HAL (finally) bans smoking on balconies

[grayjay]

We had cruised with HAL 65 nights. It still comes down to you can still smoke Vapor brand electronic cigarettes in your cabin.

 

Celebrity Captain's Club is much better then HAL mariner Society. I looked at the suites and what you get with them. Celebrity is miles ahead of HAL.

I might have missed them, but I did not see any drink packages. I do remember buying a wine punch card years ago.

We have not cruise with HAL since 2008 or 2009. Our last cruise with HAL was on the Eurodam and it might have been 1 year old.

 

We have been cruising HAL quite a lot during the last two years because of their absolutely great crews and interesting itineraries and must say that we honestly didn't notice many smokers, neither on the balconies nor inside. There was the casino ( we don't play, though) and one or two spots on the pool and sun deck where the smoking dragons met to smoke and chat and chat and smoke - we simply avoided those places and used the other half of the pool deck. Once I noticed a cigar being puffed away next to me on the balcony rail - I found another place to see the view.

I might have been lucky, but given the right price and/ or itinerary we'll gladly sail HAL again, even if I have to confess that I like our loyalty perks given by Celebrity/Azamara much better ( 3-star vs. Elite+) .

And yes, they do have beverage packages now - I think it's 44 $ a day for 15 beverages/day including wines, spirits, cocktails, coffees etc. Right now there's a promo where it's included in the price - in some cases it really is free, in some cases, where the cruises have been selling well , prices were "adjusted" before the promotion. That's another similarity Celebrity and Holland America share...:( The Signature beverage package is even available on transatlantics which in my eyes is a big plus.

[Cruising-along]

We sail both HAL and Celebrity and are thrilled with this news. Although we have never been negatively impacted by balcony smoking, it was always a concern.

 

The casino is easily avoided, so that doesn't affect us, although I would love to see all casino smoking end too.

Edited October 3, 2016 by Cruising-along

[PoppyandNana]

We just booked Princess to Norway/Arctic although HAL had a better itinerary (celebrity is a non-player in that area of the world). The reason...smoking policy. We agree with others here...when they eliminate ALL inside smoking, we'll be happy to take advantage of some of their interesting cruises. The balcony is a good start....the casino still makes HAL a non-starter other than the two ships with no indoor smoking.

 

Wonder if there was an itinerary change on X. Last year we went on a marvelous 12 day cruise to Norway and the Arctic circle. Usual fine Celebrity cruise.

[4774Papa]

I once checked HAL's cruises and prices until I realized their smoking policy was not acceptable. Now it is.

However, it always seemed to me that HAL's prices (I book early) always seemed higher than other cruise lines.

I have noticed that HAL has some great last minute prices. Problem is, I like booking early. I will start check ing HAL once more, but if I want to book a year and a half ahead, and their prices are higher than the other lines, I will go elsewhere.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Good luck.

 

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Forums mobile app

 

There are many, many other options available. HAL has chosen to be smoker friendly. That's their choice. Seems that may not be working out so well for them if they're thinking of changing. Will take a wait and see attitude.

 

[wwcruisers]

Interesting news, indeed! Living in the PNW, I've always wanted to try HAL, as they have a greater presence on the West Coast than X. The only thing holding me back was HAL's balcony smoking policy. Even if they continue to have some indoor smoking areas, I can avoid them, if I know where they are. Truth be told, I'm not much of a casino person. I had thought that I'd spend more time in X's non-smoking casinos -- but I really don't.

[Loreni]

There are many, many other options available. HAL has chosen to be smoker friendly. That's their choice. Seems that may not be working out so well for them if they're thinking of changing. Will take a wait and see attitude.

 

 

Well, some would say they are no longer smoker friendly.

 

I don't agree. I think they are really trying to compromise.

 

I don't have a problem with them allowing vaping in the cabin. It seems like a pretty good compromise from a company that is trying to inclusive rather than divisive. I don't really care that much about the casino smoke since we don't gamble...as long as it doesn't waft too far outside the casino.

[4774Papa]

Well, some would say they are no longer smoker friendly.

 

I don't agree. I think they are really trying to compromise.

 

I don't have a problem with them allowing vaping in the cabin. It seems like a pretty good compromise from a company that is trying to inclusive rather than divisive. I don't really care that much about the casino smoke since we don't gamble...as long as it doesn't waft too far outside the casino.

 

Yes, that is a compromise and it is a step in the right direction.

However, I have a cousin that smokes the vapor cigs and unfortunately it does leave an odor. I suppose if the cabin stewards do a good job cleaning cabins, it might not be a problem to be in a cabin occupied by a vapor smoker, but it still raises a question.

[Loreni]

Yes, that is a compromise and it is a step in the right direction.

However, I have a cousin that smokes the vapor cigs and unfortunately it does leave an odor. I suppose if the cabin stewards do a good job cleaning cabins, it might not be a problem to be in a cabin occupied by a vapor smoker, but it still raises a question.

 

I don't know anyone who smokes or vapes, but I thought vaping just left water vapor behind. I did walk beside someone vaping once and didn't smell anything. If it leaves nicotine behind, that could be a problem. But it isn't actually burning anything. Anyway, I have little firsthand experience with this, maybe it was too good to true.

[hubofhockey]

As a non-smoker, I really don't care about this. There are already plenty options for non-smokers. They are probably only doing this because they think they'll be more profitable with the policy.

[4774Papa]

I don't know anyone who smokes or vapes, but I thought vaping just left water vapor behind. I did walk beside someone vaping once and didn't smell anything. If it leaves nicotine behind, that could be a problem. But it isn't actually burning anything. Anyway, I have little firsthand experience with this, maybe it was too good to true.

 

The water vapor has nicotine in it. There is an odor as well.

[bigbenboys]

We have been cruising HAL quite a lot during the last two years because of their absolutely great crews and interesting itineraries and must say that we honestly didn't notice many smokers, neither on the balconies nor inside. There was the casino ( we don't play, though) and one or two spots on the pool and sun deck where the smoking dragons met to smoke and chat and chat and smoke - we simply avoided those places and used the other half of the pool deck. Once I noticed a cigar being puffed away next to me on the balcony rail - I found another place to see the view.

I might have been lucky, but given the right price and/ or itinerary we'll gladly sail HAL again, even if I have to confess that I like our loyalty perks given by Celebrity/Azamara much better ( 3-star vs. Elite+) .

And yes, they do have beverage packages now - I think it's 44 $ a day for 15 beverages/day including wines, spirits, cocktails, coffees etc. Right now there's a promo where it's included in the price - in some cases it really is free, in some cases, where the cruises have been selling well , prices were "adjusted" before the promotion. That's another similarity Celebrity and Holland America share...:( The Signature beverage package is even available on transatlantics which in my eyes is a big plus.

 

Thanks for the info and glad they drink packages.

[Luvcrusn]

When they ban ALL indoor smoking and all balcony smoking, then I might re-consider sailing with them. Until then, nope.

 

I'm with you! DH and I took a Royal Caribbean cruise recently bc we liked the itinerary. We couldn't even walk through the casino bc of the smoke, had to detour to the decks above or below to get from front to back of the ship. Some nights the smoke was so thick in the casino that it came into the theater and was oppressive there. We also had a problem with smoke in the elevators even though that wasn't allowed. We're really careful now about smoking policy on cruise lines we choose.

[Aquahound]

When they ban ALL indoor smoking and all balcony smoking, then I might re-consider sailing with them. Until then, nope.

 

As of January, smoking will have been completely eliminated indoors on 2 of HAL's ships....Eurodam and Oosterdam. Reportedly, it's already been eliminated in Noordam's casino as well. Noordam is the only ship in their fleet with a dedicated smoking lounge.

[Aquahound]

I am wondering when RCCL is going to eliminate smoking in their casinos. I understand smoking is allowed only in certain areas of the casino, but the smoke doesn't abide by that rule.

 

Funny you say that. RCI Crown and Anchor members have been getting email surveys and one of the questions referenced eliminating casino smoking.

 

I haven't seen the survey, but some reported getting it on the RCI boards.

[Luvcrusn]

Funny you say that. RCI Crown and Anchor members have been getting email surveys and one of the questions referenced eliminating casino smoking.

 

I haven't seen the survey, but some reported getting it on the RCI boards.

 

Funny that you mentioned that bc reading it I remembered that I recently received that survey and in the comments section said that we would stick with X instead of sailing RC again bc our the smoking policies of both lines. It's funny, but we were considering taking the grandkids on a cruise, and Royal is much better for families with young kids, yet they allow smoking! Go figure. Made is reconsider our vacation plans.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I'm happy to hear the non-smoking news! My husband got a second-degree burn from a cigar smoker on a balcony above ours once, so to us, this is an important issue.

 

Now, if HAL would limit the indoor smoking too!

[hillsprint]

Yes, well done to HAL, I do enjoy a smoke free atmosphere....but.

 

I'm, happily, a non smoker, but I'm can coexist with those who enjoy a puff. I avoid loitering in areas where there is smoke, but am happy to travel through them. I don't book the Deck 6 cabins over the smoking area on the S ships and I don't walk through the casino on a HAL, I choose to avoid them.

 

Let's face it, every time you walk down the street, you encounter smokers, so I view a cruise in the same way.

 

A policy is only as good as its implementation, and the only time I've been bothered by a smoker was on a RCCL balcony!

 

We can all enjoy a cruise if we wish to ;)

[edgee]

 

This is excellent news. DH and I have been considering Celebrity for a long time, but we're concerned about the thumping music. Celebrity has clearly been trying to shed older cruisers for years. I'm not sure that we are the age demographic Celebrity wants and I'd hate to feel unwelcome.

 

Meanwhile HAL offers some really nice itineraries, but the smoking policy was always a deal breaker. Now, it appears HAL is trying to be more inclusive and reach out to a broad diverse demographic at the same time Celebrity appears to be targeting a younger more narrow demographic.

 

We are Princess cruisers, but want to add another line so we have more options.

 

 

I hate thumping music, but have completed two Celebrity cruises this year (Reflection in Caribbean and Solstice to Hawaii) and have had zero problem with thumping music. Of course love love love the Celebrity no smoking policy.

Edited October 4, 2016 by edgee
spelling

[eandj]

Give HAL a bit more time to rewrite their indoor smoking rules too. One step at a time. ;)

I know from experience, booking a balcony on a HAL ship was a crap shoot.

[Chunky2219]

When they ban ALL indoor smoking and all balcony smoking, then I might re-consider sailing with them. Until then, nope.

DW and I will be on the same track as you. HAL have attractive itineraries and prices aren't bad, but they've always been a no-no because of the smoking. Friends who cruised with them reckoned that the most memorable thing about the voyage was the displeasure with smoke.

 

The Celebrity policy is fine, all you get is the occasional stink on the clothes of someone beside you in the elevator but beyond that, it's a deal breaker.

 

 

.

Edited October 4, 2016 by Chunky2219
typo

[4774Papa]

DW and I will be on the same track as you. HAL have attractive itineraries and prices aren't bad, but they've always been a no-no because of the smoking. Friends who cruised with them reckoned that the most memorable thing about the voyage was the displeasure with smoke.

 

The Celebrity policy is fine, all you get is the occasional stink on the clothes of someone beside you in the elevator but beyond that, it's a deal breaker.

 

 

.

 

We were on the TWT at Denali, Alaska with about 45 people from a HAL post cruise tour. We smelled the tobacco on their clothes when they came on the bus. We couldn't open the window unless the bus stopped.

[keithm]

HAL announced several days ago that it will ban smoking on balconies on most ships starting in January, two others to follow later in 2017:

 

http://f.e.hollandamerica.com/i/41/1010169812/Smoking_Policy.pdf

 

I realize this is the Celebrity board, but this news so far doesn't seem to have had much pickup. Celebrity has a great no-smoking policy, and I thought readers here might find this news of interest.

Banning smoking everywhere in the ship(including casino)is the only way I'd consider the line. We found a surprising amount of smokers on the Regal Princess. They had 2 rear decks to smoke on, which they did vigorously. Also quite a bit of smoking in the casino.

[keithm]

 

This is excellent news. DH and I have been considering Celebrity for a long time, but we're concerned about the thumping music. Celebrity has clearly been trying to shed older cruisers for years. I'm not sure that we are the age demographic Celebrity wants and I'd hate to feel unwelcome.

 

Meanwhile HAL offers some really nice itineraries, but the smoking policy was always a deal breaker. Now, it appears HAL is trying to be more inclusive and reach out to a broad diverse demographic at the same time Celebrity appears to be targeting a younger more narrow demographic.

 

We are Princess cruisers, but want to add another line so we have more options.

Try the Celebrity Eclipse during it's 14 day Caribbean cruises. We've found the food to be very good/excellent & the pax to be more mature(which we prefer)I'm 62. My spouse 54. So I feel we're still somewhat young in comparison to the regular pax. We also found many of the pax on the Regal Princess to be quite a bit older than us. Trying to shed "older" pax can backfire, as the younger pax eventually become older pax, right?

[Charles4515]

Banning smoking everywhere in the ship(including casino)is the only way I'd consider the line. We found a surprising amount of smokers on the Regal Princess. They had 2 rear decks to smoke on, which they did vigorously. Also quite a bit of smoking in the casino.

 

HAL is getting there. The only indoor smoking now is the casino and on two ships already they don't allow smoking in the casino with more casinos due to be non smoking after their redo's.