Can you vape or smoke on a cruise ship?

Ensure you’re prepared for your next cruise by being up to date with all the rules and regulations around smoking and vaping onboard.

Different cruise lines have varying policies, but the general rule of thumb is that most cruise lines allow e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cigarettes to be taken onboard and used – but only in designated areas.

It’s important that you familiarise yourself with these areas and take this into consideration when booking the location of your cabin so as to avoid a long walk to your smoke break.

Here we round-up eight of the most popular cruise lines in the UK and dive into their smoking policies.

Celebrity Cruises

The premium cruise line states that smoking, both cigarettes and vapes, is not permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom balcony – and this applies to all stateroom categories onboard.

Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theatre, bar, lounge, hallway, lift or jogging track. On selected itineraries, you can smoke in the casino but be sure to check the signage to be safe.

Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and cigar bars (if the ship has one).

You also can’t smoke in certain outdoor areas such as the pool and outdoor food venues.

Celebrity Cruises has designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas, with signage onboard that will point you towards a smoking area. If you can’t find one, simply ask guest services who will direct you.

Cunard

Smoking, including vaping, is not permitted in staterooms, balconies or in public rooms. Instead, you will find designated areas on the open decks, where smoking is permitted.

The only exception to this rule in Churchill’s cigar lounge, which is reserved for cigar and pipe smokers only.

But with this exception, Cunard does not allow smoking in the casinos – something that is typically quite widely accepted on many major cruise lines,

Electronic cigarettes and vapes, including those that do not emit smoke/vapour, are also only permitted in smoking areas.

Cunard also points out that some countries have strict rules regarding the use of electronic cigarettes, so you should check the foreign office website for further information.

Fred Olsen

As one of the few cruise lines that allow guests to smoke on their balconies, Fred Olsen is a great option for those who want this convenience.

The line operates a no smoking policy in all inside areas – including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and electronic cigarettes that emit any vapour.

So, if you smoke an electronic cigarette that doesn’t emit vapour, you can use it inside your cabin and on your balcony – but not in any non-smoking public areas.

Although don’t be surprised if you are confronted by a member of staff, who thinks you are smoking a real cigarette.

But it is worth noting that Fred. Olsen is updating its smoking policy, with guests no longer able to smoke or vape on their stateroom balcony as of April 1, 2025.

As a result, the designated smoking areas onboard are also being increased.

Marella Cruises

All Marella Cruises ships are non-smoking, with designated areas of the open deck available to smokers.

For example, onboard Marella Voyages, head to Deck 7 to the outdoor smoking area that overlooks the wake so you can soak up some impressive views. There is another smoking area on Deck 12 above the swimming pool. Both smoking areas also have a drinks service, which is an added bonus.

The same rule also applies to e-cigarettes. Again, be wary of countries that have banned e-cigarettes as they will be confiscated at the airport.

Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Qatar, India, Australia and Cambodia are just a few countries where vaping is illegal, so be careful.

MSC Cruises

All types of smoking are forbidden in all indoor areas, with the only exception of the casinos. But it’s worth noting that the casinos on MSC World America and MSC Euribia are non-smoking.

Other cruise ships also have separate smoking casinos, such as MSC Seascape and MSC Seashore.

If you are caught smoking, you may be charged a fine (a deep cleaning fee of $250) and if you are repeat offender, you could even be forced to disembark.

MSC Cruises does not sell tobacco products onboard, so ensure you stock up before your cruise.

You cannot smoke on your balcony, instead you must head to one of the designated smoking areas. The cruise line also points out that marijuana possession or use, including medical marijuana, is strictly prohibited.

P&O Cruises

The UK-based cruise line follows UK legislation and bans smoking in interior public areas. Smoking is also not allowed in cabins, balconies or public rooms.

This rule extends to e-cigarettes – including those which do not emit smoke. You can smoke in designated areas of the open decks.

If you are caught violating the smoking policy, you will be charged a cleaning cost or a fine for disposing of your cigarette in the incorrect place.

But you can buy cigarettes while onboard your P&O Cruises ship, which are typically told in packs of 200 or 400 and you can pay with your cruise card.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises try to appeal to both smokers by featuring a selection of smoking areas – including cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub as well as an area of the open decks.

The casino and associated bar are non-smoking areas except for the slot machines, where you can smoke while playing. All table games are non-smoking.

Other non-smoking areas include the show lounge, dining rooms and all food services. You also can’t smoke or vape in your stateroom or balcony, with a $250 fine per violation of this rule. This fine will be charged to your stateroom account.

Vaping and e-cigarettes are treated the same as cigarettes with Princess Cruises.

Royal Caribbean

Cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes and pipe smoking are all permitted in designated outdoor areas with Royal Caribbean, with visible signage to point you in the right direction.

It’s worth noting that these outdoor areas will not be near food venues, kids play area, pools and jogging track.

Specifically on Oasis class, you cannot smoke in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighbourhoods.

Like many other cruise lines, you can smoke in the casino, which has a designated area for non-smoking guests. Although if you are on a cruise departing from the UK or Australia, smoking is not permitted in the casino.

You can’t smoke inside any stateroom or balcony and if you are in violation of this policy, you will face a cleaning fee on $250.