Carnival Cruise Line was the first to try a “smoke free” cruise ship but unfortunately the idea was eventually scrapped. Perhaps the timing was wrong. Is the timing any better now that more people are realizing the effects of smoking and second hand smoke? Even cities and counties are putting smoking bans into place. Being a non smoker, and, having had a heavy smoker next door the first time I was able to finally book a balcony cabin, I’m all for smoking bans on ships-especially on balconies!
Enclosed is a letter sent from Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas to travel agents.
Dear Traveler ,
The issue of smoking on board cruise ships has become quite a hot topic in our industry. And while Regent Seven Seas Cruises is respectful of the lifestyle choices of our guests and will always give smokers a warm welcome, we also recognize the need to restrict where smoking is permitted so as not to cause discomfort to, or provide a health or safety hazard for, the majority of our guests who do not smoke. In light of continuing legislative changes in smoking policies around the world as well as the health and safety issues involved, RSSC will be changing our smoking policy in suites, staterooms and on private balconies. Not only does smoking present a fire hazard, but it is also an inconvenience to other guests as the smoke, or its odor, invades surrounding suites, balconies and public areas, creating discomfort for the guests in these areas. Smoking will therefore be prohibited in all suites, staterooms and balconies fleet-wide.
This change will take effect on the following dates:
* Seven Seas Voyager: December 21, 2007
* Seven Seas Mariner: December 21, 2007
* Seven Seas Navigator: December 27, 2007
* Paul Gauguin: December 29, 2007
Failure to comply with this ban will result in guests being asked to leave the ship at their expense, without refund or credit for the unused portion of their cruise. This decision was made after much deliberation, and we would appreciate your assistance in communicating our new policy to your clients. Partners with clients booked on voyages after the policy takes effect will receive additional communications from Regent later this month. To view our entire smoking policy, including a detailed list of public rooms/areas where guests can smoke, please click here. Thank you for your support of Regent Seven Seas. We look forward to continuing to welcome your clients aboard our ships and providing them with The Regent ExperienceSM.
Kind Regards,
Mark S. Conroy
President, Regent
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Smoking Policy
While we will always give smokers a warm welcome on our ships, we also recognize the need to restrict where smoking is permitted so as not to cause discomfort to, or provide a health or safety hazard for, the majority of our guests who do not smoke. Cigarette smoking is not permitted in any enclosed dining areas, whether it be the ships’ main dining rooms or the alternate dining venues. Cigarette smoking is only permitted in designated areas of the outdoor Pool Grills. Other than open deck areas, the following are the only public rooms or areas where cigarette smoking is now permitted:
Seven Seas Voyager: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Voyager Lounge (designated area), Horizon Lounge (outside area only), Pool Bar
Seven Seas Mariner: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Horizon Lounge (outside area only), Stars Nightclub (designated area), Pool Bar
Seven Seas Navigator: Connoisseur Club, Casino, Stars Lounge (designated area), Galileo¿s (outside area only), Pool Bar
Paul Gauguin: La Palette (outside area only), Le Grill (designated area), Pool Bar Pipe smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club aboard Seven Seas Voyager, Mariner and Navigator. Pipe smoking in open deck areas is considered an extreme fire hazard and is not permitted. Cigar smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club aboard Seven Seas Voyager, Mariner and Navigator, and in the designated area of the Pool Bar area aboard all four vessels.
Update as of July 5, 2007:
In light of continuing legislative changes in smoking policies around the world as well as the comfort, health and safety of our guests and crew, both in terms of the proven dangers of second hand smoke and the fire hazard that smoking presents, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be changing our policy of smoking in staterooms, suites and on private balconies. Not only does smoking present a fire hazard, but it is also an inconvenience to other guests as the smoke, or its odor, invades surrounding suites, balconies and public areas, creating discomfort for the guests in these areas. Smoking will therefore be prohibited in all staterooms, suites and balconies fleet-wide.
This change will take effect on the following dates:
Seven Seas Voyager: December 21, 2007
Seven Seas Mariner: December 21, 2007
Seven Seas Navigator: December 27, 2007
Paul Gauguin: December 29, 2007
Failure to comply with this ban will result in guests being asked to leave the ship at their expense, without refund or credit for the unused portion of their cruise.
Well done Regent for putting a no smoking policy on your ships. I am sure it will be appreciated by many of your passengers. I, for one, am very grateful to you. You really are keeping in the high standards one expects of Regent
Six in our family just returned from our Holland America Alaska cruise. Unfortunately we were adjscent to several smokers(cigars included) in our stateroom. We paid dearly to have a balcony, and yet each time we went outside, the adjoining passengers were also outside smoking and the stench was so repulsive we had to withdraw to our rooms. I had already contacted the main desk of the ship to see about an upgrade, but their response was that the ship was 100% full…..no other room available. I did not address the smoking problem since they had the day prior informed me of the 100% booking. The President’s office of Holland America was less then considerate of even eluded that we were lying about having smokers around our stateroom. We are dissapointed in the fact that Holland America would position non-smokers around smokers when they know we use the balconies.
Hi Patricia,
Thanks so much for your comment. I was disappointed to hear about your experience with Holland American since they are (or were) my favorite line.
Is. Nieuw ststemdam a smoke free, we have booked a handicapped room