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

[gillianrose]

I was happy to find this thread thinking it meant the policy has changed. But alas, it has not.

 

We are strongly mulling a 49 night itinerary in Asia aboard Volendam for 2016. Between air fare, excursions, pre and post cruise stays, incidentals, and the cruise itself (undecided if balcony or a full suite; inclined to go for a full suite though) we are looking at a budget of roughly $45K, and frankly I think that will come up on the low side.

 

Do you think I am anxious to spend $45K for an experience with a company that can not sufficiently guarantee my comfort? HAL will have to reform their smoking policy to match what is commonly accepted as standard in the hospitality business before I will sign the dotted line, so to speak.

 

We will monitor changes, but if they do not occur soon we will simply choose another cruise line or another type of vacation. We are not loyal to any hospitality business so do not have much in way of loyalty perks, though we often will pay for a suite in order to have the amenities we want at the time we travel. We are more interested in seeing unique places.

 

I had sent an email to HAL asking about this policy and received a canned response that was almost offensive, as if I did not know how to read the current policy.

 

That sums it up for us, too. No smoky holidays for us, thank you very much.

 

I am sorry you got a canned reply, and hope that you write and mail a letter (not email) directly to top executives and let them know your feelings and your plans. If you get another canned reply, then send the canned reply to the top executive and request a suitable written reply.

[Capt. JC]

My wife and I do two cruises a year. Last June we were on a Royal Caribbean cruise and couldn't listen to the wonderful music being played around dinner time because the venues were near the casino and smoke was billowing out into the "no smoking" areas of the ship. We just finished a NCL cruise in Hawaii. Their policy was the only smoking place was an aft top deck area (there is no casino to have to avoid). Very delightful. We have a 22 day HAL cruise coming up this June and am now not so anxious as it seems they allow smoking on balconies and many other areas. It may be my first and last HAL cruise (unless I cancel and rebook on another line). I am ok with people smoking but resent the intrusion into my space and feel that the cruise ships should take steps to isolate the smoking.

[RuthC]

We have a 22 day HAL cruise coming up this June and am now not so anxious as it seems they allow smoking on balconies and many other areas.

Balconies? Yes. Hal allows smoking on balconies.

"Many" other areas? No. There is one indoor smoking area (casino), and that only when the Casino is open, and only for active players. There is an outdoor smoking area on one side of deck heading to the outdoor pool. Another outside area will vary on the different classes of ship.

[evgal/nj]

We are smokers! Ncl is our favorite line, because of their smoking policy change we will not be doing another cruise with them.

We have booked Hal this year for a ta because of the smoking policy.

We love the balcony. Why not make one side of the ships balconies smoke free?

It seems to work for the outdoor dinning!

[GeriatricNurse]

We are smokers! Ncl is our favorite line, because of their smoking policy change we will not be doing another cruise with them.

We have booked Hal this year for a ta because of the smoking policy.

We love the balcony. Why not make one side of the ships balconies smoke free?

It seems to work for the outdoor dinning!

 

This question has been debated here on the HAL CCB 'ad nauseum'! :rolleyes:

[chrispb]

We are smokers! Ncl is our favorite line, because of their smoking policy change we will not be doing another cruise with them.

We have booked Hal this year for a ta because of the smoking policy.

We love the balcony. Why not make one side of the ships balconies smoke free?

It seems to work for the outdoor dinning!

 

Because there are those who always want the same room on the same side of the ship - always! Nowhere else will do:)

[cruz chic]

......and there aren't 50% of people that smoke either. While some non smokers might not mind I doubt it's 50%.

[luv4cruises]

I check this thread from time to time to see if HAL is finally going to institute a smoking policy that respects the well-documented medical findings that second-hand smoke is not only annoying but a health risk and fire hazard.

 

HAL cannot seriously insist that they are committed to the health, well being,

comfort, and safety of their guests as long as they continue their unhealthful, antiquated smoking policy that allows smoking on balconies. Now more then ever will their "Signature of Excellence" be replaced by the "Smokers' Choice"as they remain the only major market cruise line to permit balcony smoking.

 

Will 2015 be the year that HAL pays attention to the scientific findings regarding the hazards of smoking and second-hand smoke? I have been a part of so many of the previous smoking discussions. None of the pro-smoking arguments can justify a smoking policy that allows second-hand smoke to pollute the air that guests breath and that has been medically proven as hazardous to one's health.

 

Will HAL be in line with other cruise lines, airlines, restaurants, public areas including parks, beaches, schools, university campuses, buildings etc. or will they continue to be "The Smokers' Choice"?

 

Happy New Year. Hope HAL makes 2015 the year to introduce a smoking policy that limits their guests exposure to second-hand smoke on balconies!

[CruiseWhere]

From your mouth to HAL's ears!!!! We can only hope and pray! The only saving grace, if that's what you want to call it is that it's only a matter of time! Let's hope sooner than later!!!

Edited January 1, 2015 by CruiseWhere

[peaches from georgia]

HAL is not in the health care business. You make your own decisions about your health. HAL's only business is to make a profit for Carnival shareholders.

[Host Walt]

Reminder:

 

...2. This is a forum for discussions of cruising and associated topics. It is not a forum for discussing the health, economics and public policy aspects of smoking, whether associated with cigarettes, pipes, cigars or controlled substances (marijuana)....

 

[finsupcruiser]

Reminder:

 

Thank you:):):):)

[hrhdhd]

Allowing smoking on balconies on one side of the ship wouldn't mean mandating it. If you want to smoke, you'd need to book the port side. If you don't smoke, you can book the port side and not smoke!

[sail7seas]

Allowing smoking on balconies on one side of the ship wouldn't mean mandating it. If you want to smoke, you'd need to book the port side. If you don't smoke, you can book the port side and not smoke!

 

There is a very good chance the non-smoking side could be fully booked in certain categories but the smoking side had vacancies. What should the non-smoker who objects to being subjected to second hand smoke book nif the cabin style they want only is available on smoking side?

 

Another cruise line? HAL could be faced with empty cabins they could have sold.

 

[cruisemom42]

There is a very good chance the non-smoking side could be fully booked in certain categories but the smoking side had vacancies. What should the non-smoker who objects to being subjected to second hand smoke book nif the cabin style they want only is available on smoking side?

 

Another cruise line? HAL could be faced with empty cabins they could have sold.

 

 

But truthfully, aren't they faced with that now? It appears from reading this thread that many folks hesitate to book a balcony now due to the fear of being exposed to second-hand smoke.... So at least this way it gives an incentive to folks who are really bothered by smoke to book ahead to ensure their cabin of choice (and perhaps justifies HAL's higher pricing for reserving in advance).

 

And for those of us to whom it doesn't matter, we can take our chances with last minute deals...

Edited January 1, 2015 by cruisemom42

[jimmy2x]

But truthfully, aren't they faced with that now? It appears from reading this thread that many folks hesitate to book a balcony now due to the fear of being exposed to second-hand smoke.... So at least this way it gives an incentive to folks who are really bothered by smoke to book ahead to ensure their cabin of choice (and perhaps justifies HAL's higher pricing for reserving in advance).

 

And for those of us to whom it doesn't matter, we can take our chances with last minute deals...

 

We've never seen an unoccupied balcony on a HAL cruise. Obviously, that is only 1st hand observation, but I do suspect that empty balcony cabins are rare indeed.

[freestyling]

I don't see HAL dedicating one side to smoking. wouldn't bother me if they did unless the "smoking" side had better views during a cruise. :D

[cruz chic]

We've never seen an unoccupied balcony on a HAL cruise. Obviously, that is only 1st hand observation, but I do suspect that empty balcony cabins are rare indeed.

 

I'm curious. How would you know that?

[cruz chic]

But truthfully, aren't they faced with that now? It appears from reading this thread that many folks hesitate to book a balcony now due to the fear of being exposed to second-hand smoke.... So at least this way it gives an incentive to folks who are really bothered by smoke to book ahead to ensure their cabin of choice (and perhaps justifies HAL's higher pricing for reserving in advance).

 

And for those of us to whom it doesn't matter, we can take our chances with last minute deals...

 

I love a balcony. I'm one who will sit on a balcony with a coat. I've also been known to sit on it in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. I book a balcony and hope for the best. Unfortunatly I've only had one cruise without smokers beside me and that was paradise. Non smokers will get their day and hopefully it will be this year.

 

I'm puzzled by your comment about for those it doesn't matter. Is it a case of not mattering because you don't book balconies?

[cruisemom42]

 

I'm puzzled by your comment about for those it doesn't matter. Is it a case of not mattering because you don't book balconies?

 

I have booked verandas, outsides, and insides on HAL. Depends on the cruise and the deal. A balcony is nice but I certainly wouldn't pay a lot more for it. If I luck into a deal, then great. I guess I am that odd anomaly that isn't loyal to a particular line and doesn't have to have a particular cabin category in order to enjoy cruising.

[cruz chic]

I have booked verandas, outsides, and insides on HAL. Depends on the cruise and the deal. A balcony is nice but I certainly wouldn't pay a lot more for it. If I luck into a deal, then great. I guess I am that odd anomaly that isn't loyal to a particular line and doesn't have to have a particular cabin category in order to enjoy cruising.

 

Thx for the answer.

[cruz chic]

I'm curious. How would you know that?

 

It's too late to edit my comment right now but I just looked at many of hal cruises leaving within the next week. 90% of these cruises still show balcony availability.

[jimmy2x]

It's too late to edit my comment right now but I just looked at many of hal cruises leaving within the next week. 90% of these cruises still show balcony availability.

 

I have no wish to enter into a contentious debate with you. "Mere observation" is just what it says it is. All of our HAL cruises have been in one form or another of a balcony and it is pretty easy to see that the stewards are cleaning all of the staterooms in our area. Does that mean that there is NEVER an empty balcony? Of course not but from what we've seen there can't be very many.

 

And I suspect that most of the available balconies that you referenced will be filled thru upgrades, up sells, and direct sales prior to departure.

[cruz chic]

I have no wish to enter into a contentious debate with you. "Mere observation" is just what it says it is. All of our HAL cruises have been in one form or another of a balcony and it is pretty easy to see that the stewards are cleaning all of the staterooms in our area. Does that mean that there is NEVER an empty balcony? Of course not but from what we've seen there can't be very many.

 

And I suspect that most of the available balconies that you referenced will be filled thru upgrades, up sells, and direct sales prior to departure.

 

I'm not asking you to enter into a contentious debate. You stated something that I don't think is true and I've proved that point. While it may appear that all balconies on your floor are taken that doesn't mean they are on every floor. Also, if people are getting upgraded they are not paying for that balcony nor are they getting a choice in the matter. The cold, hard fact if the matter is that the only people that know how heavily booked balconies are is hal but I sure would expect to see something different that what I'm seeing this close to sailing. Explain it any way you see fit.

[sail7seas]

We've never seen an unoccupied balcony on a HAL cruise. Obviously, that is only 1st hand observation, but I do suspect that empty balcony cabins are rare indeed.

 

I'm curious. How would you know that?

 

I have absolutely seen a number of unoccupied verandah cabins. I know for sure they were vacant. I've also sailed when there was empty Pinnacle Suite. Knew for sure that was empty, too. ;)