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

[teamflames]

Does anyone know for sure which ships in the fleet are totally Non Smoking in the Casino at all times?

 

 

 

Just got off K and smoking was permitted in the casino (except for one night).

Smoking was also permitted at tables and chairs on the port side of the aft pool however this was generally ignored and people smoked on all the loungers as well, bar staff simply ignored it and when reported supervisors also ignored it.

Also witnessed smoking by the sports court and on the promenade deck, my neighbour smoked on their balcony even when in port and witnessed smoking up the enclosed gangway on embarkation even in front of security.

In summary, smokers rejoice as Koningsdam is for you.

 

 

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[kevingastreich]

Just got off K and smoking was permitted in the casino (except for one night).

Smoking was also permitted at tables and chairs on the port side of the aft pool however this was generally ignored and people smoked on all the loungers as well, bar staff simply ignored it and when reported supervisors also ignored it.

Also witnessed smoking by the sports court and on the promenade deck, my neighbour smoked on their balcony even when in port and witnessed smoking up the enclosed gangway on embarkation even in front of security.

In summary, smokers rejoice as Koningsdam is for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

Did these instances of "smoking" on the Promenade deck and gangway involve old fashioned cigarettes or the new fangled "vapes"? JC. Also, as far as I know, smoking is permitted on balconies even in port? Thanks.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I cancelled our suite on the Koningsdam (for Thanksgiving) over the weekend. Mainly for purposes of my decision to work a few days rather than vacation, but I did also tell them that their allowing smoking on the balconies was a factor - which it was. Not that anyone is keeping track, but who knows!

 

Tom

[teamflames]

Did these instances of "smoking" on the Promenade deck and gangway involve old fashioned cigarettes or the new fangled "vapes"? JC. Also, as far as I know, smoking is permitted on balconies even in port? Thanks.

 

 

 

Old fashioned. The new ecigs are allowed in the staterooms if I understood correctly.

There were several messages about not smoking as fuelling was in action, so can't say whether it's always allowed or not.

Our cruise was a b2b, on the first section we didn't have smokers near us and the smoking at the aft pool was contained to the correct section, could smell it in casino when passing but not too bad. The 2nd leg was completely different, couldn't use my balcony, chaotic around aft pool. The guests on this section were noticeably more from Europe so not sure if this had something to do with it.

So it will be luck if you are inconvenienced or not.

 

 

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[Ken the cruiser]

Interesting thread. We've cruised with HAL 4 times now, all with balcony suites, and haven't experienced any smoking issues yet. But then again, we've only cruised the Caribbean and Panama Canal. However, we're getting ready to take a cruise on the K'dam to the Arctic Circle where I would imagine there would be a lot more European passengers, hence a lot more smokers, so our balcony experience might change. I hope not, though, as my DW is allergic to cigarette smoke.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Ken the cruiser

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Just got off K and smoking was permitted in the casino (except for one night).

Smoking was also permitted at tables and chairs on the port side of the aft pool however this was generally ignored and people smoked on all the loungers as well, bar staff simply ignored it and when reported supervisors also ignored it.

Also witnessed smoking by the sports court and on the promenade deck, my neighbour smoked on their balcony even when in port and witnessed smoking up the enclosed gangway on embarkation even in front of security.

In summary, smokers rejoice as Koningsdam is for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

Old fashioned. The new ecigs are allowed in the staterooms if I understood correctly.

There were several messages about not smoking as fuelling was in action, so can't say whether it's always allowed or not.

Our cruise was a b2b, on the first section we didn't have smokers near us and the smoking at the aft pool was contained to the correct section, could smell it in casino when passing but not too bad. The 2nd leg was completely different, couldn't use my balcony, chaotic around aft pool. The guests on this section were noticeably more from Europe so not sure if this had something to do with it.

So it will be luck if you are inconvenienced or not.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

Thanks, Team Flames, for your smoking report from Konigsdam. Per HAL's published policy found online at their website, smoking is permitted on the Sports Deck and the Seaview bar, without any further specification . As you noted, electronic cigarettes are permitted in guest cabins, but not in public, unless using the designated smoking areas. In theory, there shouldn't have been any smoking while refueling was taking place, nor on the promenade deck.

 

From HAL's website, (and I add the caveat that what is on the website doesn't always necessarily correspond with current reality):

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted:

Stateroom verandahs

Sea View Bar (not available on ms Rotterdam and ms Veendam)

Outside Decks

Sports Deck

Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

Casino

Active players only, when the casino is open

Designated slot machines only

Each sailing will offer one or more non-smoking nights depending upon the length of the voyage

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My guess is that by the time I sail HAL again (5-10 years) they'll have come around. If not, I might just wait a few more as I'm in no rush! ;)

 

You guys have fun with this. Signing off this thread...

 

Tom

[pnkandpurple]

Thanks, Team Flames, for your smoking report from Konigsdam. Per HAL's published policy found online at their website, smoking is permitted on the Sports Deck and the Seaview bar, without any further specification . As you noted, electronic cigarettes are permitted in guest cabins, but not in public, unless using the designated smoking areas. In theory, there shouldn't have been any smoking while refueling was taking place, nor on the promenade deck.

 

From HAL's website, (and I add the caveat that what is on the website doesn't always necessarily correspond with current reality):

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted:

Stateroom verandahs

Sea View Bar (not available on ms Rotterdam and ms Veendam)

Outside Decks

Sports Deck

Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

Casino

Active players only, when the casino is open

Designated slot machines only

Each sailing will offer one or more non-smoking nights depending upon the length of the voyage

 

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

Was on the Eurodam after refurb. NO smoking in the casino! It now is one large area combined with dueling piano bar and Lincoln stage hallway and elevator lobby. No doors anywhere. Hence no smoking in the casino anytime.

[DrMark]

I've read about a million posts of people complaining about smoking on the balconies, but what about the other public spaces on the ship? If we get an ocean view stateroom (no balcony), will we find that the smoke around the public spaces bothers us?

 

From reading this thread, I'm imagining that 99.9% of the passengers on HAL are chain smokers, and that there is smoke everywhere. If every outside deck had 1000+ smokers on it, it could be quite difficult to find clean air anywhere on the ship.

 

HAL has some really good prices on an itinerary we want to take next December. My assumption is that the prices are so low because people who cruise are an older demographic, that most of the cruising smokers are now dead, and HAL can't find anybody to sail on their ships.;)

[RuthC]

I've read about a million posts of people complaining about smoking on the balconies, but what about the other public spaces on the ship? If we get an ocean view stateroom (no balcony), will we find that the smoke around the public spaces bothers us?

There are very few public spaces on the ship where smoking is allowed, and those spaces are relatively small. Consequently, if you place yourself in a smoking area, then you are likely to find a strong smoke smell.

But away from the smoking areas there should be little to complain about.

[mightycruisequeen]

Still trying to figure out if the promenade deck is now smoke free? HAL's onboard guide doesn't expressly say one way or the other. It says smoking is allowed on "outside decks". Does that include the promenade deck? :/

[dogo88]

Still trying to figure out if the promenade deck is now smoke free? HAL's onboard guide doesn't expressly say one way or the other. It says smoking is allowed on "outside decks". Does that include the promenade deck? :/

 

On our last Oosterdam cruise there were yellow NO SMOKING signs on the Promenade. On the Maasdam no signs and smoking was done.

 

HAL consistently inconsistently.

 

Dan

[sammiedawg]

Still trying to figure out if the promenade deck is now smoke free? HAL's onboard guide doesn't expressly say one way or the other. It says smoking is allowed on "outside decks". Does that include the promenade deck? :/

 

IMO Holland America smoking rules are written so either side of the smoking debate can find something to their liking. Not to mention that each ship interprets the rules differently.

Smokers will proclaim the promenade deck is an outside deck, this happened on my last HAL cruise and smoking happened on the promenade. Mixed messages are sent when they had smoking boxes out there.

Non smokers will drill down further into the rules and find more definition to the smoking policy. Drill down and there will be more specific information about outside decks.

 

To me this is like the debate a former POTUS had on the meaning of the word "is".

 

I was very surprised to recently read here that e cigarettes are permitted inside cabins. WHatttttt? I thought they were prohibited in cabins and in other non smoking areas.

This is a big step backwards.

[DrMark]

Still trying to figure out if the promenade deck is now smoke free? HAL's onboard guide doesn't expressly say one way or the other. It says smoking is allowed on "outside decks". Does that include the promenade deck? :/

 

Actually, it doesn't quite say that smoking is allowed on "outside decks". What it says is (direct quote from "what you need to know" doc from HAL's web site today):

 

The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

• Stateroom verandahs
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Seaview Bar
  
• Outside Decks
  
  • Sports Deck
    
  • Observation Deck (lists ships that actually have an observation deck)
    

   

So, it appears that it is only the Sports Deck and the Observation Deck that are smoke filled.

[Bostonjetset]

IMO Holland America smoking rules are written so either side of the smoking debate can find something to their liking. Not to mention that each ship interprets the rules differently.

Smokers will proclaim the promenade deck is an outside deck, this happened on my last HAL cruise and smoking happened on the promenade. Mixed messages are sent when they had smoking boxes out there.

Non smokers will drill down further into the rules and find more definition to the smoking policy. Drill down and there will be more specific information about outside decks.

 

To me this is like the debate a former POTUS had on the meaning of the word "is".

 

I was very surprised to recently read here that e cigarettes are permitted inside cabins. WHatttttt? I thought they were prohibited in cabins and in other non smoking areas.

This is a big step backwards.

 

Not to stir the pot, but passengers have been using these in cabins long before it was officially allowed and no one was the wiser. They emit no actual smoke nor lingering smell [most have no smell at all unless they are the fruity flavoured ones]. They do not cause residue nor stale smells on furnishings as they are truly just water vapor with nicotine in them...no tar, no smoke, no burning leaves/paper. When I see people complain about ecigs [esp in private where there is not even the perception of smoking] it really baffles me and comes off as complaining for complaining's sake. Maybe non-smokers could look at these as a "big step" forward as it may curb some people from smoking real cigarettes as often [thus reducing the ACTUAL smoke that non-smokers have to contend with].

[HamOp]

Not to stir the pot, but passengers have been using these in cabins long before it was officially allowed and no one was the wiser. They emit no actual smoke nor lingering smell [most have no smell at all unless they are the fruity flavoured ones]. They do not cause residue nor stale smells on furnishings as they are truly just water vapor with nicotine in them...no tar, no smoke, no burning leaves/paper. When I see people complain about ecigs [esp in private where there is not even the perception of smoking] it really baffles me and comes off as complaining for complaining's sake. Maybe non-smokers could look at these as a "big step" forward as it may curb some people from smoking real cigarettes as often [thus reducing the ACTUAL smoke that non-smokers have to contend with].

 

Very well said. Some people just don't understand the difference, or as you have pointed out, just want something to complain about.

 

[mightycruisequeen]

As far as the ecigs go, I personally wouldn't mind if HAL allowed pax to "vape" anywhere onboard, and only allow tobacco cigs in a couple of areas easily avoided by nonsmokers. Whatever floats your boat, as long as it doesn't stink up my boat. :)

[dogo88]

Not to stir the pot, but passengers have been using these in cabins long before it was officially allowed and no one was the wiser. They emit no actual smoke nor lingering smell [most have no smell at all unless they are the fruity flavoured ones]. They do not cause residue nor stale smells on furnishings as they are truly just water vapor with nicotine in them...no tar, no smoke, no burning leaves/paper. When I see people complain about ecigs [esp in private where there is not even the perception of smoking] it really baffles me and comes off as complaining for complaining's sake. Maybe non-smokers could look at these as a "big step" forward as it may curb some people from smoking real cigarettes as often [thus reducing the ACTUAL smoke that non-smokers have to contend with].

 

eCigs do explode. Not so good on a ship in a cabin. Surprised HAL hasn't banned them from cabins.

 

Dan

[OVgirl]

eCigs do explode. Not so good on a ship in a cabin. Surprised HAL hasn't banned them from cabins.

 

Dan

 

As will other batteries if used improperly.

[dogo88]

As will other batteries if used improperly.

 

True. But the videos posted on news web sites and Youtube show users seemingly utilizing the vape correctly. Clearly not as bad as hoverboards but wouldn't want that explosion/flame in my pocket or while smoking or vaping whatever it's called.

[Fouremco]

The vast majority of explosions occur during charging, when a charger other than the one provided with the battery is used. The same issue applies to recharging batteries for other devices, so I don't consider this a "smoking" issue: there are many more cameras and other battery-operated devices onboard than there will ever be e-cigs.

 

While I have a fundamental issue with e-cigs and the targeting of young smokers, I'd much prefer balcony e-smokers to those puffing on a cigar or normal cigarette.

[alwaysfrantic]

As far as the ecigs go, I personally wouldn't mind if HAL allowed pax to "vape" anywhere onboard, and only allow tobacco cigs in a couple of areas easily avoided by nonsmokers. Whatever floats your boat, as long as it doesn't stink up my boat. :)

 

I said the same thing. Vape away, but keep the smoke off my balcony.

[roboref]

New to HAL! Like to have a cigar in the evening while my wife is getting ready for dinner. Read the HAL smoking policy about only outdoors etc. I love the indoor cigar bars on other ships, but this was an itinerary we really wanted to go on. In reading all the smoking threads I came across this in another post:

"We sailed on the Noordam for her first cruise Sydney to Auckland, October /November 2015.

How ever, on embarkation day, a letter from the Captain in our stateroom advised that the Oak Room is now a Smoking and Cigar lounge, located on deck 10 forward, open 24 hours a day, with full beverage service available from 12 noon until 10pm. The Oak Room has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating, a large screen TV and a wide array of cigars and cigarettes to purchase. The letter encouraged smokers to utilize the Oak Room."

 

Was this a one-time event or after the DryDock did they turn this into a permanent indoor smoking area? We are on the 36 day Trans-Pacific so I am really hoping this will apply to our cruise as well! Can anyone advise from recent cruises?

 

Thanks (Roboref) Ron

[kennicott]

New to HAL! Like to have a cigar in the evening while my wife is getting ready for dinner. Read the HAL smoking policy about only outdoors etc. I love the indoor cigar bars on other ships, but this was an itinerary we really wanted to go on. In reading all the smoking threads I came across this in another post:

"We sailed on the Noordam for her first cruise Sydney to Auckland, October /November 2015.

How ever, on embarkation day, a letter from the Captain in our stateroom advised that the Oak Room is now a Smoking and Cigar lounge, located on deck 10 forward, open 24 hours a day, with full beverage service available from 12 noon until 10pm. The Oak Room has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating, a large screen TV and a wide array of cigars and cigarettes to purchase. The letter encouraged smokers to utilize the Oak Room."

 

Was this a one-time event or after the DryDock did they turn this into a permanent indoor smoking area? We are on the 36 day Trans-Pacific so I am really hoping this will apply to our cruise as well! Can anyone advise from recent cruises?

 

Thanks (Roboref) Ron

 

 

When the Noordam came out with a smoking lounge (Oak Room) many had hopes this was a precursor to elimination of balcony smoking and that HAL would install exclusive smoking lounges on all ships, similar to Churchill's on Princess. However and subsequently HAL has made no attempt to do such and their newest ship launched without. It appears the Noordam example was only an experiment promised by Stein Kruse one time; in other words he threw the non-smokers a bone.

[kevingastreich]

New to HAL! Like to have a cigar in the evening while my wife is getting ready for dinner. Read the HAL smoking policy about only outdoors etc. I love the indoor cigar bars on other ships, but this was an itinerary we really wanted to go on. In reading all the smoking threads I came across this in another post:

"We sailed on the Noordam for her first cruise Sydney to Auckland, October /November 2015.

How ever, on embarkation day, a letter from the Captain in our stateroom advised that the Oak Room is now a Smoking and Cigar lounge, located on deck 10 forward, open 24 hours a day, with full beverage service available from 12 noon until 10pm. The Oak Room has an enhanced ventilation system, comfortable leather seating, a large screen TV and a wide array of cigars and cigarettes to purchase. The letter encouraged smokers to utilize the Oak Room."

 

Was this a one-time event or after the DryDock did they turn this into a permanent indoor smoking area? We are on the 36 day Trans-Pacific so I am really hoping this will apply to our cruise as well! Can anyone advise from recent cruises?

 

Thanks (Roboref) Ron

 

I hope someone can answer this question. It sounds like a great space!