Although restrictions on smoking in public have increased significantly over the past ten years or so, millions of people still smoke. So, can you smoke on a cruise ship? When and where you can smoke will depend on the cruise line.
Cruise Lines That Allow Smoking On Private Balconies
In the not-so-distant past, you could freely smoke on your private stateroom balcony on most cruise lines. No longer! Most major cruise lines have banned smoking on balconies or any other part of your stateroom. As far as we can tell, only a few significant cruise lines allow smoking on stateroom balconies:
As discussed below, Norwegian Cruises also allows smoking in its exclusive garden villa accommodations.
How To Get Away With Smoking On A Cruise
There are enough designated smoking areas, clearly marked, on cruise ships for smokers and non-smokers to enjoy their holiday in harmony. Smoking secretly in a restricted area or your cabin is thus not worth the risk or the cost.
Cruise ships have thousands of smoke detectors on board, including in every stateroom. If you are caught smoking, cruise lines will fine you $200-$250, including any damages to room furnishings and furniture, if applicable.
Read through the various cruise lines’ smoking policies to familiarize yourself with the designated smoking areas before you book your cruise vacation. This article will focus on the smoking policies of three major cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Smoking Policy
If you plan a vacation with the Royal Caribbean, you must adhere to the following smoking policy.
Smoking Areas
Royal Caribbean has designated outdoor smoking areas where guests can enjoy a cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette, or pipe. These areas are made visible through clear signage. You can also smoke inside designated sections of the onboard casino, Casino Royale. For non-smokers, there are generally designated smoke-free zones within the casino. Two significant exceptions to note:
- Cruises from China and Hong Kong do not have non-smoking areas in the casino.
- Ships departing from Australia or the UK do not permit smoking in any casino area.
Smoke-Free Zones
Smoking is prohibited in the following areas on Royal Caribbean cruise ships:
- All interior public spaces (except casinos and cigar clubs on Freedom and Voyager Class ships)
- Any category stateroom, even if it has a balcony
- Restricted areas
- Pools
- Children’s play areas
- Jogging track
- Food service areas
- Central Park (Oasis-class)
- Boardwalk neighborhoods (Oasis-class)
Norwegian Cruise Line Smoking Policy
Are you considering a vacation on a Norwegian cruise line? Review their smoking policy to ensure you abide by their onboard regulations.
Smoking Areas
Regardless of which Norwegian cruise you are on, if you’re a guest in the Garden Villas, you may smoke in your private garden and sun deck. Other areas where smoking is permitted will depend on the specific Norwegian cruise’s smoking policy:
| Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Epic, | Cigar Lounge (cigars only)Casino during gaming hours (no cigars and pipes) Deck 15 mid-ship, port side (limited area) and Spice H2O, starboard side |
| Norwegian Escape | Cigar Lounge (cigars only)Casino during gaming hours (no cigars and pipes)Deck 16 mid-ship, port side (limited area)Spice H2O, starboard side |
| Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy | Cigar Lounge (cigars only)Designated smoking area in the casinoSpice H2O, starboard side |
| Norwegian Encore | Cigar Lounge (cigars only)Designated smoking area in the casinoSmoking Room on Deck 8, portside |
| Jewel, Star Class ships, and Norwegian Spirit | Cigar Lounge if the ship has one (cigars only)Casino during gaming hours (no cigars and pipes)Deck 13 forward port side |
| Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun | Casino during gaming hours (no cigars and pipes)Deck 12 forward by the entire barTemporary location during lousy weather: Deck 11 forward port side by the towel station |
| Pride of America | Casino during gaming hours (no cigars and pipes)Waikiki bar on deck 13 aft. |
Note:
- Regarding cruise ships with The Haven complex: Smoking is prohibited in The Haven Courtyard area. Still, you can smoke on The Haven Sun Deck (forward).
- You can smoke cigars and pipes only at the designated outdoor smoking areas.
- You are not allowed to smoke cigars and pipes in the casino.
Smoke-Free Zones
Smoking is prohibited in the following areas on the Norwegian cruise lines:
- All interior public spaces (except some casinos and cigar lounges)
- Your stateroom (including a balcony)
- Near areas where they serve food
- Jogging track
- Outdoor sporting venues
- Kids’ play and pool areas
- The Vibe Beach Club
- The Posh Beach Club
- The Waterfront
Carnival Cruise Line Smoking Policy
If Carnival is your cruise line of choice, it is worth considering the following smoking policy:
Smoking Areas
Designated smoking areas depend on the specific Carnival cruise you are on. The following locations have designated smoking zones indicated through clear signs:
| Carnival Breeze® | Winners Luck Casino (on Deck 5) Deck 5 (port side, aft)Deck 11 (starboard side, aft) |
| Carnival Celebration™ | Empress CasinoDeck 8 (starboard side, midship) – no cigars or pipes Deck 17 (starboard side, aft) |
| Carnival Conquest® | Tahiti CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side, midship, and aft) |
| Carnival Dream® | Jackpot Casino (on Deck 5)Deck 5 (port side, aft)Deck 11 (starboard side, aft) |
| Carnival Elation® | Casablanca CasinoDeck 11 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Freedom® | Babylon CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side, forward) – no cigars or pipesDeck 10 (starboard side, midship) |
| Carnival Glory® | Camel Club CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side) |
| Carnival Horizon® | Horizon CasinoDeck 5 (port side and starboard side, forward)Deck 11 (starboard side, forward, and aft) |
| Carnival Legend® | Club Merlin CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side, forward)Deck 9 (starboard side, forward)Deck 10 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Liberty® | Czar’s Palace CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side) |
| Carnival Luminosa™ (Australia Cruises) | Deck 10 (aft, port side) |
| Carnival Magic® | Hat Trick CasinoDeck 5 (port side, aft)Deck 11 (starboard side, forward, and aft) |
| Carnival Miracle® | Mr. Lucky’s CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 9 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Panorama™ | Panorama CasinoDeck 5 (port side and starboard side, forward)Deck 11 (starboard side, aft, and forward) |
| Carnival Paradise® | Majestic CasinoDeck 11 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Pride® | The Winner’s Club CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 9 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Radiance™ | Radiance CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side, forward) – no cigars or pipesDeck 10 (starboard side, aft) |
| Carnival Spirit® | Louis XIV CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side, forward)Deck 9 (starboard side, forward)Deck 10 (starboard side, forward) |
| Carnival Splendor® | Deck 3 (starboard side, midship)Deck 10 (starboard side, midship, and aft) |
| Carnival Sunrise™ | Sunrise CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side, forward) – no cigars or pipesDeck 10 (starboard side, aft) |
| Carnival Sunshine® | Sunshine CasinoDeck 3 (port side, forward)Deck 10 (starboard side, midship) |
| Carnival Valor® | Shogun Club CasinoDeck 3 (starboard side)Deck 10 (starboard side) |
| Carnival Vista® | Vista CasinoDeck 5 (port side and starboard side, forward)Deck 11 (starboard side, forward, and aft) |
| Mardi Gras™ | Mardi Gras CasinoDeck 8 (starboard side, midship) – no cigars or pipes Deck 17 (starboard side, aft) |
Note:
- The smoking policies of the following ships are currently unavailable: Carnival Jubilee™, Carnival Luminosa™ (Cruises from the US), or Carnival Venezia™.
- You may only smoke cigars and pipes at the designated outdoor smoking areas.
- You are only allowed to smoke in a casino if you are seated and actively playing, not at the bar or when the casino is closed.
- Smoking is prohibited while the ship is refueling (embarkation and debarkation days).
Smoke-Free Zones
Smoking is prohibited in these areas on Carnival cruises:
- All interior public places (except casinos)
- Staterooms (including balconies)
- Smoke-free zones on deck (pools, play areas, food service counters, etc.)
Closing Thoughts
Generally, you can smoke on a cruise ship, but there are significant restrictions as to which part of the ship smoking may take place. Failure to abide by the ship’s smoking policies can result in fines and could potentially ruin your holiday, so always check the smoking policies of the cruise line you’re sailing with beforehand.
You may also be interested in reading 5 Family Cruise Mistakes You’ll Want To Avoid.
David Chapman
Contributor
