DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I understand the business model. I don't understand why other cruisers not directly affiliated with Disney actively defend them when they are taking away something popular from fellow cruisers. The "it doesn't impact me, so I don't care" mindset is a slippery slope. Like you said, they'll take away anything they think they can get away with. If no one ever criticizes them for bad decisions (even if you're not directly impacted) they'll just take and take until their just like every other cruise line out there. I would be critical of them for removing free soda and ice cream even though I don't use either of those perks.

It's gone by " abuse by fellow cruisers" same as other things in the past.

We had unlimited internet in the past until people here organised groups to log in and use one package as a group.

There was REAS the romantic escape at sea package an wedding add on, until someone here said book it as you get advance booking for palo and shore trips then cancel it post your booking window pay nothing and keep the perks.

 

[DisUniversal]

I wouldn't say it's *just* what justifies the higher cost. It is a factor. If you're looking for things that sets DCL apart from other cruise lines, this list is shrinking while the difference in prices are not. So what exactly are you paying more for with Disney? The chance to meet Mickey?

True. It is one of the many things that not only justify the higher prices to me, but also when I'm trying to convince someone else to pay the extra $$$ to take a Disney Cruise. Other than the BYOB policy, that also includes no charge for sodas, no charge for kids clubs after a certain hour and minimal upcharge restaurants. The list does appear to be shrinking...any others I've missed?

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

You would seriously cancel a cruise over a change like this?

No, if you had read my post above that one, I already said I have never brought alcohol on before and had no future plans to do so. (I am not a big drinker.) However, I would be annoyed if DCL changed any policy that affected my budget for a cruise a month before the cruise left, and for some people I think this could dramatically affect their cruise budget. I believe the official policy always said "subject to change," so DCL can always point to that; however, it would have been much more courteous of them to change the policy for cruises currently outside the cancellation window in case anyone did have that big of an objection due to it changing their budget.

 

[Sanchez]

It's gone by " abuse by fellow cruisers" same as other things in the past.

We had unlimited internet in the past until people here organised groups to log in and use one package as a group.

There was REAS the romantic escape at sea package an wedding add on, until someone here said book it as you get advance booking for palo and shore trips then cancel it post your booking window pay nothing and keep the perks.

You keep saying that the policy change is related to abuse. I assume that is the default position that DCL apologists take. If logic is applied the only reasonable conclusion is that the primary basis for this decision is to increase the bottom line.

Also, why do so many continue to utilize the term free when it comes to soda? I am thinking that people do not understand the meaning of that word.

 

[kathi]

I agree completely that the prior alcohol policy helped me "sell' DCL to reluctant future cruisers. Not because any of them are crazy drinkers, but because it's a really nice perk that treats people like responsible grown-ups. DCL cruises are significantly more than other lines and this perk really made a difference when getting people to pick DCL over another similar line (RCL, NCL and Celebrity, for example). I do not buy that this is to stop public drunkenness. Maybe there are issues once in a while on DCL - but in all my years sailing I have only seen ONE unruly person (and it was a woman in Oh La La).

 

[apocalyps3]

Also, why do so many continue to utilize the term free when it comes to soda? I am thinking that people do not understand the meaning of that word.

You'll understand it better next year when they eliminate the "free" soda, but don't lower the cost of the cruise.

 

[perditax]

(This is completely an aside and not relevant to me personally, because I hate soda, but I feel like I've read a lot of reports lately of the soda mixes at the drink stations being pretty gross.)

 

[MagicMe]

The last two changes in policy don't really effect me. I always bought my drinks at the bars and only occassionally brought a bottle of wine but always to dinner paying the corkage fee.

However, my main concern is that DCL seems to continually raise prices at alarming leaps while elminating many of the small "perks" that I often used to justify these prices. As someone stated previously, it's not just this perk but how they are collectively slowly eliminating those things that helped to set them apart.

More than likely I will continue to cruise DCL but I do find myself now beginning to look at other cruise lines for future cruises.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

You keep saying that the policy change is related to abuse. I assume that is the default position that DCL apologists take. If logic is applied the only reasonable conclusion is that the primary basis for this decision is to increase the bottom line.

Also, why do so many continue to utilize the term free when it comes to soda? I am thinking that people do not understand the meaning of that word.

It's the " truth" there are conspiracy theories on increasing booze sales but if fellow cruisers buy a lot of Russain vodka and booze with other bring on board booze and mix it, and drink on deck 9 to the limit of bring a serious disruptive group that security and officers are called and potential damage to ship property occurs they have every right to ban it completely.

PS At no point on this thread did I refer to soda, let alone free soda so I am not sure why you incorrectly quote me on that?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

(This is completely an aside and not relevant to me personally, because I hate soda, but I feel like I've read a lot of reports lately of the soda mixes at the drink stations being pretty gross.)

They are weak.

 

[FLVacationGirl]

I was actually looking forward to having a bottle of Grey Goose in my stateroom and having one or two drinks a day, mixed with tonic water and lime and then purchasing a drink or two at the pool and at dinner. SUCH a small perk, but a perk none-the-less. I don't drink wine or beer. Vacation is the only time I have a few drinks. I sold this as a perk to the family member paying $34k+ CDN for our group to cruise, telling him he could have a bottle of Crown in his concierge stateroom. This definitely isn't the only reason we cruise DLC, but we cruised DCL because there were perks to justify the higher cost and some of the perks are slowly disappearing.

With the Canadian dollar so low, I've already seriously considering pricing out other cruise lines for our Jan 2016 cruise and I think that this announcement will have me doing just that today. Why not.

 

[Neesy228]

Well, our cruise leaves two weeks after the policy takes effect, so that's a disappointment. We aren't big drinkers, but would take beer and rum on board for a pre-dinner or late night drink. It seems silly, and potentially time consuming for security, to distinguish between bottles of wine and bottles of liquor.

It also rubs me the wrong way that they continue to take away perks - whether I use them or not - because someone was using and enjoying them! The entire company has really developed a horrible attitude toward customer service vs profits. "We are Disney and people will visit/sail with us no matter what we do or how much we charge." It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

As our children get older, other options besides Disney open up to us and those companies will see more of our hard earned money - whether that's Universal or Carnival etc. I'm sure Disney won't care though, because there will always be another sucker..er, guest...waiting to hand them their wallet.

 

[JERME81]

I was actually looking forward to having a bottle of Grey Goose in my stateroom and having one or two drinks a day, mixed with tonic water and lime and then purchasing a drink or two at the pool and at dinner. SUCH a small perk, but a perk none-the-less. I don't drink wine or beer. Vacation is the only time I have a few drinks. I sold this as a perk to the family member paying $32k CDN for our group to cruise, telling him he could have a bottle of Crown in his concierge stateroom. This definitely isn't the only reason we cruise DLC, but we cruised DCL because there were perks to justify the higher cost and some of the perks are slowly disappearing.

With the Canadian dollar so low, I've already seriously considering pricing out other cruise lines for our Jan 2016 cruise and I think that this announcement will have me doing just that today. Why not.

Well said, it is a small perk but one that a lot of people enjoy.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

For me the overall environment and the entertainment. Yes I enjoyed the overall cruise I took on RCCL and yes I am cruising with them again, but the little Disney touches aren't there. And the entertainment - you may be "bored" with Disney's shows, but I can pretty much guarantee that if you had sat through RCCL's "City of Dreams" (a friend who left after the third song bought me a drink as "hazard pay" for sitting through the whole mess) you would be THRILLED to see DCL's entertainment again!

On Allure we were absolutely floored by the shows. Floored. Chicago??? I was completely into it! The ice show, the dive show, the Cirque-style show...all amazing and fantastic. Will have NCL Getaway's offerings to contrast next month.

I think for everyone the value varies for each family. Our boys are aged out of the teen clubs now. The Disney touches are nice, yes, but not worth that much to us. But, for some it's what they need and that's not wrong. Hubby & I were just talking about the rising prices vs. value for us. Whereas we used to be full-on into it, now we're questioning it. We want to try some other cruise lines to find out for ourselves where we stand.

 

[JERME81]

Well, our cruise leaves two weeks after the policy takes effect, so that's a disappointment. We aren't big drinkers, but would take beer and rum on board for a pre-dinner or late night drink. It seems silly, and potentially time consuming for security, to distinguish between bottles of wine and bottles of liquor.

Can you imagine the chaos at the port especially for people who didn't know the policy changed?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

(This is completely an aside and not relevant to me personally, because I hate soda, but I feel like I've read a lot of reports lately of the soda mixes at the drink stations being pretty gross.)

The selection isn't all that great either. No Dr. Pepper? How does that even happen??? LOL! <--kidding again! No need to flame!

**RCIs Freestyle machines are mighty nice, though.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Can you imagine the chaos at the port especially for people who didn't know the policy changed?

There will be a note in the cruise documents sent out.

 

[Dug720]

On Allure we were absolutely floored by the shows. Floored. Chicago??? I was completely into it! The ice show, the dive show, the Cirque-style show...all amazing and fantastic. Will have NCL Getaway's offerings to contrast next month.

I think for everyone the value varies for each family. Our boys are aged out of the teen clubs now. The Disney touches are nice, yes, but not worth that much to us. But, for some it's what they need and that's not wrong. Hubby & I were just talking about the rising prices vs. value for us. Whereas we used to be full-on into it, now we're questioning it. We want to try some other cruise lines to find out for ourselves where we stand.

I wasn't saying anything was wrong with looking at other lines.

Chicago? Yawn. Been there, done that ON BROADWAY. Open up the theatre to newness on Broadway already and quit stunt casting. I would never spend cruise-time on a Broadway show as I can see any of the ones running (none of which I would want to see on a ship are currently running ON a ship). I don't do ice shows, and I find circus/cirque things boring.

But that doesn't make one of us wrong and one of us right. We just have different interests in cruising. Do I always go to the shows on DCL? Nope. But I like that I have a known entity as an option rather than someone's "oh let's throw these songs together and say this is the storyline" or a tired needs to be retired Broadway show as an option when I choose to go to the entertainment.

 

[mevans9066]

I emailed to voice my concern and disappointment to the new policy that effects our first cruise with little notice. It's not the only reason we chose DCL but it helped offset the super high cost for this family of 4 to know we could save by having a few cocktails on our own in between buying them by the pool! And no we aren't alcoholics either! But we are part of the cruisers who don't drink beer or wine, so that's a downfall there too! I viewed it as one of the many things that set them apart, but it seems lately lots of those things are vanishing. But here's the response I got from Disney i thought I'd share


8/17/15

Dear Miranda:

Thank you for your recent e-mail and your thoughts around our alcohol
policy.

We regularly evaluate our policies and procedures and have recently
changed our alcohol beverage policy to limit the amount and types of
alcohol Guests may bring onboard in our home- and out-ports.

Effective for cruises embarking on or after September 30, 2015, Disney
Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles
of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no
larger than 12 ounces) on board in their carry-on luggage at the
beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call. This type of alcohol
beverage policy is not unusual in the cruise industry.

Additional information on our policies can be found on our website at:https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...aring-for-your-cruise/alcohol-onboard-policy/

Again, thank you for your comments and concerns.

Sincerely,

Joseph Paris
Executive Correspondent
Disney Cruise Line

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

There will be a note in the cruise documents sent out.

You assume people read their documents.