Cigars from ports...

[smc4947]

I am going to be on my first cruise this november ( south carb. nov 23 on the Noordam)

First I want to say thank you to all who post here with the great advice! I have learned a lot already from these forums!

Now my question....

Certain cigars are not allowed to be brought into the US due to relations between the US and other countries ( as most of you most likely know)

I am not going to attempt to bring any of these back to the states with my after my criuse. I plan to smoke any that I get while on my cruise. I am just curious if these are available for purchase anywhere in the ports that are on HAL cruises, and any ones experience on where / how to get them.

thanks in advance!

[happyglobetrotter]

I am going to be on my first cruise this november ( south carb. nov 23 on the Noordam)

First I want to say thank you to all who post here with the great advice! I have learned a lot already from these forums!

Now my question....

Certain cigars are not allowed to be brought into the US due to relations between the US and other countries ( as most of you most likely know)

I am not going to attempt to bring any of these back to the states with my after my criuse. I plan to smoke any that I get while on my cruise. I am just curious if these are available for purchase anywhere in the ports that are on HAL cruises, and any ones experience on where / how to get them.

thanks in advance!

The Noordam is NOT a USA ship.

Of course, you can buy Cuban cigars in many ports.

And you are free to smoke them wherever you want. Except in the USA.

[smc4947]

A question I forgot to ask before,

I have read on here that any booze I buy at ports will be taken when I board the ship, and stored for me until arriving back at port in FLA. Im assuming this does not pertain to Cigars (yes cubans specifically) ?

[E-500]

I am going to be on my first cruise this november ( south carb. nov 23 on the Noordam)

First I want to say thank you to all who post here with the great advice! I have learned a lot already from these forums!

Now my question....

Certain cigars are not allowed to be brought into the US due to relations between the US and other countries ( as most of you most likely know)

I am not going to attempt to bring any of these back to the states with my after my criuse. I plan to smoke any that I get while on my cruise. I am just curious if these are available for purchase anywhere in the ports that are on HAL cruises, and any ones experience on where / how to get them.

thanks in advance!

Cuban cigars are the only ones you can't bring back into the USA. Almost any port in the Caribbean will sell you price inflated cubans (except the USVI). Be advised that the vast majority are countfeit. St. Barts has one store with with the real thing. I don't think HAL goes there.

Try the Hondurans, great quality, well made, and priced right.

[E-500]

A question I forgot to ask before,

I have read on here that any booze I buy at ports will be taken when I board the ship, and stored for me until arriving back at port in FLA. Im assuming this does not pertain to Cigars (yes cubans specifically) ?

Bring as many cigars onboard that you like, HAL will not impound them.

[terigo]

The worst ports for fake cubans are any of those in Mexico.... you will pay high prices for mediocre cigars.
My husband is a cigar aficionado, and almost gagged on em!

He swears by the Dominican cigars, like Macanudos or Arturo Fuentos, and as a second choice the Honduran cigars, like El Rey de Mundo.
He thinks even the real cubans are not as good as those, and you can find them in most caribbean ports.

None of your cigars will be taken from you as you go back on the ship.

[torpeedo]

There are many stores in the S Carib that claim to sell Cuban cigars. However to be sure you are getting the real deal & not counterfeit goods, ONLY buy in cigar stores that have signs saying La Casa De Habanos. These outlets are the only official distributors of that product.

[Philip217]

The Noordam is NOT a USA ship.

Of course, you can buy Cuban cigars in many ports.

And you are free to smoke them wherever you want. Except in the USA.

The cigars you seek are available in nearly any port outside the USA.
The US Government has ruled that any cruise ship - regardless of flag - cannot legally sell or provide those forbidden cigars if the cruise line sells tickets to Americans - even if the ship never calls at a US Port !!
The fine is US$1 Million.

You can, however, legally purchase and smoke those cigars on a cruise ship outside the USA.
Beware of counterfeits. There are many out there. Do a Google search on counterfeit cigars to be up to speed on this issue.

Note: The only way a US Customs agent can determine where your cigar came from is by reading the band on the cigar, or the name on the package.

[SRH]

As many have said, beware of counterfeits. They tend to be big in tourist areas.

Also, for what it's worth, it is not legal for an American to purchase a Cuban cigar, regardless of where he or she happens to be. Other than pre-embargo cigars, it is illegal for an American to purchase, transport, or otherwise deal in any Cuban commodity; the law doesn't just apply to importation or use on American soil. And frankly, they don't live up to the hype. Dominicans are the best for my dollar.