Beginning in May, Crystal Cruises will prohibit smoking on verandahs of all staterooms and suites aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

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.

“The majority of our guests are non-smoking, and travelers are used to more non-smoking environments today,” says Gregg Michel, Crystal Cruises’ president. “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.”

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.

The new 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.