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

[Freespir8]

I've chimed in on this thread a few times over the years. I suspect, in the future, both my visits here and my cruises will be severely curtailed. But before I go, please allow me to say just one thing one more time....

 

There are dozens and dozens of cruise lines. There are hundreds and hundreds of ships. Nonsmokers have thousands of options. Currently, to the best of my knowledge, smokers have ONE option: balcony cabin on HAL. (Which, BTW, are rarely discounted for us single/solo folks.)

 

Alas, nonsmokers will not rest until even this ONE choice for smokers is gone.

 

One last caveat and I'll be gone.... I spent several decades as a dealer in Las Vegas. Innumerable times over the years I'd see a nonsmoker walk up to a table, sit down, then immediately start huffing and puffing (complete with arm waving) at the sight of a smoker. We would often inform them there was a completely smoke-free casino just across the street.

 

That completely smoke-free Las Vegas casino went out of business in a few short years.

 

Carry on with your fight for a completely smoke-free world (at least at sea). We smoking cruisers will all be dead and gone soon enough.

 

 

The end.

 

Thank you for your post. I am an ex - smoker and you know we are the worst against smokers! I have to admit that I'm one of those people that wished HAL would change their smoking policy, mainly because I wanted to try the line. After reading your post however I completely agree with you and I have changed my mind. You are absolutely right, ONE line, that's all the smokers have left. I have MANY to choose from and I can either try those or choose an inside or OV if I really want to sail HAL.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your reply. I also try to stay away from this thread because much of it involves the same people [many of whom are lovely people in general and quite helpful on other threads] over and over saying how awful smoking is and how HAL should "get with the times". Many exaggerated claims of ruined cruises and wasted money for balconies have been thrown about on this thread for years. The fact is, there are people who smoke and people who don't. There is no reason that both sides cannot get along on this issue and I've found that IRL the two sides generally do; it is on these boards that you have the extremists [from both sides but generally it is the non-smokers who whine and whinge the most].

 

As you have stated, there are hundreds of ships that do not allow balcony smoking and HAL is one of very few that actually do [seabourn and Costa also do but the former is very high end/expensive and the later does not have many sailings from US ports]. The times I've had a balcony [on CCL and NCL, but not on my sole HAL trip] I booked it because I could smoke. Once those lines [and most others] stopped allowing it I felt no need to pay a premium for a balcony and instead I book insides or oceanviews as I have to go up on deck [or to a smoking lounge] anyway. The same can go the other way; people who don't like HAL's smoky balconies don't need to book one, just as I [and many other smokers] choose not to book balconies on the lines that don't allow smoking. Every one of my cruises has been wonderful, regardless of whether or not I've had a balcony or where I am allowed to smoke.

 

Non-smokers have whined for years about indoor smoking and now that it is mostly a thing of the past [at least in the USA] they whine about outdoor smoking. There are numerous studies about second-hand smoke and its effects in closed spaces...however, those are not generally applicable to slight whiffs of smoke after it has been dissipated by the ocean breeze whilst outdoors; many of those who complain about outdoor smoking do so for the sake of complaining and for their general dislike of smoking, not because it is based on scientific evidence. I always wonder what percentage of these people travel outside of North America and the West Indies because many other countries have far less restrictive smoking laws than the US and Canada have; in China and Japan if you go to a restaurant and ask for non-smoking they simply take the ashtray off your table. In most European countries, indoor smoking is now banned so everyone eats and drinks on the restaurants' outdoor terraces instead.

 

Excellent perspective. Thank you for your kind and informative post. I agree.

Edited June 4, 2016 by annietownsend

[richstowe]

I am always very dubious about these continual claims that people pay a lot of money to cruise only to spend every minute of it on their balcony smoking.

Don't be dubious . People tend to enjoy their balconies at similar times . Peak times are late afternoon/pre dinner . Also popular is a short breakfast period . So it is very possible that the times you are trying to enjoy what you paid for , so is the smoker . Of course some do tend to spend hours there like others spending all day lounging by the pool (or in the buffet :D ).

[sherryf]

I am always very dubious about these continual claims that people pay a lot of money to cruise only to spend every minute of it on their balcony smoking.

 

Maybe not every minute, but most of the time. Many years ago, when Princess still had smoking on balconies, I experienced this. There was a group/family just forward of us that had at least 2 balconies and it seemed that at least one of them was out there smoking all the time. Sure, they probably went into ports, but then I was in port too. And maybe they were at dinner when I was at dinner. But whenever I went out to try to enjoy our balcony, there was someone out there. I have severe allergies and cannot tolerate smoke, even outdoors where is supposedly "dissipates". I hardly spent any time at all on our balcony, which was unfortunate since it was our honeymoon and the weather was gorgeous in Alaska that week. I didn't book another balcony until Princess banned smoking on them, and I will not book a balcony with HAL until they do so also.

[twentyknots]

I looked through most of the posts on this thread but didn't see if smoking is still permitted on the promenade deck. We've sailed on a number of HAL ships and it was permitted 10 years ago and now we want to book a Lanai cabin on the Maasdam. I wonder if we might find ourselves sitting beside someone on the promenade who is a smoker. The lounges appear to be pretty close together. That would quite different than smelling smoke drifting from a nearby balcony.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Like flatulence (dissipated or not), it an unpleasant odor to tolerate.

I don't care if others smoke and it's HAL's call to allow it BUT they should advertise that they do (big and bold upfront) so people are aware before booking...that's my complaint.

[IRL_Joanie]

I looked through most of the posts on this thread but didn't see if smoking is still permitted on the promenade deck. We've sailed on a number of HAL ships and it was permitted 10 years ago and now we want to book a Lanai cabin on the Maasdam. I wonder if we might find ourselves sitting beside someone on the promenade who is a smoker. The lounges appear to be pretty close together. That would quite different than smelling smoke drifting from a nearby balcony.

 

There are now signs all along the promenade deck, about 100 feet apart or thereabouts, that say No Smoking.

 

I specifically looked for the signage prior to the Passenger Safety Drill. Since I am a smoker and I went out a bit early to the drill and wanted a smoke. Alas, no could do due to the signs and not wanting to incur the wrath of the anti smokers or get in trouble with the ship's policy. I took an entire circuit on my scooter so I could see if there was any area I could smoke on the promenade deck.

 

Joanie

[IRL_Joanie]

Like flatulence (dissipated or not), it an unpleasant odor to tolerate.

I don't care if others smoke and it's HAL's call to allow it BUT they should advertise that they do (big and bold upfront) so people are aware before booking...that's my complaint.

 

They do have it on their web site. It is in the Know Before You Go Section. I found it on my very first attempt while looking to book our very first cruise back in 2008, and it is still there, just updated since 2008 to say where you can and cannot smoke.

 

Joanie

[twentyknots]

There are now signs all along the promenade deck, about 100 feet apart or thereabouts, that say No Smoking.

 

I specifically looked for the signage prior to the Passenger Safety Drill. Since I am a smoker and I went out a bit early to the drill and wanted a smoke. Alas, no could do due to the signs and not wanting to incur the wrath of the anti smokers or get in trouble with the ship's policy. I took an entire circuit on my scooter so I could see if there was any area I could smoke on the promenade deck.

 

Joanie

 

Thank you Joanie for the reply. I assume the no smoking on the promenade applies to all HAL ships. As a former smoker the smoke bothers me a lot and my wife but on the promenade it really didn't matter too much since we were usually walking and past it quickly. Having someone seated right next to us smoking would be a bit much to take I'm afraid. I realize everyone should be able to enjoy the promenade but it makes for a difficult situation with the Lanai cabins. As I said, I'm OK with it if I'm just walking around on the promenade.

[Midwestern Cruiser]

They do have it on their web site. It is in the Know Before You Go Section. I found it on my very first attempt while looking to book our very first cruise back in 2008, and it is still there, just updated since 2008 to say where you can and cannot smoke.

Joanie

 

Yes, it's on the HAL site, but not on the main page and not conspicuous.

At minimum, it should be part of the "NEW?" or "ONBOARD" links & prominently displayed.

Since smoking bans are more the norm, HAL should share that they're different (IMO).

[richstowe]

I looked through most of the posts on this thread but didn't see if smoking is still permitted on the promenade deck. We've sailed on a number of HAL ships and it was permitted 10 years ago and now we want to book a Lanai cabin on the Maasdam. I wonder if we might find ourselves sitting beside someone on the promenade who is a smoker. The lounges appear to be pretty close together. That would quite different than smelling smoke drifting from a nearby balcony.

You missed my post #3424 . Shame on you . :D To quote myself :o

"I completely agree . What about a Lanai cabin . We had one on the Veendam and it was great .

Honestly we enjoyed it more then a regular balcony and there is no smoking on the lower promenade deck."

It was great . Occasionally you had a smoker who didn't notice or ignored the signage .

I set 2 of the oblivious ones straight . There was another one who just stared at another passenger

who told him of the ban and then ignored her .

Edited June 4, 2016 by richstowe

[teamflames]

I've chimed in on this thread a few times over the years. I suspect, in the future, both my visits here and my cruises will be severely curtailed. But before I go, please allow me to say just one thing one more time....

 

 

 

There are dozens and dozens of cruise lines. There are hundreds and hundreds of ships. Nonsmokers have thousands of options. Currently, to the best of my knowledge, smokers have ONE option: balcony cabin on HAL. (Which, BTW, are rarely discounted for us single/solo folks.)

 

 

 

Alas, nonsmokers will not rest until even this ONE choice for smokers is gone.

 

 

 

One last caveat and I'll be gone.... I spent several decades as a dealer in Las Vegas. Innumerable times over the years I'd see a nonsmoker walk up to a table, sit down, then immediately start huffing and puffing (complete with arm waving) at the sight of a smoker. We would often inform them there was a completely smoke-free casino just across the street.

 

 

 

That completely smoke-free Las Vegas casino went out of business in a few short years.

 

 

 

Carry on with your fight for a completely smoke-free world (at least at sea). We smoking cruisers will all be dead and gone soon enough.

 

 

 

 

 

The end.

 

 

 

So it went out of business because it was non smoking? No other factors???

 

Most non smoking cruise lines seem to be surviving!?

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[teamflames]

Thank you for your reply. I also try to stay away from this thread because much of it involves the same people [many of whom are lovely people in general and quite helpful on other threads] over and over saying how awful smoking is and how HAL should "get with the times". Many exaggerated claims of ruined cruises and wasted money for balconies have been thrown about on this thread for years. The fact is, there are people who smoke and people who don't. There is no reason that both sides cannot get along on this issue and I've found that IRL the two sides generally do; it is on these boards that you have the extremists [from both sides but generally it is the non-smokers who whine and whinge the most].

 

 

 

As you have stated, there are hundreds of ships that do not allow balcony smoking and HAL is one of very few that actually do [seabourn and Costa also do but the former is very high end/expensive and the later does not have many sailings from US ports]. The times I've had a balcony [on CCL and NCL, but not on my sole HAL trip] I booked it because I could smoke. Once those lines [and most others] stopped allowing it I felt no need to pay a premium for a balcony and instead I book insides or oceanviews as I have to go up on deck [or to a smoking lounge] anyway. The same can go the other way; people who don't like HAL's smoky balconies don't need to book one, just as I [and many other smokers] choose not to book balconies on the lines that don't allow smoking. Every one of my cruises has been wonderful, regardless of whether or not I've had a balcony or where I am allowed to smoke.

 

 

 

Non-smokers have whined for years about indoor smoking and now that it is mostly a thing of the past [at least in the USA] they whine about outdoor smoking. There are numerous studies about second-hand smoke and its effects in closed spaces...however, those are not generally applicable to slight whiffs of smoke after it has been dissipated by the ocean breeze whilst outdoors; many of those who complain about outdoor smoking do so for the sake of complaining and for their general dislike of smoking, not because it is based on scientific evidence. I always wonder what percentage of these people travel outside of North America and the West Indies because many other countries have far less restrictive smoking laws than the US and Canada have; in China and Japan if you go to a restaurant and ask for non-smoking they simply take the ashtray off your table. In most European countries, indoor smoking is now banned so everyone eats and drinks on the restaurants' outdoor terraces instead.

 

 

 

You seem to be suggesting the 2 sides are equal, what impact do non smokers have on smokers senses?

It would be akin to me blasting music or standing on my balcony naked or brushing a feather against you or forcing you to taste tripe when you didn't want to.

Further to this, when it comes to balcony smoking it's forcing this inconvenience on you in your living quarters not in a public shared space.

For the record I am an ex smoker and my entire family smokes so I am not some raving anti smoking crusader.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[teamflames]

Yes, it's on the HAL site, but not on the main page and not conspicuous.

At minimum, it should be part of the "NEW?" or "ONBOARD" links & prominently displayed.

Since smoking bans are more the norm, HAL should share that they're different (IMO).

 

 

 

Agreed, in this day and age, who when booking a trip with an American company would even think to ask is smoking permitted in habitation areas?!

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[Joanandjoe]

For those who absolutely want a balcony experience on HAL without the smoke , they can get a Lanai cabin .

We were upsold this cabin type and loved it . Our "balcony" was 300 sq feet . :D

 

Nice suggestion, but with one little problem: the ships that sail the itineraries we want (Oosterdam and Zuiderdam) have the smallest ocean view cabins in the fleet (all of them in what, for us, are bad locations), and no Lanai suites. When we cancelled our March, 2016 cruise to the islands we most wanted to see (especially Curacao) because our Signature Suite could be ruined by smokers on verandas, we couldn't (as mentioned in an earlier post) find any other cruise line that had the itinerary we wanted. We ended up with a simple plane trip to Florida.

 

There are no other lines that have ships with the size and good itineraries of HAL. Our choice seems to be HAL or the much more expensive Regent, and Regent doesn't go where we want to go in the Caribbean. I guess we won't be taking any winter cruises until HAL changes its smoking on balconies policy. I don't think that will ever happen.

[Bostonjetset]

So it went out of business because it was non smoking? No other factors???

 

Most non smoking cruise lines seem to be surviving!?

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

 

I don't know of any cruise lines that are 100% non-smoking except for the American Cruise Lines riverboats which cannot be even closely compared to an ocean-going vessel. They have neither the fleet size nor international draw of any mainstream ocean-going line. I personally would likely never sail with them anyways as their itineraries are of no interest to me and I would not wish to sail on a ship that did not allow people to smoke outdoors at all. Every other line I've ever researched has smoking areas. Celebrity seems to be the most pro-nonsmoking be even they have outdoor areas. Many years ago Carnival tried a 100% smoke-free ship and it did not last very long.

 

You seem to be suggesting the 2 sides are equal, what impact do non smokers have on smokers senses?

It would be akin to me blasting music or standing on my balcony naked or brushing a feather against you or forcing you to taste tripe when you didn't want to.

Further to this, when it comes to balcony smoking it's forcing this inconvenience on you in your living quarters not in a public shared space.

For the record I am an ex smoker and my entire family smokes so I am not some raving anti smoking crusader.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

This is a bit of a stretch dear. Smokers are not "forcing" you to smell their smoke as in your tripe or feather-brushing analogies. If you were standing on your balcony naked or blasting music, I could move as to not witness it; much in the same way a non-smoker could move if they don't want to smell smoke that is outdoors, not inside your living quarters or an enclosed space. A fairer comparison would be to perfume as smoke and perfumes are both scents that some people don't like to smell. When smelled outdoors, in open air, at a distance of several yards, they are very much the same: distasteful and annoying to some but certainly not any proven health hazard.

 

I will reiterate what I stated above [which was echoed by several other members]. There are currently only 3 major lines that still allow balcony smoking. One luxury [seabourn], one premium [HAL] and one mainstream [Costa]. All of the others have banned it leaving non-smokers a plethora of other options. There is also the option of not choosing a balcony stateroom on the lines that allow smoking.

Edited June 5, 2016 by Bostonjetset

[teamflames]

I don't know of any cruise lines that are 100% non-smoking except for the American Cruise Lines riverboats which cannot be even closely compared to an ocean-going vessel. They have neither the fleet size nor international draw of any mainstream ocean-going line. I personally would likely never sail with them anyways as their itineraries are of no interest to me and I would not wish to sail on a ship that did not allow people to smoke outdoors at all. Every other line I've ever researched has smoking areas. Celebrity seems to be the most pro-nonsmoking be even they have outdoor areas. Many years ago Carnival tried a 100% smoke-free ship and it did not last very long.

 

 

 

This is a bit of a stretch dear. Smokers are not "forcing" you to smell their smoke as in your tripe or feather-brushing analogies. If you were standing on your balcony naked or blasting music, I could move as to not witness it; much in the same way a non-smoker could move if they don't want to smell smoke that is outdoors, not inside your living quarters or an enclosed space. A fairer comparison would be to perfume as smoke and perfumes are both scents that some people don't like to smell. When smelled outdoors, in open air, at a distance of several yards, they are very much the same: distasteful and annoying to some but certainly not any proven health hazard.

 

I will reiterate what I stated above [which was echoed by several other members]. There are currently only 3 major lines that still allow balcony smoking. One luxury [seabourn], one premium [HAL] and one mainstream [Costa]. All of the others have banned it leaving non-smokers a plethora of other options. There is also the option of not choosing a balcony stateroom on the lines that allow smoking.

 

 

 

No need to be patronising "dear". My point on the success of businesses is that it is a long bow to base it on smoking policies either way. suggesting pro smoking businesses are more successful was not the case when the German businessman tried to start a smoking airline and failed.

 

Further you seem to believe that I want Hal and other businesses to be smoke free, of course I do not as then I would not be able to enjoy the services with my friends and family. I simply want areas for smokers.

I would only ever cruise with a balcony and as that is my private living quarters I want it smoke free. Why don't the cruise lines make certain levels of the ship smoking in inside cabins, much like some hotels do? That would give smokers the right to do what they want in their living cabins without affecting others. Could even have balcony cabins where you only smoke inside.

Whether you think my analogies are silly or not the fact remains that it is the smoker causing the inconvenience.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[nb125]

Agreed, in this day and age, who when booking a trip with an American company would even think to ask is smoking permitted in habitation areas?!

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

An American company but not just used by Americans.

[Bostonjetset]

No need to be patronising "dear". My point on the success of businesses is that it is a long bow to base it on smoking policies either way. suggesting pro smoking businesses are more successful was not the case when the German businessman tried to start a smoking airline and failed.

 

Further you seem to believe that I want Hal and other businesses to be smoke free, of course I do not as then I would not be able to enjoy the services with my friends and family. I simply want areas for smokers.

I would only ever cruise with a balcony and as that is my private living quarters I want it smoke free. Why don't the cruise lines make certain levels of the ship smoking in inside cabins, much like some hotels do? That would give smokers the right to do what they want in their living cabins without affecting others. Could even have balcony cabins where you only smoke inside.

Whether you think my analogies are silly or not the fact remains that it is the smoker causing the inconvenience.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

I apologize if I came across as patronizing as it was not intended. I call many people "dear" and it is at a point that it's practically second nature. Please don't take offense to it.

 

I do not know anything about the German airline so cannot comment on it; I wasn't even aware that this was attempted.

 

I am happy to hear that you are not crusading to have cruise lines go 100% smoke free; it is an initiative that is unfair and unreasonable but yet has been wished for and promoted by more than a few non-smokers on this and other boards.

 

You stated "Why don't the cruise lines make certain levels of the ship smoking in inside cabins, much like some hotels do?". The easy answer for that is that non-smokers campaigned against that for years and are still doing so for the few hotels that still allow smoking rooms...good luck finding a smoking room at a hotel in major US cities! On our first cruise in 2008, one could still smoke inside their staterooms. The issue, I believe, is that non-smokers would complain if they got a smoking room because they don't like the smell left behind.

 

Saying that you will ONLY ever cruise with a balcony is your personal choice; it is not a right granted to you. Thus, when selecting the line to sail with, one should take the good with the bad so to speak. You are not forced to select a balcony nor to sail with HAL; you make the choice. The fact remains that the balcony is outdoor space and one cannot ever completely control what odors pass by our noses when we are out of a controlled space/environment.

 

Also, one cannot expect laws, rules, mandates, etc. to completely eliminate "inconveniences" from their life...this is one issue that I, as an American, have with many organizations/governments in our great country. There is an ongoing and increasing trend to over-police every aspect of people's lives and it's not just in regards to smoking. Recycling laws, smoking laws, food-label laws, sugar taxes, video cameras at every traffic light...the list goes on and on...where does it end? Life is full of inconveniences and sometimes we have to take personal responsibility to remove ourselves from a situation we find unpleasant rather than wishing for more regulations to save us.

[nb125]

I apologize if I came across as patronizing as it was not intended. I call many people "dear" and it is at a point that it's practically second nature. Please don't take offense to it.

 

I do not know anything about the German airline so cannot comment on it; I wasn't even aware that this was attempted.

 

I am happy to hear that you are not crusading to have cruise lines go 100% smoke free; it is an initiative that is unfair and unreasonable but yet has been wished for and promoted by more than a few non-smokers on this and other boards.

 

You stated "Why don't the cruise lines make certain levels of the ship smoking in inside cabins, much like some hotels do?". The easy answer for that is that non-smokers campaigned against that for years and are still doing so for the few hotels that still allow smoking rooms...good luck finding a smoking room at a hotel in major US cities! On our first cruise in 2008, one could still smoke inside their staterooms. The issue, I believe, is that non-smokers would complain if they got a smoking room because they don't like the smell left behind.

 

Saying that you will ONLY ever cruise with a balcony is your personal choice; it is not a right granted to you. Thus, when selecting the line to sail with, one should take the good with the bad so to speak. You are not forced to select a balcony nor to sail with HAL; you make the choice. The fact remains that the balcony is outdoor space and one cannot ever completely control what odors pass by our noses when we are out of a controlled space/environment.

 

Also, one cannot expect laws, rules, mandates, etc. to completely eliminate "inconveniences" from their life...this is one issue that I, as an American, have with many organizations/governments in our great country. There is an ongoing and increasing trend to over-police every aspect of people's lives and it's not just in regards to smoking. Recycling laws, smoking laws, food-label laws, sugar taxes, video cameras at every traffic light...the list goes on and on...where does it end? Life is full of inconveniences and sometimes we have to take personal responsibility to remove ourselves from a situation we find unpleasant rather than wishing for more regulations to save us.

 

Excellent post and so true.

[mame42]

I cannot remember if I have ever posted on this thread. At any rate, I certainly do not denigrate or doubt the experiences of others; I can only report my own experiences.

 

In all of my cruises, I have only had balcony neighbors who smoked once, and they were accommodating and congenial.

 

On the spring 2014 cruise on the Maasdam, the smoke smell from the casino rendered the entire deck unusable for me. By the time I sailed her for 42 days in the fall, the ventilation problem had been fixed, and I spent time in the Mix almost every evening.

 

In 89 days on the Rotterdam with a large contingent of Europeans, other than in the rear designated outdoor smoking area, I smelled smoke from the casino once. It was explained to me that a ventilation unit had failed, but was in the process of repair. Otherwise, a gentleman on a nearby forward balcony waved a pipe around when leaning on the rail and gesturing, but as far as I know, he never lit it on the balcony.

 

I have without hesitation booked a balcony cabin on an upcoming Koninsdam cruise for 66 days.

[jtl513]

I cannot remember if I have ever posted on this thread.

Yes, 5 times before this latest one. If you go to the HAL forum page and click on the underlined post count (3,846 right now) you will get a pop-up that shows who has posted on the thread and how many times:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/misc.php?do=whoposted&t=2084364

 

If you then click on the underscored 6 after your name you will see all of your posts on this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=88212488

.

Edited June 5, 2016 by jtl513

[mame42]

Yes, 5 times before this latest one. If you go to the HAL forum page and click on the underlined post count (3,846 right now) you will get a pop-up that shows who has posted on the thread and how many times:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/misc.php?do=whoposted&t=2084364

 

If you then click on the underscored 6 after your name you will see all of your posts on this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=88212488

.

 

Learn something new every day!

[teamflames]

I apologize if I came across as patronizing as it was not intended. I call many people "dear" and it is at a point that it's practically second nature. Please don't take offense to it.

 

 

 

I do not know anything about the German airline so cannot comment on it; I wasn't even aware that this was attempted.

 

 

 

I am happy to hear that you are not crusading to have cruise lines go 100% smoke free; it is an initiative that is unfair and unreasonable but yet has been wished for and promoted by more than a few non-smokers on this and other boards.

 

 

 

You stated "Why don't the cruise lines make certain levels of the ship smoking in inside cabins, much like some hotels do?". The easy answer for that is that non-smokers campaigned against that for years and are still doing so for the few hotels that still allow smoking rooms...good luck finding a smoking room at a hotel in major US cities! On our first cruise in 2008, one could still smoke inside their staterooms. The issue, I believe, is that non-smokers would complain if they got a smoking room because they don't like the smell left behind.

 

 

 

Saying that you will ONLY ever cruise with a balcony is your personal choice; it is not a right granted to you. Thus, when selecting the line to sail with, one should take the good with the bad so to speak. You are not forced to select a balcony nor to sail with HAL; you make the choice. The fact remains that the balcony is outdoor space and one cannot ever completely control what odors pass by our noses when we are out of a controlled space/environment.

 

 

 

Also, one cannot expect laws, rules, mandates, etc. to completely eliminate "inconveniences" from their life...this is one issue that I, as an American, have with many organizations/governments in our great country. There is an ongoing and increasing trend to over-police every aspect of people's lives and it's not just in regards to smoking. Recycling laws, smoking laws, food-label laws, sugar taxes, video cameras at every traffic light...the list goes on and on...where does it end? Life is full of inconveniences and sometimes we have to take personal responsibility to remove ourselves from a situation we find unpleasant rather than wishing for more regulations to save us.

 

 

 

It's interesting that personal responsibility falls on those who are being inconvenienced rather than those doing the unsocial acts. Sounds like you support a form of anarchy.

So if I blast music that encroached onto your private space it is your responsibility to leave rather than mine to have a sense of decency.

 

Anyway, we will have to agree to disagree on how those in a society should act to create harmony.

 

On the specific cases of cruising, I stand by my belief that I believe policy should be changed so that I can enjoy my private living space unencumbered by smoke. I should not have to find an alternative.

On the issue of booking Hal, I strongly believe that they should highlight to those of us who have not sailed her before that they have a non standard smoking policy when it comes to cabin balconies.

As mentioned, I am all in favour of quality smoking areas being provided to those who smoke.

I am just hoping it will not be an issue on our cruise and if it is then we will know to look elsewhere in the future and to read the fine print.

Happy cruising to you and everyone else

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[teamflames]

An American company but not just used by Americans.

 

 

 

Exactly, I am not American ! Just booked assuming an American company would adopt American standards (if I booked an Italian company or such, then I would assume differently).

 

 

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[Bostonjetset]

It's interesting that personal responsibility falls on those who are being inconvenienced rather than those doing the unsocial acts. Sounds like you support a form of anarchy.

So if I blast music that encroached onto your private space it is your responsibility to leave rather than mine to have a sense of decency.

 

Anyway, we will have to agree to disagree on how those in a society should act to create harmony.

 

On the specific cases of cruising, I stand by my belief that I believe policy should be changed so that I can enjoy my private living space unencumbered by smoke. I should not have to find an alternative.

On the issue of booking Hal, I strongly believe that they should highlight to those of us who have not sailed her before that they have a non standard smoking policy when it comes to cabin balconies.

As mentioned, I am all in favour of quality smoking areas being provided to those who smoke.

I am just hoping it will not be an issue on our cruise and if it is then we will know to look elsewhere in the future and to read the fine print.

Happy cruising to you and everyone else

 

 

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I do not want anarchy but I also don't want a police state. There has to be a happy medium where people can get along in their daily lives.

 

Anyway, I will agree to disagree as well. I do wish you many happy voyages whether on HAL or any other line. :D