According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 4.5% of adults 18+ used e-cigarettes in 2020 compared to 6.5% in 2023. Because the percentage of adults using vapes increased from 2019 to 2023, you might be part of the group wondering if you can bring a vape on a cruise ship.
While smoking is permitted on cruise ships, there are strict rules about where you can smoke. For instance, you can't pull out your vape in the dining room during dinner or in the middle of a production show in the theater.
Typically, smoking, whether a cigarette or vape, is only permitted in designated smoking areas, including specific outdoor areas and indoor venues like the casino. Vaping elsewhere, including in your stateroom, isn't allowed and can result in major fines.
You can't vape on your cabin's balcony
Though vapes are allowed on cruises, you can't freely vape onboard. Though it might seem easier to get away with vaping compared to smoking, you'll face hefty fines if caught using the e-cigarette in non-designated areas.
Cruise lines treat vaping the same as traditional smoking — they don't have separate rules for cigarettes versus vapes. As such, using a vape in your cabin, on your balcony, or in any non-designated area could result in fines, sometimes upwards of $500 per violation.
Read more: Can You Smoke On A Cruise Ship?
Cigarettes are sold on cruise ships, but vapes aren't
Usually, cigarettes are available in the duty-free store onboard, often for less than your local drug store because of tax exemptions. However, vapes aren't sold on cruise ships. This includes vape-related products like e-liquids and cartridges.
Usually, cigarettes are available in the duty-free store onboard, often at a lower price than you'd find on land due to tax exemptions. However, vapes and vape-related products like e-liquids or cartridges are typically not sold on cruise ships.
So, when bringing vapes on cruise ships, ensure you have enough supplies to get you through your vacation. This might mean buying extra e-liquid and checking that your cartridge is charging normally.
Should you try to get away with vaping on a cruise ship?
Vaping is allowed on cruise ships. However, you shouldn't try to take a hit just anywhere. If caught, you're onboard account could be billed to cover the cruise line's "cleaning fee." The cleaning fee varies based on cruise line, but can be as expensive as $500 on Carnival ships:
Carnival Cruise Line: $500
Celebrity Cruises: $250
Disney Cruise Line: $250
Holland America Line: $250
Norwegian Cruise Line: $250
Princess Cruises: $250
Royal Caribbean: $250
Virgin Voyages: $500
Designated smoking areas usually include an outdoor deck near the pool, cigar lounge, and casino. However, some lines might not let you vape in the casino if you aren't actively gambling. Additionally, non-smoking casinos are becoming popular on lines like Royal Caribbean. If you want to play and smoke, make sure you're in the right area!
Similarly, certain Holland America Line ships don't let guests smoke in the casino. These vessels include Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam.
Additionally, minors can't bring e-cigarettes onboard. For sailings beginning in the United States, you must be at least 21 to bring a vape on the ship. However, international destinations are more lenient, allowing 18-year-olds to vape.
Read more: How To Get Away With Smoking On A Cruise Ship
Marijuana is strictly prohibited
Don't try to smuggle weed on your cruise ship — the consequences can be dire. While marijuana is legal in certain states, it's illegal at the federal level.
As such, it's banned on cruise ships since terminals are federal facilities. Plus, cruise vessels visit different countries where they're subject to local laws. All forms of marijuana are prohibited, whether it's for medicinal purposes or not. This means you can't bring on any forms of the drug, including edibles, joints, hash oil, etc.
Certain cruise lines, namely Carnival, also have drug dogs present during the embarkation process to sniff guests' bags to ensure they don't have marijuana with them. You may also see drug dogs in port when returning to the ship.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
