September 6, 2005

Richard Fain, CEO
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132

Dear Mr. Fain,
Let me begin by saying that I am allergic to cigarette and other tobacco smoke. My throat swells, my glands become sore and I often get a resulting upper respiratory infection. I was delighted to learn that Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines had a fairly restrictive smoking policy. Your document, labeled "Useful Information" states that, "For the comfort and enjoyment of all guests, the Serenade of the Seas has been primarily designated as a nonsmoking ship. However, we recognize that some of our guests smoke, therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated smoking areas in many of our lounges and on the starboard side of open decks."

I recently traveled to Alaska on the Inside Passage on the Serenade of the Seas (8/28/05 - 9/3/05) in cabin 8066, a balcony cabin. Of course, I paid an extra fee so that I could enjoy the fresh ocean air and quietude of the ocean sounds, along with the incredible views of Alaska.

Upon arrival in my cabin, I went to the balcony and opened the door. My cabin was immediately filled with smoke. I found that my neighbor was smoking on his balcony, a mere three feet away. I returned to my cabin and closed my door, with the expectation that I would be able to spend "some" time on the balcony when he was not on his.

However, later in the afternoon, as he continued to "chain smoke" on the balcony (presumably because he did not want to get smoke in his cabin), I politely asked him to limit his smoking on the balcony or at least notify me when he was going to light up so I could retreat into my cabin and close the door. He was not at all receptive. He told me that this was one of the few places he could smoke. In fact, he was borderline belligerent in his attitude, almost defiant.

I was at a loss for words and resigned myself to the occasional inconvenience, even though the ship had a stated policy that strongly favored non-smokers and let the smokers know that they should be mindful and courteous.

After that, there were several other times during the first day, when I went onto the balcony but had to retreat again into my cabin because of the smoke from the balcony of 8064. I contacted the purser's desk and expressed my concern and elicited their assistance. At first, I was hopeful when they told me that they would tell him to restrict his smoking to the inside of his cabin and other designated areas.

That evening, I went to bed early with the balcony door open, around 9:30 PM, as I was very tired from the long day of travel. About 10:30 PM I woke up to the smell of cigarette smoke in my cabin. I got up, and noticed my neighbor smoking on the balcony again and immediately closed my balcony door. This time he was leaning against the partition between our cabins. He could not have gotten any closer, expect by careening his head around the partition (which he did several times later in the cruise).

I was now getting somewhat agitated and stressed since I was not able to open my balcony door, eventhough I had paid dearly for the privilege of fresh air and sea sounds.

The next morning, I contacted the purser's desk again. They changed their story this time and said he could smoke in his room and on his balcony. Again, I resigned myself to giving up a privilege that I had been looking forward to for six months, a balcony on an Alaskan cruise of the Inside Passage, the fresh air and sea sounds.

Later that same day, I went on to the balcony again. I noticed the smell of cigarette smoke, but it was clear that my neighbor in 8064 was not on the balcony. He had left a lit cigarette in the ashtray. Once again, I contacted the purser's deck. They called and asked him to put the cigarette out. Again, heading for my balcony, there was a distinct and disgusting odor of exhausted cigarettes. (I guess he could not stand the smell of a dirty ashtray in his cabin either).

Needless to say, this went on the entire week, ruining my vacation. By Wednesday, I was stressed to the point that I had a muscle spasm in my back, which did not go away until I got home, went to the doctor and had a Cortisone shot. I also had other symptoms of stress, including tightness in my chest, shortness of breath and I suspect high blood pressure. This vacation was meant to relieve these kinds of stressful situations, not create them

On several occasions, my neighbor in 8064 put his entire head around the side of the partition and peered into my cabin. On one occasion, I was lying on top of the bed in my underwear. I contacted the purser's office again. This kind of crass behavior is an gross violation of my privacy and completely unacceptable.

I agree that "certain things" are out of the control of the cruise staff, however, they are obligated to enforce the stated policy of the cruise line, which I quoted earlier, without exception. This means that the needs of the smokers must be subrogated to the needs of the non-smokers.

I am sure there were others who were offended and disgusted by those guests' behavior, just as much as I was. I talked with several other non-smokers who were appalled at my story.

In consideration of all the discomfort that I suffered, I am asking for a full refund of my cruise fare, air fare and other major travel expenses along with lost income of approximately $2,000 for the vacation pay that I forfeited (I am self employed). It is doubtful that I will travel on RCCL again until I have assurances that the smoking policy will be strictly enforced, including no smoking on the balcony.

I will be forwarding a copy of this letter to ASTA, LA Times Travel, AARP, ACS, AAA and others who may have some interest in comfortable travel for non-smokers. In addition, I will begin lobbying efforts to eliminate or at least severely contain smokers on cruise ships. I have started a new web site toward this objective.

Tobacco smoke kills thousands of individuals every year. Second hand smoke is just a deadly, if not more so. It is not reasonable to allow a very small minority of guests to have such a negative impact on the health, well being and vacation experience of so many others. It is time for the cruise lines to take real responsibility and stop tiptoeing around this issue. The cruise lines need to clearly define the regulations and strictly enforce them with clearly defined penalties. If smokers want to kill themselves, fine. But they should not be allowed to have such a negative effect on the health and experience of other guests. For those of you who are non-smokers, would you allow this person to smoke in your home? Or even on your "balcony"?

REPLY: Pending (will be posted here)