All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
10 September 2013 13:54
The right to an on-balcony cigarette aboard cruises has become an increasingly divisive subject
British cruise passengers strongly support a ban on passengers being able to smoke on their cabin balconies, research shows.
More than half (54%) of those questioned by cruise reviews website Cruise Critic believe smoking on balconies - even when the balcony belongs to the passengers' personal cabin - should not be permitted.
Going one step further, nearly a quarter (24%) claim smoking should be banned in all areas of cruise liners.
Only a fifth (18%) of British travellers who regularly book cruises disagreed with the idea of banning smoking on balconies, arguing that a cigarette is a personal choice.
Smoking at sea is currently a hot topic, with numerous cruise operators forbidding their customers from lighting up on board.
It may be a hotly disputed debate, but it is important that travellers don't forget to book things like cruise travel insurance before they set off.
Royal Caribbean recently became the latest major cruise operator to ban smoking on the balconies of its ships.
The order is due to come into effect from the beginning of 2014, with those caught facing fines of US$250 (£190). However, the company's Asia-based liners are currently exempt from the ban.
Smoking is already banned inside all staterooms on Royal Caribbean vessels - and in public areas except for casinos, and on the starboard side of outer decks.
Rival operators such as Cunard, Seabourn, P&O Cruises and Disney Cruise have already restricted smoking areas on their ships.
Some passengers regard smoking as an acceptable practice conducted in the privacy of their cabins, while others complain that smoke drifting into neighbouring rooms is unfair.
"Smoking on board cruise ships is a highly debated and contentious issue within the cruise industry," said Adam Coulter, the UK editor of Cruise Critic.
"Cruisers have very strong opinions on this topic. However, while a large number of cruisers support this ban, it is important to acknowledge that many feel they should be offered a choice."
17 March 2020
Escape it all with a visit to one of the world's hidden island gems.
[more...]
02 July 2021
It's time for some Mediterranean sun and unforgettable sights. Here are five of our favourite must-sees in Malta.
Take your pick of the best beaches in Portugal, spanning more than 500 miles of the Portuguese coastline.
Holidays are back but not quite as we know them. Here's a quick guide to what to expect when travelling to and from green list countries.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.