The short answer: Virgin Voyages allows smoking only in two designated outdoor areas: the cigar lounge on Deck 6 and a designated smoking section on the open pool deck. Smoking is banned in every cabin, every balcony, every interior public space, and every restaurant. Vapes and e-cigarettes follow the same rules as cigarettes. Marijuana is not permitted anywhere on board, regardless of state legality on departure. Fines for smoking in a cabin or on a balcony run $250-500 plus deep cleaning charges.
Smoking policies are one of the smaller-but-meaningful details that can make or break a cruise booking. Smokers want to know they have a comfortable space. Non-smokers want to know they won't be wading through clouds of smoke. Virgin Voyages takes a stricter approach than most legacy cruise lines, with very limited smoking zones. Here's exactly what's allowed and what isn't, plus how it compares to other major lines.
Where smoking is allowed on Virgin Voyages
- The Cigar Lounge (Deck 6): An indoor lounge specifically built with proper ventilation for cigar smoking. Cigarettes and pipe tobacco also permitted here. Small bar inside the lounge serves drinks.
- Designated outdoor smoking area on the pool deck: A clearly marked open-air section, usually with windscreens and ashtrays. Location varies by ship but is always away from main pool seating and dining areas.
That's it. Two spaces, both clearly signposted on the deck plans and visible inside the Sailor App. Everywhere else is non-smoking.
Where smoking is banned
- All cabins — Sea Terrace, Sea View, Insider, RockStar Suites, every category. No exceptions.
- All cabin balconies — including private balconies in RockStar Suites and Mega RockStar Suites.
- All restaurants and bars — including outdoor bars like The Pool Club.
- All hallways, atriums, and public interior spaces.
- The Manor nightclub, Red Room, Sip Lounge, Sun Club Bar.
- The pool itself and the pool deck (except the designated zone).
- The B-Complex gym, the running track, and all fitness areas.
- Redemption Spa and all spa treatment rooms.
- The Galley quick-service food hall.
- The Bimini Beach Club (Virgin's private island destination is also entirely non-smoking except for one beach-edge cigar section).
Vapes and e-cigarettes
Virgin treats vapes and e-cigarettes the same as traditional cigarettes. You can vape only in the cigar lounge and the designated pool-deck smoking area. Vaping in your cabin or on your balcony will trigger the smoke detectors and result in the same fines as cigarette smoking.
Disposable vapes (like Elf Bars) are permitted in checked luggage as long as the batteries comply with airline limits, but they can only be used in the two approved smoking zones.
Marijuana policy
Marijuana — in any form, including edibles and CBD products with THC — is not permitted anywhere on board, regardless of legal status in your home state or the departure port's state. This applies to:
- Smoking flower
- Vaping THC oil
- Eating edibles
- Using THC tinctures
- Bringing legal-state cannabis through the terminal
Virgin Voyages operates under maritime law and US federal law, which classifies cannabis as a controlled substance. Sailors caught with marijuana can face removal from the ship at the next port and forfeiture of the remaining cruise fare. Pure CBD products with zero THC are typically permitted as personal-use wellness items but are not formally guaranteed.
Fines for smoking in unauthorized areas
Virgin enforces non-smoking rules strictly. If smoke detectors trigger in a cabin or housekeeping reports cigarette residue:
- First offense: $250 cleaning fee added to the folio.
- Repeat offense or significant damage: $500+ in cleaning fees plus possible removal from the ship at the next port.
- Burned bedding or upholstery: Full replacement cost charged to your folio.
Balcony smoking is also detected — neighbors often complain, and Sailor Services follows up. Don't think a balcony is a loophole.
What the cigar lounge experience is like
Virgin's onboard cigar lounge is one of the most comfortable smoking spaces at sea. Climate-controlled, properly ventilated, leather seating, a small bar, occasional live music. They sell premium cigars and Virgin keeps a humidor of curated options. The lounge tends to fill up after dinner — by 10pm you may have to wait for a seat, especially on sea-day evenings.
The outdoor smoking section on the pool deck is more utilitarian — chairs, ashtrays, a windscreen. Decent for quick cigarettes, less appealing for an extended cigar session.
Non-smoker concerns
If you're a non-smoker worried about secondhand smoke, the news is good. Because smoking is restricted to two specific zones — both of which are away from main pool seating, dining, and lounging areas — non-smokers can easily avoid smoke entirely on a Virgin Voyages cruise. We've never had a non-smoking guest complain about smoke exposure.
The cigar lounge has proper ventilation — you can walk past it without smelling smoke in the corridor. The outdoor smoking area is in a corner of the pool deck most Sailors never walk through unless they're heading to it intentionally.
How Virgin's policy compares to other cruise lines
- Royal Caribbean: Allows smoking in casino during play, in cigar lounges, and on starboard side of outdoor decks. Banned in all cabins and balconies.
- Carnival: Allows smoking in casino, dedicated lounges, and small designated outdoor sections. Balcony smoking varies — some ships allow, most don't.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Smoking allowed in casino, designated lounges, and certain outdoor areas. Cabin smoking strictly prohibited.
- Celebrity Cruises: Limited outdoor smoking zones, cigar lounges on most ships. No cabin or balcony smoking.
- Disney Cruise Line: Among the strictest. Limited outdoor smoking sections only.
- Virgin Voyages: Two zones only (cigar lounge + outdoor area). No casino smoking. The strictest enforcement and the smallest designated areas of major lines.
If smoking is a key part of your cruise experience, Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer more flexibility. If you're a non-smoker who hates smoke, Virgin and Disney are the best bets.
Ready to book?
Virgin Voyages' smoking policy is restrictive by design — the adults-only, design-forward, wellness-leaning brand identity informs the smaller smoking footprint. For most Sailors, it's a positive: clean air, no smoky bar corners, no haze in the casino (there isn't a casino, by the way — Virgin doesn't have one).
If you're ready to book a Virgin Voyages cruise: book online through the Pixie Vacations cruise booking engine. Same Virgin pricing, same Virgin perks — but with a real travel agent (who's actually sailed VV) backing your booking. Or call 678-815-1584 from our Canton, Georgia office.
Virgin Voyages Smoking Policy FAQ
Can you smoke on your balcony on Virgin Voyages?
No. Smoking is banned on all Virgin Voyages cabin balconies, including premium RockStar Suite balconies. Violations result in a $250 minimum cleaning fee and may include additional damage charges.
Is there a smoking section on Virgin Voyages?
Yes — two areas. The Cigar Lounge on Deck 6 (indoor, properly ventilated, cigarettes and cigars allowed) and a designated outdoor smoking section on the pool deck. Smoking is not permitted anywhere else on the ship.
Can you vape on Virgin Voyages?
Yes, but only in the two designated smoking areas — the Cigar Lounge and the outdoor pool-deck smoking section. Vaping in cabins or on balconies will trigger smoke detectors and result in the same $250+ fines as cigarette smoking.
Is marijuana allowed on Virgin Voyages?
No. Marijuana in any form — flower, edibles, oils, tinctures, or vapes — is prohibited anywhere on Virgin Voyages, regardless of legality in your home state or the departure port. This includes most THC-containing CBD products. Sailors caught with marijuana can be removed from the ship at the next port without refund.
What is the fine for smoking in a Virgin Voyages cabin?
$250 minimum for a first offense, which covers deep cleaning of the cabin. Repeat offenses or significant damage (burned linens, smoke-stained walls) can run $500 or more, plus possible removal from the ship at the next port.
Does Virgin Voyages have a casino?
No. Virgin Voyages does not have a casino on any of its ships. This is one of the major design differences from traditional cruise lines and is part of why there's no smoking-permitted casino space.
The bottom line
Virgin Voyages' smoking policy is the strictest among major cruise lines. Two small designated zones, fines for violations, no exceptions. Non-smokers will love the clean air; smokers should know exactly where they can light up before booking. Either way, Virgin's policy is transparent and well-enforced — which is more than can be said for many cruise lines that allow casino smoking and let smoke drift into surrounding areas.
Book Virgin Voyages online with Pixie Vacations or call 678-815-1584. Safe sailing.
Related Virgin Voyages guides
- Virgin Voyages adults-only guide
- What's included on Virgin Voyages
- Virgin Voyages vs Royal Caribbean
- First time on Virgin Voyages: 25 tips
- Virgin Voyages questions answered
Ready to Book Your Virgin Voyages Cruise?
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