DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[MousseauMob]

I'm feeling the need to explain that my post with the policies from each of the cruise lines was in response to some of the posts that were saying other lines didn't allow carry on so DCL's change was "okay" which I totally don't agree with, I do get the issue loud and clear (see bold below), and I'm not liking this trend of cuts:

This doesn't personally affect me, I only have a single glass of wine or mixed drink occasionally, but I still feel a great deal of empathy for the ones that it does affect and I support them in their complaints. If you're looking closely, there have been a number of these "little" things that are being lost, some affect me directly where others don't, so for those that think it doesn't matter, just wait, soon there will be something that does matter to you if one hasn't already happened that you missed.

 

[dcassetta]

I know a Corellian who will do it for you if you've enough credits...

Can he do it fast? I would want to avoid any entanglements…

 

[keaster]

We don't have a horse in this race as we don't bring alcohol on board. But I think DCL could smooth over some of this outcry by allowing one bottle of hard liquor per stateroom.

 

[perditax]

Since I'm on one of the final cruises, even though I'm not a big drinker I've decided I'm going to stop in PC and pick up a bottle of this Fireball whiskey I keep hearing about, and some hard cider to chase it. Look out world.

 

[phinz]

Can he do it fast? I would want to avoid any entanglements…

I bet he's the same guy I know. He can do it in less than 12 parsecs. At least that's what he claims, though he's obviously confused since parsecs are a measure of distance, not time...

 

[AquaDame]

WOW!
hold on there lady!

from that email yes i think they are saying they will hold confiscated booze at the terminal. after all that is where they xray the checked luggage. that is where they scan your carry on and inspect it. that is where they would remove any excess booze as per the email. why does it not make sense to reclaim excess booze on your way off the ship before customs?
why are you ranting at me by the way? I'm not dcl?
the policy of hand carrying rather than checking booze in luggage works both ways right? why would they not want you to put it into your baggage incase of breakage on the way in, but not the way out?
and yes, either way, concealed in your checked baggage being on the participating airline program does not exempt anyone from that policy?
Again, why are you being angry and ranting at me?
I have no experience of the gas and the das.
please feel free to rant at someone else who knows about that.

edit to add.
whilst you are obviously very passionate about this, please do not take it out on me because i just pointed out that you has misread or taken what was said in the email out of context as i read it.

Why are they talking about confiscated booze anyway..? The CM took my husband out of context first. My husband was asking about the rum they'll be taking from us at every port stop in the southern caribbean - we are planning on buying many bottles of rare deliciousness that we can't get at home like we did last October. We won't have any yet when we go through those xray machines during embarkation, so it can't be held there.

It seems to me, as others have said, they just don't know what they are going to do at present. If we have to pick up our bottles and repack our luggage in the terminal with thousands of other people swarming around that is going to be a downright mess. Luckily we have plenty of time until our flight in this case...!

 

[bumbershoot]

WOW!
hold on there lady!

from that email yes i think they are saying they will hold confiscated booze at the terminal. after all that is where they xray the checked luggage. that is where they scan your carry on and inspect it. that is where they would remove any excess booze as per the email. why does it not make sense to reclaim excess booze on your way off the ship before customs?
why are you ranting at me by the way? I'm not dcl?
the policy of hand carrying rather than checking booze in luggage works both ways right? why would they not want you to put it into your baggage incase of breakage on the way in, but not the way out?
and yes, either way, concealed in your checked baggage being on the participating airline program does not exempt anyone from that policy?
Again, why are you being angry and ranting at me?
I have no experience of the gas and the das.
please feel free to rant at someone else who knows about that.

edit to add.
whilst you are obviously very passionate about this, please do not take it out on me because i just pointed out that you has misread or taken what was said in the email out of context as i read it.

Lady? (not that I'm not female, but unless you're Jerry Lewis in his heyday I'm not sure that was appropriate?)

Rant? (tired, sighing bemoaning the state of Disney, yes, but rant?)

Huh? (that means I don't understand how you read it like that)

I agreed with you. Hence the word "exactly". In all caps from excitement 'cuz I'm in total agreement with you. You said it just right. "EXACTLY".

Then I threw in a new paragraph, because that's how we define a spot for a separate thought or a tangent, and then I wrote about those thoughts you inspired in my brain. I was writing about Disney. Not you.

I think maybe you could go back and read it again?

And a sigh at the end is a way of expressing exhaustion about something; and that something is Disney and their slash and burn way of changing policies. Unless you were the one to make that decision, you're taking my words way too personally.



It was even OK that you read the other part differently and told me so, because it showed what I felt; that that other thing wasn't a vetted response with knowledge behind it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I feel like I need to break down what I'm reading, just for fun, especially since I'm not on my phone now and I'm not rushing off for a jog or to go to the YMCA for my pilates class.

Just b/c I quote Aqua's words doesn't mean I'm writing TO Aqua. I'm just explaining myself. Mainly to make me happy.

"How can we pack bottles that DCL keeps if we don't get it back until the
end of the cruise???"

Aqua, you said he's not an eloquent emailer, but I got that just fine.

Guests do not have to bring extra alcohol, although all
alcohol that exceeds the limit that's found packed in checked luggage
will be removed and stored until the completion of the cruise, as a
courtesy. If a guest would like to pack alcohol into their luggage that
has been stored at the cruise terminal, they may wish to consider not
using the Onboard Airline Check-In program or perhaps bring an extra
piece of luggage.

That rep didn't even read what your husband actually said, and thought you were talking about the beginning of the cruise. There's no way any "blurb" writer (amazon called them blurbs; I don't know what Disney calls them) would write "guests do not have to bring extra alcohol". That's his opinion.

"all alcohol that exceeds the limit...in checked luggage...removed and stored..."

Two issues there. Too much alcohol AND in checked luggage. A true blurb wouldn't lump the two together.

"If a guest would like to pack alcohol into their luggage that has been stored at the cruise terminal"...

All we can do is read what is written. And the modifier is all wrong. It's not "alcohol that has been stored", it's "luggage that has been stored". "alcohol into their luggage that has been stored at the cruise terminal." I'm not going to give them words to make it make more sense to me. We have their words. And the words there mean the luggage that has been stored. No luggage has been stored there. I REALLY doubt the alcohol is stored there, either. I'm pretty sure the industry standard, since that's what they are so hyped up to achieve, is that it's on the ship. And given back on the ship.

"they may wish to consider not using the Onboard Airline Check-In program or perhaps bring an extra piece of luggage."

Where did Mr. Aqua mention Onboard Airline Checkin? Nowhere, of course. I mean, at least NOW the rep is talking about disembarkation, but he's still not telling him where he'll get the bottles or when. And if he's discussing an extra piece of luggage, he still has to tell them when to pack that alcohol, and when, and...oh it just makes no sense.


*****************
Was so distraught that you misheard me and called me "lady" that I focused only on that part.

from that email yes i think they are saying they will hold confiscated booze at the terminal. after all that is where they xray the checked luggage. that is where they scan your carry on and inspect it. that is where they would remove any excess booze as per the email. why does it not make sense to reclaim excess booze on your way off the ship before customs?

I don't think they xray the checked luggage in that same part of the building. My checked luggage has been gone from me for hours by the time I board, when I've used the DCL transfers, and even when we dropped them off then returned the rental car and went on back. It's not with us, so if it is happening in the building it's behind the scenes. I know it's a big huge building, and I think there are just two ships coming and going from Disney's terminal this time of year (right? Wonder is in Alaska and Magic or Fantasy is in Europe?), but still, is there room to hold the alcohol? It isn't how it was done on Royal; they keep it on the ship. In the awesomely named (by others) "naughty room".

It makes EXACT sense to reclaim excess booze on your way off the ship before customs. Just not IN the customs building. Literally on your way off the ship, yes.

the policy of hand carrying rather than checking booze in luggage works both ways right? why would they not want you to put it into your baggage incase of breakage on the way in, but not the way out?

Totally. I had been wracking my brains trying to remember how it was done with Sint Maarten's guavaberry rum (the only thing we bought that was alcohol-related), and was typing something else and then remembered that bit. It's possible you're not used to my style. My style is very in the moment, very stream of consciousness. I'll edit if I think of something else or a better way to say it, but I don't write out bullet points etc and then fill it in. It can get a little chaotic. So sorry. Imagine being in my brain.

So I had *just* thought of that, and that's all I was talking about; carrying it off. I hadn't carried the guavaberry onto Freedom of the Seas originally, and knew 100% that it would be going away from me as I got back on the ship in Sint Maarten. So my only knowledge is of disembarking. I wasn't answering globally, I was just talking about what I was talking about.

and yes, either way, concealed in your checked baggage being on the participating airline program does not exempt anyone from that policy?

I'm getting really confused because your understanding of my words feels so off that I'm getting befuddled. So I don't feel I can respond exactly to this, but to the main concept of what I was talking about. Forgive me if it feels like I'm off topic or not being direct with you, but I am having a hard time getting what you're getting from my words. So it has to be.

They brought up the onboard checkin (such a fun program, especially when you have free checked bags like we often do). But they didn't really talk about it. What they said about it had no context and made no sense.

OK I'm now so lost in the twists and turns I can't speak further on it LOL. Not sure what just short-circuited but something did!



It all just speaks to what I've said a few times (so often I'm boring my own self), that what that rep said was from his own brain. And it shouldn't be taken seriously.

 

[bumbershoot]

And lastly, a wild thought. A word. A country.



Cuba.



Any thoughts on Cuba being some behind the scenes reason for all this? Cruises going there in the future...they make rum...maybe Disney has some weird twisted end game here.

I'm remembering the mystery building on Castaway, then the mystery increase in the cabana rental prices and the weird increase in cost of excursions on Castaway...then one day, aha, Bahamas now has a VAT. It was all done because of and for that tax, without explanations beforehand.

And I was thinking "what is changing, what is sudden and new and different, that could be causing a change in the way Disney does things on their cruiseline?"

And "Cuba" is what popped into my head.


Feel free to discuss how wrong I am.

 

[phinz]

I had been wracking my brains

<pedantic hat>Off topic, but thank you for knowing how to correctly spell the word "wracking" in this context. </pedantic hat> You made this former copy editor quite happy. Yeah, I'm the guy who reads the newspaper with a red pencil in his hand.

 

[over50visits]

<pedantic hat>Off topic, but thank you for knowing how to correctly spell the word "wracking" in this context. </pedantic hat> You made this former copy editor quite happy. Yeah, I'm the guy who reads the newspaper with a red pencil in his hand.

Copy editor? As in to boldly go...oops, never mind my reference to a shibboleth.

She did know the correct spelling of "wracking," although she likely was not trying to break her brain, thus the usage may not be correct.

 

[perditax]

Print media is dead; it's a mute point.










(I worked at a newspaper for 7 years, including editing copy.)

 

[cwdefouw]

I don't know if this has been suggested in the 20+ pages, but I would make sure when you fill out your "Guest" survey at the end of your cruise you note your disappointment. I believe there is a question about "Overall Satisfaction" or something like that. According to many, on this board, these surveys are taken very seriously. Enough dissatisfied surveys may get the point across & maybe get some sort of action.

My wife had this same thought, those who are cruising and are disappointed with this policy change. PUT IT ON THE COMMENT CARD!!!!! This seems to be single most important avenue of feedback for DCL, so do not forget to indicate your dissatisfaction.

We have been cruising exclusively with Disney since 2007, at least one cruise a year, sometimes two or three. That is not going to happen anymore. My extended family is looking to cruise next year, we will be looking at other options, in fact we decided last night that DCL will not even be on the list of options.

We personally have taken a lot of cruises using DVC points. I have held off on renting them and using cash, for two reasons... 1. It is so easy to just call DVC and pay my $95 and cruise.
2. I have been reluctant to rent due to the hassle and potential risk involved.

This and other recent changes at DCL have changed my mind. No more cruising on DCL at all. I can rent my points, pay cash on another line and still come out ahead.

DCL, you had a good run, but it is over now.

 

[lanejudy]

Why are they talking about confiscated booze anyway..? The CM took my husband out of context first. My husband was asking about the rum they'll be taking from us at every port stop in the southern caribbean - we are planning on buying many bottles of rare deliciousness that we can't get at home like we did last October. We won't have any yet when we go through those xray machines during embarkation, so it can't be held there.

I think part of the confusion here is that DCL has not made any official statement about booze bought IN PORT. The ONLY statements DCL has made pertain to wine and beer at embarkation and allowed to be brought on in port. It honestly sounds to me like the response your husband received was not addressing his actual question -- possibly because DCL has not made official statement yet about such a situation. Most here are assuming that DCL will hold purchases made in port; at this point that is an assumption and DCL has not confirmed or denied it, much less indicated how/when such purchases would be returned to the guest at the end of the cruise. Somethings we probably just need to wait a bit for more information...

I agree with C6PT7 -- "confiscated" booze, as in a bottle of liquor in checked or carry-on bags found at embarkation or "excess" beer/wine above the allowed amount, are likely to be held at the terminal and guests will be required to stop and pick it up themselves, much like any other confiscated item (irons, bottle warmers, power strips, etc.). It will be the guest's responsibility to retrieve their own belongings which were not allowed onboard. How purchases made during the cruise are handled remains to be seen (and it does appear that DCL maybe hasn't fully formulated that plan yet).

DCL at this point is only spitting back the approved company policy. They don't seem to be responding to other scenarios or related questions. As much as we all would like answers immediately, I think it's a bit of a waiting game to see what more info is released in coming days/weeks. I do feel for those who are PIF and plan to cruise this fall.

 

[AFamily]

I have not done it, but many ways, carry a water bottle on through security like you are drinking it, instead of water, fill it with any clear type of alcohol, rum, vodka, etc. Take a screw top bottle of wine, fill it with any dark liquor.

The water bottle trick may not work. On Carnival they took the water bottles out of your carry on and would shake them. Something about the way the bubble rise to the top of alcohol vs. water would tell them what was in the bottle. It got so bad with people trying to bring clear alcohol on board this way that earlier this year they banned bringing water and all other screw top drinks onboard. This sucks, but I do feel that they handled their new policy change properly. They stated that if you chose to cancel your cruise because of the new change that there would be no penalty charges and they also reduced the price of the cases of water you could have delivered to your stateroom.

 

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Well got my canned reply from Disney and these two things disappointed me even more....

"This type of alcohol beverage policy is not unusual in the cruise industry."

That's my problem Disney...I'm a HUGE Disney fan because Disney has always (to me anyway) been ABOVE the usual industry. Now with the DCL alcohol policy being the standard, prices for cruises and excursions steadily rising and the itineraries lacking in comparison to other cruise lines for some of the longer cruises along with your park ticket prices rising and dining prices rising, your statement of "Again, I am so sorry for any disappointment and hope these concerns will not affect your regard for Disney, as there is magic in the Disney name" has me wondering is there REALLY any magic left in the Disney name???

Until this change was posted my family as well as my sister and close friend were trying to figure out how we could add another Disney cruise in 2016/2017 on the Magic because I've made my family mad at the fact I have booked a NCL for 2016 and a RCL for 2017. However, this was one time I couldn't justify Disney's high prices (well for 2016 at least at the moment) because Disney didn't have the same itinerary we were looking at and the 7 day DCL cruise that they did have the same week for 3 cabins totaled $22,059 for 7 adults and 3 kids whereas NCL totaled $9,410 for 3 inside cabins for all 10 of us. Not to mention that's just my family...my friend that's going also has 3 cabins. As for our plans for 2017, I'm not confident that even when Disney itineraries & prices comes out that they can beat the pricing we have with RCL at the moment and based on 2014-2016 itineraries I doubt they will have too many Southern Caribbean sailings. I say all this to basically say yes some of us LOVE Disney however if Disney continues to become 'standard' and offer less it's pretty easy for folks like me to pick Disney far and few and venture out to other cruise lines.

 

[cub77cub]

Print media is dead; it's a mute point.










(I worked at a newspaper for 7 years, including editing copy.)

That would be a "moot" point

 

[ptcbass]

Well got my canned reply from Disney and these two things disappointed me even more....

"This type of alcohol beverage policy is not unusual in the cruise industry."

That's my problem Disney...I'm a HUGE Disney fan because Disney has always (to me anyway) been ABOVE the usual industry. Now with the DCL alcohol policy being the standard, prices for cruises and excursions steadily rising and the itineraries lacking in comparison to other cruise lines for some of the longer cruises along with your park ticket prices rising and dining prices rising, your statement of "Again, I am so sorry for any disappointment and hope these concerns will not affect your regard for Disney, as there is magic in the Disney name" has me wondering is there REALLY any magic left in the Disney name???

Until this change was posted my family as well as my sister and close friend were trying to figure out how we could add another Disney cruise in 2016/2017 on the Magic because I've made my family mad at the fact I have booked a NCL for 2016 and a RCL for 2017. However, this was one time I couldn't justify Disney's high prices (well for 2016 at least at the moment) because Disney didn't have the same itinerary we were looking at and the 7 day DCL cruise that they did have the same week for 3 cabins totaled $22,059 for 7 adults and 3 kids whereas NCL totaled $9,410 for 3 inside cabins for all 10 of us. Not to mention that's just my family...my friend that's going also has 3 cabins. As for our plans for 2017, I'm not confident that even when Disney itineraries & prices comes out that they can beat the pricing we have with RCL at the moment and based on 2014-2016 itineraries I doubt they will have too many Southern Caribbean sailings. I say all this to basically say yes some of us LOVE Disney however if Disney continues to become 'standard' and offer less it's pretty easy for folks like me to pick Disney far and few and venture out to other cruise lines.

Yeah it sounds like they are trying to be like other cruise lines instead of standing out anymore. Really sad.
If they would just allow one bottle of "spirits" per person all this would go away (for the most part).

 

[kaseyC]

Since I'm on one of the final cruises, even though I'm not a big drinker I've decided I'm going to stop in PC and pick up a bottle of this Fireball whiskey I keep hearing about, and some hard cider to chase it. Look out world.

I suggest you get some Rumchata to go with your Fireball. You can make yummy Cinnamon Toast shots!

 

[Ariel484]

Since I'm on one of the final cruises, even though I'm not a big drinker I've decided I'm going to stop in PC and pick up a bottle of this Fireball whiskey I keep hearing about, and some hard cider to chase it. Look out world.

Prepare yourself...it's called Fireball for a reason. It burrrrrrrns!

Good call on the chaser.