Smokers annoyed as Royal Caribbean Cruises International modifies smoking policies

Categories Smokers will be disappointed, and non-smokers will rejoice as Royal Caribbean announces their new smoking policy on board their ships.

Beginning January 1, 2014, smoking will be prohibited in staterooms and on private balconies.  Guests in violation of the stateroom and balcony non-smoking policy may be assessed a $250 stateroom cleaning fee. 

All indoor public spaces will be smoke free, with the exception of the Casino and the Connoisseur Club on Freedom and Voyager class ships, and one designated smoking venue on ships sailing from Chinese homeports. In the Casino, there will be designated smoking and non-smoking areas.   Indoor smoking areas permit tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. Cigars and pipe tobacco can be enjoyed in designated outdoor areas, or in the cigar club on the ships that offer this venue.
     
Outdoor smoking areas will be designated on the starboard side of all ships; with the exception of Oasis-class ships that will allow smoking on the port side of the ships.

Questions have been asked about the use of electronic cigarettes.  Their response is as follows:  "Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), personal vaporizers and similar products should be enjoyed only in designated indoor and outdoor smoking areas."

Some clients are finding that this policy is too extreme and are cancelling their reservations in protest. 

Are these policies extreme, or are they long in coming?  What is your take?  Do you think other cruise lines will follow their example?


SOURCE:  Royal Caribbean International