DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[Quellman]

Here we go again. I think this lasted a day or two in 2011. I was surprised they caved in to the pressure last time. Doubt they will this time... one more reason to investigate other options.

Folks will have to keep this up for a while instead of hitting it as a flashpan spark. But of course remain civil and kind. Based on other responses the poor people on the front lines are getting blindsided and an earful!

 

[RebelHawk]

This isn't going to be the straw that broke the camels back for us but I did just get off the phone with shore side concierge and let them know that I wasn't pleased about this policy change. Of course since we aren't willing to cancel our cruises I'm sure that call will not effect any change to the policy.

 

[cgolf]

This will change nothing for us, except now I may not even buy the 1-2 drinks a cruise we get. Not really a big deal for us, only had maybe 1 drink average a day for the 2 of us, we cruise for the ship and like to remember it

 

[mmouse37]

I wonder how long it will take for the free soda to go poof as well

Free soda on DCL was not always free....in the early years of DCL you had to buy a soda package if you wanted soft drinks outside the dining rooms.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

So in order to be more in line with Carnival for example, will they start charging for soda too? Don't be surprised if that's next!

They did used to charge for soda.

MJ

 

[Hernandez Family Cruisers]

I don't understand those who say people abused the old policy. You can't abuse a policy with practically no restrictions! They abused the alcohol, either brought on from home or purchased in bars (no one can tell the real difference by the time it gets out of hand). It's my belief the change is a profit driven one.

And the same people who abused the alcohol/policy are the same ones who will be looking at ways to "get around" or abuse this new one. While DCL will likely see some increased profit they will also have to spend more time/resources enforcing their policy!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't understand those who say people abused the old policy. You can't abuse a policy with practically no restrictions! They abused the alcohol, either brought on from home or purchased in bars (no one can tell the real difference by the time it gets out of hand). It's my belief the change is a profit driven one.

And the same people who abused the alcohol/policy are the same ones who will be looking at ways to "get around" or abuse this new one. While DCL will likely see some increased profit they will also have to spend more time/resources enforcing their policy!

The "abuse" comes when those few restrictictions are ignored. All DCL asked was that any alcohol you bring onboard NOT be consumed in public areas, with the exception of wine/champagne brought to the dining rooms.

It's abuse, when you don't follow the requested policies. Taking "just one glass of wine" from your room, or sneaking pours from your beach bag by the pool or on the beach at Castaway Cay, or pouring in your room into a DCL supplied glass so you can carry it around the ship is abusing the policy.

Yes, those who abused in the past are most likely the one who will be looking for a way around the system. Many cruise lines deal with those people.

 

[cgolf]

They did used to charge for soda.

MJ

While the alcohol policy will not drive us away, turning into a cruise line that charges for everything will. We like the fact that we can spend very little above our room credits on a cruise. This isn't necessarily a step in that direction, but I do have my eyes fully open now.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

They did used to charge for soda.

MJ

I don't really have an issue with being charged for soda (yes, we do purchase sodas in lounges/bars onboard besides using the drink station), but I hope the policy of being able to bring our sodas/water onboard doesn't change. DCL doesn't offer the sodas we prefer to drink, so we tend to bring a few along.

 

[C6PT7]

okay, you saw officers and security deal with a problem. what does that have to do with your quote ofI t's a perk that was a used by cruisers and for security and health and safety was cut back. you stated that as a fact. where is your proof? maybe one of your friends told you and you can't reveal your source???? lol.

Maybe you have to be BFF's with the president of the cruise line to be privy to this kind of information?

 

[littleblackegg]

My husband is an Eagle Scout. For real. I am slightly more devious but I have no game. We would hand over our fake wine and start begging for forgiveness. I can't see us pulling this off unless it was part of an elaborate kitten rescue scheme.

 

[AquaDame]

Email sent - very polite, thanked them for allowing beer/wine but voiced my concern re: rum. Also questioned their baggage policy and how they would deal with any potential bottle breakage as we are planning on dropping quite a bit on nice rum in Barbados to bring home. We'll see if I also get a form letter back....

PS - also requested more beer options, because how things are currently? Eww.

 

[turtle27]

That is the lamest response!

What is worse, it appears all of us that wrote in are getting the same response.... Now that just ticks me off. I loathe canned responses. Have a human with a WORKING brain read and respond thoughtfully, not patronizingly, not to pacify me, but with some thought. **edited out a comment about Disney taking customer service lessons from the IRS.

 

[Quellman]

What is worse, it appears all of us that wrote in are getting the same response.... Now that just ticks me off. I loathe canned responses. Have a human with a WORKING brain read and respond thoughtfully, not patronizingly, not to pacify me, but with some thought. **edited out a comment about Disney taking customer service lessons from the IRS.

The problem is the front line workers only have the canned response. What needs to happen is an outpouring of contact now. Then again in another week when Disney has had time to ignore it. Then again another week after. It will be easy to ignore the first few days of calls, in fact it is probably expected. But for those who want to voice their complaint, they need to keep doing it. Just as they should for the early hot tub closure or any other aspects they feel compelled to voice their concerns about, like the number of open houses).

 

[Sure]

My family and I set sail on the Fantasy on Sept 26. We just made it.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

They did used to charge for soda.

MJ

Free soda on DCL was not always free....in the early years of DCL you had to buy a soda package if you wanted soft drinks outside the dining rooms.

MJ

True. And if I remember my Disney contract history correctly, when they were negotiating the contract with Coca Cola to be the official supplier to their theme parks and resorts, supplying DCL was a toss-in to help seal the deal. After that, soda on board became free.

 

[El Cid 94]

I will be interested to see what other options you find that let you bring liquor aboard - I don't think any of the major cruise lines do...

Agreed. My point is that if the value and little perks that keep me loyal keep going away... so goes my loyalty.

 

[Ofinn]

I will be interested to see what other options you find that let you bring liquor aboard - I don't think any of the major cruise lines do...

I could drink 3k worth of alcohol on ncl and it would still cost less than a dcl cruise.

 

[kaseyC]

Some of us current (and possibly future) NCL fans have been having a mostly civilized chat over here:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...ell-my-house-lol.3431580/page-9#post-54258284

Middle pages may contain some sniping/doomsaying from DCL defenders, but returns to civilized later in the thread.

Funny thing is one particular doomsaying defender has not made a peep on this thread.

 

[apocalyps3]

Not that I think it will make any difference, but once you receive the standard reply from Disney customer maybe including Karl Holz (president of DCL) and Anthony Connelly (Senior VP of operations) in your reply (or BCC like I did) may help get attention. Probably not, since even many fellow cruisers seem to have no sympathy either, but worth a try.

Not sure if posting email addresses is allowed, but if you google their names they are easily found (hint: firstname.lastname at disney.com).