<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_A8KVQ3xIXHg/R4PSQ1t4YoI/AAAAAAAAAl8/JSJEfGGPhog/s1600-h/no-smoking-2-circle.jpg"><img src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_A8KVQ3xIXHg/R4PSQ1t4YoI/AAAAAAAAAl8/JSJEfGGPhog/s200/no-smoking-2-circle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.crystalcruises.com/">Crystal Cruises </a>announced today that it will tighten smoking restrictions aboard all its ships. Smokers will not be happy about this news; non-smokers will be thrilled.<br /><br />Beginning in May 2008, Crystal Cruises is prohibiting smoking on verandahs of all staterooms and suites aboard <span>Crystal Symphony</span> and <span>Crystal Serenity</span>. <br /><br />Most areas of Crystal ships have been non-smoking for several years, including restaurants and the main entertainment lounges.  Non-smoking areas dominate most bars and lounges, although there are some tables that permit smoking.  Cigarette smoking is permitted in private accommodations, although pipe-smoking and cigars are only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and most open decks.<br /><br />According to Crystal Cruises' president Gregg Michel, "The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today. 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."<br /><br />As with the current policy, guests who do not observe the non-smoking policy 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.<br /><br />The new smoking policy takes effect with the May 7, 2008 London-to-Rome cruise on <span>Crystal Serenity</span> and the May 25, 2008 Athens-to-London cruise on <span>Crystal Symphony</span>.