Did you send a letter to DCL regarding the new carry-on beverage policy?

[NEGeekymama]

Judge much? I've said it before I'll say it again...yes, it's a FAMILY driven vacation not a KID driven vacation. You don't need kids to be a family. If adults want to drink its none of your business. I honestly don't understand the judgement about alcohol use. And as it was stated before, it's more about implementing it after a pif date. What if, say, DCL started charging kids for soda and water AND they left the drink stations in plain view for the kids to see. You'd be pretty upset that your cruise is suddenly costing you $500 more.

There's no cruise line out there that charges for water. Soda, yes. But water? People are taking this completely out of proportion.

The cost difference between DCL and other cruise lines is still more even if you factor in the free soda and carry-on alcohol of DCL. Doing some quick google searching even pulls up prices of drinks on DCL and they're not much more than what you'd pay anywhere else.

People pay more for DCL because it's Disney.

I can pay $45 for a day pass and go to a pretty kick-*** water/amusement park in Kansas City...or I can pay three times as much to go to Disney. I'm willing to pay the difference because it's Disney and I know I'm getting a certain level of quality for that.

 

[funfam]

I did email them mainly because I was upset to read that they are trying to be more like the industry standard. I sail and sell DCL because they are better than the industry standard and I wanted them to know that if that is the direction they are heading than I will take my business elsewhere and advise my clients to do the same.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I sent an email and got the standard, " Thanks for your feedback, but too bad. It's a done deal" reply.

 

[Bingbong5912]

I have called today to request specific items in my stateroom for a sail date in October. I asked about the new policy and how it was changed after the paid in full date and the cast member stated that we would be grandfathered in and allowed do bring on items according to the old policy. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[C6PT7]

There's no cruise line out there that charges for water. Soda, yes. But water? People are taking this completely out of proportion.

The cost difference between DCL and other cruise lines is still more even if you factor in the free soda and carry-on alcohol of DCL. Doing some quick google searching even pulls up prices of drinks on DCL and they're not much more than what you'd pay anywhere else.

People pay more for DCL because it's Disney.

I can pay $45 for a day pass and go to a pretty kick-*** water/amusement park in Kansas City...or I can pay three times as much to go to Disney. I'm willing to pay the difference because it's Disney and I know I'm getting a certain level of quality for that.

Well with your first disney cruise scheduled for Aug 28, I hope, truly, that you get the certain level of quality you expect from the disney brand after paying so much more than with another line.

be sure to get back to us after your first disney cruise and let us know if you feel it was worth the aditional $$$!

 

[MunFam]

I voted no, as their policy does not affect me...because I do not plan to sail with them again.

 

[tinkerone]

I wouldn't even consider this. We don't go to get sloshed. We go to have a "family" vacation. I've seen pics of people who take a LOT of alcohol. Who's watching the kids? I've been on enough of these cruises to tell you that sometimes, no one. I've seen kids running amuck, being rude, often hitting other kids, pushing them around in the pools and the parents are busy having their "drinks" to either notice or care.

We take enough for my husband to have beer at night after our DS has gone to bed. I might have a glass of wine. If your drinking enough liquor to get sloshed, who's watching the kids? If kids aren't supervised, perhaps that's part of society's problem! Regardless of how much I might like to drink, at the end of the day, I still have to be a parent. So with that said, there's only so much I can drink and enjoy where I can still be a responsible parent.

A lot of cruise lines don't let you bring anything on at all! So I have NO problem with the no liquor and limited beer. At least you can openly bring it and not try to "hide" it. So no, I don't have a problem with it and won't be writing anyone.

To each his own. If you want to drink and booze it up, go to Carnival! Or better yet, stay home.

so when your husband is having a beer and your having a glass of wine, who's watching the kids?
and just out of curiosity, if the policy were changed to only bringing on liquor and wine but no beer would that make a difference? would you be upset then? what would husband do? would he be upset that he couldn't get, whats the word you used.....oh yeah, sloshed???
you can't blanketly say people are getting sloshed because kids are running amuck (again, your word). you can't say people are getting sloshed because they want a different form of night cap than you or your husband want. that's really very judgmental. I for one, don't cruise with small children. do I still need to 'stay home'?

back to the post, yes I sent an email to karl holtz but have not heard anything back and frankly, don't expect to.

 

[Subi WRX]

Are you including phone calls as well? Or posts/tweets via social media to Disney's official pages/handles? I assume you're not just talking about "letters," but more generically if you've contacted DCL about the policy change at all, regardless of the platform you've voiced your concerns to them.

 

[squirrel]

I did finally find some time to write one tonight. While it doesn't affect me this year as our cruise starts and ends before the new policy is in effect, I do not like how it was put into place before people could cancel their cruise without penalty. If they started it a month earlier, my mom would be upset as she likes dark rum and water. Very few places carry a rum dark enough for her. With the pool hours cut (don't use them) and this new alcohol policy, it just seems like Disney is cutting costs for them and trying to make more money, while still charging us the consumer more. Since I don't drink or use the pool you would think I shouldn't care but I do. You never know what is next or when it will change, hopefully it's after your cruise, right! I will be looking at other vacations that aren't Disney related for next year. Who knows maybe I will find something just as fun and it will cost less than Disney.

 

[squirrel]

I voted no, as their policy does not affect me...because I do not plan to sail with them again.

That is why you should. Disney needs to know that they can't just change policies without affecting people. To do it without letting people cancel without penalty is wrong. Just because you are one person, doesn't mean you can't make a difference. Disney may not budge on this but maybe it will make them think twice about putting a policy into effect before the PIF deadline. Or thinking that we are Disney, we can do whatever we please because we are Disney!

 

[pag23]

Not yet but will do so. And not because of the new alcohol policy its just another DISNEY pay more get less. In a few weeks are 7th DISNEY cruise and probably last and unless they bring there prices in line. Every time they change a policy they say to be in line with other cruise lines, well lower your over blown prices.

 

[gismo1554]

I wouldn't even consider this. We don't go to get sloshed. We go to have a "family" vacation. I've seen pics of people who take a LOT of alcohol. Who's watching the kids?

Just to say I do find your post rather insulting! Not everyone that cruises DCL has kids for various reason. Does this mean I am a lesser citizen and therefore not entitled to enjoy my holiday as much as you? Perhaps we should just ban people without kids how about that?

Disney is not stopping people from getting sloshed they are stopping people from being able to choose what drink they want and from being able to save a bit of money! This decision has NOTHING to do with Disney wanting to protect those poor kiddies from rubbish parents. This has to do with DCL wanting people to PAY for their drinks and spend alot more money on their ships. I have personally seen multiple examples where DCL has continued to serve people who clearly had too much to drink and never cut them off. This wouldn't happen if the reality of what you think is happening here was! This is about profit and DCL want to maximise it. I hope that when they start charging for soft drinks or kids clubs or anything else they decide is "industry standard" you don't start moaning on this board about it because sympathy will be non-existent from me! Whether a policy effects me directly or not I would never make such wide sweeping and clearly ill tought out comments about everyone on DCL that cares about this policy being changed being a bad parent. No one (from all the posts I have read) has written complaining that they can't get enough alcohol now. We are all simply upset that the policy has been changed without much warning and that cruises that have been booked and planned and saved for now aren't actually the same as they were. My cruise is before this change but that isn't stopping me from emailing to express my disappointment. I have complained as I think the policy is short sighted and ill thought out. I do not see the point in paying for drinks on DCL when they don't do the only drink I would choose on there. Therefore I like to bring my own so I can have a drink at night before bed. I'm sorry that you think this makes me a bad person (can't be a bad parent as no kids to worry about). Do not stereotype people as lushes just because they are annoyed that they can no longer take liquor onboard.

 

[perditax]

Will we get apologies from the people being judgmental about alcohol when DCL introduces the adult beverage packages?

No, didn't think so.

 

[MunFam]

This whole, parents getting sloshed thing has got to be the most ignorant, asinine claim I have ever heard.

I have a friend who is naked wasted after ONE GLASS of wine. ONE GLASS. She clearly falls within the carryon limits of DCL. On the flip, I can drink 4 margaritas in an hour and be slightly buzzed. My metabolism breaks down alcohol really fast, so it takes a lot to maintain a buzz. I have a friend that is a cop and I have taken a professional breathalyzer and been under the legal limit after 4 drinks in an hour. Perhaps a little scientific research about the way bodies process alcohol is in order before assuming that X drinks = wasted. Until then, get off your soap boxes and worry about parenting your own kids...they are likely the ones running back and forth in the hallways at midnight anyways. The "drunk parents" kids are still in the clubs!

 

[Mousesmom]

I would have liked to see an option in the poll for "considering but haven't yet" because that is where I sit. My WBTA is before the implementation date so I am not affected. I will certainly have to consider length of cruise and number of ports before booking another cruise. We both like wine and DH likes craft beer but I don't much care for what's offered onboard.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Ouch. Judgemental much? Geez.

We enjoy a couple/few drinks a day and STILL manage to be responsible, loving and mindful parents. It's amazing. We're talented like that.

I will say it again...we are on a 7 night, in October, past our PIF date. My major problem with their change in policy is that they changed their terms of service after my PIF date. They can (and will) do whatever they want, but it's just bad business to treat your customers in such a way. I did write a letter. We will not be booking for Alaska next summer as we had planned and I told them that as well.

DCL has always retained the right to change ANYTHING it wants to about any cruise all the way up to the time of sailing. It's in the terms and agreements that *YOU* agreed to when you booked your cruise. If you don't like those terms, then don't book with them. It's really that simple. They call the shots. If *you* don't want to agree to that, don't book.
*you* = general you

DCL isn't going to have a problem filling its ships. People whine and complain about the price increases at the park gates and hotels but still they come!! Yes, a few will stop, but other new guests will fill those spots. Disney is not a stupid company.

 

[MunFam]

DCL has always retained the right to change ANYTHING it wants to about any cruise all the way up to the time of sailing. It's in the terms and agreements that *YOU* agreed to when you booked your cruise. If you don't like those terms, then don't book with them. It's really that simple. They call the shots. If *you* don't want to agree to that, don't book.
*you* = general you

So you* (*general you) are telling me that you would be okay with saving up for your dream vacation, booking and paying for an Alaska Cruise and then after your paid in full date, DCL sends you a message stating that they will not be sailing to Alaska, but heading South down the Western US Coast instead. When you get upset..." Its in the terms and conditions that you agreed to when you booked your cruise, ports are not guaranteed". Im calling bologna!

 

[pearljammer]

I find it amusing that so many of you are offended by what is merely my opinion. I didn't say YOU were getting sloshed or YOU were irresponsible but it does happen. And while my hub has his beer it's when we're in bed with our child asleep next to us in his bunk! I didn't say everyone that brings on liquor or whatever is getting sloshed but I've sailed enough of these to know that it happens so maybe that's why Disney made changes. It's gotten out of control. If I've noticed it on the few I've been on then can you imagine the impact of all the cruises they do in a year? I'm not "judging" you. I merely stated facts I've seen/experienced myself. If you're taking it personal perhaps there's a reason for it. I'm not a psychologist/psychiatrist nor a slush. Just saying! To each his own what he/she chooses to drink. Again, I've seen adults getting irresponsible with it on these cruises like anywhere else in life. Bars, home, etc. Don't take it so personal and I'm not being judgemental. Obviously a nerve was hit with a few of you and that nerve involves alcohol. *shrug* Touchy nerve some folks have. Done.

 

[stitchlovestink]

So you* (*general you) are telling me that you would be okay with saving up for your dream vacation, booking and paying for an Alaska Cruise and then after your paid in full date, DCL sends you a message stating that they will not be sailing to Alaska, but heading South down the Western US Coast instead. When you get upset..." Its in the terms and conditions that you agreed to when you booked your cruise, ports are not guaranteed". Im calling bologna!

I am saying I understand they DO have a right to change the terms and conditions and If I wasn't willing to accept that, I would NOT book a cruise. You can call bologna all you want, but it is what it is. There are insurance companies that do offer a cancel for ANY reason insurance policy (through outside vendors). If bought when the cruise is initially booked, the policy isn't actually that expensive and affords much better coverage than Disney's policy. I will not buy Disney's policy because of certain exclusions. If one was that unhappy with a change they could use their insurance policy but then they would be whining about disappointing their kids. So either go and deal with the change or don't go. But I don't expect Disney to back down on this. They will ride out the complaints. People will either accept the change or they won't and leave for another line. And "some" that leave for another line will eventually return.....

 

[kid-at-heart]

Are you including phone calls as well? Or posts/tweets via social media to Disney's official pages/handles? I assume you're not just talking about "letters," but more generically if you've contacted DCL about the policy change at all, regardless of the platform you've voiced your concerns to them.

Yes, I am asking about any form of "voice", snail mail, email, phone call, etc... As with political voting on issues, if we complain or do not like something, then to create change, one should become involved, have a voice, speak up.