Of course it will be a question about cigars right? Just a general question about cruise ships. I am looking at perhaps a cruise to the Carribean, and just curious about the smoking regs onboard. I rather assume, outside on deck is fair game. Is it fairly common on board most ships to have cigars bars, lounges etc... or is that quickly going by the wayside..? Any recommendations for cigar friendly cruises? Thanks a bunch!
Most cruise ships have some type of either a dedicated cigar lounge or they convert a lounge or room (like the library) to a cigar lounge in the evenings. It used to be ok to smoke out on your balcony; however, I have heard from a few friends that this has changed.
"Et tu, brute. -Julius Caesar"
Posts: 1203 | Location: Southern California | Registered: August 07, 2007
Do a search here. I remember reading some disapointing posts about this not to long ago. Before you book I would suggest you call. I have been on a few cruise ships and each allowed smoking on the bacony and had a cigar bar, but that as a few years ago.
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posts: 519 | Location: NYC | Registered: August 14, 2008
Some cruise lines are REALLY strict on smoking now. Celebrity has one of the most restrictive policies, as you are not even allowed to smoke on your own balcony. We just returned from a Carnival Cruise, and they have one lounge where you can smoke cigars, and they are allowed on your balcony and on open decks. Make sure you check with the cruise line before booking. They are constantly changing their policies.
RIP Tobacconists of Raleigh
Posts: 2471 | Location: North Carolina,CSA | Registered: June 28, 2002
I have been on RCCL, Holland America, Celebrity, Carnival and US Lines.
RCCL used to turn the library into a cigar lounge at 9:00 I don't know if they still do.
Holland America allowed smoking only on the port side rear deck and in one cigar lounge where they would sell some cigars and bring you a drink. No actual bar in the lounge.
Celebrity used to have a cigar lounge that was an independent company. They are no longer there.
Carnival actually banned smoking at one time, but have relented. Check first.
US Lines is out of business.
Doc ***** Tobacco is a filthy weed, I like it...
SNOB Member 1033 1/3
Posts: 11096 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 02, 2002
One of the editors here has a blog about this and the reason many cruise lines ban smoking on stateroom balconies. Apparently, there was a fire caused by a cigarette butt that blew back.
Can't blame the cruise line for clamping down after that.
I was on a cruise last year, and am repeating it again this march break. I cruised on Royal Caribbean.
Yes they have a full time cigar lounge on most ships, yes you can smoke cigars on your balcony (not on Oasis class though), and yes you can smoke on the port side on the ledo deck I think. Oh and you may be able to smoke in the casinos too (although maybe not cigars).
Hope that helps CM
Give that man a cigar and a blow torch to light it with. - Jack "The Shinning" TV Version
Posts: 418 | Location: Great White North | Registered: November 26, 2007
Took the Royal Carribean Mexican Riviera cruise last year. Every night after 9 o'clock or so they turned the library into a cigar lounge, they sold cigars and drinks, so bring your own cigars, you will probably have a better selection than they do.
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Posts: 380 | Location: Covina, California | Registered: May 18, 2007
It all sound interesting, and sometimes frustrating at the same time. You would think a cruise would be fairly free wheeling..cigar smoking wise anyway. I am looking at a Royal Carribean ship..the offer I have is for the Grandeur Of The Seas. Nothing I could find on the ship info that would suggest a cigar bar per say. But, I still would assume somewhere outside on a deck somewhere would be ok. Thanks all for the info too!
Nothing I could find on the ship info that would suggest a cigar bar per say. But, I still would assume somewhere outside on a
Like Doc said, if they convert the library to the cigar room then great otherwise the only place you can smoke a cigar is if your cabin has a balcony or on the port side of the ship on the ledo deck.
Give that man a cigar and a blow torch to light it with. - Jack "The Shinning" TV Version
Posts: 418 | Location: Great White North | Registered: November 26, 2007
I was on RC's Liberty of the Seas last year on my Eastern Caribbean cruise. You can smoke on the decks and on your balcony. In fact, when visiting the Padron factory store the day before the cruise, Jorge Padron highly recommended getting a balcony. Liberty had a nice cigar lounge but had a lousy selection, so bring your own cigars! BTW, you can't smoke in any of the designated bars for smoking or the casino as they are for cigarettes only.
"Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do." - Bruce Lee
Posts: 1851 | Location: Signal Hill, CA | Registered: April 26, 2007
Originally posted by canoefoot: It all sound interesting, and sometimes frustrating at the same time. You would think a cruise would be fairly free wheeling..cigar smoking wise anyway. I am looking at a Royal Carribean ship..the offer I have is for the Grandeur Of The Seas. Nothing I could find on the ship info that would suggest a cigar bar per say. But, I still would assume somewhere outside on a deck somewhere would be ok. Thanks all for the info too!
If you book the cruise, check your daily newsletter each day. They'll list the places you can smoke cigars. Like the previous poster said, bring your own smokes. They are quite pricey on the ship. Some RC ships still have cigar bars.........
RIP Tobacconists of Raleigh
Posts: 2471 | Location: North Carolina,CSA | Registered: June 28, 2002
Actually, the cigar lounge on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is how I got started.
I was looking for a nice quiet place to have a drink by myself at about 11:00 pm, and the only one available was the cigar lounge. It was on the highest level in the back of the ship, with a 360 view of the ocean. I ordered a Johnnie Walker Black and sat down in a super comfy chair.
The menu in front of me had the cigars listed too, and I got caught up in the atmosphere and asked the waiter to help me pick one out to try. They had the standard classic selection. Since this was my first time he suggested something mild like a Macanudo petit corona. He handed me a cutter, and I took off like a quarter of an inch , but he was nice and took out another one and cut it correctly for me.
It was almost an out-of-body experience. I'm sure the nicotine had something to do with that, but the entire experience was just perfect. I ended up going back there every night and ended up trying a Partagas Naturale, Hoyo Excalibur #3, R&J Churchill, and Montecristo #2. Two years and three humidor upgrades later, I am still at it. I'm sure most guys remember their "first" too.
I went on another cruise 6 months ago (Royal Caribbean - Majesty of the Seas), and they had a similar cigar lounge. Needless to say I spent some time there, but this time I was smoking the CCs I bought when we stopped in Nassau .
Originally posted by BPTraynor: Actually, the cigar lounge on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is how I got started.
I was looking for a nice quiet place to have a drink by myself at about 11:00 pm, and the only one available was the cigar lounge. It was on the highest level in the back of the ship, with a 360 view of the ocean. I ordered a Johnnie Walker Black and sat down in a super comfy chair.
The menu in front of me had the cigars listed too, and I got caught up in the atmosphere and asked the waiter to help me pick one out to try. They had the standard classic selection. Since this was my first time he suggested something mild like a Macanudo petit corona. He handed me a cutter, and I took off like a quarter of an inch , but he was nice and took out another one and cut it correctly for me.
It was almost an out-of-body experience. I'm sure the nicotine had something to do with that, but the entire experience was just perfect. I ended up going back there every night and ended up trying a Partagas Naturale, Hoyo Excalibur #3, R&J Churchill, and Montecristo #2. Two years and three humidor upgrades later, I am still at it. I'm sure most guys remember their "first" too.
I went on another cruise 6 months ago (Royal Caribbean - Majesty of the Seas), and they had a similar cigar lounge. Needless to say I spent some time there, but this time I was smoking the CCs I bought when we stopped in Nassau .
Nice story.
"Enjoy Every Sandwich" Warren Zevon
Posts: 519 | Location: NYC | Registered: August 14, 2008
, but he was nice and took out another one and cut it correctly for me.