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

[SLOTheta]

I'm going on my first cruise this summer and we booked a verandah. I didn't know HAL allowed smoking on balconies before I joined CC. I'm disappointed. I'm in my 30s and don't need my experience ruined by balcony smokers. I grew up with a chain smoking parent, I had severe asthma until I left the house. Shockingly, it all disappeared once I left the home for a few years. If HAL continues to allow smoking, why can't they keep the smoking rooms to a group of rooms at the back of the ship? I know it won't help everyone, but it's better than dispersing the rooms throughout each deck. Sorry if that's already been proposed.

 

 

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[3rdGenCunarder]

I'm going on my first cruise this summer and we booked a verandah. I didn't know HAL allowed smoking on balconies before I joined CC. I'm disappointed. I'm in my 30s and don't need my experience ruined by balcony smokers. I grew up with a chain smoking parent, I had severe asthma until I left the house. Shockingly, it all disappeared once I left the home for a few years. If HAL continues to allow smoking, why can't they keep the smoking rooms to a group of rooms at the back of the ship? I know it won't help everyone, but it's better than dispersing the rooms throughout each deck. Sorry if that's already been proposed.

 

 

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Yes, the idea of dedicated smoker's cabins has been raised before. It comes with a lot of logistical questions because there are multiple grades of balcony cabins, not all in the same part of the ship. Plus there's the problem of how many, and if they're not all booked, what nonsmoker gets stuck in the smoking section. If it were workable, somebody would have done it by now.

 

But don't fret over your upcoming cruise. Because this is a forum about smoking, most of the experiences related here tend to be about smoking neighbors. Yes, you're taking a chance, but not everyone who has a balcony gets smoking neighbors. We've had balconies on five different HAL ships and been lucky each time. Just one afternoon when the guy next to us had some buddies over for a cigar hour. Other than that, our balconies have been smoke-free.

 

Smokers are in the minority, so the odds are you won't be next to one. I hope it works out well for you and you can enjoy your balcony. And congratulations on getting over the asthma.

[SLOTheta]

Yes, the idea of dedicated smoker's cabins has been raised before. It comes with a lot of logistical questions because there are multiple grades of balcony cabins, not all in the same part of the ship. Plus there's the problem of how many, and if they're not all booked, what nonsmoker gets stuck in the smoking section. If it were workable, somebody would have done it by now.

 

But don't fret over your upcoming cruise. Because this is a forum about smoking, most of the experiences related here tend to be about smoking neighbors. Yes, you're taking a chance, but not everyone who has a balcony gets smoking neighbors. We've had balconies on five different HAL ships and been lucky each time. Just one afternoon when the guy next to us had some buddies over for a cigar hour. Other than that, our balconies have been smoke-free.

 

Smokers are in the minority, so the odds are you won't be next to one. I hope it works out well for you and you can enjoy your balcony. And congratulations on getting over the asthma.

 

 

Thanks, glad to hear that you've had good balcony experiences. From this thread, it sounded like HAL was the last hold out and smokers were flocking to the line because no one else allows it.

 

I grew up breathing through machines and constantly on inhalers. It wasn't fun. I live in CA where almost no one smokes anymore.

 

Hopefully, I get lucky and will have a smoke free vacation!

Thank you!

 

 

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[Aquahound]

Thanks, glad to hear that you've had good balcony experiences. From this thread, it sounded like HAL was the last hold out and smokers were flocking to the line because no one else allows it.

 

I grew up breathing through machines and constantly on inhalers. It wasn't fun. I live in CA where almost no one smokes anymore.

 

Hopefully, I get lucky and will have a smoke free vacation!

Thank you!

 

According to what some smokers have said both on this thread and on threads of other boards, there is a bit of smokers' flocking to HAL going on. On the flip side, many non-smokers are starting to book non-balconies or leaving HAL altogether until the policy changes. To what degree, I don't know.

 

I really hope you get lucky on your cruise. On my recent Oosterdam cruise, I had a cigar smoker 2 balconies ahead of me and a cigarette smoker right below me. My balcony almost always stunk.

[Dusty Wren]

Well, if the Maasdam casino is now smoke-free, is at least DH and I can still smoke on our verandah:D

 

There is no smoking anywhere in the cabin or on the veranda from what I have read & learned due to both fire hazard from people throwing their butts overboard, and having neighboring guests inhale second smoke from their veranda

[RuthC]

There is no smoking anywhere in the cabin or on the veranda from what I have read & learned ...

I don't know where you have been reading, but that information is not correct as it applies to the veranda.

Check out the official smoking thread for the correct information regarding smoking sections on the ship. It's better to refer people there than to spread false info.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, glad to hear that you've had good balcony experiences. From this thread, it sounded like HAL was the last hold out and smokers were flocking to the line because no one else allows it.

 

I grew up breathing through machines and constantly on inhalers. It wasn't fun. I live in CA where almost no one smokes anymore.

 

Hopefully, I get lucky and will have a smoke free vacation!

Thank you!

 

 

 

When some of us comment smokers are coming from other cruise lines to HAL because of their smoking policy, we only refer to those smokers who want/book a verandah.

 

Smokers in any cabin without a verandah have no 'smoking advantage' coming to HAL. Thus, it isn't the whole ship is drawing smokers from other cruise lines....... only smokers who book verandahs.

 

[1teach53]

I don't know where you have been reading, but that information is not correct as it applies to the veranda.

Check out the official smoking thread for the correct information regarding smoking sections on the ship. It's better to refer people there than to spread false info.

 

Well!!!!!! Ok!!!Ruth!!!! Thanks for your input!

Puff , puff , puff!!!!!:eek:

Back to my question, any current info on the Maasdam casino , puff , puff , :eek::eek:will be appreciated. Seems policy will vary ship to ship!!! Thanks !!

[Toad]

Well!!!!!! Ok!!!Ruth!!!! Thanks for your input!

Puff , puff , puff!!!!!:eek:

Back to my question, any current info on the Maasdam casino , puff , puff , :eek::eek:will be appreciated. Seems policy will vary ship to ship!!! Thanks !!

 

Sorry but your response does not make sense to me. Why all the "puff, puffs"? The smoking thread is now open again, let me suggest you take your questions there for a quicker response.

[1teach53]

Sorry but your response does not make sense to me. Why aloh thank you SO muchl the "puff, puffs"? The smoking thread is now open again, let me suggest you take your questions there for a quicker response.

 

Hi Toad!!

Thank you so much for the tip!!! Puff , puff , puff !! :p

[JMAUST]

We were just off the Eurodam, wonderful cruise, love all the upgrades to public areas & entertainment options!!

Question : Eurodam casino is now totally nonsmoking , it this true on Massdam??? Hope so!!

 

Just of the Maasdam today after 47 wonderful days in South America. Yes you can still smoke in the Casino.

[RuthC]

Sorry but your response does not make sense to me. Why all the "puff, puffs"?

Me, either since poster was hoping there would be no smoking in the Casino.

Very strange post.

[erewhon]

Just of the Maasdam today after 47 wonderful days in South America. Yes you can still smoke in the Casino.

 

Pleased that you had a wonderful time on the Maasdam, who was the Captain?

 

Wishing you safe travelling for your long flights.

[1teach53]

Just of the Maasdam today after 47 wonderful days in South America. Yes you can still smoke in the Casino.

 

Good to hear you had a great cruise!

Hope the Maasdam smoking venues will change like the Eurodam, it was so lovely!

[Guest debbiejohncruise]

We won't cruise with HAL until they change their smoking policy! Used to be our favourite but now we only cruise with Celebrity!

 

 

 

I'm going on my first cruise this summer and we booked a verandah. I didn't know HAL allowed smoking on balconies before I joined CC. I'm disappointed. I'm in my 30s and don't need my experience ruined by balcony smokers. I grew up with a chain smoking parent, I had severe asthma until I left the house. Shockingly, it all disappeared once I left the home for a few years. If HAL continues to allow smoking, why can't they keep the smoking rooms to a group of rooms at the back of the ship? I know it won't help everyone, but it's better than dispersing the rooms throughout each deck. Sorry if that's already been proposed.

 

 

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[GmaPajama]

I am surprised to admit, as a "just 2 years ago" non-smoker, that smoke is beginning to bother me. On my verandah, at the aft pool, and near the casino. All 3. In earlier cruises, I would frequent those areas to enjoy the 2nd hand smoke ... but last month, I found myself avoiding them. After 40 some years of smoking, I never thought it would happen. Now I'm finally convinced I'll never go back. Finally.

[sammiedawg]

I'm going on my first cruise this summer and we booked a verandah. I didn't know HAL allowed smoking on balconies before I joined CC. I'm disappointed. I'm in my 30s and don't need my experience ruined by balcony smokers. I grew up with a chain smoking parent, I had severe asthma until I left the house. Shockingly, it all disappeared once I left the home for a few years. If HAL continues to allow smoking, why can't they keep the smoking rooms to a group of rooms at the back of the ship? I know it won't help everyone, but it's better than dispersing the rooms throughout each deck. Sorry if that's already been proposed.

 

 

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You should explore cancelation options and rebook with another line. Now that you know it is buyer beware.

[Cruise Junky]

You should explore cancelation options and rebook with another line. Now that you know it is buyer beware.

 

I agree. There's no way I'd risk it with asthma

[SLOTheta]

I agree. There's no way I'd risk it with asthma

 

 

Going for a wedding of a good friend, so I can't cancel now. But, I will be bringing my Arsenal of asthma meds and my portable nebulizer, just in case. We booked the verandah room because my husband loves views and hanging out on the balcony, but depending on how bad the smoking is, I may just avoid it. [emoji22]

 

 

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[SLOTheta]

You should explore cancelation options and rebook with another line. Now that you know it is buyer beware.

 

 

50 of us are booked on deck 5 verandahs. Hopefully we had enough penetration to minimize the possible smokers on balconies. We tried to book all together, once it's all set in April, we should know if we were successful.

 

It would be sad to avoid our balcony and room, but since there's so much to do on the ship, I will just have to figure it it and deal with it.

 

It's our first cruise, depending on how bad the smoking is, it may be our last.

 

 

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[3rdGenCunarder]

50 of us are booked on deck 5 verandahs. Hopefully we had enough penetration to minimize the possible smokers on balconies. We tried to book all together, once it's all set in April, we should know if we were successful.

 

It would be sad to avoid our balcony and room, but since there's so much to do on the ship, I will just have to figure it it and deal with it.

 

It's our first cruise, depending on how bad the smoking is, it may be our last.

 

 

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If you've got a cabin in the middle of your group, you should be OK. If you do have smoking issues, concentrate on the parts of the cruise you enjoy. Then you'll have a basis for choosing a second cruise on another line.

[sail7seas]

I am surprised to admit, as a "just 2 years ago" non-smoker, that smoke is beginning to bother me. On my verandah, at the aft pool, and near the casino. All 3. In earlier cruises, I would frequent those areas to enjoy the 2nd hand smoke ... but last month, I found myself avoiding them. After 40 some years of smoking, I never thought it would happen. Now I'm finally convinced I'll never go back. Finally.

 

Congratulations, GMA...... WELL Done. Happy for you.

 

 

 

 

50 of us are booked on deck 5 verandahs. Hopefully we had enough penetration to minimize the possible smokers on balconies. We tried to book all together, once it's all set in April, we should know if we were successful.

 

It would be sad to avoid our balcony and room, but since there's so much to do on the ship, I will just have to figure it it and deal with it.

 

It's our first cruise, depending on how bad the smoking is, it may be our last.

 

 

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If you want to avoid permitted verandah smoking on an HAL ship, don't let them assign your cabin. You should be designating by number specifically what cabin you want. At the time you booked, those in your group who mind second hand smoking the most should have booked the cabins in the center of your group and others who aren't as bothered by it, should book on either side of you to try to have you further from verandahs that could potentially be used by smokers.

 

Of course, that won't help if someone on the deck just below you is smoking on their verandah.

 

Get your TA to get your cabin specifically assigned, ASAP.

 

Edited March 2, 2016 by sail7seas

[ithaca gal]

Going for a wedding of a good friend, so I can't cancel now. But, I will be bringing my Arsenal of asthma meds and my portable nebulizer, just in case. We booked the verandah room because my husband loves views and hanging out on the balcony, but depending on how bad the smoking is, I may just avoid it. [emoji22]

 

 

I cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I was shocked and thrilled when I found out the casino on the Eurodam is now non-smoking. We always book a balcony because I am claustrophobic and HAVE to have a balcony.

 

We just became 4-star Mariners last November and I am happy to tell you that we have NEVER had to deal with cigarette smoke (or cigar smoke!) on our balcony. I hope that you are just as lucky as we have been.

 

(I always stress on our surveys that we are very disappointed in HAL for not limiting smoking to an enclosed area of the ship where non-smokers will not be subjected to the unhealthy and stinking smoke. Smoking is allowed only on the starboard side of the SeaView pool area -- however, I entered the area through the port side doors and was hit in the face from the smoke on the other side. I avoided that area for the rest of the cruise -- thank goodness I didn't care that much about missing out on the pizza and adult only pool!)

[erewhon]

I am Five Star with well over 800 HAL days and my last cruise was NCL. I do so was delighted with their smoking policy, enjoyed a smoke free verandah with my penthouse and my friends invited me to sail again with them. I likely will though have not finally decided.

 

HAL verandah policy is too risky for me at the moment. I cannot/will not risk losing use of my verandah especially given I will pay 200% as a solo (though do not get benefit for the 'ghost person' I pay for). I am holding out a little longer to see if HAL changes their smoking policy.

 

 

Do you expect the verandah policy to change soon?

[sail7seas]

Do you expect the verandah policy to change soon?

 

I don't know.

I've had Captains, Hotel Directors, GRM's etc tell me face to face they thought the policy would change very soon and I have no reason to think they were being anything but honest. However, the policy has not changed. I think some of them are as disappointed as some of us who are tired of putting up with the stench from few that impacts so many.

 

Seeing they have been wrong thus far about when/if the policy would change, no one but those who sit in the Elliott Sstreet Conference Room Meetings really know.