ASK JOURNEYS: Few smoke-free cruise options

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Finding a cruise line with no-smotking policies takes research.

BAD weather can ruin a vaca­tion. Readers want to know in advance what to expect in the des­tinations they are considering.

A hotel room or cruise cabin clouded with smoke can have an equally ad­verse affect for the non-smoker.

This week's column tries to ad­dress the concerns of both.

QUESTION: Because of health con­cerns related to second-hand smoke, I am looking for a Cruise Line whose ships are totally smoke-free indoors and on balconies. Do you know of any Cruise Lines that either have this policy now or are expected to in the near future?

ANSWER: It amazes me that all cruise lines have not moved to smoking and non-smoking cabins when they do al­low onboard smoking. Hotels do this on a regular basis in many countries.

There is nothing worse for a non­smoker than walking into a room where the stench of smoke has pene­trated into the fabrics and walls. There is no mistaking that odour.

While a number of cruise lines have banned smoking from public areas indoors, many still allow smoking in your cabin, on your balcony, in ca­sinos, and in any number of open areas on the ship.

Luckily, you do have options. A few lines have come close to a complete ban. That is close but no cigar as the expression goes.

Oceania Cruises is perhaps the line that is the best option for those who need to escape smoke entirely. They allow smoking only in two very small areas and are especially strict with anyone who does not adhere to their rigid guidelines.

Oceania in fact covers the smoking policy in their contract of passage.

They reserve the right to remove guests without warning for violation of their policies and can charge guests for costs relating to cleaning of state­room furnishings and related areas.

While some cruise lines don't al­low smoking in cabins, many allow smoking on balconies. The one that surprised me the most was Disney Cruise Line, which allows smoking on balconies and on all open decks for the most part.

Thomson Cruises does not allow smoking anywhere inside the ship itself. Some of the lines that do not al­low smoking in cabins or on balconies are Azamara, Regent, and Celebrity, as well as Oceania.

Committed smokers will be attracted to the Italian line, Costa Cruises. It may have the least restrictive smoking policy of all.

Policies change quickly, so go to the individual cruise lines for complete up-to-date information or www.cruise­mates. com or www.cruisecritic.com for broad information on most lines.

QUESTION: What is the best time -- weather wise -- to visit Hawaii? Does Waikiki have a rainy season?

ANSWER: Most people choose to escape to Hawaii when our seasonal weather is at its worst, in the months from December to March. Those months happen to coincide with the months when all of Hawaii, including Waikiki, experience the most rain.

It should be pointed out that, more recently at least, the rainy season has been much drier than normal.

It is too bad that more people don't choose to visit Hawaii between April and October because it is much less crowded and the prices are like the rainfall measurements, very low. June and July may become too hot for most, but the shoulder months of April, May, September and October are really good times to visit.

There is a hurricane season from June to November but it has been more than 15 years since the last one.

So why do people still fill the hotels and condominiums of Hawaii during the winter months?

It is a beautiful state with a well developed American-style tourist infrastructure, much to choose from in the different islands, and rainfall that seems to come and go quickly. The weather is consistently good, notwith­standing the occasional rainfall.

While a rental vehicle is very helpful on the islands, it is easy to get around them. And in Waikiki you can spend a week on the beach and use taxis for tours for the other places you wish to visit.

Since the Canadian dollar gained strength against the American green­back there has been an upsurge in Canadian visitations. From Vancouver there are a number of non-stop flights available.

QUESTION: What is the best time -- weather and price wise -- to visit Scotland?

ANSWER: From October to April the prices are very favourable, but the weather can be spotty. In these months many of the popular attractions are closed and temperatures can be chilly.

July and August can be hot and/ or rainy; and very crowded in spite of that. I recommend April/ May or September/October as the best months to visit.

You will experience long days because of the somewhat northern lati­tude, and you will be able to fill each day with much to see from a natural and historical perspective.

I can relate a story from my early travel days that belie the statement that the summers are hot. Failing to get back to the youth hostel by the designated closing hour one evening, a number of us found ourselves locked out and forced to spend the night on the shores of Loch Ness. We kept trying to find ways to keep warm and protected from the crisp cold air.

This was early in July. It was so cold that we built the biggest bonfire we could and, like roasts on a barbeque rotisserie, kept turning ourselves in circles to try to keep warm inside and out.

It was one of my longest nights, and we didn't even spot the famous Loch Ness monster.

Forward your travel questions to askjourneys@journeystravel.com. Ron Pradinuk is President of Journeys Travel & Leisure SuperCentre and can be heard Sundays at noon on CJOB. Previous columns and tips can be found on www. journeystravel.com or read Ron's travel blog at www.thattravelguy.ca