Will eliminate smoking

HAL was the last sizeable cruise line based in North America to still allow the practice. It said it was making the change “to better align with guest wishes and health concerns.”

Most other cruise lines banned smoking on balconies in the last few years.

Enforcement will begin on the Rotterdam and Maasdam on Jan. 2 and will be rolled out on most other ships the first two weeks in January. The policy will take effect on the Amsterdam on April 26 and on the Prinsendam May 6, HAL said.

All HAL ships will continue to have outdoor public areas where smoking is permitted. In addition, smoking is allowed indoors in the Oak Room on the Noordam, and in ship casinos in designated areas where slot machines are being played, with the exception of the Oosterdam and Eurodam.