What's Your Cruise Sail away Style?

What's Your Cruise Sail away Style?

Ah, sailaway! Even if you've been onboard for hours, sailaway is the official start to a cruise vacation. The lines are pulled in, the ship's horn blasts, and you can feel your excitement grow as the vessel glides away from the pier and starts to pick up steam. It might be one of the best moments of the entire trip. Yet so many people don't give a thought to how they embrace this sailaway moment. You're distracted by the muster drill, perhaps your luggage just arrived, and your thoughts have already turned to where you'll get dinner and what to do on your first evening onboard. Get too bogged down in fighting over closet space and -- bam! -- you're half way to the Bahamas. What's your sailaway style? Do you live it up to the fullest, mark it with a token gesture or skip it completely? If you don't want to miss the magic moment on your next cruise, try one of these rituals to enhance your first few minutes at sea. The Classic Ritual: Head to the ship's top decks to join the crowds dancing by the pool or lining the balcony as you sail out of port. This is your chance to enjoy the party music while it's fresh, before the oft-repeated opening strains of "Hot, Hot, Hot" make you want to cry. Just be sure you don't drop your drink as you get your groove on. Drink: the Drink of the Day (preferably a fruity, frozen cocktail) in a souvenir glass Song: Pink's "Get This Party Started" The Romantic Ritual: Skip the crowds, and cuddle up to your sweetie on your own private verandah. You get the same sailaway views of land slipping away without having to elbow your way to the railing. Just remember: other people can see you on your balcony, so don't get too caught up in the moment. Drink: Champagne or a glass of wine Song: Rod Stewart's "Sailing" The Shutterbug Ritual: Sailaway is a perfect time for memorable vacation photos. Some people pose for the same shot on every cruise. Facebook fan Tania Mongar's husband "has to take his traditional 'drinking a beer in front of the funnel' pic on the first day of every cruise." Other cruise travellers do the obligatory "drink in everyone's hand" shot, or they wear matching T-shirts or outfits for that first group photo. Drink: a bottle of beer -- easy to hold while managing a camera Song: Outkast's "Hey Ya" (especially if you can "shake it like a Polaroid picture") The Bliss Ritual: Why wait to fully embrace the relaxation that comes with a cruise vacation? Cruise Critic editor Brittany Chrusciel waxes poetic about enjoying sailaway from the thermal suite in a ship's spa. Whether you're soaking in a hot tub or getting Zen on a heated lounger, you can enjoy fabulous views while letting your stresses melt away. Upside: You can be first in line when they announce the spa raffle winners. Downside: You might fall asleep and miss the sendoff. Drink: herbal tea or fruit-infused water Song: Enya's "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" The Oblivious Ritual: Some folks are too busy unpacking or exploring the ship from stem to stern to even notice that the ship has already left. You might pass them on the stairs and overhear a confused "wait, is the ship moving?" If you plan to miss sail away, at least do it with intention: Throw open your window curtains as you unpack, or take a detour via the promenade deck as you make your way around the ship. Drink: Red Bull -- these travellers are on the go! Song: Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" The Interior Ritual: Maybe it's cold outside, or maybe you like a bit of peace and quiet, but if you're like Cruise Critic editor Ashley Kosciolek, you enjoy sail away from the ship's library or a quiet lounge -- any place with large windows, small crowds and comfy seating. Drink: something to sip like a latte or a gin & tonic Song: Bobby Darin's "Beyond the Sea" The Selfie Ritual: You just have to stick it to all your non-cruising friends: You're on vacation while they're hard at work. So do as Cruise Critic editor Gina Kramer does, and take a selfie to quickly post to your favorite social media site before your land-based mobile service cuts out. Eat your heart out, Facebook. Drink: anything with bright fruity colours and an umbrella on top for full effect Song: "If My Friends Could See Me Now" from Sweet Charit

Disney Cruise Line bans smoking on balconies

By Tom Stieghorst

Disney Cruise Line is telling customers and agents that as of Nov. 15 it will no longer permit passengers to smoke on balconies.

Guests already booked in verandah balcony cabins will be contacted by e-mail about the change.

Disney will impose a $250 penalty on passengers who are found to be smoking on the balcony or in their stateroom.

Smoking will still be allowed in designated open-air spaces on deck, Disney said. 

We have just come of a Carnival cruise and they allow passengers to smoke on the balconies, we don't smoke but every time we went on our balcony all we could smell was the different types of smoke from pipes, cigars and cigarettes, this ruined our private open space that we have paid for. Smoking should be banned from all public areas, and a smoking area should be set up out of the way of non-smokers and children.