Alcohol Policy Change?

[jessrose18]

no new info to post from me...just wanted to throw my hat into the ring.... we are disappointed, but not going to cancel or anything..... it does affect our cruise budget. Even $100 here or there does make a difference. I don't drink and hubby has some occasional beers, so when we are on vacation, especially a cruise ship, it is nice to have some drinks and not worry about driving, etc. And of course, it is much better if they are not $5 a beer etc...

 

[ksucats]

But to be fair, that's only half the picture. How much do those same glasses of wine cost you when you carry them on? You have to subtract that cost from the $560 to really show the "cost" of this policy change.

I am not who you were replying to, but can answer for me personally. I don't drink expensive wine. In fact a box of wine is fine for my wife & I. Last cruise we had a glass before dinner, took one with us to dinner & usually one or two after dinner. Figure an average of 4 glasses per day for each of us. Boxed wine is less than $1 a glass (and again, it tastes the same to me as the $10 glass from Disney does). For a 7 day cruise, for the 2 of us, that is $500 difference.

We don't always drink 4 glasses each night, but also planned on bringing on a bottle of rum to have some rum & cokes in the afternoon, so by the time you figure that in we are easily talking the $500 difference for us.

 

[Acklander]

When cruising we always buy the wine package because we enjoy wine with dinner. We also enjoy purchasing an occasional drink of the day or beer to drink by the pool. We also enjoy a drink on the balcony which we bring on board with us. Our bringing alcohol on board hasn't hurt their bar sales at all from this family. And while I've cruised many different lines with many different policies we still manage to have a beverage bill between 400-500 for each cruise and we've managed to get alcohol on board no matter what the rules. I don't see that changing.

 

[eva]

Really? I am not really addressing this to eva directly, but to all those who have said they will possibly cruise on another line/cancel/comments about the cost of Disney vs. other lines. Really?

Every time someone posts, "Why DCL?" people reply, the service, the characters, the fireworks, the theming, the ships, the magic. I don't think I have ever seen someone post, "I can bring my own booze." This thread has gone from 0-18 pages fast it's amazing.

It's fascinating to me that this is such a big deal. Oh the things you learn about your fellow cruisers.

- Dreams

Unfortunately it may be the case. As I said, we are cruising with a number of family members that have never been on a DCL cruise. They do not totally see the perceived value of a Disney cruise compared to a Celebrity one. A few of them do. So it took a bit of convincing from a few of us to get everyone to give it a try. Three of my brother-in-laws finally gave when they found out they could bring their beloved scotch onboard with them. I do not know what DCL prices a glass of this at. But I know that the blue label cost $55 for a few sips at the Bellvue Room a couple years ago. So a bottle at $160+ at the liquor store could cost hundreds through a restaurant pour.

This policy will probably not affect whether DH and I cruise with DCL again. But it may prevent some family members from cruising with them. I’ve been pricing a few other lines for next year just in case.

PS - I have been thinking of emptying a screw top wine bottle and pouring in their scotch. But that just rubs me the wrong way. Guess I am too honest. So we will just see how DCL replys back to my email.

 

[MoranClan]

I know they retracted the "New" policy, I was wondering what the policy would be on B2B's ?

 

[loveadobie]

In all fairness to other cruiselines....DCL HAS BEEN pushing the alcohol more recently. No so much on our Dream cruises but last year on the Magic and this time on the Wonder in Alaska, every time we set down in the theatre we were asked at least a dozen times (different servers) if we wanted a drink at the show. On the Magic last year it was so bad by the adult pool that a drink server actually woke my obviously napping husband up and asked him if he wanted a drink....that is just not acceptable and I mentioned it on our comment card. As mentioned we were asked at least a dozen times if we wanted the wine package on that first day.

MJ

I must have got lucky- it seemed that once I was asked, I was pretty much left alone.

I do believe that this policy will have them pushing the alcohol much more.

Would you like a Mimosa with your Mickey Waffle?

 

[peachygreen]

I find the attitude some people have on this thread entertaining.

Just because a policy does not have an effect on you does not mean that the people it does effect are drunks, need alcohol to have fun or drink in excess.

This is a policy change, one that if it is implemented (and I hope the reports that they changed their minds is correct) will have a great impact on the enjoyment of people's cruises.

I don't even drink myself much and didn't have a single drink on my last cruise but I still don't like this policy change. I was hoping to have some wine on my next cruise though since I should not be nursing or pregnant then. I absolutely refuse to spend $27 on a bottle of $8-10 bottle of wine that I wouldn't drink on land at home or in a bar. I'm sorry but that is not happening. I was hoping to bring on a couple nice bottles of wine, pay the $20 corkage fee and enjoy a nice bottle of wine or 2 with the family at dinner. Well 1 bottle per adult gives us 6 bottles of wine for a 5 night cruise. I'm pretty sure we could easily drink 2 bottles a night so that would leave me with $27 bottle of wine I wouldn't touch on land.

But beyond that it is a policy change. ONe after the penalty phase of the cruise has been entered. Choose a policy that would benefit you on your cruise and take it out. How would you feel about that.

I also take exception to the fact that this was never an advertised perk but a loophole that others took advantage of. If it was not an advertised perk it wouldn't be listed in the things you can and cannot bring on board. This is not a fastpass that can be used anytime after it is good that is unwritten policy. This has been advertised on their website and is in their cruise documents.

 

[Leshaface]

Unfortunately it may be the case. As I said, we are cruising with a number of family members that have never been on a DCL cruise. They do not totally see the perceived value of a Disney cruise compared to a Celebrity one. A few of them do. So it took a bit of convincing from a few of us to get everyone to give it a try. Three of my brother-in-laws finally gave when they found out they could bring their beloved scotch onboard with them. I do not know what DCL prices a glass of this at. But I know that the blue label cost $55 for a few sips at the Bellvue Room a couple years ago. So a bottle at $160+ at the liquor store could cost hundreds through a restaurant pour.

This policy will probably not affect whether DH and I cruise with DCL again. But it may prevent some family members from cruising with them. I’ve been pricing a few other lines for next year just in case.

PS - I have been thinking of emptying a screw top wine bottle and pouring in their scotch. But that just rubs me the wrong way. Guess I am too honest. So we will just see how DCL replys back to my email.

This is exactly what DH said, but for vodka instead!

 

[safetymom]

The alcohol has to be in an unopened bottle. No larger than 750 ml. You must carry it on. Your carry on bag cannot exceed 22"wide, 14" high and 9"deep. You are allowed to bring your wine or champagne into the dining rooms, Palo and Remy. Guests are not allowed to bring their personal beveragle into any other area, including public decks.

 

[bengals01]

You can buy liqour on the islands and bring it back on. Like for the 3 days it would be 1 bottle, for the eastern 7 days in st marten 1 bottle but on st thomas 4 or 5 bottles. But in the letter it says any brought on board can not be consumed in public areas so that means only consumed in room.

 

[jjgarv]

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?

Agree!

The rum is gone.

 

[lisaradz]

"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."

Does this mean that we can buy some rum in port and bring it on the ship and drink it or will it be held for us and given back at embarkation?

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

Nice Disney, no notification, regarding a policy change, but you're going to toss the booze?

 

[valbob89]

Even sleezy NCL returns your bottles at the end of the trip when they confiscate them.


Just imagine the dumpster divers around the port. That is going to make for an appealing area.

 

[nduf]

May be slightly off topic, but I am cruising on 9/4/11 under the OLD policy. I plan to bring beer and was wondering do you truly have to drink only in your room? Is the no public areas strictly enforced?

Any tips on how to discreetly enjoy your own beverages by the pool or on deck (eg. in a cup, buy a beer mug but fill it with your own)? Can they tell what is "outside" beer vs. bought on ship if it is the same brand?

Would like to be able to enjoy a beer and not confined to the room.

TIA

 

[LadyDre]

I find the attitude some people have on this thread entertaining.

Just because a policy does not have an effect on you does not mean that the people it does effect are drunks, need alcohol to have fun or drink in excess.

This is a policy change, one that if it is implemented (and I hope the reports that they changed their minds is correct) will have a great impact on the enjoyment of people's cruises.

I don't even drink myself much and didn't have a single drink on my last cruise but I still don't like this policy change. I was hoping to have some wine on my next cruise though since I should not be nursing or pregnant then. I absolutely refuse to spend $27 on a bottle of $8-10 bottle of wine that I wouldn't drink on land at home or in a bar. I'm sorry but that is not happening. I was hoping to bring on a couple nice bottles of wine, pay the $20 corkage fee and enjoy a nice bottle of wine or 2 with the family at dinner. Well 1 bottle per adult gives us 6 bottles of wine for a 5 night cruise. I'm pretty sure we could easily drink 2 bottles a night so that would leave me with $27 bottle of wine I wouldn't touch on land.

But beyond that it is a policy change. ONe after the penalty phase of the cruise has been entered. Choose a policy that would benefit you on your cruise and take it out. How would you feel about that.

I also take exception to the fact that this was never an advertised perk but a loophole that others took advantage of. If it was not an advertised perk it wouldn't be listed in the things you can and cannot bring on board. This is not a fastpass that can be used anytime after it is good that is unwritten policy. This has been advertised on their website and is in their cruise documents.

This is exactly what I was thinking!!! Where's a like button when you need one?!?!?!

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

As has been posted several times, dcl has decided to revert back to their original policy about carrying on alcohol.

Ex Techie

 

[jessrose18]

Even if they do revert back, I wonder for how long?

I agree with others, why wine/champagne but not other liquor? Funny how they are choosing the appropriate beverages....

 

[jjgarv]

... also NO hard liquor

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! "Why is the rum gone?"

 

[MoranClan]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! "Why is the rum gone?"

Very easy solution actually.

Purchase 2 bottles of screw top Wine, wash out and dry.
Fill dried bottles with your favorite beverage, screw top back on.
Melt down some red wax, stick end of bottle in wax, let dry.

They wont know the wax seal is not supposed to be there or not.

This is if you really need your hard liquor.