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

[sammiedawg]

But with the loss of the Ryndam and Statendam, the Koningsdam only adds a net 130 berths (2650-1260-1260) or a miniscule 0.5% of the 23,700 berths in the fleet. If sales are up more than that it must mean that berths are now being filled which were going empty on other ships. Why would introduction of the Koningsdam spur sales on other ships significantly?

 

I didn't mean to imply a new ship helps the old ships sell better. My thought is people booked the new one early at higher prices. We know they routinely fire sell cabins last minute. A new ship interests people.

[Lizzie68]

There was a post a while back that referenced this trial. It said the actual wording was smoking was discouraged from Smoking on balconies and they'd prefer you to use the Oak Room. They didn't actually ban it from balconies. That was a while back but I haven't seen anything new

 

Yes, it was Erewhon, on the Noordam, I believe. She gave the actual wording of the card that was left in each cabin about it and I think it was a little bit stronger than "discourage" but I'd have to search for the actual post. But I guess this is the "experimenting" that HAL is doing.

[cruisemom42]

Here is the wording as posted by erewhon. Actually they do not even use the word "discourage", only that smokers are "encouraged" to use the Oak Room rather than their verandah....

 

 

On embarkation day,(October 25th) a letter from Captain Draper in the stateroom stated

"Thank you for sailing with us aboard ms Noordam.

 

We'd like to make you aware of a new Lounge on the ship that is available for guests.

The Oak Room is a Smoking and Cigar Lounge on deck 10 forward. While it is open 24 hours a day, full beverage service is available from 12 noon until 10pm daily. The Oak Room also has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating and a large screen TV with a variety of channels, as well as wide array of cigars and cigarettes available for purchase.

 

For guests with verandah staterooms who smoke cigarettes, cigars or e-cigarettes, we encourage you to utilize the Oak Room for your smoking needs rather than your verandah.

Smoking is also permitted outside on the starboard side of Deck 9, adjacent to the Sea View Bar. There will also be a designated area for smoking in the Casino on certain nights of the cruise--this will be highlighted in the Today on Location program.

 

Thank you for choosing Holland America for your cruise vacation and we look forward to welcoming guests to the Oak Room throughout the voyage."

[cruz chic]

Here is the wording as posted by erewhon. Actually they do not even use the word "discourage", only that smokers are "encouraged" to use the Oak Room rather than their verandah....

 

Thank you for finding the post we referred to. I'd be curious to see how many smokers are taking advantage of that.

[Lizzie68]

Here is the wording as posted by erewhon. Actually they do not even use the word "discourage", only that smokers are "encouraged" to use the Oak Room rather than their verandah....

 

Thanks, Cruisemom. I actually read it as being a little stronger, but as with everything, it's all in the translation.:D However, it does actually show that HAL is making some moves in the right direction. Let's hope the "experimenting" works out.

[sail7seas]

Any action in the direction of stopping verandah smoking is a positive.

Ridiculous it is taking them so long.

 

[Hflors]

Here is the wording as posted by erewhon. Actually they do not even use the word "discourage", only that smokers are "encouraged" to use the Oak Room rather than their verandah....

 

I think it's a wonderful idea of HAL to open a room just for smokers. I am sure some "smokers" would be very happy to sit in a comfortable room instead of outside on a veranda and smoke their cigarettes and cigars.

 

I am wondering what "smokers" think about this.

[cruz chic]

I think it's a wonderful idea of HAL to open a room just for smokers. I am sure some "smokers" would be very happy to sit in a comfortable room instead of outside on a veranda and smoke their cigarettes and cigars.

 

I am wondering what "smokers" think about this.

 

I think it makes sense that a good portion of people would rather go a couple feet then to a room which might be pretty far from their cabin especially if they get up in the night.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

I think it's a wonderful idea of HAL to open a room just for smokers. I am sure some "smokers" would be very happy to sit in a comfortable room instead of outside on a veranda and smoke their cigarettes and cigars.

 

I am wondering what "smokers" think about this.

 

I think it's a great idea. Having a dedicated interior room with bar service would be fantastic, especially on embarkation day when they are bunkering and you are not allowed to smoke outside anywhere.

 

Keep an outside venue with bar service for smoking (like sea view bar) as well as the interior room and you could get rid of smoking in the casino, on the verandahs and any other interior/exterior location.

 

But, alas, even with that great improvement there will still be gripes about the one interior and one exterior space for smokers. Just take a look at Celebrity's smoking policy thread.

[Sheltieluv]

We haven't cruised with HAL since our Alaska cruise several years ago. And we won't book with them until balcony smoking is banned. We had chain smokers next to us, making it difficult to enjoy our balcony. But what bothered me the most was they thought it was apparently fine to pollute the pristine air in Alaska. Just because it was within their right still doesn't make it "right."

I hope the room set aside for smoking works out, but I won't hold my breath (unless it's on a HAL balcony, which will not happen any time soon, if ever).

[cruz chic]

 

But, alas, even with that great improvement there will still be gripes about the one interior and one exterior space for smokers. Just take a look at Celebrity's smoking policy thread.

 

Well I sure hope we get to test that theory one day. I've been on princess a number of times and I don't really care where the smoke is on those ships because it's not allowed on balconies. That said on my last princess cruise I had a thoughtless person smoking next to me on their balcony. I couldn't figure out exactly where it was coming from or I would have complained.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Well I sure hope we get to test that theory one day. I've been on princess a number of times and I don't really care where the smoke is on those ships because it's not allowed on balconies. That said on my last princess cruise I had a thoughtless person smoking next to me on their balcony. I couldn't figure out exactly where it was coming from or I would have complained.

 

Oh it's not a theory but reality. Just go to the Celebrity boards and see the complaints about the one exterior smoking space smokers have. HAL smokers would be lucky to have one interior and one exterior space. Good planning for HAL if they do go non smoking on verandahs as they could get Celebrity and Princess cruisers that smoke to cross over to HAL for the interior smoking venue.

Edited February 15, 2016 by CHOPPERTESTER

[Aquahound]

Oh it's not a theory but reality. Just go to the Celebrity boards and see the complaints about the one exterior smoking space smokers have. HAL smokers would be lucky to have one interior and one exterior space. Good planning for HAL if they do go non smoking on verandahs as they could get Celebrity and Princess cruisers that smoke to cross over to HAL for the interior smoking venue.

 

Celebrity does not only have 1 exterior smoking space.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Aquahound

[cruz chic]

Oh it's not a theory but reality. Just go to the Celebrity boards and see the complaints about the one exterior smoking space smokers have. HAL smokers would be lucky to have one interior and one exterior space. Good planning for HAL if they do go non smoking on verandahs as they could get Celebrity and Princess cruisers that smoke to cross over to HAL for the interior smoking venue.

 

I'm not saying it's theory on celebrity. By the time Hal changes their policy we will all be so delighted we won't complain. That said some people think it's possible to have a smoke free ship. Most people realize that's not realistic.

[sail7seas]

At this rate, by the time HAL changes it verandah smoking policy, cigarettes might be banned totally in the world :D :eek: and I don't expect to live long enough to ever see that happen.

[peaches from georgia]

We haven't cruised with HAL since our Alaska cruise several years ago. And we won't book with them until balcony smoking is banned. We had chain smokers next to us, making it difficult to enjoy our balcony. But what bothered me the most was they thought it was apparently fine to pollute the pristine air in Alaska. Just because it was within their right still doesn't make it "right."...........

Do they sell cigarettes to consumers all over the state of Alaska? I have never heard that they don't or that smoking is banned. If Alaska has an air pollution problem I don't think a few cruisers there for a comparatively short time in the summer are the cause.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Celebrity does not only have 1 exterior smoking space.

 

You are correct. But when it's 5 C outside with 30 kt winds or you're bunkering it doesn't matter how many exterior smoking spaces you have. No interior smoking spaces on Celebrity vs HAL with an interior space.

 

Bottom line, HAL smokers will stick with HAL or Princess. Smart move on Carnival Corp's part if it goes that way.

[waASPCrusier]

Do they sell cigarettes to consumers all over the state of Alaska? I have never heard that they don't or that smoking is banned. If Alaska has an air pollution problem I don't think a few cruisers there for a comparatively short time in the summer are the cause.

 

Ship must have had the sails up and the oars in the water as well.....some people :D

[Sheltieluv]

The point is, in the middle of Glacier Bay, it would have been nice to view the magnificent scenery and breathe the crisp, clean air without the smell of cigarette smoke. We enjoyed the cruise overall, but won't be back to HAL until they change their policy.

[cruz chic]

You are correct. But when it's 5 C outside with 30 kt winds or you're bunkering it doesn't matter how many exterior smoking spaces you have. No interior smoking spaces on Celebrity vs HAL with an interior space.

 

Bottom line, HAL smokers will stick with HAL or Princess. Smart move on Carnival Corp's part if it goes that way.

 

Didn't you just mention people were complaining about smokers on celebrity? Doesn't sound like smokers are staying with Hal and princess. The fact is smokers will adapt to the policy and stay with the line they like or they will leave cruising behind. I expect those that actually leave will be a short list despite the talk.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Didn't you just mention people were complaining about smokers on celebrity? Doesn't sound like smokers are staying with Hal and princess. The fact is smokers will adapt to the policy and stay with the line they like or they will leave cruising behind. I expect those that actually leave will be a short list despite the talk.

 

Yes people are complaining about smokers at the exterior only locations on Celebrity.

 

There are smokers on all cruise lines. They will stay with the line that gives them the most flexibility.

 

If someone looks at a similar itinerary and $$ for Celebrity vs HAL or Princess then the smoker will most likely go with HAL or Princess because they offer an interior smoking venue and Celebrity does not. So HAL and Princess smokers will stick with HAL and Princess. There would be no reason for smokers to leave HAL or Princess for Celebrity when the itinerary/$$ are comparable.

 

If Celebrity has a good sale then, yes, smokers will adapt for a Caribbean (ie warm) cruise but maybe not for a northern TATL, TPAC or Alaska cruise.

[Lizzie68]

Do they sell cigarettes to consumers all over the state of Alaska? I have never heard that they don't or that smoking is banned. If Alaska has an air pollution problem I don't think a few cruisers there for a comparatively short time in the summer are the cause.

 

I think the poster was referring to a cruise not the state of Alaska. And in Glacier Bay smoking on outside decks is supposedly prohibited, but some some do actually smoke anyway, regardless.

[OceanTraveller4ever]

Speaking of ships that accommodate smokers' needs, there are thousands of them.

It's not true that most ships are non smoking as the German, Russians, French, Greek liners etc, all permit smoking.

 

With the mighty US buck, smokers could get a bargain by looking at the European, and Asian cruising offerings (and be with their kindred in a thick haze of blue smoke). May need some translations here or there, but aren't the liberal smoking policies worth it ;)

Edited February 16, 2016 by jpelleti007
grammar

[erewhon]

At this rate, by the time HAL changes it verandah smoking policy, cigarettes might be banned totally in the world :D :eek: and I don't expect to live long enough to ever see that happen.

 

Here in New Zealand this country is working towards becoming smokefree by 2025.

[erewhon]

Friends wishing to try a cruise were asking about cruising, they were keen to sail on HAL until I mentioned that smoking is allowed on balconies.

These are well travelled folk who would purchase at least a balcony stateroom, they and another couple will now book a Celebrity cruise, if they enjoy the first cruise I would expect them to cruise regularly in a suite.

 

So again HAL has lost customers.