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

[sail7seas]

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.

 

Good for you remaining smoke free, Kakalina. WELL Done!!!

Congratulations. :)

 

[nb125]

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.

 

Yes, well done for stopping and I agree with what you say which is why I cannot understand why everybody campaigns so much to have it banned on balconies when they should be concentrating their efforts on stopping the smoking in the casino, just my opinion as a smoker.

[sammiedawg]

The winds blow in more than one direction and I've had plenty of smoke blown my way on land and at sea. Sometimes there is no wind.

[tip]

Yes, well done for stopping and I agree with what you say which is why I cannot understand why everybody campaigns so much to have it banned on balconies when they should be concentrating their efforts on stopping the smoking in the casino, just my opinion as a smoker.

 

It could be that many of us like to sit out on our balconies and relax rather than breathing in second hand smoke. On the other hand, I work too hard for my money and tend to avoid the casinos.;)

[sail7seas]

It is very hard for smokers to realize the smoke does not dissipate into thin air and not disturb neighbors when on a ship. When the ship is in port, there often is no wind. Smoke does not only travel side to side but up as well. We have been very disturbed by a couple standing at their rail on the verandah beneath us and their smoke travels right up to our verandah above them. They cannot (will not ?) understand that. Smokers don't smell it the way non-smokers do. It is extremely offensive to many non-smokers.

 

[mame42]

Yes, well done for stopping and I agree with what you say which is why I cannot understand why everybody campaigns so much to have it banned on balconies when they should be concentrating their efforts on stopping the smoking in the casino, just my opinion as a smoker.

 

Agreed. On my last Maasdam cruise, I avoided the entire casino deck because of the smoke.

[sammiedawg]

Smokers are hanging on to HAL as the last bastion of the good old days. I love Sail's comments and second what she just said.

Edited September 29, 2014 by sammiedawg

[chrispb]

 

At one point, while passing through a very scenic area the Crows Nest was packed (the weather was too rotten to go out on deck) as folks sought the best location for the view.

 

Hank

 

Precisely the reason there should be an indoor area/bar for smokers. If the weather is bad, there is nowhere for smokers. (I don't count the casino as I don't gamble.)

[nb125]

I am still struggling to understand why the lack of protest about smoking in casinos. Smoking in an indoor area is something that is rarely allowed anywhere these days and I would not feel comfortable smoking in a casino full of people. Still the main focus of complaints is about balconies.

 

The only explanation I can think of is that everyone knows it is a waste of time asking any cruise line to do anything that may effect their profits.

[sail7seas]

I am still struggling to understand why the lack of protest about smoking in casinos. Smoking in an indoor area is something that is rarely allowed anywhere these days and I would not feel comfortable smoking in a casino full of people. Still the main focus of complaints is about balconies.

 

The only explanation I can think of is that everyone knows it is a waste of time asking any cruise line to do anything that may effect their profits.

 

Speaking only for myself....... I don't complain about the casino smoke s I stopped going to the casino. My DH and I used to stop in the casino almost every night after we left the upper level of the MDR on the "S" and "R" ships but stopped when we could not bear the smoke. I don't need to complain about the smoke as I stopped feeding the casino my cash. :D

 

I do not wish to stop using the verandah I pay dearly for. And please do not sink to the level of telling someone who has sailed HAL over 80 cruises to go somewhere else. Pretend it is you to whom that is being said in those conditions and try to think what your ''truthful' reaction would be to that dismissive comment.

 

I seriously doubt any casino does not feel the loss of gambling money from non-smokers like me who ceased participating. I am most assuredly not the only one who stopped going.

 

Edited September 29, 2014 by sail7seas

[chrispb]

It is very hard for smokers to realize the smoke does not dissipate into thin air and not disturb neighbors when on a ship. When the ship is in port, there often is no wind. Smoke does not only travel side to side but up as well. We have been very disturbed by a couple standing at their rail on the verandah beneath us and their smoke travels right up to our verandah above them. They cannot (will not ?) understand that. Smokers don't smell it the way non-smokers do. It is extremely offensive to many non-smokers.

 

 

Strange how smoke from a bonfire lit in a garden 10 doors away doesn't smell as strongly as the bonfire lit by our next door neighbour. Why? it dissipates, that's why.

[cruz chic]

Yes, well done for stopping and I agree with what you say which is why I cannot understand why everybody campaigns so much to have it banned on balconies when they should be concentrating their efforts on stopping the smoking in the casino, just my opinion as a smoker.

Who cares? Smoke to your hearts delight. I don't have to go to the casino and give them my money. When I have a balcony, I do need to go there.

[sail7seas]

Strange how smoke from a bonfire lit in a garden 10 doors away doesn't smell as strongly as the bonfire lit by our next door neighbour. Why? it dissipates, that's why.

 

 

 

No bonfires permitted in my area so can't speak to that. We are not even permitted to burn leaves in the fall.

 

[sammiedawg]

The sudden concern about casino smoking strikes me as a way to divert attention from the balcony issue. Many of us pinch pennies and save for a year or more to cruise and a balcony cabin is icing on the cake but it costs a substantial premium. It is incredibly upsetting if that prized balcony is unusable.

[sail7seas]

The sudden concern about casino smoking strikes me as a way to divert attention from the balcony issue. Many of us pinch pennies and save for a year or more to cruise and a balcony cabin is icing on the cake but it costs a substantial premium. It is incredibly upsetting if that prized balcony is unusable.

 

 

 

Yes, to that ^^ and HAL NEEDS to hear about it. They need to know how strongly some feel about losing use of their dearly paid for verandahs.

 

Someone who does nothing to disturb others loses enjoyment of their verandah because others are permitted to do something that is greatly disturbing to many. Something wrong with that picture IMO

 

 

Edited September 29, 2014 by sail7seas

[cbr663]

The sudden concern about casino smoking strikes me as a way to divert attention from the balcony issue. Many of us pinch pennies and save for a year or more to cruise and a balcony cabin is icing on the cake but it costs a substantial premium. It is incredibly upsetting if that prized balcony is unusable.

 

I don't understand why someone smoking in a designated smoking area is so upsetting. You do realize that balconies are designated smoking areas? Why is a designated smoking area such a prize?

[CowPrincess]

Speaking only for myself....... I don't complain about the casino smoke s I stopped going to the casino. My DH and I used to stop in the casino almost every night after we left the upper level of the MDR on the "S" and "R" ships but stopped when we could not bear the smoke. I don't need to complain about the smoke as I stopped feeding the casino my cash. :D

 

I do not wish to stop using the verandah I pay dearly for. And please do not sink to the level of telling someone who has sailed HAL over 80 cruises to go somewhere else. Pretend it is you to whom that is being said in those conditions and try to think what your ''truthful' reaction would be to that dismissive comment.

 

I seriously doubt any casino does not feel the loss of gambling money from non-smokers like me who ceased participating. I am most assuredly not the only one who stopped going.

 

 

I thought you quit going to the casino when they changed from a "coin" payout to having to use your card.

 

 

Post #4 in this thread, paragraph 9

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=21122413&highlight=casino+hopper#post21122413

 

No mention of smoke, just dislike of the card system....

[cbr663]

Huh? Because it's gross. Why not have smoking everywhere on the ship:rolleyes:. While you might not agree, you should be able to understand it.

 

What I expect is to find people smoking in designated smoking areas. Balconies are designated smoking areas so I expect to find people smoking on them. I appreciate it when people who smoke respect the guidelines and smoke only in designated areas. For me, it is disrespectful of me to demand that people who smoke not smoke in designated areas.

[Lizzie68]

What I expect is to find people smoking in designated smoking areas. Balconies are designated smoking areas so I expect to find people smoking on them. I appreciate it when people who smoke respect the guidelines and smoke only in designated areas. For me, it is disrespectful of me to demand that people who smoke not smoke in designated areas.

 

There are lots of "designated areas" in land life that no longer exist, because of the negative impact on the majority of citizens. (In my town you cannot even smoke on beaches or in parks.) This is no different. There is a need to change the "designated areas" for the benefit of the majority of passengers. Therefore this dialogue will doubtless continue until HAL catches up with the rest of the world. But I do hope they provide a comfortable inside area for the smokers that is well-vented and well-contained.

[kenphy]

I am confused by the thread. Where does Hal allow smoking?

[Sow There]

There are lots of "designated areas" in land life that no longer exist, because of the negative impact on the majority of citizens. (In my town you cannot even smoke on beaches or in parks.) This is no different. There is a need to change the "designated areas" for the benefit of the majority of passengers. Therefore this dialogue will doubtless continue until HAL catches up with the rest of the world. But I do hope they provide a comfortable inside area for the smokers that is well-vented and well-contained.

Exactly.

So as with other venues (towns and cities, for example, the answer is for management to make that change. All the noise (pro/con/ambivalent) that gets posted on an internet forum such as Cruise Critic does absolutely nothing. Letters to the editor of a local paper does absolutely nothing.

 

In the case of municipalities, communications with the city political leadership does far more than griping to people who can't do anythoing about the policy.

 

A letter addressed to HAL management in Seattle in which you express your position and preference about any issue including the smoking policy will have 1000% more impact on their making any changes to current policy. Here's the address:

 

Holland America Line Guest Relations

300 Elliott Avenue West

Seattle, WA 98119

 

 

Email: guestrelations@hollandamerica.com

Fax: 206‐905‐8962

Voice: 877-932-4259 or 206-286-3900

 

Unlike some other cruise lines, Holland America has a clearly stated and unambiguous smoking policy which is made known to all people who are exploring the many options available for a future cruise.

 

Someone who books a balcony knows, or definitely should know, that HAL permits smoking on the balcony before any money changes hands. Someone who detests smoking but still books and pays for a cruise on HAL does so with eyes wide open and has no basis to complain.

 

It's sorta like buying a ticket to an X rated movie then protesting the nudity.

 

Pax vobiscum

[Sow There]

I am confused by the thread. Where does Hal allow smoking?

 

See post #276 above. It is a complete statement of all places on a HAL ship where smoking is permitted.

[cruz chic]

Exactly.

So as with other venues (towns and cities, for example, the answer is for management to make that change. All the noise (pro/con/ambivalent) that gets posted on an internet forum such as Cruise Critic does absolutely nothing. Letters to the editor of a local paper does absolutely nothing.

 

In the case of municipalities, communications with the city political leadership does far more than griping to people who can't do anythoing about the policy.

 

A letter addressed to HAL management in Seattle in which you express your position and preference about any issue including the smoking policy will have 1000% more impact on their making any changes to current policy. Here's the address:

 

Holland America Line Guest Relations

300 Elliott Avenue West

Seattle, WA 98119

 

 

Email: guestrelations@hollandamerica.com

Fax: 206‐905‐8962

Voice: 877-932-4259 or 206-286-3900

 

Unlike some other cruise lines, Holland America has a clearly stated and unambiguous smoking policy which is made known to all people who are exploring the many options available for a future cruise.

 

Someone who books a balcony knows, or definitely should know, that HAL permits smoking on the balcony before any money changes hands. Someone who detests smoking but still books and pays for a cruise on HAL does so with eyes wide open and has no basis to complain.

 

It's sorta like buying a ticket to an X rated movie then protesting the nudity.

 

Pax vobiscum

I have sent an email to HAL on several occasions. What I get back is an email with the smoking policy:rolleyes:. Yeah, so helpful. People will continue to post on this subject. It's completely optional to read it.

[sammiedawg]

I don't agree that the booking passenger is responsible to know the smoking policy before they book. In 2014 public smoking in the US has largely been banned. Bars, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and even rental properties ban smoking. If I were a new cruiser smoking issues would not cross my mind. I can only imagine the shock when they walk onto their beautiful balcony.

Edited September 29, 2014 by sammiedawg

[cbr663]

I don't agree that the booking passenger is responsible to know the smoking policy before they book. In 2014 public smoking in the US has largely been banned. Bars, restaurants, hotels, workplaces and even rental properties ban smoking. If I were a new cruiser smoking issues would not cross my mind. I can only imagine the shock when they walk onto their beautiful balcony.

 

What does the fact that public smoking in the US has largely been banned have to do with a foreign flagged ship merely welcoming US passengers onboard?