Alcohol Policy Change?

[izzinmac]

I think DCL may have underestimated the impact of this decision.

I totally agree. Based on the responses I see here, I estimate DCL will lose thousands upon thousands of current or future bookings, and the loss of revenue to their money-grubbing hands will be staggering. They will be forced to eventually reverse their policy change. Unfortunately, some will not see the reversal until after their next cruise. To those of you on the September 19 cruise, you need to show your displeasure by bringing extraordinary amounts of liquor with you. Force them to confiscate millions of dollars worth of alcohol, so the rest of the world will see how bad they are. I know it's a sacrifice for those travelers, but how else will we get Disney's attention

 

[Wadekind]

What exactly is "quality" to you? The good food? What if they start charging for the sit down restauarants and now your only choice is the back of the ship buffet for free.

Is Quality the entertainment? What if they start charging for movies or small fee for the adult entertainment. Lord knows they charge a ridiculous amount to play four trys at Bingo.

What about free soda and juice. What if they started charging for that or for ice cream for you kiddies?

Oh what about room service. There has to be charges for that coming soon.

Many people consider this part of the "quality" of a Disney cruise. We are not so in love with Mickey that we need his face on the ship to pay a SIGNIFICANT premium to go to the same docks as the other cruise line.

I love DCL and Disney, but the over the top costs of cruises and their insistance to keep raising WDW prices in the midst of a great recession, reeks of arrogance. And I for one think this takes away from their perceived "quality". I don't want to be nickel and dimed on a cruise. Not after the prices I have paid.

Obviously this "perk" wasn't important for you but to some others it adds to the "quality" factor.

And by the way, I was on the Dream in April and the Quality was severely lacking in the service of their food restaurants and their staff. I truly hope it is better now that they have had time to work out the kinks but as of that sailing I was really challenged to say I was getting superior Quality on DCL.

I agree with this including the service and food on the Dream in March

 

[ksucats]

Man if you justify the cost of a Disney cruise by the amount of liquor you can bring on board, some of you must have some large carry-ons to bring that much liquor.

Yes, I did. Actually, I probably only brought on about $60 worth (liquor store prices). That would amount to about $600 of DCL prices.

For my 7 day next year, I was planning on bringing on about $100 worth. I see this as costing me an additional $900 for my trip.

 

[Christy323]

Just spoke with a CM named Jeff on the DCL hotline (who was very nice, BTW). He said that as of 12pm today, the policy changed BACK to the original policy, but is still subject to change at any given time, and I should call back again before I sail in three weeks just to make sure it hasn't changed again. Whaaaat? He was really nice about it, but now I am SO confused.

As far as contacting Disney, I agree, if you are upset with the lack of fair notice with regards to the policy change, let Disney know! I sent a letter via email & snail mail.

 

[jdb in AZ]

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[jdb in AZ]

I assume DCL x-rays all checked luggage as it is brought aboard the ship, and that's when they confiscate alcohol. If one of the bottles were to break before the x-ray/confiscation and damaged another passenger's luggage, what would DCL do about it? If my clothes were soaked by another passenger's alcohol, would DCL offer to dry clean my stuff and send the bill to the other passenger? My luggage is soft-sided and would absorb more liquids than a hard-side or leather and probably couldn't be restored to its original condition. Would DCL be responsible or would they bill the other passenger?

If DCL limits the carry-on alcohol at embarkation, will they allow passengers to bring on another bottle at each port or will that be confiscated and held til the end of the cruise or disposed of as well?

 

[budbeerlady]

I just talked to a lovely lady at DCL.. she suggested that I e mail dcl.guest.communications@disneycruise.com to voice my dissapointment at this new rule. This way they can monitor customer feedback and make changes if they feel necessary. They have not as yet received many calls regarding this matter so lets let them know how we feel.

Contact Disney, let them know you are unhappy that you booked under the 1st policy and now they changed it! I emailed them a few moments ago. They could make the change effective 90-180 days out for future bookings to let the dust settle but they chose not to.

We cruise shortly, Dh is NOT going to be happy! Either I give up my 1 bottle of wine to get him enough beer for the trip or he has to buy 6 cans onboard and 2 or 3 bottles of wine depending. Most likely I will go without my wine and drink all the FREE soda I can, insert sarcasm!

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

Just spoke with a CM named Jeff on the DCL hotline. He said that as of 12pm today, the policy changed BACK to the original policy, but is still subject to change at any given time, and I should call back again before I sail in three weeks just to make sure it hasn't changed again. Whaaaat? He was really nice about it, but now I am SO confused.

Huh????? I'm going to email anyway and see if I get a response...Crazy!!

 

[Twinprincesses]

I assume DCL x-rays all checked luggage as it is brought aboard the ship, and that's when they confiscate alcohol. If one of the bottles were to break before the x-ray/confiscation and damaged another passenger's luggage, what would DCL do about it? If my clothes were soaked by another passenger's alcohol, would DCL offer to dry clean my stuff and send the bill to the other passenger? My luggage is soft-sided and would absorb more liquids than a hard-side or leather and probably couldn't be restored to its original condition. Would DCL be responsible or would they bill the other passenger?

Alcohol in the luggage is the same as perfume, shampoo, hairspray... basically anything that can leak. Who knows how far they would go to help but I am sure thousands of people travel on flights everyday with alcohol in their bags.

On another note, I am all for limiting the amount fo liquor brought on board. I understand that they want to make money. I am not a fan of the new rule because I do not drink beer or wine. I like rum but now I cannot bring it onboard. I still buy drinks onboard but a small bottle would be nice to have as a money saver.

 

[GumbyO]

Keep calling until you get an answer you like

 

[El Cid 94]

Just spoke with a CM named Jeff on the DCL hotline. He said that as of 12pm today, the policy changed BACK to the original policy, but is still subject to change at any given time, and I should call back again before I sail in three weeks just to make sure it hasn't changed again. Whaaaat? He was really nice about it, but now I am SO confused.

Testing the water perhaps? Someone get me off this crazy ride... I say we continue to keep complaining.

One thing I noticed last July was how empty the bars always seemed to be... Uhh, not that I spent a lot of time in them or anything. They may be having a tough time keeping bartenders??? Meridian (i think that is the name) is a gorgeous bar, and it was empty two nights we went by.

 

[guntherkat]

I just spoke with Disney and as of an hour ago they have retracted the policy change which, I might add, is the correct thing to do in my opinion. If they are to change the policy, then it should only go into effect for customers who are aware of it at the time of booking. We have paid in full for a November 2011 cruise and I feel it would have been very unfair and misleading to not give us the "product" we purchased. This is to be our first Disney cruise and most definetly would have been our last had Disney not retracted.

 

[ragdoll]

Just sent an email. Hope everyone else will too. I am so aggravated by this and it doesn't even effect me as I never carry alcohol on board. If DCL wants to stand above the rest then they need to stop their cutbacks.

 

[justmestace]

Wow.....and people accuse CARNIVAL of being nothing but a bunch of drunks!!


Pretty darn funny, if you ask me. DCL is sooooo wonderful....until they take away your liquor.

 

[declansdad]

I totally agree. Based on the responses I see here, I estimate DCL will lose thousands upon thousands of current or future bookings, and the loss of revenue to their money-grubbing hands will be staggering. They will be forced to eventually reverse their policy change. Unfortunately, some will not see the reversal until after their next cruise. To those of you on the September 19 cruise, you need to show your displeasure by bringing extraordinary amounts of liquor with you. Force them to confiscate millions of dollars worth of alcohol, so the rest of the world will see how bad they are. I know it's a sacrifice for those travelers, but how else will we get Disney's attention

Yes because we all know the Dis is totally representative of the real world.

 

[declansdad]

Just sent an email. Hope everyone else will too. I am so aggravated by this and it doesn't even effect me as I never carry alcohol on board. If DCL wants to stand above the rest then they need to stop their cutbacks.

Maybe they should add a casino and not worry about bar sales.

 

[ludari]

I guess this includes everytime your board the ship? So at each port an adult could purchase addtional alcohol and bring it on board as long as you follow the rules.

 

[Metsfan520]

I totally agree. Based on the responses I see here, I estimate DCL will lose thousands upon thousands of current or future bookings, and the loss of revenue to their money-grubbing hands will be staggering. They will be forced to eventually reverse their policy change. Unfortunately, some will not see the reversal until after their next cruise. To those of you on the September 19 cruise, you need to show your displeasure by bringing extraordinary amounts of liquor with you. Force them to confiscate millions of dollars worth of alcohol, so the rest of the world will see how bad they are. I know it's a sacrifice for those travelers, but how else will we get Disney's attention

You do realize that other cruise lines have a similar policy? And while I do agree that 3 weeks notice stinks, I don't doubt that Disney will put this policy in place sometime in the future. And while they may lose some bookings because of it, I doubt that it will be "thousands upon thousands". Every time Disney ups ticket prices, we see that kind of predication, and it never happens. People still go. And there are plenty of people who cruised Disney & didn't bring any alcohol on board--they will continue to cruise Disney even when this policy changes.

 

[kohsamuichris]

If they do keep this policy, I may have to jump ship. I like the way Disney does not nickel and dime you. It one reason I have not considered another cruise line. While paying more upfront, I don't have to worry about stupid little charges. I like being able to bring on some beer, and not have to pay for every soda while on deck.

I always bring an 18pack of beer in my carryon bag. Not to avoid paying for a beer, but so I can have a cold one without running to a bar when I want one. On my balcony, while getting ready for dinner, with a snack from room service. When at dinner or by the pool I order one. For a show I pick one up at Preludes.

I also like to buy a few local beers while in port and bring back to try out. While this policy looks like it may not effect that..that could be next. And then who knows..maybe Disneyworld will have the maids start to check the mini-fridges at the resorts..removing any alcohol.

I just took a great 4day on the Dream and booked another for May. If this policy is put in place..it may be my last.

 

[designertravels]

We have always given our room host our left over beer and alcohol. Even if they do not drink they gladly accept it to give to their friends. I'm sure we are not the only ones. This would be a disappointment for them too.

(well maybe, we would not require as much ice)

Glad to see it looks like they are not following through.

Jill