Crystal Cruises Cracks Down on Smokers

Crystal Cruises says it will ban smoking on cabin balconies starting in May, joining the stampede of lines toughening smoking policies.

The award-winning luxury line already bans smoking in most public areas of its two ships, including restaurants, showrooms and most bars. But times are changing, and people want even stricter bans, says Crystal president Gregg Michel.

"The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today," he says. "There is growing discomfort from non-smokers about verandah smoke negatively impacting the enjoyment of their personal outdoor living space."

Crystal follows in the footsteps of nearly half a dozen other lines tightening smoking rules over the past year, including Royal Caribbean, Regent Seven Seas and MSC Cruises. But unlike those lines, Crystal will continue to allow smoking in cabins even as it bans lighting up on cabin balconies. In that regard, the line is taking the exact opposite approach as Royal Caribbean, which implemented a ban this month on smoking in cabins but still allows it on balconies.

Cyrstal's new smoking policy takes effect with the May 7 London-to-Rome cruise on Crystal Serenity and the May 25 Athens-to-London cruise on Crystal Symphony.