Really Concerned.....

[D A P & I]

I have been reading these boards for about five months. I am really concerned with the amount of people drinking:( I am not trying to preach or be a stick in the mud, but I thought this was a family cruise. My kids are not around people that drink and I am just concerned.

Thanks Anne:Pinkbounc

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsgirl: :earsboy:
:earsboy: :earsgirl:

[Scott H]

I can say from experience (on the cruise , work is another story) that I have never seen anyone on the cruise in a state of obvious intoxication or out of control from alcohol.

Yes, people will be consuming alcoholic drinks as well as non alcoholic drinks. It is the same as the parks at WDW. Maybe it is the cost of drinks that keeps folks under control. Maybe it is the Disney atmosphere. Maybe if a guest gets out of control they are escorted to a non public area.

I hope this helps to relieve your concerns.

[iloverags2]

My husband does not take his daughter anywhere where people are drinking. That said, we did decide on a Disney cruise knowing there would be bars and drinking. He felt comfortable the entire time we were cruising, and didn't feel it was an inappropriate situation for her. Usually the places we saw people drinking noticably were by the adult pool, ESPN club, and the adults only nightclub area. If my husband felt it was ok, trust me, it was ok! :p

[JLSE50]

As adults who do not drink much--wine with dinner and that is about it--we are very aware of other adults who drink. Both times we cruised on the Disney MAGIC we saw no one out of control or of questionable sobriety. We hung out at the adult pool and saw no problem there. People walk around with drinks but unless you ask, you do not know if it is the alcoholic or non-alcholic version.

On our one Royal Caribbean cruise we were very aware of drinkers and smokers and that they were not encouraged to partake in adult only areas.

On the Disney MAGIC when someone smoked in a non-smoking area a cast member politely and quickly asked them to put it out or to move. So I assume that if someone is inebriated, the CMs will ask them to move, or you can ask a CM to do so.

I think you and your family will have a fine time.

Jan :earsgirl:

[MdmMim]

I, too, have ever seen anyone "out of control" on a DCL cruise. Yes, people drink, including me (a few drinks by the pool and with dinner), but it's not a "party animal" type of atmosphere. We cruised without kids (ours went and grew up on us) ;) , but I would not even think twice about the drinking if I were going with little ones. You can very easily avoid the adult areas and enjoy the cruise with your kids without worrying. :) A DCL cruise truly is a family cruise.
:earsgirl:

[BethC1952]

We don't drink much either (one each at the sailaway party and then the wine tasting), and didn't notice that anyone else (with one exception) drank much either. That one exception was a middle-aged adult male who had obviously over-indulged somewhere on the ship one evening. We noticed him because a very polite cast member was assisting him in locating his room--and then assisting him in getting the door to that room open so he could enter.

Other than that, both drinking and smoking are kept very well under control!

Beth

[DARWIN91]

The reason I cruise Disney is for the fact that they have taken a family vacation and also made it great to have some adult time for yourself also. It is the best of both worlds.

I enjoy having a cocktail by the pool, with dinner and at the nightclubs after the shows. I have never seen anyone out of control from alcohol. Just because it is a family cruise doesn't make it a "dry" town.

[prymsu]

I wouldn't let that concern stop you from cruising. Disney is probably the tamest of the cruise lines. I didn't notice anyone out of line on our dcl cruise.

[karenannD]

I too was concerned when looking for a cruise to go on last year with my 2 teenagers. I do not drink and I am very mindful of their environment. We went on the Magic March 2001 and had a wonderful time. I never saw anyone drunk or out of control. Our dining companions had wine with their dinner and it was never a problem. They were a pleasure to eat with.
I feel very comfortable taking my teens again on the Magic.
WE LEAVE IN JUST 7 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!

[MarkRG]

As a couple who do not drink at all, I can very much say there is nothing to worry about on a Disney ship. The people serving are very mindful towards not over serving anyone. And, to be really honest, I think people who do drink like that don't wind up drinking as much, because they drink to relax, and the atmosphere onboard is already so relaxing.

[billylen]

Just to add another view point. I am a single dad of a 14 year old. I do not drink. With one exception on other cruise lines most folks, drinking or not tend to be quite well behaved.

I have no problem with my son observing folks drinking because I use life, real life, to point out "lessons" to him

At some point he will observe it anyway (BTW, I'm not advocating that you expose the very young to adult behaviors) and I know from the way I was raised that the "parental voice" will always rattle around in their heads...hopefully that will be a GOOD thing!

[D A P & I]

I thank you for putting my mind at ease. My kids are 8 & 4 and have just never been around it really. I guess I just got worried, after reading so many threads that involved beer etc... Sorry if I upset anyone, I did not expect it to be a " dry town":( we have never cruised before, I just didn't want to walk in blindly.:)

Anne

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :earsgirl: :earsboy:
:earsboy: :earsgirl:

[Jobro2]

My DH and I brought a case of beer with us last year on our 6/01 cruise...we also had our 2 children (ages 9 & 11)..we are not big drinkers, but we do enjoy a couple of drinks a day while on vacation...sitting by the pool, or at dinner, or on our verandah...we wanted to save money and disney allows bringing alcohol on board, so we went ahead and did it...we also, never saw anyone out of control from drinking. Personally, my husband and I do not have a problem drinking in front of our children. Both our children have taken the DARE course in school, and we talk open and frequently about drugs and alcohol with them...we make a point if we go out to dinner that either my husband or I will have a drink, and the other adult is the "designated driver". We make sure our children see this and understand the consequences of drinking and driving, and they also understand that "social drinking", if done responsibly WHEN YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH, is an individual choice.We think the best way to teach your kids is by good example...drinking is an individual decision, but always should be done responsibly and respectfully for those around you....just my thoughts..

[DVCNuts]

As the designated drinker in our family, I must reply.

Everywhere you turn on the Disney Magic, there seems to be either a bar, a server, a display or a sign that promotes all of the above, and the drink of the day. I will also attest that the drinks are quite expensive. I suspect that Disney makes a lot of money from selling those drinks! (man, don't I know it!!!)

But I too can say that I have never seen anyone falling down drunk, or acting crazy like Spring Break on MTV. That's not to say it doesn't happen-- I have just never seen it on The Magic. Maybe that's what really goes on inside those category 1 and 2 suites???

DCL doesn't stand for the Drunken Cruise Line. That would be Carnival. Those people can throw down some booze and smoke like stoves. That's not to say ALL Carnival cruisers do that-- just in case anyone here takes exception. :)

DCL also prints the year of birth of the passenger on their Key to the World Card. Those not of legal drinking age get an NA on their card (no alcohol). I would feel extremely comfortable with high school or college age kids on the cruise-- knowing they wouldn't get served. I can't say the same about other cruise lines.

But I would warn you-- if you don't want to expose your children to the party animals, don't take the kids into the bars in Key West or Cozumel! They might be exposed to the likes of me. ;)

For the comfort and safety of my fellow passengers (and my wife and I) I ALWAYS confine myself to the Quiet Cove Pool and SIGNALS bar area whenever I do my serious drinking. And I haven't fallen down yet. I have occasionally acted crazy, but that doesn't take alcohol.

Jerry

[mmouse37]

We were on the Carnival Ecstacy a few years back and some yahoo brought a six-pack of beer to breakfast every morning!!!!

Other than him, we did enjoy are two Carnival cruises. Not everyone is a drunk and they do take care of their guests pretty well as far as food and entertainment, especially on the newer ships!! DCL is still my favorite!!!

MJ

[lodgelady]

I heard that Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown made quite a specticle of themselves on a DCL trip with their fam....but other than those rare folks with a substance abuse problem- I believe the partiers would not bother booking a cruise with Mickey!

[IrishCowboy]

Jerry is correct. DCL does push alcohol non-stop while onboard. But in my 3 cruises, I've never seen anyone drunk on the ship.

However, this past week in Key West and Cozumel was a different story. I saw 3-4 adults in each port needing 'assistance' back to the ship.

[billylen]

I heard that Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown made quite a specticle of themselves on a DCL trip with their fam....but other than those rare folks with a substance abuse problem-

One thing that I have admired about this and similar boards is the attempt at avoiding naming names or finger pointing. I think it helps to keep the issue universal and avoids hearsay and inuendo..

Just my two cents

[Pugdog007]

Are you serious Irish? If it was me you're referring to, it was heat and dehydration-related, not drunkeness :)

[billylen]

Originally posted by IrishCowboy

However, this past week in Key West and Cozumel was a different story. I saw 3-4 adults in each port needing 'assistance' back to the ship.

Your post reminded me of another cruise. (RCCL) A gaggle of folks went on a Rum Boat. (Can't remember which port) They took the excursion during what had to have been one of the most miserable, humid days ever. Add to that most were in direct sunlight WITHOUT sunscreen!

I never saw so many sick, drunk folks in my life.

[mmouse37]

We were in port in Cozumel on a Carnival ship, a couple was walking back to the ship and the husband literally had to drag his wife. She was so drunk she could not walk. They had just gotten off an excursion we are assuming they served her quite a bit to drink, duhhh!

He finally got her into the elevator and she was yelling and carrying on. He was quite embarrased. He was trying to prop her up and carry all his snorkeling gear. My husband and our friend asked him if he would like assistance and he gratefully accepted. My husband and friend carried the woman to the cabin and the husband lugged all their equipment.

Not even one crew member they passed in the hall asked if she was alright or why three men were carrying a drunk women to a cabin! I was quite surprised. She was so loaded she invited my husband and friend into her cabin to "Party" some more....the husband almost fainted.....he said they were on their honeymoon. Good way to start off the marriage!!!

MJ

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by mmouse37

some yahoo brought a six-pack of beer to breakfast every morning!

Yuck!

[mmouse37]

Dave, I couldn't have said it better!!!

MJ

[ducklite]

Originally posted by mmouse37
We were on the Carnival Ecstacy a few years back and some yahoo brought a six-pack of beer to breakfast every morning!!!!

Other than him, we did enjoy are two Carnival cruises. Not everyone is a drunk and they do take care of their guests pretty well as far as food and entertainment, especially on the newer ships!! DCL is still my favorite!!!

MJ

Sorry for laughing, but I find this hysterical!! The mental picture, though disturbing, is bizarrely humourous in a most sophmoric way.

As one who comes from a long line of Irishmen/women who actively participate in the Olympic Sport of elbow bending with aluminum weights, it's never bothered me to be around people that were drinking socially. No one wants to be around a raving drunk, but a responsible social drinker is another story. If you can't tell that they are consuming alcohol without tasting what's in the glass, it shouldn't matter to anyone.

Anne

[Mjasp]

Ducklite...I never heard it phrased like that. An olympic sport, elbow bending with aluminum weights. ROTFL

[disneyholic family]

we don't drink either and also don't like to be around people drinking (the reason i can't stand pleasure island)......
we didn't find the alcohol to be a problem on theship....
although my daughter and husband did experience 4 seriously drunk people in the dueling pianos adult bar......
two couples who heckled and tried to disrupt the show (my husband said the performers handled the situation very well).....
but that was the only time.....and that was in the adult club where your children won't be anyway....
except for that one incident i never found the alcohol to be a problem.....

[DARWIN91]

Hey MJASP, where are those delicious Mudslides with the hershey syrup swirls around the glass? Mmmm. Could use one now!