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

[RuthC]

I can't imagine they would ban it from the entire ship for almost an entire day...that does not seem reasonable.

Then try sailing in Antarctica! We're there for several days when there is no smoking allowed outdoors. We're not even allowed to bring paper napkins outside while down there. They don't even set the tables so we can eat outside.

It has to do with the pristine environment. We can't do anything to disturb it.

 

I do think the casino is open the usual hours, though.

[cbr663]

You might want to look up (if you can see past your halo) and look at those large rounds things sticking out of the top of the ship belching soot and other nasties out. They are pushing out way more crap than a few cigarettes.

 

Do you think the ship suddenly stops polluting when it goes into your 'sacred piece of heaven'?

 

:) Like. This is one of the most rational posts made in this thread.

[Aquahound]

It has to do with the pristine environment. We can't do anything to disturb it.

 

WHAT??!! "Not disturbing it" would mean not taking a freakn' cruise ship into the area.

 

As evidence in this thread, I'm no fan of smoking. But this statement makes no sense at all.

Edited August 16, 2016 by Aquahound

[oceanlover1210]

What about having a certain block(s) of staterooms with balconies that are non smoking like they do in hotels. Then you might be assured that the person upwind from you doesn't light up.

 

Also HAL can see how fast these rooms with balconies fill up...perhaps showing the need and the fares they may be missing.

 

This thread is difficult because it is not organized according to date. Some of these posts are 2002 and possibly earlier.....14 years later now. Is there a way to organize by date???

 

Thanks.

[IRL_Joanie]

And subject everyone else at the bar to your smoke :confused: And here I was fooled into thinking all the smokers on HAL were "considerate" smokers :rolleyes:

 

Considering that the bar is in a Smoking area.......Then Yeah they will be:) IF they do not want to be subjected to the smoke they can always use the Bar Stewards to order their driks. Problem solvbed:)

 

IRL_Joanie

[Fouremco]

What about having a certain block(s) of staterooms with balconies that are non smoking like they do in hotels. Then you might be assured that the person upwind from you doesn't light up.

 

Also HAL can see how fast these rooms with balconies fill up...perhaps showing the need and the fares they may be missing.

 

This thread is difficult because it is not organized according to date. Some of these posts are 2002 and possibly earlier.....14 years later now. Is there a way to organize by date???

 

Thanks.

Go to "Display Modes" and select "Linear" to view the thread in date order. BTW, the thread's first post was only a couple of years ago. You may be confusing the date of the posts with the dates posters joined CC.

 

As for blocks of non-smoking balconies, this has been raised many time over the years with little traction due to the many obstacles.

[ang293]

As for blocks of non-smoking balconies, this has been raised many time over the years with little traction due to the many obstacles.

 

I'm curious what the obstacles to this kind of approach would be? HAL already has mechanisms to classify cabins differently when booking. I'd have thought even a simple 'port side' no smoking and 'starboard side' smoking allowed on balconies approach would have been pretty easy to do....as long as my lovely stern balcony sits in the no smoking section 😉

[Heartgrove]

What about having a certain block(s) of staterooms with balconies that are non smoking like they do in hotels. Then you might be assured that the person upwind from you doesn't light up.

 

 

Far easier to take a block of Interior cabins as they have different HVAC systems than the balcony cabins. Plus you do not have the smoke trailing along the side of the ship. Depending on the class ship, these systems could incorporate more than one deck so should have decent capacity for the many smokers on board. It would also be easier to exhaust to the exterior as they are already adjacent to the interior engineering space.

[RuthC]

Far easier to take a block of Interior cabins as they have different HVAC systems than the balcony cabins.

First I have ever heard this information. My understanding, from posters who know the workings of the HVAC systems, is that the inside cabins are connected to the balcony cabins in the same zone. It's a vertical system, not horizontal.

Where are you getting the information that you are claiming---that the inside cabins have a different HVAC system from the balcony cabins?

[Fouremco]

I'm curious what the obstacles to this kind of approach would be? HAL already has mechanisms to classify cabins differently when booking. I'd have thought even a simple 'port side' no smoking and 'starboard side' smoking allowed on balconies approach would have been pretty easy to do....as long as my lovely stern balcony sits in the no smoking section 😉

As it is highly unlikely that HAL would have equal numbers of smoking and non-smoking passengers for every future cruise, it would have to sail with empty cabins or try to sell smoking cabins to non-smokers and vice versa. I doubt that there are enough smokers to fill half a ship, certainly not for North American cruises, so it would be a money-losing proposition IMO.

[scm1848]

When every other cruise line but HAL bans smoking on balconies, why would anyone who is that damned bothered by smoke book on HAL?!?! Then look at HAL's available balconies and suites that are available for booking 2 - 3 months out? SOLD OUT!! 'Nuf said!

[EagleRockers]

Smokers don't realize how far the smoke travels.

We had a cigar smoker tree decks down and one verandah over that made our verandah unusable when he was smoking. I would think a lot of others didn't enjoy his cigar! especially during sailaways when most everyone is out on their verandah.

There's a reason the ship smokestacks are on the top.

 

If you book HAL, you know you might be exposed to second hand smoke while on your balcony. You know this going in. If balcony smoking bothers you, book another cruise line. God knows the other cruise lines have forced many smokers to switch to HAL because of their non-smoking policies.

[Heartgrove]

First I have ever heard this information. My understanding, from posters who know the workings of the HVAC systems, is that the inside cabins are connected to the balcony cabins in the same zone. It's a vertical system, not horizontal.

Where are you getting the information that you are claiming---that the inside cabins have a different HVAC system from the balcony cabins?

 

That is what I said. A vertical system, but it will vary by ship, and location on board the ship. Not all of the interiors are associated with balcony cabins.

[MadManOfBethesda]

With less than 15% of the US population smoking today with less than that percentage cruising, having the Seaview Bar and Casino available should be enough area.

 

Very few people smoke now and hopefully even fewer in the near future.

 

Those "very few people" who still smoke must all by cruising in balcony cabins each and every week on HAL ships because based on all of the complainers in this thread, there are always smokers on both sides of them as well as above and below their cabins!

 

I always get a kick out of reading this thread. People complain that HAL should eliminate smoking privileges because there are so few people left who smoke, and then immediately turn around and complain that HAL should eliminate smoking privileges because their ships are full of smokers.

 

I just love the inconsistency of these arguments.

[OBX-Cruisers]

If you book HAL, you know you might be exposed to second hand smoke while on your balcony. You know this going in. If balcony smoking bothers you, book another cruise line. God knows the other cruise lines have forced many smokers to switch to HAL because of their non-smoking policies.

 

Good point. THAT is why I have switched to Celebrity, no unknowns and balcony smokers ARE dealt with quickly by security.

HAL also has stupid rules for availability or ANY food in Lido before and after dinner.............NOTHING not even a cookie.

[Aquahound]

If you book HAL, you know you might be exposed to second hand smoke while on your balcony. You know this going in. If balcony smoking bothers you, book another cruise line. God knows the other cruise lines have forced many smokers to switch to HAL because of their non-smoking policies.

 

Yep, and that is exactly why I will not book HAL again until this policy changes.

[Lady Arwen]

Those "very few people" who still smoke must all by cruising in balcony cabins each and every week on HAL ships because based on all of the complainers in this thread, there are always smokers on both sides of them as well as above and below their cabins!

 

I always get a kick out of reading this thread. People complain that HAL should eliminate smoking privileges because there are so few people left who smoke, and then immediately turn around and complain that HAL should eliminate smoking privileges because their ships are full of smokers.

 

I just love the inconsistency of these arguments.

 

I think the problem is that just a few smokers can make it miserable for lots of people. One smoker on their balcony can effect at least 2 other balconies and that would translate into at least 4 other people being bothered by smoke.

 

If HAL would adopt the same smoking policy as Celebrity, this thread would likely be closed for good. I'm not saying that smoking should banned from cruise ships, just that indoor and balcony smoking should not be permitted. Why is it so necessary to smoke on your balcony? Smokers on other cruiselines are quite happy to smoke in their designated areas. Celebrity ships and other ships with no smoking on balconies/indoors sail full with both smokers and non-smokers cruising together in harmony!

[SteveH2508]

I think the problem is that just a few smokers can make it miserable for lots of people. One smoker on their balcony can effect at least 2 other balconies and that would translate into at least 4 other people being bothered by smoke.

 

If HAL would adopt the same smoking policy as Celebrity, this thread would likely be closed for good. I'm not saying that smoking should banned from cruise ships, just that indoor and balcony smoking should not be permitted. Why is it so necessary to smoke on your balcony? Smokers on other cruiselines are quite happy to smoke in their designated areas. Celebrity ships and other ships with no smoking on balconies/indoors sail full with both smokers and non-smokers cruising together in harmony!

 

I will just pick up on the highlighted sentence. We smokers are not happy about it, we comply with rules set by the cruiseline. I book with a cruiseline knowing their restrictions on smoking, I have to work within them. Same concept applies to non-smokers who book HAL balconies.

[Cruise Junky]

I will just pick up on the highlighted sentence. We smokers are not happy about it, we comply with rules set by the cruiseline. I book with a cruiseline knowing their restrictions on smoking, I have to work within them. Same concept applies to non-smokers who book HAL balconies.

 

to be honest, getting non smokers to leave HAL en masse might be the only way to get them to change their archaic policy. Something needs to kick them out of the 70s.

[RuthC]

That is what I said. A vertical system, but it will vary by ship, and location on board the ship. Not all of the interiors are associated with balcony cabins.

Which does not answer the question: Where are you getting your information? It contradicts what has been posted by someone in a position to know.

[tip]

Yep, and that is exactly why I will not book HAL again until this policy changes.

 

Exactly! Sooner or later HAL will get with the program and me darling wife and I will be more than happy to return to HAL.

[Lady Arwen]

to be honest, getting non smokers to leave HAL en masse might be the only way to get them to change their archaic policy. Something needs to kick them out of the 70s.

 

HAL will sooner or later get the picture and catch up with everyone else. It's inevitable. The world is changing with regards to smoking and HAL will, too.

[Aquahound]

I can't imagine they would ban it from the entire ship for almost an entire day...that does not seem reasonable.

 

Exactly. If there have been HAL ships that prohibited outdoor smoking in Glacier Bay, it certainly is not a company wide policy because as proven in my picture, it wasn't the case on Zuiderdam.

 

It doesn't even make sense to begin with....as if they're saying smokers pollute the oceans everywhere else, and that's ok for some reason.

 

But hey...there are posters on this board who insist if it's not written on HAL's website, a policy or a definition of an activity absolutely cannot exist....and HAL's written smoking policy says nothing about exclusionary zones. Sooooo.....;)

[retdon]

We will be cruising on Nieuw Amsterdam 10/23 with our older son who smokes and I have several questions.

 

Do the ships sell cigarettes by the pack? I have seen the large duty free packages but never paid attention to sold by the pack since we do not smoke.

 

Does anyone know how much a pack of cigarettes cost on the ship?

 

I have found what he can bring back duty free, including cigarettes. I know about designated smoking locations, they have a veranda cabin.

 

Anything else that maybe helpful to him, thanks. Linda

[Sequim88]

Same concept applies to non-smokers who book HAL balconies.

Except that we can avoid outside deck designated smoking areas but it's a shame to have to avoid our balcony that cost so much extra. Last cruise (on RCCL, same policy) the chain smoker next door and forward kept us off the balcony almost all the time. He was on a couple excursions with us and could not get off the bus fast enough at the stops so he could light up. Actually felt sorry for the fellow being that hooked.

 

Next year HAL cruise - inside cabin for us, for multiple reason including smoke risk.