Crystal Cruises Introduce Stricter Smoking Policy

Starting in May, Crystal Cruises are prohibiting smoking on verandahs of all staterooms and suites aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Most areas of Crystal ships have been non-smoking for many years, including restaurants and the main entertainment lounges. Non-smoking areas dominate most bars and lounges, although there are some tables that do permit smoking. Cigarette smoking is allowed in private accommodations, although pipe-smoking and cigars are only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and most open decks.

"The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travellers are used to more non-smoking environments today," says Gregg Michel, Crystal Cruises' president. "We respect that smoking is a personal lifestyle decision but there is growing discomfort from non-smokers about verandah smoke negatively impacting the enjoyment of their personal outdoor living space."

As with the current policy, guests who do not observe the non-smoking arrangements will first be asked to comply. Failure to do so can result in a guest being asked to leave the ship at his/her own expense. This new non-smoking policy takes effect with the May 7, 2008 London-to-Rome cruise on Crystal Serenity and the May 25, 2008 Athens-to-London cruise on Crystal Symphony.