DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[Ofinn]

I would assume there have been a few incidents not just one or two, and when a decision is requested it has to go up and up for sign off and then they gave to put notices in cruise booklets bring dispatched to inform cruisers.

People that drink too much are going to do it regardless of wether they brought it on board or bought it at the bar. Its not going to change their behavior. Changing the alcohol policy is not going to affect a persons drinking habits on vacation. There are plenty of drunk people on other cruise lines that dont allow alcohol to be brought onboard.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

People that drink too much are going to do it regardless of wether they brought it on board or bought it at the bar. Its not going to change their behavior. Changing the alcohol policy is not going to affect a persons drinking habits on vacation. There are plenty of drunk people on other cruise lines that dont allow alcohol to be brought onboard.

But as posted before now they control it, all bars are closed by 2 am, they can stop selling booze to anyone by their card, the majority are safer for it, think health and safety. People buying vodka getting drunk on it vomiting and spreading bugs on deck 9 near the pools, then kids get ill.

DCL can control sales to anyone who appears drunk.

Plus those who do booze in an irresponsible way may be out off booking DCL.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

What I meant by abuse was failure to follow the rules regarding consuming the carried on alcohol in your stateroom, not abuse as in abusing alcohol. And yes, it absolutely has to do with liquor sales. If people followed the rules about consuming only in your stateroom and they wanted a drink by the pool, they would have to purchase it from the bar. But people were bringing mixed drinks with them to the pool area. There have been posts on here regularly about "how will DCL know what's in my cup if I carry my own mixed drink around?" And plenty of posters were unfortunately encouraging the practice by saying "they won't know, go ahead and ignore that part of the rule." When that part of the carry on policy is violated, it very much cuts into DCL's revenue from alcohol sales. And now the consequence which several of us have been warning about has come to pass.

I can't tell you how many times hubby & I would go to the adult shows and see people come in with 3 or 4 of their (obviously) own carried-on beverages. We brought our own mixed drinks in once not really having thought about it. But then when we were sitting there observing everyone around us and the servers finding less guests to serve because others have brought their own refreshments, we got to thinking maybe bringing our own to shows wasn't the most couthe thing for us to do. I think it does cut into the bar sales at shows especially those held in the night clubs. It's a very arguable thing. Where does it end? Can I bring a soda from the soda machines? Can I bring a cup of ice water because they won't charge for ice water, right? What about snacks??? Where do the lines get drawn? Maybe the shows should be in a different venue that doesn't impact a bar's sales? But, speaking strictly for the husband and myself, we decided to not bring our own alcohol into the night clubs even for shows because we felt bad for the servers trying to make a living. We'll often ask if there's drink specials or hubby will buy a canned soda while I get an ice water. We mostly consumed our carried-on liquor strolling the decks or in our stateroom. I preferred not to carry around my Tervis tumbler because I drink fast. I hated toting it around after I'd finished my drink.

 

[bethy]

Our PIF date for our very first cruise ever was 3 days ago haha. We are not big drinkers at all but do enjoy a few extra drinks while on vacation. We are used to resorts and thus are used to having to pay a bar tab at the end of our stay. Even though the numbers don't add up, my very frugal DH was very much looking forward to the nominal savings of mixing a couple of his own drinks. In principle it makes him feel good to save a bit of money here and there.

Also, as parents of young children we have to spend a lot of time in our room. We have 2 connecting balcony rooms booked and I am planning on spending plenty of quiet time sipping wine out on the balcony while my kids sleep and relax. For us, having our own wine and spirits is a matter of ease and convenience. I don't care for bars anyway and don't savor the idea of being forced to go there to get drinks. I don't not think it's fair at ALL that wine and beer are allowed but not spirits - especially on a Caribbean vacation where we are more inclined to have a fruity drink than we are at home. Also, my DH drinks whiskey occasionally and he is very particular about which brand, etc.

BTW, don't worry we haven't been drunk since our freshman year of college 25 years ago are we are responsible for 3 children so we won't be impacting our fellow cruisers' enjoyment or safety.

 

[tinkerone]

Royal Caribbean no longer charges corkage.

yes, thats why i included the rccl link. when i talked about the $25 fee i was talking about disney and not rccl.
sorry for the confusion.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hear you and agree with you.

Vomit of course can spread bugs on ships fast, health and safety.

Yep. I was glad it wasn't on the floor. Considering the boy couldn't stand up, I'm not entirely sure how he managed to get his face to the trash can. I did call down to Guest Services to tell them that trash can needed to be emptied.

 

[Sir William]

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

Perhaps if everyone who has issues with the new policy were to voice their concerns directly to DCL, instead of just complaining about it here, DCL might be persuaded to review the their position. May or may not change it, but we won't know if we don't do it.

 

[C6PT7]

I saw abuse of it by cruisers as per my previous posts. It's not money.

May I ask if you work for disney cruise lines? you seem to be posting with some sort of 'authority' or inside knowledge as to why they changed policy?

 

[apocalyps3]

Agree. For a long time now I have posted respect it or loose it, on some of these threads some people have pushed the boundaries and encouraged it, if not inflamed it. We have seen it time and again with DCL and these boards, a few here find a way to a use the perk and it goes! All we can blame is the abusers.

No, you can blame Disney too. As people like to point out, these "perks" aren't free. They're included in the price of your cruise. And yet... does anyone think this policy change (i.e. perk removal) will result in higher cost cruise or lower cost cruise?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yep. I was glad it wasn't on the floor. Considering the boy couldn't stand up, I'm not entirely sure how he managed to get his face to the trash can. I did call down to Guest Services to tell them that trash can needed to be emptied.

You handled it well.

May I ask if you work for disney cruise lines? you seem to be posting with some sort of 'authority' or inside knowledge as to why they changed policy?

This comment doesn't deserve to be answered.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I'm glad that I don't drink or smoke. I can see where it could be a problem on a Transatlantic or Panama Canal crossing, but is 2 bottles per adult not enough for a week? Serious question......How many bottles per person would be a good number?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

No, you can blame Disney too. As people like to point out, these "perks" aren't free. They're included in the price of your cruise. And yet... does anyone think this policy change (i.e. perk removal) will result in higher cost cruise or lower cost cruise?

Perks aren't free? Where has this booze perk been charged specifically.

It's a perk that was abused by cruisers and for security and health and safety was cut back.

There is a cruise fare covering food drink, shows the stateroom, service, the cost doesn't cost this perk.

If DCL doesn't call at a port re safety you do not get a refund.

If DCL changes a route re a storm or medical emergency you do not get a refund.

This policy change will not change the price of a cruise I think the majority will not change their drink habits and most are responsible and drink in moderation. The excessive drinkers may move on to booze cruises and we are all safer re no vomit no inappropriate behaviour.

 

[Sir William]

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

Exactly! No Dr Pepper? How uncivilized! Can't drink the other stuff they provide, so all I can do is go without for the week, and make do with something from the bar.

 

[over50visits]

....No, this is an economic decision. ....

As are all their decisions. But, I do not believe it is just "we'll make more money if we don't allow alcohol brought on board." I think they see losses due to more and more people abusing the old policy.

We have very frequent posters on this board openly talking about taking wine from home into the lounges and mixed drinks made of alcohol from home to the outside decks, with hidden hints as to how they sneakily do that. It seems to have become accepted to do this, and I believe Disney has realized this behavior by guests and has decided the perk is costing them money it shouldn't.

I wonder...people openly defend ordering several main dishes just to taste each one, and have the rest thrown away. Wonder when we'll see the day you must choose one main dish because of this type of behavior? It so, it will be an economic decision due to unwarranted wastage.

Despite some changes made to respond to some folks who aren't so nice, Disney still has a first class cruise experience offering, with mostly wonderful and friendly guests, and lots of extras the other lines don't have.

 

[tinkerone]

Perks aren't free? Where has this booze perk been charged specifically.

It's a perk that was a used by cruisers and for security and health and safety was cut back.

There is a cruise fare covering food drink, shows the stateroom, service, the cost doesn't cost this perk.

If DCL doesn't call at a port re safety you do not get a refund.

If DCL changes a route re a storm or medical emergency you do not get a refund.

where in heavens name are you getting that from? i have yet to see any proof that it is for health and safety and not a numbers game. if you have something to prove this please share as several of us will be interested, i'm sure.

 

[kathi]

DISNEY FANTASY - Show me somewhere that an official Disney announcement said this is for health, safety and security?

 

[apocalyps3]

Perks aren't free? Where has this booze perk been charged specifically.

It's a perk that was a used by cruisers and for security and health and safety was cut back.

There is a cruise fare covering food drink, shows the stateroom, service, the cost doesn't cost this perk.

If DCL doesn't call at a port re safety you do not get a refund.

Is this a serious question? All costs of a cruise are wrapped into whatever price you pay. So you don't pay for the perk as a line item on your bill, but don't be confused... you are paying for it. You don't pay directly for that guy who washed your dishes in the back of the kitchen, but trust that he's getting his portion of your cost.

That's been the argument FOR Disney Cruises. The cost is often higher than other cruise lines, but its worth it because you get all these other perks. Without them, how do you justify the extra cost?

btw, just because you say its for security and health and safety, doesn't mean that's actually true.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm glad that I don't drink or smoke. I can see where it could be a problem on a Transatlantic or Panama Canal crossing, but is 2 bottles per adult not enough for a week? Serious question......How many bottles per person would be a good number?

Typically if I open a bottle of wine I'll drink the whole thing. No, it doesn't make me a sloppy drunk. It makes me a little giggly but not drunk. It's just the way I roll.

 

[Ofinn]

But as posted before now they control it, all bars are closed by 2 am, they can stop selling booze to anyone by their card, the majority are safer for it, think health and safety. People buying vodka getting drunk on it vomiting and spreading bugs on deck 9 near the pools, then kids get ill.

DCL can control sales to anyone who appears drunk.

Plus those who do booze in an irresponsible way may be out off booking DCL.

A person can do a lot of drinking beween 11am and 2am lol. Arent most people asleep or passed out by 2am if they have been drinking all day. If dcl is worried about our health and safety they should just stop selling alcohol all together. I think a lot of people(responsibe drinkers) justified the higher cost of dcl by being able to save some money on drinks.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I'm glad that I don't drink or smoke. I can see where it could be a problem on a Transatlantic or Panama Canal crossing, but is 2 bottles per adult not enough for a week? Serious question......How many bottles per person would be a good number?

If I only had one glass of wine for each dinner, two bottles would almost get me through a seven night cruise. There are about three glasses in a bottle. You would probably need three bottles to comfortably have one glass of wine during dinner for a seven night. However, I have had an occasional night where my bottle of wine has magically disappeared on me. I can fairly easily drink a whole bottle in an evening and not be horribly drunk. I can feel it but it won't lead to a hangover the next day. DISCLAIMER: I do not drink frequently and probably have only been intoxicated twice this year (if that).