Cruising is enormously popular today, but with smokers a distinct minority today, more and more lines are hanging out the “No Smoking” sign.

It’s a hot issue and a recent review on Cruisemates.com of where the major lines stand noted that “Hardly any single topic in our cruise forums attracts more interest than one entitled ‘Smoking policies on Cruise Ships.’”

Assistant Editor Rita M. Ippoliti checked out the current policies on 11 major lines, but was clear that “no major cruise line permits smoking in any of the dining venues onboard, nor do they allow it in the main show lounge.” Elsewhere, however, each line has its own standards:

Carnival:
Carnival had ships that were completely smoke-free, but now all of their fleet allow smoking in the casinos, many of the bars and lounges and designated areas of the deck. Ippoliti noted that “Dedicated cigar bars are provided in some of the larger ships in the fleet.”

Celebrity:
Forget it. No smoking is allowed in the cabins or private balconies and there are very few designated smoking areas elsewhere. Even worse: “Pipe and cigar smokers are especially restricted on Celebrity. They can only light up in a limited number of specially designated areas on the open decks, with no indoor venues provided for them at all.”

Costa Cruises:

This Italian line is quite accommodating, with smoking allowed in most of the public rooms and in designated areas of the open decks. There is no smoking in the restaurants and show lounges.

Cunard Lines:

Although there are smoking areas designated throughout the ships, Ippoliti reports that “Cigar and pipe smokers are free to light up in the Churchill’s Cigar Lounge only.”

Disney:
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, including cabins. There are designated areas of the open decks where smoking is allowed.

Holland America:

This line has been tightening its smoking policy in response to surveys it has been undertaking since 2008. Smoking is still permitted in the cabins and in designated areas of many of the bars and lounges.

MSC Cruises:

Also catering to a primarily European audience, smoking is permitted in at least one lounge on each ship and there are designated cigar lounges as well. However, smoking is not permitted in cabins or private balconies.

Norwegian:
Ippoliti notes that “NCL has a cigar bar available to its smoking passengers on most ships” and that smoking is allowed in casinos and in cabins and on balconies. Most of the open decks are OK for smoking as well.

Oceania Cruises:

Very restricted, with no indoor smoking allowed at all and only in designated areas outdoors. Pass.

Princess:
Although smoking is allowed in several of the bars and lounges, “For cigar and pipe smokers, Churchill’s Lounge, available on most ships, offers accommodation. The only other public venue for cigar and pipe smokers is the open decks around the ships.” Smoking is allowed in the cabins and on private balconies.

Regent Seven Seas:

Smoking is prohibited in cabins and on balconies, but there are designated areas in the lounges and outside. The Connoisseur Club on each ship caters to cigar and pipe smokers.

Royal Caribbean:

No smoking in the cabins, but it’s allowed on private balconies. There are designated outdoor smoking areas and some of the bars and lounges still allow smoking.