Can you smoke on a cruise ship?

When planning a cruise holiday, understanding the rules around smoking onboard is essential for smokers and non-smokers alike. Cruise lines have different policies about where, when and if you can smoke, ranging from designated areas to complete bans. This guide will help you navigate the smoking rules across major cruise lines so you know exactly what to expect before setting sail. 

Whether you’re curious about smoking in your stateroom, on balconies, or in public areas, we’ve got the answers to ensure a stress-free cruise experience for all. 

Ambassador Cruise Line’s smoking policy states that smoking is not permitted inside their ships. All internal areas, including cabins, lounges, restaurants and other public rooms, are non-smoking. Designated areas for smokers are available on selected external areas of the open decks.  

Azamara’s ships have clearly marked designated smoking areas located portside forward on Deck 9. All other areas of the ship, including public rooms, restaurants, pool decks, staterooms and suites, verandas and halls, are non-smoking. This policy includes products such as electronic cigarettes and vapes. 

Celebrity Cruises’ smoking policy advises that smoking is not permitted inside their ships. All internal areas, including staterooms and balconies, restaurants, entertainment venues, bars, lounges and halls, are non-smoking. Clearly marked designated areas for smokers are available. 

For the comfort and enjoyment of Cunard guests, smoking is not permitted in staterooms and balconies or in public rooms. There are designated areas on the open decks where smoking is permitted. The only exception to this is Churchill’s Cigar Lounge, which is reserved for cigar and pipe smokers only 

Smoking is not permitted in staterooms or in public rooms on Emerald Yacht Cruises. There are designated areas on the external decks where smoking is permitted. 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines operates a strict no-smoking policy inside their ships. Smoking is only permitted on cabin balconies and on designated open deck areas. Electronic cigarettes that do not emit a vapour may be used in cabins or on cabin balconies but are not permitted in any non-smoking area. 

For the comfort of all Holland America Line guests, all staterooms, lounges and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. Each ship has a designated smoking area, though it varies by location. See Holland America Line’s website for more information. 

Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is only permitted in designated areas on the outside decks of Hurtigruten ships. All forms of smoking are strictly forbidden, even in designated areas when the ship is in port and refuelling. 

As the health and well-being of Norwegian Cruise Line’s guests and crew is of utmost importance, indoor public areas, with the exception of the cigar lounges and the casino, throughout all of the ships in the fleet are smoke-free. Dedicated outdoor areas are assigned to smoking, see Norwegian Cruise Line’s website for more information. 

For the comfort and safety of all Oceania Cruises guests, smoking is not permitted in any dining area, certain public venues, elevators, the ship’s Show Lounge, Casino and all guest staterooms and is only permitted in specific designated smoking areas. 

P&O Cruises does not permit smoking in cabins, on cabin balconies or in public rooms. Smoking is permitted in designated areas of the open deck. E-cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke, are permitted in designated smoking areas only. 

Princess Cruises prohibits smoking or vaping of all types, including e-cigarettes, in guest staterooms and balconies. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food service areas onboard are non-smoking. Clearly marked designated smoking areas are available onboard, however. 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ smoking policy states that smoking is not permitted in any enclosed dining area, certain public elevators, the theatre and all suites and balconies. Smoking is only permitted in specific designated smoking areas. 

For the comfort and enjoyment of Royal Caribbean International guests, all ships in the fleet are designated non-smoking. However, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, each ship has a designate smoking area. 

Saga Ocean Cruises' smoking policy permits smokers to smoke or vape in the designated smoking area on Deck 11. Smoking is not permitted anywhere else onboard. 

Scenic Ocean Cruises’ vessels are non-smoking vessels in all public areas. All suites, including suite verandas and terraces, are non-smoking. There is a designated outside smoking area on Deck 6 for guests. 

For the comfort of Seabourn guests, most public areas onboard, as well as guest suites, are smoke-free. Guests can find designated smoking areas onboard each of Seabourn’s ships. 

To ensure a pleasant and safe environment, smoking is prohibited in most public areas, suites or suite balconies on Silversea’s ships. However, cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, pipe and vapes are permitted in the Connoisseur’s Corner both indoors and outdoors (where applicable). 

APT Cruising has a strict no-smoking policy, with designated smoking areas usually only available on the open sun deck, meaning smoking is only permitted in specific outdoor areas on the ship. 

Smoking is not permitted in staterooms or in public rooms on Emerald Cruises. There are designated areas on the external decks where smoking is permitted. 

Scenic River Cruises has a non-smoking policy for all indoor areas and suites but allows smoking in designated outdoor areas. 

For the comfort of all Uniworld River Cruises’ guests, smoking is only permitted on the sun decks. This policy applies to all forms of smoking materials, including vapour e-cigarettes.