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

[goofy4mickey]

With your screen name, I'd have expected to see some DCL sailings in your signature! I'm definitely going to give them a try - and will likely save some $, owing to the absence of a casino!

 

Tom

 

LOL it would seem that way but we have just returned from our 10th trip with our 4 kids to WDW and now that we are empty nesters its time for a couple only trip;)

[idiebabe]

Perhaps we should thank HAL for their current smoking policies. We have an outside cabin booked for an upcoming 8 week Prinsendam cruise. Yesterday, we were offered a pretty decent upsell offer to both mini and full suites. I asked DW, "are you interested in upgrading to a suite with balcony?" Her quick answer, "why should we pay thousands of dollars for a balcony we probably can't use because of smokers?" So we are saving those thousands of dollars plus all the additional thousands we save by never gambling in a HAL Casino (they all smell like dirty ashtrays). And perhaps there is another message in the upsell offer. This is for a HAL Grand Cruise on their smallest ship. And yet, only a few weeks before the voyage they apparently have a substantial number of suites remaining unsold. We cannot help but wonder if others also have adopted our attitude which is why pay for a balcony you cannot use?

 

Hank

 

The Pdam is very pricey and even more so for their Suites both Mini and Full. Some people either can't afford to do the Ship and their Itineraries in a Suite, etc. and will book an Inside or Window. Not all smokers book balconies and many Smokers book Non-Balcony rooms even on the less expensive Ships just as Non-smokers do! Decisions for the majority are based on dollars (what they can afford and/or if they don't think the extra money is worth it to them even if they can afford it). Port Intensive Itineraries and the climate of the Itinerary also factors in for some.

 

I don't know anyone who books a room or won't book a room based on Balcony Smoking. I read about some of you here saying it but reality for the majority is dollars (especially with the Prinsendam).

[cruz chic]

The Pdam is very pricey and even more so for their Suites both Mini and Full. Some people either can't afford to do the Ship and their Itineraries in a Suite, etc. and will book an Inside or Window. Not all smokers book balconies and many Smokers book Non-Balcony rooms even on the less expensive Ships just as Non-smokers do! Decisions for the majority are based on dollars (what they can afford and/or if they don't think the extra money is worth it to them even if they can afford it). Port Intensive Itineraries and the climate of the Itinerary also factors in for some.

 

I don't know anyone who books a room or won't book a room based on Balcony Smoking. I read about some of you here saying it but reality for the majority is dollars (especially with the Prinsendam).

 

I really wish people would not use the terminology "mini suite" when referring to Hal. I'm not aware of Hal using this terminology on any of their ships. It would be like going to the princess forum and calling mini suites signature suites. I guess you haven't read this thread if you think no one books a balcony so they can smoke. Surely you don't believe that. Read post 3074 they are leaving ncl for Hal because they can smoke.

Edited February 3, 2016 by cruz chic

[Hlitner]

The Pdam is very pricey and even more so for their Suites both Mini and Full. Some people either can't afford to do the Ship and their Itineraries in a Suite, etc. and will book an Inside or Window. Not all smokers book balconies and many Smokers book Non-Balcony rooms even on the less expensive Ships just as Non-smokers do! Decisions for the majority are based on dollars (what they can afford and/or if they don't think the extra money is worth it to them even if they can afford it). Port Intensive Itineraries and the climate of the Itinerary also factors in for some.

 

I don't know anyone who books a room or won't book a room based on Balcony Smoking. I read about some of you here saying it but reality for the majority is dollars (especially with the Prinsendam).

 

Well, you do now (know someone on CC who will not book a balcony because of smokers). We have spent 4 long voyages on the P'Dam (have a 5th Grand Voyage coming up next month) and have avoided any balcony cabin because of the smoking issue....not the price. Actually, on our last 2 Prinsendam cruises, HAL has offered us decent upsell deals (to balcony suites) which we have rejected solely because of smokers often making balconies unusable.

 

Hank

[airheadfan]

We are another couple who refuse to return to Hal until they prohibit balcony smoking. Once was enough for us and we are looking forward to our sixth Oceania cruise later this year where smokers are nicely accommodated but balcony smoking is not allowed.

 

I keep checking on this thread hoping that someday Hal will have a similar policy so we can return. But their business model promotes smoking , in spite of all of the negatives and it seems to work for them - but I hope they change.

[OBX-Cruisers]

Add us to the growing list of not booking another cruise on HAL in a Verandah room..............Celebrity is our choice and THEY do not allow smoking on verandahs..

Holland America is ignoring years of comments that have asked to ban smoking on verandahs. They are putting $$$$ in front of common sense when a growing number of people will just book OV cabins at less income to the line

[Sow There]

Add us to the growing list of not booking another cruise on HAL in a Verandah room..............Celebrity is our choice and THEY do not allow smoking on verandahs..

Holland America is ignoring years of comments that have asked to ban smoking on verandahs. They are putting $$$$ in front of common sense when a growing number of people will just book OV cabins at less income to the line

Think about what you're saying. If HAL is putting $$$$ in front of common sense (presumably you mean prohibiting smoking on verandas is "common sense") then that means the prospective customer will spend more if smoking is allowed than if it's prohibited. That, in turn, means that the current policy generates more profit than a total prohibition of veranda smoking.

 

By the way, I really don't think there's more money to be made by continuing the current policy. It's my guess that HAL understands that changing the policy is an irreversible decision so they're taking their time in making the move.

[lahlah57]

We are another couple who refuse to return to Hal until they prohibit balcony smoking. Once was enough for us and we are looking forward to our sixth Oceania cruise later this year where smokers are nicely accommodated but balcony smoking is not allowed.

 

I keep checking on this thread hoping that someday Hal will have a similar policy so we can return. But their business model promotes smoking , in spite of all of the negatives and it seems to work for them - but I hope they change.

 

Oh sweet mother......do not let there be smokers next or below us on the Koningsdam. Or minimally a good wind to blow it straight back into their own cabin and not mine....OH please NO!!!

[Hlitner]

Oh sweet mother......do not let there be smokers next or below us on the Koningsdam. Or minimally a good wind to blow it straight back into their own cabin and not mine....OH please NO!!!

 

Ok, so you can dream or even pray. But the facts are the facts and HAL still allows unlimited smoking of not just cigarettes, but also cigars and pipes on any passenger balcony on any of their vessels. And despite comments to the contrary, there is no official indication that HAL is going to change that policy. So if anyone makes a decision to pay the extra dollars for a balcony (yes, we know that HAL prefers to call them Verandahs) they are making such a decision with the risk that they will be surrounded by smokers (cigars, pipes, and cigarettes) which might interfere with their use of the balcony. This does not happen on nearly any other cruise line! It is simply a HAL fact! Folks here can tell you all kinds of anecdotal things about what happened when they had a HAL balcony, but the bottom line is that if you are surrounded by smokers and cannot use your balcony on HAL, you have absolutely no recourse.

 

These are simply facts (not conjecture or opinion). Cruisers might want to make their decisions accordingly.

 

Hank

[sammiedawg]

Ok, so you can dream or even pray. But the facts are the facts and HAL still allows unlimited smoking of not just cigarettes, but also cigars and pipes on any passenger balcony on any of their vessels. And despite comments to the contrary, there is no official indication that HAL is going to change that policy. So if anyone makes a decision to pay the extra dollars for a balcony (yes, we know that HAL prefers to call them Verandahs) they are making such a decision with the risk that they will be surrounded by smokers (cigars, pipes, and cigarettes) which might interfere with their use of the balcony. This does not happen on nearly any other cruise line! It is simply a HAL fact! Folks here can tell you all kinds of anecdotal things about what happened when they had a HAL balcony, but the bottom line is that if you are surrounded by smokers and cannot use your balcony on HAL, you have absolutely no recourse.

 

These are simply facts (not conjecture or opinion). Cruisers might want to make their decisions accordingly.

 

Hank

 

I agree, buyer beware. There are great alternatives to HAL.

We have no plans to sail HAL again, smoking issues are a big factor as we prefer the additional space of a verandah. Beyond that the last couple of HAL cruises were very average and we've seen significant declines in food quality, less service and ships too old in the tooth.

I might reconsider and book the Koningsdam but I'm not holding my breath.

[Cruise Junky]

Everytime I read this thread I regret booking Koningsdam and I didn't even realize they allowed Pipe and Cigar smoking on balconies :eek:. That's ridiculous. They have until the end of the year to change their policy or we'll be bailing.

[sail7seas]

Think about what you're saying. If HAL is putting $$$$ in front of common sense (presumably you mean prohibiting smoking on verandas is "common sense") then that means the prospective customer will spend more if smoking is allowed than if it's prohibited. That, in turn, means that the current policy generates more profit than a total prohibition of veranda smoking.

 

By the way, I really don't think there's more money to be made by continuing the current policy. It's my guess that HAL understands that changing the policy is an irreversible decision so they're taking their time in making the move.

 

This may be the understatement of this whole lengthy thread.

 

HAL changing smoking policy ----- 'taking their time'. :D :D

Seems they are eternally attached to permitting verandah smoking. :eek:

 

Edited February 4, 2016 by sail7seas

[Cruise Junky]

What I don't understand is why they can't make Port side balconies smoking and Starboard non smoking. Give 6/8/10 months notice so people can switch sides and keep everyone happy. It makes zero business sense to me to alienate the majority of cruisers from your product. No wonder I'm getting super cheap rates, everyone has flocked elsewhere

[Joanandjoe]

What I don't understand is why they can't make Port side balconies smoking and Starboard non smoking. Give 6/8/10 months notice so people can switch sides and keep everyone happy. It makes zero business sense to me to alienate the majority of cruisers from your product. No wonder I'm getting super cheap rates, everyone has flocked elsewhere

 

Interesting comment. We thought that "smoking on one side of the ship only" was the policy when we booked our cruise for next month. When we heard that smoking was allowed on ALL balconies, we cancelled and booked a land tour.

[cruz chic]

What I don't understand is why they can't make Port side balconies smoking and Starboard non smoking. Give 6/8/10 months notice so people can switch sides and keep everyone happy. It makes zero business sense to me to alienate the majority of cruisers from your product. No wonder I'm getting super cheap rates, everyone has flocked elsewhere

 

There is only about 20% of the population that smokes. You also have people that book guarantees. This has been suggested so many times. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard it I think I could cruise free for the rest of my life ;). Non smokers have had to put up with smoke for years and years. The tide has turned. Too bad Hal is stuck in the dark ages.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

There is only about 20% of the population that smokes. You also have people that book guarantees. This has been suggested so many times. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard it I think I could cruise free for the rest of my life ;). Non smokers have had to put up with smoke for years and years. The tide has turned. Too bad Hal is stuck in the dark ages.

 

The smoke is clouding their vision...

 

Tom

[donh1]

HAL's Smoking policy defies logic in today's world. When they finally join the rest of the civilized world and seriously restrict smoking, their legacy will be that they did it kicking and fighting. Something they should not be proud of. Those who support the existing policy very likely would like to go back to smoking in restaurants, theatres, airplanes and all public places. Bottom line is HAL should be ashamed of itself. HAL if you are reading. It's Cancer Awareness Day. Why not do the right thing.

[scm1848]

When I can't smoke on my verandah, we will stop cruising. There are many others like us with whom we chat by the Seaview Pool. We always book Neptune Suites, and we do spend quite a bit on wine and drinks. I suspect there are enough of us for HAL's policy to continue for some time - hopefully.

[dmg1956]

THANK YOU SCM1848. I'm with you all the way. Neptune Suites are the best and I like to smoke on my veranda with a glass of wine or a Knob Creek or Maker's Mark. I wish all these damn non-smokers would change to other cruise lines and stop with this constant barrage of complaints. HAL will not change the policy. Get Over It and Get a Life.

[Cruise Junky]

You do realize that without non smokers HAL would be bankrupt right? Enjoy it while it lasts. At these fire sale prices it won't be for long :rolleyes:

[dmg1956]

HAL will continue to have non-smokers. Perhaps just the one's that don't interfere in other peoples business. Perhaps they should devote one side of the ship to smokers and those who don't mind. What HAL should be worried about is their continuing to "dumb down" the quality of the HAL product. For example: charging outrageous gratuities on drinks; charging for bottled water; taking away the Steak Diane and Lobster Mac&Cheese in the Pinnacle. HAL will go down the tubes because they have allowed themselves to become a mainstream cruise line instead of a premium cruise line. Raise the room rates and stop with the nickle and diming.

[HamOp]

You do realize that without non smokers HAL would be bankrupt right? Enjoy it while it lasts. At these fire sale prices it won't be for long :rolleyes:

 

The unknown, and unknowable, is what the percentage of smokers is on a HAL ship at any given time. Sure the national percentage is 18 to 20, but with an influx of smokers from other lines that have, as some would say, joined the 21st century, the percentage on HAL may be much greater.

 

HAL will change he smoking policy when the bean counters tell them it's time to.

[Cruise Junky]

The unknown, and unknowable, is what the percentage of smokers is on a HAL ship at any given time. Sure the national percentage is 18 to 20, but with an influx of smokers from other lines that have, as some would say, joined the 21st century, the percentage on HAL may be much greater.

 

HAL will change he smoking policy when the bean counters tell them it's time to.

 

Do we give them the benefit of the doubt and say what...35%? No cruise line can afford to ignore 65%. The more smokers flock to HAL the more of the non smokers will move away. But you're never going to appeal to more than 20% of the population. It's 2016. Non smokers won't put up with it. The old guard of HAL cruisers are getting older and need to be replaced with younger new cruisers. Ain't going to happen with that smoking policy.

[sppunk]

What I don't understand is why they can't make Port side balconies smoking and Starboard non smoking. Give 6/8/10 months notice so people can switch sides and keep everyone happy. It makes zero business sense to me to alienate the majority of cruisers from your product. No wonder I'm getting super cheap rates, everyone has flocked elsewhere

This was tried by Carnival (or Princess, I forget specifically) and failed. There is no feasible way to inventory an entire side to smokers.

[sail7seas]

Do we give them the benefit of the doubt and say what...35%? No cruise line can afford to ignore 65%. The more smokers flock to HAL the more of the non smokers will move away. But you're never going to appeal to more than 20% of the population. It's 2016. Non smokers won't put up with it. The old guard of HAL cruisers are getting older and need to be replaced with younger new cruisers. Ain't going to happen with that smoking policy.

 

The old guard is not all comprised of smokers. ;)

There are a great many seniors who either never smoked or gave it up years ago. You may wish for a new guard on HAL and probably are not alone but there are definitely some 'young uns' among the smokers who probably will continue to smoke on HAL's verandahs. Getting rid of senior will not get rid of smoking. HAL has to do that in order for verandahs to be smoke free.