Here's another angle:

I think this is a business decision forced upon Regent by its insurance carrier. With the fire on Carnival and resulting claims, I'm sure the insurance providers (and there's probably just a few of them insuring ships) have required this smoking change as policies come due. Either they are demanding the smoking changes or are offering an alternative policy allowing smoking in cabins at a much higher premium that an already high-priced line like Regent can't afford (not much wiggle room in their cruise fares compared to lower priced cruise lines). I don't care where ships are registered, etc.; there is always a way to sue. You won't see the cruise lines blaming the insurance industry in fear of losing their policies altogether.

And, whatever the cause of the next big ship disaster, rules and rights on the ship will change again. Welcome to business in 2007.