Cigar Bar/Lounge

[malonzo4]

Sailing on the Ruby this April and I saw they have a Cigar Bar. Was wondering if anyone had any comments or even better a cigar/drink menu.. just wondering what they have in ways of cigars and drinks. I smoke cigars once in a blue mostly on vacation and would like to relax with a nice single malt scotch and maybe a Cuban cigar if offered.

 

thx for any info/comments... I have cruise the Grand and Caribbean in the past and can't edit til April

[cruisedad521]

I was on the Ruby in July and had brought a stock of cigars I intended to smoke in the lounge, so I cannot comment on the selection available.

The lounge itself was dissapointing though, as it was an enclosed room off of the casino. I stoped in a few times and it was always empty. I had visions of a nice lounge with a view and chose not to use the lounge due to its closed in feeling and emptiness.

 

As it was the only place on the ship where cigar smoking was allowed I took home the nice cigars I brought.

[S&M in Pgh]

I had the same experiance on the Emerald a few years back. Not very Cigar friendly. Yet they let people smoke those nasty unfiltered European cigarettes. You could not even smoke on the top deck.

 

And I used to look forward to a nice Cuban on the top deck with a Capt & coke.

 

Mike

[malonzo4]

Thx for the info.. the photos in the website make it seem like a nice lounge.. oh well.. I plan on bringing my own. I booked a mini suite . I have booked balcony class is the past and smoked on my balcony with no issues.

[5:00_Somewhere]

I also enjoy the occasional cigar and scotch, espeically when on a cruise, and have to confess the cigar lounge on the Crown/Emerald/Ruby has its plusses and minuses. On the one hand, it's a nice comfortable space and has a nice sized cabinet-style humidor which usually has a decent selection (of non-Cuban) cigars. On the down side, it is sort of buried in the casino and does not have its own dedicated bar and bartender (as on the other Grand Class ships) and, therefore, is often not as well populated or social as on the other ships. Still, I have never failed to enjoy a nice cigar and scotch, and to meet some nice folks, there during our cruises on the Ruby. It can just be a little hit and miss, but it's definitely worth stopping in. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful cruise, regardless. The Ruby is a beautiful ship with an outstanding staff and crew (6 short weeks away from our 3rd sailing on her, myself.) Happy cruising. :)

[BigGuy25]

We enjoyed the cigar lounge on the Ruby very much. We had a cigar and a glass of port there each evening. While there isn't a bar, the servers come through often to take your order. They have a reasonable selection of cigars (as said, no Cubans) but we always bring our own or purchase some (often Cubans) in port. But, be very careful if purchasing Cubans onshore because, even outside of the US, there are a lot more counterfeits being sold than the genuine thing!

[Katie333]

DH prefers the cigar lounge on the Coral which has the view and ambience you are describing. Those on the Crown/Emerald/Ruby are as described by others who have posted, and still functional, and in our cruise experiences reguarly visited.

 

I'd recommend purchasing cigars in your ports of call if applicable. You can get Cubans (potentially) or some nice Honduran or Nicaraguan. Do some research on some brands you might like and pick them up as you go. It gives my DH something to hunt for as I browse the million jewelry shops. :) Cigars in the lounge has a mark-up and I saw prices ranged from $11-25 per cigar, but there is no menu and it may vary by ship.

 

You can get any beverage offered by the usual bar service, though the menu in the actual lounge is focused on port.

[5:00_Somewhere]

I agree, I usually either bring my own cigars or buy them ashore. But, I agree with the above, there are a lot of counterfeit Cubans sold in ports. I also have found that you get a better cigar if you go with a real Nicaraguan or Honduran, and I've actually gotten some good ones at a couple of the "hand roll" places you'll find in some ports.

 

Unfortunately, the humidors aboard ship aren't always kept in the best order, so you never know what conditions the cigars are going to be in. In my experience, though, the large cabinet humidors on the Ruby/Crown/Emerald have been better than the small countertop models in the cigar bars on most other ships.

 

Again, good luck and have fun!

[cruisedad521]

It's good to know that the lounge on the Ruby can be a good experience. I stopped in a few times and, as I said it was always empty. I didn't want to sit by myself so I gave up.

I loaded a travel humidor at home with my better stuff to avoid the markup and so I would know the quality, but good tips on finding quality cigars abroad, thanks.