Cruise smokers face stiff fines

Passengers who are looking to light up on the balcony of their Carnival cruise ship cabin might want to think again.

Doral, Florida-based Carnival Cruise Line has announced new changes to its Tobacco and Marijuana Smoking Policy and the updates warn that passengers who smoke in non-designated areas could be fined $500 or be removed from the ship on their own dime at the next port of call.

Non-designated areas now include outdoor cabin balconies. The cruise line introduced the changes on its website last week.

Previously, the cruise line fined passengers who smoked in their staterooms with the fine going to help pay for the cleaning of the rooms, according to travelpulse.com.

Passengers who want to smoke can do so on specified exterior decks of the company’s ships as well as the nightclubs and casinos. But for the most part, the ships are smoking-free.

The policy applies “to all forms of smoking, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes and marijuana,” according to the cruise line.

And while some destinations allow the use of pot, the cruise line, which follows U.S. federal law, prohibits “possession and use of recreational/medicinal marijuana” onboard. For travellers who have a medical marijuana prescription, “they will need to consult with their physician for other suitable alternatives.” Passengers who violate the smoking policy “will be responsible for all financial charges and expenses to return home, and no refund of unused cruise fare will be provided.”