RCCL's New Non-Smoking Policy

[JohnG]

RCL's ENHANCED SMOKING POLICY

Frequently Asked Questions

Why enhancing this policy?

In order to demonstrate our commitment to a healthy balanced

lifestyle in line with our new Vitality program, Royal Caribbean

International will institute an enhanced ship wide smoking policy

which addresses staterooms, public areas and enforcement.

We also want to listen to our guests’ commentary regarding

creating healthy environments for cruisers as states have

become stricter with smoking policies in public areas.

When will this enhanced policy be implemented?

The implementation of this policy will take place in January of 2008.

Will this policy be fleetwide?

The policy will go into effect for the entire fleet with the

exception of Legend, Rhapsody and Splendour on the first full

sailing of January 2008. The remaining ships will be affected

in the summer transition sailings of 2008.

What are the changes in the policy?

The enhanced smoking policy will include the following

key changes:

• Elimination of smoking within the staterooms, smoking

allowed on balconies.

• Creation of one non-smoking bar on every ship (Champagne

Bar on Freedom, Radiance and Vision Classes - Viking

Crown on Sovereign Class) The designated non-smoking

lounge is subject to change, please inquire once onboard.

• Consistent policy toward non-smoking in any dining area

fleetwide, indoors or outdoors.

• Reinforcement of Smoking Policy fleetwide.

What will happen if the poblic room smoking policy

is violated?

Guests, who are found smoking in a non-smoking area, will be

guided to a space that allows smoking.

What are the penalties for smoking in a stateroom?

Guests who smoke in their stateroom are charged a $250

penalty.

Why do the violations differ from non-smoking areas

to staterooms?

The violations differ because the damage caused by guests

smoking in their stateroom is very high (time, resources,

equipment and cleaning materials to service the stateroom)

vs. smoking in an open space.

What happens to guests who continue to violate the policy?

Guests who continue to smoke thereafter should be managed

using the Guest Conduct Policy and related escalation

guidance up to possible disembarkation.

How will the guest know of a nonsmoking area?

Onboard communication will be included in the Compass,

guest muster drill, Cruise Services Directory, Stateroom

Attendant introduction and Guest Conduct Policy video and

supported by non-smoking signage on stateroom doors and

throughout the ship to designate non-smoking areas.

*Additional information will be posted on the Knowledge Desk under smoking!

Will this policy be implemented on Celebrity or Azamara Cruises?

The smoking policies for Azamara and Celebrity Cruises have

not changed.

Is this enhanced policy for the entire cruise industry?

Many of our competitors are currently offering the same if not

tighter regulation; aligning us with our competitors.

What happens if a guest wants to cancel due to

this announcement?

Although we do not anticipate many guests canceling cruises

due to the new policy, we are asking you to track any

cancellations, authorized by later communications, made for

this reason.

©2007 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registered in the Bahamas.

[Brady121291]

Thank god, I hate smoke onboard, well in some spots last year the balcony beside ours were smokers, it was unbearable!

[GottaCruz]

Way to go, RCCL. I love this new policy. The less smoke to get into my lungs, the better.

[popsec]

If you think smoke out on the balconies is bad now, just wait until alot of the smokers book balcony rooms!

[Princesslover]

that's a good thing to do! way to go

[TheSkipper]

A step in the right direction. But, reading the details it sounds a little timid to me. And, as someone else said I think it will increase the amount of smoking on balconies which is not a good thing. We have at times been unable to leave our balcony door open due to nearby smokers.

Just seems like "a toe in the water" step. Interesting they are not doing anything with their higher priced products.

[Joanandjoe]

I don't believe that the last comment is correct. I believe that Azamara, the upscale version of Celebrity that runs the two former Renaissance ships, has a much tougher no smoking rule than the parent, RCCL, including no smoking in your stateroom or on the balcony. Oceania, which runs three of the former R ships, has a similar policy.

See http://www.azamaracruises.com/07/azamara/a...king-be-allowed :

Q.Will smoking be allowed on these ships?

A.Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest have two designated smoking areas. These areas are located in the aft section of the Looking Glass Lounge on the port side, and on the starboard forward section of the Pool Deck. Smoking areas have signs indicating that smoking is permitted there. All other areas of the ships are non-smoking. This includes Public Rooms, Restaurants, Pool Deck, Staterooms and Suites, Verandas and Halls. For the comfort of all of our guests, we request strict adherence to this policy, and thank all of our guests for their cooperation.

We say hooray for Oceania and Azamara, and a step in the right direction for RCCL.

[bicker]

My biggest concern about this policy, in the short-term, is that it will prompt folks to cancel and book on HAL, the next cruise we're going on. I surely don't want a smoky ship!

[jacketwatch]

It is a step in the right direction. Eventually though smoking should be completely banned. Yes, some will howl, at least initially but in the end the cruising population won't decline.

[riteonglor]

You best not bet on that one, I will bet the population will decline. People that smoke are getting tired of the people that think they have a right to what they want but no one else does. With the non-smokers or at least most of them, they even gripe about someone going outside on a balcony to smoke, ewww, it might drift over. Get a life, I'd hate to see there whole world come to an end if something really serious happens in their life besides some smoke drifting over.