Alcohol Policy Change?

[GatorMomInNC]

My fear is that, while on-board drinks may not be outrageously priced NOW, if they limit the amount of alcohol you can take on-board, then their on-board prices will inevitably go up for mixed drinks! In the new memo that was posted, it didn't say that ANY bottles of hard alcohol were allowed at all! That tells me that that's their primary focus - limiting hard alcohol so they can sell more mixed drinks on-board.

And frankly, it's a supply and demand thing. If they limit the supply (meaning, you can't bring your own or you can't bring as much of it), then the demand for on-board drinks will also go up. No, not every single person who brings alcohol on-board the ship will suddenly start buying drinks on-board, but some will. And then, the prices of said drinks will sky rocket because there's no competition.

I enjoy a drink now and again, and if I have to pay for it on-board the ship, then we'll do that. I don't go on vacation to get drunk - neither FH nor I are huge drinkers so I can't say that this devastates me... but it is a little upsetting.

Exactly! If they limit carry on liquor and then raise drink prices...well, that is just pretty upsetting. I'm sure we have all seen many, many posts asking "Why is DCL so expensive?" and one of the answers always given is, well you can bring your own alcohol, keep that in mind when comparing prices...

I don't think people are complaining so much about "needing alcohol" as much as "losing a perk". I think it would be the same complaints if say Disney proposed "everyone gets choice of one meal @ dinner" ie: not allowing you to order multiple entrees. Or not allowing kids to order off adult menu anymore. I personally never even finish my 1 meal so that would be fine by me. My DH would have a problem w/ it though . He'd feel "i paid, i should get as many entrees as i want" My DD doesn't order off the adult menu. So a "rule" like that wouldn't phase me in the least. My aunts kids however, ALWAYS ordered off the adult menu. She would feel "cheated" & may consider pro & cons of paying more for Disney if that "perk" was gone. So to say "is alcohol such a part of your life?" really is not fair. Different people enjoy different perks. Some perks that you may enjoy, may not matter to some cruisers.

Again, agree completely. I've never brought even the minimum amount of liquor allowed on a cruise before, and I've always thought it so ridiculous how people on other cruise lines would scheme about how to sneak liquor on. I just figure I'll buy drinks on board, no big deal.

But I am sailing on my first Disney cruise in 12 days and I'm planning on bringing liquor BECAUSE it has been touted as such a perk with Disney so I thought, why not give it a shot? It is one (and I understand there are a LOT of other things and this is JUST ONE) of the things that really set DCL cruise lines apart. I saw it as a sign that Disney wants you to enjoy your cruise and isn't trying to nickel and dime you for even more money after you have booked with them.

 

[plutolovr]

We'll just have to invest in Rum Runners I guess. I do have a feeling though that this will be slowly implemented if at all. Those of us who are sailing within the next couple months have signed contracts stating different rules. If my documents and my cruise contract say differently than the new policy, well.......

 

[ielusivemusei]

...
I'm sure you're the kind of consumer that Disney just loves.

I hope so! It's totally mutual! I've been an AP holder for most of my adult life!

mmmmmmm Disney=HAPPY MUSE!

 

[hgon76]

<<<<<This says "Alcohol is permitted on board. However, be aware that any fragile items (including bottled alcohol) must be hand-carried on board in a day bag and/or carry-on bag, the dimensions of which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep. Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area">>>>

I don't remember the part about alcohol not being allowed to be "consumed in public areas" When did that rule come into effect? Or did they just not enforce it. Last time we cruised we brought our own drinks into the club, pools, etc.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hmmm... Steven, would you feel the same if you couldn't bring your own underwear and had to purchase them on board. Many people don't wear underwear and couldn't give hoot if that were the case. Doesn't effect me... I don't wear them

Still, a cash cow for Disney... oh yeah.. May not seem like a perk now, but take it away and that WAS a perk.

 

[kathi]

Okay...just want y'all to know...I've got on my big-boy flame-proof underwear...and I only read the first page of this thread...so here goes...

is drinking alcohol such a part of your life that you'd change vacation plans over it?

Can you not have fun without it?

Before you let me have it...read back through all your posts and listen to some of you.

I was not raised in a "drinking home"...nor do I have alcohol in my home today...so I guess it just shocks me when I read a thread such as this.

Not Judging...just asking.

Please be nice...I have feelings too.

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.

 

[SoCaOC-Mom]

Okay...just want y'all to know...I've got on my big-boy flame-proof underwear...and I only read the first page of this thread...so here goes...

is drinking alcohol such a part of your life that you'd change vacation plans over it?

Can you not have fun without it?

Before you let me have it...read back through all your posts and listen to some of you.

I was not raised in a "drinking home"...nor do I have alcohol in my home today...so I guess it just shocks me when I read a thread such as this.

Not Judging...just asking.

Please be nice...I have feelings too.

Sure, someone can have fun without an adult beverage but at the same time it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy one, especially a glass of wine that will compliment a nice diner. Part of the reason the kids clubs are open so late is so that adults can enjoy adult activities on their vacation. Having a few bevies be it in a club or in a pub or a nice restaurant without having to worry about the kids is one of them.

DCL charges a lot more than some of their competition, the fact that alcohol can be brought on board is probably while in part some people justify the cost.

What if DCL decided they would start to charge for soda at the beverage station or to go see a movie. I am sure people would be upset.

Just because you or someone else doesn't hold much value in being able to bring alcohol on board, it doesn't mean that others don't. I'm not sure if I understand why people who do not take exception to alcohol being SOLD on board take are critical of other cruisers who expressing grievance over the possibility that the policy about bringing it on board might change. It doesn't make us small or petty.

People who like splash around in a pool on vacation will say the pools are too small and too crowded. People who like to have some adult only time might protest when kids swarm the cove area. Yet I would never read those posts and imply that if my POV was different that those should go back and examine their behavior and attitudes.

 

[Wendy&Grumpy]

Looks like the heavy drinkers will be choosing other lines.....

.

Not this one!

Like others mentioned, I personally justified the (much) higher cost of DCL by taking into consideration the fact that I would be able to avoid extra onboard costs by bringing my own alcohol.

I justify the higher cost of DCL by the quality.

Not that I won't be disappointed if this turns out to be true, but I believe I am getting the quality cruise I pay for with DCL and the bringing alcohol on board is/was simply a bonus for as long as it lasts.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I justify the higher cost of DCL by the friends that are crew that I make onboard. Drink prices seems about the same as on land so nothing about that bothers me about cost

 

[ALSBC91]

We don't bring alcohol onboard so this is just totally a shot in the dark....

When I read the new rules, I first thought it was in response to the people who put the bottles in their checked luggage. I've seen quite a few "Disney broke my ....insert adult beverage here... when they handled my luggage! I filed a claim." posts. By making it "carry on" only, it solves those claims.

 

[devine5829]

That said, I enjoy expensive wines that would be twice if not more the price of a bottle. We also, buy a bottle wine at dinner with our party- It has nothing to do with being "big drinkers" (i will say, however, my dh is a big man so I guess that makes him a big drinker)

I agree with Nikkismom-we are in the restaurant business and drink quality wines that can be on the higher end. We dont drink beer or hard liquor. This will be a much bigger expense and I am really hoping this is not the case.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Once again, too many people taking advantage of DCLs policy. The only cruise line that let people bring on half a liquor store, cases of wine, beer, sodas and water. ANd now people are going to complain no fair. Perhaps, just perhaps if people thought gee one bottle of wine is great, or a 6 pack of water, but no people have to bring so much more because they can. I say good for DCL. When I heard this in Aoril from a DCL VP, I was not told when it would happen, but the VP said they were fed up with the attitude of so many cruisers posting on the internet as to how to get around the DCL drink prices, the corkage fees, etc.

Remember, the more that gets posted here as to how to circumvent DCL and WDW and DL policies, the more they will be enforced and changed.

 

[acourtwdw]

I wonder how this will impact liquor that is purchased in port. There are some liquors that we like to get in port that aren't available to us in MI. I guess we'll just wait and see.

 

[peachygreen]

We don't bring alcohol onboard so this is just totally a shot in the dark....

When I read the new rules, I first thought it was in response to the people who put the bottles in their checked luggage. I've seen quite a few "Disney broke my ....insert adult beverage here... when they handled my luggage! I filed a claim." posts. By making it "carry on" only, it solves those claims.

They have always (well maybe not always but before now) had the fragile items have to be packed in carry on bags.

This is a limit now to the quantity not just where you pack it.

The remainder is a general comment and not directed to anyone in particular.


What I really don't like about this - if this is really happening on Sept 19th is the lack of warning. I mean what is going to happen, people show up at the port having bought alcohol and they are now going to have it taken. Okay so maybe you get it back when you get off. What if they flew and had to buy it at the port. You can't fly home with it necessarily. So now not only did you buy a couple bottles of wine more than allowed @ lets say $20-$100 a bottle. Now you have to leave that at the port and maybe figure out how to get it home and now purchase wine on board again.

And 1 bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer on a long cruise is nothing. On a 7 night cruise you won't even get one drink a day that way. I don't drink much if at all but if you are going to allow it, allow it. 1 bottle of wine per person is really a joke. You might as well prohibit it completely.

And who is to say this won't then extend to bringing other things on board like bottled water on board, your favorite brand of soda, prepackaged candy bars, etc. . . I don't bring any of this home with me but other people do. Would you that think we people are "lushes or obsessing about their ruined vacation" feel the same way if it was amenities like this that you couldn't bring or were limited. Lets say you could only carry 1 bottle of water per person or a 6-pack of soda.

 

[jilljill]

Remember, the more that gets posted here as to how to circumvent DCL and WDW and DL policies, the more they will be enforced and changed.

Very well said

 

[TrustMeMom]

And who is to say this won't then extend to bringing other things on board like bottled water on board, your favorite brand of soda, prepackaged candy bars, etc. . . I don't bring any of this home with me but other people do. Would you that think we people are "lushes or obsessing about their ruined vacation" feel the same way if it was amenities like this that you couldn't bring or were limited. Lets say you could only carry 1 bottle of water per person or a 6-pack of soda.

UH OH - they might have to pry my Diet Dr. Pepper out of my cold dead hands. Okay okay, maybe that's extreme. But seriously if I have to go cold turkey on the DDP Me and 5 days of only Diet Coke? They could make a fortune, because then I would seriously increase my alcohol intake!

 

[holie]

I don't knooow. This link is pretty vague and amateur looking and is based on what looks like a regular cruiser, as apposed to an official representative. plus, there is no source as to where this person heard this from...not a quote, not a link, not an article... for now, I'd say our chances are looking pretty good.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I agree with Nikkismom-we are in the restaurant business and drink quality wines that can be on the higher end. We dont drink beer or hard liquor. This will be a much bigger expense and I am really hoping this is not the case.

Also, the DCL wine list..uh, isn't all that great...just okay.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Once again, too many people taking advantage of DCLs policy. The only cruise line that let people bring on half a liquor store, cases of wine, beer, sodas and water. ANd now people are going to complain no fair. Perhaps, just perhaps if people thought gee one bottle of wine is great, or a 6 pack of water, but no people have to bring so much more because they can. I say good for DCL. When I heard this in Aoril from a DCL VP, I was not told when it would happen, but the VP said they were fed up with the attitude of so many cruisers posting on the internet as to how to get around the DCL drink prices, the corkage fees, etc.

Remember, the more that gets posted here as to how to circumvent DCL and WDW and DL policies, the more they will be enforced and changed.

Well said.

 

[stargazertechie]

I don't knooow. This link is pretty vague and amateur looking and is based on what looks like a regular cruiser, as apposed to an official representative. plus, there is no source as to where this person heard this from...not a quote, not a link, not an article... for now, I'd say our chances are looking pretty good.

1) The site is amateur looking because it's the mobile version of Examiner.com. It's not designed for your computer

2) The author of the article has been on 80 Disney cruises, so not just "a regular cruiser"

3) The info was gleaned from a travel agent mailing list that said super-veteran cruiser considers to be reputable.