You’ve Got To Be Smoking?

It has just been announced this week as from January 2017 that Holland American Line will ban smoking on it’s balcony staterooms. The Seattle based cruise line is the last of the major US lines to allow smoking on balconies but has finally joined its competition in rolling out the same ban.

There will be still several designated areas where smokers can still light up on Holland American Line. These will mainly be permitted only on the starboard side of the Sea View Pool and Bar (port side on Koningsdam and Prinsendam). The Sports Deck forward and starboard side of the Crow’s Nest (aft on Maasdam, Veendam, Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam). In the Oak Room on Noordam, and the Sun Bar on Koningsdam. There also will be smoking-designated areas for active slot players in all casinos except on Oosterdam and Eurodam, which have entirely smoke-free casinos. however E-cigarettes and vaping devices will still be allowed for use inside the cabins.

A spokesman for Holland American line stated it was to ‘better align with guest wishes and health concerns’ however E-cigarettes and vaping devices will still be allowed for use inside the cabins. Anyone found smoking on their balcony will be fined $250, with repeat offenders being  at risk and being booted of the ship. Which could turn out be a very expensive cigarette!

So the question is will this stop people travelling with Holland American Line because they can’t smoke on their balcony? I don’t think so, you go on a cruise because of the itinerary or the ship itself – don’t you? . Looking around all the cruise lines in the world there will be only a few who will permit smoking on balconies from 2017, they are Costa Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line and Saga.

Being a non-smoker it doesn’t effect me at all. At the end of the day i feel there is enough designated areas to light up not just outside on the deck areas, but with some cruise lines they offer areas in casinos and nightclubs, with even speciality cigar bars on some cruise ships.

What do you think? – Do you pick your cruise dependant where you can smoke, or is it the ship and itinerary that is more important to you?