No Smoking: Carnival Cruise Line Steps Up Smoking Restrictions

Carnival Cruise Line has taken significant measures to tighten smoking policies across its fleet, prohibiting it during embarkation and in newly established casino areas designated solely for nonsmokers.

Introducing Smoke-Free Casinos

While many mainstream cruise lines have largely banned smoking in staterooms (including private balconies) and public spaces, some lines still allow smoking in their casinos, where passengers can enjoy a gamble while smoking.

To tackle this issue without imposing a total ban on smokers, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald announced on his Facebook page that three of its ships will feature converted conference centers into additional smoke-free casino areas.

"On the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Magic, while half of the main casino will remain smoking on all our ships, these three ships will have a designated nonsmoking casino for now," Heald explained, emphasizing that the repurposed conference spaces were large and infrequently used.

"These areas will include tables and slot machines. If these setups prove successful, as we anticipate, we may consider adding them to more ships in the future," he added.

"We understand that smokers do gamble. If we believed that removing smoking would not impact revenue — it certainly would — we would have taken that step. However, we’re now offering a nonsmoking casino on those three ships," he stated.

No smoking allowed before setting sail

Before announcing the new casino changes, Heald stated that Carnival will ban smoking on or near all ships during embarkation, as this is when the vessels are refueled.

"There is a no-smoking policy both inside and outside the ship during embarkation and while we are refueling, lasting until just before we set sail," Heald clarified.

The refueling process, known as bunkering, can take several hours, and since the fuel is highly flammable, stray ashes pose a significant risk. Previously, smoking was only prohibited in outdoor areas during this time, but now it is banned in indoor areas that would typically allow it as well.

"I've received several frustrated comments about this, and I completely understand," Heald expressed his empathy.

He mentioned that one reason for the change is to create a smoke-free environment for all passengers during check-in at their muster stations—some of which are located in areas like the casino where smoking is typically allowed—after they complete the line's digital safety drill.

"On most ships, we'll be utilizing the casino for an e-muster, where guests can present their app or boarding pass to get checked off and watch a life jacket demonstration from the crew," Heald explained.

Previous attempts to restrict smoking

This isn't Carnival's first foray into contentious smoking regulations. Back in 1999, the line launched the cruise industry's inaugural smoke-free ship, Carnival Paradise. However, the outright ban was soon reversed after it became evident that smokers generally spend more at bars and casinos compared to their non-smoking counterparts.

In 2014, Carnival prohibited smoking on balconies of its cabins, and it made headlines again in 2018 when it revealed that those violating its smoking rules would face $500 fines.

In the end, the areas on board where smoking is allowed are limited, with most ships permitting it only in casinos and on specific outdoor decks, typically located on one side near the back to let the smell drift out to sea.

Featured photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images.