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

[IRL_Joanie]

... unfortunately ... this was their reply to me on that very topic:

 

Hello Thomas! We have received specific clarification directly from the Koningsdam to answer your question. Smoking is permitted on Stateroom Verandahs, at the Seaview Bar (located aft on the Lido deck) and, with a recent last minute update, now also in the casino for active players at designated spots. However this is also under review and may be changed at a later time. ...

 

Tom

 

Thank You Tom!! Means if the open decks are closed I have a place to go inside:)

 

Joanie

[Lizzie68]

Thank You Tom!! Means if the open decks are closed I have a place to go inside:)

 

Joanie

 

As long as you are actively playing and in a designated spot.

[albingirl]

We were on the Westerdam recently.

Had smokers right below us -- they each had their own ash tray.

 

 

And this is exactly why I have booked yet another Norwegian cruise. I finally decided to put my money where my mouth is. I like balconies; I just don't like the smoking neighbors.:(

[SteveH2508]

And this is exactly why I have booked yet another Norwegian cruise. I finally decided to put my money where my mouth is. I like balconies; I just don't like the smoking neighbors.:(

 

Slight 'geographical' issue - this is Holland America.;)

[Joanandjoe]

Slight 'geographical' issue - this is Holland America.;)

 

No geographical issue: albingirl has booked NCL instead of HAL because of the balcony smoking issue.

 

We continue to monitor this board, in the hope that the "smoking allowed on balconies" policy will change. No dice, and HAL is still the only (otherwise) acceptable line that goes to some of the places we want to go when we want to go. Last month's cancelled HAL cruise was replaced by a "land" trip, and I guess that situation will continue. The rooms without balconies on the Vista class ships are too small for us, and those are the ships that have the itineraries we want. We'll book HAL again when we can use our balcony without having to smell smoke.

 

Hope springs eternal!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

Hope springs eternal!

 

Apparently, Smoke springs eternal too... :eek:

 

Tom

[RuthC]

No geographical issue: albingirl has booked NCL instead of HAL because of the balcony smoking issue.

Among a few other reasons she has posted about. Smoking on balconies isn't a singular reason for her.

[Dashwood100]

I’ve been a semi-follower of this thread for a very long time. I know I should keep my mouth shut. What good does it do to open it? But I can’t resist.

 

As a life-long smoker, I fully realize the smoking vs. non-smoking issue is a huge, divisive, hot-potato issue. As a smoker, I fully appreciate the “rights” of non-smokers (I am a very considerate smoker.)

 

I also appreciate the concept of free-market capitalism.

 

Of ALL the cruise lines in the world, and of ALL the cabin-types on each of those ships, political correctness has limited the selection of us smokers to ONE cruise line and ONE cabin type: HAL and balcony. And, still, that’s not enough restrictions for you anti-smokers!

 

Fear not: within another decade or two all of us smokers will be dead. Tobacco will be outlawed – everywhere!

 

You have pretty much killed cruising for us soon-to-be dead smokers. Congratulations. Be proud!

:eek:

 

But in Canada you will soon be able to toke up with wacky tobacky:eek:

 

D.

Edited April 14, 2016 by Dashwood100
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[mommyto2girls]

We have been die hard NCL Haven cruisers and are so glad we can go to HAL and enjoy the Neptune Suites and can occasional balcony smoke. Our last cruise on NCL we are in the Owners Suite very respectful of the rules but not everyone else was. I truly hope nothing changes before we do our cruise next winter

[Drico]

Thank You Tom!! Means if the open decks are closed I have a place to go inside:)

 

Joanie

 

 

 

As long as you are actively playing and in a designated spot.

 

 

Well duh! I'm sure Joanie is well aware of the smoking policy in the casino.

[Cruise Junky]

And this is exactly why I have booked yet another Norwegian cruise. I finally decided to put my money where my mouth is. I like balconies; I just don't like the smoking neighbors.:(

 

Me too - cancelled Koningsdam and booked Oceania.

[kjw869]

Me too - cancelled Koningsdam and booked Oceania.

 

I was hoping you cancelled a 1/15/17 Koningsdam cruise in one of their suites! We have friends who want to join us but ALL the Signature and Neptune Suites are sold out since February. There is also a long wait list for the Neptune Suites on this cruise.:(

[Cruise Junky]

I was hoping you cancelled a 1/15/17 Koningsdam cruise in one of their suites! We have friends who want to join us but ALL the Signature and Neptune Suites are sold out since February. There is also a long wait list for the Neptune Suites on this cruise.:(

 

Nope, sorry. It was the September 2017 Amsterdam to Rome.

[Lizzie68]

Well duh! I'm sure Joanie is well aware of the smoking policy in the casino.

 

Nothing can ever be assumed.

Edited April 15, 2016 by Lizzie68

[Neferteria]

Those who are offended by the smell of smoke might want to consider tucking into their baggage a can of a spray product which eliminates the odor.

 

Two good ones are:

 

Smoke Odor Exterminator and Eliminator; and

Qzium

 

Both are quite effective and available on Amazon.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Those who are offended by the smell of smoke might want to consider tucking into their baggage a can of a spray product which eliminates the odor.

 

Two good ones are:

 

Smoke Odor Exterminator and Eliminator; and

Qzium

 

Both are quite effective and available on Amazon.

 

While this might be a partial solution to a smokey smelling room or articles of clothing (?), I can't see it as being an effective defense against wave after wave of "fresh" smoke making its way across your balcony. More effective would be placing a clothes pin on your nose or a bag over your head... :eek:

 

Tom

[smokinmike]

Those who are offended by the smell of smoke might want to consider tucking into their baggage a can of a spray product which eliminates the odor.

 

Two good ones are:

 

Smoke Odor Exterminator and Eliminator; and

Qzium

 

Both are quite effective and available on Amazon.

 

 

Clap your hands if you used Ozium back in the 70's to eliminate "smoke odor"!

[albingirl]

Among a few other reasons she has posted about. Smoking on balconies isn't a singular reason for her.

 

This is true, however very few people have a singular issue concerning Holland America. For what it's worth.:)

[Adoptionmsw]

The single biggest reservation I have regarding giving HAL a try again (after my 50 year hiatus) is that their suite perks are sorely lacking when compared to Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and NCL. Honestly, the smoking issue is secondary.

 

 

 

... but I guess that's two strikes, right off the bat! Nonetheless, I'm determined to keep a positive outlook and have a good time come November! :)

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

 

For me the smoking issue is not secondary. On our last cruise we spent a great deal of time in the library (round trip transatlantic, lots of sea days) which was adjacent to the casino. There were doors between the two areas which were propped open half the time allowing the smoke to flow through. I would get up and close the doors over and over often noticing casino staff standing nearby chatting. I put in a request to the front desk asking that staff monitor the doors. The response was they are too busy. For the same reason, we've never taken a verandah cabin. I would be furious if there were smokers in adjacent cabins who smoked on their verandahs. I don't know when HAL is going to enter the 21st century on this one. It's fully recognized that second hand smoke is dangerous. End rant...

[RuthC]

This is true, however very few people have a singular issue concerning Holland America. For what it's worth.:)

Based on the number of posters saying on this thread that they keep checking HAL's policy, hoping there will be a change, as they want to return to HAL when there is, I would say that yes, there are a great many people who have a singular issue concerning Holland America.

[kennicott]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joanandjoe View Post

No geographical issue: albingirl has booked NCL instead of HAL because of the balcony smoking issue.

 

Among a few other reasons she has posted about. Smoking on balconies isn't a singular reason for her.

 

The poster may have various likes and dislikes with HAL, but when they respond to this specific statement: "We were on the Westerdam recently.Had smokers right below us -- they each had their own ash tray." with this remark:

"And this is exactly why I have booked yet another Norwegian cruise. I finally decided to put my money where my mouth is. I like balconies; I just don't like the smoking neighbors." a reasonable person, taking her at her word, must conclude that the catalyst for her decision was precisely the balcony smoking issue alone.

[Porky55]

For me the smoking issue is not secondary. On our last cruise we spent a great deal of time in the library (round trip transatlantic, lots of sea days) which was adjacent to the casino. There were doors between the two areas which were propped open half the time allowing the smoke to flow through. I would get up and close the doors over and over often noticing casino staff standing nearby chatting. I put in a request to the front desk asking that staff monitor the doors. The response was they are too busy. For the same reason, we've never taken a verandah cabin. I would be furious if there were smokers in adjacent cabins who smoked on their verandahs. I don't know when HAL is going to enter the 21st century on this one. It's fully recognized that second hand smoke is dangerous. End rant...

 

 

 

 

 

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[Porky55]

Adoptionmsw -

Couldn't agree more!! We have cruised the world however our base is Australia and the laws here regarding smoking are something we now take for granted. To then board a ship that allows inside smoking will be a bit of a challenge. Yes, I know the ship is majority non smoking - but seriously, cigarette smoke is pervasive - it should be just outside a never anywhere near a cabin, even a balcony!!

 

Smoking aside - we are on Koningsdam for the Norse Legends cruise on the 10th July, very excited about the ship and cruise. Will be following this cruise with 15 days in the new RCI Ovation in December - two near new ships in one year.

 

Now Royal Caribbean can do smoking correctly - around Aus anyway [emoji6]

 

 

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Edited April 15, 2016 by Porky55

[Aquahound]

This is true, however very few people have a singular issue concerning Holland America. For what it's worth.:)

 

I have several minor issues, as with all lines I've sailed. But there most certainly only is one singular issue why I haven't booked another HAL cruise. Balcony smoking.

[scm1848]

And we happily take your place, since we won't sail when we can't smoke on our balcony. I can't even get a last minute deal anymore, because all the balconies and suites are sold out!!