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Passengers Convince Cruise Line to Go Smokefree

By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 25, 2007

Starting in January, smoking will be banned in virtually all areas aboard Liberty of the Seas and its sister Royal Caribbean ship Freedom of the Seas, which shares the No. 1 size title.

According to the cruise line, the new policy is a product of heavy popular demand.

"Feedback from our guests was a driving force behind our new Vitality program and focus on wellness," said Alice Norsworthy, Royal Caribbean’s senior vice president for marketing.

She said online passenger polls, plus input from all of the line’s international offices, produced the decision to make all staterooms plus one lounge area per ship smokefree in 2008.

Restaurants, entertainment areas, and most other public areas, including hallways and corridors, are already no-smoking zones on Royal Caribbean vessels.

The new policy is part of the Vitality wellness program just introduced on Liberty of the Seas. That program promotes healthier lifestyle choices, such as fitness classes and improved menu selections, for cruise passengers. New onboard and land-based activities are also suggested.

Banning smoking was a no-brainer, according to Royal Caribbean officials, although the new policy will be implemented gradually. Smokers will still be able to puff away on three of the line’s 21 ships – Legend of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas – until next summer.

Smoking rules are serious business to Royal Caribbean, which slaps violators with extra cleaning charges. The line’s Guest Conduct Policy is posted online and in every one of its ships’ staterooms.

Guests will be still be allowed to smoke in limited designated areas, most of them outside.

Norsworthy predicted the changes "will significantly improve the cruise vacation experience for our guests."

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