The first thing a smoker asks when planning a cruise trip is whether the cruise allows smoking. And the second question is whether they can smoke on cruise ship balconies.
While most cruise lines do not allow smoking on balconies, several cruise lines allow smoking on balconies.
So let’s look at all cruise lines that allow smoking on balconies and open spaces.
Can You Smoke On Cruise Ship Balconies?
You can smoke on balconies of specific cruise ships like Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Fred Olsen, etc.
Not all cruise line allows you to smoke on the balcony. For example, famous cruise lines such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney do not allow you to smoke on cruise balconies.
Which Cruise Lines Allow Smoking On Balconies?
- Costa Cruises
- AIDA Cruises
- Fred Olsen
- Garden Villas Suites on NCL
Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Fred Olsen are some cruise lines that allow smoking on balconies. NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) allows guests to smoke on balconies of some specific premium suites.
Most cruise lines only allow guests to smoke on designated cigar launches and casinos. But certain cruise lines allow smoking on balconies. Let’s explore more on the same.
Smoking On Costa Cruises Balcony
Smoking is allowed on cabin balconies of Costa cruise ships.
The best part about Costa Cruises is that they provide windproof ashtrays for you to smoke on the balcony.
Costa Cruises is one of few cruise lines that allows guests to smoke on the balcony. Costa Cruises have several external smoking areas and designated cigar lounges.
Apart from cigarettes, you are also allowed to use vape/e-cigarettes as well.
Even though smoking is allowed on the cabin balcony, smoking inside the cabin is strictly prohibited.
Costa Cruises is a cruise line based in Italy. It was founded in 1948 and is now a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation since 2000.
You can find more information on the smoking policy of Costa Cruises here.
Smoking On AIDA Cruises Balcony
Smoking on cabin balconies of AIDA cruise ship is allowed by the cruise line. Designated smoking areas are available both indoors as well as outdoors.
However, remember that smoking inside the cabin is strictly prohibited on AIDA cruises.
Unlike Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises does not provide any windproof ashtrays.
AIDA Cruises is a German cruise company founded in the 1960s and currently owned and operated by the Carnival Corporation since 2003.
If you are looking for a cruise ship that allows smoking on the balcony, you may want to consider AIDA Cruises ships.
Smoking On FRED Olsen Cruises Balcony
Cigarette smoking is allowed on Fred Olsen cabin balconies, excluding Terrace balconies on Bolette and Borealis.
Similar to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and vapes are also allowed to be used on cabin balconies.
Apart from cabin balconies, there are a number of designated smoking areas and cigar lounges inside and outside the cruise ship.
Like all other cruises, smoking inside the cabin is strictly prohibited on FRED Olsen Cruises.
Find more info on smoking on the FRED Olsen Cruises cabin balcony here.
Smoking On NCL Cruises Balcony
Although NCL does not allow smoking on cabin balconies, there is an exception for Garden Villas Suites.
Since the premium Garden Villas Suite is wide and has a larger terrace area, smoking is allowed here.
Smoking is prohibited on the Norwegian Cruise Line besides the Garden Villas Suites.
Since it is a suite, the prices are very high compared with other rooms.
Can You Smoke On A Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Balcony?
No. You are not allowed to smoke on Royal Caribbean cruise ship balconies. Guests are only allowed to smoke in designated areas inside the cruise ship and specific casinos.
If you are caught smoking in an area other than the designated one, you will be fined anywhere from $200 to $400.
Can You Smoke On A Carnival Cruise Balcony?
No. You are not allowed to smoke on a Carnival cruise balcony.
Many wonders if smoking cigarettes on Carnival cruise ship balconies is allowed. But sadly, smoking is prohibited on all Carnival cruise ship balconies.
Can You Smoke On Norwegian Cruise Ship Balconies?
Generally, smoking on NCL cruise ships is not allowed, but there is an exception when it comes to Garden Villas Suite cabins.
Norwegian Cruise Line allows guests to smoke in the Garden Villas Suite cabins on the cruise ship. Smoking on balconies of normal Norwegian Cruise cabins is prohibited.
How Does The Cruise Know If You Smoke On A Private Balcony?
Many think that they could easily get away with smoking on their cabin balcony. But the fact is that there are several different ways in which the cruise line can know if you smoke on a cabin balcony.
If you have been on a cruise before, you know how close other balconies are to yours. Since balconies are adjacent to each other, the smoke from your balcony can easily reach the adjacent ones, and they may report the same to the officials.
People can also spot you smoking on your balcony from other parts of the ship too. Finally, the CCTV onboard or a reflection on the wall glass can also get you caught.
The smoke detectors inside the cabin will go off when the smoke is detected, and you get caught.
In short, you will be caught, and the cruise ship will definitely know if you smoke inside the cabin or balcony.
What Happens If I Am Caught Smoking On A Cruise Ship?
If you are caught smoking in non-designated areas like the cabin, cabin balcony, or other public areas, you will be fined anywhere from $200-$400, depending on the cruise line, as a cleaning fee.
Certain cruise lines may also impose other disciplinary actions as well.
The number one reason cruise lines prohibit users from smoking on the balcony is to avoid any fire hazards.
The smoke detectors in the cabin, balcony, and other areas are pretty efficient and alert the crew if someone tries to smoke in non-designated areas.
It’s every guest’s responsibility to abide by rules and not smoke in non-designated areas inside a cruise ship.
What’s Next?
Not every cruise allows you to smoke on the balcony. Leading cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney, won’t allow people to smoke on cruise balconies. In such cruises, you are only allowed to smoke in designated areas inside and outside the deck.
If smoking is absolutely necessary for your cruise trip, you should choose to sail on AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises or Fred Olsen cruise ships.