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

[Cruzaholic41]

GlennG: I recognize that I was extremely fortunate to have reasonable people as neighbours on these two cruises. I mention the above as other cruisers might be successful in employing the same strategy as I have used on two of my cruises.

 

You are a very lucky person. Unfortunately, unselfish people who are willing to compromise like that, especially involving those who have an addiction, are few and far between. Also, remember, that's your immediate neighbor. These discussions aren't so simple when the balcony is below or a couple over. All it takes is one cigar to pollute an entire block of balconies.

[cruz chic]

You are a very lucky person. Unfortunately, unselfish people who are willing to compromise like that, especially involving those who have an addiction, are few and far between. Also, remember, that's your immediate neighbor. These discussions aren't so simple when the balcony is below or a couple over. All it takes is one cigar to pollute an entire block of balconies.

 

Exactly. Smokers are within their right to smoke on their balcony. If you are lucky you might get a considerate smoker beside you. I have a friend that is a hard core smoker. She does many sweet things and has been a very good friend and support system for me. I know that if someone asked her to not smoke on her balcony she would tell them to pound sand. It's just better for me to book a oceanview so I don't deal with it and spend smoke free time in my cabana.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Sadly, my two FAVORITE places to spend time on a cruise are in the casino and on our balcony.

 

HAL, currently, is not helping themselves in my eyes with their policy --- yet I'm taking a gamble (lol) on the Koningsdam later this year. Since 2016 marks 50 years since I've sailed HAL... I made this booking regardless of their smoking policy, with full knowledge of that ahead of time. I can assure everyone here that, after the Koningsdam, I won't return to HAL until this policy has changed.

 

Celebrity, with its smoke free casino AND balconies, certainly ranks higher on my list... and as a result they're going to get the lion's share of my cruising budget, not to mention my gambling budget!

 

Here's hoping that HAL at least reigns in the smoking in their casino (on the Koningsdam) - as they've apparently done on at least one other ship.

 

Tom

[Lizzie68]

I got the anticipated, predictable response to my email to Ashford, following my complaint about the facebook post. Before you read it, please note that I did NOT at any time say that smoking had a negative impact on a past sailing. My email simply dealt with the arbitrary posting on their facebook page.

 

Thank you for contacting Mr. Orlando Ashford regarding our smoking policy. Mr. Ashford has reviewed your concerns and asked me to express his regret for the disappointment you have expressed.

 

We understand your stated concerns regarding smoking on board, and truly regret any negative impact this has had on your past sailings with us. As you know, we endeavor to balance the needs of both our smoking and nonsmoking guests, as we have many long-time Mariners who are smokers. Currently, our policy is to allow guests to smoke on their stateroom verandahs and designated areas on deck, as well as in the casino on select evenings each sailing; cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to outside decks and verandahs. We appreciate your comments regarding this policy as guest input is always welcome and as attitudes toward smoking continue to change we will revisit this policy with comments such as yours in mind. Again, we wish to express our thanks for taking the time to write to us on this policy.

 

So, Ashtray of the Seas it is.:(

Edited February 10, 2016 by Lizzie68

[sugcarol]

Nobody has ever asked me to stop smoking on balcony because when ship is stopped I never smoke out there. I only smoke when ship is moving.

[smi889]

Originally I came on this thread to find the smoking areas on the Veendam only to find it to be the same as any other forums where you mention smoking. My first cruise on HAL was in 1995, 20th Century, when people were polite and smoking was allowed everywhere on the ships. We were all respective of each other, and their rights, and enjoyed each others company on board. Some cruises featured the ability of those who needed dialysis and they appreciated the ability to cruise. Now we have entered the 21st Century and smokers are the scourge of the Earth, discourteous, and trash the ships. Unfortunately people have a lot more access to unproven science, such as second hand smoke and global warming, and follow it religiously not thinking and reading between the lines. Now a lot of things smell that I don't like and avoid them when I can. The Cruise Lines will one day make up their minds on the issue of smoking and where, but until then accept it for what it is. If they make them totally non-smoking I will accept it and move on. If Walt wants to close this thread, fine. If you want to consider me trash because I smoke, not good, and I will let you know it.

[sammiedawg]

I got the anticipated, predictable response to my email to Ashford, following my complaint about the facebook post. Before you read it, please note that I did NOT at any time say that smoking had a negative impact on a past sailing. My email simply dealt with the arbitrary posting on their facebook page.

 

Thank you for contacting Mr. Orlando Ashford regarding our smoking policy. Mr. Ashford has reviewed your concerns and asked me to express his regret for the disappointment you have expressed.

 

We understand your stated concerns regarding smoking on board, and truly regret any negative impact this has had on your past sailings with us. As you know, we endeavor to balance the needs of both our smoking and nonsmoking guests, as we have many long-time Mariners who are smokers. Currently, our policy is to allow guests to smoke on their stateroom verandahs and designated areas on deck, as well as in the casino on select evenings each sailing; cigar and pipe smoking is restricted to outside decks and verandahs. We appreciate your comments regarding this policy as guest input is always welcome and as attitudes toward smoking continue to change we will revisit this policy with comments such as yours in mind. Again, we wish to express our thanks for taking the time to write to us on this policy.

 

So, Ashtray of the Seas it is.:(

 

Thanks for sharing. HAL is really in a time warp, "waiting for attitudes to change". News flash to Mr. Ashford, attitudes in the US changed twenty to thirty years ago and public smoking is pretty much banned. Even landlords in my area, including us, refuse to rent to smokers and condo associations are now tackling smoking prohibitions on property.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...Unfortunately people have a lot more access to unproven science, such as second hand smoke and global warming...

 

There's sooooo much I want to say about this, but this is not the place.

 

...If you want to consider me trash because I smoke, not good, and I will let you know it....

 

 

For the record, I don't think you're "trash" for simply being a smoker.

 

Tom

[hrhdhd]

You are a very lucky person. Unfortunately, unselfish people who are willing to compromise like that, especially involving those who have an addiction, are few and far between. Also, remember, that's your immediate neighbor. These discussions aren't so simple when the balcony is below or a couple over. All it takes is one cigar to pollute an entire block of balconies.

 

It seems that the nonsmoker asking the smoker to arrange his or her schedule for the pleasure of the nonsmoker might also be considered selfish. The smoker is doing nothing against cruise line policy.

 

Might I ask a smoker if we can come to an arrangement? Yes. Would I consider him or her selfish if we could not? No.

[Aquahound]

It seems that the nonsmoker asking the smoker to arrange his or her schedule for the pleasure of the nonsmoker might also be considered selfish. The smoker is doing nothing against cruise line policy.

 

Might I ask a smoker if we can come to an arrangement? Yes. Would I consider him or her selfish if we could not? No.

 

I don't know....I think your post might be an indictment on modern society's sense of community. I'd love to take my Beats wireless speakers on a cruise and jam out on my balcony. It's allowed. But I don't because I understand I'm not alone...I'm in a community.

 

Just like anywhere else, 2 people in close proximity with different behaviors should be able to talk like adults and find a way to appease one another. For one to remain steadfast and unwavering is in fact selfish.

[jimmy2x]

Just like anywhere else, 2 people in close proximity with different behaviors should be able to talk like adults and find a way to appease one another. For one to remain steadfast and unwavering is in fact selfish.

 

I'd like to think so. I still smoke about 5 or 6 cigarettes/day on the balcony. A mature, reasonable approach from one of my neighbors would likely result in an accommodation that we could both live with.

 

OTH, loud mutterings, door slamming and similar actions will result in absolutely zip. As a 20 year USN vet, I do not intimidate easily.

[Spideysmum]

Just like anywhere else, 2 people in close proximity with different behaviors should be able to talk like adults and find a way to appease one another. For one to remain steadfast and unwavering is in fact selfish.

 

 

 

I'd like to think so. I still smoke about 5 or 6 cigarettes/day on the balcony. A mature, reasonable approach from one of my neighbors would likely result in an accommodation that we could both live with.

 

 

 

OTH, loud mutterings, door slamming and similar actions will result in absolutely zip. As a 20 year USN vet, I do not intimidate easily.

 

 

As a cruising newbie...and someone who absolutely cannot stand the smell of cigarette or worse smoke...I would totally support your right to pollute the environs from your balcony because HAL has made it possible. It would never occur to me to say anything at all because that is the rule. Seriously

 

Therefore, when I discovered the policy (rule) I chose to go to Alaska (after, thank some deity, our preferred itinerary was chartered) with another cruise line that does allow the sane, sensible and healthy individuals to have smoke-free balconies. While this cruise won't happen until September, we just just booked a European cruise on the same line for 2017. We vote with our feet. I will bet others will, as well, if they want to shell out the big bucks for a clean-air experience.

 

 

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[SS Exeter]

As a cruising newbie...and someone who absolutely cannot stand the smell of cigarette or worse smoke...I would totally support your right to pollute the environs from your balcony because HAL has made it possible. It would never occur to me to say anything at all because that is the rule. Seriously

 

Therefore, when I discovered the policy (rule) I chose to go to Alaska (after, thank some deity, our preferred itinerary was chartered) with another cruise line that does allow the sane, sensible and healthy individuals to have smoke-free balconies. While this cruise won't happen until September, we just just booked a European cruise on the same line for 2017. We vote with our feet. I will bet others will, as well, if they want to shell out the big bucks for a clean-air experience.

 

 

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If you have never cruised on HAL - and never intend to - then why are you posting here?

 

Sorry, Walt - I just couldn't resist.

Remove this as you see fit.:confused:

[Cruise Junky]

If you have never cruised on HAL - and never intend to - then why are you posting here?

 

Sorry, Walt - I just couldn't resist.

Remove this as you see fit.:confused:

 

They were obviously looking at HAL for Alaska and ruled them out for their smoking policy. They have as much right to post here as anyone else.

 

I completely agree with them. I wouldn't dream of saying something because you're not doing anything wrong. I'll just take my vacation dollars elsewhere. And go be honest, that's the data that HAL is missing. How many book elsewhere because of their policy? It's all well and good to say our cruisers want smoking but they're clueless as to how much is walking away.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Cruise Junky

[Lizzie68]

As a cruising newbie...and someone who absolutely cannot stand the smell of cigarette or worse smoke...I would totally support your right to pollute the environs from your balcony because HAL has made it possible. It would never occur to me to say anything at all because that is the rule. Seriously

 

Therefore, when I discovered the policy (rule) I chose to go to Alaska (after, thank some deity, our preferred itinerary was chartered) with another cruise line that does allow the sane, sensible and healthy individuals to have smoke-free balconies. While this cruise won't happen until September, we just just booked a European cruise on the same line for 2017. We vote with our feet. I will bet others will, as well, if they want to shell out the big bucks for a clean-air experience.

 

 

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Sadly, you are not alone. When all things were equal with regard to smoking on the cruise lines, HAL was definitely a step above the rest for other reasons. Now they have denigrated themselves to being attractive to smokers and the word has gotten around - and it has become a reason many people will not cruise with them. Recently when I suggested to friends that they join us on an upcoming cruise this very reason was why they said thanks but no thanks, we'll go with X.

[Spideysmum]

If you have never cruised on HAL - and never intend to - then why are you posting here?

 

 

 

Sorry, Walt - I just couldn't resist.

 

Remove this as you see fit.:confused:

 

 

No...don't remove. You are correct. I get notifications all the time about this thread as I must have commented before. Truth is we were booked for a 14 day Alaska cruise -our first -and I'd done no research other than we loved the fantastic itinerary. Then...it was chartered and were told it was being refunded. That's when I found out that HAL was the only cruise line that had such a policy about balconies. Who would want to not have verandah for Alaska? Loved the itinerary and would drop the replacement cruise in a heartbeat if only

 

I was just saying though that as much as I dislike smoking, I would never ask someone to accommodate me if the policy permitted. That's all. Sorry to intrude

 

 

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[hrhdhd]

Just like anywhere else, 2 people in close proximity with different behaviors should be able to talk like adults and find a way to appease one another. For one to remain steadfast and unwavering is in fact selfish.

 

Eh, maybe. But smokers are, to some extent, booking HAL because they have nowhere else to go. And when people mention that nonsmokers have other choices, they are advised that the nonsmokers LIKE HAL, well, except for that pesky smoking policy.

 

So who's being selfish? The steadfast and unwavering HAL fan who books a balcony and expects that others will refrain from smoking even though they're allowed to (and even though other lines with smoking-free balconies are out there)? Or the smoker who booked the balcony so he or she can smoke?

Edited February 11, 2016 by hrhdhd

[SteveH2508]

<snip>

I completely agree with them. I wouldn't dream of saying something because you're not doing anything wrong. I'll just take my vacation dollars elsewhere. And go be honest, that's the data that HAL is missing. How many book elsewhere because of their policy? It's all well and good to say our cruisers want smoking but they're clueless as to how much is walking away.

 

I would suggest that the data that HAL is interested in is whether they need a 'fire sale' (excuse the pun) to fill their ships. If the ships always sail full with regular fares, the 'walk-aways' are largely irrelevant.

 

If they can fill their ships without having to discount their fares or incentivize heavily, then they have no commercial driver to change the policy at this time.

[teamflames]

We are in a Baltic cruise with Hal in June. I have only done one other cruise (with X). While doing my research we obviously considered a multiple of factors in making our decision. I didn't even think of smoking policy (my fault I guess) we just assumed in this day and age, especially with an American owned brand that smoking near others living quarters would be impossible (as it was on X).

I don't think we will try and change our booking now but I doubt if we had known at the time we would have chosen Hal. We would only ever chose a cabin with a balcony so it is a serious issue.

My entire family are smokers but even so I can't stand being around it. One behaviour trend we notice with the majority of smokers is their polite tendency not to smoke when their table mates are eating but to light up immediately afterwards even when other tables are still eating. That is, they know it's off putting even to a fellow smoker but the problem ceases to exist when strangers are involved BUT I suppose this example could be applied to a wide set of etiquette examples.

Fingers crossed we are not surrounded by smokers!!!!

 

Btw, why does Hal not try to set aside areas of "smoking" cabins like a hotel might?

Perhaps one side of the ship or higher floors or cabins towards the back of the ship?

 

 

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[Cruzaholic41]

I was just saying though that as much as I dislike smoking, I would never ask someone to accommodate me if the policy permitted. That's all. Sorry to intrude

 

You do not owe anyone an apology. You have just as much right to post here as anyone else.

 

But to your point - I understand what you are saying, but I think it is unfortunate that we have gotten to a point where we can't talk to people who are doing annoying things.

 

This reminds me of the Super Bowl halftime show and how it is so taboo to say anything about the fact a racist hate group was paid tribute to by one performer. Why is it that nowadays, it's so bad to confront the people who are actually doing the intrusive and rude things like smoking?

 

Well, I for one won't stand for it and for now, my money is going to all the other cruise lines.

[wannagonow123]

Both my husband & I are heavy smokers, and while we enjoy smoking on our balcony with HAL, we do cruise with other lines. It's all a matter of adapting. We just finished a 21 day cruise with Carnival, on the Dream, and they did an excellent job accommodating smokers. With the exception of a few e-cig folks that felt they could some anywhere, smoking was confined to the areas Carnival provided. They had 2 large covered areas with tables and ashtrays that were maintained and the area was clean all the time. Clearly marked.

 

Then there was the casino. Half was smoking, half as not. Without fail, I would be sitting in the smoking section and someone would come up and start the hand waving, intentional coughing, and horrible remarks complaining they wanted to play a certain machine. If I am in a no-smoking section, and there is a machine I want to play, I don't smoke. Why can't I play a machine in the smoking area and smoke. Come on!

 

Anyhow, I do not choose a cruise because I can/can't smoke where it is convenient. It's about price & itinerary. Ban Balcony smoking for all I care. Just give me a nice outdoor area where I can smoke & enjoy myself away from folks that do no like my vice.

[HamOp]

You do not owe anyone an apology. You have just as much right to post here as anyone else.

 

But to your point - I understand what you are saying, but I think it is unfortunate that we have gotten to a point where we can't talk to people who are doing annoying things.

 

This reminds me of the Super Bowl halftime show and how it is so taboo to say anything about the fact a racist hate group was paid tribute to by one performer. Why is it that nowadays, it's so bad to confront the people who are actually doing the intrusive and rude things like smoking?

 

Well, I for one won't stand for it and for now, my money is going to all the other cruise lines.

 

Because thay might be mentally unbalanced and Kill You!?

[teamflames]

Both my husband & I are heavy smokers, and while we enjoy smoking on our balcony with HAL, we do cruise with other lines. It's all a matter of adapting. We just finished a 21 day cruise with Carnival, on the Dream, and they did an excellent job accommodating smokers. With the exception of a few e-cig folks that felt they could some anywhere, smoking was confined to the areas Carnival provided. They had 2 large covered areas with tables and ashtrays that were maintained and the area was clean all the time. Clearly marked.

 

 

 

Then there was the casino. Half was smoking, half as not. Without fail, I would be sitting in the smoking section and someone would come up and start the hand waving, intentional coughing, and horrible remarks complaining they wanted to play a certain machine. If I am in a no-smoking section, and there is a machine I want to play, I don't smoke. Why can't I play a machine in the smoking area and smoke. Come on!

 

 

 

Anyhow, I do not choose a cruise because I can/can't smoke where it is convenient. It's about price & itinerary. Ban Balcony smoking for all I care. Just give me a nice outdoor area where I can smoke & enjoy myself away from folks that do no like my vice.

 

 

I think most would agree to your last paragraph. I don't think anyone is expecting a 100% smoke free ship. The problem is we cannot choose a non smoking cabin, if our neighbours choose to indulge then our living quarters can be compromised.

X also had clearly designated smoking areas on both promenade and lido decks so my parents were not all that inconvenienced.

It's just amazing that so many countries are banning smoking even in OUTDOOR public areas (in Sydney u can no longer smoke within 5 metres of a bar) yet Hal has this outdated policy.

 

Another question, presumably there are ashtrays on the balcony but was is preventing wind from depositing the butts in the ocean or on others balconies?

 

I am currently in India at a beach resort and everyday I watch the smokers just leave their butts in the sand! I have only seen ONE person out of hundreds take them with them. That is littering and destroying nature and disrespectful to everyone else . I hope HAL smokers are more cleanly[emoji848]

 

 

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[cruz chic]

Eh, maybe. But smokers are, to some extent, booking HAL because they have nowhere else to go. And when people mention that nonsmokers have other choices, they are advised that the nonsmokers LIKE HAL, well, except for that pesky smoking policy.

 

So who's being selfish? The steadfast and unwavering HAL fan who books a balcony and expects that others will refrain from smoking even though they're allowed to (and even though other lines with smoking-free balconies are out there)? Or the smoker who booked the balcony so he or she can smoke?

 

Nowhere to go? My friend smokes heavily and goes to all inclusives. Not a problem. She's only cruised twice. Hal has been my favorite cruise line but it is quickly being eroded. That's always the smokers solution to non smokers "go elsewhere". Are you prepared for fares to go up to accomodate a smokers only line to compensate? Then you'll complain it's too smokey for you.

[Cruise Junky]

I would suggest that the data that HAL is interested in is whether they need a 'fire sale' (excuse the pun) to fill their ships. If the ships always sail full with regular fares, the 'walk-aways' are largely irrelevant.

 

If they can fill their ships without having to discount their fares or incentivize heavily, then they have no commercial driver to change the policy at this time.

 

Comparing itineraries before we booked, HAL was $1400 pp cheaper than Celebrity for a 12 day itinerary whereas Celebrity's was 10 day and not as good. Looks like a "fire" sale to me ;)