When Is Hal Going To...

[usha]

A little activism goes a long way.

Ask Celebrity.

[pipedreams62]

We're turning the corner?

 

[English_in_Spain]

Why can't they have balconies on port side smoking and starboard non-smoking like they do on deck. That way everyone is happy.

 

I don't object to there being a smoking area as long as we all know where it is.

[Vic The Parrot]

I seldom see this poster post about anything else .. but it doesn't seem to matter where on the boards there is a smoking thread .. we do find the OP.

 

 

 

 

I've noticed the same thing. Guess the OP had another boring night on her hands. :rolleyes:

[cruisinbulldog]

I thought this would be a good thread to advertise for pax looking to join a group cruise I've been organizing..

 

The Fine Cigar and Single Malt Cruise...

 

Was thinking 2/01/09 sailing of the Westerdam to the southern caribbean would be attractive..:D ;)

 

Bulldog

[Vic The Parrot]

I thought this would be a good thread to advertise for pax looking to join a group cruise I've been organizing..

 

The Fine Cigar and Single Malt Cruise...

 

Was thinking 2/01/09 sailing of the Westerdam to the southern caribbean would be attractive..:D ;)

 

Bulldog

 

 

 

Dude!

 

 

Sign me up!! :D ;)

[kryos]

If the smoking issue is that much of a big deal for you, it's time for you all to look at some of the cruiselines that are truly smoke free.:cool:

This one has been hashed over enough IMHO!:o

AMEN!

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

Why can't they have balconies on port side smoking and starboard non-smoking like they do on deck. That way everyone is happy.

 

And then what happens if the smoking side sells out, but the non-smoking side doesn't? Chances are smokers won't book on the non-smoking side. So, either HAL would have to allow those smoking passengers to smoke in those technically "non-smoking" cabins, or they would have to sail with them empty.

 

No cruise line is going to do that. It would be an inventory management nightmare.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

There's SOOOOO much more to life (and cruising) than smoking (and smoking threads).

If someone enjoys smoking, part of their wonderful cruise experience is to enjoy a cigarette. There are clearly designated public areas of the ship for that, and as long as smokers restrict themselves to them, I don't see any problem.

 

As for smoking on balconies and in cabins, sadly I'm willing to bet that sometime next year HAL comes out with a new rule prohibiting that. If they've been conducting these surveys about smoking for so long, clearly they are thinking about it. I am realistic enough to realize that the vast majority of people are probably saying they want to see smoking onboard done away with. Well, if at some point in the future HAL is going to prohibit smoking in the cabins and on balconies, they'd have to give a lot of leeway for such a drastic rule change since many people would probably cancel their cruises and would have to be able to do that without penalty.

 

As I said before, I can kinda, sorta understand your beef with balconies ... maybe someone's smoking could take way from another's enjoyment of their balcony ... but for the life of me I can't understand why my smoking in MY cabin, behind closed doors, is anyone's business at all.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Vic The Parrot]

... but for the life of me I can't understand why my smoking in MY cabin, behind closed doors, is anyone's business at all.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

 

 

I agree with you 100% ...

 

There's absolutely no satisfying some people.

[babyher]

I thought this would be a good thread to advertise for pax looking to join a group cruise I've been organizing..

 

The Fine Cigar and Single Malt Cruise...

 

Was thinking 2/01/09 sailing of the Westerdam to the southern caribbean would be attractive..:D ;)

 

Bulldog

 

WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Drinking AND smoking ???????

 

 

Is this a cruise ship or Sodom and Gomorrah?

 

Whats next bobbing your hair and dancing the Hoochie Coo ?

[kryos]

HAL also has the right to change their rules as demand changes...If HAL changes to a more restrictive smoking policy than smokers can go elsewhere...There is more than one cruiseline out there.

And if HAL changes their rules, then I very well might have to do that. No big deal. Believe me, while HAL is certainly a wonderful cruise line, there are plenty of others out there. Won't be that great a loss.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

HAL would be even more wonderful if they updated their smoking policy.

And screwed over every smoker who has enjoyed HAL ships, right? But I guess that's okay ... as long as you have the perfect cruise, right?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Vic The Parrot]

And if HAL changes their rules, then I very well might have to do that. No big deal. Believe me, while HAL is certainly a wonderful cruise line, there are plenty of others out there. Won't be that great a loss.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

 

 

 

and better lines ... ;)

[DesertDogs]

"Jeans in the Dining Room" "Crocs" "Smuggling Alcohol" "Chair Hogs".......what other hot topics am I forgetting, guys ??? :D gg

 

What is the issue with "Crocs"?? I have not seen that one. Care to elaborate? Perhaps we could expand the thread to an anti-smoking/anti-crocs thread! :eek:

[tdcruisers]

Don't worry ... it may be a big issue on the BOARDS, but it's really not that big of an issue aboard ship. :)

 

There are a couple of lounges where smoking is permitted (the Sports Bar and the Bar area of the Ocean Bar/Lounge). The casino has smoking and non-smoking nights. Apart from this, the places where one is permitted to smoke are highly limited aboard ship.

 

I was NOT concerned about smoking until I read these Posts...I didn't even think about it...I am an X-smoker...We (x-smokers) have transformed ourselves into the most intense (IMHO) smoking critics!!! LOL :eek: (I think it's a defense mechanism ;) ) When I was a smoker...My co-workers used to spray me with "FABREES" when I came back in from my smoke...I can honestly say..that I did not enjoy smoking much of the time that I was a smoker..BUT I was hooked.. Had a MONKEY on my back... I was as considerate as one can be with a thing like smoke..that roams where it will......But ALAS....:cool: SMOKE SMELLS....in my hair... on my clothes...in the closet...anywhere I would light up my Marlboro 100's...ahhhh memories:D ....I am glad to be a non-smoker... I wish that everyone that wants to quit...was able to do it..

It has been 6 years for me smoke free I am proud of that...I hope that smoking is really NOT an issue...we do have a balcony & this is the first time we have ever had a balcony...I know we can avoid smoke in public places...so I hope that we are able to use our Veranda without smoke...But if we are unfortunate enough to have a smoker next door...well they are entitled..IMHO I would guess that they wish they could quit....Should we bring those masks that fireman use when they are fire fighting??? Dee ;)

[Oceans&Rivers]

Celebrity is wonderful. HAL is wonderful, too.

HAL would be even more wonderful if they updated their smoking policy.

 

I agree with you, Usha. It is most unfortunate that this topic, which is really a very important one to be discussed, is attacked by what appears to be a gang of immature people who fear that even the discussion of this issue is going to harm them in some way. All they need to do is pass on by and go to another topic, and if they cannot, then each of their inane cartoons, etc. ought to be eradicated by Cruise Critic hosts and let everyone discuss the issue pro and con. I want to hear thoughtful comments by smokers as well as non-smokers.

 

The disruptive antics of the rabid smoking gang here really smacks of censorship, and the attempt to drive away discussion does not help their cause in the long run, though in the short run they often get threads closed down. More people read these smoking threads than post to them, some out of fear they will be flamed. I know that the numbers are with non-smokers and we will prevail. Unfortunately, for some cruiselines, their lack of providing smoke-free environments in a timely manner will drive non-smokers to other lines. And there are so many more of us.

 

Brave people will start new threads and others will support them. I hope that my small support of what you have posted helps in some way to assuage the discomfort others are targeting in your direction and in the direction of others who post wanting similar changes to smoking policies.

[Bramcruiser]

God. Is this still going. Let's face it. A certain group of people believe they are the majority and the world goes their way or else...........I am a non-smoker and bit my tongue far too long. I live with a smoker and I tolerate it. We all know the health issues. We all know that some are more sensitive than others. But the militancy of do-gooders is what offends me more than the message they try to convey. The world revolves around no one..... I think most smokers are considerate of others and vice-versa. HAL will eventually make its own rules as to smoking and most of us will obey but until then I don't think what anyone do on their balconies is anyone else's business if its within the rules.

 

I am also concerned that someone here wrote that this was the 4th message posted by the same person in 4 months. What is this accomplishing? We seem to be chasing our tails and I silly enough to be participating. Hope that this thread gets removed.

 

We do seem to constantly beat dead horses on Cruise Critic.

 

David

A non-smoker finding himself defending smokers and most "minorities"?

[cruisecrasy]

A little activism goes a long way.

Ask Celebrity.

 

Please ignore some of the posters - Poor souls, guess they have nothing better to do except be rude, silly & even to lecture which is insulting.

 

CC is for everyone to post not just for those who approve of the subject/timing/style etc u wish to post, no matter how many times u wish to post it. Have you forgotten - 'I may not approve of what u say but I will defend to the death your right to say it'? Its called 'Free Speech' and I do not recall it being rescinded as yet!

 

Those of whom do not approve cld simply ignore it and go elsewhere and make welcome, helpful suggestions and let those with more rational helpful comments/suggestions respond instead..

Ah well - whatever - must make their days more meaningful or something else perhaps like egos get involved, hmmm?

U said it well Oceans&Rivers...

 

HAL is reading the threads and times are a-changing folks whether any of us like it or not..Ultimately, it is all based on a profit margin...

 

Have happy cruisin' all!

[RevNeal]

God ... not this again!!

 

Like the Bucket Woman ... some things never change.

[RevNeal]

Not true or at least not true on my last three cruises. I have overheard a number of people complain about the smoke on each of these cruises. I have also observed people seated in non-smoking areas and moving because of the quantity of smoke coming from the smoking area. On at least a couple of occasions, smokers sat in the smoking area and blew smoke rings into the non-smoking portions of the Crows Nest. Both times the Crows Nest was crowded or fairly crowded.

 

Hmmm ... ok ... well ... my personal experience is that it's not a big issue aboard ship. Clearly, it has been for you and for some others.

[Vic The Parrot]

Like the Bucket Woman ... some things never change.

 

 

 

 

And don't forget ... it's pronounced Boo-KAY ;)

[Oceans&Rivers]

As I said before, I can kinda, sorta understand your beef with balconies ... maybe someone's smoking could take way from another's enjoyment of their balcony ... but for the life of me I can't understand why my smoking in MY cabin, behind closed doors, is anyone's business at all.

 

This is an example of a comment which I think makes a positive contribution to the discussion between smokers and non-smokers.

 

Personally, we enjoy balconies and want to be able to book them and enjoy what we paid for, and it's true that if you smoke in your cabin (cigarettes only, right, I hope we can agree on that), keep your cabin door closed (and don't try to air it out into the hallway), then I am not harmed by the odor or fumes of your cigarette smoke, during that voyage.

 

However, your smoke still remains in the cabin's soft furnishings and that is usually difficult for people who are bothered by smoke or the odor of smoke. Therefore, if there are going to be some cabins which are allowed to remain OK for smoking, then those cabins should be set aside as "smoking permitted" cabins, with the vast majority of cabins "smoking not allowed" just as is done in the hotels which still permit smoking in some rooms.

 

I will agree with you on one point. If I were forced to choose, then I would choose to have a smoke-free balcony rather than a smoke-free cabin, because if worst comes to worst, I ought to be able to insist on a more thorough cleaning of my cabin if I happen to be unlucky enough (as has happened in the past) to book a cabin that has been inhabited by a heavy smoker.

[cruisecrasy]

This is an example of a comment which I think makes a positive contribution to the discussion between smokers and non-smokers.

 

Personally, we enjoy balconies and want to be able to book them and enjoy what we paid for, and it's true that if you smoke in your cabin (cigarettes only, right, I hope we can agree on that), keep your cabin door closed (and don't try to air it out into the hallway), then I am not harmed by the odor or fumes of your cigarette smoke, during that voyage.

 

However, your smoke still remains in the cabin's soft furnishings and that is usually difficult for people who are bothered by smoke or the odor of smoke. Therefore, if there are going to be some cabins which are allowed to remain OK for smoking, then those cabins should be set aside as "smoking permitted" cabins, with the vast majority of cabins "smoking not allowed" just as is done in the hotels which still permit smoking in some rooms.

 

I will agree with you on one point. If I were forced to choose, then I would choose to have a smoke-free balcony rather than a smoke-free cabin, because if worst comes to worst, I ought to be able to insist on a more thorough cleaning of my cabin if I happen to be unlucky enough (as has happened in the past) to book a cabin that has been inhabited by a heavy smoker.

 

Your postings keep 'nailin' it and I for one anyway, find them most rational, logical & engaging..

 

Have happy cruisin'!

[gg3]

What is the issue with "Crocs"?? I have not seen that one. Care to elaborate? Perhaps we could expand the thread to an anti-smoking/anti-crocs thread! :eek:

 

On the "Fashions" board.....there are often ongoing "conversations" re: lovin' or hatin' Crocs.....you know the wonderful, most comfy shoe in the world.......guess what stand I take :D gg

My comment went to the fact that there are some issues in life....politics, religion, etc. that we will never all agree on and which when "discussed" often leads to angry sentiments on BOTH sides. This is how I feel about the smoking issue, jeans in the dining room, smuggled alcohol....and yes, even my beloved Crocs. There are such strong feelings attached to some issues.......that in every thread started about these subjects......some folks get a little heated up, sometimes off track, and I have to agree with the cartoon the thread is like "beating a dead horse". Does this mean these threads should not be started.....to each his own.......just recognize what you will be in for when you debate controversial subjects........everyone has an opinion. gb