Q: We’re reformed smokers, and as the old saying goes, former sinners are the loudest preachers against sin. On recent cruises, we’ve been bothered by smokers in dining areas, by the pools and on the decks. Even in our cabins, we couldn’t get away from the smell left there by previous passengers who smoked.

We’re making plans for a summer cruise and our preference would be a non-smoking policy ship Is it possible to find one?

K.B., Vancouver BC

A: We don’t know of any cruises that are totally smoke-free. Cruise lines make money selling cigarettes to passengers, with some offering special onboard programs for exotic cigar puffing.

That said, pressure from non-smoking passengers is causing the smoke-free areas to be expanded on some cruise ships. For example, Crystal Cruises just announced bans on all inside-ship spaces on some of its ships, and limits outdoor smoking to certain specified deck areas. The new policy will be applied to begin in 2014.

Other lines, including Silversea, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian and Holland America have applied similar smoking restrictions in some of their cruise ship areas. To book your next cruise, our advice is to check with your hometown or online travel agency and choose the one sailing you believe will most fit your need to breathe fresh sea air.

Q: We’ve been cruising for years, but are concerned with the new all-you-can-drink promotions some cruise lines now offer. We like our drinks, too, but don’t want to be on a ship with a bunch of uncontrolled drunks running around on a permanent Spring Break.

What’s your take on the deal?  M.B., Toronto, Canada

A: Royal Caribbean has just announced its Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas ships will offer passengers the opportunity to buy unlimited drinks. Other cruise lines have similar systems already in place. The cost ranges from $40 a day and up.

We haven’t yet heard any binge drinking horror stories happening under these plans. However, there are cruises notorious for loud, hard-drinking passengers. They traditionally include alumni reunions, college spring breaks and all-male corporate conferences.

Our advice is that before you book your next cruise, check with your online or hometown travel agency. Give specific instructions to be sure you don’t unknowingly find yourself aboard a ship of (drinking) fools.

Q: My late husband and I enjoyed our retirement years together with many cruises, beach resort visits and other travels together. A favorite of his was visiting sites where he served during World War II, including England, France, Belgium and Italy.

In the two years since he died, I’ve often thought about travel, but just couldn’t bring myself to go. My children and grandchildren have urged me to get out and get going, but I fear the memories will just make me miss him even more.

What do you suggest? MLR, San Diego CA

A: Your grief is perfectly understandable, but now it’s time to listen to your family members. They believe, and so do we, that travel will ease the pain of your loss.

We suggest you first look into group cruises, specifically ones booked by church and other organizations in your community. If you go, you’ll have familiar companions  to share in the activities. Additionally, when you’re ready to get back into the social scene, consider singles cruises for widowed people in your age group.

Another suggestion to consider is volunteer vacations. Helping others could help you to get past your grief. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others offer national and international working assignments, ranging from a week to an entire summer.

For example, if you’d like to help in Italy, a country where your husband served in World War II, check on spending a summer teaching English in Rome, Venice and other cities. (www.globalvolunteers.org/Italy)

Q: We’re celebrating my retirement with a week in Las Vegas. We’re New Yorkers and are accustomed to high-priced hotels there, but happily even the most luxurious hotel rooms in Vegas are great bargains.

However, when we wanted to book entertainment, ticket prices were ridiculously high. They’re as expensive as Broadway, most priced at $100 or more. When buying show tickets in New York, we look for the “twofer” booths for half-price tickets. Are there such places in Vegas? Fran, Astoria LI NY

A: The smart visitor never pays retail price quotes for Vegas show tickets. Here’s how you can do it. First, when you check in at your hotel, ask about discount tickets for that night. They are usually available to guests, sometimes for free. And, yes, there are also twofer ticket booths at various locations in Vegas, as well as websites tix4tonight.com and BestofVegas.com