If you smoke and are sailing on an MSC Meraviglia class ship, one of the most practical questions you can ask before boarding is also one of the most overlooked: where are you actually allowed to smoke?
The short answer is that smoking is limited to a few designated areas, while the rest of the ship is intended to be non-smoking. That means you cannot just step out onto any open deck and light up. It also means non-smokers usually are not dealing with smoke everywhere they go.
On MSC Meraviglia class ships, the usual setup includes one side of the main pool deck, an aft outdoor area near Horizon Bar, casino-related spaces where allowed, and a few ship-specific wrinkles depending on which ship you are sailing. Yacht Club guests also have designated smoking areas within the Yacht Club complex.
Here’s how it typically works.
Quick Answer: Where can you smoke on MSC Meraviglia class ships?
Usually on one side of the main pool deck, in the aft Horizon area, in certain casino-related spaces where allowed, in a Deck 7 aft nook on some Meraviglia Plus ships, and in designated Yacht Club outdoor areas for Yacht Club guests.
MSC’s Basic Smoking Policy
MSC treats its ships as non-smoking except for specifically designated smoking areas. That rule applies across the Meraviglia class and includes traditional cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, and vapes.
Smoking is not allowed in cabins and it is not allowed on private balconies. That is one rule cruisers should take seriously. If evidence of smoking is found in your room or on your balcony, MSC can charge a cleaning fee. Beyond that, tossing cigarette butts overboard is treated as a serious safety and environmental issue – while it appears that what is thrown overboard goes into the sea, it is common for the wind to bring the item back onto the ship further behind. This represents a big fire hazard for cruise ships.
So before we even get into the actual locations, the most important rule is simple: if the area is not clearly marked for smoking, do not assume it is allowed.
The Main Pool Deck Smoking Area
On Meraviglia class ships, the most dependable smoking area is usually found on one side of the main outdoor pool deck.
This is typically the easiest smoking section to find once you board. In practice, it is usually obvious. You will generally see tables with ashtrays, signage, and a setup that clearly signals this is the smoking side of the area. If you do not see those markers, assume it is non-smoking. It is fully an open-air area and most of the area is covered by the deck above to protect from inclement weather.
For most smokers, this is the primary outdoor area they will use during the day and evening.
The Aft Horizon Area
Another common smoking zone on Meraviglia class ships is the aft outdoor area around Horizon Pool and Horizon Bar.
Depending on the ship, this may feel a little more tucked away and a little less busy than the main pool deck. That can make it a more appealing option for smokers who want a quieter outdoor spot.
The Deck 7 Nook and Carousel Area
This is where things start to get a little more ship-specific.
On the Meraviglia Plus ships, there is a smaller Deck 7 aft outdoor nook near the Carousel Lounge area that smokers use as a quick and convenient spot.
The Casino Situation Is a Little Complicated
If there is one area where smoking rules can feel less straightforward, it is the casino.
MSC has increasingly positioned some casinos as non-smoking, especially on newer ships or newer operating setups. At the same time, there is a trend where a separate room or slot-machine area may still allow smoking even when the main casino itself is presented as non-smoking.
In other words, “non-smoking casino” does not always mean there is zero smoking connected to the casino area. It may simply mean smoking has been pushed into a more limited, separated section.
That is why the best way to explain the casino on Meraviglia class ships is this: do not assume the whole casino allows smoking, and do not assume the whole casino is fully smoke-free either. Look for posted signs and current onboard setup once you board.
This is one of the areas most likely to vary ship by ship.
What About the Indoor Smokers Lounge?
Some MSC Meraviglia class discussions mention an enclosed smokers lounge near the Sky Lounge area, especially on MSC Meraviglia itself.
On our last cruise of the Meraviglia in 2024, this room existed with a large area to smoke indoors and even a humidor. However, recent cruisers have reported the room no longer allows smoking and the room doesn’t exist on other ships in the class.
If that kind of indoor smoking space matters to you, it is something worth confirming once onboard.
Yacht Club Smoking Areas
If you are staying in MSC Yacht Club, there are usually additional designated smoking sections within the Yacht Club area.
These are generally found on one side of the outdoor deck by Top Sail Lounge and on one side of the Yacht Club pool deck. For Yacht Club guests, that can be a meaningful convenience since it gives you access to smoking areas without always needing to head back to the main ship pool deck or casino-related areas.
That is also one of those little quality-of-life differences that matters more in real life than it might sound on paper.
Vaping, E-Cigarettes, Etc Follow the Same Rules
One common misconception is that vaping is treated differently because there is no traditional smoke involved.
On MSC, that is not the way to think about it. Vapes and e-cigarettes should be treated the same as traditional smoking products when it comes to where they can be used. That means designated smoking areas only, not cabins, not balconies, and not random corners of open deck.
So whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or vape, the same general location rules apply.
And while the rules around marijuana vary from state-to-state, at sea pot is strictly forbidden.
How to Find the Smoking Areas Once You Board
The easiest rule of thumb is this: look for the ashtrays or places to dispose of cigarettes.
MSC’s designated smoking areas are usually marked in a way that is fairly obvious once you are onboard. If you see permanent ashtrays, tables clearly set up for smokers, or official smoking signage, you are probably in the right place. If you do not, assume you are not.
It is also smart to double-check the MSC app, the daily program, and onboard signage after embarkation, especially if smoking access is important to you. Some of the smaller details can vary by ship or current operations.
And one very practical note: outdoor smoking areas can be windy, especially at sea. A windproof lighter is not the worst thing to pack.
Bottom Line
On MSC Meraviglia class ships, smoking is usually limited to a few familiar zones rather than spread all over the ship. The main outdoor pool deck, the aft Horizon area, casino-related smoking spaces where allowed, and some ship-specific extras like the Deck 7 nook are the main places to know about. Yacht Club guests also generally have dedicated smoking sections inside the Yacht Club complex.
The best advice is simple: trust the signage, trust the ashtrays, and do not assume every Meraviglia class ship is identical in every detail.
That approach will keep you out of trouble if you smoke, and it will also help set expectations if you are trying to avoid smoke during your cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you smoke on an MSC balcony?
No. MSC does not allow smoking on private balconies.
Can you vape in your cabin on MSC?
No. Vaping follows the same general rules as smoking and should only be done in designated areas.
Is the MSC Meraviglia casino smoking or non-smoking?
It depends on the ship and current setup. Some casino areas may be non-smoking while separate sections or rooms may still allow smoking.
Does MSC Meraviglia have an indoor smoking room?
Some ships in the class may have or have had one, but availability appears inconsistent, so it is best to confirm onboard.
Does Yacht Club have its own smoking area?
Yes, Yacht Club guests generally have designated outdoor smoking sections within the Yacht Club area.