If you’re a smoker planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, you probably have a lot of questions: Can I bring a lighter? What about cigars or vaping devices? Are there smoking areas on the ship? The rules can feel confusing, especially since some heating items are banned while others are allowed.
This guide covers everything you need to know, from which lighters and tobacco products you can pack, to where you’ll actually be able to smoke once onboard.
Are Lighters Allowed on Royal Caribbean?
Yes — but not every type of lighter is permitted.
- ✅ Disposable lighters (like BIC) — Allowed.
- ✅ Zippo-style refillable lighters — Allowed.
- ❌ Torch lighters (jet flame / cigar torch) — Not allowed. These are considered a fire hazard and are on the banned list.
- ❌ Novelty lighters — Prohibited, especially those shaped like guns or unusual objects.
Tip: Always pack your lighter in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. If it’s in checked bags, security may remove it.
Cigarettes, Cigars, and Tobacco
- ✅ Cigarettes and cigars are allowed onboard.
- ✅ Chewing tobacco is also permitted.
- ✅ Pipe tobacco is allowed but can only be used in designated smoking areas.
- ❌ No smoking in staterooms or balconies — doing so results in a $250 cleaning fee.
Vaping and E-Cigarettes
- ✅ E-cigarettes and vaping devices are permitted.
- But they follow the same rules as cigarettes: use only in designated smoking areas.
- ❌ Not allowed in staterooms or balconies.
Where Can You Smoke on a Royal Caribbean Ship?
Royal Caribbean sets aside smoking areas to balance guest preferences and comfort:
- Outdoor decks: Most ships have one or more marked smoking sections, usually on one side of the pool deck or toward the aft.
- Casino: Many ships include a smoking section inside the casino. Cigarettes are usually permitted here, but cigars and pipes typically are not.
- Cigar lounges: Select ships may have a cigar bar or lounge where cigars and pipe tobacco are permitted.
- Everywhere else: Indoor public spaces, restaurants, theaters, staterooms, and balconies are strictly non-smoking.
Quick Reference: What’s Allowed and What’s Not
| Item | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BIC / Disposable lighter | ✅ | Carry-on only |
| Zippo refillable lighter | ✅ | Carry-on only |
| Torch lighter (jet flame) | ❌ | Prohibited |
| Novelty lighter | ❌ | Prohibited |
| Cigarettes | ✅ | Designated smoking areas only |
| Cigars | ✅ | Outdoor areas or cigar lounges only |
| Pipe tobacco | ✅ | Designated areas only |
| Chewing tobacco | ✅ | Use in designated smoking areas |
| Vapes / E-cigs | ✅ | Same rules as smoking; designated areas only |
| Smoking in stateroom/balcony | ❌ | $250 cleaning fee for violations |
FAQs About Smoking on Royal Caribbean
Can you bring a lighter on Royal Caribbean?
Yes. Disposable (BIC-style) and Zippo lighters are fine. Torch and novelty lighters are not.
Can you bring cigars on Royal Caribbean?
Yes, but they can only be smoked in outdoor smoking areas or cigar lounges on certain ships.
Can you bring a vape or e-cigarette?
Yes. They’re permitted but restricted to the same designated smoking areas as cigarettes.
Can you bring chewing tobacco?
Yes, chewing tobacco is allowed. Use it in outdoor smoking areas.
Can you smoke in your stateroom or balcony?
No. Smoking is banned in cabins and balconies. Violations come with a $250 cleaning fee.
Where can you smoke onboard?
Look for marked outdoor smoking sections, usually on the pool deck or aft, and designated casino areas. Some ships also feature cigar lounges.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can bring a lighter on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but only standard disposable or refillable ones, not torch lighters. Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices are permitted too, but only in designated smoking areas.
By packing the right items in your carry-on and following the ship’s rules, you’ll avoid headaches and enjoy your cruise stress-free.
Charity Bradley 
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