Well, if it wasn't for the fire hazard, I'd say it made sense to allow smoking on balconies. I've never been bothered by smoke on a balcony next to me, but then other people have I guess.

Notice that they're not going to throw people off the ship or anything, just charge them extra.

Wow, K - now RCI. Wonder who will be next?

At least RCI is being honest (sort of) regarding the change in the smoking policy. They say it's about "wellness", but the penalty says it's really about saving money by not having to double or triple clean staterooms after a smoker checks out. The new RCI policy pretty much proves the point someone made regarding Regent--that the smoking policy change isn't about safety, it's about cost reduction. If the no-smoking-on-the-balcony policy were about safety, to be consistent they'd have to also quit serving food since the vast majority of fires on ships start in the galley (or the engine room). Don't see that happening. Oh well, even Regent has to make a buck however they can.

Re-reading some of these posts brought a new question to mind. Although I understand the fire risk of someone throwing a cigarette off of their balcony -- why would the danger be less if the same thing was done from an outside smoking area anywhere on the ship?

I'm not suggesting that the entire ship go non-smoking, just wondering if, rather than a fire hazard, it has more to do with the smoke wafting into the neighbor's balcony (note: I am a non-smoker who would love to see a way where both smokers and non-smokers could be accommodated).

I agree with ChatKat - DH and I are betting that the liability carriers are driving this somehow. But how odd then, that RCI will allow smoking on the balconies - lots of conflicting signals.

I don't smoke anymore, so for me the policy would be mostly a plus. But I have to say that on our last cruise we had a balcony next to a very loud group who brought a boom box and played their favorite music for all of us in the general area. I would have much preferred a quiet smoker on that balcony, I can assure you. :)

And I really feel for all of our LCT family members who do smoke and will be negatively impacted by this.

Wow, that wasn't a Regent cruise, was it?

It is interesting that Celebrity has the same "designated smoking rooms" situation that all lines (of which I know) had ten years ago. It worked well then, and I don't know why the lines keep trying to fix something that "ain't broke."

I agree with the post above in the suspicion that insurance carriers are behind this whole thing. If you dig deeply enoungh into any "problem" or controversy, you often will find that insurance carriers are at the bottom of it.

There are a couple of additional aspects that have not been discussed on this general topic.

The first is that since Regent has just "tossed out" about 25% of its client base (the approximate percent of Americans who smoke -- probably higher for Europeans and Asians), Might it be that resulting vacancies on their cruises will bring on more "sepcials", "discounts", and the like?

The second is the question of will this policy change "stick"? It's like the situation where an airline raises it fares on some routes. If its competitors do the same, the increase "sticks". If not the first airline always rolls back the fare increase -- because the laws of supply and demand say it has to do so. I think Regent's competitors are Silversea and Seabourn (though some might disagree with this analysis). If Silversea and Seabourn do not follow Regent into "smoking restriction land", it is my fearless prediction that the restrictions will be short-lived.

Richard, I don't believe that RSSC tossed out 25% of it's client base as the new policy is not NO smoking anywhere. The only thing that is different is smoking in your rooms and on balconies, the rest of the ship is still the same as I haven't seen smoking in Compass Rose in years on my sailings. I will still sail on RSSC, as a smoker or non smoker (which I hope to be some day!)

As not to sound like a broken record (this will be my last posting regarding this subject) the cruises that are most dear to our hearts and we're the most familiar with are the longer cruises such as the World Cruises and South America.

I have received quite a few phone calls from "every year" full World Cruisers who are canceling 2008 and several couples who are still on the fence due to the new policy. As Mark Conroy mentioned, there are more smokers on the World Cruise than on the shorter cruises (older passengers = more time & $$ to cruise).

I've never heard of someone who wanted to go on a full WC say they're going to opt for another cruise line due to the smoking policy that Regent has had in place. They may opt for HAL or Princess' WC due to $$$$ or itinerary but NOT due to Regent's current smoking policy. And in the event there is a person(s) who continually bitches due to the smoking policy and opts to go on a WC on another cruise line....I say "good riddens". If they're bitching about Regent's smoking policy, they're likely bitching about the food, the weather, the service and anything else they can think of. I'd be pleased if they did move on.

What I have heard is fellow cruisers who avoid the Voyager Lounge due to the smoke. That is a major problem that should and could be rectified!

IMO, this new "over the top" policy is being implemented before it's time. I agree with others that insurance carriers are likely behind this decision, I just don't think Regent had to be a front runner at the risk of losing lots and lots of big $$$ from past and proven loyal World Cruisers.

Maybe this new policy will not affect shorter cruises but I know for a fact that it is adversely affecting Regent's longer cruises. Maybe the wait list for the full World Cruise is such that they don't need the loyalty of past World Cruisers???

Only time will tell whether this new decision was necessary or their timing was right.

OK, no more listening to Marcie's opinion!

Marcie I'll listen to your opinion anytime. :D

Thankfully, no. We've never had that problem on Regent. :)

On the insurance aspect, you would think if that is playing into the decision that they would share that fact with folks like those on the WC. It's a shame to lose passengers because of poor communication. While some folks are undoubtedly cancelling solely because of the new policy, I'd bet a number of others who attended those meetings several months ago and received very different signals are feeling misled. It can't help but color how they feel about Regent.

Marcie, your comments make perfect sense to me.

I've avoided posting here except for the one insurance comment. How much more can be said about this topic? I hope we're finished!

Amen.

Does anyone know whether you can still smoke out on the veranda at La Veranda? The blurb on smoking areas re Voyager is a bit ambiguous in that regard. I'm usually the only one out there for the first half hour or so after La Veranda opens for breakfast. Sure do enjoy my coffee and a cigarette before/after eating out there while watching the world go by.

Marcie, I very much value your opinion!

Nancy

I really wouldn't count on any specials & discounts due to a mass exodus of smokers.

The whole cruise industry will eventually come full circle. Smokers will leave Regent for other luxury lines that have a less restrictive smoking policy. Non-smokers will then be forced to leave those lines beacuse the smokers will have become the majority. Regent will gain customers.

And although 23% of Americans smoke, only 10% are 65 and older, which would be the world cruise client base.

I believe the cruise lines will balance each other out regarding capacity & revenue.

From other items on the internet, it aappears that other lives are following this trend.

This is interesting. Taken from an article at The Telegraph


The UK will soon be experiencing similar; the Merchant Shipping Act is being amended to enforce a smoking ban on ships entering UK waters.

The Act is expected to come into play at the start of 2008 and will probably be policed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (although it's hard to see how). Crucially, it will mean that smoking will be banned in public areas on all ships within 12 miles of a UK arrival or departure point. Whether that includes cabins or not remains to be seen.

Karen,
I would assume from the language in that article 'public areas' that would not include cabins and balconies because they are not public areas. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Lynn

I think such an act will have a really negative affect on commercial shipping around the British Isles. It appears that this will affect all shipping, not just cruise ships.

Sounds great to me...

Bill, you have resurfaced! Why didn't you respond to my last question to you about the smoking issue? http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000241;p=1#000028

I am new to this board but a multiple Raddisson/Regent cruiser. My compliments to all for the articulate and gentile discussion concerning smoking on this cruise line. Other boards degenerate into name calling, threats, etal. My up coming crossing on the Navigator will be my last Regent experience by choice. It is difficult to break a 50 year habit of coffee and a smoke in the comfort of one's stateroom in the early a.m. Fortunately, both SS and Seabourne offer an alternative to those who indulge in this unhealthy, but legal pastime

Ridojar: I understand - and yes 99% of this board is very tolerant about this issue - I know old habits die hard - good luck to you on SS and SB - sorry Regent has lost you -

Welcome to LCT Ridojar. I can easily relate to what you're saying. I too will certainly need to change my morning habit of coffee and a cigarette on the balcony if I want to continue cruising with Regent. Old habits are difficult to break but I'm going to give it a try in April for the crossing from Athens to FLL. We'll see......

It would be difficult to lose all the perks long time Regent cruisers have earned.

About 30 of the gentlemen in our party liked to adjourn in the evening to the deck outside of Galileo's (on the Navigator this year and next year) to enjoy their cigars. I liked to go with them as I love cigar smoke. I wonder if the new policy excludes that deck outside of Galileo's at the stern of the Navigator????
Elena

The policy on the website says these are the only smoking areas on Navigator: "Seven Seas Navigator: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Stars Lounge (designated area), Galileo's (outside area only), Pool Bar"

Sounds like you're covered.

I can confirm through an industry insider (insurance not cruise) that premiums have increased significantly as a result of the recent difficulties experienced by the mass market cruise lines. In addition, re-insurance has also become a tight market which places an added pressure on the premiums paid by the cruiselines. The luxury cruise lines are especially vulnerable because their average passenger demographics are less favorable than those of mass market lines in the event of a true emergency (e.g., evacuation is more difficult, higher likelihood of lethal cardiac events due to stress/smoke inhalation, etc.). So I'd think it's safe to assume that Regent's hand was forced by the rather sudden, changing economics of the travel industry as opposed to not wanting to accomodate longtime customers.

Hi Lawrence - email me

I don't understand Lawrence. If it is a question of pressure re: insurance, especially on luxury lines, why is Regent the only one to change? I am not being a smart-aleck, but, I may be wrong, I haven't heard of any cruise line, luxury or mass market that has changed their position as drastically as Regent has, so why is it not their decision?
Lynn

I don't know why Regent would be the only one to change at this time. All I know is that the insurance landscape has definitely changed. It could very well be that Regent's parent company wants a standard policy across all of its hospitality business units. I think Regent is the only cruiseline that is neither an independent company nor a subsidiary of a shipping/cruising focused company. As a result, its business considerations could be considerably different.

There could also be a different Underwriter, different claims experience rating; Many things go into a policy of that magnitude and the requirements are variable based on who is taking the risk. You can choose to smoke and take the risk on the package, but, Regent has liability and responsibiity for those who embark on their ships. The final liability rests with the management and the insurance carriers.

Lawrence, I am sorry, but I still don't understand the remark about all their properties. I just checked Regent and Carlson Hotels online and their is no press release or mention of going non smoking in rooms. I would just like to truly understand why Regent cruises is the only one doing this. One would think Princess would be the first to jump on board since it was their ship that caught fire and their premiums must have gone sky high after that.
Thanks to anyone who has a definitive explanation for this action.
Lynn

I believe all Radisson hotel rooms are non smoking. If you are caught smoking in the room you incur an additional charge. I believe that is something like $150 for them to clean the room.

Arlene is correct - I don't know if there is an announcement, but we just stayed in a Radisson, and we were talking with the Manager & he did tell us that very recently it became the policy at that hotel to charge guests a fee if they smoke in their rooms. Smoking was not allowed anywhere but in the bar.

Gee, I hate getting back into this but I do have to respond to both Arlene and Gil. I am booked into the Radisson later this year and after reading the above, I called to check it out. I was told that at my hotel "non-smoking" rooms are available and smoking is still allowed at this property. They didn't say whether there were some properties that didn't allow smoking, but I wasn;t interested in those anyway.

Cruise Crazed

Cruise Crazed,

It could very well be that the Radisson USA properties are Non Smoking but elsewhere smoking is allowed. It could also be if you were in a NS room and smoked then you would have the cleaning fee. That is actually standard if you have a NS room in most properties there is a fine.

The hotel I work for is a a non-smoking property. Upon check-in, guests are advised of our non-smoking policy. They are then required to sign an acknowledgement form which states that they have full knowledge of our hotel's smoking policy and will be charged $250 if they smoke in their guestroom or anywhere within the interior of our property. It's surprising to see how many guests smoke in their room, regardless of the ramifications.

Prior to booking any hotel, it's strongly suggested to inquire of that property's smoking policy if you're a smoker.

I would never book a hotel that was non-smoking and I would never take a non-smoking room, even if it were all they had. NEVER. I'd go elswhere. So that doesn't come into it for me.

Chatkat, I have been over Radissons' web site and can find no mention of any smoking restrictions in this country or overseas. Please send a copy of where you got this. Thanks, as I need to know this info if true.

Howard