Smoking out a cruising controversy
A flurry of rules regarding smoking in cruise ships has fanned a fire of controversy.
“The non-smokers are thrilled, (but) the smokers are very unhappy,” said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Though many clients praise the changes, Mr Conroy says angry smokers have canceled $3 million worth of bookings since July 5, the day Regent announced it would ban smoking in cabins and on balconies, according to USA Today.
The cancellations came despite the fact that smoking still will be allowed in casinos and designated areas of bars.
Regent is just one of several lines changing the smoking rules in the next few months. The cruise lines are getting complaints from both sides: some say the rules aren’t going far enough to discourage smoking.
Royal Caribbean said it would snuff out smoking in cabins (though not on balconies) by January. Norwegian Cruise Line announced it is doing so in all interior public areas except casinos and cigar bars (though not in cabins or on balconies).
More lines are on the verge of announcements.
The flurry of rules comes less than a year after British investigators concluded that a smoldering cigarette was the likely cause of a ship fire last year on the 2,600-passenger Star Princess that killed one passenger and destroyed 79 cabins.
Even before the report, several lines had made changes.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events