Alcohol Policy Change?

[Sleepyluke]

Please no flame here, but how much do you really think some people will be adding to their bill by the end of the week? We are not heavy drinkers, but with the specials and wine by the bottle or even the wine packages, we have never been way over what we would have spent to buy on land, lug it around, (never mind the whole flying with it issue). I guess if you are buying a half gallon of rum for $10 (which is actually flavored vodka anyway) that is one thing, but for most even middle of the road wines, I have not seen a BIG premium over buying and the hassle of where and how to get it on board. Just curious what some people consider a big expense. i figure for us, may be a $50 difference, which in the scheme of things is well worth me not having to figure out what to do with it and carrying it around for 2 days....

 

[budbeerlady]

I am very disappointed by the lack of adequate announcement timing. We are paid in full, leave in under 75 days and NOW they change the rules. I don't drink much at home, takes me 2 weeks to go thru a 4pk of wine coolers. But I was really, really looking forward to sitting out on the balcony each night with a glass of wine or champagne. I could buy it, but I refuse to pay $28 for Martini and Rossi that I can buy on land for $12! 1 bottle carried on will not last 4 days.

This Disney cruise is already costing a pretty penny and as much as I am looking forward to it, we have had alot of fun on other cruise lines for half the cost!

 

[devine5829]

Yep...it is correct. Here is the email I receievd back from Disney. I have until next April but I would be VERY upset if my cruise was this fall and they are just now telling people.

8/30/11

Dear Paula,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I would be happy to assist you!

Beginning September 19, 2011, a change is being implemented regarding
the amount and types of alcohol that can be brought onboard on
embarkation day.

On embarkation day, Guests 21 years of age and older may bring on board
one unopened bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne or six bottles/cans (12
oz.) of beer per person. The drinks must be hand-carried in a day bag
and/or carry-on luggage. Carry-on luggage dimensions cannot exceed 22"
wide, 14" high and 9" deep.

Guests can still take a bottle of wine or champagne to the restaurant
for dinner. If you request a Wine Steward to open and serve a bottle of
champagne or wine that has been brought onboard a corking fee will be
charged per bottle.

If you open the bottle in the stateroom and bring it into the dining
room, you will still be charged a corking fee.

Please be aware, Guests are unable to consume alcohol that has been
brought onboard in any lounge or public area.

In addition, Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to remove fragile
items (including beverages) from checked luggage. In such cases, any
alcohol will be discarded with no remuneration offered. Beverage
containers are considered fragile and have previously caused damage in
checked luggage. All fragile items must be transported inside carry-on
luggage.

All beer/wine/champagne, over the allowable 1-bottle per Guest limit in
carry-on luggage will also be confiscated and discarded without
compensation.

Guests may bring aboard unopened/sealed alcoholic/non-alcoholic
beverages from the ports visited during the itinerary in accordance with
the stated U.S. Customs allowances.

I hope this information has been helpful. If you require further
assistance in planning your visit, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to sailing with you!

Have a Magical Day!

JD
Reservations Department
Disney Cruise Line

 

[GumbyO]

This change doesn't bother me personally. I just find some old guy who knows how to find all the onboard 2 for ones, and drink for free all cruise.

They still have those 2 for 1's? I'll be like the rest of the guests and hope for free drinks if we don't go to Castaway Cay, or its rough, or we have to drop off a sick passenger.

 

[MQK]

If we're allowed to bring back from port then we can just buy at the first port for the rest of the cruise... right? I sure hope so...

 

[MaleficentRN]

I bet you can blame a few bad apples for this new policy. There are folks that think it's OK to bring a full service bar with them and that causes headaches for Disney. Not only in lost income, but in liability. They can't monitor how much people are drinking in their cabin and things could, and may have, go downhill real bad.

 

[patsal]

Not a big fan of boxed wine, but at least 2 boxes would get me through! lol

 

[gdulaney]

I bet you can blame a few bad apples for this new policy. There are folks that think it's OK to bring a full service bar with them and that causes headaches for Disney. Not only in lost income, but in liability. They can't monitor how much people are drinking in their cabin and things could, and may have, go downhill real bad.

Does Disney monitor how much we drink our cabin? What else are they monitoring?

I've been pretty quiet....but I'm on the phone with them and I'm being told I can't bring my wine coolers....

 

[patsal]

Sorry, after my last Dream cruise things were pretty much lacking in all areas of service and food quality. I do bring my own wine and paid outrageous prices for cruising to be able to do that. I have one kid that vacations with us, she is 16...the characters do not matter the quality and service do and if they are going to be lacking I may as well cruise with other lines that go to the same places.

 

[vmedisneymom]

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.

 

[gdulaney]

According to the manager that I'm speaking with --

- it will be strictly enforced
- only one bottle of wine/champ or 6 bottles of beer per legal adult (no substitutions)
- this is considered a reasonable amount for a person to carry on
- this is more generous that other cruise lines
- you can still bring a six pack of water

I wonder what flavor of water looks like my wine coolers?

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

Thank you to those who verified it with their guest relations emails..I guess it isn't rumor anymore..

 

[jilljill]

According to the manager that I'm speaking with --

- it will be strictly enforced
- only one bottle of wine/champ or 6 bottles of beer per legal adult (no substitutions)
- this is more generous that other cruise lines
- you can still bring a six pack of water

I wonder what flavor of water looks like my wine coolers?

Did they mention anything about bringing sodas onboard? You say "you can still bring a six pack of water", is the the amount of water going to be limited as well?

 

[tinkerbell2181]

This isn't really going to effect us as I was only bringing 2 bottles of wine with us anyways. We have a day at Nachi Cocom of free drinks too and I figured we would buy a drink here or there if we wanted it.

However, my cruise is October 1st and it's very concerning that they are changing policies now........ What else is going to change before we leave that we won't be informed about? It's concerning they are doing this without notification in the time since we already paid and checked in! It's our first cruise and I'm getting an unsettling feeling before we even go! Bad business Disney......

 

[MaleficentRN]

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?

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.

Because one bottle of bourbon can do more damage than a bottle of Merlot.
That and the huge coolers of booze are my guess for the change. Disney can't afford this on so many levels.

 

[kathi]

"this is more generous that other cruise lines"


That is a total joke. Other cruise lines don't charge NEARLY as much to get on the ship in the first place. That is one of the MAIN reasons I was willing to pay more. My husband is currently looking into changing our cruise to Celebrity - except we are in a suite and our deposit is non-refundable. And no, it's not all about the drinking - it's about the way they are doing business. I am a business person and I would fully expect to get fired by my clients if I pulled a bait and switch on them after they had paid me for a job.

I'm very disappointed in them. If they want to implement this policy, they need to do it for future cruises where people have not yet paid in full and are aware of the new rules.

My TA is contacting Disney now, but I suspect she will get the same canned anwer as everyone else.

 

[kaseyC]

Looks like they are playing hardball...

All beer/wine/champagne, over the allowable 1-bottle per Guest limit in
carry-on luggage will also be confiscated and discarded without
compensation.

At least, some of the other cruise lines confiscate it and keep in in the "naughty room" until the end of the cruise. I guess they will be charging for soda next.

 

[glindamood]

If it is 6 bottles of beer per adult that is 12 bottles for us - I will gift mine to DH. I wonder what they will be doing with pop - I always bring 12 cans of Pepsi.

 

[gdulaney]

Did they mention anything about bringing sodas onboard? You say "you can still bring a six pack of water", is the the amount of water going to be limited as well?

I asked about water and was told, "You can still bring a six pack of water"... I guess that would be the amount of water a person would reasonably drink.

I don't think it's the passengers who are rolling on their alcohol, which is what we do. She stated that they have had an increase in checked luggage being damaged....both that passenger's luggage as well as other passengers' luggage due to bottle breaking. To make it "fair" they came up with a "reasonable" amount that could be brought aboard in carry on luggage.

I didn't ask about soft drinks.

 

[cloudnut220]

Looks like they are playing hardball...



At least, some of the other cruise lines confiscate it and keep in in the "naughty room" until the end of the cruise. I guess they will be charging for soda next.

So what are they going to open everyone's bags and look for Rum Runners? I know many, many people that use those on other cruise lines...or do the old buy a bottle of coke in port then refil it with dark rum trick. The thing I liked about the old Disney policy was that they didn't make people hide it which I feel like its even worse than just letting people enjoy their alcohol.

Guess I'll be saving my drinking for Food and Wine after our cruise. We too are within the 75 day window, and of course all of the adults in our party were planning on bringing liquor on board.