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New Smoking Policy Onboard Royal Caribbean Ships Mirrors Growing Trend Towards Smoke-Free Environment
MIAMI, July 23, 2007 - In time to help guests set their New Year’s resolutions for a healthier lifestyle, Royal Caribbean International announces a new smoking policy onboard its ships, effective January 2008. To bolster the cruise line’s new Vitality wellness program, recently debuted on Liberty of the Seas - the newest vessel to share the title of the world’s largest cruise ship with sister-ship, Freedom of the Seas - Royal Caribbean is increasing smoke-free zones by designating all staterooms and one lounge on each ship in its fleet as non-smoking areas. The new policy will go into effect aboard 18 of the line’s 21 ships initially, with Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas following suit with the 2008 summer season.
“Feedback from our guests was a driving force behind the new Vitality program and our focus on wellness,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Results from online polls as well as input from all of our international offices worldwide, show very strong support of the new smoking policy. These changes reflect a more contemporary approach to healthier lifestyles and will significantly improve the cruise vacation experience for our guests.”
Currently, smoking is prohibited in guest hallways and corridors, restaurants, entertainment venues and most of the ship’s interior public spaces except for designated areas in bars and lounges. The new policy will add all guest staterooms and suites, and one bar or lounge on every Royal Caribbean ship onto the roster of smoke-free spaces. Guests wishing to smoke may still do so from starboard outer decks, in designated areas in bars and lounges, and on stateroom and suite balconies. Ashtrays are available in designated smoking areas or by request through stateroom attendants. Violations of the smoking policy will result in cleaning charges to the guest’s onboard account and may also be addressed through the line’s Guest Conduct Policy, details of which are available both online and in all staterooms.
Royal Caribbean’s Vitality wellness program was designed to encourage and introduce ways for guests to achieve a better balance in their lives. The program presents healthier lifestyle choices across every aspect of the cruise experience, including fitness classes and spa treatments, onboard and land-based activities, shore excursions, and healthful drinks and food selections. Guests have the choice to try one or two elements or enjoy the total Vitality wellness experience to begin a more balanced approach to healthier living.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and three under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and New Zealand through its cruisetour division.
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If “vitality wellness” is the goal, alcohol should be barred as well. The atmosphere on cruises is often conducive to over-indulgence. I also think (although I have no independent evidence)that drinking encourages the urge to smoke. Taking a cruise to improve one’s health is an excellent concept — then even if the ship should founder and sink (with global warming there’s no telling where one might encounter an ice-berg),all the bodies that are recovered would be in great shape!
Hi Willis,
Thanks for your contribution…Smoking and Drinking… both evil twins but both affect the body differently….Most people agree that smoking cigarettes is never healthy, and that second hand smoke is also harmful, if not just annoying…
Drinking Alcohol in moderation has been shown to have many health benefits, while over indulging can put the body and mind through the ravages of alcoholism. A former alcoholic, who was still smoking once put it this way…”Well atleast you are in your right mind when you are smoking.”
When it really comes down to the decision of a cruise line to limit smoking areas, and not drinking, the “vitality” explanation, is probably a nice way of saying that more and more passengers prefer a smoke fee environment. And as for alcohol, the cruise lines would never eliminate a profit generating resource that is in such high demand.
I just posted some more thoughts on the subject fof smoking on the home page of our site.
Thank you for the prompt reply. I confess that at least the end of my comment was “tongue in cheek.” Why anyone would pick a cruise to develop a healthy regimen escapes me –it should be the opposite –routines should be broken. As any honest health provider will state: the stress involved in not eating what you desire (in reasonable moderation)is more harmful than taking the healthy alternative. I’m no stranger to sailing: I’ve cruised and crossed in QE2 43 times,the horrible looking QM2 five times and I’ve also crossed in that paragon of self- indulgence the SS France.I don’t smoke cigarettes, but my wife does; I don’t doubt they are harmful. However, I don’t believe every disease known to man has as a risk factor smoking. I grew up in the age of smoking –when physicians used cigarettes and also gave them out; when the military that won WW2 was a smoking military ( the last war we won against a major opponent); and the theatre and print ads abounded with cigarette advertising.Never once did I or my mother (as she informed me frequently)think it was good. But, the point to be made is that the momentum has swung too far. Smokers are not evil and their needs should be accomodated on a separate but non-restrictive basis. I believe you’ll find that most who object simply want to beat up on somebody. Elsewise, some radical physical change has been wrought between “the greatest generation (which smoked)” and what appears to be a whimp generation.As for alcohol and smoking, as a philosophical matter, most who die from smoking generally live into their 60s or 70s which if not the best length, is respectable. But for young teenagers returning from a prom and who are killed and mutilated when their auto is struck by one driven by a drunk driver, now that’s a tragedy. We spend too much time trying to live for ever, and a cruise ship SHOULD be the last place where such an attempt is made. Regards
PS:If you want something to really be concerned about look at Cunard’s outrageous practice of charging double fare in P&Q grades for single occupancy. This is understandable, greedy but understandable. But what is insidious is that Cunard (only a brand name now; the operating sub is Princess) sneaks in a double charge for insurance??? Mind you, I’m all for Cunard as I have a financial interest in CCL, but people get indicted for that sort of trick in other fields of endeavor.The insurance is a good one, but I’m sure if called upon, it won’t pay twice. Travel agents, if they even know, won’t point it out as their commission is based upon the gross fare - wherein the charge is, shall we say, hidden.