DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[Hernandez Family Cruisers]

What if you are paid-in-full, can't cancel without losing money and then find out that Disney has decided to make those special ticketed meet-and-greets a $25 per ticket charge? Or now those awesome kids clubs are only free until 5 PM and after that they are going to charge $10 a hour/per kid. Sure, you can still participate in those things, but it is going to cost you more.

DCL has the right to makes those changes at any time so keep any eye out for more. But guests also have the right to be upset by those changes (especially when we have already paid in full).

This is what I am most concerned about! I'm worried that Disney will start taking away or adding additional cost to things for my children! I consider myself a moderate drinker, so I will definitely be negatively affected by the alcohol policy change. However I am an adult and I will deal with my disappointment gracefully...well for the most part, as I'm sure there will be some pouting! I just don't want my children to have to deal with much disappointment on our cruise. Especially if it is because we can't afford a perk/service that had been included when we booked.

I have kept all of the exciting things I've found out from this board from them in order to avoid a let down if it doesn't happen (ex. Pajama party in the kids club, room service Mickey Bars, character breakfasts ect...) It would just be very difficult for our family if things were presented to the kids onboard that were now not included because of a policy change. We've budgeted for some additional spending onboard but not much! Alcohol is not in the budget, and I can live without that, but I don't want to feel too poor to be on a ship that I've paid SO MUCH to be on!

 

[darkwing818]

Since realistically I'm not going to cancel my cruise I would be happy with OBC. I did send off an email and mentioned "compensation" which might carry a bit more weight (doubt it) but we shall see.

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.

 

[jetskigrl]

I realize your post was meant to be funny but a person can't compare food to alcohol. Food is something we need to survive. Alcohol is just an extra.

As others have said, a buffet is not required. You can be fed in a single dining room with the same standard menu every day.

But still, swap that buffet for any of the other perks we have come to enjoy:

Want to see a movie in the theater...it is $5 now
Want to experience the Princess Meet and Greet - $25 a ticket now
Want to send your kids to the clubs - $10 a hour now.
Want to eat in a different MDR - $25 to eat in anything other than your one assigned dining room
Want room service - there is a per-item charge now (wait...we have to pay for a Mickey Bar now??)
Want an ice cream cone - there is a charge now
(and the list can go on and on)

There are so many ways that they can start charging for things that were previously free. The Alcohol policy is just one of them.

 

[hubbard53]

My wife and I decided that we will NOT be booking another cruise while aboard in November. There just isn't enough to justify the premium prices on DCL - no more 'free' alcohol, food is far from great (except Palo/remy), and the onboard entertainment gets stale if you cruise every year.

The tourism industry is picking up and there are many, many great options for high-end tourists - and for $5000 (the cost for my family to cruise 7 nights) there are some truly high-end, all-inclusive destinations that blow DCL out of the water.

 

[Hamitchell]

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.

This. Great Idea.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

You'd think so, but they probably won't.

And don't call me Shirley.


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

Ok, I admit, I am totally lost on this one.

I don't drink and would never even think about sneaking it on board, but just how do people do it exactly. It has got me curious.

 

[MousseauMob]

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.

I did hope that this would put a stop to the "all other lines nickle and dime you" comments, but alas, I've already seen it posted on another thread.

 

[starvenger]

Ok, I admit, I am totally lost on this one.

I don't drink and would never even think about sneaking it on board, but just how do people do it exactly. It has got me curious.

I'm just joking around. Don't worry about it

 

[hubbard53]

I'm just joking around. Don't worry about it

silly nerfherder...

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Ok, that fine. Buy really, to what lengths do people do to get the alcohol on the ship?

Oh, and I just remembered, during our last cruise my husband did buy a set of the Tortuga rum for decor in his basement. And we got some of the rum cakes that were oh so delicious. So people could not buy any rum from those stores any more?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok, that fine. Buy really, to what lengths do people do to get the alcohol on the ship?

Oh, and I just remembered, during our last cruise my husband did buy a set of the Tortuga rum for decor in his basement. And we got some of the rum cakes that were oh so delicious. So people could not buy any rum from those stores any more?

Yes, you can still purchase rum (and other spirits) in ports. Just now, as on other cruiselines, DCL will probably tag such purchases when you return to the ship and hold them until the end of your cruise. They will either be delivered to your room the last night or you pick them up on debarkation morning from a specified location (methods used on other cruiselines - not sure how DCL does it).

 

[wajones2]

I think you can still buy rum in ports, just now DCL will hold it for you and return it to you on the last night of the cruise....just like other cruise lines also do.

 

[tinkerone]

now that you mention it……wonder how much rum cake you need to eat to get a buzz. lol

 

[Julylady]

I honestly hope that all you cruisers who are troubled by the changes in policies vote with your feet by canceling your cruises and booking with another cruise line. DCL won't respond to all this hand wringing. They will respond when their bottom line is impacted. That is, when people stop taking DCL cruises.

 

[phinz]

Its not DEPENDENT!!! Its Disney being difficult for no REAL reason. Their pricing has made many very mad and limiting their services!

I can't figure out if you are agreeing with me or misreading what I said...

 

[phinz]

So I am assuming the sneaking of rum onto the ship will probably uptick quiet a bit?

Some of us already know how to do this easily, especially those who attended a large university that has dry campus and doesn't sell booze during football games...

I'm looking at you Vols fans.

 

[turtle27]

I'd love to know - what other cruise lines are non-smoking? I saw Celebrity mentioned but any others?

Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania, Costa, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Saga (although it is on balconies, but I can get away from that, I cannot when it filters through the entire ship), SeaDream Yacht Club, Thomson Cruises, Windstar

Notice they are all pricey :/, of course, not having an asthma attack due to second hand smoke from the casinos = priceless

 

[AquaDame]

So I am assuming the sneaking of rum onto the ship will probably uptick quiet a bit?

Good assumption. They will also be highly motivated to make it worth their trouble by drinking every drop rather than take it home...

 

[godde8ss]

I honestly hope that all you cruisers who are troubled by the changes in policies vote with your feet by canceling your cruises and booking with another cruise line. DCL won't respond to all this hand wringing. They will respond when their bottom line is impacted. That is, when people stop taking DCL cruises.

You are right, of course. Especially since I am pretty sure this policy change was made to make more money. I can't cancel, I am past my PIF date, which is the real issue here: Disney instituting a policy that affects the bottom line of cruisers already PIF and leaves them no option. However, I won't be booking another cruise with them, I have called Disney, and emailed. So, yes, wringing my hands here, but making sure the company hears it as well.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Ok, that fine. Buy really, to what lengths do people do to get the alcohol on the ship?

You'd be amazed at the creativity exhibited when people do this. A few have already been suggested on this thread.

BTW, I have a really high end wine corking tool available if anyone needs one (I'm out of foil however)