Can you vape on ferries and cruise ships?

Why ferries are different from planes

Aviation rules force vapes into hand luggage because of lithium battery fire risk in cargo holds. Ferries do not have the same restriction. Your vape can travel in your car, your luggage or on your person, and there is no requirement to declare it at boarding.

The use rules, however, are not so different from planes or trains. You cannot vape indoors on any UK ferry. The operator's conditions of carriage prohibit it across the board. Where ferries differ is that they almost universally have outdoor smoking areas on the upper decks where vaping is permitted.

Ferries are big ships with usable outdoor space. Long crossings like Portsmouth to Bilbao (24+ hours) or Hull to Rotterdam (overnight) include outdoor smoking decks specifically because passengers need somewhere to go. Vaping is welcome in those areas.

Major UK ferry operators

What about cabins?

Ferry cabins are treated exactly like hotel rooms in this respect. Vaping is banned, smoke detectors are fitted, and cleaning fees apply if you are caught.

• Inside cabins: Banned across every UK ferry operator. No exceptions.
• Cabin balconies: Most ferries do not have cabin balconies. Where they do (mostly Brittany Ferries Pont-Aven or similar), the same no-vaping policy applies.
• Cabin smoke detectors: Standard. Triggering one usually leads to staff intervention and possibly being moved or asked to disembark at the destination.
• Cleaning fees: Typically £100 to £150 if vape residue is detected at cabin turnaround. Charged to your booking.
• Window opening: Most ferry cabins do not have opening windows. Even if yours does, the no-vaping rule still applies.

Cruise ships: a different ballgame

Cruise ships are usually owned by international companies and follow company-wide global policies, not UK rules. Each major cruise line has its own vaping policy. The common thread: indoor vaping is banned across the board. The variation is in cabins, balconies and outdoor areas.

The cabin question on cruise ships

The most common question vapers have is whether they can vape on their cabin balcony. The answer depends on the cruise line and sometimes the specific ship.

The trend over the last decade has been toward stricter rules. Cruise lines have closed indoor smoking lounges and reduced balcony allowances after fire incidents (vapour and cigarette smoke have triggered serious cabin fires on cruise ships). If you vape, check the specific cruise line policy before booking and plan to use the designated outdoor areas only.

Practical strategies for ferry crossings

1. Locate the outdoor smoking deck early in the crossing

   Most ferries have signage. The decks are usually toward the stern, sometimes on multiple levels. Knowing where you can vape removes stress for the rest of the trip.

2. Bring spare pods or e-liquid for long crossings

   A 24-hour Brittany Ferries trip to Bilbao means more vaping than you would normally do in a day. Pack more than you think you need.

3. Charge your device before boarding

   Cabins have plug sockets but they are limited and sometimes occupied. Public lounges have fewer. Arriving with a full battery means you can vape outside without worrying about charging.

4. Bring a jacket for the deck

   The outdoor smoking area can be cold and windy, especially on Channel crossings. A light jacket or fleece makes the vape break much more pleasant.

5. Watch the weather

   In bad weather the outdoor decks can be closed entirely for safety reasons. Have a backup nicotine source (pouches, gum) for crossings where the deck might not be accessible.

6. Note the port turnaround for car ferries

   If you are driving and your car is on the vehicle deck, you cannot access it during the crossing. Take your vape and chargers up to your cabin or hand luggage before boarding.

The new vape duty and ferry travel

The UK Vaping Products Duty starts on 1 October 2026 at £2.20 per 10ml plus VAT. This affects what you can buy on board UK ferries and from UK shops near the ports.

• Duty-free on ferries: International routes (UK to France, Ireland, Netherlands etc.) have duty-free shops. Vape products may be available, often at lower prices than mainland UK retail.
• Personal allowances on return: Bringing vape products back from the EU is subject to personal import limits. For e-liquid, the limit depends on UK duty rules and may change once VPD is in force.
• French and Spanish prices: Vape products in France are typically cheaper than UK pre-duty prices. Stocking up on a Brittany Ferries crossing can save money but check personal import rules.
• Irish vape duty: Ireland already has its own e-liquid excise duty. Prices may not be substantially cheaper than the UK once VPD is in force.

The bottom line