Can you smoke on cruise ships?

Discussions about the touchy topic of smoking on cruise ships can turn downright nasty in a heartbeat, and nothing can cause friction between neighbors like a smoky balcony. Whether you want to be able to smoke, or you prefer to avoid smoke, it's important to know your cruise line's policies before you board.

What are the best choices for adamant nonsmokers? All cruise lines forbid smoking in interior public spaces, cabins, and any area likely to be populated by children, and most lines now forbid smoking from private balconies, too, so this is good news for those that don't want smoke wafting their way. If this is an important issue for you, we suggest you read our handy chart before you book.

Azamara Club Cruises

Allowed: Designated smoking area on the starboard forward section of the pool deck.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Carnival Cruise Line

Allowed: Designated areas within the casino, certain sections of open decks on all vessels, and the nightclubs except on Sunshine, Vista, and Horizon.

Not Allowed: Cabins, verandas, and all other public spaces.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Celebrity Cruises

Allowed: Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas of the ship.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Costa Cruises

Allowed: The indoor "Cigar Lounge" areas, designated smoking areas outdoors, and private verandas.  Pipes and cigars may only be smoked in designated areas.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins.

Electronic Cigarettes: May be used in cabins, on private verandas, and designated "Cigar Lounge" areas.

Crystal Cruises

Allowed: Indoor smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club smoking lounge and the VIP casino during play.  Outdoor smoking is permitted on most decks, except areas of the lido deck.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Cunard

Allowed: Churchill’s Cigar Lounge is dedicated for cigars and pipes.  Otherwise, designated areas of the open decks.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Disney Cruise Line

Allowed: Designated areas on open decks.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Holland America Line

Allowed: Designated outdoor and indoor areas, including the casino and Sea View Bar/Pool.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: May be used in cabins and other designated smoking areas, but not on private verandas.

MSC Cruises

Allowed: Several bars on each ship and on one side of the main outdoor pool deck areas.

Not Allowed: Cabins, verandas, restaurants, and all other public areas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Allowed: Casinos (players only), smoking lounge, and in designated areas on the open decks. On ships with The Waterfront, smoking is also allowed on the starboard side.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Oceania Cruises

Allowed: Forward starboard corner of the pool deck on Deck 9, and in the aft, port corner of Horizons on Deck 10. Cigar and pipe smoking is only permitted on the forward starboard corner of the pool deck.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Princess Cruises

Allowed: Cigar lounges, a designated area of the nightclub and casino, as well as certain areas on open decks.  Guests in the casino at designated slot machines may also smoke while playing.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins, verandas, and table games in the casino.

Electronic Cigarettes: Permitted in cabins and designated smoking areas.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Allowed: Designated area by the outdoor pool (opposite the bar), Connoisseur Club, Horizon Lounge, and Galileo’s. Cigar smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club and the designated outdoor area, and pipe smoking is only allowed in the Connoisseur Club.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Permitted throughout the ship with the exception of all dining areas.

Royal Caribbean International

Allowed: Designated areas on the starboard side of the ship and the casino.  Pipes and cigars are only permitted in the cigar lounge and other designated outdoor areas.

Not Allowed: Cabins, verandas, the Boardwalk, Central Park, and all other public spaces.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Seabourn

Allowed: The starboard side of the Sky Bar on deck 9, and the starboard side of the open terrace aft of The Club on deck 5.  Cigarettes, pipes, and cigars are all allowed on the starboard side of the open terrace aft of Seabourn Square on deck 7.

Not Allowed: Indoor public spaces, cabins, verandas, and anywhere else onboard.

Electronic Cigarettes: Cabins and the designated outdoor areas.

Silversea

Allowed: The Connoisseur’s Corner, certain tables and seating outside Panorama Lounge and Pool Bar, and specifically designated areas of the open decks.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

Windstar

Allowed: Open decks in specifically designated areas.

Not Allowed: Anywhere else onboard, including cabins and verandas.

Electronic Cigarettes: Same rules apply.

This article was updated on March 15, 2017.