Alcohol Policy Change?

[Christy323]

I got the impression from the posters that responded to an earlier post about the amount of alcohol brought on-board; and from the fact that people have posted that this was one of their justifications for paying for a more expensive cruise.

I was indeed one of the people who stated that the alcohol policy was one of the factors that led me to choose sailing with DCL. I'll repost what I said before:

Glasses of wine on the ship are minimum $10 (+tip). Let's say my group of four adults averages two glasses of wine a night on our 7-night MR cruise. That's $80 per night, or $560 for the trip. That's a lot of money.

Alcohol is not "such a part of my life" that it would alter my plans. However, there is already a significant premium we pay to sail DCL, so that extra $560+ would make me much more open to considering other cruise lines.

 

[El Cid 94]

I don't need alcohol to enjoy my cruise with my children, but it sure makes other people's kids more tolerable, lol

That is the "Post of the day!!"'

 

[firstime discruiser]

We do not get falling down drunk. We do not do flaming shots or run around half naked cackling like idiots. We are middle-aged people with good jobs and know how to behave in public.

HOWEVER

Drinking fine wine, champagne and single malt scotch is an essential part of a vacation for us. Fine dining is also something we insist on for vacation. So I would say, unless I'm driving or operating power tools on my vacation, drinking alcohol is a mandatory part of my vacation "fun". I would not choose to go on a "dry" vacation.

 

[justmestace]

I find it unreal that they would pick what bottle of alcoholic beverage we may bring? What about people who don't like anything but say bourbon? I am a champagne girl so will talk hub into two bottles of that, but why disallow liquor? Because it stretches too far? There have been a lot of thoughts and comments here regarding how people feel about the policy, and everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion and their personal feelings about it are validated - however, the policy should not be in effect for those who have already paid in full checked in etc. We have signed our contract and they are now changing the terms. I haven't checked the contract, but I am sure they have themselves covered for changes. As an attorney who makes a living out of reading and drafting contracts, this is disappointing. It is not in good faith for the people cruising this Fall.

On the other hand, I will say that part of this probably stems from people not abiding by the dimensions of the carry-on rules. My cruise coming up in early November for my 41st b-day is only my second. For my first last September, I actually measured my bag to ensure that I was compliant with the policy, and then saw people with gigantic roll-on bags full of booze. Honestly fine with me - none of my business - but I like to follow the rules.

Actually, there's nothing in the contract at all about bringing alcohol onboard.
And you're right, they do have their own "opt out" options.
Everything is at the discretion of the cruise line, or the Master (Captain).

 

[justmestace]

Now that Disney Cruise Lines alcohol/soda policy is no different than the other cruiselines I wonder how Disney Cruise Line will be able to justify their exhorbitant fares as opposed to other mainstream cruiselines ie... Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland America etc...

Well golly, they still have "Free" soda!

 

[loveadobie]

I hope that we will not be constantly asked now if we would like a drink, by the roaming waiters.

Other cruise lines don't allow alcohol to be brought on, but it's 24/7, "would you like a drink".

That's what I like about Disney- you can partake if you want, but can be left alone if you don't. Hope this doesn't change.

 

[eva]

Actually, my husband might have a problem.... he stayed up to watch the midnight showing of Fright Night PremiEar at Sea. But he's not smelly and he hasn't tried to eat my brains, so I think I'm safe on the zombie front.

 

[justmestace]

Here's the way I see it.....if I can afford to cruise, then I can afford to buy my drinks onboard.

If I CAN'T afford to buy my drinks onboard, then I either shouldn't be cruising, or I shouldn't be drinking.

 

[justmestace]

I hope that we will not be constantly asked now if we would like a drink, by the roaming waiters.

Other cruise lines don't allow alcohol to be brought on, but it's 24/7, "would you like a drink".

That's what I like about Disney- you can partake if you want, but can be left alone if you don't. Hope this doesn't change.

Seriously? You weren't accosted the whole first day onboard, with CM's asking you to buy the Wine Package??

Or the waiters and waitresses in the lounges walking by every 5 minutes, asking if you want a drink?

Or out by the pool........I don't know where you were, but I've always gotten asked about 100 times per cruise.

 

[eva]

Here's the way I see it.....if I can afford to cruise, then I can afford to buy my drinks onboard.

If I CAN'T afford to buy my drinks onboard, then I either shouldn't be cruising, or I shouldn't be drinking.

Well, if you are buying Johnny Walker Blue Label, my brother-in-law would like to join you.

And to be honest, I never said we couldn't afford to buy all our drinks from DCL. But who wants to pay hundreds of extra dollars for bottles of wine or fine liquor that you are enjoying back in the room. Never said we couldn't afford it. We just don't want to pay the extra. Quite a difference there.

 

[lvstitch]

Here's the way I see it.....if I can afford to cruise, then I can afford to buy my drinks onboard.

If I CAN'T afford to buy my drinks onboard, then I either shouldn't be cruising, or I shouldn't be drinking.

I agree to a point, but when I booked my cruise, I was able to bring booze on board, saving me about $600. By changing their policy after I have paid in full they increased the price of my cruise without notifying me.

 

[El Cid 94]

We do not get falling down drunk. We do not do flaming shots or run around half naked cackling like idiots. We are middle-aged people with good jobs and know how to behave in public.

HOWEVER

Drinking fine wine, champagne and single malt scotch is an essential part of a vacation for us. Fine dining is also something we insist on for vacation. So I would say, unless I'm driving or operating power tools on my vacation, drinking alcohol is a mandatory part of my vacation "fun". I would not choose to go on a "dry" vacation.

WOOOO HOOOO!!! You had me at "half naked cackling idiots"... oh wait that's NOT how you act. Sorry, disregard this post!

 

[herbg]

Well golly, they still have "Free" soda!

Regarding DCL's drink policy: thank God, now I feel so more at ease about paying all that extra $$ for my Disney cruise...



Regarding DCL's general pricing:A cabin can only be kept so clean, a staff member can only be so friendly, catering food for 2000+ passengers can only taste so good... to me the idea of not having a bar bill was one way I justified DCL for charging so much more for their product.. now I just don't see why they charge so much more...

 

[jdb in AZ]

WOOOO HOOOO!!! You had me at "half naked cackling idiots"... oh wait that's NOT how you act. Sorry, disregard this post!

 

[jilljill]

I hope that we will not be constantly asked now if we would like a drink, by the roaming waiters.

Other cruise lines don't allow alcohol to be brought on, but it's 24/7, "would you like a drink".

That's what I like about Disney- you can partake if you want, but can be left alone if you don't. Hope this doesn't change.

Other cruiselines do allow alcohol to be brought on. Someone mentioned that HAL has a generous policy and on Carnival each adult can take on 1 bottle of wine and each person can take on a reasonable amount of soda.

 

[Christy323]

Here's the way I see it.....if I can afford to cruise, then I can afford to buy my drinks onboard.

If I CAN'T afford to buy my drinks onboard, then I either shouldn't be cruising, or I shouldn't be drinking.

I respectfully disagree. I was able to "afford to cruise" because I saved and budgeted my money based on the policies in effect at the time that I paid my cruise in full. With the potential change in policy, I will now have to spend extra money that I did not plan for (and thus do not have) to have the same experience I expected to have when I booked this cruise.

In this economic climate it's difficult enough as it is to be able to come up with the money for a nice vacation without having changes in expenses implemented with little notice (or no notice, which is what's going to happen to the thousands of cruisers who never see this thread, because DCL hasn't notified anyone).

 

[Donald Applecore]

I don't need alcohol to enjoy my cruise with my children, but it sure makes other people's kids more tolerable, lol

 

[DMMarla07860]

Seriously? You weren't accosted the whole first day onboard, with CM's asking you to buy the Wine Package??

Or the waiters and waitresses in the lounges walking by every 5 minutes, asking if you want a drink?

Or out by the pool........I don't know where you were, but I've always gotten asked about 100 times per cruise.

servers did walk by asking me every 5 minutes, guess they knew I wasn't a big drinker

I had to flag them down, unless it was on the night club and then they knew what I was getting

 

[loveadobie]

Seriously? You weren't accosted the whole first day onboard, with CM's asking you to buy the Wine Package??

Or the waiters and waitresses in the lounges walking by every 5 minutes, asking if you want a drink?

Or out by the pool........I don't know where you were, but I've always gotten asked about 100 times per cruise.

Seemed to be so much more on other cruises. Waiters crossing paths asking me if I wanted a drink.

7 am in the dining room on a Carnival ship- how about a mimosa or a Bloody Mary. Geesh,

 

[papa]

It also seems unfair if it is 2 bottles regardless of length of cruise. 1 bottles on a 3 night (or for that matter the 2 nights out of NYC) would be more reasonable then say 1 bottles for a 7,10 or 14 night cruise. That wouldn't even give you one glass per dinner on a longer cruise.

And just how will they "find" the liquor in your checked bags?

I saw how they did it on RCCL. The bags were xrayed before they were sent to the guest's rooms. The guests were given a phone call to come down to the area and opened their bags when the alcohol was found. They got it back on the last night before returning to port.