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Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2018 8:18 pm
by The Banker
So I just booked a cruise that is sailing out of Tampa (don't worry Kip, I'll be stopping at Tampa Humidor) and have stops in Cozmel and Grand Cayman. I've been to both before but wasn't smoking at the time so i didn't really pay much attention. A few questions:

1. Does anyone know of any small batch local brands I should look for at either of these ports?
2. I believe at both ports there are those licensed chain shops that sell Habanos. What brands should I look for and what prices are reasonabe?
3. I've read that most people just take their own because you can't really find any deals better than what you can get online. From the expertise of the board is this relatively true? I understand the typical tourist sellers will ask for a premium but I just find it hard to believe there aren't any deals out there. We are traveling with 8 other adults so I have the opportunity to bring back 1000 sticks so I want to take advantage of it if there is a deal to be had.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide!

Re: Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:30 pm
by 815DC
How this reminded me of Craig telling a story about smoking cigars in a tea and crumpets room on a cruise before high class ladies came in for tea time, and leaving them with his cigar haze I'll never know. Why he hasn't used this post to tell that story.. which I pretty much just did.. I also don't know. What I do know is that the Dogwatch episode from 2012 that he told the story at a bout 1 hour 25 min (just skimmed it) into the show is still up on YouTube (Where apparently everything is forever). Also my fat carcass trying to remain comfortable on a hard wood chair in my little non smoking apt is very non flattering and didn't age well. Apparently ADD, social awkwardness, and a general lack of being photogenic don't improve with time. :roll:

I share the link regardless Banker to give you an idea of the spirit of Dogwatch Cigar Radio that initially bonded a lot of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMqwCpVSnb4

Re: Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 7:30 pm
by The Banker
Thanks man. I'll check it out tomorrow at work.

Re: Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 6:34 am
by 815DC
Also as far as a local type cigar to find I feel I should recommend Lauros cigars. That of course is if you are anywhere in Mexico where they are sold.

https://lauroscigars.business.site/

http://www.rivieramaya.info/cigars/cancun_cigars.php

Re: Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:34 am
by kurtdesign1
815DC wrote:
Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:30 pm
How this reminded me of Craig telling a story about smoking cigars in a tea and crumpets room on a cruise before high class ladies came in for tea time, and leaving them with his cigar haze I'll never know. Why he hasn't used this post to tell that story.. which I pretty much just did.. I also don't know. What I do know is that the Dogwatch episode from 2012 that he told the story at a bout 1 hour 25 min (just skimmed it) into the show is still up on YouTube (Where apparently everything is forever). Also my fat carcass trying to remain comfortable on a hard wood chair in my little non smoking apt is very non flattering and didn't age well. Apparently ADD, social awkwardness, and a general lack of being photogenic don't improve with time. :roll:

I share the link regardless Banker to give you an idea of the spirit of Dogwatch Cigar Radio that initially bonded a lot of us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMqwCpVSnb4
Oh, man! Get that kid a medal for memory of the year!

Re: Buying Cigars On A Cruise

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:43 am
by kurtdesign1
YES! There is a shop in Cozumel (that may very well be defunct. Last I used them was years ago over the internet) called Merida cigars. There were a couple storefronts in that area (cancun too maybe?). They had legit stuff that was, at times, vintage. Fair warning: Some brothers had trouble with them on internet sales. I never did.
My ultimate recommendation is the La Casa del Habano on Grand Cayman. Owned by Valerio Cornale, a former Habanos Man of the Year. He has a house brand called Flor de Valerio that were fantastic. Plus, if you tell him you are a 1492 c member you'll get an old discount on boxes ( :D ). His house blend are Cuban though I don't think he advertises them as such. He's a nice old round italian man who used to be A Number 1 in the Cuban Cigar socialite group. Fun little shop with next to no seating area but worth standing and chatting in over a cup of espresso. I can't recall if he sells the Flor de Valerios by the stick so if he doesn't I recommend buying a Ramon Allones or Bolivar. Both are immistakably Cuban and some of my absolute favorite cigars in the world. The size is your choice but if you're looking for recommendations I'd say the thinnest Ramon Allones you can find (likely not many below 48, unfortunately) and for Bolivar I'd pick a Royal Corona (robusto). Yumm.

...and my tea room experience was immediately after being in Gran Cayman, IIRC :mrgreen:

Enjoy!!!