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

[waASPCrusier]

I think the poster asked a valid question. On all the dress code threads people always ask why would someone choose a line that has formal nights and then not abide by the dress code.

 

Well it holds true here too. If someone (not specifically you or a woman in general ) but anyone book a cruise on a line that they know allows smoking on balconies , book a balcony, and then complain about not being able to use it because people are out there smoking.

 

Of course it is a valid question, but you got to know you aren't going to get an answer. This is part of the "it is only an issue if it effects me" line of thought. I made the same observation, HAL allows balcony smoking, so to not take any chances, we don't book a balcony. We just returned from a Christmas cruise on the Veendam, weren't bothered by smoking at all on the ship. From what we could tell, 2 outside areas, the main area outside the lido, maybe 8 tables and then every once in awhile outside the elevator area on the deck 12, but that was mostly officers. The only inside was the casino.

[babyher]

Of course it is a valid question, but you got to know you aren't going to get an answer. This is part of the "it is only an issue if it effects me" line of thought. I made the same observation, HAL allows balcony smoking, so to not take any chances, we don't book a balcony. We just returned from a Christmas cruise on the Veendam, weren't bothered by smoking at all on the ship. From what we could tell, 2 outside areas, the main area outside the lido, maybe 8 tables and then every once in awhile outside the elevator area on the deck 12, but that was mostly officers. The only inside was the casino.

 

 

 

 

*LOL*

 

You are right I should have known better.

 

A while back there was a thread on here stating HAL was going to stop allowing pax from bringing as much wine and champagne on board as they wanted.

 

I don't remember the whole story, but it turned out to be false. But for a day or two the "I normally bring the entire Napa valley with me on a 7 day cruise" crowd was in a panic and crying foul.

 

Don't remember too many non drinkers saying too bad , live with it , or posting the phone number to Betty Ford

[Danni3ll3]

And why do people who are disgusted with HAL's current smoking policy on balconies still book HAL?

 

Because of the itinerary and the fact that when I booked the cruise, I had no idea that HAL allowed smoking on balconies. Living in a country where there is practically no public smoking, it never crossed my mind that this might be happening. Am I going to cancel? No, because this cruise is the only one that hit all the ports we wanted but it is certainly is causing me some concern. Ultimately, we are just going to have to suck it up for this trip.

[GeriatricNurse]

Don't you worry. Before this year is done hal will announce the end to balcony smoking. There will be no balcony smoking on the new ship.

 

I just love when posters make such 'definitive' statements such as this without any quoted proof from a 'reliable' and 'accurate' source, such as HAL Head Office, for example! How do you know this fact to be correct? Please quote your source! :confused:

Edited January 4, 2015 by GeriatricNurse

[albingirl]

I just love when posters make such 'definitive' statements such as this without any quoted proof from a 'reliable' and 'accurate' source, such as HAL Head Office, for example! How do you know this fact to be correct? Please quote your source! :confused:

 

It may be speculation, but I certainly hope she's right. Many of us are waiting for change.

[cruiseing marly]

We can all hope for change with out punishing HAL !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[PhDUnderTheSea]

Did you tell HAL the reason why you cancelled the cruise?

 

I *did* tell the agent my reasons why I was cancelling. She stated my concerns were "noted". I suspect placed in the circular file.

 

Throughout I received the impression that HAL did not really care one way or the other where I went and what I did with my money. Maybe they think there is an endless revenue stream?

 

Best-

 

Steve

[B'smeme]

Hello. We are looking at different cruise ships for a Feb cruise. Would like to do the new HAL however I have asthma and concerned about smoking allowed in the casinos Amd balcony as we normally get a balcony room. Is the smoke really bad?

 

I recently sailed on Holland America and had the Neptune Suite. We couldn't use the balcony at all because someone was constantly smoking a cigar on their balcony. The smell was awful! :(

[Queen of DaNile]

Oh, they're looking at the policy allright. I commented on cigar smoking on the verandah in my survey and got a response., DH did not comment or get a response. Could be just coincidence but I think they are taking comments seriously (bolding is mine):

"Thank you very much for submitting your Guest Satisfaction Survey regarding your recent Holland America Line sailing aboard the ms Zuiderdam. We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain our Signature of Excellence and continually improve the onboard experience for all of our travelers.

 

While we were pleased to note the positive aspects of your cruise, we are sad there were some areas that you found disappointing. We truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your thoughts and observations for us, such as the smoking policy. Comments are important to us and because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit. If there is anything additional you want to discuss with us or follow up on, please feel free to contact our Guest Relations team directly; you may reach us....."

Edited January 4, 2015 by Queen of DaNile
correction

[Champagne Cruiser]

We are currently planning a Sydney to Vancouver trip and would not even consider booking HAL because of the smoking policy. It's one thing to be bothered by smoke for one week, but 22 DAYS? Although it is more expensive (although it is 27 days vs 22) we will be booking Celebrity.

[kindling maker]

Strange. Five of my six cruises were on aft balconies and I most certainly did NOT have sludge or even flakes or ash on them from engine exhaust. Guess I'm just lucky or you are extremely unlucky :rolleyes: being smoked out or having ash form the smoking area above or beside was an issue. On HAL. YMMV.

 

Would depend on the ship design, an open "uncovered" balcony and you're cleaning up chunks of soot...unless of course there's a strong wind to one side or the other. I most certainly HAVE needed to clean before sitting on the balcony furniture.

[babyher]

Oh, they're looking at the policy allright. I commented on cigar smoking on the verandah in my survey and got a response., DH did not comment or get a response. Could be just coincidence but I think they are taking comments seriously (bolding is mine):

"Thank you very much for submitting your Guest Satisfaction Survey regarding your recent Holland America Line sailing aboard the ms Zuiderdam. We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain our Signature of Excellence and continually improve the onboard experience for all of our travelers.

 

While we were pleased to note the positive aspects of your cruise, we are sad there were some areas that you found disappointing. We truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your thoughts and observations for us, such as the smoking policy. Comments are important to us and because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit. If there is anything additional you want to discuss with us or follow up on, please feel free to contact our Guest Relations team directly; you may reach us....."

 

 

Yeah they really must be looking into it. They just don't send that form letter response to just anyone.

[GlennG]

Oh, they're looking at the policy allright. I commented on cigar smoking on the verandah in my survey and got a response., DH did not comment or get a response. Could be just coincidence but I think they are taking comments seriously (bolding is mine):

"Thank you very much for submitting your Guest Satisfaction Survey regarding your recent Holland America Line sailing aboard the ms Zuiderdam. We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain our Signature of Excellence and continually improve the onboard experience for all of our travelers.

 

While we were pleased to note the positive aspects of your cruise, we are sad there were some areas that you found disappointing. We truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your thoughts and observations for us, such as the smoking policy. Comments are important to us and because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit. If there is anything additional you want to discuss with us or follow up on, please feel free to contact our Guest Relations team directly; you may reach us....."

 

Holland America Line's spin has spun out-of-control. I, personally, do not support the current smoking policy of Holland America Line. Having said this, I recognize that HAL is a business, - a very successful business that brings good value to shareholders. As part of the Carnival group of companies, HAL is the "go to" cruise line for smokers. It makes good business sense to identify one cruise line as being more tolerant for the smoking public. I don't see HAL's smoking policy changing in the near future. It's just good business policy to maintain the status quo.

[kindling maker]

I will not risk my finite vacation time and hard earned money on a HAL balcony. The risk outweighs the rewards when considering I can sail similar itineraries at similar rates and be afforded a smoke free experience.

 

Sorry HAL, you have lost my 49 day booking.

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

:)They can offset that a bit with our 7 days from last year and the upcoming week in Feb. Both of these only on HAL because of being allowed to smoke on our balcony.

We've been caught with late policy changes on RCL, Celebrity and Princess and no we couldn't cancel, multiple couples and pre-booked airfare each time. Oh, NCL missed out on this winters booking as well, glad i caught the recent policy change

[CRUZBUDS]

We've got an NCL and a Carnival coming up, we would not have booked either one if they still had HAL's smoking policy.

 

We will cruise HAL again once they join the 21st century, not before.

[sail7seas]

Oh, they're looking at the policy allright. I commented on cigar smoking on the verandah in my survey and got a response., DH did not comment or get a response. Could be just coincidence but I think they are taking comments seriously (bolding is mine):

"Thank you very much for submitting your Guest Satisfaction Survey regarding your recent Holland America Line sailing aboard the ms Zuiderdam. We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain our Signature of Excellence and continually improve the onboard experience for all of our travelers.

 

While we were pleased to note the positive aspects of your cruise, we are sad there were some areas that you found disappointing. We truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your thoughts and observations for us, such as the smoking policy. Comments are important to us and because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit. If there is anything additional you want to discuss with us or follow up on, please feel free to contact our Guest Relations team directly; you may reach us....."

 

 

 

With all respect, I think that is response form letter #3.

I've read that exact verbage before.

 

I cancelled an HAL cruise for several reasons including the risk I would not have use of my verandah if there were smokers beside me. I did not mention that when I canceled and am thinking I should contact my PCC and inform him that was one of the reasons for my cancellation.

 

Edited January 4, 2015 by sail7seas

[chrispb]

I *did* tell the agent my reasons why I was cancelling. She stated my concerns were "noted". I suspect placed in the circular file.

 

Throughout I received the impression that HAL did not really care one way or the other where I went and what I did with my money. Maybe they think there is an endless revenue stream?

 

Best-

 

Steve

 

Same reaction from HAL when many smokers stopped cruising with them when they stopped indoor smoking.

 

There are others, both smokers and non-smokers, who continue to fill their ships.

[sail7seas]

Not filling so fast and furiously or why are they offering so many low cost upsells to verandahs........ verandahs are the only 'cabin space' where smoking is permitted?

[Trevor Fountain]

I've just heard a rumour that HAL are going to amend their cabin categories to;

Inside, Oceanview, Ashtrays, and Suites with extended Ashtrays.

[sammiedawg]

I've just heard a rumour that HAL are going to amend their cabin categories to;

Inside, Oceanview, Ashtrays, and Suites with extended Ashtrays.

 

This pretty much sums things up. There is now way on Gods green earth I would book the ashtray accommodations. Actually I have nothing booked and don't even own a future cruise credit, didn't buy one after an underwhelming Prinsendam experience.

Edited January 4, 2015 by sammiedawg

[chrispb]

Yeah they really must be looking into it. They just don't send that form letter response to just anyone.

 

Ha-ha, that's a very exclusive letter:D

[chrispb]

Not filling so fast and furiously or why are they offering so many low cost upsells to verandahs........ verandahs are the only 'cabin space' where smoking is permitted?

 

But we don't know for sure how many are being upsold, do we?

[sail7seas]

But we don't know for sure how many are being upsold, do we?

 

What we do know is CC readers/posters represent only a percentage of HAL cruisers and judging from how many reports we read of upsell offers from that small percentage, it is not a stretch to know there are certainly a number of upsells offers we don't hear about. The most common we read are for smoking accommodations........ verandah cabins. The premise you put forth was they are sold out. They are slashing the prices to fill a number of smoking permitted verandahs.

[PhDUnderTheSea]

:)They can offset that a bit with our 7 days from last year and the upcoming week in Feb. Both of these only on HAL because of being allowed to smoke on our balcony.

We've been caught with late policy changes on RCL, Celebrity and Princess and no we couldn't cancel, multiple couples and pre-booked airfare each time. Oh, NCL missed out on this winters booking as well, glad i caught the recent policy change

 

You are voting with your feet. I am voting with mine. I can understand your delight at a policy that allows something you enjoy doing. I don't take delight in depriving others of their choices. I do wish not to have to deal with what I consider unpleasant side effects of some of those choices though.

 

I don't for a moment believe the world revolves around me, and to secure my own comfort, convenience, and satisfaction I've had to make other choices and arrangements. Not really so different from the position you were in, just opposite sides of the same coin.

 

I believe ultimately though the choice will have to be made to eliminate balcony smoking.

 

Best-

 

Steve

[sammiedawg]

Holland America Line's spin has spun out-of-control. I, personally, do not support the current smoking policy of Holland America Line. Having said this, I recognize that HAL is a business, - a very successful business that brings good value to shareholders. As part of the Carnival group of companies, HAL is the "go to" cruise line for smokers. It makes good business sense to identify one cruise line as being more tolerant for the smoking public. I don't see HAL's smoking policy changing in the near future. It's just good business policy to maintain the status quo.

 

Holland America is playing to both sides of the aisle. I stopped believing they care one iota about non smokers. They just pretend to care, surveys are meaningless.