Can You Smoke on a Cruise Ship?

If you’re a smoker, knowing where and when you might be able to sneak in a smoke during your vacation can be a stressor. On the flip side, if you’re a nonsmoker, it’s important to know if cigarette smoke will affect your cruise.

So, can you smoke on a Carnival or Disney or Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line cruise? This article answers what type of smoking is permitted and where across most cruise lines. While the preference for smoke-free spaces has increased in recent years, there are still areas where cruisers can light up a cigarette, enjoy a cigar, and even use a vape.

Read on for a breakdown of where smoking is permitted onboard your next cruise, including a list of the smoking policies across 10 popular cruise lines.

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Smoking on a Cruise Ship FAQ

Can you smoke on a cruise ship balcony?

No — at least on the majority of cruise lines. The one remaining exception is onboard Costa Cruises, where smoking is permitted on private outdoor balconies.

Can you vape in your cruise ship stateroom?

For the most part, vaping falls under the same guidelines as any other type of smoking on cruise ships: it is allowed only in designated areas and prohibited in staterooms.

The exceptions to this are onboard Holland America and British cruise line Fred. Olsen, which both permit passengers to use vaporless e-cigarettes in their cabins.

Is smoking allowed in cruise ship bars or casinos?

The permissibility of smoking in casinos and clubs has dwindled on cruise ships in recent years. However, there are still some cruise lines that allow lighting up in sections of these public areas. Even on cruise lines that allow smoking in casinos, this practice is typically limited to select vessels and during limited hours, so check your specific ship’s guidelines in advance of sailing. Most cruise line fleets have non-smoking ships or at the very least non-smoking nights in the casino.

For example, Royal Caribbean has smoking and non-smoking sections of its Casino Royale for guests, except for departures from China or Hong Kong, which do not offer non-smoking sections. On the contrary, Royal Caribbean ships sailing from Australia or the UK do not allow smoking in the casino at all.

Cannabis is legal in port. Can I bring it onboard my cruise ship?

Despite the decriminalization of cannabis in many places on land, cannabis and cannabinoid products — even with a medical marijuana card — are prohibited at sea. This is due in large part to the ship’s location in federal waters and its repositioning across state lines and country borders. Possession of cannabis on a cruise ship could be considered a crime, even if use has been legalized where you live.

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Where can you smoke on a cruise ship?

Every cruise ship has at least one designated smoking section. The location(s) vary by ship and size. Most cruise ship smoking areas are located outside, though they are usually sheltered from weather. Some cruise lines also offer indoor cigar and pipe-smoking lounges. 

Is there a place to smoke cigars onboard a cruise ship?

Yes. Most major cruise lines offer dedicated indoor cigar lounges. However, only cigar smoking is allowed inside, not cigarette smoking or vaping. For example, on Norwegian Cruise Line you will find Humidor Cigar Lounges on select ships; Churchill’s Cigar Lounge can be found across the fleet on Cunard Line; luxury line Silversea has the Connoisseur’s Corner. Premium cigars can be purchased in each one of these venues, along with cocktails.

What is the penalty for smoking in a prohibited area onboard a cruise ship?

Fines for smoking in a cabin or another forbidden space vary by cruise line but expect a minimum $250 cleaning fee. Repeat violations could easily result in higher fines, forced debarkation, or even a permanent ban from the cruise line. In summation: It’s not worth it.

Cruise Line Smoking Policies

Carnival Cruise Line

Smoking is permitted on designated areas of outdoor decks, typically starboard side; cigar and pipe smoking are limited to specific decks as well. Smoking in the casino is only permitted while seated and playing, not at the bar. However, smoking is never allowed in staterooms or on stateroom balconies.

Celebrity Cruises

Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas with signage and ashtrays or cigar lounges on select Celebrity Cruises ships. Casino smoking is only allowed on select itineraries and in a designated smoking section. Smoking is not allowed in staterooms or private balconies.

Costa Cruises

While smoking is not allowed in cabins, it is permitted on private balconies as well as designated public areas of Costa Cruises.

Disney Cruise Line

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is permitted in designated areas of each Disney ship, sometimes only between certain timeframes.

Holland America Line

Cigarette smoking is not allowed in staterooms, though the use of vaporless electronic cigarettes is permitted in cabins. Otherwise, cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking are only allowed in designated areas, including the Sea View Bar area on many ships. Casino smoking is only allowed for active players and on designated nights.

MSC Cruises

Smoking areas can be found onboard MSC ships only in sections designated with signage and ashtrays.

Norwegian Cruise Line

All indoor areas, with the exception of the cigar lounges and designated areas of the casino, are smoke free across Norwegian Cruise Line. There are designated smoking rooms in casinos on select ships, otherwise smoking is permitted (minus cigar and pipe smoke) by active players during gaming hours. Smoking areas are located on outer decks and differ by ship.

Princess Cruises

Smoking is only allowed on designated outer decks and select bars across the Princess Cruises fleet.

Royal Caribbean

Smoking, including the use of vaping, is only permitted in areas of the ship with dedicated signage. Cigar and pipe smoke is only allowed in cigar bars or in specifically marked smoking areas on deck. Smoking and vaping is not allowed in any staterooms or balconies. Casino Royale allows smoking in dedicated areas only and only on select departures.

Virgin Voyages

Smoking is only allowed in a dedicated smoking room as well as the outdoor top deck on Virgin ships. Smoking — even vaping — of any kind in any other parts of the ship will result in a $500 fee and the potential to be disembarked.

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Comments

Did you find this guide to the ins and outs of whether you can smoke on a cruise ship helpful? What are your thoughts on the cruise lines’ policies regarding smoking on a cruise? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences as a smoker or a non-smoker.