Cruise Ships

Smoking on cruise ships poses both a health hazard from secondhand smoke exposure and a risk of fires.

If you are taking a cruise, when you book, ask for a nonsmoking cabin and express your desire for the line to adopt a 100% smokefree policy. Customer feedback is the driving force behind cruise lines adoption of smokefree policies.

Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, stated in regard to his company's decision to make cabins smokefree, "It got to the point where we were getting enough of a feel from our guests saying, 'We're sensitive to the smell, secondhand smoke is becoming more of an issue and we think you as part of the industry need to step back and reevaluate things.'"

Princess Cruises attributed its decision to make cabins and balconies smokefree to"...changing customer preferences and the move around the globe – from North America to Europe – to further restrict at areas where smoking is allowed."

In August 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it would adopt a smokefree policy for its cabins, although it would continue to permit smoking on balconies, in casinos, in cigar lounges, and in designated areas outside. The policy was set to take effect in January 2012.

In June 2011, Carnival Corp. announced that it would make cabins smokefree on Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises.

Carnival Cruise Lines would begin the policy starting immediately with thirteen ships, and expand it to all twenty-three ships in the line on December 1, 2011. The policy would continue to permit smoking on balconies; in dance clubs; in designated areas in casinos; in casino bars; on some portions of open decks; and in jazz clubs.

Holland America Line staterooms will be smokefree beginning on January 15, 2012.

Princess Cruises will make both cabins and balconies smokefree beginning on January 15, 2012.

Other cruise lines with smokefree cabins include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and the UK's Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which introduced a totally smoke free indoors environment on all five vessels in the its fleet in early 2009.

The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation has compiled a table of Cruise Line Smoking Policies, updated as of August 12, 2011. Be sure to double-check before booking to make sure the policies are still in effect!

 

 

Smokefree News

Another cruise line gets strict with smokers - USA Today
USA TODAY - April 23, 2013

Add Crystal Cruises to the list of lines that are tough on smokers. The luxury operator on Monday announced that it would ban smoking in all indoor areas of its two ships except for Connoisseur Club smoking lounges. Outside smoking will be allowed in a limited number of designated spaces.

Crystal Cruises Bans Most On-Board Smoking
TravelersToday - April 23, 2013

Passenger complaints have led some cruise ships to eliminate smoking sections on board, including Crystal Cruises, who announced Monday that they will ban all indoor area smoking, excluding the Connoisseur Club smoking lounge. Some designated smoking areas on deck will still be allowed, but all smoking in cabins, Crystal Cove lobby lounges and Pulse and Luxe nightclubs are now verboten, according to a recent USA Today article.

New Crystal Cruises non-smoking policy for 2014
Cruise Ship News - April 23, 2013

Over the past year or so we have seen a trend with several cruise lines, and that is a change to their smoking policies. Yesterday saw another added to the list, as the new Crystal Cruises non-smoking policy will come into effect from January 5, 2014. Crystal Cruises is to stop smoking in all indoor areas, such as staterooms and suites, in lobby lounges and nightclubs. The only places where you will be able to smoke is designated areas, but no doubt non-smokers will still find a reason to moan, although in some cases for good reason.

Cruise News Shorts: Smoking Ban Extended, Steaks Prices Go Up ...
Cruise Critic - March 1, 2013

No Smoking Here - There's one less place to smoke onboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises' ships. As part of the line's "ongoing commitment to keep pace with the changing preferences" of its passengers, the line no longer allows smoking in: Stars Lounge on Seven Seas Navigator; Stars Nightclub on Seven Seas Mariner; and Voyager Lounge on Seven Seas Voyager. …

Black Diamond Casino Cruises cancels trips
WPTV- February 19, 2013

If you plan on gambling on the Black Diamond casino cruise ship, all bets are off. The ship, which bills itself as Florida's only full-scale non-smoking casino, has ...

Black Diamond Casino Cruises Begins Sailing from the Port of Palm Beach
The Maritime Executive (FL) - November 20, 2012

The non-smoking casino vessel features more than 250 slot machines, sports book, poker, blackjack, craps, roulette and more; filling a void left when the Palm ...

Another Cruise Line to Ban Smoking in Cabins
Cruise Critic.com (The Independent Traveler) - June 26, 2012

Citing evolving consumer trends, yet another cruise line has expanded its smoking restrictions. Effective January 1, 2013, upscale operator Silversea Cruises will no longer allow passengers to light up in cabins.

Cruise ship smoking policies still somewhat inconsistent
Canada.com (blog) - June 27, 2012

...For eample, on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships you can smoke on balconies but not in ... Crystal ships it's the reverse - in ... Silversea latest to ban smoking in cabins ... Two months ago, Cunard banned smoking in cabins.

Tighter tobacco rules on cruises worry e-smokers
Sun-Sentinel - January 12, 2012

By Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel A growing number of smokers are now using electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes to try to kick their tobacco products habit ...

Norwegian cruise line latest to ban smoking
Guests still can light up on balconies
Green Bay (WI) Press-Gazette, 2011-09-18
Written by Wayne T. Price Gannett

Norwegian Cruise Line's announcement last month that it will prohibit smoking in all staterooms starting in January is the latest sign that smoking and cruising aren't going to be a good mix in the future. ...

Half of Cruisers Want Smoking Onboard 'Totally Banned'
Prfire (press release) - August 18, 2011

A further 27% of the respondents said that smokers onboard a cruise ship should be 'assigned designated smoking areas', much like the smoking ban introduced ...

Norwegian latest cruise line to ban smoking in cabins
USA Today - August 9, 2011

Norwegian Cruise Line is changing its smoking policy. Effective in January, passengers will no longer be allowed to smoke in their cabins. ...

Cruise lines get on board with rules on smoking
Vancouver Sun - Phil Reimer - June 29, 2011

Three lines -Princess, Carnival and Holland America, all owned by Carnival Corporation -have recently banned smoking in cabins. The new policies won't happen immediately. The start date for Carnival is Dec. 1, with Princess and Holland America ...

Overhead Bin - No butts about it: Cruise lines restrict smoking
MSNBC, 2011-06-16
Dan Askin, Cruise Critic / Overhead Bin

Citing changing passenger preferences, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America and Princess Cruises have announced more restrictive smoking policies. ...