Cruising & Cigars

[Nosmo King]

The wife and I just booked a 15 night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, Spain, to Galveston, TX. I plan on, of course, smoking cigars on this cruise. My dilemma is that I've got a 10-count travel humi, which is really an 8-count when I put the fatties (60 gage) in there. And I plan on at least smoking a cigar a day, or more....which is more than my usual regimen of 2-4 a week (unlike some of my 3-4 a DAY brethern, Frank, you know who you are!!).

In addition to my travel humi I also have a smaller humi (20-25 count) that would fit in my carry-on bag, I'm thinking about loading this up and bringing it with me. Your thoughts on this?

Anyone ever been on Royal Carribean's Vogaer of the Seas? From what I know they allow smoking. And they appear to have a cigar lounge (with cognac, brandy, port, etc.), they may even sell cigars (at the bend-over price, I'm sure).

I'll probably buy a few cigars in Barcelona. I'm not really sure whether it's worth buying a box there...with the Dollar/Euro conversion, your thoughts?

 

[jwintosh]

too cool!! you can always get a water pillow or something equivalent and put your smokes in a ziplock bag. then put them into an empty cedar box for protection!

as for smoking on the cruise, be aware of margaret et al...

 

[Cyrann]

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas is a great ship, not the newest but still tons of fun. I was on the ship in 2002 and had a blast in the "Connoisseur Club" as they call it, but be weary of the selection.

I highly recommend bringing your own sticks and not expecting to purchase any on the ship (Macs/Parties was it)... I took a 30 count X-treme travel humidor with me because of course I shared/traded, as well as, had 1-2 a day for the 7 days. Knowing the nature of true BOTLs that is not a surprise.

I'm not saying that you wont find a great shop at one of the ports to pick up some sticks... i.e. like I did in Puerto Rico... but just bring what you like so you can enjoy yourself.

Hope that helps.

 

[Daviso27]

Dont worry...I always say Im gonna bring my own and not buy any...but I always do...I have a cruise coming up next year (11 day) You could buy sticks in Spain...My first box of CCs were purchased in Madrid...prices a'lil high, but you can pretty much get what ever you want. The ship will almost definately have sticks for sale...again prices will be higher than what you would expect to pay. My advice:

#1. take your 10 count and a ziplock bag full of sticks and through in a humi-pillow...smoke the ones in the ziplock first and then hit up your travel humi!

#2. take your 25 count humidor, load it up...It is a 15 day cruise, and if you do buy some sticks, you have somewhere to put them!

 

[Daviso27]

I'm not saying that you wont find a great shop at one of the ports to pick up some sticks... i.e. like I did in Puerto Rico... but just bring what you like so you can enjoy yourself.

Hope that helps.

What port did you stop at...and what shop did you go to?

 

[djustice]

I would run down to your local B&M and get a 30 count travel humidor and some water pillows and take your own sticks. I've been on other Royal Caribbean ships and would much rather bring my own than purchase them on the ship.

By the way, sounds like a kick ass trip. Have a great time!

 

[bballbaby]

Dude, you just booked a 15 day cruise. Not 3 days, not 7 days, not even 10 days, but FIFTEEN!!!!

Spend another couple bucks and buy a slightly bigger traveldor. i know you can find a sweet pelican style case from one of our sponsers.

the wife bought me a Colibiri traveler a few years ago. i just got 18 cigars in it over the weekend...all for a 4 day camping trip. From churchills to petit coronas and everything in between.

 

[Electric Sheep]

The wife and I just booked a 15 night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, Spain, to Galveston, TX. I plan on, of course, smoking cigars on this cruise. My dilemma is that I've got a 10-count travel humi, which is really an 8-count when I put the fatties (60 gage) in there. And I plan on at least smoking a cigar a day, or more....which is more than my usual regimen of 2-4 a week (unlike some of my 3-4 a DAY brethern, Frank, you know who you are!!).

In addition to my travel humi I also have a smaller humi (20-25 count) that would fit in my carry-on bag, I'm thinking about loading this up and bringing it with me. Your thoughts on this?

Anyone ever been on Royal Carribean's Vogaer of the Seas? From what I know they allow smoking. And they appear to have a cigar lounge (with cognac, brandy, port, etc.), they may even sell cigars (at the bend-over price, I'm sure).

I'll probably buy a few cigars in Barcelona. I'm not really sure whether it's worth buying a box there...with the Dollar/Euro conversion, your thoughts?

Hey Brad, when are you leaving?

You can borrow one of my travel humidors if you want...I've got a 15ct and a 20-ish count.

 

[Soundwave13]

I was wondering about this too - Going on an 8-day cruise w/ Royal Caribbean in early May to Grand Turk, Nassua & Port Kay...

I'm all ears on any advice: everything from (do I need a passport or not? I keep getting conflicting info), Food recomendations, cigar spots to hit/avoid (I really want to hit Graycliff!), pricing & selection of sticks, etc., etc...

As far as storage - I'll be smoking 2-3 per day, so I'll (at minimum) have a some ziplocks w/ humidi-packs of some sort.

 

[Nosmo King]

Thanks to all of you for your advice, I appreciate it.

Sheep - we're flying out Thanksgiving morning. I'll definitely take you up on your offer! I'll probably buy a torch in Barcelona, as there may be sometimes when I will smoke on deck (ie - out in the wind). Maybe pick up a few CC's...I had entertained the idea of buying a box of CC's in Barcelona and then smoking them all before Galveston.

I plan on making it over to Graycliff's when we're in Nassau.

Any of y'all have other "must visit" places?

Here are the ports/itinerary:
29-Nov Barcelona, Spain – Voyager of the Seas departs
30-Nov Cartagena, Spain
01-Dec Cruising
02-Dec Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
03-Dec Santa Cruz, Canary Islands
04-Dec Cruising
05-Dec Cruising
06-Dec Cruising
07-Dec Cruising
08-Dec Cruising
09-Dec Cruising
10-Dec Nassau, Bahamas
11-Dec Miami, Florida
12-Dec Cruising
13-Dec Cruising
14-Dec Galveston, TX

 

[Nosmo King]

Soundwave - you may not need a passport for you trip, but you WILL soon...my advice is to go ahead and get your passport. Cruises ROCK!! My only fear for this cruise (due to the length of time) is that the wife and I will be the youngest on the cruise (we're mid 30's) besides young children! lol

 

[dpricenator]

If you are leaving the country it's good to have a passport. Even driving into Mexico it is recomended.

 

[Soundwave13]

I would think that making any purchase in Spain would be 1st priority. Probably the cheapest you'll get them anywhere on your trip.

From what I hear, there is definitely going to be some fellow cigar-lovers & smoke-freindly area(s) on board.

I can't wait for mine!

 

[Soundwave13]

I hear that Nosmo - The wife & I are early 30's & will have a 7 yr old along. Going with a group of friends though, so we're not worried. especially after looking at all the info & activities available!!!

Passport - that's kinda what I though: technically not yet, but should get one anyway...

 

[Cyrann]

What port did you stop at...and what shop did you go to?

San Juan, PR is where I stopped... I can't remember the name exactly, but I think it was something like "Cigar Closet."

One of the best selections I had seen to date, plus some big ticket items, i.e. OR Padron 40th and the like.

You headed down there?

Oh and Nosmo, don't forget to pick up the RE Vegas Robania while you are there... or just pick me one up

 

[Klusterbuck]

I'm thinking tupperware and a boveda pack.......

 

[hdroadglide]

i've done the western caribbean on r.c. and it was great! i looked around the cigar lounge one time. it was nice, but dark and NOTHING i would buy that was remotely worth the price. however, sitting on my balcony with the sticks i brought was UNBELIEVABLE! have a great trip.

 

[Headbanger]

I would not bring a humidor, period. Too much risk of getting the sticks damaged for the sticks as they will be loose in there. Also humidors wont stay shut and could allow too much or too little humidity in there and not allow the sticks to recover in time to smoke them. I highly suggest getting a larger case like a 30 count or larger to bring all the sticks you may want to smoke AND the smaller one once on the ship to carry to your smoking spot.

The one thing to be aware of is the wind. When the ship is moving, try to find a spot that is sheltered from the wind if you can. Wind could cause the stick to burn uneven, ash to blow around, not to mention the smoke going all over the place. Disney's ships have smoking sections and the verandas had built in ashtrays to make things easier. Check with your cruise line for their smoking policy.

 

[_Lac_Man_]

I agree with the suggestion about buying a larger travel case. I have a 15 ct. travel case, but I also have a Xikar/X-Trend 30-50 ct. on order at a local B&M (only $45) for when I got to Miami next month. I went through the same troubles, I usually smoke btween 2 and 4 cigars a day, so the 15ct. wouldn't do it unless I chopped my usual smokes down. So now I'm giving my buddy who just got into cigars my 15 ct. Everybody's happy!

 

[Electric Sheep]

Sheep - we're flying out Thanksgiving morning. I'll definitely take you up on your offer!

Cool...now you're either gonna have to make it out to a Garage night, or else I can give it to Frank and he can get it to you on a Flip's night.

The 15ct will probably work best for you (tight seal, foam trays so no rolling around in the case).

:waving: