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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
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