Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide
Cruise ship smoking policies vary by cruise line, but typically smoking is not allowed except in a few designated onboard areas.
Can you smoke in cruise ship restaurants? No. What about cruise ship cabins? Never, unless you are vaping — and only a handful of ships permit that. Are you allowed to smoke on cruise ship balconies? Definitely not; it's a fire hazard. (The exception is Costa Cruises, which does allow smoking on outdoor balconies.) Can you light up on deck? Typically yes, but only in designated areas.
If kicking back with a cigar and a glass of Scotch is your idea of vacation, look for ships with dedicated cigar lounges. Just don't plan to get high on the high seas: You are not allowed to smoke marijuana on a cruise ship, even if you have a medical marijuana card or are departing from a state where recreational use is legal.
What happens if you get caught smoking on a cruise? Most ships charge a $250 cleaning fee and reserve the right to take further action (including disembarkation). On Carnival Cruise Line, each violation is subject to a $500 fine, and you could also get banned from ever sailing Carnival again.
Read our line-by-line guide to cruise line smoking policies to learn where you can — and cannot — smoke on cruise ships.
Azamara
Smoking is only permitted on the port side forward area of the pool deck on Azamara cruise ships. All other indoor and outdoor venues are nonsmoking. Smoking rules also apply to electronic cigarettes.
Carnival Cruise Line
Acceptable smoking locations vary by Carnival Cruise Line ship but include specific outside deck areas, as well as certain sections of the casinos when the person is playing. Smoking is not permitted in cabins and suites, including on room balconies. Smoking rules also apply to e-cigarettes.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas on Celebrity Cruises ships. Smoking areas vary by ship but may include specific sections of outside promenade and sun decks and a corner of the Mast Bar or Sunset Bar. Smoking rules also apply to e-cigarettes.
Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity Cruises ships and itineraries
Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises only permits smoking in designated outdoor areas. Its ships do not offer indoor smoking venues.
Costa Cruises
On Costa Cruises, smoking is allowed in outdoor smoking areas and on private balconies (this is, perhaps, the only cruise line to allow this); indoors, it's only permitted in dedicated cigar lounges. E-cigarette use is permitted indoors only in cabins and cigar lounges.
Crystal
Smoking is mainly allowed outdoors in designated areas of the upper decks, pool area and promenade decks on Crystal cruises. In addition, cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking are only permitted indoors in the Connoisseur Club and in the VIP Casino (when playing and if requested).
Cunard Line
Cunard Line prohibits smoking indoors, except in the Churchill's Cigar Lounge (which is exclusive to cigar and pipe smokers). Cigarette smoking (as well as e-cigarettes and vaping) is only permitted in designated areas of the outdoor decks and is not allowed in outdoor dining venues or on cabin balconies.
Disney Cruise Line
Smokers can light up only in select onboard locations on Disney Cruise Line ships. On Disney Wish, smoking is permitted on Deck 4 (port side), but only from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., and on Deck 14 (forward, port side and aft, port side) at any time.
On Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, smoking areas include Deck 9 (forward, port side) and Deck 4 (starboard) outdoor areas (and only on this deck from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
On Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, smoking is permitted on Deck 4 (port side, aft) but only from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., the Deck 12 outdoor area by the Meridian Lounge (port side, aft) and Deck 13 near the Currents Bar (port side, forward).
Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Holland America
Most indoor areas of Holland America ships are nonsmoking, as are cabin verandas. Smoking areas vary by ship but may include the Sea View Bar area on all ships, Noordam's Oak Room and the Sports Deck by the Crow's Nest on Volendam and Zaandam. On select ships, players at the casino are allowed to smoke, but only when the ship is more than 12 nautical miles outside of the Netherlands. Smoking rules also apply to e-cigarettes.
Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions only permits smoking and vaping in designated outdoor smoking areas.
MSC Cruises
On MSC Cruises' ships, smoking areas are designated by signs and the presence of ashtrays. Smoking (including e-cigarettes) is never allowed in cabins and on cabin balconies. While MSC Seashore does not have any indoor smoking areas, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Splendida and MSC Divina each have a smoking/cigar room inside.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line allows smoking in select indoor and outdoor locations. Indoors, smoking is permitted in the casino by active players; select ships have a dedicated smoking room within the larger casino. Passengers may smoke cigars — but not cigarettes or pipes — in the cigar lounges found on select ships. Norwegian Encore has a smoking room on Deck 8. Also, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have The Humidor Cigar Lounge (on Deck 7 and Deck 6, respectively).
Outdoors, smoking is permitted in The Haven Sun Deck forward and in the private garden and sun decks of Garden Villas. For everyone else, dedicated smoking areas are on select outdoor decks (these vary by ship) and on the starboard side of Spice H2O. Passengers are not allowed to smoke outdoors near food venues, children's areas, Vibe and Posh Beach Clubs and outdoor sports areas.
Related: The 8 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained
Oceania Cruises
Smoking is strictly prohibited in all Oceania Cruises' cabins and suites, on balconies or in any area not specifically designated as a smoking area, which also includes all restaurants, lounges and the casino. Smoking is only allowed on Deck 9 in the forward starboard corner of the pool deck and on Deck 10 in the aft port corner of Horizons. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the forward starboard corner of the Pool Deck. The smoking policy applies to e-cigarettes.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises allows smoking and vaping only in select outdoor areas. These include the outdoor area on Deck 5 forward, the outdoor starboard side of La Palette and the starboard side of Bar Du Soleil. No smoking is allowed indoors.
Ponant Cruises
Ponant Cruises does not permit smoking in any indoor venues. Passengers can light up in designated outdoor areas.
Princess Cruises
On Princess Cruises ships, passengers can smoke only in designated areas, which include cigar lounges, certain corners of the nightclub and the smoking section of certain outside decks. The casino is mostly a nonsmoking area, but smoking is usually allowed while playing specific slot machines — except on non-smoking nights. All smoking, including vaping and e-cigarette use, is prohibited in cabins and balconies.
Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Smoking is allowed in designated areas of the pool deck and in the Connoisseur Club on Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Grandeur. Smoking is permitted in one outdoor area of the Horizon Lounge on Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager and of Galileo's on Seven Seas Navigator. Cigars and pipes may not be allowed in all smoking areas. The smoking policy applies to e-cigarettes.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean allows cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking in specific outdoor areas. Look for signs and ashtrays. The Casino Royale is typically a smoking venue, with only a small nonsmoking section. (However, cruises from China and Hong Kong lack the nonsmoking section, while cruises from Australia and the U.K. do not allow smoking in the casino at all.) On Oasis Class vessels, smoking is not allowed in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.
Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
On Scenic Eclipse and Scenic's river ships, smoking is not permitted indoors. An outdoor smoking area is provided for smokers on all vessels.
Seabourn
Unlike most cruise ships, Seabourn allows guests to smoke e-cigarettes in their suites; otherwise, cigarette smoking is not allowed indoors. Designated outdoor smoking areas for cigarettes, cigars and pipes are clearly posted throughout the vessel.
SeaDream Yacht Club
Indoor smoking is banned on SeaDream Yacht Club ships. Designated smoking areas for cigarettes, cigars and e-cigarettes can be found on outside decks.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises guests may smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes and e-cigarettes in the Connoisseur's Corner cigar lounge. Outdoor smoking areas include the seating areas outside the Dusk Bar, Panorama Lounge and Pool Bar, and select sections of open decks (these vary by ship).
Star Clippers
Designated smoking areas can be found onboard on the Sun Deck and in the Tropical Bar. Smoking is not permitted indoors or on the aft deck.
UnCruise Adventures
Vaping and smoking are allowed in special smoking areas found on the outside aft deck. There are no indoor smoking venues on UnCruise Adventures ships.
Viking
Viking's ocean, river and expedition vessels are mainly nonsmoking. All have dedicated outdoor smoking sections, which are the only places guests can smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes on board.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages might be hip, but you still can't vape or smoke marijuana in your cabin or private balcony. Designated smoking areas are provided throughout each ship, with one on Deck 16 outside.
Related: First look at Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady
Windstar Cruises
Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated smoking areas found on the outside decks of Windstar Cruises ships.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- Top ways cruisers waste money
- The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.