OBX

We were just on the Allure about a month ago so, unfortunately, be prepared to go to the port side of the main pool deck bar.  I guess they realized that a bar close by is a money maker with cigar smokers!  In the ship compass they announce a "Cigars under the Stars" there mostly every night (around 8pm till late) but it isn't an organized event as I previously enjoyed on the Adventure.  It's just the only place to enjoy a cigar and meet other cigar enthusiast's.  According to the bartender they also have a limited selection of cigars.  I usually bring my own so didn't ask to see what was being offered.  We will be on the Navigator in January and the Freedom in late February so will report on the cigar experiences after getting back.
Hope you have a great cruise on the Allure as she is an amazing ship......just not very accommodating for cigar smokers, especially on the windy foul weather evenings. 
We were on the Allure during the meeting of the three sisters and enjoyed that experience greatly.  The Harmony definitely received a very special welcome home!

While on a Freedom or Voyager class, keep an eye out in the compass for the "Cigars under the Stars" night.  Last March while on the Adventure I attended the event, up at the Sky Bar above the main pool area along with a half dozen other cigar enthusiasts.  For $20 the Connoisseur Club Manager paired everyone's individual preference in cigars with a proper cognac or brandy for their choice of sticks. I met some great people and it was a fun time.  Check it out next time you are on a Freedom or Voyager class cruise.  The event is usually held around 10 pm and if I remember correctly it was about mid week.

Doc,
The club is on deck 5 forward, starboard side at the entrance to the Star Lounge.  Its one of those places you could walk by and not really notice.  Just a door kinda in the foyer as you enter Star Lounge. I find it to be a nice little get away place, quite and well furnished.  They have several air purifiers that move the air so its really never overwhelming with smoke.

Just back last Sunday from our b2b on the Liberty.  Disappointedly,  as Steve mentioned above, there was no "Cigars under the Stars" event held the entire two weeks.  However, I did spend some time in the Connoisseur Club (Deck 5 forward) and met some great people and shared discussions on our favorite smokes.  I have found that you can meet some very interesting people during the time it takes to enjoy a good after dinner drink and fine cigar.  There is a small bar in there as well, so you can also pair with a scotch or bourbon and can even buy a cigar if you didn't bring your own. On occasion there was a cigarette smoker but I really didn't find it a distraction as they were in and out quickly.  I spoke with the Club Concierge about a "Cigars under the Stars" event and he said that he had never held one during his time there, so I guess it probably has something to do with each individual Concierge.  We will be back on the Adventure for a couple of weeks in February, so I will provide another update when we get back.  I hope they still hold the event as there is something special to me about sitting under the stars on a beautiful night with a good cigar.  

Leaving on Adventure in 13 days, hope they still have this event, always like to have a nice cigar and a good scotch to end the day

I was just on Liberty (Freedom Class) and did not see the Cigars under the Stars event in the cruise compass. If so I would have been there!  I think that's a great idea and hope they do it on more ships.  Liberty does have a Connoisseur Club but unfortunately when I stopped in to check it out there were both cigar and cigarette smokers in there.  I agree that cigarettes should be banned from a cigar venue.
 
On Serenade several years ago one of the night clubs on the top deck (where many Concierge Lounges are now) was designated for cigar smokers.  My son and I lit up in there and enjoyed some live music and a drink with our cigar. The waiter knew cigars and offered to clip and light them for us.  That was a nice time and I agree with others that it would be nice to have a venue on the ships that allows cigars as a social event with live music and drinks instead of just a room that you can smoke in.

Thanks for the update...I will be on IOS in just over 3 weeks so I will report back if they do or not.
 
Will be curious to hear about Adventure as I am heading out on her in April with a friend who really enjoys his cigars!

Just back last Sunday from our b2b on the Liberty.  Disappointedly,  as Steve mentioned above, there was no "Cigars under the Stars" event held the entire two weeks.  However, I did spend some time in the Connoisseur Club (Deck 5 forward) and met some great people and shared discussions on our favorite smokes.  I have found that you can meet some very interesting people during the time it takes to enjoy a good after dinner drink and fine cigar.  There is a small bar in there as well, so you can also pair with a scotch or bourbon and can even buy a cigar if you didn't bring your own. On occasion there was a cigarette smoker but I really didn't find it a distraction as they were in and out quickly.  I spoke with the Club Concierge about a "Cigars under the Stars" event and he said that he had never held one during his time there, so I guess it probably has something to do with each individual Concierge.  We will be back on the Adventure for a couple of weeks in February, so I will provide another update when we get back.  I hope they still hold the event as there is something special to me about sitting under the stars on a beautiful night with a good cigar.  

Just back last Sunday from our b2b on the Liberty.  Disappointedly,  as Steve mentioned above, there was no "Cigars under the Stars" event held the entire two weeks.  However, I did spend some time in the Connoisseur Club (Deck 5 forward) and met some great people and shared discussions on our favorite smokes.  I have found that you can meet some very interesting people during the time it takes to enjoy a good after dinner drink and fine cigar.  There is a small bar in there as well, so you can also pair with a scotch or bourbon and can even buy a cigar if you didn't bring your own. On occasion there was a cigarette smoker but I really didn't find it a distraction as they were in and out quickly.  I spoke with the Club Concierge about a "Cigars under the Stars" event and he said that he had never held one during his time there, so I guess it probably has something to do with each individual Concierge.  We will be back on the Adventure for a couple of weeks in February, so I will provide another update when we get back.  I hope they still hold the event as there is something special to me about sitting under the stars on a beautiful night with a good cigar.  

While on a Freedom or Voyager class, keep an eye out in the compass for the "Cigars under the Stars" night.  Last March while on the Adventure I attended the event, up at the Sky Bar above the main pool area along with a half dozen other cigar enthusiasts.  For $20 the Connoisseur Club Manager paired everyone's individual preference in cigars with a proper cognac or brandy for their choice of sticks. I met some great people and it was a fun time.  Check it out next time you are on a Freedom or Voyager class cruise.  The event is usually held around 10 pm and if I remember correctly it was about mid week.

While on a Freedom or Voyager class, keep an eye out in the compass for the "Cigars under the Stars" night.  Last March while on the Adventure I attended the event, up at the Sky Bar above the main pool area along with a half dozen other cigar enthusiasts.  For $20 the Connoisseur Club Manager paired everyone's individual preference in cigars with a proper cognac or brandy for their choice of sticks. I met some great people and it was a fun time.  Check it out next time you are on a Freedom or Voyager class cruise.  The event is usually held around 10 pm and if I remember correctly it was about mid week.

We are doing a b2b on the Liberty beginning the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so I will check out how the event is done on a Freedom Class ship.  I sure hope it wasn't an exclusive event for the Adventure.........stay tuned!!

While on a Freedom or Voyager class, keep an eye out in the compass for the "Cigars under the Stars" night.  Last March while on the Adventure I attended the event, up at the Sky Bar above the main pool area along with a half dozen other cigar enthusiasts.  For $20 the Connoisseur Club Manager paired everyone's individual preference in cigars with a proper cognac or brandy for their choice of sticks. I met some great people and it was a fun time.  Check it out next time you are on a Freedom or Voyager class cruise.  The event is usually held around 10 pm and if I remember correctly it was about mid week.

While on a Freedom or Voyager class, keep an eye out in the compass for the "Cigars under the Stars" night.  Last March while on the Adventure I attended the event, up at the Sky Bar above the main pool area along with a half dozen other cigar enthusiasts.  For $20 the Connoisseur Club Manager paired everyone's individual preference in cigars with a proper cognac or brandy for their choice of sticks. I met some great people and it was a fun time.  Check it out next time you are on a Freedom or Voyager class cruise.  The event is usually held around 10 pm and if I remember correctly it was about mid week.

I think the perks are definitely real, but for me I would rather take 2-3 cruises for the same money that pay for the suite upgrades.
 
Of course that's my personal preference and I am sure there are many people who view the value the other way around for their circumstances.

Sad to say I have to agree with Celebration.  We are at the same point (all though only lowly Diamonds) - because, frankly there isn't much incentive to continue to Diamond Plus or Pinnacle anymore.  We have done a not quite Suite (Jr. Suite) the last 3 cruises because it was cheaper to do a 3 or 4 way split on a slightly larger room then it was in some cases to do a regular D class balcony and an inside room, but I'd rather have a lowly D class balcony which is more than adequate for our needs and save the money to spend on what I want to do - not make RCCL richer.  the fact that we've stuck with them for 10+ cruises should count for more than the person who decides to throw out $6000+ for one trip.  Almost every ship does, if not the exact same itinerary, the same ports - and almost exclusively the more commercial ones where they can get a bigger bang for their buck.  They claim they don't get any kick backs but I'm finding that hard to believe with all the DI stores and the likes at the various ports they do stop at.  The cruises to Samana and similar, less commercial ports, are harder and harder to find and, in fact, the cruises are all much shorter in distance then they were even 5 years ago.  We have jokingly said that they just sail out of port for half an hour - just far enough to drop anchor so they can open the casino and shops and then they sit and troll for the night until they can weigh anchor and sail the half hour it takes to get to the next port.  Geez just arrange for a water taxi service and let me see some of the nightlife in Port A or charge me an extra buck to pay for the additional docking fees to stay later.  If I can see the lights of where I just left and the lights of where I'm going - I've NOT gone far enough already.  If my loyalty means nothing and I'm going to stay in one spot I think I should be booking an All Inclusive next year!

Back in July, I had heard Sabor, Izumi, and park cafe were being added. The staff had just seen the new sandwiches they would be featuring. I would love the new additions!

Captain Thor announced again Sabor was coming to the spot where the nightclub is now.  I am cautiously optimistic!

Hi Matt.......new member here but long time lurker.  Just saw your inquiry about Sabor.  We just returned from a back to back on the Freedom last week so have some good news for you.  According to Capt. Thor at one of the top tier events, a Mexican restaurant (not named) is to go into the space where the Crypt is now located when she goes into the much needed dry dock refurbish.  During our first week (Nov 30-Dec 7) we sat in Nassau for two days while divers removed the main shaft propellers forcing loss of two port visits (St. Thomas and St. Martin).  It wasn't a big deal to us as we mostly cruise now for the ship experience since we have been to most of the Caribbean islands on past cruises.  
Thought you might want to know what we heard from the man that ought to know!
Happy Holidays!  

Hi Matt.......new member here but long time lurker.  Just saw your inquiry about Sabor.  We just returned from a back to back on the Freedom last week so have some good news for you.  According to Capt. Thor at one of the top tier events, a Mexican restaurant (not named) is to go into the space where the Crypt is now located when she goes into the much needed dry dock refurbish.  During our first week (Nov 30-Dec 7) we sat in Nassau for two days while divers removed the main shaft propellers forcing loss of two port visits (St. Thomas and St. Martin).  It wasn't a big deal to us as we mostly cruise now for the ship experience since we have been to most of the Caribbean islands on past cruises.  
Thought you might want to know what we heard from the man that ought to know!
Happy Holidays!  

Hi Matt.......new member here but long time lurker.  Just saw your inquiry about Sabor.  We just returned from a back to back on the Freedom last week so have some good news for you.  According to Capt. Thor at one of the top tier events, a Mexican restaurant (not named) is to go into the space where the Crypt is now located when she goes into the much needed dry dock refurbish.  During our first week (Nov 30-Dec 7) we sat in Nassau for two days while divers removed the main shaft propellers forcing loss of two port visits (St. Thomas and St. Martin).  It wasn't a big deal to us as we mostly cruise now for the ship experience since we have been to most of the Caribbean islands on past cruises.  
Thought you might want to know what we heard from the man that ought to know!
Happy Holidays!