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Can You Smoke on a Cruise Ship? The Ultimate Guide

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: January 2, 2022  - Last updated: November 29, 2022

For smokers and non-smokers alike, knowing where smoking is (and isn’t!) allowed on your cruise is so important. In this guide to cruise line smoking policies, I’ll explain the guidelines for where it’s OK to smoke on a cruise and where it’s strictly forbidden.

Whether you’d prefer to steer clear of any secondhand smoke on your cruise vacation, or you’re a smoker looking for the right place to light up on your upcoming cruise, I’ll share all the basics you need to know.

Plus, I’ve included a line-by-line list of smoking policies for 39 cruise lines, as well as a handy chart to see the basic policies at a glance.

Can you smoke on a cruise ship?

In general, you can still smoke on a cruise ship, but only in designated areas. If you’re not sure where the smoking areas are, you can ask any member of the crew and they’ll give you directions.

Cruise lines have significantly tightened up their smoking policies over the last twenty years, but there’s still at least one designated smoking area on just about every ship. In fact, of the 39 cruise lines I researched, only one has any completely non-smoking ships!

Sorry, you’ll have to keep reading to find out which cruise ships are entirely smoke-free!

What can you smoke on a cruise ship?

Cruise lines allow passengers to smoke tobacco in their designated smoking areas. However, no cruise lines allow cannabis or CBD in any form on their ships. This applies to smoking and vaping materials, as well as edibles and topical ointments. Even with a prescription, it’s still not allowed.

Smoking cigars or pipes on a cruise

Most cruise lines allow cigar or pipe smoking, but often only in outdoor smoking areas or special cigar lounges.

If you like to relax with a cigar or a pipe, make sure you ask a crewmember which smoking sections you can use. It might not be all of them!

Vaping on a cruise

Using e-cigarettes (vaping) is usually only allowed in designated smoking areas. But there are a few exceptions!

A handful of cruise lines, including Cunard and Holland America, allow vaping in passenger staterooms. (Princess Cruises also used to allow vaping in staterooms, but that rule has recently changed.)

One cruise line, Regent Seven Seas, actually allows vaping in interior parts of the ship, except in the dining areas.

Smoking on stateroom balconies

With very few exceptions, smoking isn’t allowed on cruise ship balconies anymore. Although some cruisers try to sneak a smoke in the open air, it can be a safety hazard (and annoyed guests on nearby balconies will likely turn you in).

However, there are currently five cruise lines that still allow smoking on your balcony: Costa Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, TUI, Fred. Olsen, and AIDA.

There are some ships on these lines that have non-smoking balcony sections—or even entire ships where smoking on balconies is prohibited—so be sure you book your stateroom on the right ship and in the correct section.

Smoking at cruise ship bars

Most bars on cruise ships—indoors and on deck—are non-smoking. There are some exceptions, like cigar bars and designated lounges, but not every ship has this feature.

But, many designated smoking areas are located close enough to bars that crewmembers will come around to take drink orders and deliver them right to you.

Smoking in cruise ship casinos

Many cruise lines with onboard casinos allow smoking in at least a section of their casinos. Smoking privileges are usually reserved for active players, and often at slot machines or select table games only.

Some cruise lines have specific times where the casino is entirely non-smoking. If all the ashtrays have suddenly disappeared from what was previously a smoking section, just ask a crew member. Odds are it’s the casino’s non-smoking time.

Today there are many cruise lines that have completely non-smoking casinos. Celebrity Cruises, Azamara, and Regent Seven Seas, among others, don’t allow smoking at any time in the casino.

Smoking during bunkering

If you’re unfamiliar with the term “bunkering”, it’s the ship’s refueling process. During certain port stops, your cruise ship will be topped up with fuel and smoking won’t be permitted on any of the exterior open deck areas.

The process usually lasts a few hours, and on some ships this means there are zero places where smoking is allowed during bunkering.

You may also like: A Cruise Glossary: Cruise Terms You Should Know

What happens if you’re caught smoking in a non-smoking area on a cruise ship?

Cruise lines are very strict with their smoking policies, and can assess hefty fines for people who are caught smoking in non-smoking areas. They can even kick you off the ship at the next port!

And no, you won’t get a refund if you’re disembarked for breaking a cruise line policy. You’ll also need to find your way home at your own expense—not a fun way to end your vacation!

Buying cigarettes or cigars on a cruise ship

Most larger cruise ships sell cigarettes and cigars on board. You can usually ask for cigarettes at any of the ship’s bars. If the ship has an indoor smoking lounge or cigar bar, you can often buy cigars there.

The onboard duty-free shops also usually carry cigarettes by the carton and cigars by the box. However, some cruise lines will hold your duty-free items until the last night of the cruise.

You must be at least 21 years old to purchase, possess, or use tobacco on cruises that begin in U.S. ports. For sailings embarking from most other ports, the minimum age is 18 years old.

Tip: Although you can usually buy cigars or cigarettes, lighters and matches can be hard to come by on board. Be sure to bring extras before you sail.

Best cruise lines for non-smokers

If you’re a non-smoker and you really don’t want to be around cigarette smoke, many cruise lines do a fairly good job keeping the designated smoking areas hidden away.

But smoking areas (especially on large cruise lines with a variety of ship classes) can vary widely from one ship to another. You might find that the smoking area on one ship is so far from the action that you’d never know it was there. But another ship on the very same line might allow smoking on half of the pool deck! (I’ve noticed this on both Carnival’s and Norwegian’s fleets as examples.)

Some cruise lines also allow smoking in their casinos, and that smoke tends to travel. If you’re a non-smoker who likes to play in the casino (or you just want to avoid wafting smoke), these cruise lines have entirely non-smoking casinos:

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line

Celebrity cruises, celestyal cruises, cunard line, marella cruises, oceania cruises.

• Regent Seven Seas

Virgin Voyages

Overall, the best cruise lines for people who want to avoid smoke on their cruise vacation include:

Disney Cruise Line

Seadream yacht club.

• Viking (Ocean and River)

Windstar Cruises

Remember I mentioned that one cruise line has a couple of non-smoking cruise ships? It’s luxury cruise line Seabourn. They operate two expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit , that are completely non-smoking.

Read more about what Seabourn has to offer in my article Which Cruise Lines Have All-Inclusive Cruises?

Smoking on a cruise: a line-by-line guide

I’ve compiled the current smoking policies for all the larger cruise lines, and it’s a pretty long list! But you can jump right to the cruise line you’re planning to sail by using the quick links below.

AmaWaterways

American cruise lines, avalon waterways, carnival cruise line, costa cruises, croisieurope, fred. olsen, hapag-lloyd cruises, holland america line, hurtigruten, msc cruises, norwegian cruise line, p&o cruises, paul gauguin cruises, princess cruises, quark expeditions, regent seven seas cruises, royal caribbean cruise line, saga cruises, uncruise adventures, uniworld boutique river cruises, viking ocean, viking river cruises.

Or, for my at-a-glance breakdown of the basic smoking policies on all of these lines, you can jump to my cruise smoking policy chart .

Note: Check with your cruise line for their most up-to-date smoking rules, as they can change at any time.

All AIDA cruise ships have designated smoking areas, and smoking is also allowed on most stateroom balconies. However, select balconies on AIDAperla and AIDAprima are non-smoking.

E-cigarettes are permitted in limited areas on all AIDA ships.

AmaWaterways only allows smoking in one area on each of their ships: the aft of the Sun Deck.

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on American Cruise Lines ships. Smoking is strictly prohibited in staterooms and on private balconies.

All Avalon Waterways ships have non-smoking interiors. Smoking is allowed in a designated outdoor area of each ship.

All of Azamara’s ships have a designated smoking area on the port side forward section of the pool deck. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas.

Azamara also prohibits smoking on the land tour portion of all cruise tours, including the use of electronic cigarettes.

All interior sections of Bahamas Paradise cruise ships are non-smoking, including the casino. Each ship has designated smoking sections on the exterior decks on the port side.

All Carnival ships have at least one designated outdoor smoking area, allowing cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

Carnival’s casinos have both smoking and non-smoking sections, with the exception of cruises sailing from or in Australia. On these cruises, the casino is entirely non-smoking.

Guests who smoke outside of the designated areas may be charged $500 per violation, and also may be disembarked with no refund of their unused cruise fare. Additionally, violators may be prohibited from sailing with Carnival Cruise Line in the future.

Read more: Carnival Smoking Areas by Ship – Where You Can Smoke on a Carnival Cruise

Celebrity Cruises has designated smoking areas on each ship, allowing cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, and cigars in these sections only.

Casinos on Celebrity are entirely non-smoking.

Guests who smoke in their stateroom or veranda will be assessed a $250 cleaning fee.

Celestyal Cruises prohibits smoking in all interior spaces on their ships. Designated smoking areas are provided on the open decks.

Costa does not allow smoking in any internal areas of their ships, with the exception of inside cigar lounges.

Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is allowed at clearly-marked outdoor smoking areas and on guest cabin balconies.

E-cigarettes can be used inside guest cabins and on cabin balconies, as well as at any designated smoking area.

Smoking is not allowed in any indoor area on CroisiEurope ships. An outdoor smoking section is available on the Sun Deck of each ship.

Indoor areas on Cunard ships are non-smoking except in designated sections. Cigar lounges are reserved for cigar and pipe smoking only.

Outdoor smoking areas are clearly marked on each ship.

Guests can use e-cigarettes in their staterooms (not on the balcony) as well as in designated outdoor areas.

Violations to the smoking policy will result in a $250 cleaning fee per violation. Repeated violations may result in disembarkation without refund.

Disney allows smoking and the use of e-cigarettes only in the following locations and times on their ships:

Disney Magic and Disney Wonder

• Deck 4, outdoors, starboard side from 6 PM to 6 AM
• Deck 9, forward, portside, any time

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

• Deck 4, port side, aft, on the outside Promenade Deck from 6 PM to 6 AM
• Deck 12, port side, aft, the outdoor area accessible through the Meridian Lounge at any time
• Deck 13, port side, forward, near Currents Bar, at any time

Guests who have smoked in their staterooms or on their verandahs will be charged a $250 stateroom recovery fee.

Fred. Olsen cruise ships are nonsmoking in all indoor areas. Smoking is permitted in designated areas on the open deck, as well as on most cabin balconies.

Terrace balconies on Bolette and Borealis are non-smoking.

All Hapag-Lloyd cruise ships have designated outdoor smoking areas, and some have indoor smoking areas as well.

On some ships, smoking is allowed on stateroom balconies.

Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is allowed in the following areas:

• Sansibar (in the outdoor area only)
• In the outdoor areas of the decks and in the smoking area of the Lido terrace (not under the Magrodome)

MS EUROPA 2

Smoking is allowed in the following areas:

• All external decks (except the Magrodome area and the outer terrace of the Yacht Club Restaurant)
• Cigars, cigarillos and pipes may only be smoked in the Collins and in the outside area on the starboard side of the Sansibar

HANSEATIC nature , HANSEATIC inspiration, and HANSEATIC spirit

• Invisible Lounge (Deck 4)
• Outdoor smoking area on the port side near the pool (cigarettes only)

MS EUROPA , MS EUROPA 2 , HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration, and HANSEATIC spirit

• Designated outdoor smoking areas
• Stateroom verandas

Holland America cruise ships offer designated smoking and non-smoking areas in most lounges, as well as in select sections of the outdoor decks.

Cigar and pipe smoking is permitted on the outside decks only.

Electronic cigarettes are permitted both in staterooms (except on verandas) and in designated smoking areas.

Smoking areas on Hurtigruten ships are located on outdoor decks, but smoking is prohibited when ships are in port.

Hurtigruten’s Expedition ships are usually non-smoking, but smoking may be allowed in certain areas on outside decks.

Smoking inside a cabin will result in a 1500 NOK (approximately $180 USD) cleaning charge.

Marella’s ships allow smoking only in designated areas of the open deck.

MSC allows smoking only in designated areas, indicated by signage and ashtrays.

Guests who smoke in non-designated areas may be fined, and repeatedly smoking in non-smoking areas can lead to disembarkation.

All indoor areas of NCL ships are non-smoking, with the exception of cigar lounges and the casino. All ships have designated smoking areas on the open decks.

Cigar Lounges:

Cigar smoking is permitted in designated cigar lounges on select ships. Cigarettes, pipes, and electronic cigarettes are not permitted in the cigar lounge. Cigar and pipe smoking on Norwegian Sky , Norwegian Sun , Norwegian Star , and Pride of America is permitted only in designated outdoor areas as there is no cigar lounge on board.

Norwegian Bliss , Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore each have a designated smoking room within the casino. On all other ships, players may smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes in the Casino during gaming hours. Cigar and pipe smoking are not permitted in the casino.

Passengers who have smoked inside their stateroom or on the balcony will be charged a $250 USD cleaning fee.

Guests in the Garden Villas may smoke in their private garden and on their private sun decks.

Smoking and vaping are only permitted on Oceania ships on Deck 9 in the forward starboard corner of the pool deck, and on Deck 10 in the aft port corner of Horizons.

Cigar and pipe smoking are only permitted on the forward starboard corner of the pool peck.

Guests who violate the smoking policy will be disembarked at the next port, and may also be subject to fines.

Smoking and vaping are permitted on P&O cruise ships in designated areas of the open deck.

Each Paul Gauguin cruise ship has multiple outdoor areas where smoking is permitted. These include the forward outdoor areas on Deck 5 (starboard and port sides), La Palette (outside area, starboard side only), and Bar Du Soleil (starboard side only).

Smoking and vaping are permitted on Ponant cruise ships in designated areas of the open deck.

Princess’ ships have both indoor and outdoor smoking areas on board, including cigar lounges and specific areas of the open decks.

The casino has designated slot machines where guests are permitted to smoke while playing at those machines. All table games are non-smoking. The casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on the length of sailing.

Princess Cruises prohibits smoking or vaping in guest staterooms and balconies. Violations will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence.

Note: Until recently, Princess allowed the use of e-cigarettes in guest staterooms. This policy has changed, and vaping in your cabin is no longer allowed.

Quark has a no smoking or vaping policy in all interior sections of their ships. Smoking or vaping is only allowed in the designated outside smoking area.

Smoking and vaping also are not allowed near Zodiacs (inflatable boats) or during shore landings.

RSSC permits smoking in designated parts of the outdoor pool area. Additionally, smoking is allowed in the following areas of their ships:

• Seven Seas Voyager : Connoisseur Club, Horizon Lounge (outdoor one side designated area), pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
• Seven Seas Mariner : Connoisseur Club, Horizon Lounge (outdoor one side designated area), pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)
• Seven Seas Navigator : Connoisseur Club, Galileo’s (outdoor one side designated area), pool area (designated area opposite side of the Pool Bar)

Electronic cigarette smoking is permitted throughout Regent ships with the exception of the dining areas.

Regent allows cigar smoking only in the Connoisseur Club and the designated area on the opposite side of the Pool Bar. Pipe smoking is only permitted in the Connoisseur Club.

Guests who don’t comply with the smoking policy will be asked to disembark without a refund.

RCCL permits cigarette, e-cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking in designated outdoor areas.

The casino on many Royal Caribbean sailings allows smoking and has a designated area for non-smoking guests (cruises departing from China and Hong Kong do not have a non-smoking area in the casino). Smoking is not permitted in the casino for any ships departing from Australia and the UK.

Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on stateroom balconies. Guests who violate this policy will be charged a $250 USD cleaning fee and may be subject to further action.

Smoking and vaping are only permitted in the designated smoking area on Saga ships. On Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, the smoking area is on the port side of Deck 11 aft.

Seabourn has a completely non-smoking policy (including e-cigarettes) on their two expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit . This policy also extends to shore landings.

On all other Seabourn ships, cigarette smoking is permitted in the designated smoking area on the starboard half of the Sky Bar open deck.

Cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking are allowed on the starboard half of the Seabourn Square outside deck.

Any guest who smokes inside a stateroom or on the adjoining veranda will be charged a $250 USD cleaning fee per day of violation.

SeaDream permits smoking only in designated areas on the outside deck.

Cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette, and pipe smoking is permitted only in the Connoisseur’s Corner and in select other areas, including designated tables and seating outside of the Panorama Lounge and the Pool Bar.

Other smoking areas include:

• Silver Spirit , Silver Whisper , Silver Shadow , Silver Muse and Silver Moon : on open Decks 9 and 10
• Silver Cloud and Silver Wind : on open Deck 9
• Silver Explorer : in designated outside areas on Decks 5 and 6
• Silver Origin : in designated outside areas on Deck 7

TUI (Mein Schiff)

Smoking on TUI’s Mein Schiff ships is only permitted on private balconies and in designated areas.

Designated areas on Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 include:

• Deck 5: Casino & Lounge
• Deck 5: Front area on the promenade deck (starboard and port)
• Deck 5: Promenade deck in front of the show bar (port)
• Deck 5: Outdoor area of ​​the Creative Kitchen
• Deck 14: Overview Bar
• Deck 14: Outer Alster Bar & Grill (starboard side)
• Deck 15: X-Sundeck (aft area, port side)
• Deck 15: High Air Bar (port side)

Designated areas on Mein Schiff Herz include:

• Deck 8: Unschlag Bar
• Deck 6: Front part of the promenade
• Deck 7: Rear part of the promenade deck, terrace of the show bar
• Deck 11: Indispensable bar, terrace of the outer Alster bar (port only)
• Deck 12: Overview bar

Designated areas on Mein Schiff 3 include:

• Deck 5: Smoking lounge
• Deck 5: Front part of the promenade deck, port side of the Schau Bar, Champagner Treff
• Deck 14: Port side of the Outer Alster Bar & Grill, Overview Bar

Designated areas on Mein Schiff 4 , 5 , and 6 include:

• Deck 14: Port side of the Outer Alster Bar & Grill, Overview bar

Vaping or smoking tobacco products is prohibited anywhere inside UnCruise ships. Vaping and smoking are only allowed on the outer aft deck in a designated smoking area.

Uniworld allows smoking only on the sun decks of their ships. This policy applies to all forms of smoking materials including e-cigarettes.

The cruise line also asks guests to refrain from smoking on shore excursions and tours.

Smoking is allowed on Viking Ocean ships only in the designated outdoor smoking area.

Viking River Cruises only allows smoking in the designated outdoor smoking area.

Virgin Voyages provides various designated smoking areas around their ships.   

Passengers found smoking or vaping in their stateroom or on a stateroom balcony will be fined $500 USD and may be disembarked from the voyage.

Windstar allows smoking and vaping on outside decks in designated smoking areas only.

Cigar smoking is permitted only in a specific designated area on each yacht.

Cruise line smoking policies at-a-glance

Cruise ship smoking faq.

Where can you smoke on a cruise ship?

Almost all cruise ships have at least one designated outdoor smoking area. Some ships also have an indoor smoking lounge and/or allow smoking in at least one part of the casino.

Are any cruise ships non-smoking?

Seabourn has a completely non-smoking policy (including e-cigarettes) on their two expedition ships,  Seabourn Venture  and  Seabourn Pursuit . This policy also extends to shore landings.

Is smoking allowed in casinos on cruise ships?

Many cruise lines have banned smoking on their onboard casinos. Some cruise ship casinos allow smoking at slot machines for active players. Others have designated smoking and non-smoking slot machine sections.

Is smoking allowed on cruise ship stateroom balconies?

A very small number of cruise lines still permit smoking on some stateroom balconies. These include Costa Cruises, Fred. Olsen, AIDA, Hapag-Lloyd, and TUI (Mein Schiff).

Can you smoke cigars or pipes on a cruise?

Most cruise lines permit cigar and pipe smoking in designated areas. However, smoking cigars and pipes may not be allowed in every smoking section.

Can you buy cigarettes on a cruise ship?

Most large cruise ships sell cigarettes at the bar areas, as well as in the duty-free shops. Duty-free purchases may be held until the last night of the cruise, depending on your cruise line’s policy.

If you have any questions about smoking policies on cruise ships, feel free to pop them in the comments below. Or, if you’ve noticed that a cruise line smoking policy has changed, please let me know so I can update the post!

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Wednesday 8th of March 2023

What ships have the most smoking areas

Hi Linda, the cruise lines that have the most smoking areas on their ships are Costa Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, TUI, Fred. Olsen, and AIDA - simply because they permit smoking on stateroom balconies. If you're a smoker and you're not planning to cruise on one of these lines, consider looking at Carnival, Princess, NCL, Royal Caribbean, or Holland America. You'll generally find at least a couple of smoking areas on each of their ships, and most of their ships allow smoking in the casino (with the exception of Australia-based ships). Hope this helps!

Cruise Lines that Allow Smoking on Balconies 2024

A common question smokers ask is whether they can smoke on their balconies. For smokers, the option seems ideal, a relaxing cigarette at any time outside their cabin.

Can You Smoke on Cruise Ship Balcony?

Most cruise lines have banned smoking from cruise balconies over the years.

The biggest reason is the risk of fire, a cruise line’s biggest fear and something no cruise captain ever wants to deal with. This could be from someone dropping a still partially lit cigarette directly on the balcony or flicking one over the side on a deck below.

In addition, the other main reason for banning balcony smoking is feedback from other guests. Not only do they not want smoke from another balcony passing over to theirs, but they also don’t want the safety fear of a potential fire hazard so close by.

However, there are still a handful of cruise lines that do allow smoking on balconies.

Which Cruise Lines Allow Smoking On Balconies 2023

There are just four smoker-friendly cruise lines that allow guests to smoke from their balconies.  One of the most well-known cruise lines, NCL, allows specific premium suites to indulge in some balcony smoking for its guests.

AIDA Cruises

• Costa Cruises
• TUI Cruises 

Here we take a more in-depth look at each of them.

AIDA cruises is a German cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation plc.   They are based in German, targeting the German-speaking market of younger demographics looking for an active cruise experience.

They have 14 mid-sized cruise ships in the fleet, all designed very prominently with big red lips across the bow and eyes on either side.

All Aida cruise ships provide several indoor and outdoor smoking areas.

Smoking is allowed on all balconies .

Cabin smoking is not permitted.

Costa Cruises is an Italian-based cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation since 2000. 

The cruise line caters to the Italian market but offers itineraries around the globe.  

Not only do Costa Cruises allow smoking on cabin balconies, they also provide wind-proof ashtrays .

Smoking is allowed at clearly indicated external smoking areas and on guest cabin balconies, where wind proof ashtrays will be made available. Costa Cruises

Cabin Smoking: Electronic smoking devices can be used in cabins.

Costa Cruises also offer Cigar Lounges which can also be used by smokers of cigarettes and pipes.

Costa Cruise smoking policy here .

Fred Olsen 

Fred Olsen is a Norwegian-owned cruise line based in the UK.  They currently have a fleet of four cruise ships catered towards the British market.

As well as allowing smoking on their balconies, Fred Olsen even permits electronic cigarettes that emit no vapor (not even water) to be smoked in the cabins. This is a real rarity on any cruise line.

Fred Olsen cruise ships allow smoking on balconies except for terrace balconies on two ships in the fleet, as per the quote below:

Smoking will only be permitted on cabin balconies (excluding Terrace Balconies on Bolette and Borealis), and in designated open deck areas. Fred Olsen Cruises

Cabin Smoking:  Only electronic cigarettes that emit no vapor can be smoked in the cabin.  

“Electronic cigarettes that don’t emit vapour, may be used in cabins” Fred Olsen

You can see the Fred Olsen ship-specific designated smoking areas here .

Tui Cruises

TUI Cruises are a German-based cruise line, 50% owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  (This is not the same TUI UK which owns the British cruise line Marella Cruises).

They are marketed toward German customers looking for a more high-end cruise experience.

The Mein Schiff cruise ships allow smoking on the balconies.

They also provide designated smoking areas both outside and indoors on all ships.

Cabin smoking: is not allowed in any form.

NCL – Garden Villas Suites

Generally, Norwegian Cruise lines do not allow guests to smoke on balconies. 

However, one exception is for the premium Garden Villas suites, which have large terrace areas where smoking is allowed.

Which Cruise Lines Allow Vaping on Balconies?

With one exception, all the above cruise lines allow vaping on the balconies. In addition, two of the main cruise lines also allow vaping, but no cigarettes, cigars or pipes.

You can vape on the balconies of:

• Aida Cruises
• Holland America
• NCL (Garden Villa Suites Only)
• Princess Cruises
• TUI Cruises

How to Smoke on to Smoke on Cruise Ship Balcony ?

Assuming you are allowed to smoke on your cruise balcony, firstly ou’ll need to light up on the balcony, not in your cabin as that is prohibited. Only standard lighters can be used, you can’t use anything more powerful even if it’s windy, and due to the breezy conditions you’ll often encounter it can help to have a windproof ashtray.

How Would Cruise Ship Know If You Smoke On Private Balcony?

While you may think its safe to sneak a smoke on your cruise ship balcony there are few ways you could get caught.

Firstly, if your smoke passes to another balcony on either side, its possible the guests could report it.

Secondly, many balconies can be seen from various areas of the ships. This includes not only other passengers who might be above or looking up from lower decks , but also CCTV. Another thing to bear in mind, is even if you think you can’t be seen, its possible your reflection can. This has happened more notably when people have been caught having sex on the balconies via the reflections in any glass.

What Happens If You Are Caught Smoking on a Balcony?

If you are caught smoking on your balcony you are likely to be fined in the region of $250 to $500.

Smoking in undesignated areas is a fire risk the cruise lines and especially cruise captain do not want to see. The safety of all passengers onboard is paramount. After all in the past fires have been known to cause a cruise ship to sink .

Repeat offenders could be asked to leave the ship.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you smoke on the balcony of your cabin on norwegian cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line generally do not allow smoking from the vast majority of their cabin balconies. However they do offer a premium suite named the Garden Villas. These are large staterooms which can hold a number of guests and relatively large terrace areas where smoking is permitted.

Can You Smoke on Carnival Cruise Balcony?

Carnival Cruise do not allow any smoking on their balconies. This is the same rule across the entire fleet of cruise ships. You can only smoke in the designated areas which are both located indoors and outdoors of the ships.

Can You Smoke on Celebrity Cruise Balcony?

Celebrity Cruise do not smoking of any kind inside the ship. This includes balconies and cabins. There are no indoor smoking areas on a Celebrity cruise ships, not even in the casinos.

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• Plan Your Trip

How To Get Away With Smoking On A Cruise Ship

Published: December 17, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Tabbie Cohen

Introduction

Welcome aboard, fellow adventurers! If you’re a smoking enthusiast who loves to sail the high seas, you may be wondering how to indulge in your habit while enjoying a cruise. While many cruise lines have implemented strict no-smoking policies to ensure the comfort and safety of passengers, there are still ways to discreetly enjoy a smoke without getting caught. In this article, we will dive into the world of “smoking on the sly” and share some tips and tricks to help you get away with smoking on a cruise ship.

Before we proceed, it’s important to note that we do not endorse or encourage smoking, and we respect the rules and regulations set forth by cruise lines. However, we also understand that smoking is a personal choice and some individuals may seek ways to enjoy it during their cruise experience. We believe in providing information for educational purposes, so if you do decide to smoke, it’s crucial to do so responsibly and be considerate of your fellow passengers and crew members.

Now, let’s set sail on this covert smoking adventure and explore the strategies that can help you enjoy a smoke while cruising the open waters.

Understanding the Cruise Ship Smoking Policies

Before embarking on your cruise, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the smoking policies of the specific cruise line you’ll be sailing with. Each cruise line has its own set of regulations regarding smoking, and it’s crucial to adhere to them to avoid any penalties or disruptions to your trip.

Most cruise lines have designated smoking areas on the ship, such as outdoor decks or specific lounges. However, it’s important to note that many ships have implemented stricter policies in recent years, limiting smoking to designated areas only. Some cruise lines even have entirely smoke-free ships.

To find out the specific smoking policies of your cruise line, you can refer to their website or contact their customer service. Make sure to inquire about the designated smoking areas, as well as any restrictions on smoking in cabins or balconies.

Additionally, it’s essential to respect the policies and be considerate of your fellow passengers who may have sensitivity or health issues related to smoking. Even if you’re discreet, the smell of smoke can still be bothersome to others, so it’s vital to follow the rules and be mindful of those around you.

By understanding and respecting the cruise ship’s smoking policies, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable smoking experience while onboard.

Selecting the Right Cabin

Choosing the right cabin can play a significant role in your ability to smoke discreetly on a cruise ship. To increase your chances of getting away with smoking, consider the following factors when selecting your cabin:

• Opt for a cabin with a balcony: Cabins with balconies provide more privacy and are ideal for enjoying a smoke without drawing unwanted attention. However, it’s important to check the cruise line’s policy on smoking in balconies, as some may have restrictions or designated smoking areas.
• Avoid cabins near non-smoking areas: To minimize the risk of smoke reaching non-smoking areas, try to select a cabin that is located away from areas where smoking is prohibited. This includes avoiding cabins near dining areas, theaters, and recreational facilities.
• Consider cabins on lower decks: Cabins located on lower decks tend to have less foot traffic and can provide a more discreet environment for smoking. As an added benefit, you’ll have easier access to designated smoking areas located on the lower decks.
• Research ship layouts: Some cruise ships have designated smoking cabins or sections on specific decks. By researching the ship’s layout beforehand, you can determine the best areas for smoking and select a cabin close to them.

Remember, even if you have a balcony or a more favorable cabin location, it’s crucial to be considerate of your fellow passengers. Keep noise levels down, ensure smoke does not drift into neighboring cabins, and always follow the cruise line’s policies on smoking to avoid any potential penalties.

By carefully selecting a cabin that allows for more privacy and considering the ship’s layout, you can increase your chances of enjoying a discreet smoke during your cruise.

Utilizing Designated Smoking Areas

One of the easiest and most convenient ways to enjoy a smoke on a cruise ship is to make use of the designated smoking areas. These areas are specifically set up to accommodate smokers while minimizing the impact on non-smokers. Here’s how you can make the most of them:

• Familiarize yourself with the ship’s designated smoking areas: Before setting sail, take the time to familiarize yourself with the ship’s layout and identify the designated smoking areas. These areas are typically located on outdoor decks and may have seating or ashtrays available.
• Respect the rules and boundaries: When using the designated smoking areas, be sure to adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the cruise line. This includes not smoking in non-designated areas and properly disposing of your cigarette butts in the provided receptacles.
• Be mindful of others: While in the designated smoking areas, be considerate of your fellow passengers. Keep noise levels down, avoid blowing smoke in the faces of others, and always ask permission before lighting up near someone else.
• Time your visits strategically: If the designated smoking areas tend to get crowded, consider visiting during off-peak times to ensure you have enough space and privacy to enjoy your smoke.

By utilizing the designated smoking areas provided by the cruise line, you can enjoy your smoke without infringing on the rights and comfort of non-smokers. Remember, proper etiquette and respect for others are key when using these areas.

Disguising the Smoke and Smell

When trying to get away with smoking on a cruise ship, it’s important to minimize the visibility and smell of smoke. By employing a few tricks, you can help disguise the evidence and reduce the risk of getting caught:

• Invest in smokeless devices: Consider using smokeless alternatives, such as electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, which produce less visible smoke and eliminate the smell associated with traditional tobacco products.
• Use a smoke filter: Smoke filters and sploofs are devices designed to filter and neutralize the odor of smoke. These handy gadgets can help greatly in reducing the smell and lingering scent of smoke.
• Choose odor-neutralizing products: Use odor-neutralizing sprays or air fresheners in your cabin to mask any lingering smell. Be sure to choose products with a neutral or fresh scent to avoid attracting attention.
• Take advantage of ventilation: If you’re in a cabin with a balcony, try smoking near the edge of the balcony where the smoke can easily disperse into the open air. Opening windows or vents in your cabin can also aid in removing smoke and minimizing odor.
• Practice airflow management: Create positive airflow in your cabin by using fans strategically. Position them near windows or balconies to help direct smoke towards the outdoors rather than circulating it inside the cabin.

While these methods can help reduce the visibility and smell of smoke, it’s important to note that they may not completely eliminate the evidence. It’s always best to err on the side of caution and be mindful of the potential impact on others.

Remember, smoking on a cruise ship is a privilege, and it’s important to respect the rules and regulations set by the cruise line. By taking steps to disguise the smoke and smell, you can enjoy your smoke while minimizing any inconvenience to those around you.

Minimizing the Risk of Getting Caught

While trying to enjoy a discreet smoke on a cruise ship, it’s essential to take precautions to minimize the risk of getting caught. Here are some tips to help you stay under the radar:

• Be aware of surveillance cameras: Cruise ships are equipped with surveillance cameras in various areas, including smoking areas. Avoid doing anything that might draw attention to yourself, such as blowing smoke directly towards the cameras or engaging in suspicious behavior.
• Keep an eye out for crew members: Be vigilant and watch for crew members who may be patrolling the designated smoking areas. If you see them approaching, try to extinguish your cigarette discreetly and act natural to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
• Use distractions: Consider utilizing distractions when smoking, such as having a book, magazine, or electronic device on hand. By appearing engrossed in a different activity, you can divert attention away from your smoking.
• Observe fellow passengers: Pay attention to the behavior of fellow passengers in designated smoking areas. If others are being discreet and cautious, follow their lead to blend in and minimize the risk of attracting unwanted attention.
• Keep conversations to a minimum: Engaging in loud or lengthy conversations while smoking can draw attention to yourself. Keep conversations brief and avoid drawing unnecessary attention to your activity.

Remember, even with these precautions, there is still a risk of getting caught. It’s important to weigh the consequences and consider the potential penalties imposed by the cruise line for violating their smoking policies.

By being discreet, observant, and aware of your surroundings, you can minimize the risk of getting caught and increase your chances of enjoying a quiet smoke on the cruise ship.

Properly Disposing of Evidence

When smoking on a cruise ship, it’s essential to properly dispose of any evidence to avoid detection. Failing to do so can not only lead to penalties but also create an unpleasant experience for other passengers and crew. Here are some tips for discreetly disposing of smoking-related evidence:

• Cigarette butts: The most obvious evidence of smoking is cigarette butts. It’s crucial to properly extinguish them and dispose of them in designated ashtrays or smoking receptacles. Avoid throwing them overboard or tossing them in other trash bins, as this can be seen as a violation of shipboard rules.
• Ashes: To avoid leaving ash residue, consider using a portable ashtray or a small container with a lid to catch the ashes. This will prevent any accidental spills or windblown ashes that could draw attention.
• Odor control: Use odor-neutralizing products, such as odor-absorbing bags or ziplock bags, to seal in any residual smell. These can help contain the odor while you find an appropriate place to dispose of the smoking-related items.
• Discreet disposal: When disposing of smoking-related items, choose a time and location that offers minimal visibility. If there are designated smoking areas with dedicated ashtrays or receptacles nearby, use those for the disposal. If not, look for discreet bins in common areas away from non-smoking zones.
• Maintain cleanliness: As you dispose of smoking-related evidence, ensure that you leave the area clean and free of any signs of smoking. This includes properly disposing of any packaging, empty cigarette packs, or other smoking paraphernalia.

By properly disposing of smoking-related evidence, you can minimize the risk of detection and maintain a respectful environment for all passengers and crew members.

The Importance of Respect and Consideration

While it may be tempting to indulge in smoking on a cruise ship, it’s crucial to prioritize respect and consideration for your fellow passengers and the cruise staff. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

• Respect the rules: Adhere to the smoking policies and guidelines set by the cruise line. These policies are in place to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers. Violating these rules not only risks penalties but also creates a negative experience for others.
• Avoid inconveniencing others: Be mindful of non-smokers and their preferences. Refrain from smoking in non-designated areas and be aware of the direction of smoke to prevent it from bothering others. Remember that the smell of smoke can be unpleasant for many people, and it’s important to be considerate of their experience.
• Maintain cleanliness: Whether you smoke in designated areas or in your cabin, take care to clean up after yourself. Dispose of cigarette butts, ashes, and any other smoking-related waste properly. Keeping the environment clean demonstrates respect for both the cruise ship and your fellow passengers.
• Be discreet: While you may want to enjoy a smoke, it’s important to do so discreetly. Avoid drawing attention to yourself through excessive noise, visible smoke, or suspicious behavior. Being discreet allows you to enjoy your smoke while minimizing the impact on others.
• Consider alternatives: If you’re concerned about the inconvenience or restrictions of smoking on a cruise ship, consider alternative options such as nicotine patches, gum, or smokeless products. These can help satisfy your cravings without impacting others or violating rules.

Remember, a cruise ship is a shared space, and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy their vacation without being negatively affected by someone else’s actions. By demonstrating respect and consideration for your fellow passengers and the cruise staff, you can contribute to a positive and enjoyable experience for all on board.

Smoking on a cruise ship can be a challenge, given the strict policies and considerations for the comfort of all passengers. However, with careful planning and respectful behavior, it’s possible to enjoy a discreet smoke while cruising the open seas.

By understanding the cruise ship’s smoking policies, selecting the right cabin, utilizing designated smoking areas, and minimizing the visibility and smell of smoke, you can increase your chances of getting away with smoking on a cruise ship. It’s important to dispose of smoking-related evidence properly and always prioritize respect and consideration for fellow passengers and crew members.

It’s essential to remember that smoking is a personal choice and not everyone onboard may share the same preference. Being mindful of others and following the rules not only helps maintain a harmonious environment but also ensures a pleasant cruise experience for everyone onboard.

Before lighting up, always take into account the potential penalties for violating the cruise line’s smoking policies and respect any non-smoking areas. Alternatively, consider exploring smokeless options to satisfy any cravings without impacting those around you.

Above all, remember that being a responsible and considerate passenger contributes to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of the cruise for all onboard. So, if you decide to smoke, do so responsibly and with respect for your fellow adventurers.

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What is Royal Caribbean's smoking policy?

For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests do smoke. To provide an onboard environment that meets all needs, we’ve designated certain areas of the ship as smoking areas.

Smoking refers to the use of cigarettes, cigars, all types of electronic vaping (such as e-cigarettes, vapes, mods, etc.), and pipe smoking.

• Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas , must be properly disposed of, and never be thrown overboard .
• We’ll have visible signage posted in areas where smoking is permitted, and ashtrays that are provided for use.
• Cigar and pipe tobacco are limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars.
• You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or use tobacco on sailings beginning in U.S. ports. For sailings beginning in all other ports, the minimum age is 18 years old.

Onboard Casino

• Casino Royale® allows smoking and has designated areas for both smoking and non-smoking guests. There will be visible signage indicating the smoking and the non-smoking area in the casino.
• Ships sailing from China and Hong Kong will not have a non-smoking area in the casino.
• Smoking is not permitted in the casino for any ships sailing from Australia and the United Kingdom .

Other Spaces Onboard – Smoke Free

• Onboard all interior public spaces are smoke free. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking.
• On Oasis class, smoking is not permitted in Central Park or the Boardwalk neighborhoods.
• Smoking/vaping is not permitted inside any stateroom and any stateroom balcony. If a guest is in violation of this stateroom policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to their SeaPass® account and may be subject to further actions*.

Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the smoking policy. These requests are made to provide a comfortable cruise for everyone. Guests who violate this smoking policy may result in one or more enforcement actions* as described on page 2 of our Guest Conduct Policy.

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• Royal Caribbean International

POT smoking on balcony?

By Mustang2015 , December 3, 2023 in Royal Caribbean International

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Mustang2015

Hello we just got off of Oasis of the seas.   Noticed Pot smell on our balcony at all times.  Even POT smell in public areas and bathrooms.      Overheard some other cruises bragged how easy it was to sneak on some weed in Nassau on board and how Carnival is cracking down and Royal Caribbean is not.    We alerted security they said its like trying to find moving fish in a ocean, difficult to find the violators.   Just curious anyone else noticing this.       I dont have an opinion for people who chose to smoke pot in there own privateplace I do have one in public places like a cruise.    Had a wonderful cruise food was by far the best we had since start up, service was outstanding.

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Just off Anthem this morning did not smell weed but someone nearby kept smoking cigarettes on their balcony. Also very hard for security to do anything.

island lady

I was sent a bottle of wine from an officer that asked to come into our cabin to be able to peer around our balcony to see the pot smokers next to us.  They were busted...not once but twice.  

3 minutes ago, island lady said: I was sent a bottle of wine from an officer that asked to come into our cabin to be able to peer around our balcony to see the pot smokers next to us.  They were busted...not once but twice.  

What happened to them? Were they put off the ship?

It was pretty blatant on Freedom last week. I smelled it on the promenade deck smoking section and in the pool area.

9 minutes ago, time4u2go said: What happened to them? Were they put off the ship?

No, they were still there at the end of the cruise.  Not sure what the officer gave them as a fine.  

Yorkvillain

1 hour ago, island lady said:   No, they were still there at the end of the cruise.  Not sure what the officer gave them as a fine.  

He probably gave them two bottles of wine for some of their pot. 

I remember back in the late 1980’s the cruise director told everyone to smoke or flush everything before going thru customs 😁 😁 😁

I smelled pot several times on our early November 2023 B2B (Allure and Odyssey).  I don't really care until it is blatant.  One guy made me laugh though ... The ship was moving so he opened a pool deck side window.  He stood right in front of the window but the air was blowing in.  He would have been better on the aft section of running track.  It amazes me that they think nobody detects the smell of pot.

But I imagine a day the RCL has a pot smoking section.  That would make two reasons to avoid that area!!

With it being legal in so many states now it's pretty much everywhere.  I personally don't partake,  couldn't if I wanted to, I have asthma. HOWEVER I'd much rather smell pot smoke and get a Lil buzzzz than have to smell cigarette smoke that lingers and the smell catches on everything! 

Also the people smoking weed are going to be much more mellow than the people trying to get their monies worth out of their drink package 😉

HappyTexan44

You would think it would be easy to catch people smoking in the public areas.   Don't they have every inch of public spaces on video?     It really bothers my sinuses as does cigarette smoke.   If I see anyone smoking, I'll video it and report.   

1 hour ago, MD_Dan said: I smelled pot several times on our early November 2023 B2B (Allure and Odyssey).  I don't really care until it is blatant.  One guy made me laugh though ... The ship was moving so he opened a pool deck side window.  He stood right in front of the window but the air was blowing in.  He would have been better on the aft section of running track.  It amazes me that they think nobody detects the smell of pot.   But I imagine a day the RCL has a pot smoking section.  That would make two reasons to avoid that area!!      

I agree with that having a separate area I believe Las Vegas is starting up cannabis lounges.  Maybe cruise lines will follow.  

6 hours ago, island lady said: I was sent a bottle of wine from an officer that asked to come into our cabin to be able to peer around our balcony to see the pot smokers next to us.  They were busted...not once but twice.  

Good. I cannot stand the smell.

The Fun Researcher

14 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said: Good. I cannot stand the smell.

Same.  I wouldn’t care nearly as much if it weren’t for the terrible smell.  I don’t know if I’m hyper sensitive or not but I just can’t stand it

48 minutes ago, Mustang2015 said: I agree with that having a separate area I believe Las Vegas is starting up cannabis lounges.  Maybe cruise lines will follow.  

Several restaurants in New York and California have used it in there cooking .

It seems like we are always near pot smokers, especially in aft balconies.  I’m getting tired of the constant weed smell and people who blare their Bluetooth speakers on their balconies.  

23 minutes ago, George C said: Several restaurants in New York and California have used it in there cooking .

 In the appetizers. Good way to get the customers to splurge on the wine, entrees and desserts.  Nothing like a good marijuana brownie.  🙂

MichaelCMTX

2 hours ago, Mustang2015 said: I agree with that having a separate area I believe Las Vegas is starting up cannabis lounges.  Maybe cruise lines will follow.  

True, but a-la "Pulp Fiction"/Amsterdam it may be legal but you're not allowed to just spark one up in the casino.

43 minutes ago, doghog said:  In the appetizers. Good way to get the customers to splurge on the wine, entrees and desserts.  Nothing like a good marijuana brownie.  🙂

We live in Texas and it’s not legal here , but we visit family and friends in both New York and Colorado and have been very tempted to buying something but will stick with cognac 

1 minute ago, MichaelCMTX said: True, but a-la "Pulp Fiction"/Amsterdam it may be legal but you're not allowed to just spark one up in the casino.

We took a picture of a pot store in New York earlier this year and there was a large no smoking sign in the store 😁 😁

Morecruisesplz

1 hour ago, SeaDome said: It seems like we are always near pot smokers, especially in aft balconies.  I’m getting tired of the constant weed smell and people who blare their Bluetooth speakers on their balconies.  

Same people!

15 hours ago, Yorkvillain said: He probably gave them two bottles of wine for some of their pot. 

And a pack of Cool Cigarettes, grape sodas, and several packages of Potato Chips!

9 hours ago, George C said: We took a picture of a pot store in New York earlier this year and there was a large no smoking sign in the store 😁 😁

Well, you wouldn't want one carcinogen  to compete with another carcinogen, would you?

lovesthebeach2

We’ve noticed smelling pot many times on local cruises from Florida. So far though, we’ve never noticed it on European or TA cruises…

The Scurvy Pirate

11 hours ago, George C said: We took a picture of a pot store in New York earlier this year and there was a large no smoking sign in the store 😁 😁

In Montana you cannot partake while in the store either.  A big no no and the store owner can lose their business license, which are rather hard to come by.

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Cunard Queen Anne cruise review: A lovely new ship that's still coming into its own

Editor's Note

Are you thinking of a cruise on Cunard 's new Queen Anne ? Be warned: It's not like any Cunard ship you've seen before.

The storied cruise brand's first new vessel in 14 years is notably more contemporary in its look and feel than the line's three other ships, including the iconic Queen Mary 2 .

It also offers venues that embrace the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done in the past.

As I've seen on two visits to Queen Anne since it debuted four months ago, including a weeklong stay in September as it sailed the Norwegian coast, the $600 million vessel offers more choice in dining and entertainment, more wellness options, and more of a focus on onboard celebrations than we've ever seen on a Cunard ship.

That's no small thing, given that Cunard has fielded 149 ships in its 184-year history.

Still, even as Queen Anne ushers in a new era for Cunard, it's a vessel that holds true to the traditional values at the core of the line — particularly a formality and elegance that harks back to the grand old days of ocean liner travel.

Overview of Queen Anne

Queen Anne is the new belle of the ball when it comes to Cunard ships. Unveiled in May, it's far younger and more up to date than the three other ships in the Cunard fleet, which range from 14 to 20 years in age. It also has a smorgasbord of new-for-the-line dining and entertainment venues that tap into the latest trends in hospitality.

Unlike other Cunard vessels, for instance, Queen Anne features a wide array of extra-charge eateries, ranging from a Mediterranean cuisine venue where the dishes are sprinkled with African and Arabic influences to one of the first contemporary Indian restaurants on a cruise ship.

That's on top of the four relatively formal main restaurants that have long been at the core of the Cunard dining experience (one each for each class of onboard cabins — if you're in a Britannia-class cabin, your main eatery is the Britannia Restaurant; if you're in a Princess Grill suite, your main eatery is the Princess Grill).

Queen Anne also has a broader array of entertainment options than past Cunard ships, including an all-new cabaret venue that is home to a murder mystery theater show for part of every cruise.

Like all Cunard ships, it's a vessel that maintains longtime ocean liner traditions such as gala evenings where passengers wear black tie and ballgowns and nightly dancing in a grand ballroom (something you no longer find on most ships).

But alone for now in the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne aims to bridge the gap between such traditions and a more contemporary sort of cruising — not just in the venues it offers on board but in its overall look and feel.

It's been a change that hasn't been without controversy. Some Cunard regulars have mercilessly (and sometimes hilariously) panned the ship at online review sites, citing both the new look and what they say are obvious design flaws.

Queen Anne also clearly has suffered from teething pains in its first four months at sea, with Cunard fans reporting listless service, mediocre food in some eateries and uninspired entertainment. These are all things that I saw, too — so much so that I'm hesitant to recommend that passengers book this ship just yet. While lovely, it's not quite ready for prime time.

That said, if Cunard can work out the kinks over the coming months, particularly in the areas of service and specialty dining, Queen Anne has the potential to be a wonderful cruise ship.

What I loved about Queen Anne

The new look.

Put me down as firmly in the camp that loves the new look. Make no mistake, I have long enjoyed the ocean liners-of-old design of Cunard vessels. Sailing on the Atlantic-crossing Queen Mary 2, in particular, is like stepping onto the movie set for "Titanic," which definitely has an appeal. Combined with Cunard's focus on old-style tradition and elegance, it has given Cunard something unique in the world of cruising. But that doesn't mean the brand has to be forever stuck in the past.

In my view, which admittedly isn't shared by some Cunard fans, Cunard has artfully updated its design and onboard offerings for modern-day cruisers in a way that doesn't lose the tradition and elegance for which its ships have long been known.

Related: This movie will give you a sense of a transatlantic Cunard voyage

The British feel

Like all ships operated by United Kingdom-based Cunard, Queen Anne has a particularly British feel. It's a vessel where mushy peas and fish-and-chips (along with other British culinary favorites) are on the lunch buffet not just once a sailing but every day , and afternoon tea is a major event. It's also a ship where one of the busiest drinking spots is the (very traditionally English) pub.

But beyond such Britishness in food and drink, it offers a uniquely British style of prim and properness that is perhaps Queen Anne's most distinctive feature. It is a ship, for instance, where even on nights when the dress code is a relaxed "smart" casual, most passengers arrive for dinner in a jacket, some in full coat-and-tie. It's a vessel where you generally don't see people being loud or garish or otherwise inappropriate.

For American cruisers increasingly aghast at the way some passengers behave (and dress) on mass-market American vessels, where anything-goes American values rule the day, it can be wonderfully refreshing — a throwback to what cruising was across the board not all that long ago. Of course, for some Americans, it might come off as just plain stuffy.

What I didn't love about Queen Anne

The hard-to-navigate top deck.

Getting around the top deck of Queen Anne is easy — if you're staying in a top suite. Otherwise, it's like navigating a maze. That's because a significant chunk of the middle of the top deck is devoted to a private sunning area for the swells in top suites. If you're not booked in such a suite (and thus do not have the secret keycode to enter and cross this elites-only zone), you can't easily get from the sunning and sports deck areas at the front of the ship to the pool area at the back. The only way to do it is to descend into the interior of the vessel and walk across its already congested buffet restaurant (called the Artisans' Foodhall).

This, in turn, adds to the congestion of the buffet, which itself has design flaws (most notably, its self-serve drinks stations are inexplicably located along the crowded walkways through the eatery, such that you'll smack right into people pouring hot coffees and teas as you work your way across the space).

Queen Anne is more packed with people than Cunard's three other vessels, in a way that affects the experience. Seats are hard to come by for some shows, and the crew seems more harried than usual. The cabin experience is also diminished in some cases.

The numbers tell the story: At 113,000 gross tons, Queen Anne is 24% bigger than Cunard's last new vessel, the 14-year-old Queen Elizabeth. But Cunard has jammed 44% more cabins (and thus 44% more people) onto the vessel. Queen Anne holds 2,996 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin), up from Queen Elizabeth's capacity of 2,081 passengers at double occupancy. Notably, this drops the ship's "space ratio" of space (measured in hundreds of cubic feet) to passengers to just 37.8, which isn't a great number. By comparison, Queen Elizabeth has a space ratio closer to 44. The line's flagship Queen Mary 2 has a space ratio around 56.

The spotty service

I truly was excited to sail on Queen Anne, as I've long loved the elegance and refinement of Cunard vessels. I figured Cunard's first new ship in 14 years would set a new benchmark for the brand. Alas, what I experienced on board was a vessel that wasn't quite functioning right, mostly in the area of service.

I've sailed on more than 200 ships in 30 years of writing about cruising, including lots of just-out-of-the-shipyard vessels, and I've rarely encountered one where the crew members seemed as untrained and indifferent as they seemed on Queen Anne. It wasn't in every space. The servers in the exclusive restaurant for Princess Grill passengers were fabulous, catering to my every need. The bartenders at the casino bar (Room 1840) were a delight. But in many other venues, I regularly encountered crew who didn't seem to know what they were supposed to do or how to interact with passengers. Some venues also just didn't have enough staff to function properly.

Queen Anne cabins and suites

Queen Anne has 28 cabin and suite categories — a large number. But finding the right cabin category for you isn't as complicated as that number might make it seem. As is often the case on cruise ships, many cabin categories on Queen Anne are essentially the same, with the exception of where the rooms are located.

For instance, there are nine categories of balcony cabins, all basically the same in size and decor. The only differences among most of them are whether they are located at the front, middle or back of the ship and whether they have a clear or obstructed view.

Similarly, there are five categories of ocean-view cabins (those with a window but no balcony) and six categories of windowless inside cabins. The only difference between them is location.

There are eight categories of suites, some of which also are essentially the same except for their locations.

All that said, when booking accommodations on Queen Anne, it's important to know that the type of cabin you book will have a significant impact on your cruise experience beyond what you'll experience in your room.

Unlike most lines, Cunard still operates with an old-school class system, where passengers dine and lounge on ships in different places depending on their cabin category.

Most of Queen Anne's 1,498 cabins — including all inside and ocean-view cabins and most balcony cabins — are what's known as Britannia cabins. When you book passage in one, you'll dine in the ship's cavernous Britannia Restaurant at night (when not at an extra-charge specialty restaurant) and only have access to the non-elite lounge areas of the ship.

For those wanting something more exclusive (and willing to pay for it), there are three higher tiers of accommodations with ever-greater levels of pampering and perks:

• Britannia Club cabins . These 162 balcony cabins are similar to standard balcony cabins but come with access to a more intimate private restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Princess Grill suites . A big step up from Britannia Club cabins, these 127 rooms — all suites — come with concierge service and access to an exclusive lounge area (the Grills Lounge) and a restaurant (the Princess Grill) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition, you'll get access to a spacious private outdoor sun deck called the Grills Terrace.
• Queens Grill suites . These 65 suites are the ship's finest accommodations. Measuring 484 to 1,440 square feet, they come with butler service, concierge service, upscale touches such as fresh flowers, and access to an elegant private restaurant (the Queens Grill) for all meals. In addition, you get access to the same Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace as those staying in the Princess Grill suites.

My room was a Princess Grill suite, and the exclusive private areas that came with it really were wonderful. I particularly loved my special access to the Grills Lounge, a stylish bar and lounge space. Filled with curvy chairs upholstered in luscious peacock blue fabric, with a striking circular chartreuse seating area as a focal point, it served as a quiet escape from the ship's bustling public areas.

One deck up, the private Grills Terrace was a similarly serene and uncrowded oasis for decktop lounging that felt a world away from the busier public areas atop the ship.

Like all Princess Grill suites, my room measured about 300 square feet, including its balcony area. That's quite large for a cruise ship cabin, and it was room enough to contain everything I could want in a cabin for a week at sea: a king bed that could be split into two single beds, a built-in desk area, a separate built-in cabinet hiding a miniature refrigerator, a seating area with a sofa and chair, built-in closets, and a bathroom.

For the most part, I was happy with my Princess Grill suite on Queen Anne. While it wasn't inordinately high-end in its finishings, it had a clean-lined, contemporary look that felt modern and up to date. A recurring circular motif in its carpeting, lighting and mirror gave it a whiff of an art deco feel, one that was augmented by the room's red and gold accents (a nod to Cunard history, as they are two of Cunard's signature colors).

While surprisingly small in relationship to the overall size of the room, the bathroom in my Princess Grill suite was modern and bright, with a well-thought-out layout that made the most of its limited space. I particularly liked the relatively large walk-in shower and ample shelving space for toiletries — a sign that its designers understood what matters most to cruisers (unlike the designers of the poorly laid-out bathrooms on the new Seabourn ship that I just tested a few weeks ago ).

If my Princess Grill suite had a flaw, it was in the lack of adequate storage in the room. Given the formality of Cunard ships, which requires that passengers pack elegant eveningwear (think ballgowns and tuxedos) in addition to everyday clothing, the storage needs for Cunard passengers are higher than for passengers on some other lines. Cunard ships (and Queen Anne in particular) also often make longer sailings that require more clothes.

While there was enough storage in my room to pack away everything my companion and I brought for a weeklong sailing, it would have been tight if we had been on one of the ship's longer two-week sailings. I can't imagine how it'll work for passengers on the monthslong around-the-world sailings that are planned for the vessel starting in January.

One detail of the room I truly loved was the placement of large nightstands with large drawers on each side of the bed where I could hide away all my electronics and their cords, books, papers, glasses and the like. Bedside storage at this level is increasingly rare on ships. What's more, each of the nightstands was topped with a U.S.-style 110-volt outlet, a British-style 220-volt outlet, and both USB-A and fast-charging USB-C ports. Bravo, Cunard, for knowing how to keep us charged.

Other Queen Anne cabin tidbits:

• Every cabin has a small hair dryer that works with the ship's specific current. Leave yours at home.
• Rooms have nicely wide personal safes that can hold even a big laptop.
• There are Cunard-red "Do Not Disturb" magnets to stick to your door when you don't want to be disturbed. Flip them over, and a steward will make up your room. It's not a sophisticated system, but it works.
• Cabin televisions offer a wide range of movies on demand at no extra charge, a nice touch (some of Cunard's competitors charge as much as $11.99 to watch a movie).

The Princess Grill suites seem like a sweet spot to me when it comes to the higher-end accommodations on Queen Anne. They get you the same exclusive access to private indoor and outdoor lounge areas as the higher-priced Queens Grill suites and access to a private restaurant, too, but at a significantly lower price point.

That said, if you're looking for the ultimate in Queen Anne swankiness, you'll find it in the Queens Grill suites.

The best suites on Queen Anne

The two largest Queens Grill suites, called Grand suites, measure an astounding 1,440 square feet — nearly five times the size of my Princess Grill suite. They boast a bedroom, a master bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a large living room, a dining room, a powder room, a private balcony, and a walk-in closet.

Also impressive are the ship's four Queens Grill Master suites, which measure 896 square feet. They also feature a bedroom, a master bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a living room, a dining room, a powder room, a private balcony, and a walk-in closet.

The remainder of the Queens Grill suites are split between Queens Grill Penthouse suites, which measure 501 to 527 square feet, and slightly smaller Queens Grill suites, which measure 484 to 500 square feet. Each has a bedroom, a bathroom with a separate bath and shower, a living area, and a private balcony.

In addition to fresh flowers, Queens Grill suites come with personalized stationery, fresh fruit daily, predinner canapes and a complimentary minibar, including alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.

As noted above, Queen Anne's designers have packed a lot more cabins on Queen Anne than on earlier Cunard ships, and they did it in part by shrinking the size of some cabins. While standard balcony cabins on Queen Anne are just a tad smaller than balcony cabins on the line's past two new ships (236 square feet versus 239 square feet), the differential with Princess Grill suites is more noticeable.

Princess Grill suites measure 335 square feet on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — about 10% more space than my Princess Grill suite on Queen Anne. Princess Grill suites on the line's flagship, Queen Mary 2, measure a far more generous 381 square feet.

At the Queens Grill level, there are notably no two-deck-high duplexes measuring more than 2,000 square feet on Queen Anne, as you'll find on the Queen Mary 2, which remains Cunard's reigning monarch for over-the-top accommodations.

Related: Cunard cabins and suites guide: Everything you want to know

Queen Anne restaurants and bars

Cunard has never been known for having ships that offered lots of dining options, but that changed notably with the debut of Queen Anne. It boasts 15 different places where you can grab a bite — more than double the number on the line's other ships. It also offers quite a few bar options, including several new-for-the-brand venues.

Restaurants

As on all Cunard ships, the dining scene on Queen Anne revolves around four main restaurants: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill — only one of which you will experience during any given cruise.

In keeping with Cunard's old-fashioned class system of dining, you'll be assigned a table in one of the four eateries for the duration of your cruise based on the type of cabin you book.

The vast majority of passengers — those in the least expensive windowless inside cabins, ocean-view cabins and most balcony cabins — are assigned to the least intimate of the four eateries: the expansive, two-level Britannia Restaurant. It's packed with close-together tables that can hold 596 people at a time — a banquet hall sort of number.

Dinners on the lower level of the Britannia Restaurant take place during two fixed seatings each night, while the second level is reserved for diners on an open-seating plan (arrange this in advance). Breakfast and lunch have open seating.

Passengers who pay up for one of 162 premium balcony cabins will be assigned a table in the more intimate Britannia Club restaurant. It's designed to hold up to 339 passengers and doesn't turn over tables for multiple seatings. If you book this class, you have a specific table in the eatery that is available whenever you want to dine during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours.

Even more intimate and upscale are the Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants, which are assigned to passengers staying in suites. The Princess Grill is for passengers booked in the ship's 127 smaller suites, known as Princess Grill suites. The Queens Grill is for passengers in the ship's 65 biggest suites.

In the Princess Grill and Queens Grill, as with the Britannia Club restaurant, you'll have a specific table that is available to you whenever you want it during dining hours.

Among the four main eateries, I only was able to experience the Princess Grill, as I was staying in a Princess Grill suite. Serving mostly classic Continental cuisine, it offered a refined dining experience with top-notch service, as you'd expect from an eatery reserved for passengers in top suites. Elaborate dishes such as chateaubriand and Dover sole meuniere (the latter expertly deboned and plated tableside) were available every night, as were such showy desserts as bananas Foster and cherries jubilee that were flamed tableside — a throwback to first-class travel during ocean liner days.

In addition to the four eateries above, Queen Anne also has a wide range of alternative dining options — something that isn't the case with other Cunard ships.

These include four new-for-the-line extra-charge dining concepts: Aranya, an Indian eatery; Tramonto, serving Mediterranean dishes; Aji Wa, a Japanese restaurant; and Sir Samuel's, a steakhouse.

I tried nearly all these new restaurants while on board and, alas, was disappointed with them all for varying reasons.

Both Aranya and Tramonto, which came with upcharges of $35 and $20, respectively, seemed like eateries added to the ship as afterthoughts. Both were in carved-out corners of the buffet area, and they had the ambience you might expect from such a location. From my table at Aranya, I looked out over a sad landscape of empty tables and a trolley cart with glasses in the buffet. Tramonto's ambience was better, thanks to the addition of a built-in wine cabinet blocking the buffet view. But it still suffered from being aside one of the main thoroughfares into the buffet.

Foodwise, the 38-seat Aranya was the biggest disappointment. The "carefully crafted spice-led journey" that it promised was almost devoid of spice across much of its (very limited) menu. A turbot wrapped in banana leaf came out dry. The one choice of naan that was available (plain) had the consistency of cardboard. It was nothing like the fabulous Indian eateries you'll find all over the ship's home country (for a similar cost, my companion and I feasted on truly wonderful Indian cuisine in London just the night before boarding).

Aranya also was plagued by servers who seemed only half awake (one server tried to fill our water glasses with tap water twice in five minutes, even though we clearly told her the first time we were drinking sparkling water).

The cuisine at the 38-seat Tramonto wasn't quite the disaster it was at Aranya, but too many dishes at this venue arrived cold, tasteless or otherwise underwhelming, and the servers were inattentive, even absent at times.

Both Aranya and Tramonto suffered, I suspect, from not having their own kitchens on-site. It appeared that waiters at both outlets were walking out of the eateries periodically to head to the buffet kitchen to grab dishes. They also apparently had to travel long distances to get drinks, as the eateries had no bars of their own. Our charge for sparkling water at Aranya posted as coming from the Panorama Pool Club bar, suggesting that our server had to walk to the back of the ship to get it.

Aji Wa, the Japanese eatery, had a much better atmosphere and served lovely sushi and other Japanese dishes. Its main flaw was disorganized service. During one of two visits, we sat at the sushi bar, ordering small sushi plates directly from the chef (as instructed) a couple at a time. Alas, nobody cleared these dishes away as we finished them, such that dirty dishes were piling up all around us by the end of the evening. We then sat for 20 minutes waiting for someone to notice we were done and bring us a bill. We finally got one, but just for our drinks. We had to wait again for a second bill for the food portion of the meal — a separation of charges that surely makes sense to someone in the accounting department at Cunard's U.K. headquarters but, of course, is nonsensical to the customer.

Sadly, I wasn't able to try Sir Samuel's, Cunard's new signature steakhouse. The eatery was unavailable for the entire week I was on board due to a private event that was being held in the space.

Other places to dine on Queen Anne include the Golden Lion pub, a mainstay of Cunard ships. On Queen Anne, it features a tasty new pub menu designed by chef Michel Roux Jr., who owned London's Le Gavroche restaurant, the first U.K. restaurant to receive three Michelin stars. (He also created an exclusive gala menu for the Queens Grill restaurant.) I particularly loved the steak-and-ale pie. It looked underwhelming on the plate but was fabulously rich and yummy.

You'll pay up to $11 a plate for lunch at the Golden Lion, but it's a worth-it upcharge. Some items, such as the quintessentially British Scotch eggs, are available at no extra cost.

In addition, Queen Anne passengers can eat in casual comfort at the Artisans' Foodhall, the ship's buffet. It features active food stations instead of traditional self-serve buffet lines, with a chef standing by at each station to make a dish just for you — a nice upgrade. There also are preplated dishes available to grab and go. The array of dishes is more limited than on some mass-market ships, but I never had trouble finding something to suit my taste.

That said, for something fast and casual, my favorite outlet, hands down, was the new-for-Cunard Wellness Cafe on the second level of the ship's Pavilion pool area. Part of Cunard's expanded focus on wellness, it offered no-extra-charge, built-to-order healthy food bowls that were not just tasty but beautifully plated. You could pick from a long list of healthful items such as edamame, kale, quinoa, roasted broccoli and charred cauliflower and top it all with grilled salmon and other proteins, as well as fresh dressings such as miso, lime and ginger. It was the one new eatery on Queen Anne that was a clear home run.

Eat there, and then blow your calorie count at the nearby Pavilion Gelateria, which serves massive extra-charge gelatos starting at a very reasonable $2.50 for one flavor. The Pavilion is also home to a grill for no-extra-charge burgers and hot dogs.

You'll also find small bites available from morning to night at the Carinthia Lounge. Located off the Grand Lobby, it's a European-style coffee bar by day with lovely handmade pastries and other elevated breakfast bites at no extra charge. At night, it morphs into a wine bar that serves artisanal cheese and charcuterie sourced from small producers for an extra fee (on my sailing, $6.50 for a selection of three cheeses or meats).

The Carinthia Lounge also serves oysters on the half shell at night ($6.50 for three oysters) and a few other small snacks that pair well with wines.

Room service is available day and night with several solid options including the same Michel Roux-designed burger you can get in the Golden Lion pub. That said, many of the better items come with an upcharge, which isn't always the case with room service menus on ships. The burger will set you back $11, while the room service steak — from the ship's Sir Samuel's steakhouse — will cost you $25 to $29, depending on whether you order a sirloin or filet. With an added lobster tail, the plate cost jumps to $40 to $44.

If you're heading out for a drink in the evening on Queen Anne, you're probably heading to one of two places: the Commodore Club or the Chart Room.

Located at the top of the ship overlooking the bow, as it is on all Cunard ships, the Commodore Club is the hot spot for drinks in the evenings, and for good reason. It's an elegant and inviting space with an impressive martini menu, friendly bartenders and lively entertainment (on my sailings, a pianist who took requests and played to the crowd).

The Commodore Club is such a popular venue on Cunard ships that the line has made it bigger than ever on Queen Anne, even bigger than its counterpart on Queen Mary 2, which is a far bigger ship.

Just off the Grand Lobby, the Chart Room is the main bar and lounge for the ship's lower-deck interior areas. It has a creative list of specialty cocktails themed around the signs of the zodiac (I loved the Leo-themed Natural Leader cocktail, made with pisco, lemon juice, raspberries and elderflower syrup) and the stylish art deco-inspired decor.

A third major drinking spot in the interior of the ship is the Golden Lion pub, which is just down the hall from the Chart Room past the Queens Room — the ship's ballroom. It's definitely the place to go for a pint of beer and a chat or a full-blown pub meal. Just be warned that it sometimes morphs into a karaoke club at night and is often taken over by trivia and bingo sessions, which sort of wrecks the cozy British pub ambience. In my view, it's a space that suffers from mission creep, though people who love karaoke, trivia and bingo with a side of John Smith's bitter ale surely will disagree.

Another option for a drink in the afternoon or evening is the Carinthia Lounge. As mentioned in the dining section above, it's a coffee bar by day but morphs into a wine bar as the day goes on. It has a wonderfully diverse wine list that includes things like Hungarian furmint, a wine you don't normally find at cruise ship bars.

Alas, as an evening drinking spot, the Carinthia Lounge suffers a bit from a ho-hum setting along a sometimes busy corridor through a shopping area — the reason, I suspect, for why it wasn't drawing much of a crowd at night when I was on board. It also closes down early. It's much more popular during the day when it functions as a coffee bar.

Note that the Carinthia Lounge is one of the venues on Queen Anne where the servers seem particularly out to lunch. You apparently get to order just one coffee here, after which your server will disappear, never to be seen again.

Yet one more bar option, one that is something of an unexpected gem, is the bar attached to the ship's casino, Room 1840. Most casino bars on ships are dreary places you don't want to visit unless you're in the casino to gamble. But the Room 1840 bar is both striking in its design and home to a fabulous cocktail menu focused on Negronis (in addition to a classic gin Negroni, you'll find creative variations on the Campari-infused elixir made with everything from double-oaked whiskey to tequila).

The Room 1840 bar is also one of the few bars on the ship where you'll find proper oversize ice cubes for cocktails such as Negronis — something that is standard at any semidecent cocktail bar on land but sorely missing from most Queen Anne bars (to be fair, this is a flaw not just with Queen Anne bars but bars on most cruise ships).

And, no, Room 1840 isn't smoky. Unlike on most ships, you can't smoke in the casino on Queen Anne.

In addition to the above, there are small interior bars attached to the Queens Room, the Bright Lights Society cabaret theater, the Artisans' Foodhall and the Sir Samuel's steakhouse. But none of them are venues you'd necessarily visit specifically for drinking. They are more bases for the waiters serving these various areas.

On the outside decks of the ship, you'll find bars at all the main sunning and pool areas, including at the front-of-the-ship sports deck (known as the Observation Deck) and at the back-of-the-ship Panorama Pool Club. One of the outdoor venues, Cabana, is a new-for-the-line rum-focused venue touting 50 different brands of the drink.

Queen Anne activities

As is typical for Cunard ships, the top decks of Queen Anne are mostly devoted to relaxing pool and sunning areas. This isn't a ship where you'll find lots of family-friendly decktop amusements such as waterslides and kiddie splash zones.

This is in keeping with the clientele of the brand, which is mostly older adults. Cunard has never been known as a family line.

Queen Anne is also one of the relatively few cruise ships with a top deck designed specifically for operating in a wide range of climate zones.

At the heart of Queen Anne's top deck is The Pavilion, an enormous central pool area that — unlike the main pool areas on the last two new Cunard ships — is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to keep poolgoers warm and dry on cold and rainy days.

It's a retractable glass roof that is not only functional but beautiful — a showpiece for the ship. Soaring higher and feeling airier than the typical magrodome (as such retractable glass roofs on ships are called), the giant structure above the pool was created by Martin Francis, the U.K.-based design wizard who figured out how to make the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum stay up.

The Pavilion, moreover, is much more than just a covered pool area. Underneath the dome — in addition to a pool, three whirlpools and lounge chairs — is a bar, a grill for poolside food, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment.

Just forward of The Pavilion is an open-air sun deck that is the closest thing the ship has to an amusement zone. Called the Observation Deck, it has a paddle tennis court that doubles as a pickleball court, a putting green, a golf net for practicing your drives, a table tennis table (or, as most Americans would call it, a pingpong table) and — this being a British ship — deck quoits. If you're an American, you'll have to Google that last one.

There's also shuffleboard, here and elsewhere along the outdoor decks. It's that sort of deck-top vibe.

One other top-deck amusement, located toward the middle of the ship, is an archery range — something you won't find on most cruise ships. Indeed, while Royal Caribbean has offered a watered-down version of archery on its ships with toylike bows and arrows, Queen Anne is the first ship where you can shoot real (and very sharp) arrows with a real bow. You do it during formal reservations-only sessions with an instructor, and you have to sign your life away with a waiver form before you start.

In addition to the public areas above, there is an open-air deck area toward the middle of the ship that is exclusive to the swanky set staying in the ship's Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites. The center-of-the-ship placement of this exclusive area, alas, blocks regular passengers from moving across the top of the ship — a major design flaw.

The top of the ship is also home to a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio. Just past The Pavilion Pool (under the same glorious glass dome that covers that venue), it offers yoga, Pilates, Zumba and line-dancing classes during the day for an extra charge.

The Wellness Studio is part of the major expansion of wellness offerings at Cunard mentioned above. It was added to the ship in part to get all the fitness classes that the line normally offers in interior fitness areas up to the top deck, where participants can enjoy natural light and views of the sea all around.

That said, Queen Anne still has a good-size fitness center and a spa with a thermal pool complex in a lower part of the vessel. The latter venue is a wow with heated loungers, experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna, and a traditional sauna. There's also a relaxation room and a wellness suite.

Two-hour passes to the thermal complex are available for $59 per person.

If you're looking for activities in the interior of the ship, there are two main places to go: the Queens Room and the Golden Lion pub.

The Queens Room — a staple of Cunard ships — is the ship's grand ballroom and the place to dance the night away to big-band music. But it's also the spot for afternoon tea at times — a big thing for the ship's heavily British crowd — and occasionally other activities such as low-impact chair yoga.

The Golden Lion pub is home to frequent trivia contests (often several times a day), darts competitions, bingo and karaoke nights — so many such activities, in fact, that passengers looking for a traditional pub experience may be disappointed.

Other activity areas in the ship's interior include the small casino area called Room 1840 mentioned above. It's just forward of the Queens Room. There's also a small Games Room for card playing just off the Grand Lobby.

At the very top of the ship, off the Commodore Club, is a library with one of the best views of any library at sea. Just beyond it is a very small children's area called The Zone (as noted, Cunard isn't a line that draws many children).

Other interior areas include dedicated space for weddings and wedding receptions, part of a bigger focus on celebrations at Cunard, and a large number of shops.

Queen Anne shows

Cunard has beefed up its entertainment offerings with the debut of Queen Anne.

In addition to an 835-seat main theater (the Royal Court Theater) offering Broadway-style shows, it's home to a new-for-the-brand, 132-seat cabaret-style theater called the Bright Lights Society.

The former is home to a wide variety of entertainment during any given cruise, from full-blown musicals to comedy shows and vocalist performances. (It's also used for lectures by a rotating list of guest speakers and occasional screenings of feature-length films.) The latter offers a murder mystery theater-type experience on some days and a lively cabaret-style musical show on others.

On my sailing, the two big main theater productions were a smoke-, strobe light- and laser-infused musical production called "Imagination" and a shortened version of the West End musical "Pride and Prejudice (sort of)" — the latter a comedic retelling of the Jane Austen love story. Both were entertaining, if not the sort of wow productions you'll find on the ships of cruise entertainment leaders Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line .

The Bright Lights Society (the name is an oblique reference to the fact that Cunard was the first ocean liner operator to use electric lights on its ships) was a fun and lively venue — when I was able to get into it. Alas, all six performances of what some passengers said was the best show in the venue, the interactive murder mystery "Noir," booked up seemingly instantly on the first day of my cruise, so I never was able to get a reservation to see it.

With Queen Anne's passenger count significantly higher than Cunard's other vessels, there just isn't room in the Brights Light Society venue to accommodate the demand for its shows.

The "Noir" show was the only show in the venue for three of the first four nights of the cruise. For the last three nights of the sailing, the space was home to "Fizz," a cabaret-style show with musical and burlesque elements and a loose storyline of romance for which I did manage to snag a reservation. It was energetic and amusing, with the cast of five pulling in the audience to become part of the show.

Additional entertainment, including the occasional comedy show, vocalists and silent discos, takes place in the Queens Room, the ship's ballroom. On Queen Anne, it's a space that has gotten a makeover compared to the ballrooms on other Cunard ships to make it more multipurpose, and it often hosts some of the same acts that play on different nights in the Royal Court Theater.

With clusters of modern ball lamps hanging from its ceiling, evoking planets floating in the sky, and a stunning, multicolored marquetry wood floor as a counterpoint, the Queens Room has a dreamy, make-believe quality unlike anything seen before on a Cunard ship.

A large digital screen behind its semicircular stage and high-tech lighting add to its more modern feel.

The Queens Room is also rounder in its design and more open to its surroundings. Its top level, in particular, is open to an area of boutique stores and the passing traffic of passengers moving between the front and back of the ship.

Queen Anne itineraries and pricing

Of Cunard's four ships, Queen Anne is the one that spends the most time sailing out of Southampton, England — Cunard's traditional home. Nearly all its sailings during the year begin and end in the port.

Still, that doesn't mean Queen Anne only sails in the vicinity of the British Isles.

For all but the first few months of the year, Queen Anne operates an unusually wide array of Europe itineraries out of Southampton that can get you to just about every corner of the continent, from the far reaches of the Baltic Sea to the full expanse of the Mediterranean.

Some of Queen Anne's Europe sailings out of Southampton go all the way to the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa.

Queen Anne's trips from Southampton are diverse not only in where they go but in length, as the ship operates everything from quickie two-nighters to Hamburg, Germany (a good way to test the vessel to see if you like it), and seven-night sailings to Northern Europe to far lengthier voyages of 14 to 19 nights to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.

During the first few months of every year, Queen Anne sets off from Southampton on an even more ambitious voyage around the world. Since the ship's debut in early 2024, it has become one of Cunard's main ships for such lengthy voyages.

The around-the-world voyages (two of which currently are on Queen Anne's schedule for 2025 and 2026) typically last nearly four months and include stops in North America, Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition to selling passage for the entire cruise, Cunard also sells shorter segments of the voyage that focus on particular regions along the way.

Prices for Queen Anne sailings start around $400 per person, based on double occupancy, for a two-night sailing from Southampton to Hamburg. More typical seven-night sailings out of Southampton start at $1,159 per person, based on double occupancy. The ship's first world cruise, a 107-night trip kicking off in January 2025, starts at $17,536 per person.

The above rates include all taxes and fees.

Note that you'll pay a significant premium to stay in Queen Anne's Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill accommodations as compared to standard Britannia cabins. A voyage where a balcony cabin in Britannia class starts around $3,000 per person might cost closer to $5,000 per person if you book the same balcony cabin in Britannia Club class or $7,000 per person if you book a Princess Grill suite. A Queens Grill room on the same voyage might set you back more than $9,000 per person.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

A passport is required for all itineraries, and passports must be valid for at least six months. The name on your reservation must match that on your passport. Double-check if you've recently gotten married or use a different version of your name.

Queen Anne guests will find an automatic service charge of $16 to $18 per person, per day, depending on cabin category, added to their onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Purser's Office desk before disembarking.

In addition, a 15% gratuity is added to bar bills. You should not feel pressured to add an additional tip.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

In recent years, Cunard has upgraded the Wi-Fi service on its ships and now offers a relatively fast connection through Starlink satellites. As is often the case with cruise ships, the service isn't free, nor is it inexpensive. Passengers can choose an Essential plan that allows web browsing and access to emails and social media sites for $18 per day if bought for the entire voyage (24-hour access is available for $24). A Premium plan allowing for streaming costs $24 per day if bought for the entire voyage (24-hour access is available for $36) is also available.

The above rates allow you to log in on a single device. Multidevice plans are also available. They'll cost you more in absolute terms but are a much better value if you are buying Wi-Fi for several people. On my voyage, a multidevice plan for four devices was the same cost as buying two single-device plans.

Note that top-tier members of the line's Cunard World Club loyalty program get credit toward buying internet plans.

Carry-on drinks policy

Cunard allows every passenger of drinking age to bring one bottle of wine or Champagne onto ships at boarding. The line charges a corkage fee if you bring the wine or Champagne to an onboard restaurant or other public areas to drink.

Smoking policy

Smoking (including e-cigarette smoking) is allowed only in designated outdoor areas. It's forbidden in cabins, on cabin balconies and — with one exception — in all other indoor areas of the ship. The exception is that passengers can smoke cigars and pipes only (no cigarettes) in Churchill's Cigar Lounge, the ship's dedicated space for cigar smokers.

Unlike on some cruise ships, smoking is not allowed in Queen Anne's casino.

Queen Anne has self-serve launderettes on cabin decks where passengers will find washers, dryers and ironing boards for use at no extra charge. Even the detergent is free. The ship also offers extra-charge laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

You'll find North American-style 110-volt outlets and European-style 220-volt outlets in cabins, along with USB ports.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. But you won't need cash while on board. Queen Anne operates on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a keycard that you can use to make charges, and Cunard will charge your credit card at the end of the sailing to settle the balance.

While on board, you can check your balance at the Purser's Office or via your in-cabin television.

Drinking age

You must be 18 to consume alcohol on Queen Anne in most parts of the world. When the ship is sailing in U.S. waters, Cunard enforces the U.S. drinking age limit of 21.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day, and you're bound for the pool deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits are just fine. Just note that swimwear is not permitted in indoor dining areas, so you'll want to change from that bathing suit before heading to lunch inside the vessel.

During the evenings, there is an official dress code, and it's more formal than at many lines. Cunard has always been known as a line where passengers dress up — and its dress code reflects that (though it's not nearly as formal as it was just a few years ago).

On most nights, the Queen Anne dress code is "smart" attire, which Cunard defines as a dress shirt and trousers, skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress. Jackets are optional, but many men do wear them. Some men even wear coats and ties on casual nights. This is a ship where passengers get very dressed up, and you might feel out of place if you don't.

Unlike on some lines, jeans are not allowed in restaurants in the evening, and the line is strict about it. You will likely be turned away if you show up in them, and you'll definitely get dirty looks from Cunard's formality-loving regulars.

Every few nights, the dress level on the ship becomes much more formal as the ship holds "gala evenings." These are shipwide events where passengers are encouraged to dress to the nines, and they generally do.

There are typically two gala evenings on every seven-night cruise and more on longer sailings. Cunard asks men to wear black tie or dark suits. For women, Cunard suggests floor-length dresses, ballgowns or off-the-shoulder cocktail dresses.

Cunard typically designates a theme for each gala evening, set in advance so you can plan your wardrobe. Examples include Black and White Gala Evening, when passengers are encouraged to wear black and white, and Red and Gold Gala Evening, when red and gold are the go-to colors. Some sailings also have a Masquerade Ball, where the line suggests passengers spice up their attire with masks.

Note that if you really, really hate the idea of getting all dolled up for a gala evening, you'll find that there are a few designated places on the ship (such as the pub) where you still can drink and dine without the formality. That said, the dress-up nights are a big part of the Cunard formula. If it doesn't sound appealing to you, maybe you're picking the wrong ship.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Bottom line

Queen Anne is a lovely ship that, alas, isn't yet running like it should. The design of the vessel, which is more contemporary in its look and feel than what we've seen from Cunard in recent years, is meant to usher in a new era for the brand, and it does. In my opinion, it's the most beautiful new Cunard ship to debut since Queen Mary 2 arrived more than 20 years ago.

But four months after opening, some of Queen Anne's venues still are struggling to deliver the sort of friendly and intuitive service that they should, given Queen Anne's positioning as a "premium" product that is a step above mass-market cruising (in some of its messaging to consumers, the line even refers to itself as offering a "luxury" experience).

In addition, several new-for-the-line dining concepts on the ship are struggling to hit their stride and may need rethinking.

Cunard, no doubt, will tweak all the above and eventually get it right, maybe by the time you are on board. And there's a lot already to love about Queen Anne — particularly the higher-end experience available in the ship's already smoothly-running Princess Grill and Queens Grill areas. If Cunard can work out the kinks with the rest of the ship, particularly in the areas of service and specialty dining, Queen Anne has the potential to be a wonderful cruise ship.

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