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

[Wonderingabout]

Nope, we ran a survey of this sometime back on this thread. Anyone who spends a lot of time on their balcony knows that balconies are occupied most of the time when the ships are moving slowly or not at all.

 

Sail aways and arrivals are number one, plus the fact that many do not go ashore for the entire time in port, so when on the ship they are on the balcony a lot. If they have one.

 

I meet most of my fellow cruisers during those times while chatting back and forth on our balcony. But we always book balconies so I have a lot of experience on them. When underway rarely do I see those folk out there after we begin rolling fast. In fact, I bet balcony use when not well underway is about 80% compared to when not.

 

Of course, I only cruise on lines where smoking is not allowed on the balcony anymore, so maybe on HAL things are different nowadays.

 

I must be missing something but this seems somewhat illogical. Using this logic - The presumption is that smokers and non-smokers use the balcony in the same way and therefore Smokers smoke on balconies 80% of the time when the ship is in port and only 20% of the time when the ship is moving. Does this mean that smokers either do not enjoy smoking when a ship is moving or they all head for public locations where smoking is allowed that is the casino or the outside public decks.

 

I suspect that a reason for the presumption that lumps smokers and non smokers together in the use of their balconies is that when the ship is moving given the wind, it is uncomfortable to be out on the balcony. My own experience with smokers is that they accept environmental conditions which would be offputting to most people. They are found smoking in front of buildings in below zero temperatures. They go to remote assigned corners where there is often less breeze to be able to smoke. My guess is that the smoker will use the Balcony when they are in or near their room and the urge to smoke arises and that this urge has nothing to do with whether the ship is moving or not moving.

[cruisemom42]

Sounds like a lot of posters here actually do not have much experience with world voyaging and the use of balconies. A little more pertinent experience may result in an eye opener.

 

 

 

 

Your wording is a little unclear to me. Surely you're not suggesting that only people who've taken a world cruise have valid experience to comment? :cool:

 

If, as I hope, you mean that balcony usage varies in different areas of the world, then I think my experience is still relevant. I've sailed in just about every area where cruise ships venture, with and without a veranda, multiple times. I still do not spend much time out there when in port. I get that others may spend more, but why would you take a cruise to exotic ports or interesting places and then stay on the ship most of the day???

 

On one cruise I was "upgraded" to a highly coveted deluxe single room with a large balcony. On a two-week Med cruise, I used it exactly twice. Once to check it out on the first day, and once to watch the sail in to Tunis.

[blizzardboy]

 

 

Now, we haven't been close to a HAL ship for years so I can't attest to what the smoking situation on HAL balconies looks like now.

I would point out that in the U.S., per the CDC, as of 2014 it's down to 16.8% who smoke, and it is still declining. If you throw in an undergraduate college degree it drops to 7.9%. Throw in a graduate degree and it drops to 5.9%. The higher the income and age, it lowers more.

With HAL's demographics, you should find far fewer smokers than you might think. In 90 days cruising on HAL, all with verandas, we have never had a problem. Like a lot of other issues, you only hear from the few who have had a bad experience, not the much larger group who haven't had a problem.

Edited August 24, 2016 by blizzardboy

[Copper10-8]

Only plane I saw with a balcony was in an old W. C. Fields movie when he was on an airliner with an open observation platform, similar to that on old trains; and I've never seen a casino on a plane, so I have a hard time visualizing how your concept could be implemented.

 

 

 

 

Awwwwrighty then;)

 

 

bars on wide-bodies were a big thing in the 70ties

[kennicott]

I would point out that in the U.S., per the CDC, as of 2014 it's down to 16.8% who smoke, and it is still declining. If you throw in an undergraduate college degree it drops to 7.9%. Throw in a graduate degree and it drops to 5.9%. The higher the income and age, it lowers more.

 

With HAL's demographics, you should find far fewer smokers than you might think. In 90 days cruising on HAL, all with verandas, we have never had a problem. Like a lot of other issues, you only hear from the few who have had a bad experience, not the much larger group who haven't had a problem.

 

 

You are correct with the demographic on HAL I believe, or at least the demographics that used to be. There has been extensive discussion regarding this here on this thread. I believe that the 8% average for HAL was once pretty accurate, in that the older, more educated and more affluent elements of society don't tend to smoke as much. Those discussions took place when the average male smokers in the US were close to 20%.

 

However, this fails to consider recent cruise industry events where HAL is about the only balcony smoking game in town among the majors. Obviously, there has been a significant migration of smokers from other lines to HAL due that fact. Be very interesting to learn the percentage of smokers on HAL today.

[kennicott]

And they seemingly enjoy sitting on their balconies even in the heat and sun with no breeze, as is often the case when the ship is not moving!

 

Who said "world cruises"? I said world voyaging. You indicated a belief that sitting on a balcony while in port is abysmal.

 

My observations from almost 600 days of cruising the four corners of the earth is that you are grossly incorrect, perhaps due to a lack of real balcony experience.

[SteveH2508]

A couple of dodgy statistical observations from recent posts.

 

1. (re the NCL ship pre 2014) 22 smokers out of how many balconies on that side of the ship? Probably 200 or so balconies, so maybe about 10%.

 

2. The proportion of people out on their balconies is likely to be higher for sail-in and sail-away than for normal at-sea time. Also, first thing in the morning (sail-in time), people will be out on their balcony having a coffee and a smoke (I know - I used to enjoy that). Thus the proportion of people smoking at those times is going to be higher.

 

3. There are quite a few people who only smoke on vacation/whilst having a drink etc.. Those who insist on quoting that 18%-ish US figure of smokers are not seeing the whole picture (there is a whole wide world out there apart from the US BTW).

 

Remember - there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

[blizzardboy]

A couple of dodgy statistical observations from recent posts.

 

1. (re the NCL ship pre 2014) 22 smokers out of how many balconies on that side of the ship? Probably 200 or so balconies, so maybe about 10%.

 

2. The proportion of people out on their balconies is likely to be higher for sail-in and sail-away than for normal at-sea time. Also, first thing in the morning (sail-in time), people will be out on their balcony having a coffee and a smoke (I know - I used to enjoy that). Thus the proportion of people smoking at those times is going to be higher.

 

3. There are quite a few people who only smoke on vacation/whilst having a drink etc.. Those who insist on quoting that 18%-ish US figure of smokers are not seeing the whole picture (there is a whole wide world out there apart from the US BTW).

 

Remember - there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

 

Gee, I forgot there were other areas of the world! Please note the sarcasm...The U.S. statistics were readily available.

I thought the huge reduction in U.S. smokers with higher education and income were interesting. I've sure noticed the reduction in smokers among my friends, me included, although I quit over 25 years ago. I too know that liars figure and figures lie, but I do think a lot of people on this site have blown the problem out of proportion.

Edited August 24, 2016 by blizzardboy

[cruisemom42]

Who said "world cruises"? I said world voyaging. You indicated a belief that sitting on a balcony while in port is abysmal.

 

My observations from almost 600 days of cruising the four corners of the earth is that you are grossly incorrect, perhaps due to a lack of real balcony experience.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I have plenty of "real balcony experience" in over 40 years of cruising, as I already stated. I stand by my comments even if they do not align with your observations...

[tip]

Remember - there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

 

And then there are those who refuse to allow facts to get in the way of their opinions!;)

[OCruisers]

A couple of dodgy statistical observations from recent posts.

 

1. (re the NCL ship pre 2014) 22 smokers out of how many balconies on that side of the ship? Probably 200 or so balconies, so maybe about 10%.

 

2. The proportion of people out on their balconies is likely to be higher for sail-in and sail-away than for normal at-sea time. Also, first thing in the morning (sail-in time), people will be out on their balcony having a coffee and a smoke (I know - I used to enjoy that). Thus the proportion of people smoking at those times is going to be higher.

 

3. There are quite a few people who only smoke on vacation/whilst having a drink etc.. Those who insist on quoting that 18%-ish US figure of smokers are not seeing the whole picture (there is a whole wide world out there apart from the US BTW).

 

Remember - there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

 

Absolutely agree with your post.

Good observation of how things really are.

[Airnocker]

 

 

 

Awwwwrighty then;)

 

 

bars on wide-bodies were a big thing in the 70ties

 

I've been playing air crafter long enough to remember all of them. LoL

I hate to say it, but I seem to remember that Continantal had a smoking area in the really great lounge area. I think the lounge and smoking on board were soon eliminated.

Edited August 25, 2016 by Airnocker
Walt properly insisted that the smoking theme continue

[Aquahound]

And then there are those who refuse to allow facts to get in the way of their opinions!;)

 

True. So true.

[Richie2pies]

Why not let people smoke on their balcony? People surely can't die from the fumes. I'm an ex-smoker .

[Airnocker]

Why not let people smoke on their balcony? People surely can't die from the fumes. I'm an ex-smoker .

 

QED. Second hand smoke is toxic.

[bobalink]

Did you write your comments about smoking on the survey after the cruise?

 

Yes, I did. Although, I doubt that will make a difference.

[Ken the cruiser]

Why not let people smoke on their balcony? People surely can't die from the fumes. I'm an ex-smoker .

 

Picture yourself and your spouse coming back to the room just wanting to spend a quiet afternoon on your shaded balcony watching the birds playing on the waves and enjoying the fresh smell of the ocean. You settle in, maybe open a book and start to appreciate why you spent that extra $4,000 for a balcony rather than an Oceanview room. All of a sudden that fantasy is interrupted by the smell of either a cigarette or worse, a cigar. Now it wouldn't be so bad if it was only a brief moment, but it usually takes a smoker a good 10-20 minutes to complete the task. You now have to vacate your balcony because the smoke smell is just too overwhelming to deal with.

 

You're an ex-smoker, I'm am ex-smoker. One of the senses besides taste you get back once you quit smoking after a while is your sense of smell. I don't know about you, but I never realized how bad cigarette smoke smells until I got my sense of smell back 30 years ago.

 

Have you ever been in a room when someone "passed wind" and all you could think of was getting out of the room because it was just too overwhelming to deal with? Now, usually if you wait a minute or so, the smell disappears. However in the case of a person smoking a cigarette or cigar, they usually puff on it for much longer. I know that's a little gross, but you hopefully get the point.

 

Folks don't mind if someone smokes and there are plenty of places on the ship to get that nicotine fix. They just hope their balcony neighbors are considerate enough not to do it on a balcony upwind from their balcony.

[Cruise Junky]

Why not let people smoke on their balcony? People surely can't die from the fumes. I'm an ex-smoker .

 

As long as they wear oxygen masks so their addiction doesn't affect anyone else no issue but when their addiction comes into my air space, then we have an issue. And of course second hand smoke affects others. That's why it's illegal in so many public spaces.

[erewhon]

Yes, I did. Although, I doubt that will make a difference.

 

Thank you for your reply.

[Lady Arwen]

Why not let people smoke on their balcony? People surely can't die from the fumes. I'm an ex-smoker .

 

Really? I'm going to take this as you being sarcastic.

[shebag]

This thread is unbelievable, I think the only way all of you complainers would be happy is if they banned smoking altogether. I personally find perfume use to be offensive and bad for my health as well. I have an allergy which results in headaches when I smell perfume. Heh, maybe I should start a protest against the wearing of perfume in public places!!! What do I do, when I smell it I leave!! My choice, perfume is legal and not a banned substance so I just try to avoid it. Seems to me same should be for cigarette smoke. BTW I am a non smoker, however I have seen the ridiculous/offensive behaviour of non-smokers toward smokers on a ship. These happened in smoking areas in the casino. No one ever comes to the defense of the smoker who is smoking in one of the few allocated places on the ship. I have seen non-smokers take up all of the tables on the smoking side of the Lido deck, while there were plenty of tables available on the non-smoking side and then complain to staff about the smoking. People need to remember that it is a legal activity!!!! Oh and as a side note while most ships don't allow balcony smoking, unlike HAL they allow more room inside to smoke. On a recent Carnival cruise there was smoking allowed in the casino, the casino bar and the disco. So people didn't have to gamble just to have a smoke inside. Live and let live is what I say, if you don't like it avoid it, and you never know maybe someday I'll jump on this "everyone should live like me" bandwagon and protest against that offensive perfume that some ladies wear!!!!

[BruceMuzz]

I am not a smoker - never have been - and really don't care if others are or not.

 

So much drama about inhaling a very diluted puff of cigarette smoke from a balcony in the great outdoors. One would think that death is imminent.

 

You might do a bit of Internet research on Diesel engine exhaust fumes and cancer. The American Cancer Society, the British equivalent, and several other reputable organizations claim that diesel exhaust - that smoke occasionally wafting onto your balcony from the ship's stack - is a very serious carcinogen for humans.

 

I'm surprised that all the nervous nellies here have not jumped on that fact and demanded that cruise lines switch to gasoline or sail power.

[mudscraper]

Since the wife and I are tobacco chewers we always book a veranda cabin.

[blizzardboy]

since the wife and i are tobacco chewers we always book a veranda cabin.

lmaorof!

[Copper10-8]

Since the wife and I are tobacco chewers we always book a veranda cabin.

Don't forget your bibs :D