Smokers make a last stand on the high seas

Cruise ships, one of the last bastions of freedom for smokers, are joining the rest of the travel industry in introducing draconian measures to restrict use of the “evil weed”. Ships on the high seas are not subject to the same smoking laws as hotels, restaurants bars and other public places are on land. Nevertheless the winds of change are blowing in favour of non-smokers.

The Cruise line P&O recently changed its policy, designating only one indoor public area for smokers to light up and making the rest of their ships off limits. Another UK based cruise line, Fred Olsen, announced last month that it is kicking the habit in the New Year and will introduce a totally smoke-free environment - at least indoors - on all five of its vessels in early 2009.

Fred Olsen currently allows smoking indoors in certain lounges. Under the new policy, smoking will be banned in all indoor areas but smokers will still be able to light up on cabin balconies and in specially designated areas on open-air decks. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are phasing in no smoking in cabins and a fine of $250 for violators. Other cruise lines that are smoke-free indoors include, Oceania, Peter Deilmann, Disney, SeaDream and Thomson.

Cruise smokers however are refusing to give up quietly and have been mounting what could be the last stand for tobacco and travel. Much of the battle is being fought in the virtual world of travel blogs, forums and reviews. Said editor in chief of cruise news and reviews site, Carolyn Spencer Brown, “This is probably the most hotly debated cruise topic ever – it makes fuel surcharges seem likely a minor irritant.

“Cruisecritic.co.uk has been inundated with e-mails and postings from both the pro and anti groups. Tempers are running high the tone is often passionate if not strident and vicious. Some people even insist on remaining anonymous for fear of receiving threats.

The debate is not just about restrictions but the degree. One of the major battles is being fought on ships’ balconies. The pro smoking lobby argue that smokers often pay extra for a balcony especially if smoking is banned in the cabin. The anti lobby however objects to smoke and ash being blown on to their balconies.

Many of the complaints by smokers are about a lack of consistency in policy and consideration their comforts. Spencer Brown continued, “For example it has been pointed out that on some ships smoking is prohibited in all public areas except the casinos. Smoking may be considered a social habit and one to be enjoyed with a drink but it is banned in all bars on some ships. Some of our smoking readers complain about being treated like pariahs and being relegated to a windy corner of the deck without adequate seating.”

Shipping lines have had to deal with claims for compensations from angry smokers. “Several have written to us about the fights that they have had or are having to get their money back following the introduction of new restrictions”, added Spencer Brown.

She said, “Cruises are of course a special type of holiday. On some ships it’s not always easy to avoid smokers or find a comfortable corner in which to have a quiet fag. However most cruise ships today are big enough to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers without upsetting either but it does not seem that is going to be the case so CruiseCritic has produced a line-by-line guide on cruise line policies to help puffers and non puffers decide who they will sail with.”

CruiseCritic’s report on smoking and selection of postings on the subject can be seen on Cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=729