Howard,
I'm happy things worked out for you for your future cruises.....I'm happy I was able to meet you on the World Cruise.

Since returning from Rome, I've talked to 3 friends we've met on World Cruises (none are LCTers) who are canceling the 2008 WC :mecry: . This saddens me as so much of the good times is being with friends. One lady who called me today really blew me away. Unbeknownst to anyone, she and her husband of almost 47 years are "closet" smokers! They have done this all their lives limiting themselves to only 3 cigarettes per day on their balcony...2 with morning coffee and one just before bedtime. She said that NO ONE knew this except their room stewardess (and now I'm sworn to secrecy) and they've been on every Radisson/Regent WC since they started on the Navigator (I think 2002). She mentioned that the only time that they do smoke is when they're in their pajamas. As she said, for those that smoke in the Connoisseur Room, Voyager Lounge, casino, etc. at least they're dressed!

As everyone probably agrees, in time no smoking on balconies will likely occur through out the cruise industry due to the Princess fire. Many of us are just sorry that Regent had to jump the gun and be one of the first to implement this. I would have preferred Mark Conroy's idea of trying to segregate smokers from non-smokers with blocks of smoking-allowed suites on the World Cruise (where they know upfront from a questionnaire who smokes and who doesn't). Regent could have tried this for 6 months or so to see if this was a viable solution or not.

There is no excuse to disturb the comfort of passengers with a faulty ventilation system where smoke can go from one suite into a neighboring suite. That is just not acceptable. On the other hand, I do understand why some passengers who are on a ship for 4 months and do consider it home (for the price of the WC you could buy a home in parts of the USA) would like to be able to smoke in the privacy of their "home".

Many have always felt that the biggest problem is in the VL and I agree. Something should be done to fix that problem so it can be enjoyed by everyone.

Sorry to have rambled, just joining in this thread with my own opinions. I guess time will tell if Regent made a good decision or not.