TORONTO – Smokers just can’t catch a break these days. Holland America Line is the latest major cruise line to ban smoking on all cabin balconies, effective January 2017.
According to a news release, “No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah.” The release went on to state that “smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes is already not permitted in any stateroom” and that the new policy has been announced to “better align with guest wishes and health concerns.”
Holland America’s no-smoking-on-balconies ban will roll out fleetwide over five months on a staggered schedule:
- Jan. 2 – Maasdam and Rotterdam
- Jan. 3 – Volendam
- Jan. 4 – Veendam, Zuiderdam and Noordam
- Jan. 6 – Nieuw Amsterdam
- Jan. 7 – Eurodam and Westerdam
- Jan. 8 – Koningsdam
- Jan. 10 – Zaandam
- Jan. 13 – Oosterdam
- April 26 – Amsterdam
- May 6 – Prinsendam
Cruise Critic reports that E-cigarettes and vaping devices are allowed in designated smoking areas as well as inside passenger staterooms (except on balconies). Smoking-designated areas for active slot players will be located in all casinos except Oosterdam and Eurodam, which have entirely smoke-free casinos.
Those who disobey the new ban face a cleaning fee of US$250 per day of violation, and risk being removed from the ship for repeated violations.
The last cruise line to enforce a similar smoking ban was Norwegian Cruise Line in November 2014.
