Got roped into doing a Norwegian Line Alaskan cruise in 2024. Ship is the NORWEGIAN ENCORE.

Try as I might, I cannot get the real-deal scoop on cigar smoking on these ships. I know that they have cigar bars, but I’m not really interested in doing that.

What I want to do is get up in the morning, sit on my outdoor balcony with a coffee and cigar. I’ve been told that I could be fined for that…what I cannot seem to find answers to are:

- How would they find out?
- How much are the fine?
- Is a fine tagged on at the end of the cruise or is it per time you are discovered?

What say those of you in the know?

I can’t tell you about the fine. But your neighboring cabins will report you. The smell will go to the cabins around you. Short answer is find a smoking area and go there.

Just looked it up. Encore has a smoking room. Fine for balcony is $250 charged to your onboard account.

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/smoking

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
I can’t tell you about the fine. But your neighboring cabins will report you. The smell will go to the cabins around you. Short answer is find a smoking area and go there.

Just looked it up. Encore has a smoking room. Fine for balcony is $250 charged to your onboard account.

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/smoking

You could always just be the one doing the reporting, so they don't think its you...

quote:

You could always just be the one doing the reporting, so they don't think its you...

Brilliant! LOL

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
<SNIP>Just looked it up. Encore has a smoking room. Fine for balcony is $250 charged to your onboard account.

I saw that too, but there is the mystery question that I cannot get an answer to. Is it $250 for the trip or is it $250 for each time they become aware. Because if it’s the former, I’ll just budget in the $250 as just one more added expense to an already unnecessarily expensive trip.

On the fantail but only when the Smoking Lamp is lit.

Cigar smoke doesn’t bother me and I’d not report you. I actually kind of like the smell. But it very bothersome to some people. I don’t know why you would do that. It’s not about the money.

That being said if it’s early and neighbors aren’t out it may not be an issue. I would expect it’s a one time fine as they say it’s for “cleaning”. Of course balcony won’t need extra cleaning. It may be a fire hazard. I assume if it happens more than once they will be having a chat with you.

I try to be a VERY considerate cigar smoker; in this case I am also trying to explore all of my options. To sit on my balcony in the early morning with coffee and cigar, watching the glaciers and the water…it just sounds like near paradise to me.

Designated smoking areas and Casino from my experience currently. I would expect by 2024 there might be a total ban on smoking. The last cruise I went on the casino only had a small smoking section which previously was not the case, smoking aloud in the whole casino every cruise before that

Your neighbors would narc you out and cameras are watching the balconies

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
I try to be a VERY considerate cigar smoker; in this case I am also trying to explore all of my options. To sit on my balcony in the early morning with coffee and cigar, watching the glaciers and the water…it just sounds like near paradise to me.

The balcony is absolutely no smoking for most of the cruise lines.

Most cruise lines have a cigar bar. open 24/7. Gotta have a place to smoke all those Cubans that you buy on the ship.

Back in 2006 there was a bad fire on the cruise ship Star Princess. It was started by what they think was a discarded cigarette on a balcony. It burned on one side of the ship and effected over 200 cabins.

The cruise lines take this very seriously and may fine you once, however if you get caught multiple times they may put you off at the next port then you have to find your own way home at your own cost, if this the policy of the cruise line you are sailing with.

I do not know of any cruise lines that allow smoking outside the smoking areas or on the balcony's of the ship, however their may still be some cruise lines that do.

My wife and I go on mainly Disney cruises, however back in February 2020 we went on our first NCL cruise. On the Breakaway you could smoke in the casino and on one of the upper decks in a smoking area.

Personally I don't smoke and smoking does not bother me, however if you are in an spot where their are glaciers their will be a lot of people on their balcony's and someone will complain.

Don’t be a dick and budget the $250.

And no, cigar smoke is not nice to everyone no matter how considerate you think you are being.

You smoking on your perfect morning may be ruining some else’s.

The Points Guy is usually a pretty reliable source of travel information. Their info lines up with what you are being told here.

https://thepointsguy.com/guide...orwegian-cruise-line

quote:

Originally posted by Patriot:
And no, cigar smoke is not nice to everyone no matter how considerate you think you are being.

Even back when I was still smoking I found most cigar smoke noxious.

Yeah I’m gonna go ahead and say that you smoking on your deck regardless of rules is a dick move.

I’d piss on it to put it out if I was above you.

“Now the smoking lamp is lit in authorized areas.”

Authorized being the key word.

Most people don’t enjoy cigar smoke. (I’m a former smoker& it doesn’t bother me)

Thanks guys - I’ll play by the rules; I don’t Cruise so was really just looking for options.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
I try to be a VERY considerate cigar smoker; in this case I am also trying to explore all of my options. To sit on my balcony in the early morning with coffee and cigar, watching the glaciers and the water…it just sounds like near paradise to me.

It sounds like absolute hell to me if you were my neighbor, and yes I would complain every single day.

The cruise line could kick you off at the next port if you refuse to comply with the rules. Noise, smoking, cooking in your room, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Yeah I’m gonna go ahead and say that you smoking on your deck regardless of rules is a dick move.

I’d piss on it to put it out if I was above you.

Now THAT sir, would be a … dick move!

As I mentioned above, I’m going to play by the rules. I’d hate it if someone was smoking a cigarette outside.

IMO, the rule about not smoking on balconies is based on fire safety. Fires at sea are a big problem, and many fires on passenger ships have been started by smokers on their balconies. For one thing, a fire started on one is not immediately discovered and gets going well before it can be addressed. Access by firefighters is also limited.

I personally am sensitive to any tobacco smoke, and cigars are the worst. I would definitely be aware of it and would report it.

flashguy