Cigars and cruises..

[Thewolfmaiden]

Note:  Having been on the Allure about 5 years ago, I have some understanding of ships and smoking policies.  Before you step in with various opinions about health risks, thanks, but no thanks.

 

My boyfriend and I enjoy cigars.  Perhaps 'enjoy' is not the correct word, because as I write this I'm looking at our 1,200 capacity humidor and our pipe collection assembled on top.  We like to enjoy one 2-4 times a week, usually with a single malt scotch.  With that being said, I'm doing some research on a cruise (late 2021 or early 2022) and am finding little and less on cruise lines that have dedicated cigar lounges (Nothing against cigarette smokers, but I'm looking for a different experience here).  Are there themed cruises any more?  If not, what lines still have these areas?  It looks like RCCL has been removing the last of the connoisseur clubs during their dry docks, and I expect that by the time Covid is over, and it's safe to cruise again, these lounges will be gone.  

 

The other caveat is looking for suite accommodations without breaking the bank.  I'm fine with an older ship if I can get a suite without paying over 1,500k per person for a 5-6 day cruise.

 

If that doesn't work, what sort of excursions might work for cigar fanatics?

 

Here's hoping, and thanks for the advice.

[1025cruise]

Unfortunately, the cigar lounge on a ship is going the way of the dodo. Most ships only allow cigar smoking in their outdoor areas. NCL might still have a lounge or two, but I think they are phasing out as well.

[hallux]

NCL's Bliss has a cigar lounge, right next to a Whiskey bar.  The only entrance to the cigar lounge is from an outside area on deck 8 called the Waterfront.

Bliss is the 2nd newest ship in the NCL fleet, I'm not so sure about "phasing out" of that venue.  The newest ship, Encore, also has the cigar lounge, same location (the ships are nearly identical).  Actually, ALL of the -Away class ships (Breakaway, Getaway, Bliss, Joy, Encore, Escape) have this venue.  Additionally - smoking is allowed in a walled-off area of the casino (only walled off on the Bliss and Encore I believe) but only if you are actively playing.

 

I'm not a smoker but I believe unless the weather is particularly inclement the Humidor Cigar Lounge is ONLY for cigar smokers.  This rule may be bent if the weather on deck, where the other smoking ares are, is not conducive to keeping those areas open.

[Essiesmom]

MSC Armonia:  Sorry you can barely read the Cigar Room above the door...Lighting poor in this area

 

 

 

 

Some/all? Princess ships still have a Churchill's Lounge...  EM

[1025cruise]

53 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

MSC Armonia:  Sorry you can barely read the Cigar Room above the door...Lighting poor in this area

 

 

 

 

Some/all? Princess ships still have a Churchill's Lounge...  EM

 

Yes, but the Princess rooms are smoking lounges. The OP is specifically looking for a cigar room (where only cigars are allowed). Churchill's is just an indoor smoking area that allows cigar smoking.

 

I'm glad I'm wrong that some lines are still maintaining their cigar rooms. While not my thing, those that enjoy it should be able to do so in comfortable places. Though I have heard that some of the lines that only allow cigars in outdoor areas have done a decent job upgrading those areas.

[Essiesmom]

MSC Divina still has a Cigar Lounge on their deckplans:

 

 

 

 

I don't remember seeing one on Seaside, nor do I find one on the deckplans.  Not seeing one on the deckplan for Meraviglia, either.  Maybe someone on the MSC board here can tell you what is what.  Looking at MSC Caribbean cruises from Nov 2021 - Jan 2022  on a 5 day cruise on Divina, you can get a suite under $1500pp.  Happy researching...  EM

[Thewolfmaiden]

Thank you everyone.  I'm sad that these places on ships are being phased out, but I know the cigar craze isn't what it was 10 years ago (and much before that) so it's understandable that cruise lines will cut the space if it's not being used.  That being said, I'm thankful for the information that's been provided.

[Hlitner]

On 7/26/2020 at 12:16 PM, Thewolfmaiden said:

Thank you everyone.  I'm sad that these places on ships are being phased out, but I know the cigar craze isn't what it was 10 years ago (and much before that) so it's understandable that cruise lines will cut the space if it's not being used.  That being said, I'm thankful for the information that's been provided.

It is not just cruise ships!  You are obviously aware it can be difficult to find a place to enjoy a cigar in many cities.  In places like New York City there are a very limited number of places where cigar smoking is both legal and tolerated.  We live in Puerto Vallarta during the winter and that city has several decent cigar stores that sell lots of decent cigars including decent Cubans.  But the number of places one can enjoy those smokes, without bothering others, is really shrinking.  I really have mixed emotions.  For many years I really enjoyed a good cigar but DW hated the smell so I would never smoke anywhere near her location.  But eventually, because cigar smoking has lost favor, I simply gave it up.  But I still admit to having cravings when I walk by a cigar shop in Puerto Vallarta and see the large humidor which has some amazing smokes not found in the USA.

 

As to Cigar smoking on ships, it does seem to be disappearing.  Most of the ships we have cruised (more then 65) now only allow cigar smoking in an outdoor area and its often restricted to one spot on the ship.  Indoor Cigar lounges seem to be disappearing which I suspect is going to be the norm.

 

Hank

[donaldsc]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

It is not just cruise ships!  You are obviously aware it can be difficult to find a place to enjoy a cigar in many cities.  In places like New York City there are a very limited number of places where cigar smoking is both legal and tolerated.  We live in Puerto Vallarta during the winter and that city has several decent cigar stores that sell lots of decent cigars including decent Cubans.  But the number of places one can enjoy those smokes, without bothering others, is really shrinking.  I really have mixed emotions.  For many years I really enjoyed a good cigar but DW hated the smell so I would never smoke anywhere near her location.  But eventually, because cigar smoking has lost favor, I simply gave it up.  But I still admit to having cravings when I walk by a cigar shop in Puerto Vallarta and see the large humidor which has some amazing smokes not found in the USA.

 

As to Cigar smoking on ships, it does seem to be disappearing.  Most of the ships we have cruised (more then 65) now only allow cigar smoking in an outdoor area and its often restricted to one spot on the ship.  Indoor Cigar lounges seem to be disappearing which I suspect is going to be the norm.

 

Hank

 

For the vast majority of people , there is no worse stink in the entire universe than the odor of a cigar.  Allowing cigar smoking on 1 outdoor spot on the ship is one spot too many.  

 

DON

Edited August 5, 2020 by donaldsc

[Hlitner]

39 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

For the vast majority of people , there is no worse stink in the entire universe than the odor of a cigar.  Allowing cigar smoking on 1 outdoor spot on the ship is one spot too many.  

 

DON

LOL Don,  I will tell you a secret.  I also have a strong dislike of cigar smoke.  And yet, I still would be happy to smoke one.  Go figure.  Nothing logical about it...but that is the way it is.  The only thing I dislike more then cigar smoke is cigarette smoke.  I have often been tempted to put myself slightly downwind of a cigarette smoker and light up the cheapest smelliest cigar in the universe :).   

 

Hank

[Essiesmom]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

LOL Don,  I will tell you a secret.  I also have a strong dislike of cigar smoke.  And yet, I still would be happy to smoke one.  Go figure.  Nothing logical about it...but that is the way it is.  The only thing I dislike more then cigar smoke is cigarette smoke.  I have often been tempted to put myself slightly downwind of a cigarette smoker and light up the cheapest smelliest cigar in the universe :).   

 

Hank

Ummm...don’t you mean upwind?

[sullaRaffaello]

Both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony on Crystal Cruises have a Connoisseur Club for cigar smoking.

[sullaRaffaello]

36 minutes ago, sullaRaffaello said:

Both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony on Crystal Cruises have a Connoisseur Club for cigar smoking.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/crystal-symphony-26/connoisseur-club-286065/connoisseur-club--v13084228

Edited August 16, 2020 by sullaRaffaello

[firefly333]

Seems to be mostly about other ports, but I belong to a group where the guys smoke cigars and we drink some scotch. I've been picking up those hand rolled cigars, though the ones at mahogany bay roatan, you only see the woman doing the outer wrap. Small to extra large. I got the size under large for $20 or $25 I think. Cozumel has what they claim to be Cuba cigars. Might not be real but was told they were still good. Dont forget to pick some up to bring home. Cigarettes are limited but cigars are unlimited to bring back to usa.

[Joebucks]

It's a shame that these are not more plentiful. Too many people lose their mind if you're doing something you enjoy and they don't like it. Seeing a cigar in the distance will cause violent asthma attacks or nausea that lasts the entire cruise.

 

I'm thankful there is at least an outdoor area on most ships. Having a cigar on the high seas, in the sun, with a drink is quite an enjoyable vacation experience. 

[Underwatr]

Cunard ships have an indoor cigar (only) lounge. Cigarette smokers have one spot on an outside deck.

[bigrednole]

I am curious of the smoking policy moving forward with Covid. Since it is passed through droplets leaving your mouth, it will be in the smoke, including cigarettes, vaping, and cigars. If there are going to be Covid safety protocols, then all 3 of these have to be addressed. I am fine with it not being permitted. 

[Roger88]

I am not a smoker but I dont remember seeing anyone smoking on board. Maybere there were some special cabins for smokers jjust like in airports but in any case, I think that a person's right to smoke shall be respected as long as he or she does not harm people around 

[hallux]

@Roger88 you typically won't see many smokers in random places around the ship.  Most have a designated smoking area.  Take the Bliss in NCL's fleet, there are 3 designated areas for smoking - starboard side of Spice H2O (far aft on deck 16, or is it 17?), a sealed off room in the casino and the cigar lounge which supposed to only be for cigar smoking.  So, unless you're in one of those places you SHOULDN'T see people actively engaging in smoking or vaping while wandering the ship.

 

On RCI's Explorer of the Seas, I seem to recall a smoking area on the pool deck, that you had to walk through if you wanted to get from one end of the ship to the other on that side of that deck.

 

You didn't say which ship you were on, it could have been one sailing itineraries where smoking isn't allowed at all.

[ldubs]

On 8/4/2020 at 5:38 PM, donaldsc said:

 

For the vast majority of people , there is no worse stink in the entire universe than the odor of a cigar.  Allowing cigar smoking on 1 outdoor spot on the ship is one spot too many.  

 

DON

 

So true.  I enjoy being around cigar smoke about as much as being around burning rubber tires.  

[Essiesmom]

With the original configuration of the Carnival Splendor, you had to walk through the cigar lounge to get to the internet cafe.  What a pleasure that was!  EM

[Traveling Mike]

On 10/29/2020 at 11:00 AM, bigrednole said:

I am curious of the smoking policy moving forward with Covid. Since it is passed through droplets leaving your mouth, it will be in the smoke, including cigarettes, vaping, and cigars. If there are going to be Covid safety protocols, then all 3 of these have to be addressed. I am fine with it not being permitted. 

They need to keep their mask on while smoking.  I don't understand people holding their cigarettes out the car window while smoking.  Roll up your windows and keep the smell to yourself.  On the cruise ship blow the smoke to the inside of your mask and keep it to yourself.  

[CGTNORMANDIE]

On 7/25/2020 at 2:45 PM, Thewolfmaiden said:

Note:  Having been on the Allure about 5 years ago, I have some understanding of ships and smoking policies.  Before you step in with various opinions about health risks, thanks, but no thanks.

 

My boyfriend and I enjoy cigars.  Perhaps 'enjoy' is not the correct word, because as I write this I'm looking at our 1,200 capacity humidor and our pipe collection assembled on top.  We like to enjoy one 2-4 times a week, usually with a single malt scotch.  With that being said, I'm doing some research on a cruise (late 2021 or early 2022) and am finding little and less on cruise lines that have dedicated cigar lounges (Nothing against cigarette smokers, but I'm looking for a different experience here).  Are there themed cruises any more?  If not, what lines still have these areas?  It looks like RCCL has been removing the last of the connoisseur clubs during their dry docks, and I expect that by the time Covid is over, and it's safe to cruise again, these lounges will be gone.  

 

The other caveat is looking for suite accommodations without breaking the bank.  I'm fine with an older ship if I can get a suite without paying over 1,500k per person for a 5-6 day cruise.

 

If that doesn't work, what sort of excursions might work for cigar fanatics?

 

Here's hoping, and thanks for the advice.

FYI...MSC has 4 ships in the Fantasia. Class that have a beautiful room next to the casino.  This room is specifically designated for smoking.  It has to be one of the nicest I have ever seen.  Especially for those of us who enjoy an occasional cigar.