We’ve recently seen a number of mainstream cruise lines tightening up their smoking policies and last week saw the announcement that luxury line Seabourn had followed suit with a review of its own policy. February 2, 2014, will see the line ban smoking in the passenger cabins of its Seabourn Pride vessel, while there are also plans to ban smoking on some of its balconies, too. Category B suite-dwellers on Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend will no longer be able to smoke on their balconies, a decision the line explains by saying that these are not step-out balconies but sliding doors which are “ineffective in isolating smoke from the suite.”
Seabourn will continue to permit smoking on all balconies on the Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest and in a move which acknowledges the changes within the smoking industry, the use of electronic cigarettes in all suites. After the changes have been implemented next year, the line will continue to offer fleet-wide indoor and outdoor designated smoking areas for passengers.
In the light of these changes, here’s a recap on the stance of the other luxury lines when it comes to smoking.
Azamara Club Cruises
All Azamara’s ships are non-smoking apart from two designated areas on each ship; the starboard forward section of the pool deck and the port aft side section of the Looking Glass Lounge.
Crystal Cruises
The line currently still allows smoking in suites and staterooms but come January 2014, Crystal will ban smoking in all indoor areas on-board its ships, except for in the Connoisseur Club. The main restaurant and entertainment areas all currently operate non-smoking policies.
Oceania Cruises
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on-board Oceania apart from in two areas; the aft port side of Horizons and the starboard forward section of the outdoor pool deck. A scheduled makeover next year will see Regatta, Insignia and Nautica’s Horizons smoking areas covered and fitted with a state-of-the-art air filtration system.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
You can smoke on open decks, at all the pool bars and in the casino. There are designated smoking areas in each ship’s lounge and smoking is also permitted in the Connoisseur Club on Seven Seas Mariner, Navigator and Voyager.
SeaDream Yacht Club
There are no indoor smoking areas on either of SeaDream’s vessels and smoking is only permitted outside on decks 3, 4 and 6.
Silversea Cruises
You’re only permitted to smoke in the Connoisseur’s Corner indoors on Silversea vessels, and only in a number of designated areas outdoors.
By Simon Brotherton
Google