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

[Lizzie68]

I heard that there is a possibility that Holland America may change their smoking on balconies policy to accommodate both groups in the near future.

 

I asked about it as there seems to be a debate on a recent suggestion that I had made to Holland America earlier this summer.

 

The response was that they are working on a solution to make everyone happy, non smokers and smokers alike.

 

 

soccer

 

May I ask who gave you that information?

[soccerpapi]

May I ask who gave you that information?

 

Customer Relations representative.

 

soccer

[Veslefrikk]

I heard that there is a possibility that Holland America may change their smoking on balconies policy to accommodate both groups in the near future.

I asked about it as there seems to be a debate on a recent suggestion that I had made to Holland America earlier this summer.

The response was that they are working on a solution to make everyone happy, non smokers and smokers alike.

soccer

 

That sounds promising... And maybe, if there is found a good solution for all of us, also other cruise lines will adopt such a solution? Important to take care of paying customers, smoking or non-smoking... ;)

[Lizzie68]

Customer Relations representative.

 

soccer

 

Ah yes, such a reliable source.:rolleyes: Don't hold your breath waiting.

[Sam.Seattle]

I do strongly agree! I thought at first it might be possible to sell smokers cabins on port side and no smokers on starboard side. That way no one would be bothered by their neighbor's smoking.

And even worse; also electronic cigarettes, who not has any flame and no smell, are been prohibited on private balconies at NCL. I do not understand this. When the Chinese very soon invades the cruise market, so we shall see that policy will be changed back... As we know, customers and dollars are the most important for the shipowners...

Maybe some Chinese shipowners would start a cruise line? :)

 

And, who do you think controls NCL Stock?

 

(From NCL 10K)

NCL Sponsors

Apollo

Apollo is a leading global alternative investment manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, London, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai. Apollo has assets under management of over $161.2 billion invested in its private equity, capital markets and real estate businesses. Apollo owns a controlling interest in Prestige Cruises International, Inc. which operates through two distinct upscale cruise brands, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Investment funds managed by Apollo also have current and past investments in other travel and leisure companies, including Caesars Entertainment Corporation (“Caesars Entertainment”), Great Wolf Resorts, Vail Resorts, AMC Entertainment, Wyndham International and other hotel properties.

TPG

TPG is a leading global private investment firm founded in 1992 with $55.7 billion of assets under management and with offices in San Francisco, Fort Worth, Austin, Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Melbourne, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. TPG has extensive experience with global public and private investments executed through leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts, growth investments, joint ventures and restructurings.

Genting HK

Genting HK was founded in 1993 and through its subsidiary, Star Cruises Asia Holding Ltd., operates a leading cruise line in the Asia-Pacific region. Its headquarters are located in Hong Kong and it is represented in more than 20 locations worldwide, with offices and representatives in Asia, Australia, Europe and the U.S. Genting HK currently has a fleet of six ships, which offer various cruise itineraries in the Asia Pacific region.

[soccerpapi]

Ah yes, such a reliable source.:rolleyes: Don't hold your breath waiting.

 

Why did you ask? Customer Relations usually a good source of accurate information. I tend to believe them myself.

 

Who would you believe?

 

soccer

[chrispb]

That sounds promising... And maybe, if there is found a good solution for all of us, also other cruise lines will adopt such a solution? Important to take care of paying customers, smoking or non-smoking... ;)

 

 

 

I would hope so but, sadly, I don't think they will find a solution that will suit all. Many suggestions have been made here on CC but none that made everyone happy.

[sail7seas]

Why did you ask? Customer Relations usually a good source of accurate information. I tend to believe them myself.

 

Who would you believe?

 

soccer

 

You did not specifically ask me but I don't mind responding. :D

 

I will believe the official HAL press release/announcement when/if we hear such.

 

It has been my experience that not everything customer service reps say turns out to be accurate. You can sometimes ask three and get three different answers. They are not all experienced and well trained though surely some are.

[Lizzie68]

Why did you ask? Customer Relations usually a good source of accurate information. I tend to believe them myself.

 

Who would you believe?

 

soccer

 

 

Exactly as Sail said, above. I have had a situation where I've gotten FOUR different answers from Seattle on the same issue. When they issue the press release, then I will believe it. Communication is not HAL's strong point.

[Hlitner]

Exactly as Sail said, above. I have had a situation where I've gotten FOUR different answers from Seattle on the same issue. When they issue the press release, then I will believe it. Communication is not HAL's strong point.

 

Am wondering what HAL's "strong point" is these days?

 

Hank

[nb125]

Currently on Noordam and contrary to what the policy says the only smoking area on an outdoor deck is one small corner of deck 9 around the Seaview bar.

[bucktoo]

Is smoking still allowed...hope so

[Hal&Rob]

All staterooms, showrooms, dining rooms are non-smoking. However, guests are permitted to smoke cigarettes on their verandas. Electronic cigarettes are allowed in staterooms. Cigars and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship, only in the designated outdoor smoking locations. Smoking is permitted in the casino, the Seaview Bar and a few outdoor areas. Guests who violate the policy are charged a US$250 cleaning fee for each day of the violation.

[Sam.Seattle]

All staterooms, showrooms, dining rooms are non-smoking. However, guests are permitted to smoke cigarettes on their verandas. Electronic cigarettes are allowed in staterooms. Cigars and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship, only in the designated outdoor smoking locations. Smoking is permitted in the casino, the Seaview Bar and a few outdoor areas. Guests who violate the policy are charged a US$250 cleaning fee for each day of the violation.

$250 - Like to hear if that is ever enforced. If it is, i bet the guy or gal might also consider getting their money's worth and continue to smoke in the dinning room on formal night wearing flip flops & T-shirts.

[kjw869]

$250 - Like to hear if that is ever enforced. If it is, i bet the guy or gal might also consider getting their money's worth and continue to smoke in the dinning room on formal night wearing flip flops & T-shirts.

 

And a bathrobe for a suit jacket. They could also use the bathrobe's belt for a neck tie. :D

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG Note 3 usings Forums mobile app.

Edited August 31, 2014 by kjw869

[Lizzie68]

$250 - Like to hear if that is ever enforced. If it is, i bet the guy or gal might also consider getting their money's worth and continue to smoke in the dinning room on formal night wearing flip flops & T-shirts.

 

Perhaps. But definitely not in the dining room.:D:D

[kazu]

$250 - Like to hear if that is ever enforced. If it is, i bet the guy or gal might also consider getting their money's worth and continue to smoke in the dinning room on formal night wearing flip flops & T-shirts.

 

I believe that charge is for each instance not one time charge for the entire cruise. I suspect it is highly upheld. I don't think most are dumb enough to do it.

 

Keep in mind that if you continuously break the rules you will be put off the ship. No need to insinuate that because someone smokes they don't know how to dress on formal night IMO.

 

I've seen people put off ships for bad behaviour as well as heard of it. Haven't heard of one put off for not following the smoking rules (yet). In fact, I have found most smokers very respectful of the rules.

 

Maybe I have just been lucky? those are only my experiences.

Edited August 31, 2014 by kazu

[Sam.Seattle]

And a bathrobe for a suit jacket. They could also use the bathrobe's belt for a neck tie. :D

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG Note 3 usings Forums mobile app.

LOL - Glad you realized my post was an attempt at humor and your reply is Great!

[LMaxwell]

Ah yes, such a reliable source.:rolleyes: Don't hold your breath waiting.

 

Yeah I wouldn't be signing any checks with that information. Making both sides happy means no balcony smoking so non smokers are happy and designated smoking areas to make smokers happy, but it won't be balconies.

 

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk

[soccerpapi]

Hoping to hear about the changes to the smoking policy soon.

 

soccer

Edited August 31, 2014 by soccerpapi

[soccerpapi]

Yeah I wouldn't be signing any checks with that information. Making both sides happy means no balcony smoking so non smokers are happy and designated smoking areas to make smokers happy, but it won't be balconies.

 

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk

 

I am the original poster and just passed on what Holland America customer relations passed on to me.

 

They said that both sides should be happy with what is going to be implemented concerning the smoking situation. I think that should be good news to all.

 

It's great to be able to make thought out, reasonable suggestions that Holland America takes seriously!

 

soccer

[cruz chic]

Yeah I wouldn't be signing any checks with that information. Making both sides happy means no balcony smoking so non smokers are happy and designated smoking areas to make smokers happy, but it won't be balconies.

 

Sent from my cm_tenderloin using Tapatalk

 

One can only hope.

[Cheese2525]

All staterooms, showrooms, dining rooms are non-smoking. However, guests are permitted to smoke cigarettes on their verandas. Electronic cigarettes are allowed in staterooms. Cigars and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship, only in the designated outdoor smoking locations. Smoking is permitted in the casino, the Seaview Bar and a few outdoor areas. Guests who violate the policy are charged a US$250 cleaning fee for each day of the violation.

 

This is not correct. The only outdoor area is the sea view bar.

[nb125]

Reducing outdoor areas seems a strange way to go if they are planning on banning balcony smoking.

[Hal&Rob]

Taken from brochure:

 

SMOKING POLICY

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins),

showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated nonsmoking with the exception of:

• Casino

• Northern Lights Disco (ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms

Westerdam & ms Zuiderdam only)

• Seaview Bar (except that smoking is not permitted in

the Seaview Bar on the ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam or ms

Statendam)

• Sports Bar

• Crow’s Nest (except that smoking is not permitted in

the Crow’s Nest on the ms Eurodam, ms Oosterdam, ms

Noordam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Westerdam or ms

Zuiderdam)

While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are

allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is

permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed inside the ship; it is only permitted

on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

Effective on all cruises departing on or after January 4, 2013,

our smoking policy will change to reflect our commitment to

the comfort of all of our guests. The ship by ship schedule is

below.

For the guests who wish to smoke, there will continue to be

designated areas available for smoking on outside decks. In

addition, smoking is permitted on stateroom verandahs. Cigar

and pipe-smoking is permitted in the designated smoking areas

of outside decks and verandahs only and not inside the ship.

Designated smoking areas:

• Stateroom verandahs

• Casino (Active players only)

• Seaview Bar

• Outside Decks

º Sports Deck

º Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms

Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms

Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)

Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in

public areas. Any guest who smokes cigarettes, cigars or pipes

inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a

$250 cleaning fee.