Smoking rules onboard cruise ships exist for safety, cleanliness, and the comfort of all guests. Royal Caribbean designs its policy carefully to strike the right balance—accommodating smokers while protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke exposure.
Whether you prefer cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or e-cigarettes, Royal Caribbean treats all smoking devices under a unified policy with clear guidelines. The rules apply consistently across the entire fleet, including Oasis Class, Quantum Class, Voyager Class, Freedom Class, and older ships.
Before you light up on your cruise, here is everything you must understand.
Royal Caribbean’s smoking rules revolve around designated smoking areas. These are the only places where guests can smoke cigarettes, cigars, or use e-cigarettes/vapes.
These areas are clearly marked and often situated in outdoor sections to maintain airflow and avoid smoke drift affecting non-smokers.
Outdoor smoking zones are the most commonly used places for smokers on the ship. These areas vary slightly by ship class but typically include:
A starboard-side open deck section
A smoking area near the pool decks
A sheltered outdoor lounge on higher decks
Areas near the aft section for wind protection
Royal Caribbean posts signage and floor markers so guests can easily find these designated areas. Crew members regularly monitor these spaces to ensure rules are followed.
Royal Caribbean is one of the few lines that allows limited indoor smoking—but only in specific conditions.
Here’s how the casino policy works:
Smoking is allowed only in the designated smoking section of the casino.
Non-smoking casino sections exist on most ships.
Guests must be actively playing to smoke.
This means you cannot simply stand inside the casino to smoke without participating in gameplay. Vapor and smoke sensors ensure guests do not smoke in non-smoking areas.
With the exception of designated casino areas, smoking is not allowed in:
Restaurants
Lounges
Hallways
Venues
Elevators
Bars
Indoor pools
Entertainment theaters
Retail areas
This rule applies across all ships and voyages, no matter the itinerary.
Cruise ships operate under extremely strict safety rules. Because fire is one of the greatest risks at sea, Royal Caribbean enforces strict no-smoking zones.
Smoking is NOT allowed inside guest cabins under any circumstances. This includes:
Cigarettes
E-cigarettes or vapes
Pipes
Cigars
Cruise cabins are built with flammable materials like bedding, carpets, and curtains—making any spark dangerous.
Many guests are surprised to learn that smoking is prohibited on stateroom balconies as well. Even though these spaces are outdoors, wind can carry smoke into neighboring cabins, and ash can drift onto other decks, posing fire hazards.
Royal Caribbean enforces this rule strictly across all ships.
The balcony ban covers safety and comfort:
Wind can spread embers or ash quickly.
Smoke can enter open balcony doors of nearby cabins.
Furniture is not made to withstand heat or sparks.
Balcony curtains, rugs, and cushions are fire risks.
For these reasons, balconies are monitored closely, and smoking violations lead to serious penalties.
Spaces meant for families and children—like Adventure Ocean zones—are permanently smoke-free.
To ensure safety in narrow enclosed spaces, all interior passageways remain non-smoking.
Royal Caribbean’s smoking rules apply uniformly but allow different forms of traditional and modern smoking products.
You may bring cigarettes onboard and use them only in designated smoking areas.
Cigars are allowed, although certain ships may restrict cigar smoking specifically to outdoor locations—never indoors, even in casino areas.
Pipe smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor smoking zones. Pipe tobacco’s strong aroma makes it unsuitable for indoor spaces.
Electronic smoking devices like:
Vape pens
Disposable vapes
Pod systems
Mods
E-cigarettes
are treated the same as traditional smoking. They are allowed but must be used only in permitted areas.
Guests may think vapes are allowed in cabins because they produce vapor instead of smoke, but this is FALSE. Vapor can still trigger smoke detectors.
Personal hookahs or shisha pipes are generally discouraged and often prohibited due to burning charcoal and ember hazards.
You may pack cigarettes or cigars in:
Carry-on luggage
Checked luggage
Purses or pockets
There is no strict limit for personal use, but large quantities may draw customs attention during disembarkation.
Vape devices and batteries should always be carried in your carry-on luggage, especially if you fly to the cruise port. Lithium batteries cannot be placed in checked bags.
You may bring:
Disposable vapes
Refillable pods
Vape juice bottles
Charging cables
Extra coils
Airline liquid rules apply if flying.
You may bring:
One standard lighter OR
One book of safety matches
Torch lighters and windproof jet lighters are prohibited.
Cruise ships offer convenient shopping options for smokers.
Most Royal Caribbean ships sell cigarettes and cigars at lower-than-land prices. However, inventory varies, and vape juice is almost never sold onboard.
Caribbean islands and international ports often offer inexpensive tobacco, but customs limits apply when you return home.
Royal Caribbean enforces its smoking policy firmly to ensure safety for all guests.
If guests smoke in a cabin or on a balcony, they face:
A $250 cleaning fee charged to the onboard account
Possible removal of the smoking materials
A warning or citation
This is a non-negotiable penalty.
Repeated violations may result in:
Confiscation of cigarettes or devices
Security intervention
Mandatory meetings with ship leadership
Being removed at the next port
These consequences exist for the safety and comfort of all passengers.
Royal Caribbean’s policies center around three main priorities: safety, comfort, and compliance.
Fire is one of the most dangerous risks at sea. Even a small ember or spark can cause:
Cabin fires
Balcony fires
Debris blown into public areas
Smoke detectors, alarms, and sensors keep the environment secure.
Cruises are designed for families and guests with diverse preferences. To ensure everyone enjoys their vacation:
Outdoor smoking zones are intentional
Indoor air quality is protected
Children’s areas are 100% smoke-free
Ash, filters, and discarded vape pods must never enter the ocean. Designated areas ensure proper disposal and environmental care.
Although every ship has designated areas, placement varies by ship class.
(For example: Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas)Smoking areas often include:
Starboard side of Deck 15
Casino smoking section
Aft outdoor zone
(Ovation, Anthem, Quantum)These ships typically feature:
Designated covered outdoor deck areas
Casino smoking sections on select ships
Typically include:
Outdoor smoking areas on upper decks
Indoor casino smoking zones
Limited aft sections
Regardless of the ship, signage ensures smoking guests find the correct areas without searching.
To ensure a smooth vacation, Royal Caribbean recommends following simple etiquette rules.
Although designated areas exist, be mindful of non-smokers passing by.
Stay within marked zones to avoid smoke drifting into public walkways.
Use provided ashtrays—never flick ash overboard.
Smoking in high wind can blow embers onto lower decks.
Avoid producing large clouds even in smoking areas, as vapor can drift.
No. Balcony smoking is strictly prohibited.
No. Vaping is treated the same as smoking.
No. Cigars are outdoor-only.
Yes, all ships have at least one designated area.
Yes, with no specific limit for personal use.
Yes, significantly cheaper than many countries.
No. You must remain in smoking zones.
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