #2757 Share Posted November 11, 2015 At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar. Baby steps, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkpopr Posted November 11, 2015 #2758 Share Posted November 11, 2015 the oak room is nice but is only on the noordam. they have the friends of bill meetings there every afternoon so they were not that happy! only use the balcony to smoke at six am and midnight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkpopr Posted November 11, 2015 #2759 Share Posted November 11, 2015 i always smoke cigars while i read on the promenade deck near the rear of the ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted November 11, 2015 #2760 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The Oak Room has been on the Noordam ever since it was launched. The Noordam is the only Vista ship that has not had it removed. Yet. I suspect the Oak Room will join the rest of the fleet in disappearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 11, 2015 #2761 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The Oak Room has been on the Noordam ever since it was launched. The Noordam is the only Vista ship that has not had it removed. Yet. Exactly. The day of Noordam's Christening we were in Oak Room. Captain Draper is fabulous and this provides still another reason for me to respect him greatly. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheWASide Posted November 11, 2015 #2762 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Exactly. The day of Noordam's Christening we were in Oak Room.Captain Draper is fabulous and this provides still another reason for me to respect him greatly. :) Guarantee you this was a decision from corporate, and not the Captain choosing to do something entirely on his own... Your statement makes no sense as a result. Like a captain... LOVE a captain... but also give credit where it's due. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 11, 2015 #2763 Share Posted November 11, 2015 That is my thinking, too. They are making a move, albeit slowly, in the right direction. I agree. I also wonder if the bean counters are seeing the fleeing of some verandah guests and perhaps the smokers are not as willing to book those higher priced cabins in the same numbers as those who are going to other cruise lines. It was a delight for me this summer to know I would be able to enjoy my verandah on NCL without fear of losing use due to a smoking neighbor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 11, 2015 #2764 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The sky is blue........ That letter was signed by Captain Draper. It isn't of any interest or intent for me to analyze corporate interplay and I'll give my personal credit where I think appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 11, 2015 #2765 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseing marly Posted November 11, 2015 #2766 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms. We keep hoping it sounds like change is on the horizon ! It is a long slow process or sure why . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare albingirl Posted November 11, 2015 #2767 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I hope change is on the way. While I've booked balcony cabins for the last several years my next two cruises are in oceanview rooms. I agree. It's either that or a Lanai stateroom for us. We've had too many cruises ruined by the smoking next door to our verandah.....the smell gets in my clothing and hair. Then I smell like I smoke!:eek::( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennicott Posted November 11, 2015 #2768 Share Posted November 11, 2015 At least it's an acknowledgement on HAL's part that smoking on verandahs is an issue. I seriously doubt that passengers in their cabins or sitting on their verandahs will get up and go to the Oak Room for a fix, but at least it's on HAL's radar. I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread: "You might recall that last winter there were some posts originating from a group of C.C.ers who were on a world voyage, where they periodically got together on the Prinsendam and invited ship's staff members to attend. This gathering was visited by Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group (This group includes HAL, Princess, P&O Australia, Seabourn and all Carnival Corp's Alaska land tour holdings) and Orlando Ashford, President of HAL. In other words, "Mr. Buck Stops Here", Mr. Kruse himself. One of the questions asked at the meet dealt with HAL balcony smoking. Kruse apparently did the responding, he indicated they were looking into options. One of which was exclusive smoking lounges on HAL. He didn't say that these would replace the balcony smoking if indeed HAL should go to the expense of providing them. Since the reports we received were third hand it was difficult to determine whether or not non-smokers should be discouraged or encouraged by Kruse's remarks. Trying to read between the lines my impression was that Kruse was evasive and was not poised to eliminate balcony smoking anytime soon." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 11, 2015 #2769 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread: "You might recall that last winter there were some posts originating from a group of C.C.ers who were on a world voyage, where they periodically got together on the Prinsendam and invited ship's staff members to attend. This gathering was visited by Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group (This group includes HAL, Princess, P&O Australia, Seabourn and all Carnival Corp's Alaska land tour holdings) and Orlando Ashford, President of HAL. In other words, "Mr. Buck Stops Here", Mr. Kruse himself. One of the questions asked at the meet dealt with HAL balcony smoking. Kruse apparently did the responding, he indicated they were looking into options. One of which was exclusive smoking lounges on HAL. He didn't say that these would replace the balcony smoking if indeed HAL should go to the expense of providing them. Since the reports we received were third hand it was difficult to determine whether or not non-smokers should be discouraged or encouraged by Kruse's remarks. Trying to read between the lines my impression was that Kruse was evasive and was not poised to eliminate balcony smoking anytime soon." It seems most cruise lines hold info on these changes close to their chest. Even if the policy were to change tomorrow they'd likely be denying it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted November 11, 2015 #2770 Share Posted November 11, 2015 ... One of the questions asked at the meet dealt with HAL balcony smoking. Kruse apparently did the responding, he indicated they were looking into options. One of which was exclusive smoking lounges on HAL. He didn't say that these would replace the balcony smoking if indeed HAL should go to the expense of providing them. Since the reports we received were third hand it was difficult to determine whether or not non-smokers should be discouraged or encouraged by Kruse's remarks. Trying to read between the lines my impression was that Kruse was evasive and was not poised to eliminate balcony smoking anytime soon." I also don't see the Oak Room as a step toward banning balcony smoking. In fact, I see it as completely opposite and that it shows that HAL is committed to its passengers who smoke. Passengers who are spending the majority of their time on their balconies are not out and about the ship spending money. This is a huge problem for a cruise line that earns its profits from on-board spending. To increase its profits, HAL has to get all its passengers to spend more. What better way to get passengers who smoke to get out and about then to create a social room/bar/lounge especially for them? I see this as HAL embracing and welcoming its passengers who smoke and do not see this as HAL acknowledging that balcony smoking is an issue. I expect this move to attract more passengers who smoke to HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted November 11, 2015 #2771 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. The Oak Room has been closed for several years, and it could just as easily have been reopened as some other type of facility. Moreover, not only have they chosen to reopen it as a smoking lounge, but they are actively promoting it as an alternative to verandah smoking. That is definitely new and provides that little bit of hope for the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted November 11, 2015 #2772 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I've never sailed on the Noordam, but what I can glean from this thread and a number of other pertinent threads on CC is that the Noordam has had the Oak Room every since it went into service almost "nine" years ago. So, it appears to me that this exclusive smoker lounge is not "something new" or a hopeful revelation in HAL management's on board smoking policy thinking. As has been discussed before on this thread: "You might recall that last winter there were some posts originating from a group of C.C.ers who were on a world voyage, where they periodically got together on the Prinsendam and invited ship's staff members to attend. This gathering was visited by Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group (This group includes HAL, Princess, P&O Australia, Seabourn and all Carnival Corp's Alaska land tour holdings) and Orlando Ashford, President of HAL. In other words, "Mr. Buck Stops Here", Mr. Kruse himself. One of the questions asked at the meet dealt with HAL balcony smoking. Kruse apparently did the responding, he indicated they were looking into options. One of which was exclusive smoking lounges on HAL. He didn't say that these would replace the balcony smoking if indeed HAL should go to the expense of providing them. Since the reports we received were third hand it was difficult to determine whether or not non-smokers should be discouraged or encouraged by Kruse's remarks. Trying to read between the lines my impression was that Kruse was evasive and was not poised to eliminate balcony smoking anytime soon." You are correct about the Noordam Oak Room (not sure if it has actually been used for smoking for years, but yes it has had one) but the interesting part of the letter is the discouraging of smoking on balconies, and encouraging use of the Oak Room instead. That is the attention-getter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted November 11, 2015 #2773 Share Posted November 11, 2015 If we're nitpicking the precise words used rather than the point of the message that HAL would not allow any officer (even the captain) to modify the ship's smoking policy in a "lone wolf" fashion due to... a personal preference, a hunch or a "hey what if...?" then sure... I'm not picking nits. Not one bit. With all due respect (and quite a bit that's undue) please, please, please back up your assertions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kjw869 Posted November 11, 2015 #2774 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I'm not picking nits. "Picking nits", that's classic. I have to remember to use that line! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare albingirl Posted November 11, 2015 #2775 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I also don't see the Oak Room as a step toward banning balcony smoking. In fact, I see it as completely opposite and that it shows that HAL is committed to its passengers who smoke. Passengers who are spending the majority of their time on their balconies are not out and about the ship spending money. This is a huge problem for a cruise line that earns its profits from on-board spending. To increase its profits, HAL has to get all its passengers to spend more. What better way to get passengers who smoke to get out and about then to create a social room/bar/lounge especially for them? I see this as HAL embracing and welcoming its passengers who smoke and do not see this as HAL acknowledging that balcony smoking is an issue. I expect this move to attract more passengers who smoke to HAL. I see this as a total cop-out. They, HAL, are not brave enough to go beyond the foolish "baby step" of some lounge smoking den. It is a total insult to those of us who wish to simply breathe the clean air we were born with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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