DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[Ofinn]

I'm having Deja vu... as mentioned, they tried this back in 2011... any chance we can all rally and blow up their email to get this changed back... AGAIN!?!?

DCL is seriously more expensive than other cruise lines... and I get that it's not apples to apples, but for those of us who have been loyal customers (6 cruises in 9 years), and have kids aging out (14 & 18), it wasn't going to take much for us to book elsewhere next time.

This is a big deal to us. Proverbial "straw."
Unless our income changes dramatically (lottery anyone?)... I don't see us on a DCL ship again. So sad.

We've are about to do our 10th in in less than 4 years so I completely understand. It's definitely getting harder to justify the Disney premium.

 

[Stinasmom]

It is obvious that you have not gotten to far into this 42 page thread before posting your comment.
karl.holz@disney.com is one of the suggested email address you could send your thoughts to.
read on a bit and to see more.

Thank you Johnny-on-the-spot, I did skip a couple pages but did see Karl Holz's email. Just thought I'd bring it up to motivate action.



Frankly, for some of the reasons I already mentioned, as well as some others have -- same ports, same shows, etc. Justifying another cruise is tough. I am very glad we did get to experience the Fantasy... that offered enough "new" and really spectacular amenities/changes over the classic ships.

But $8000 just to get your family of 4 on the ship... not to mention tips, shutters, Palo/Remy, excursions, and now almost all drinks...

Disappointed...

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Nearly 20 pages past the 2011 outcry.
I wonder if they are listening?

They'll only listen when the ships don't sell out.

 

[Ofinn]

Thank you Johnny-on-the-spot, I did skip a couple pages but did see Karl Holz's email. Just thought I'd bring it up to motivate action.



Frankly, for some of the reasons I already mentioned, as well as some others have -- same ports, same shows, etc. Justifying another cruise is tough. I am very glad we did get to experience the Fantasy... that offered enough "new" and really spectacular amenities/changes over the classic ships.

But $8000 just to get your family of 4 on the ship... not to mention tips, shutters, Palo/Remy, excursions, and now almost all drinks...

Disappointed...

I've been looking at the new ships on other lines. They look pretty spectacular....especially for kids that are in their teens like yours.

 

[TeenaS]

A friend asked me if you wrapped up a bottle of Jack in bubble wrap, then rolled it in clothes and packed it in a checked bag, would it be found? Do they scan every single bag before its brought on board?

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

 

[tinkerone]

What does "there's Magic in the name" mean anyway? It sounds like a fancy way of saying "we are resting on our laurels". Just doesn't sit right with me.

"there's Magic in the name" = "don't ask any questions". that's Disney double talk.

 

[NMMickeymom]

This seals the deal for us. We loved our 4 Disney cruises but also justified cruise cost by offsetting alcohol cost. We work hard and we play hard. We did a RCCL cruise last June that was amazing. More ports, great service, better prices, and as other's have mentioned aging kids (12 and 14). It was a good run. I'll continue to get my Disney Magic at the parks.

 

[goofymom74]

I think that this will make a PERFECT magnet for my stateroom door! SERIOUSLY

 

[bumbershoot]

They also told her that they would be collecting bottles of hard liquor purchased in ports and they would be returned the night before disembarking. So we can all party hard before they kick us off the ship the next morning. (I'm kidding. I'm kidding.)

It's what sometimes happens on other lines...

I'm having Deja vu... as mentioned, they tried this back in 2011... any chance we can all rally and blow up their email to get this changed back... AGAIN!?!?

I think that's what people are trying to do. Hoping people send emails to the normal email address so they can get the numbers in their stats and also to the higherups. Not just to the higherups.

 

[starvenger]

I've been looking at the new ships on other lines. They look pretty spectacular....especially for kids that are in their teens like yours.

Harmony of the Seas is looking quite nice actually. Having been on the Allure a couple of times I'm sure the kids would love this one too.

I think that's what people are trying to do. Hoping people send emails to the normal email address so they can get the numbers in their stats and also to the higherups. Not just to the higherups.

I did reply to the standard email I got back from whomever. Will try to escalate when the next one comes in.

 

[rantnnravin]

We have two cruises booked for 2016 (we are actually only taking one of them, but haven't decided which yet). We do buy the wine package, simply because it's easier since we have to fly in from NY and I can drink a LOT of wine. But this certainly puts a damper on us enjoying vodka and rum-based cocktails we mix in our room and enjoy on our verandah. We love the different rums we can pick up in ports and don't particularly enjoy the bars and nightclubs - not our style.
Here's the thing: if DCL continues to lean further into "not unusual in the industry", then there really is no reason for us to fly all the way to Florida for a cruise when the new(ish) NCL Breakaway sails right out of NY.
When I cancel cruise #2, I'll be sure to cite this policy change to "industry standard" as my reason.

 

[perditax]

While I 100% believe people should keep emailing and keep voting with their wallets, I don't believe DCL will back down a second time. And I believe drink packages will follow. And perhaps more a la carte menu items and food choices, such as the for-purchase candy store / gelato being added to the Dream next month.

Industry standard!

 

[Trera]

While I 100% believe people should keep emailing and keep voting with their wallets, I don't believe DCL will back down a second time. And I believe drink packages will follow. And perhaps more a la carte menu items and food choices, such as the for-purchase candy store / gelato being added to the Dream next month.

Industry standard!

agree ^^.

Also, as long as the rebook desk keeps taking place holder cruises by the hundreds every day...................Disney wont see the uproar of the vocal minority on this board as a reason to reverse course.

Unfortunately, I think carry on liquor is gone for good.

 

[RebelHawk]

We changed our mind about putting our money where our mouth is. We have a placeholder cruise currently booked with Disney that was sailing 19 Dec. I just emailed our TA letting them know we wanted to cancel it. We told her to provide the following reason for the cancelation to Disney.

“With the continued increase in prices for Disney cruise offerings and the reduction in perks that are being offered DCL is loosing the magic that made it stand apart from other cruise lines. If Disney wants to be inline with other “cruise industry standards” (speaking directly to the new alcohol policy) then the prices offered should be inline with comparable cruises offerings. If Disney chooses to reevaluate the recent bait and switch tactics by removing stated perks with little to no warning then we may reevaluate cruising with DCL in the future.”

I'll send that same message to customer service as well. So if anyone is looking for a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Fantasy 7 night Eastern Caribbean it will be available later today. Of course no real impact to us because we already have a concierge cruise for this Christmas on the Dream but that one is already PIF.

 

[tinkerone]

While I 100% believe people should keep emailing and keep voting with their wallets, I don't believe DCL will back down a second time. And I believe drink packages will follow. And perhaps more a la carte menu items and food choices, such as the for-purchase candy store / gelato being added to the Dream next month.

Industry standard!

agreed! being polyanna here, at least we won't have to listen to the "other cruise lines nickel and dime you" crap that is mentioned every time you even whisper another cruise lines name. theres good in everything.

 

[kaseyC]

While I 100% believe people should keep emailing and keep voting with their wallets, I don't believe DCL will back down a second time. And I believe drink packages will follow. And perhaps more a la carte menu items and food choices, such as the for-purchase candy store / gelato being added to the Dream next month.

Industry standard!

I agree. I don't see them backing down this time. Too much money at stake. Drink packages are definitely on the horizon. They are extremely popular on other lines and they are becoming an "industry standard".

 

[BooToYou7]

What does "there's Magic in the name" mean anyway? It sounds like a fancy way of saying "we are resting on our laurels". Just doesn't sit right with me.

I love Disney, but this line so arrogant it's almost offensive. "You'll pay double for our product just because it says 'Disney!'"

What happened to putting magic in the Disney product?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

This whole thing has just put a bad taste in my mouth. I am no longer excited about my upcoming trip, not because I can't drink (I still can, obviously) and not because this policy even affects me (it doesn't, really), but because this is just another example of how the brand I know and love is not what it used to be. I had heard that while things might be going wrong at the parks and elsewhere, DCL was a last remaining bastion of excellent Disney service. That's clearly not the case. These recent DCL changes, combined with a number of recent WDW changes I'm not too fond of either, make me think that perhaps the magic really is dimming. It makes me worry that the investment I made when I bought into DVC last year was a poor choice. I have been so excited about everything coming up...this trip I have planned...Star Wars...Toy Story expansion...changes to AK...and now....I don't know. These past few days I just haven't been able to raise the excitement anymore. What's the point of all the park expansions and the like if Disney customer service is gone?

 

[starvenger]

I agree. I don't see them backing down this time. Too much money at stake. Drink packages are definitely on the horizon. They are extremely popular on other lines and they are becoming an "industry standard".

I think the thing is that we would be fine with "industry standard" if the cruise prices were also in line with the "industry standard". But they are not, and thus we are not fine with it.

Forgot to mention that I specifically requested compensation in my email correspondence. I don't know if it will get me any further, but I will keep this board updated.