Richard, we took our first cruise in the Spring of 2000 on NCL. We booked just 5 weeks prior to sailing for a price so low that we could not pass it up. We only had a guarentee reservation so we did end up on the port side which was their designated smoking side. The room had a stale odor but was tolerable. Sometime later that year NCL went to free style dining. At the time we went they still had early and late seating. I don't know if they kept their designated smoking side when they made other changes.

Our next cruise was the Mariner to Alaska in June 2001. Then we were ready to book Renaissance in FP shortly before they went out of business. We were attracted to their no-smoking policy since we are not smokers and are bothered by second hand smoke. We have a smoke free home but when out in public we try to be considerate of smokers and just move if necessary to be upwind of their smoke, but sometimes that is difficult to do.

We've been fortunate enough to be on the PG twice and hope to sail Regent again. I feel bad for our good friends on LCT that are negitively impacted by the restrictions that will go into effect the last weeks of 2007. For those of you who are trying to kick the habit, I wish you success. For those who will be going over to other cruise lines I wish you happy sailing. I do hope that Regent makes it though any business downturn this may cause them.