The rules about smoking on a cruise

Both smokers and non smokers will tell you ad nauseum that one camp is more entitled to space than the other. Cruise lines, wary that many of their passengers smoke, have taken numerous steps to ensure discretion in this matter while aiming to keep this segment of their onboard contingent pleased.

From smoking areas that occupy a whole deck to ships which barely allow smoking at all, each cruise line caters to smokers in different ways. We take a look at each of Australia’s favourite cruise lines to compare their onboard smoking policies.

Carnival Cruise Line Australia

(Applies specifically to Carnival Spirit and Carnival Legend departures to and from Australia)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of the upper open decks. Information on these can usually be found in your stateroom.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes, at selected bars by the single packet on domestic voyages and in duty free stores on international voyages.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: Carnival has some of the strictest policies surrounding e-cigarettes, which is subject to the same rules as regular cigarettes. Any breach of these rules can result in the guest being disembarked and required to make their own way home at their own expense.

Celebrity Cruises

(Applies to all voyages fleet-wide)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of the top open decks and in special cigar and pipe smoking sections of the pool deck.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes, at selected bars by the single packet on domestic voyages and in duty free stores on international voyages.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: Celebrity offers one of the most restrictive smoking policies in cruising, with the smoking area one of the smallest we have seen on a large ship.

Royal Caribbean

(Applies to all voyages)

Where you can smoke: Smoking is still restrictive on Royal Caribbean, however is a little more open than others. As well as limited outdoor areas, which come with ash trays for you to use, you’re also able to light up in Casino Royale. There is a non-smokers section here for those who wish to use it. This policy applies on Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies unless otherwise stated. Penalties apply for guests breaking this rule, which may include disembarkation.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes, by the carton in the onboard shops, however this is on a Duty Free basis, meaning you cannot then consume these until you return home. Cigars are also on sale in the Connoisseur Cigar Club on selected ships.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: Most sailings departing China & Hong Kong allow smoking throughout the whole casino as opposed to just one area.

P&O Cruises Australia

(Applies to all departures regardless of embarkation port)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of the upper open decks and selected areas of the starboard promenade decks.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes, at selected bars by the single packet on domestic voyages and in duty free stores on international voyages.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: The purchase cost of a carton can be significantly cheaper than the per pack price aboard P&O, with pack pricing similar to Australian retail pricing.

Princess Cruises

(Applies to all departures regardless of embarkation port)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of the top open decks, selected areas of the outside promenade deck and in cigar bars on the line’s international fleet. There are also small sections of various indoor areas such as Cigar Lounges, a section of the nightclub and selected slot machines in the casino where smoking is permitted. The casino will also have a number of nights where smoking is entirely prohibited.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes, at selected bars by the single packet on domestic voyages and in duty free stores on international voyages.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: Princess is the only line which allows guests to smoke e-cigarettes in the privacy of their own stateroom.

Norwegian Cruise Line

(Applies to all departures regardless of embarkation port)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of any open decks and selected areas of the outside promenade deck.

Where you can’t: All interior areas including private stateroom balconies and any areas deemed as food service areas, including the areas immediately outside restaurants.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes in duty free stores on international voyages, however these cannot be consumed until you return home.

Things you should know if planning to smoke: Check your ship’s “Freestyle Daily” activity guide for the specific smoking locations for that day, as they can change.

Holland America Line

(Applies to all departures regardless of embarkation port)

Where you can smoke: In designated areas of The Sports Deck and Observation Deck, in the Sea Bar (on applicable ships) and in certain areas of the casino (active players only during opening hours). Electronic cigarettes are bound by the same rules. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed in any internal part of the ship.

Where you can’t: Any internal areas throughout the ship except the designated area of the casino.

Are cigarettes offered for sale onboard: Yes in duty free stores on international voyages, however these cannot be consumed until you return home.

Things you should know if planning to smoke onboard: Holland America Line allows e-cigarettes to be smoked in cabin and all smoking areas. Eurodam and Oosterdam feature entirely smoke-free casinos.

Did any of these smoking restrictions surprise you? Let us know in the comments section below. 

This article was originally published on CruiseAdvice as “What are the rules about smoking on a cruise?” and was shared with permission.