smoking...

[Scorpiorose]

speaking for myself alone.....I was curious about the comment about the crew smoking because I have NEVER seen crew members on their off hours, smoking or otherwise. I have also never seen any officers.

 

I will be happy when all cruise ships limit smoking to certain areas and not in cabins. That's MHO anyway. But I would never say anything to smokers smoking in a designated area or blame them when I'm on a cruise that allows it. It is annoying to me though, I deal with it and wait for the day it is more limited.

[K2Cruises]

As a smoker, I have often seen crew members outside on the back of the Lido Deck smoking. Yes they certainly try to hide it, cupping it in their hands or moving into a dark corner, but they are doing it. Whenever we see one and notice that they have that deer caught in the headlights look, we try to put them at ease but I guess Holland America has policies against it and they are afraid we might narc on them. Smoke em if you got em!

[LindaJ+]

I was not bothered by smoke at all aboard Oosterdam. Noticed a few people smoking on the outside observation (10th) deck) but the wind took that away quickly. Even the casino did not seem smoky to me ... they had the ventilation system running at full power, I guess.

[PandCAV]

Here in the UK a complete smoking ban in work areas came into force last July. It has been wonderful. One can go to pubs and other indoor places and come home free from smell, not forgetting the unquantifiable health aspect.

I was a smoker for over 20 years, so know how difficult it can be to quit, but I am so pleased the law changed here.

International corporations such as the cruise ship lines are in a dilema whether to continue complete freedom, or chip away at the places when smoking is allowed onboard.

For the record, I would ideally like to see a complete smoking ban on all ships, but realistically, a ban on smoking everywhere inside would be an acceptable compromise.

Everyone accepts a no smoking aircraft, a no smoking bus, a no smoking train - then why not a no smoking cruise ship?

Rant over..... not back to looking forward to my cruise in September.

[sapper1]

Here in the UK a complete smoking ban in work areas came into force last July. It has been wonderful. One can go to pubs and other indoor places and come home free from smell, not forgetting the unquantifiable health aspect.

I was a smoker for over 20 years, so know how difficult it can be to quit, but I am so pleased the law changed here.

International corporations such as the cruise ship lines are in a dilema whether to continue complete freedom, or chip away at the places when smoking is allowed onboard.

For the record, I would ideally like to see a complete smoking ban on all ships, but realistically, a ban on smoking everywhere inside would be an acceptable compromise.

Everyone accepts a no smoking aircraft, a no smoking bus, a no smoking train - then why not a no smoking cruise ship?

Rant over..... not back to looking forward to my cruise in September.

We have a similar ban where I live---workplace, malls, restaurants, bars etc., and I agree it is wonderful. I absolutely detest cigarette smoke but I have never found it to be a problem on a HAL ship. If one avoids the smoking areas, life is good.

Having said that, I think a total ban on a cruise ship would be more of a problem than on trains, planes, busses etc. These only require the smoker to abstain for a few hours which is doable. A cruise is for a much longer period and smokers would be climbing the walls after a few days. It is much better to have a designated area for smokers to congregate than to have a portion of the passengers miserable and not really enjoying their cruise.

[JimS2008]

Political correctness and Big Brother are soon approaching warp speed. Be careful folks for what you wish. Smoking outdoors does not bother me in the least. As for smoking in a private business - well if you own it -- the gov needs to stay out of it. Individual rights are dying unfortuneatly.

[m steve]

are you sure they are smoking tobacco?

[sail7seas]

As a smoker, I have often seen crew members outside on the back of the Lido Deck smoking. Yes they certainly try to hide it, cupping it in their hands or moving into a dark corner, but they are doing it. Whenever we see one and notice that they have that deer caught in the headlights look, we try to put them at ease but I guess Holland America has policies against it and they are afraid we might narc on them. Smoke em if you got em!

 

We live in a state where the law is no smoking in any workplace. Just about everywhere you go is a workplace for someone. We love it. The only times we are now exposed to smoke is when we travel.

 

I wasn't aware HAL had a no smoking for crew anytime/anywhere rule on the ships. Do they?

 

There may be no smoking in certain areas or at certain times rule but if an Officer (or any crew) is in a smoking area and it isn't against HAL work rules, why do you say smoking Officers are trying to hide they are smoking? Why should they? Why would they? It is still a legal substance. Deer in the headlights look?? I don't understand that. What are you saying they are doing wrong?

I have seen Officers smoking in smoking section of Crows Nest and Ocean Bar. So what?!!! I have seeng guests smoking in those areas, as well.

[cruz chic]

We live in a state where the law is no smoking in any workplace. Just about everywhere you go is a workplace for someone. We love it. The only times we are now exposed to smoke is when we travel.

 

I wasn't aware HAL had a no smoking for crew anytime/anywhere rule on the ships. Do they?

 

There may be no smoking in certain areas or at certain times rule but if an Officer (or any crew) is in a smoking area and it isn't against HAL work rules, why do you say smoking Officers are trying to hide they are smoking? Why should they? Why would they? It is still a legal substance. Deer in the headlights look?? I don't understand that. What are you saying they are doing wrong?

I have seen Officers smoking in smoking section of Crows Nest and Ocean Bar. So what?!!! I have seeng guests smoking in those areas, as well.

There is no rule I've heard of that says they can't smoke. I don't think that is realistic. Wonder where people get such notions.

[Boytjie]

Political correctness and Big Brother are soon approaching warp speed. Be careful folks for what you wish. Smoking outdoors does not bother me in the least. As for smoking in a private business - well if you own it -- the gov needs to stay out of it. Individual rights are dying unfortuneatly.

 

Individuals are dying too, unfortuneatly.

[kakalina]

HAL does not have any rules against certain staff members smoking in designated smoking areas. They smoke in the bars and outside. I have seen many casino workers smoking on their breaks in the ocean bar, also shop workers go there as it is closed to their workplace. I have sat with officers smoking in both the CN and the OB.

I have NEVER seen any regular crew smoking in the bars, I mean the Indonesian and Filipino crew members. Once I did see one of the sailors smoking outside while cleaning the aft pool at 5am.

So, they smoke, so do many pax. If smoke bothers you just avoid the smoking areas and you will have no probem.

 

On our last long cruise we were invited to a Q&A with the Captain and the HotMan. They both said one of the reasons smoking won't be banned on HAL ships is that so many of their crew do smoke.

[Scorpiorose]

Being exposed to 2nd had smoke is harmful as we all know, so it's not a matter of taking someone's individual rights away, it's a matter of making sure that ppl who choose to smoke don't harm others (taking away their individual rights to be smoke free).

 

I think it's crazy when ppl bring up the individual rights thing when referring to smoking - we're talking about limiting the where NOT the If someone can smoke.

My questions:

 

Why don't they offer Non smoking cabins like hotels?

Why not limit certain decks, bars, etc....as smoking so ppl can choose?

 

Other industries recognize the need to cater to smokers and non smokers, not sure why the cruise lines are slow in this area.

[DesertDogs]

Being exposed to 2nd had smoke is harmful as we all know, so it's not a matter of taking someone's individual rights away, it's a matter of making sure that ppl who choose to smoke don't harm others (taking away their individual rights to be smoke free).

 

I think it's crazy when ppl bring up the individual rights thing when referring to smoking - we're talking about limiting the where NOT the If someone can smoke.

 

My questions:

 

Why don't they offer Non smoking cabins like hotels?

Why not limit certain decks, bars, etc....as smoking so ppl can choose?

 

Other industries recognize the need to cater to smokers and non smokers, not sure why the cruise lines are slow in this area.

 

As of 1 Oct 08, Celebrity is offering non-smoking cabins, so there are alternatives if you don't like HAL's policy.

[Scorpiorose]

thats good news, however, why should non smokers be limited in the cruise lines, prices, ships......we can coexist! I got a great price on this cruise! The way things are we all have to look for deals, I'd hate to be further limited in cruise lines.....

 

but....as it sounds from the reports here it is somewhat contained and I'm looking forward to trying HAL for the first time!

[DesertDogs]

......we can coexist! I got a great price on this cruise! The way things are we all have to look for deals, I'd hate to be further limited in cruise lines.....

 

but....as it sounds from the reports here it is somewhat contained and I'm looking forward to trying HAL for the first time!

 

Yes, we can coexist! Hope you have a great cruise!! :)

[usha]

Other industries recognize the need to cater to smokers and non smokers, not sure why the cruise lines are slow in this area.

It seem that as long as non-smokers put up with the present lax smoking policies on HAL,

we'll be stuck with them.:(

[sail7seas]

What are you suggesting non-smokers should do?

We already make comments on the end of cruise survey sheets.

We remark to ship's officers when aboard.

Now HAL is conducting a survey which (presumably) will count the percentages of who wants more/less/no smoking permitted.

 

What else is there? :D Picket signs? ;)

:eek: Stop booking cruises is out of the question!

[usha]

I would suggest that non-smokers write letters & emails to request (no, insist on) a more stringent smoking policy, like Celebrity's.

Personally, I'm having some second thoughts about our Westerdam b2b next Feb, knowing that there might be somebody on the next balcony puffing away on cigarattes or cigars (well-within their right, of course:( ). But, had I just booked our cruise on Celebrity, it would be a non-issue because of their new smoking policy that prohibits smoking in cabins & on balconies, and I could just enjoy the fresh sea air.

[Juanita462]

Our TA put smoking instead of non-smoking on our registration on one cruise - we realized what had happened when we saw the ashtray in our room - the room steward wasn't around so we went to the boat drill and thought we would tell him when we got back.

When we returned to the room it was filled with smoke - the air was blue!

Someone sat in there and smoked at least one cigarette - I guess they thought we wouldn't notice if we were smokers. That is the only time we have known of a crew member smoking in a pax cabin.

 

I look forward to when HAL copies Celebrity's smoking policies. Would dearly love a verandah but not if I have to smell cigarette and cigar smoke. whatever happened to pipes? At least they didn't smell as bad as cigars.

[jackdiamond]

I am also a non smoker who is tolerant of those who smoke. Actually, there is paucity in the way of empirical data which would confirm the hypothesis that limited exposure to smoke in an open environment has a deleterious effect upon one's health.

Additionally, I enjoy the smell of a good cigar; and, I mean a good cigar.

[Scorpiorose]

well, just me but I hate the smell equally! Of course I am sensitive to smokers, some of my best friends are smokers, however, they are sensitive to my needs as well and never smoke in my face and only when outside where it wont bother me.

 

Anyway.....from what it says here no need to rebook your B2B, most ppl said they don't smell it or it doesn't bother them. Anyway......let's all be careful to do no harm to others, which includes smoking in a nonsmokers area.

[norcal2]

Since I have never discussed smoking here now is a good time. I would not let someone else's legal decision to smoke or not to smoke ruin my own cruise. As long as smokers pay more for balconies to smoke that works mainly because nothing is perfect and most smokers do not stay on their balcony chain smoking so we may only be talking about a 3 minute span of time a few times a day. Big deal, go inside and come back in 10 minutes or work something out so you each know when the other is outside. The wind will do the hard work. Adults can solve that one. As for enclosed areas: IMO enclosed areas are simply not good areas to allow smoking for obvious reasons. Smokers can step outside easily and smoke with the wind so there is really no need for that.

 

Bottom line is that it is legal and civil adults can't really have every single thing they want any more than demanding children. They tried a smoke free cruise and had to give it up and I assume it is because they could not get enough passengers week in, week out. Someone may remember the line but it escapes me. Cruise lines are first and foremost, a business.

[sail7seas]

Carnival Cruise Line...the ship was Paradise. It sailed smoke free for years.

Some say if they had changed the itinerary once in a while, it may still be sailing smoke free. I have no idea.

[usha]

Carnival Cruise Line...the ship was Paradise. It sailed smoke free for years.

Some say if they had changed the itinerary once in a while, it may still be sailing smoke free. I have no idea.

Also Renaissance, the whole line.

Some of those ships were bought up by Princess & Azamara.

[norcal2]

Carnival Cruise Line...the ship was Paradise. It sailed smoke free for years.

Some say if they had changed the itinerary once in a while, it may still be sailing smoke free. I have no idea.

 

I suspect most of the lines could support one smoke free ship if they really tried. Not changing the ship's itinerary would cause a huge problem for the line. Maybe a line will try it with one of their ships with more destinations rotated. I read that they were just unable to fill the ship but it makes sense now.