Cigar Bar On Soltice?

[smokin]

I have been seeing tons of posts regarding X's new smoking policy. I do enjoy a good stoogie on my balcony on ocassion, but since that will not be allowed. Does anyone know if there will be a cigar bar on Soltice. We have booked her for March and are looking forward to the Journey.

[hajekfam]

Cigars (and pipes) were never allowed on balconies on Celebrity. There used to be a cigar bar on their ships - Michaels Club - but they made that into a piano bar and moved the cigar and pipe smoking area to a specific open deck area on the smoking side of the ship.

This was the policy regarding cigars and pipes:

 

•

Until October 1, 2008, the following policy still applies:

Pipe and Cigar Smoking:

Pipe and cigar smoking is only allowed in specifically designated areas on outer decks of the vessel

• Please check with the Guest Relations Desk for these specific venues

• Please note that at no time is cigar and pipe smoking permitted in staterooms/suites or on their verandas

The new policy for after Oct. 1 (bolding is mine - looks like no change for cigar and pipe smokers from current policy) -

Effective October 1, 2008 for all Celebrity ships, smoking will no longer be permitted inside any stateroom or on any stateroom veranda. Cigarette smoking will only be permitted in designated indoor and outdoor areas of the ship, while cigar and pipe smoking will only be permitted in designated outdoor areas. Smoking will not be permitted in any dining venue, theater, hallway, elevator or corridor. Violations to this smoking policy will result in a $250 cleaning fee being charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through Celebrity Cruises' Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

[dkjretired]

Cigars (and pipes) were never allowed on balconies on Celebrity. There used to be a cigar bar on their ships - Michaels Club - but they made that into a piano bar and moved the cigar and pipe smoking area to a specific open deck area on the smoking side of the ship.

 

Its a moot point now but Cigars and Pipes were always allowed on balconies on Celebrity until they changed the policy about six months ago. Prior to that the prohibition on cigars and pipes only applied to public areas but then they quietly changed it. Yes, you are correct that it does not appear there will be a cigar bar on Solstice.

[Fblack]

On my recent Constellation cruise they had and allowed cigars at night at the aft bar outside the casual dining area. I don't know if this will change even with their new rules.

[Bklynbill]

Yes, I believe the cigar policy is to remain the same once the new policy goes into effect (aft end OV bar). On the Solstice I imagine this would be the Oceanview Bar on the Lido deck. It appears that this area is almost fully covered. It might be really interesting to see the lawn club, one deck up, used as an outdoor nightclub venue, with cigar smoking at the adjacent sunset bar (weather permitting, of course).

[FinelyCruising]

Michael's Club used to be the place to enjoy a fine cigar and a brandy or cognac. There is a Michael's Club on Solstice, but I will now take a look on the X website and see what it's purpose is intended to be in light of the changes in the smoking policies. They were never highly populated and were open only at certain hours.

[Bklynbill]

Michael's Club used to be the place to enjoy a fine cigar and a brandy or cognac. There is a Michael's Club on Solstice, but I will now take a look on the X website and see what it's purpose is intended to be in light of the changes in the smoking policies. They were never highly populated and were open only at certain hours.

 

Ever since they dropped cigars from Michael's Club I've rarely seen it used. The last time I was on Mercury they had scotch tastings there, but the bartender would rarely have a customer. I couldn't imagine scotch without a cigar, but thats just me. in fact, they still had cigar boxes on display, but I was told they were just for decoration. I was truly LOL.

[FinelyCruising]

That wrecks the tradition. Those rooms were designed to accommodate the load to turn over the air knowing they were to be cigar bars.

 

Seems to me that Tradition is broken when a man can't go and enjoy a nice cigar after dinner with good spirits.

 

What can you do....:o

[forensic]

I agree with Celebrity's new smoking policy, in fact I think that it is a Great thing. BUT I see nothing wrong with having a Cigar Bar! I agree that there should be a place to enjoy a good cigar (or pipe or cigarette-yuk) with a good glass of spirits is a great tradition. They can certainly build a room with good smoke eaters, great ventilation,etc. They can keep the doors closed and make sure you cannot leave the room with the smoking object - still smoking. My DH really enjoyed Michael's Club when it was what it was what it was a Cigar Bar. I thought it quite classy!

[hajekfam]

I have seen Micheals Club on the Millennium much more crowded since it was turned into a piano bar. When it was a cigar bar, there were very few people in there, as a piano bar it can be very crowded at night - at least on the cruises I have been on.

[Captain Jake]

Michael's Club used to be the place to enjoy a fine cigar and a brandy or cognac. There is a Michael's Club on Solstice, but I will now take a look on the X website and see what it's purpose is intended to be in light of the changes in the smoking policies. They were never highly populated and were open only at certain hours.

 

When we sailed Mercury in 2006 it was no longer a Cigar Club as it was 2 years earlier

[FinelyCruising]

I am not sure when it changed on Celebrity, the last time that DH had a cigar was in the Hollywood Lounge on one of the RCCL ships, that too was a while ago since he has smoked cigars.

[hcat]

On M Class & Century Michaels is a Piano bar that gets quite alot of visitors.. Can't remember back to mercury whihc has a large Michaels..First time it was a cigar bar & then it wasn;t but not sure about the piano beig there... DH sadly looks at the defunct humidors just sitting there! Til recently he had the balcony but will now be relegated to the aft outdoor location...

 

On Royal carib the Hollywood Odyssey is still for Cigar smoking later in the night & by the morning it is purged of the smoke & smell--

[smokin]

When on vacation or out for a night on the town I truely enjoy being able to kick back and relax with a good cigar. As others have stated it is sort of tradition. I do understand that others do not enjoy the same things. However with the new smoking policy It would be great if Celebrity took us Cigar smokers into consideration. just my 2 Cents.

 

Cheers

[smokin]

Cruise is getting closer, Have any cigar smokers been on the Soltice lately. Just wondering if you found a good place to enjoy a cigar.

 

Thanks For Your Replys

[hcat]

The answers to my inquiries on these boards has been--the Sunset bar...it's a nice spot aft...DH will have to make do...

[caliber35]

The answers to my inquiries on these boards has been--the Sunset bar...it's a nice spot aft...DH will have to make do...

 

Yes, you are correct, that is the only venue where cigars are officially allowed. It is covered, has comfortable seating and bar service. It is adjacent to the port side of the Lawn Club. I would still love to see X turn Michael's back into cigar bars. The one on Solstice was barely used on my December cruise.

[fattyjeff]

Yes, you are correct, that is the only venue where cigars are officially allowed. It is covered, has comfortable seating and bar service. It is adjacent to the port side of the Lawn Club. I would still love to see X turn Michael's back into cigar bars. The one on Solstice was barely used on my December cruise.

 

 

Just back from the 1/4 sailing of Solstice. Cigars were only allowed at the Sunset bar. I witnessed this being enforced - someone was smoking a cigar at one of the other permitted smoking areas and they were asked to move to Sunset. Also, I did enjoy Michael's bar and found it to be crowded almost every night. We loved the bartender and the entertainment there (Jeremy, the pianist). :)

[richkinkade]

I was on Solstice in December. Michael's Club on Solstice was where they had a piano player and it was usually packed in the evenings after dinner until the piano player stopped playing. No smoking allowed.

[smokin]

Sounds Like I will be checking out the Sunset Bar, Already got some special sticks picked out. -12 here in Michigan this A.M.. Dreaming about a cocktail and a cigar at the Sunset Bar.

 

Cheeers,

 

Smokin

[C 2 C]

It would not surprise me at all if Michael's Club on Solstice Class ships were to be converted into smoking lounges. Now that people can no longer smoke in the casino I think that all lounges will become smoke free except for Michael's Club. The band singers in the Sky Lounge were complaining that the stage where they perform is close to the smoking area and they feel its effects as they perform.

Although Celebrity's smoking policy is greatly appreciated by many of us, Celebrity would like to keep the 20-30% of the population that still lights up. A smoking area close to the specialty restaurants, properly ventilated, with the trade off of making the rest of the ship smoke free would satisfy a lot of people on both sides of the issue..

[hcat]

Yes, you are correct, that is the only venue where cigars are officially allowed. It is covered, has comfortable seating and bar service. It is adjacent to the port side of the Lawn Club. I would still love to see X turn Michael's back into cigar bars. The one on Solstice was barely used on my December cruise.

 

This works fine in the carib...I remember one fall cruise to Canada on X where DH was relegated to an outdoor space-- the weather was a bit nippy to say the least ..

 

.QM 2 has a very nice cigar bar off one of it's main bars that works fine--maybe on Solstice Michaels could be used for that--seems not much else is going on there --but it does require special venting & such.. The old Michaels Clubs had very expensive humidors that now sit idle.. Dh seems so sad about that every time he sees them!

[Wine-O]

I've got lots and lots of friends who smoke cigars, but none of their wives allow them to smoke inside their own homes. I wonder why that is? :confused: