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

[sandij]

Does anyone know where the smoking allowed areas are on the Nieuw Amsterdam or where I can find out?

[kazu]

Does anyone know where the smoking allowed areas are on the Nieuw Amsterdam or where I can find out?

Right on the "faqs" HAL website under smoking.

 

should be the sea view pool and casino if you are playing except for non-smoking nights of course if memory serves.

[crunchii]

When they say starboard side of Sea View Bar/Pool, does that include the starboard side of the stern railing area?

 

We'll be in the starboard side aft-wrap on Deck 7 (on Westerdam), and I'm worried that people might flick ashes and throw cigarette butts down into our balcony 2 decks below...

[kazu]

When they say starboard side of Sea View Bar/Pool, does that include the starboard side of the stern railing area?

 

We'll be in the starboard side aft-wrap on Deck 7 (on Westerdam), and I'm worried that people might flick ashes and throw cigarette butts down into our balcony 2 decks below...

 

smoking area is mainly a seated area well inside the railings. Lots of ashtrays and people do know how to use them.

 

There is one spot for cigarettes close to the railing but it has one of those gadgets you see in smoking areas where you drop your butts down it. The officers and staff do it a lot and I have never seen one of them throw a butt or flick ashes over the railing ;)

[crunchii]

That's good to hear! Thank you for the reassurance!

[alwaysfrantic]

I just got this very old news from my big box travel agency tonight. I be4t thousands are just finding out for the first time right now.

[EagleRockers]

I just got this very old news from my big box travel agency tonight. I be4t thousands are just finding out for the first time right now.

 

I also received this from my big box travel agency yesterday. I'm disappointed, but I'm not going to let it spoil my trip. Funny, one of the reasons I booked HAL was for their (previous) smoking policy. Hubby and I are doing the Rotterdam in March and have already bought our air. Oh well, life goes on!

[cruiseing marly]

I also received this from my big box travel agency yesterday. I'm disappointed, but I'm not going to let it spoil my trip. Funny, one of the reasons I booked HAL was for their (previous) smoking policy. Hubby and I are doing the Rotterdam in March and have already bought our air. Oh well, life goes on!

 

 

I didn't like the previous policy still

I remained loyal for lots of other reasons ! Maybe you well find other reasons to continue cruising HAL !

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

I'm not sure I can justify Alaska anymore.

 

You shouldn't give up on visiting unique and beautiful places just because you have to go to a different smoking area.

[Fouremco]

What good are spectacular views If I can't truly relax and enjoy them.

The very question that non-smokers asked for years.

[Cruise Junky]

You guys are brave. I couldn't stop laughing at that post to form a reply ;)

[UPNYGuy]

The very question that non-smokers asked for years.

 

 

Exactly! Now I will actually consider booking a balcony on HAL. Before, I never would.

 

 

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[kevingastreich]

Right on the "faqs" HAL website under smoking.

 

should be the sea view pool and casino if you are playing except for non-smoking nights of course if memory serves.

 

They always say the casino is smoking allowed "if you are playing" but plenty of people duck in there for a smoke and never drop a dime. They don't get kicked out.

[jabcruiser]

I'm guessing that smokers who moved to HAL because of their old policy will just return to their favourite cruiseline. No need to stay with HAL if the smoking policies are the same.

I know this is a dated post, but I wonder if other smokers feel relieved by this news? As a smoker I have felt tied to HAL for the last couple of years since other lines banned veranda smoking. Now that HAL will no longer offer that option I am free to choose any cruise line I want. Yeah! Don't get me wrong, I love HAL which (for now) still has some of the niceties that other lines have cut out in recent years. But, since HAL keeps cutting back in many areas that are important to us, I will now have the option to speak with my wallet and go elsewhere if I want to. Recent changes in Room Service menus (loved having option of RS full breakfast to order) , lack of quality entertainment(except BB King Blues Club), changes in Lido (no longer make sandwiches to order or grilled) have made HAL less appealing and kind of just like the "other" lines(RCCL, Princess, Carnival, NCL). Guess will see on next cruise if service is suffering also as that has always set HAL apart IMO. Change too much to become like the other mainstream cruises and you take away the actual things that people who make up your loyal fan base enjoy. So why be loyal? My thoughts anyway, and I do feel liberated!

Jane

[kevingastreich]

I know this is a dated post, but I wonder if other smokers feel relieved by this news? As a smoker I have felt tied to HAL for the last couple of years since other lines banned veranda smoking. Now that HAL will no longer offer that option I am free to choose any cruise line I want. Yeah! Don't get me wrong, I love HAL which (for now) still has some of the niceties that other lines have cut out in recent years. But, since HAL keeps cutting back in many areas that are important to us, I will now have the option to speak with my wallet and go elsewhere if I want to. Recent changes in Room Service menus (loved having option of RS full breakfast to order) , lack of quality entertainment(except BB King Blues Club), changes in Lido (no longer make sandwiches to order or grilled) have made HAL less appealing and kind of just like the "other" lines(RCCL, Princess, Carnival, NCL). Guess will see on next cruise if service is suffering also as that has always set HAL apart IMO. Change too much to become like the other mainstream cruises and you take away the actual things that people who make up your loyal fan base enjoy. So why be loyal? My thoughts anyway, and I do feel liberated!

Jane

 

Think how liberated you would be if you gave up cigs altogether?

[Charles4515]

So why be loyal? My thoughts anyway, and I do feel liberated!

 

 

 

I feel liberated too. I avoided booking HAL the last 15 bookings because I wanted a Veranda cabin. I liked HAL a lot. Equal to Celebrity and better than Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and NCL. Now I can be booking HAL again with the new policy!

 

 

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Edited November 4, 2016 by Charles4515

[KenNMB]

They always say the casino is smoking allowed "if you are playing" but plenty of people duck in there for a smoke and never drop a dime. They don't get kicked out.

 

 

 

 

Expect more casino playing non-smokers to be more watchful in light of that post and HAL's revised policy. At least one evening in the casino is NO SMOKING.

 

 

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[kazu]

They always say the casino is smoking allowed "if you are playing" but plenty of people duck in there for a smoke and never drop a dime. They don't get kicked out.

 

 

Expect more casino playing non-smokers to be more watchful in light of that post and HAL's revised policy. At least one evening in the casino is NO SMOKING.

 

 

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You would need to be in the smoking section to see that. I've never seen it. those in the casino are playing :) DH accompanies me (doesn't smoke) and watches me and sometimes takes a turn. Money is still going in. I have the casino discount to prove it :D;)

 

Depending on the length of the cruise there can be several non smoking nights in the casino.

Edited November 4, 2016 by kazu

[Aquahound]

They always say the casino is smoking allowed "if you are playing" but plenty of people duck in there for a smoke and never drop a dime. They don't get kicked out.

 

You are exactly right. It's funny how there is almost always someone sitting in there smoking while the ship is in port. I don't know how they could possibly be playing when the casino is closed.

[kazu]

You are exactly right. It's funny how there is almost always someone sitting in there smoking while the ship is in port. I don't know how they could possibly be playing when the casino is closed.

 

Wow! really? In all my cruises the ashtrays have always been removed from the playing areas when the casino is not open. Never seen anyone smoking there on port days. Of course, with the new regulations and only an open deck available, if the decks are closed in rough weather and there are no other options for smokers, it might happen? But, to date, I haven't seen it.

[sammiedawg]

When did lack of an ashtray stop someone who wants to sneak a smoke. I avoid stinky casinos 24/7 but some ship layouts force you to walk through or by. I've definitely seen smokers in the casino when it was closed.

[kennicott]

Wow! really? In all my cruises the ashtrays have always been removed from the playing areas when the casino is not open. Never seen anyone smoking there on port days. Of course, with the new regulations and only an open deck available, if the decks are closed in rough weather and there are no other options for smokers, it might happen? But, to date, I haven't seen it.

 

We haven’t cruised on HAL for a number of years now, but have done so a lot on Princess.

 

I don’t gamble but my wife loves the slots, she was always complaining about the men who smoked and didn’t play but took up a seat next to their wives. However, after the rules changed where one must be actively playing in order to smoke, days are set aside for no smoking period in the casino and no smoking at any gaming tables, the atmosphere there has really changed for the better.

 

Rarely does she witness any violations, and when she goes I go with her and watch for a few minutes. I have noticed a significant diminution of smoke odor in the casinos. To the point, at one time I asked her if the casinos on Princess had been designated “no smoking” completely. I also walk through the casino, a lot, during the day when in port. I have never seen anyone lurking about sneaking a smoke or smelled such there then.

[KenNMB]

You would need to be in the smoking section to see that. I've never seen it. those in the casino are playing :) DH accompanies me (doesn't smoke) and watches me and sometimes takes a turn. Money is still going in. I have the casino discount to prove it :D;)

 

Depending on the length of the cruise there can be several non smoking nights in the casino.

 

 

 

Jacqui, the NA is nieuw to me, but on some dam ships, Hold 'em players are quite near slots where players can (and do) smoke. Usually, smokers respect other non-smoking card players, and take a smoke break away from the table; not so with slot smokers. Hope the table and smoking slots are far apart.

Enjoy this, and everyone you're on!

K

 

 

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[137-Carrie]

You are exactly right. It's funny how there is almost always someone sitting in there smoking while the ship is in port. I don't know how they could possibly be playing when the casino is closed.

 

You couldn't have seen it. It never happens:D. I've seen the same thing.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

Wow! really? In all my cruises the ashtrays have always been removed from the playing areas when the casino is not open. Never seen anyone smoking there on port days. Of course, with the new regulations and only an open deck available, if the decks are closed in rough weather and there are no other options for smokers, it might happen? But, to date, I haven't seen it.

 

The ashtrays are just behind the bar. Take one out if you need it. What else are they going to do when in port & bunkering. Can't smoke outside (even before the upcoming January change). Only ship with a dedicated indoor space is the Noordam with the Oak Room.

 

I'd rather have them smoking in a closed Casino than outside when bunkering. Much safer.