As not to sound like a broken record (this will be my last posting regarding this subject) the cruises that are most dear to our hearts and we're the most familiar with are the longer cruises such as the World Cruises and South America.

I have received quite a few phone calls from "every year" full World Cruisers who are canceling 2008 and several couples who are still on the fence due to the new policy. As Mark Conroy mentioned, there are more smokers on the World Cruise than on the shorter cruises (older passengers = more time & $$ to cruise).

I've never heard of someone who wanted to go on a full WC say they're going to opt for another cruise line due to the smoking policy that Regent has had in place. They may opt for HAL or Princess' WC due to $$$$ or itinerary but NOT due to Regent's current smoking policy. And in the event there is a person(s) who continually bitches due to the smoking policy and opts to go on a WC on another cruise line....I say "good riddens". If they're bitching about Regent's smoking policy, they're likely bitching about the food, the weather, the service and anything else they can think of. I'd be pleased if they did move on.

What I have heard is fellow cruisers who avoid the Voyager Lounge due to the smoke. That is a major problem that should and could be rectified!

IMO, this new "over the top" policy is being implemented before it's time. I agree with others that insurance carriers are likely behind this decision, I just don't think Regent had to be a front runner at the risk of losing lots and lots of big $$$ from past and proven loyal World Cruisers.

Maybe this new policy will not affect shorter cruises but I know for a fact that it is adversely affecting Regent's longer cruises. Maybe the wait list for the full World Cruise is such that they don't need the loyalty of past World Cruisers???

Only time will tell whether this new decision was necessary or their timing was right.

OK, no more listening to Marcie's opinion!