Smoking is restricted to specific outdoor decks on most cruise lines
You cannot smoke in your cabin, dining rooms, theaters, corridors, or most indoor spaces on a cruise ship. Nearly every major cruise line—including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian—bans smoking in staterooms and public indoor areas. The one place smoking is usually permitted is a designated outdoor deck, typically on the upper levels of the ship, away from the main pool and dining areas.
The exact location of the smoking deck varies by ship and cruise line. Some lines have a single designated smoking area; others have multiple spots. When you board, your cruise documents or the ship's daily program will show you where smoking is allowed. If you do not see it listed, ask at the guest services desk—they can point you to the exact deck and any time restrictions that may explore.
Violating the smoking ban in your cabin or other prohibited areas can result in a fine, typically between $250 and $500 per violation. Some cruise lines will also charge you for deep cleaning your stateroom if smoking is detected. These charges appear on your final bill before you disembark.
Key Takeaways
- Smoking is banned in all cabins and indoor public spaces on cruise ships; the only permitted area is usually a designated outdoor deck.
- The location of the smoking deck is listed in your cruise documents or available at guest services when you board.
- Smoking in your cabin or prohibited areas can result in fines of $250 to $500 and additional cleaning charges.
- Electronic cigarettes and vaping are subject to the same restrictions as traditional cigarettes on most cruise lines.
- Some cruise lines offer smoke-free ships or designated smoke-free decks if you want to avoid secondhand smoke entirely.
What the designated smoking deck typically looks like
The smoking area is almost always an open-air deck on the upper levels of the ship, often near the back (aft) or sides. It is usually small—sometimes just a corner of a larger deck—and separated from high-traffic areas like the main pool, hot tubs, and dining venues. You will find ashtrays and sometimes benches or railings where people stand while smoking.
Because the smoking deck is outdoors and exposed to wind and ocean spray, it can be uncomfortable in bad weather. Many smokers find that the designated area fills up during evening hours when more passengers are on deck. If you smoke, plan to visit during quieter times of day if you prefer a less crowded space.
Electronic cigarettes and vaping rules
Vaping and electronic cigarettes are treated the same way as traditional cigarettes on virtually all cruise lines. You cannot use them in your cabin or indoors; you must go to the designated outdoor smoking area. Some cruise lines explicitly state this in their policies; others lump vaping under "smoking" without distinction.
A few cruise lines have begun restricting vaping even on the outdoor smoking deck, so check your cruise line's specific policy before you board. If your documents do not mention vaping, ask at guest services. The rules are strict enough that violations carry the same fines as smoking cigarettes.
How to find the smoking area when you board
When you check in at the cruise terminal, you will receive a cabin key card and a daily program. The daily program usually includes a ship map with the smoking deck marked. If it is not clearly labeled, ask the crew member at guest services—they can show you on a map or walk you to the location.
Do not assume the smoking area is in the same place on every ship, even if you have cruised with the same line before. Different ships in the same fleet sometimes have different layouts. Asking takes 30 seconds and prevents you from wandering the wrong decks looking for it.
Smoke-free ships and decks
If you want to avoid secondhand smoke, some cruise lines offer smoke-free ships or smoke-free deck options. Disney Cruise Line, for example, has designated smoke-free decks on most of its ships. Some smaller cruise lines and river cruise operators are entirely smoke-free.
When you are booking your cruise, check the cruise line's website or call their reservations line to ask whether smoke-free cabins or decks are available on your specific ship. If smoke-free accommodations matter to you, this is worth confirming before you pay, because you cannot always change your cabin assignment after booking.
What happens if you smoke in your cabin
Cruise lines take cabin smoking violations seriously because smoke seeps into adjacent cabins and is expensive to remove. If a crew member detects smoke in your cabin, or if the next guest complains about smoke smell, you will be charged a cleaning fee—usually $250 to $500—added to your final bill.
Some cruise lines will also issue a formal warning or ask you to leave the ship at the next port. Repeat violations can result in being banned from future cruises with that line. The crew does not need to catch you in the act; they can charge you based on smoke smell detected during cabin inspections or reported by housekeeping.
International and port-specific smoking rules
Smoking rules on the ship itself are set by the cruise line, not by the countries you visit. However, when you are in port, you must follow the local smoking laws of that country or territory. Some ports have strict smoking bans in public areas; others are more permissive. Ask at guest services or check the daily program for information about smoking rules at your ports of call.
If you are a smoker planning a cruise to countries with strict smoking laws—such as many European destinations—be aware that you may have limited options to smoke once you leave the ship. Plan accordingly and do not assume you will be able to smoke freely at every port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke in my cabin if I pay an extra fee?
No. Smoking is banned in all cabins on major cruise lines, regardless of cabin type or price. There is no option to pay for smoking privileges in your stateroom. The ban is absolute and applies to all passengers.
What if I smoke on the balcony of my cabin?
Smoking on your balcony is typically prohibited because smoke drifts into adjacent cabins. If caught, you will face the same fines and cleaning charges as smoking indoors. The balcony is considered part of your cabin, not an outdoor public space.
Are there any cruise lines that allow smoking in cabins?
No major cruise line permits smoking in cabins. All major lines—Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, and others—enforce a complete cabin smoking ban. If you are considering a smaller or specialty cruise line, check their policy directly before booking.
Can I smoke in the casino or nightclubs?
Most cruise lines ban smoking in casinos and nightclubs. Some older ships or certain cruise lines may have designated smoking areas in the casino, but this is rare. Check your ship's specific policy or ask at guest services when you board.
What if the smoking deck is too crowded or I do not want to go there?
If you choose not to use the designated smoking area, you cannot smoke anywhere else on the ship. There are no exceptions or alternative locations. Your only option is to wait until you are in port and follow that location's smoking laws.