4yanx Posted September 12, 2005 #1 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Not that I'm thinking of toting any back across the border, but are Cubans sold on ship? Where would be the optimal place to look in Playa del Carmen and/or Cozumel? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VolzCruiser Posted September 12, 2005 #2 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I have never found a cuban for sale on the ship. I have bought plenty on coz. and enjoyed them in the cigar bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4yanx Posted September 12, 2005 Author #3 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Thanks. I would have interest in where to shop in either Cozumel or Playa del Carmen for guaranteed authentic Cohibas. A bit of a tradition, my sons and I will enjoy one at some point during the trip - as we have on each trip to Canada. No, we do not need adivse on how to smuggle them back. We will but one each and smoke in situ! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeseller Posted September 12, 2005 #4 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I have never found one for sale on a ship. Those in Mexico can be very good but there are a lot of fakes so be carefull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Ness Posted September 12, 2005 #5 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I've never seen any for sale on the ship either. I have bought some in Cozumel and they weren't very hard to find. I just remember seeing some signs while walking around and a couple of small cigar stores that carried them. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ok_Cruiser Posted September 12, 2005 #6 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I am obviously mistaken but I thought it was legal to bring cuban's back to the US for personal consumption. Is this not correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Ness Posted September 12, 2005 #7 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I am obviously mistaken but I thought it was legal to bring cuban's back to the US for personal consumption. Is this not correct?No, you are not allowed to bring any Cuban cigars back to the states. But you can smoke 'em before you get back in the cigar lounge on the ship. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsRamsRock Posted September 12, 2005 #8 Share Posted September 12, 2005 I have never found one for sale on a ship. Those in Mexico can be very good but there are a lot of fakes so be carefull. Read a lot about "fake" Cubans, which I know is true. I'd be interested in some tips for identifying a fake from the read deal. One trick I know is that they will show you the authentic cigar but switch them when they bag them for you. Any help would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eliot Ness Posted September 12, 2005 #9 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Read a lot about "fake" Cubans, which I know is true. I'd be interested in some tips for identifying a fake from the read deal. One trick I know is that they will show you the authentic cigar but switch them when they bag them for you. Any help would be appreciated. Here are some links that may help: http://www.smokemag.com/0398/feature.htm http://www.cigarnexus.com/counsel/counterfeit/ http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/advice/advice_fake.asp John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelz66 Posted September 13, 2005 #10 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Not tjat I would ever do this.:rolleyes: But if I were to bring a few back for personal consumption, I would remove the bands and pack them in my carryon. If questioned, you took some with you and these are the ones you didn't smoke. Never pack cigars in checked luggage no matter where they are from. The temperature change in the bagage compartment can damage them.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njsteve Posted September 13, 2005 #11 Share Posted September 13, 2005 We have purchased Cohibas and other cuban cigars in Cozumel at the Havana Club. This shop is recomended by Carnival and their supper shoper. The shop is located in the beachfront shoping section on the second floor of a shop, I can't remember what was on the first floor. Enjoy your Cubans, I allways do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hstrybuf Posted September 13, 2005 #12 Share Posted September 13, 2005 We have purchased Cohibas and other cuban cigars in Cozumel at the Havana Club. This shop is recomended by Carnival and their supper shoper. The shop is located in the beachfront shoping section on the second floor of a shop, I can't remember what was on the first floor. Enjoy your Cubans, I allways do. All I remember is a narrow staircase going up to the second floor. Nice big humidor, decent food, drinks and air conditioning! The gentlemen in our party were very happy with the quality and selection of their cigars too. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4yanx Posted September 13, 2005 Author #13 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Njsteve and hstrybuf - THIS is what I'm talkin' bout. Thanks for the specific suggestion! Would appreciate Playa del Carmen spots, too, if anyone knows. I like the ides of sitting in the breeze on the beach with one at the end of December.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizzbane Posted September 13, 2005 #14 Share Posted September 13, 2005 in cozumel what price range do the cubans come in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare silentbob007 Posted September 13, 2005 #15 Share Posted September 13, 2005 in cozumel what price range do the cubans come in? Cubans always seem way overpriced in the Caribbean as they know that Americans will pay out the nose for them on vacation ... but hey, what are you going to do? The cheapest full-sized Cuban (coronoa or larger) is probably $8-10 at a reputable store from what I remember. BTW, along with everyone else, I have never seen a Cuban sold on the ship. I assume that this is because the ship must be cleared by US customs each time it comes into port. Also, having talked to friends who are customs agents, if they want to catch you with Cubans, they will, whether you take the bands off or not. However, unless it is time to make an example of someone or unless the violation is blatant, it is not that big of deal to bring back a few cigars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsRamsRock Posted September 13, 2005 #16 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Here are some links that may help: http://www.smokemag.com/0398/feature.htm http://www.cigarnexus.com/counsel/counterfeit/ http://www.cigars-of-cuba.com/advice/advice_fake.asp John Great information, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MERVYN BREMMER Posted September 13, 2005 #17 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Not that I'm thinking of toting any back across the border, but are Cubans sold on ship? Where would be the optimal place to look in Playa del Carmen and/or Cozumel? Thanks Not sure but smoke 'em if you got 'em:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleValleyCruisers Posted September 13, 2005 #18 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Cubans always seem way overpriced in the Caribbean as they know that Americans will pay out the nose for them on vacation ... but hey, what are you going to do? The cheapest full-sized Cuban (coronoa or larger) is probably $8-10 at a reputable store from what I remember. BTW, along with everyone else, I have never seen a Cuban sold on the ship. I assume that this is because the ship must be cleared by US customs each time it comes into port. Also, having talked to friends who are customs agents, if they want to catch you with Cubans, they will, whether you take the bands off or not. However, unless it is time to make an example of someone or unless the violation is blatant, it is not that big of deal to bring back a few cigars. I bought Cohiba's (Corona) in the Caymans, and Cohiba's and Monte Cristo's of the same size in Cozumel for around $19 to $22 a pop. There is a very nice tobacco shop in the mall area by Carlo's and Charlie's in Cozumel that I feel very comfortable with the thought that they were genuine. Although I of course didn't do it, the Tabocconist included a Mexican tax stamp and a box that proclaimed that the cigars contained within were "hecho en Mexico" if I wanted to try and bring them back into the states;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadPirateRobert Posted September 13, 2005 #19 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Just so you know, customs does nail people with Cuban cigars. I was in Bermuda and briefly considered bringing back a few cigars for friends. DW talked me out of it since she was there on business and didn't want the risk. Coming back through US customs, the guy several people ahead of us in line got his bags searched. They were taking cigars away from him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeyer418 Posted September 13, 2005 #20 Share Posted September 13, 2005 let me tell you what I have been told about the rules about Cubans. It is illegal for US citizens or permanent residents to obtain Cuban cigars anywhere in the world. The Cuban boycott includes purchasing them over seas and smoking them overseas(the one exception is if you are in Cuba legally). They can't be carried on the ship since this would violate the cuban embargo since they can't be carried into the US even for transhipment. If you are going to buy them do not use your credit card. The rules for customs is if they suspect they are cubans you have to prove origin not that they have to. They guy who gave you hecko in Mexico gave your false proof(also an offense if you give it to customs). I have brought Cubans back more than 5 years ago. It was easier then. The current administration has gone to great lengths to enforce the embargo and has fined people many of thousands of dollars(not a typo) for even a few cigars. Sorry about that. There are legal cuban seed tobacco-some very good ones- and some pre castro cigars available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CordovaMom Posted September 13, 2005 #21 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Just curious...I remember several months ago hearing about Arnold Schwarzenegger smoking his Cubans in the Governor's office in California, how did he get them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeyer418 Posted September 13, 2005 #22 Share Posted September 13, 2005 He stole them from George W You should know I consider the boycott stupid after so many failed years. I aslo think that refusing help from Cuba for Katrina shows the same stupidity. The stupidity is both Democratic and Republican. Even if they fine the terminator do you think he would care...just us poor folk again...We traded with communist russia, china etc....If we can forgive Momar Khadify who had a US plane bombed isn't time to get over Castro and move on. Vietnam is now a trading parter with the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyarrow01 Posted September 13, 2005 #23 Share Posted September 13, 2005 I was on the Carnival Victory a few years back and purchased Cuban Cigars on the ship in the cigar lounge. Cannot remember what I paid, but it was not that bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smeyer418 Posted September 13, 2005 #24 Share Posted September 13, 2005 oops new rules from the governement says you can't even get them in Cuba.. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/cuban_cigars.xml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AppleValleyCruisers Posted September 13, 2005 #25 Share Posted September 13, 2005 let me tell you what I have been told about the rules about Cubans. It is illegal for US citizens or permanent residents to obtain Cuban cigars anywhere in the world. The Cuban boycott includes purchasing them over seas and smoking them overseas(the one exception is if you are in Cuba legally). They can't be carried on the ship since this would violate the cuban embargo since they can't be carried into the US even for transhipment. If you are going to buy them do not use your credit card. The rules for customs is if they suspect they are cubans you have to prove origin not that they have to. They guy who gave you hecko in Mexico gave your false proof(also an offense if you give it to customs). I have brought Cubans back more than 5 years ago. It was easier then. The current administration has gone to great lengths to enforce the embargo and has fined people many of thousands of dollars(not a typo) for even a few cigars. Sorry about that. There are legal cuban seed tobacco-some very good ones- and some pre castro cigars available. First of all, it isn't illegal for a U.S. Citizen to purchase, smoke, eat, throw away etc Cuban cigars as long as you aren't on US soil (or I suppose, technically, its waters). The link that you posted (a good link by the way, thank you) only deals with the importation (and subsequent use, sale, transfer, gifting etc, etc) of cuban products, including cigars, into the US. Look at it this way. You buy a Cuban cigar in Cozumel and smoke it on the ship. The ship is a foreign flagged vessel, in International waters, or waters of a country that allows the importation of Cuban goods. How does US Customs fit into the equation? Not sure, myself..... In any case, thank you for pointing out that the dealer of the cigars I purchased gave me false proof. It didn't take me long to figure that out when I purchased said Cuban cigars. To the OP, purchase and enjoy a nice Cuban cigar with a snifter of Cognac aboard the ship. It was one of the most relaxing things I did, and I highly recommend it :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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