Jul 23, 2007 2:32 pm US/Eastern
Royal Caribbean Helps Passengers Breathe Easier
New Smoke-Free Policy Takes Affect Jan. 2008
Expands Smoking Ban To All Staterooms & One Lounge On Every Ship
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Cruise ship passengers who want to light up during their voyage will soon find fewer places to smoke their cigarettes on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
The company has announced its expanding its smoke-free areas on its ships starting in January 2008.
The new policy mirrors the growing trend towards a smoke-free environment, according to the company's website.
Currently, smoking is prohibited in guest hallways, restaurants, entertainment areas, and most interior public spaces, excluding designated areas in bars.
The new expanded policy will prohibit smoking in all passenger cabins and one bar or lounge on every ship.
The new policy bolsters the cruise line's new Vitality wellness program, which recently debuted on "Liberty of the Seas". "The Liberty" and its sister ship, "Freedom of the Seas" share the title of the world's largest cruise ships.
The new policy will be in effect aboard 18 of its 21 ships initially. The company will add "Legend of the Seas", "Splendour of the Seas", and "Rhapsody of the Seas" in 2008.
"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 in a press release.
"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."
Guests who want to smoke may still do so from starboard outer decks, in designated areas in bars and lounges and on stateroom and suite balconies.
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.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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