Latest News About Can You Smoke On A Cruise Ship

Here’s the latest general guidance on smoking on cruise ships, based on recent industry trends and official policies.

Direct answer

• Smoking is generally restricted to designated outdoor areas on most cruise ships, with smoking in cabins and on balconies widely prohibited. Policies vary by line, so always check your specific ship and itinerary.

Key details to know

• Cabin and balcony bans: Nearly all major lines prohibit smoking in staterooms and on balconies. Violations often incur fines and possible disembarkation in extreme cases.
• Designated outdoor smoking areas: Most ships offer specific outdoor zones for smoking, often on open decks. Cigarette, cigar, and sometimes e-cigarette use may be permitted there, but only in designated spots.
• Casinos and certain indoor spaces: Some lines have moved to bans or partial bans in casinos or other indoor venues; this is part of a broader industry trend toward smoke-free public indoor spaces on many ships.
• Vaping and e-cigarettes: Policies vary; some lines ban vaping indoors, while a few allow it only in designated outdoor areas. Always verify the current rule for your ship.
• Costa/MSC exceptions: There are occasional line-specific nuances. For example, some lines historically allowed smoking in certain public rooms or on certain balcony configurations, but these exceptions are becoming rarer as policies tighten.

What to do before you sail

• Check the exact smoking policy for your sailing: look up the cruise line’s official site, the specific ship’s page, or your booking documents.
• Note penalties: Be aware of fines (often hundreds of dollars) and potential boarding/disembarkation consequences for violations.
• Plan for vaping: If you vape, confirm whether e-cigarettes are allowed on decks or only in allowed areas; some lines prohibit them indoors even as a general policy.

Illustrative example

• On many ships, you’ll see signage indicating “smoking permitted” in certain exterior zones only. If you step into a non-designated area, you may be approached by crew or charged a fee. This reflects the broader shift toward stricter smoke-free environments on board.

Would you like me to look up the exact smoking policy for a specific cruise line or ship you’re considering? If you share the line and ship name, I can summarize their current rules and any recent changes.[1][4][6]