Squarehead Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Yesterday my wife and I arrived safely back home again from our Panama Canal Cruise.We have had a fantastic time and met some interesting people on bord of the ship(Island Princess).On the drive down to Florida we stopped by at Tampa Humidors to buy some smokes for on the ship.What a great selection and great service.I promised the manager that I will stop by and boy some boxes on my way back home.Now back to the ship,I'm almost 67 but I felt like that it was a practice run for me to a future in a Seniors Home.Still ,we had a very good time. Our first stop was Oranjestad/Aruba but due to a few inconsiderate passengers we didn't make it to the LCDH which is within walking distance of the ship but we still couldn't make it as the ship was only for 5hrs in port and we had taken a tour.Oh well. Next stop was Cartagena in Colombia.There we took a tour of the old city and fort.Very interesting and highly recommendable.In Cartagena I went to the Cava del Puros but their prices rival those in Toronto,oh well. Next stop was the Panama Canal and you better get up early to expirience the operation of the locks.When we reached the Gatun Lake we disembarked by tender to take a tour to Panama City.What an eyepopper.All those skyscrapers,very modern and bustling city but no cigars.BTW in Panama you can't smoke in the streets,no matter what you smoke.After the Panama City tour the bus took as back to Colon where our ship was waiting. After leaving Colon it was on to Puerto Limon,Costa Rica.Guys,what can I say,this is paradise for those hard to find Glass Top Cohibas.They have so many of them that they even sell them,so hurry up before their all gone and that would be a real pitty. After that we sailed to Georgetown/Grand Cayman Islands.We went to the LCDH there to see if their attitude has changed since last year.Nope same miserable SOB.He doesn't acknowledge you when you enter the store and signs everywhere saying"Do Not Touch"and this goes for accessories too.So we went to Churchill Cigars instead.They have the same stuff and same prices and outstanding service.Very friendly and knowledgeable.Churchill Cigars is located right underneath Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.I bought a couple of VR-Unicos there,one of them I smoked on the ship and one I took home with me. On the ship we met all kinds of interesting people.The most memorable ones were the Food and Beverage Director who was also a cigarsmoker.Because of him we were invited to tour the Food and Drink storage facilities(including the Alcohol section).It was very impressive and also very clean and well organized,you litterally could eat on the floor.After that tour we met his boss and his bosses boss all the way up to the Vice President of Operation from Princess Cruise Lines. How many more VIP's can you meet on only your 2nd cruise?Needles to say we also met the Captain and the Executive Chef. Soon it was time to drive home to Canada again but not before stopping by at Tampa Sweethearts to buy some cigars.There we were served by Mr.Arturo O.Fuente Jr.himself.What a pleasant gentleman.Nothing was too much for him and anwsering all the questions I had.I bought 1 box of Flor Fina 858 Maduro,1 box of Double Chateau and 3 Opus X Belicosos(singles). Then on to Tampa Humidors where I bought 2 more boxes. The rest of the trip was uneventfull except for the miserable cold my wife and I cought. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
riazp Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Good to hear you had a nice time. Good to see you picked up some nice cigars on the way also. Love Fuente's, on of my favorite Non Cuban Brands...the 8-5-8 being one of my personal favorites as well. Glad to see you made it back safe Hans...your age might say 67 but your attitude says more 27! Be well my friend
Puros Y Vino Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Hans. Great to hear that your trip went well. If next week has some decent weather you should come out for a smoke!
Squarehead Posted November 12, 2011 Author Posted November 12, 2011 Hans. Great to hear that your trip went well. If next week has some decent weather you should come out for a smoke! If my cold has cleared up by then.BTW Frank,guess what.The Food and Beverage Director gave me a Toscano cigar which his mother sent him from Italy.How's that? As for Riaz and Shlomo,thanks for the welcome.
LLC Posted November 13, 2011 Posted November 13, 2011 Sounds like a great trip Hans. And remember your age is only a number.
CanuckSARTech Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Kudos, Hans. Sounds like a good time was had. Well done. Glad that you and your wife enjoyed yourselves! Cheers.
thechenman Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Sounds like a great trip filled with great cigars...thanks for sharing it with us.
El Presidente Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Great Stuff Hans and thnks for taking us along
Squarehead Posted November 15, 2011 Author Posted November 15, 2011 At Churchill Cigars In Georgetown/Gran CaymanKarla,Juan and myself at Churchill CigarsMy wife and I in the Churchill Lounge on board of the Island Princess Entrance to the LCDH in Georgetown I hope those pics come through.
Lotusguy Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Nice pics! I spy a Cohiba Selecion Reserva box in one of the pictures - hope you got to try one
CanuckSARTech Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Pictures look great, Hans. Thanks for sharing! You and your wife both look absolutely dashing/stunning in that one pic - looks like a lovely time! Very envious of your trip! Well done.
ckearns Posted November 16, 2011 Posted November 16, 2011 Welcome back Hans. I'm glad your trip went well.
IcedCanuck Posted November 16, 2011 Posted November 16, 2011 Welcome back Hans and it sounds like you had a very nice trip. Thanks for sharing it with us I often find myself saying age is just a number and frankly it is!
Squarehead Posted November 16, 2011 Author Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks guys for the welcome,I'll attach more pics for everybodys enjoyment. A little sideshow befor we left from Port Everglades(from our balcony. Halloween Night on board In the smoking lounge outside the restaurant before dinnerApproaching Oranjestad at dawn By the natural bridge in Aruba In the Old City of Cartagena A cold one on a hot day Approaching the Panama-Canal Between Lock #2 and 3 The locomotives which slow the ships down befor the gates The Trump Tower in Panama City Forgot the name of that Tower in Panama City The Mrs.goes shopping for shoes in Limon/Costa Rica The Mrs.with the Maitre'D/Hotel and the Exe.Chef after a tour of the Galley Eating(drinking)my soup and yes it was a cold soup The Food and Beverages Director(the tall guy)and his Bosses with the Mrs. In the Booze Can of the ship Last night on board in the cigar lounge with a Lady from Atlanta Car in front of us on the I-75 on the way home
CanuckSARTech Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 LOL. Great pictures again, Hans. I especially like that you got a shot of that licence plate! Looks like you and your better half had a great time! Good on ya! Cheers, Hans.
tdlfoto Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 great pics of what what obviously a great trip - well done man!!
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