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

[IRL_Joanie]

There should absolutely be an indoor space. The poster that said that the casino was non smoking said they have the cigar room for smokers. They also said that was the first cruise that this was effective. The person went into a lot of detail. I know that you didn't say this but it would be my wish to never hear that non smokers should just go elsewhere. That just is a recipe to annoy.

 

I have been in only 1 Cigar Room (Oak Room) and I believe it was on Noordam on our first cruise on her a couple years ago. It was located on the Observation Deck just off the Elevators and Crow's Nest. It was a nice little area, with beautiful furnishings, kind of made me think of a, British Victorian style, Gentleman's Club, the kind I have read about in old romance novels. BUT........ there was absolutely no ventilation and it smelled so badly of stale cigarette smoke that I could not even light up. I could not escape that room fast enough..............

 

Now, I cannot find the post or thread, but I seem to remember someone posting a few years back that the Oak Room was no more. I just checked her Deck Plans and it is still there.

 

My thing is that after the one and only experience in the Oak Room, I will NEVER go in there to smoke again!! I will smoke in open areas only with good ventilation, i.e.; Verandhas/Balcony's or open decks where it is allowed, and the Casino IF it is still allowed as long as I am playing one of the machines. The ventilation is at least working there.

 

As to telling anyone, non smoker and smoker alike, to go vacation somewhere else..........Uh Uh!!! NOT my style. I will only cruise on a ship where I can smoke on my verandah/balcony. It is to hard for me to have to get out of my stateroom to go and have a cigarette in another location on the ship. I like to have a cigarette as soon as I wake, and just before bed. I do not want to have to get dressed to go and have one. Besides the fact that I take meds for sleep and pain and believe me you, I get so loopy at times, I'd be a danger to others passengers and the crew.

 

My point is that as long as HAL allows us to smoke on our verandahs/Balcony's we must learn to compromise. HAL compromised by banning smoking in the staterooms and allow us to still smoke on the verandahs/Balcony's as well as, I hope still, the Casino..

 

Telling you, a non smoker, to go find another line to cruise or place to vacation is ridiculous, in my opinion, just as it is for a non smoker to tell a smoker the same.

 

EDITED: IF I have said it in the past (I cannot remember for sure) I apologize!! Every time I see someone make that suggestion to a poster, I cringe. So if I have said it in the past, please do not go through all my posts to throw it in my face *Grin*, IF I said it, I was so wrong........

 

We all have our reasons to cruise the line and or ships we do and telling one or the other to go elsewhere is wrong. We can cruise together comfortably and as we all know, we do cruise together comfortably. We, at least those who use Cruise Critic, know where the smoke is, or may be, and we can avoid those areas as best we can, or we can go elsewhere.

 

OK, off my soapbox and back down to reality:)

 

Go have fun on your cruises people and enjoy:)

 

And to you specifically Lore, I hope you have the best cruise ever with your luggage and calm seas, fair winds and total relaxation:)

 

Joanie

Edited October 13, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[taxmantoo]

If the poster wasn't so specific I would agree. This is a very recent development. It was the end of September. There has only been maybe one or two cruises. Maybe it was just one cruise. The poster doesn't seem to be someone that stirs the pot. I have no reason to not believe them.

 

Funny isn't it that if the OP had come on CC to say there is a new sauce on the burgers, or a new wine on the wine list, or no more more formal nights, everyone would have believed him ... but let him say they are cutting back on areas where smoking is allowed and only a few of us believe him :rolleyes:

[cruz chic]

Maybe the poster wasn't a frequent gambler and just happened to pick the Smoke Free Night to visit the casino and assumed that was the rule every night.

 

But the staff told the poster this was a beginning of a new policy. Pretty sure I've mentioned this at least once. I referenced the post number in one of my posts. Even if the poster was confused the staff shouldn't be.

[cruz chic]

Funny isn't it that if the OP had come on CC to say there is a new sauce on the burgers, or a new wine on the wine list, or no more more formal nights, everyone would have believed him ... but let him say they are cutting back on areas where smoking is allowed and only a few of us believe him :rolleyes:

 

No kidding. I guess if this happens on my cruise I better come back with something signed by the captain :D.

[Randyk47]

I have been in only 1 Cigar Room (Oak Room) and I believe it was on Noordam on our first cruise on her a couple years ago. It was located on the Observation Deck just off the Elevators and Crow's Nest. It was a nice little area, with beautiful furnishings, kind of made me think of a, British Victorian style, Gentleman's Club, the kind I have read about in old romance novels. BUT........ there was absolutely no ventilation and it smelled so badly of stale cigarette smoke that I could not even light up. I could not escape that room fast enough..............

 

Now, I cannot find the post or thread, but I seem to remember someone posting a few years back that the Oak Room was no more. I just checked her Deck Plans and it is still there.

 

My thing is that after the one and only experience in the Oak Room, I will NEVER go in there to smoke again!! I will smoke in open areas only with good ventilation, i.e.; Verandhas/Balcony's or open decks where it is allowed, and the Casino IF it is still allowed as long as I am playing one of the machines. The ventilation is at least working there.

 

As to telling anyone, non smoker and smoker alike, to go vacation somewhere else..........Uh Uh!!! NOT my style. I will only cruise on a ship where I can smoke on my verandah/balcony. It is to hard for me to have to get out of my stateroom to go and have a cigarette in another location on the ship. I like to have a cigarette as soon as I wake, and just before bed. I do not want to have to get dressed to go and have one. Besides the fact that I take meds for sleep and pain and believe me you, I get so loopy at times, I'd be a danger to others passengers and the crew.

 

My point is that as long as HAL allows us to smoke on our verandahs/Balcony's we must learn to compromise. HAL compromised by banning smoking in the staterooms and allow us to still smoke on the verandahs/Balcony's as well as, I hope still, the Casino..

 

Telling you, a non smoker, to go find another line to cruise or place to vacation is ridiculous, in my opinion, just as it is for a non smoker to tell a smoker the same.

 

EDITED: IF I have said it in the past (I cannot remember for sure) I apologize!! Every time I see someone make that suggestion to a poster, I cringe. So if I have said it in the past, please do not go through all my posts to throw it in my face *Grin*, IF I said it, I was so wrong........

 

We all have our reasons to cruise the line and or ships we do and telling one or the other to go elsewhere is wrong. We can cruise together comfortably and as we all know, we do cruise together comfortably. We, at least those who use Cruise Critic, know where the smoke is, or may be, and we can avoid those areas as best we can, or we can go elsewhere.

 

OK, off my soapbox and back down to reality:)

 

Go have fun on your cruises people and enjoy:)

 

And to you specifically Lore, I hope you have the best cruise ever with your luggage and calm seas, fair winds and total relaxation:)

 

Joanie

 

Interestingly it was HAL prohibiting smoking in cabins that was the final straw, along with our other perceptions of declining service and other aspects, that caused us to consider other lines. Four years ago we started cruising with Silversea and for our first cruise they permitted smoking in the cabins but not on verandas which has never been an attraction to us. Their policy changed and three years ago they prohibited smoking in cabins. You might think that we would have come back to HAL but truth was, actually still is, the other aspects like service, food, and entertainment far outweigh the smoking issue for us so we've stayed put so to speak. The smaller ships and conveniently placed smoking venues work for us.

[kennicott]

But the staff told the poster this was a beginning of a new policy. Pretty sure I've mentioned this at least once. I referenced the post number in one of my posts. Even if the poster was confused the staff shouldn't be.

 

Perhaps the new policy was in reference to "smoke free nights" and not to a new smoke free policy for the casino at large as the poster suggested and the OP just happed in on a smoke free night. My wife is the one who uses the casino, she says she never experienced a "smoke free night" on HAL or Princess before. We just got off Princess and it was clear to her they were experimenting with new rules in the casino, "smoke free nights" and no smoking at all except where designated on particular slot machines not even gaming table smoking is allowed now.

 

Maybe this is occurring on HAL as well and the OP got mixed up thinking that it was an all around ban on smoking in the Nordam's casino. As often happens, when a staff member is asked a question a lot is lost in translation.

 

"The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking."

Edited October 14, 2015 by kennicott

[cruiseing marly]

Perhaps the new policy was in reference to "smoke free nights" and not to a new smoke free policy for the casino at large as the poster suggested and the OP just happed in on a smoke free night. My wife is the one who uses the casino, she says she never experienced a "smoke free night" on HAL or Princess before. We just got off Princess and it was clear to her they were experimenting with new rules in the casino, "smoke free nights" and no smoking at all except where designated on particular slot machines not even gaming table smoking is allowed now.

 

 

 

Maybe this is occurring on HAL as well and the OP got mixed up thinking that it was an all around ban on smoking in the Nordam's casino. As often happens, when a staff member is asked a question a lot is lost in the translation.

 

 

 

"The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking."

 

 

They have been doing no smoking for years in the casino ! We did a transatlantic years ago lots of people were upset on the b2b part they didn't do any as they had some kind of gambling club board and didn't do any more.

[Aquahound]

Funny isn't it that if the OP had come on CC to say there is a new sauce on the burgers, or a new wine on the wine list, or no more more formal nights, everyone would have believed him ... but let him say they are cutting back on areas where smoking is allowed and only a few of us believe him :rolleyes:

 

No kidding. I guess if this happens on my cruise I better come back with something signed by the captain :D.

 

Oh stop it, you two. No one said they don't believe him. We all want it to be true. Some of us just aren't going to set ourselves up for failure by getting excited over 1 solitary report from a month ago. It seems if they did try this for one cruise, it either didn't last, or no other CC member has been on the Noordam in the past month. I was also hoping to see a footnote on HAL's website but so far, nothing.

[cruz chic]

Perhaps the new policy was in reference to "smoke free nights" and not to a new smoke free policy for the casino at large as the poster suggested and the OP just happed in on a smoke free night. My wife is the one who uses the casino, she says she never experienced a "smoke free night" on HAL or Princess before. We just got off Princess and it was clear to her they were experimenting with new rules in the casino, "smoke free nights" and no smoking at all except where designated on particular slot machines not even gaming table smoking is allowed now.

 

Maybe this is occurring on HAL as well and the OP got mixed up thinking that it was an all around ban on smoking in the Nordam's casino. As often happens, when a staff member is asked a question a lot is lost in translation.

 

"The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking."

 

Oh my goodness. This has been addressed multiple times but it keeps getting glossed over again and again. Why did the casino staff say it was a new policy? I'm not sure how else I can explain this. I'm not the one who posted this originally. Perhaps you can address the poster and tell them they are confused.

[cruz chic]

Oh stop it, you two. No one said they don't believe him. We all want it to be true. Some of us just aren't going to set ourselves up for failure by getting excited over 1 solitary report from a month ago. It seems if they did try this for one cruise, it either didn't last, or no other CC member has been on the Noordam in the past month. I was also hoping to see a footnote on HAL's website but so far, nothing.

 

First, it wasn't a month ago. It was at the end of sept. Secondly, it appears that the Noordam is on a long cruise now. Not everyone gets on CC the minute they step on a ship. Hal is notorious for not updating its website. I feel sorry for the poster that posted this. From the comments on this thread it appears as though no one has read the posters comments, just dismissed them point blank. I think that's unfortunate.

[erewhon]

Oh stop it, you two. No one said they don't believe him. We all want it to be true. Some of us just aren't going to set ourselves up for failure by getting excited over 1 solitary report from a month ago. It seems if they did try this for one cruise, it either didn't last, or no other CC member has been on the Noordam in the past month. I was also hoping to see a footnote on HAL's website but so far, nothing.

 

Noordam is at present sailing the Trans Pacific cruise to Sydney Australia.

[Lizzie68]

I saw someone on oxygen smoking once on a cruise - I almost dropped a tender for myself. :/ THAT was a terrifying sight.

 

I sure hope someone quickly used the fire extinguisher on that person!!:eek:

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[Tyler919]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

[DeeniEncinitas]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

Thank you Tyler!

I will go by what you have said and maybe they are testing the waters,and maybe by the time we sail in Oct of next year smoking might be gone. Who knows. I will go by what you have said for now since you were there!

Hope your sailing was great!

Denise:)

[Stratheden]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

I'll check and see if they watched you leave and changed it back when we cruise on the Noordam in March. ;)

[IRL_Joanie]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

Thank you for coming back to us Tyler.

 

However, yes there is a However:) The Oak Room on the Noordam is not new!! It has been there since the ship was built many years ago. So again, the Oak Room is NOT NEW, though it sounds as if they added the TV, since the one time I was in there back in March 2012.

 

While it looks really nice and comfy, there is no air circulation and a person cannot be in there for more than 2 seconds without having to escape in order to breathe. Luckily, it was only a short distance to the smoking area on the Observation deck, maybe 10-15 feet, and open air so I could breathe again.

 

Joanie

[Aquahound]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

Thank you for the report. Please...do NOT let the antagonists in this thread convince you that any of us are calling you a liar. We do believe you. Part of us hopes it lasts, and the other part is skeptical this will delay a ban on balconies. Speaking for myself, I just don't want to get my hopes up only to be disappointed.

[cruz chic]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

Thank you so much for coming back. Thanks for clarifying this matter.

[sail7seas]

Goodness me. To reiterate. On Noordam, as of my trip from Vancouver which left on September 29, there is a NEW policy of no smoking in the casino. (Is that unclear?). They have also carved a new room out next to the observation lounge called the Oak Room and are allowing cigars and cigarette smoking in there, with ports sherrys and other aperitif service with a nice large TV. It's a nice room. I do not know about other ships. And I do not know if this will be the new normal.

 

Rehash: no smoking at all in the Noordam casino as of 9/29. I left the ship on 10/10 so surmise what you like about them watching me leave and changing things again[emoji50].

 

We were in Noordam's Oak Room at the time of her Dedication in NYC (Feb. 2006) so I know for sure Oak Room was a part of Noordam when she came brand new from Fiancantieri. :)

 

[kevingastreich]

Does anyone know if Koeningsdam will be smoke free? :confused:

[taxmantoo]

Does anyone know if Koeningsdam will be smoke free? :confused:

 

I can't imagine the Koningsdam being different from any other HAL ship. The Koningsdam's smoking policy should be whatever the other ships' smoking policy is at the time it is launched. A lot of people are hoping HAL changes its policy before then but we will have to wait and see.

[Tyler919]

We were in Noordam's Oak Room at the time of her Dedication in NYC (Feb. 2006) so I know for sure Oak Room was a part of Noordam when she came brand new from Fiancantieri. :)

 

 

That's great information. It seemed new, perhaps re done? The other thing that made me think it was new was there was nothing to indicate it was a usable room. No sign or other identifier, just two closed doors. During the trip the added a "Oak Room" sign to each door, as if it had just been added. My error, I must have been mixed up or confused;-)

 

I indeed hope this is the beginning of change. I was travelling with my nephew who smokes, and he was very pleased with the Oak Room as he was the only one in it most times. (He's a bit introverted) Has it always been a cigar friendly and drink service area?

[sail7seas]

Does anyone know if Koeningsdam will be smoke free? :confused:

 

No such announcement has been made.

 

[Bookited]

anyone out there? I have not seen any posts lately.