Russ WareAn incredible 31 million people choose to go on a cruise vacation each year, around 18 million in the United States alone. The biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, can carry over 7,500 passengers on a single voyage.
At least a few million of those annual cruise passengers are likely to be vapers. But with the ability to vape and smoke being restricted all over the world, as a vaper looking to spend a few weeks on one of these floating vacation resorts you might be wondering when and where you can have a puff while onboard.
Where You Can’t Vape on a Cruise Ship
Modern cruise ships have almost completely banned smoking in public areas. And as smoking and vaping are commonly lumped together as being the same thing, vaping is usually also prohibited in those areas.
Public areas on cruise ships include restaurants, buffets, bars (both indoor and outdoor), nightclubs, theatres, swimming pools and sunbeds, the spa, piazza/atrium, hallways, duty-free stores, and outdoor sports/activity areas. Balconies are also considered public areas as smoke and vapor can drift to adjoining cabins, so smoking and vaping are also off-limits here.
No cruise line that we know of allows tobacco smoking in cabins or staterooms for both safety reasons and the odor it leaves in furnishings, but a few do allow vaping (for now). Thankfully, there are also a few other places you can vape on the cruise ships of most major lines.
Where You Can (Usually) Vape on a Cruise Ship
There are dozens of cruise lines, operating out of many different countries, and so the rules on smoking and vaping vary quite a lot. There are, however, some places where vaping is commonly allowed on ships operated by most of the popular cruise lines.
Designated Smoking/Vaping Areas: Almost every large cruise ship will have two or more outside areas designated as smoking areas. By extension, these are also areas where you can use a vape. These areas usually have some overhead protection from the elements, tables and seating, and of course, ashtrays.
Smoking areas are commonly located at or near the rear of the ship (presumably so smoke and smells don’t drift the length of the ship as it cruises along) but can be on almost any deck that has suitable outside space.
Casinos: Most large cruise ships have casinos, especially the ships owned by American cruise lines. These havens for gamblers are commonly the largest indoor areas where smoking and vaping are allowed. However, it does vary from cruise line to cruise line and even ship to ship.
Many cruise lines state that the option to smoke/vape applies to passengers who are seated in designated areas and actively gambling and imply they do not allow people to use the casino as a convenient place to stand around while they get a nicotine fix.
Cigar/Smoking Lounges: Cigar lounges were once a common feature of cruise ships. These small bar areas, often with names like Churchill’s, were originally designed for the enjoyment of after-dinner cigars. Some cruise lines either allow vaping in cigar lounges (although many stipulate cigar/pipe smoking only) or have added small smoking/vaping lounges.
Unfortunately for smokers and vapers, many cruise lines are phasing out their smoking lounges, and with them the possibility to enjoy your vape in a comfortable and relaxed indoor setting.
What Happens if You’re Caught Vaping in Your Cabin?
The standard punishment for vaping or smoking in non-smoking areas, such as a cabin, is being charged a “cleaning fee”. This fee varies between cruise lines but will likely be between $250 and $500 each time you are caught.
In extreme cases such as multiple instances of vaping/smoking in public areas, you could be removed from the ship at the next port and potentially banned from the cruise line. In this situation, you will be responsible for organizing and paying for your journey home.
Vaping and Smoking Policies, by Cruise Line
We took a look at the current (2024) smoking and vaping policies of the most popular and well-known cruise lines to see where each stands on the subject.
Celebrity Cruises
Vaping and smoking are only allowed in designated outdoor areas, and in some parts of the casino (varies depending on the cruise itinerary). If the Celebrity ship has a cigar bar, only cigar and pipe smoking is permitted.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom balcony at any time.
Royal Caribbean
Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette, and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas. It is also allowed in certain casino areas as long as the cruise does not depart from ports in the UK or Australia.
Vaping and smoking are not permitted inside any stateroom or any stateroom balcony.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival generally only allows smoking and vaping in designated outdoor areas. The location of these vary from ship to ship. It is also permitted in the casino if seated and playing slot machines (not in the casino bar.)
Vaping and smoking are prohibited in all staterooms and suites, including the outside balconies.
Holland America Line
Smoking is not permitted in any stateroom, balcony, lounges, and most other indoor areas. Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in staterooms or public areas of the ship other than designated smoking areas. Designated smoking/vaping areas include the Sea View Bar area and some areas of the casino.
Costa Cruises
Electronic cigarettes can be used in the cabins. Smoking (and presumably, vaping) is permitted on cabin balconies and designated outdoor Smoking Points equipped with ashtrays. Smoking (cigarettes, pipes, cigars) is prohibited inside cabins.
Disney Cruise Line
Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are only permitted in designated areas of the open deck. These areas vary between the different Disney ships, and some are only designated as smoking areas between 6 PM and 6 AM.
Vaping (and smoking) is prohibited in staterooms or on guest balconies of all Disney Cruise ships.
Princess Cruises
All Princess ships have designated smoking areas where vaping is allowed. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a small section of the nightclub, the casino (while using designated slot machines), and a portion of the open decks.
Princess Cruises prohibits vaping or smoking of all types in guest cabins, staterooms, and balconies.
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL restricts vaping and smoking to designated outdoor areas and the casino (for active players). Some NCL ships allow smoking and vaping in all areas of the casino, but some have dedicated smoking rooms.
Passengers are not permitted to smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, or vapor devices in staterooms or balconies.
Cunard Line
Cunard only allows vaping and smoking in designated outdoor smoking areas. Cigars (and pipes) only can be smoked in Churchill’s Cigar Lounge. Smoking and vaping is not permitted in staterooms, on balconies, or in any other public areas.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyage ships restrict vaping and smoking to a designated smoking room and one outdoor area of the deck. Smoking and vaping are not permitted in staterooms, balconies, or the casino.
P & O Cruises
Smoking and vaping are not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies, or in most public areas of the ship. Both smoking and vaping are restricted to a few designated areas of the open deck.
The Bottom Line
While you won’t need to give up vaping for the duration of your cruise vacation, the places where having a puff is allowed are fewer than was common even a few years ago. You definitely shouldn’t expect to be permitted to vape in your stateroom, and in all likelihood as a vaper, you’ll be spending time outside in the designated smoking areas.
Robert Barnes
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