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

[Linda&Vern]

I think it's time for a refresher course on HAL's "current" Smoking Policy - from HAL's website:

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

◾Stateroom verandahs

◾Casino (Active players only)

◾Seaview Bar

◾Outside Decks:

---->Sports Deck

---->Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

 

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

[Host Walt]

Link to the smoking policy on the HAL website...

 

... "current" Smoking Policy - from HAL's website

.....

Edited September 28, 2014 by Host Walt

[Lizzie68]

Seems to depend on the ship. People do smoke on the Promenade deck and I have seen the ashtrays that hang on the railing, on the Zuiderdam, just months ago. I've also seen people on the loungers with an ashtray.

[Linda&Vern]

Seems to depend on the ship. People do smoke on the Promenade deck and I have seen the ashtrays that hang on the railing, on the Zuiderdam, just months ago. I've also seen people on the loungers with an ashtray.

In Feb/March on the Zuiderdam there were no ashtrays hanging on the railing of the Promenade Deck. DH and I traveled around and around that deck specifically looking for them because some CC members had reported seeing them. They were not there for our 11 day cruise.

[nb125]

I think it's time for a refresher course on HAL's "current" Smoking Policy - from HAL's website:

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

◾Stateroom verandahs

◾Casino (Active players only)

◾Seaview Bar

◾Outside Decks:

---->Sports Deck

---->Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

 

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

 

HAL need to update the policy to omit the areas in red or take Noordam out of that list.

[sammiedawg]

We were on Prinsendam less than two months ago and most certainly saw smoking on the Promenade deck. . The metal boxes were on the rails and one day we saw the deck attendant walking away with one of them. Presumably it is emptied in a safe container.

We spend lots of time on the promenade deck, no more balconies on HAL since we had a "spa suite" on Eurodam, the maiden season. Our very small balcony was unusable due to adjacent smoking but ironically this cabin offered extra health and wellness amenities. Go figure.

[mame42]

On my May Maasdam trip, there were no "No Smoking" signs on the Lower Promenade, however, neither were there any ashtrays. I observed one gentleman smoking a cigar as I began my laps, but the next circuit around I saw a crew member approach and speak to him. By the third lap he was gone.

[RuthC]

The ashtrays had been removed from the Lower Promenade Deck on the Volendam and Amsterdam on both of my recent cruises.

This is consistent with the posted policy that smoking is not allowed on that deck.

[Gastown]

We cruise in a balcony cabin on HAL because they do allow smoking. There are many cruise lines that don't and usually we don't travel with them. This is our choice based on cruise line policy. Before you book a cruise review their smoking policy, if you don't like it simply don't book.

 

For those that agree with HAL's smoking policy please let them know

[oaktreerb]

Several items and blogs I have read recently have indicated that people are, indeed, seeing more smokers on Holland America ships.

 

This may be the current marketing strategy to sell balcony cabins at a premium of appx. $1,000 more per person per 7 day cruise as compared to inside and outside staterooms.

 

Do I really want to spend $2,000 more to be in the smoking section on a 7 day cruise? If you are a smoker it may be worth the upcharge.

[oaktreerb]

Gastown wants smokers to let HAL know that they agree with the smoking policy.

 

This sounded like a challenge to nonsmokers.

 

I just e-mailed HAL that they need to end smoking on balconies.

[Daydaes]

We will be on the Veendam and I hope the no smoking policy is in effect. It would be nice to not see any ashtrays in the walking deck. Anyone been on this ship lately?

[tip]

For those that agree with HAL's smoking policy please let them know

 

And for those who don't ,please let them know as well. Sooner or later HAL will catch on that we are in the 21st Century.

Edited September 28, 2014 by tip

[sammiedawg]

Oaktreeb's comment about paying more for seats in the smoking session made me laugh but it is so true. HAL's marketing strategy is pretty lame, round up more smokers from other cruise lines. In the world of insurance this would be called adverse selection.

[cruz chic]

I often post on their facebook page that I hope they will change their smoking policy. Hopefully it will happen sooner rather then later.

[POA1]

I often post on their facebook page that I hope they will change their smoking policy. Hopefully it will happen sooner rather then later.

I think it's made a difference. They no longer allow smoking on their Facebook page. ;) (Trying to inject a little levity.)

[Gastown]

Gastown wants smokers to let HAL know that they agree with the smoking policy.

 

This sounded like a challenge to nonsmokers.

 

I just e-mailed HAL that they need to end smoking on balconies.

 

My only challenge was that people read the cruise line policy and rather than trying to inflict their choices on everyone else, book with a company that meets their needs.

 

What is next? Will the vegans take over with an email campaign and ban all meat onboard? Perhaps we should ban alcohol and gambling as they also have negative impacts on society. And don't get me started about shore power! Do you know how much harmful fumes are emitted by a cruise ship while in port!

[Lizzie68]

My only challenge was that people read the cruise line policy and rather than trying to inflict their choices on everyone else, book with a company that meets their needs.

 

What is next? Will the vegans take over with an email campaign and ban all meat onboard? Perhaps we should ban alcohol and gambling as they also have negative impacts on society. And don't get me started about shore power! Do you know how much harmful fumes are emitted by a cruise ship while in port!

 

Denial, denial. I remember it well when I was a smoker. You forgot to mention perfume. And no one is suggesting banning all smoking onboard. A smoking area could easily be provided that would not impact on non-smokers.

 

But of course the world is wrong, no reason you shouldn't continue to pollute and affect others with your smoke. HAL is low to catch up, but they will do it.

[cruz chic]

I find it funny how the same type of comments keep coming up from posters with new names.

 

Agree with you lizzy. Hal will come the it's senses before too long.

[Gastown]

I find it funny how the same type of comments keep coming up from posters with new names.

 

Agree with you lizzy. Hal will come the it's senses before too long.

 

LOL!

 

I guess that is how you welcome a new member to the forum.

 

I guess I must be in denial that people will stop inflicting their version of the world on others. I'll repeat... If you don't like a cruise line policy don't book on that cruise line. It is very simple.

 

If you don't like a cruise line that allows smoking on balconies book another cruise line.

 

I have been on cruise lines that don't allow me to smoke on the balcony so I respect their policy and don't smoke. I don't complain about their policy I respect it, perhaps you could do the same.

 

Try Azamara, I did. I did not enjoy a higher number of drunks due to their alcohol policy so I choose not to travel with them. I didn't complain about their policy and inflict my views on others. I took my business elsewhere.

[cruz chic]

Would you like to be told to go to an all inclusive? If no one ever complained about smoking there would still be smoking in workplaces, theatres etc. I'm a former smoker that did give it up pretty easily. I will keep suggesting to hal to change their policy. Simple as that. The only thing that posts to the contrary do is to strengthen my resolve.

[Sow There]

Originally Posted by Gastown

LOL!

...

If you don't like a cruise line that allows smoking on balconies book another cruise line.

 

I have been on cruise lines that don't allow me to smoke on the balcony so I respect their policy and don't smoke. I don't complain about their policy I respect it, perhaps you could do the same.

...

 

Let me welcome you to Cruise Critic, Gastown. I am a non-smoker and am married to a non-smoker. I am old enough to remember when smoking was omnipresent (smoking sections on airplanes and commuter trains, at almost all restaurants and bars, and even on city buses.)

 

Yes I don't particularly care for the smell of cigarette smoke but I will acknowledge that I don't mind the aroma of most pipes and some cigars.

 

In any case, unlike Celebrity (where they have three different policy statements that create a needless ambiguity), Holland America is clear and unequivocal about the line's smoking policy (see the policy quoted from the HAL website in an earlier post). So, as you say, you know what the policy is going in and thus, there should be no issue.

 

I also agree that the best way to get a policy change made is to communicate with the folks who make policy. Whether you want to maintain the smoking policy as it is or you want it to be further restricted, you'll get a lot more mileage by communicating your preference with HAL rather than getting into heated discussions on an internet message board.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Sow There

[legalslave]

Gastown, welcome to cruisecritic. This really isn't the place to state you are okay with HAL's current smoking policy unless you want to be attacked by the same posters who post the same thing over and over again. Do as you suggested and write HAL and let them know how you feel about their policy.

 

Diane

[innlady1]

Denial, denial. I remember it well when I was a smoker. You forgot to mention perfume. And no one is suggesting banning all smoking onboard. A smoking area could easily be provided that would not impact on non-smokers.

 

But of course the world is wrong, no reason you shouldn't continue to pollute and affect others with your smoke.

 

HAL is slow to catch up, but they will do it.

 

Sooner rather than later, I hope, Lizzie...

[kakalina]

Although I no longer smoke I like that they allow smokers to smoke on their balcony where the wind can waft it away. It's better than allowing it indoors in public areas. They have to have somewhere to smoke out of the weather.