DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[ZephyrHawk]

Okay, I decided to play devil's advocate with myself and ask, "What am I paying out to DCL for these supposed 'perks'?" So, I'm already following up this upcoming cruise with a week-long WDW stay. So, what if I had instead decided to do 2 weeks at WDW instead of one week on a cruise. I think we can all agree that WDW has the same "magic" as DCL, so that "perk" would cancel out. Similarly, the airfares cancel out. The cruise costs include the basic cruise package, transfers, insurance (since we're going international), excursions, server tips, and dinner at Remy. The WDW extension would cost me a little extra for rooms (my remaining DVC points cover most of the extended stay), food for the week (I was generous in my estimations), dinner at Victoria & Albert's (I included gratuity), dinner at Hoop de Doo for the whole family, and ticket upgrades to DVC member Annual Passes for everyone. The verdict?

I'm paying nearly $3000 more to go on this cruise.

Now, why am I paying $3000 more? The ports are a wash to me as I've been to all but Castaway Cay before (and I don't really like beaches much). The food is probably regular cruise food (fine, but nothing earth shattering). The mystique of sailing? I grew up on boats, meh. The kid's clubs? The resorts have kids clubs too, plus I'm traveling with family I can pass the kid off to when I want adult time. Seriously, why am I bothering?

Good job, DCL. Your recent forays into poor customer service have made me re-examine all my previous choices. I now wish I hadn't booked you in the first place.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I second the above posters on trying Celebrity. My parents have sailed DCL, Celebrity, RCCL and CCL. DCL and Celebrity are their go to's and they are empty nesters. We have been meaning to try Celebrity with them but we like that we can drive to Port Canaveral. After I told my mom about the phone call she said. Really? Guess we will be on Celebrity from now on!

I think we will try out the other lines though based on what I have been seeing here - maybe even some of the new CCL ships. I think Celebrity will be first on our list though.

We really like Celebrity. Try an itinerary that DCL doesn't do, and that will really help shift your loyalties to Celebrity.

 

[bumbershoot]

Somewhere in a big office or conference room somewhere overpaid executives are sitting there with a report from Guest Services on the number of complaints, social media data, shrug their shoulders and say " this too shall pass..."

As will my future cruise fares, pass on to a different line that values my business!

Cheers

And I just found out that they are getting rid of the arcades on at least two ships. I can't even tell my son about this. He won't ever step foot on a Disney ship again; he's still reeling from the elimination of Starcade at Disneyland and me telling him about the arcades at WDW. Those were FUN for him!

 

[MousseauMob]

And I just found out that they are getting rid of the arcades on at least two ships. I can't even tell my son about this. He won't ever step foot on a Disney ship again; he's still reeling from the elimination of Starcade at Disneyland and me telling him about the arcades at WDW. Those were FUN for him!

Oh no! Which two ships and when?

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh no! Which two ships and when?

http://disboards.com/threads/dcl-removing-arcades-from-ships.3442997/

Magic (now) and Dream.

 

[AquaDame]

What line/ship are you referring to? I have 2 January cruises booked on the Magic for our family (b2b) and I am going to look around.

Of course! Since we were locked in on dates due to airfare I was stuck with my choices.... it had to leave from San Juan and it had to either be the day we arrived or the next day which is when we were going to sail on the Wonder. If Celebrity had sailed Sunday I probably would have gone with them, but RCCL was the one leaving on Sunday and I decided I didn't want the stress of worrying about flight delays. We'll be sailing Jewel of the Seas which is admittedly an older ship due for her drydock soon after but then so is the Wonder.

I'll get to be in Barbados on my birthday instead of Grenada and my husband is pumped to go to St Maarten and see the planes from the beach. I'll have to see Martinique another day is the only downside for us.

 

[littleblackegg]

http://disboards.com/threads/dcl-removing-arcades-from-ships.3442997/

Magic (now) and Dream.

The only games that were removed so far were the ones that gave prizes, points, or tickets to exchange for prizes. This was to comply with 2015 Florida law. I'm not sure if they are removing all of the arcades. Seems silly to take out all games, though.

 

[turtle27]

I was trying to find my photo I secretly took of this woman, because I thought this was so incredibly crazy, but no luck. Will keep looking. A few cruises back we saw a lady in a bathing suit dropping off a large, clear plastic bag full of Disney Christmas ornaments (presumably with the Mickey Mail people). At the time, I did not know this wasn't an advertised service, nor did I know they didn't charge for it. This was a giant bag of ornaments! When I explained to my husband that DCL had staff to "sign" items as the various characters for kids he did not believe me. At the time, I thought this was a service families paid for. I didn't know you could just drop off 50 Christmas ornaments and they would personalize them for free. I can see how DCL would need to cease this service unless they could find a way to break even.

I am surprised they let her have that many items signed. It had long been DCL's policy that only 2 items per stateroom would be signed. Which, then leads me to question, why they got rid of the service, since they could, in all actuality put a number on how many items needed signing. Now, the type of item had not been limited as of yet (and yes, some of the items people were bringing were getting crazier), but that could have easily been limited as well, photo mats (sold in Shutters), t-shirt, pillowcase, nothing breakable, you get whatever characters are available. But no, DCL is saying it was getting out of hand, after limiting it to 2 items per stateroom.

This extra service was a fun way to bring home a unique memento. I don't think the majority of people were abusing it, but DCL could have limited it more, they just choose to take it away.

DCL is getting closer to being more in line with other discount lines with a luxury price. Looking again at cruises leaving next summer that maybe don't go to all the ports we want, but are on lines that haven't now disappointed us with the stellar lack of customer service and total disregard for paid in full customers. But that is just my .02.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The only games that were removed so far were the ones that gave prizes, points, or tickets to exchange for prizes. This was to comply with 2015 Florida law. I'm not sure if they are removing all of the arcades. Seems silly to take out all games, though.

Here's a little more reading on the subject:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-claw-machines-20150110-story.html

 

[over50visits]

The only games that were removed so far were the ones that gave prizes, points, or tickets to exchange for prizes. This was to comply with 2015 Florida law. I'm not sure if they are removing all of the arcades. Seems silly to take out all games, though.

Not sure if Disney ship actions are to comply with Florida law (and to my knowledge Disney has not made any statement explaining), which of course has no authority outside Florida. I believe the Orlando Sentinel had some articles on Disney World arcades, but of course that doesn't help with a DCL discussion.

I'm a bit surprised they took out a profit center on the ship, since everything they do seems to be designed to increase income, not decrease it. Of course, games that give prizes at least at first glance have less profit than those that don't!

 

[littleblackegg]

Not sure if Disney ship actions are to comply with Florida law (and to my knowledge Disney has not made any statement explaining), which of course has no authority outside Florida. I believe the Orlando Sentinel had some articles on Disney World arcades, but of course that doesn't help with a DCL discussion.

I'm a bit surprised they took out a profit center on the ship, since everything they do seems to be designed to increase income, not decrease it. Of course, games that give prizes at least at first glance have less profit than those that don't!

I think they are just taking out the prize/token/point machines to comply with the new draconian FL laws.

 

[bumbershoot]

I can see how DCL would need to cease this service unless they could find a way to break even.

All they had to do was comply with their stated rules. They didn't have to destroy the whole thing. I'm repeating myself at this point. Disney has a history of going overboard. First they go overboard with GIVING things to people, then they realize that it can't continue at that pace, and then they take it ALL away. They don't know what moderation is.

"I'm sorry ma'am, there can only be two ornaments signed per person, per sailing, and the person needs to drop the items off in person". How hard is THAT? Easier than "no one gets to do it EVER."

The only games that were removed so far were the ones that gave prizes, points, or tickets to exchange for prizes. This was to comply with 2015 Florida law. I'm not sure if they are removing all of the arcades. Seems silly to take out all games, though.

Starcade at DL is gone, as far as anyone knows.

And I didn't say otherwise with WDW. I said that I told my son "about" them.

Kids LOVE the tickets, by the way. Those peeve me, and I have little problem with him playing Flying Ace or whatever, or even the boardwalk games at DCA. But I let him play because he has so darned much FUN with them. So the removal of those at WDW is really sad for him and for his cousins.

It's all just SAD.

 

[littleblackegg]

All they had to do was comply with their stated rules. They didn't have to destroy the whole thing. I'm repeating myself at this point. Disney has a history of going overboard. First they go overboard with GIVING things to people, then they realize that it can't continue at that pace, and then they take it ALL away. They don't know what moderation is.

"I'm sorry ma'am, there can only be two ornaments signed per person, per sailing, and the person needs to drop the items off in person". How hard is THAT? Easier than "no one gets to do it EVER."



Starcade at DL is gone, as far as anyone knows.

And I didn't say otherwise with WDW. I said that I told my son "about" them.

Kids LOVE the tickets, by the way. Those peeve me, and I have little problem with him playing Flying Ace or whatever, or even the boardwalk games at DCA. But I let him play because he has so darned much FUN with them. So the removal of those at WDW is really sad for him and for his cousins.

It's all just SAD.

I totally agree.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Well, we had looked at the Fantasy out of PC or the Wonder out of Galveston for Thanksgiving. We had also looked at a couple options, but DCL has always been our go-to. Well, with this policy, we just decided to go with the Carnival Sunshine out of PC. It was less than half of the price of the Fantasy or Wonder, and that's a Verandah on the Sunshine vs. an inside on either DCL ship. This just kind of pushed us over to CCL for this one...

From what I've read on CC about the Sunshine I think you're going to enjoy it. We're doing the new Vista next summer in the Mediterranean, Shen then is doing a TA in the fall and will be porting in Miami. She looks like an amazing ship with a really cool Havana Cabana area on deck 5 aft. Her slightly larger sister is due to start sailing in 2017 or 2018. CCL is really stepping up their game and after reading actual reviews I'm realizing they aren't nearly like I've been led to believe they are.

 

[MousseauMob]

I don't believe the arcades are being removed because of Florida laws. Other cruise lines have casino's and they have no problem adhering to port rules. DCL already have their shops closed while in port, the arcade could have done the same. I believe for whatever reason, they didn't feel the arcade was worth the space and are repurposing the space for something else they feel is more profitable or more important/needed.

 

[gismo1554]

I don't believe the arcades are being removed because of Florida laws. Other cruise lines have casino's and they have no problem adhering to port rules. DCL already have their shops closed while in port, the arcade could have done the same. I believe for whatever reason, they didn't feel the arcade was worth the space and are repurposing the space for something else they feel is more profitable or more important/needed.

Agreed. I think they were never that full and therefore weren't making enough money whereas on the Magic they could definitely make more with Bibbiddibobidi boo (which I know isn't going in the space but by moving around things they can fit this and the concierge lounge easily)

 

[littleblackegg]

I totally agree.

I was also thinking about this last night. I know all Disney costumed characters are on a contract that specifies their duties and most of them are part of a union. This includes the cruise line entertainers. The signing of autographs is part of the usual "on stage" duties of the land-based characters. I wonder who did it on the ships? Maybe a steward specifically hired for the job? Do you think there was like a little crafts room where they cranked out the signatures? Could that have been in conflict with the usual performance duties of the actors? I have seen union contracts blow up over who put a few bricks somewhere. I'm wondering if this situation was more than about excess pillowcases. I do not know for sure, nor do I have any advance knowledge of the entertainer's contracts. I am also intelligent enough to know that all complex situations are multifactorial. It was something that came to me while watching the extra discs that came with The Hobbit.

 

[turtle27]

I was also thinking about this last night. I know all Disney costumed characters are on a contract that specifies their duties and most of them are part of a union. This includes the cruise line entertainers. The signing of autographs is part of the usual "on stage" duties of the land-based characters. I wonder who did it on the ships? Maybe a steward specifically hired for the job? Do you think there was like a little crafts room where they cranked out the signatures? Could that have been in conflict with the usual performance duties of the actors? I have seen union contracts blow up over who put a few bricks somewhere. I'm wondering if this situation was more than about excess pillowcases. I do not know for sure, nor do I have any advance knowledge of the entertainer's contracts. I am also intelligent enough to know that all complex situations are multifactorial. It was something that came to me while watching the extra discs that came with The Hobbit.

Good point, very possibly. I am sure the party line is that it was getting too cumbersome, and just to clarify, it was two items per stateroom, not guest. No matter if you had 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5+ in a room (always thought this sucked for larger families and I don't have kids!). Anyhow, I am sure 100% of the decisions DCL makes are not just for 1 thing or because of 1 thing, they probably have 60 reasons for discontinuing the service. I would also say, as much as I hate to, that the new alcohol policy probably is not just ALL about $$, I am 100% sure that the $$ is a huge factor, but there were probably other factors, that could be due to insurance, maybe there were just 1 too many instances of the stolen FE bottles, or maybe just quite a few complaints from others near the staterooms of those imbibing a bit too much.

I have heard (through a third party and I have not personally verified, full disclosure) that if you are past your PIF date, that they are allowing you to cancel with no penalty. Of course, they have yet to offer to reimburse for other nonrefundable items purchased outside of the cruise (not sure if you booked air through them if that would be covered too). And, this is a bit of a hollow offer, as they have to know that with most of us affected by the new policy after the PIF date, that there are way too many factors in motion to just not cruise because of the new policy. My DM and I were discussing this again last night, and she thinks they could have handled this with the PIF guests with a simple, we know this is inconvenient to you and as a measure to correct what was an oversight on our end, here is a credit for drinks for each person over 21 in your party. They could even base the amount on the length of the cruise. That would have been good customer service, instead of the middle finger I feel we all received.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

always thought this sucked for larger families

They did allow those rooms with 3 children to submit 3 items, so some leeway was given.

the $$ is a huge factor, but there were probably other factors,

Yes.

 

[littleblackegg]

Good point, very possibly. I am sure the party line is that it was getting too cumbersome, and just to clarify, it was two items per stateroom, not guest. No matter if you had 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5+ in a room (always thought this sucked for larger families and I don't have kids!). Anyhow, I am sure 100% of the decisions DCL makes are not just for 1 thing or because of 1 thing, they probably have 60 reasons for discontinuing the service. I would also say, as much as I hate to, that the new alcohol policy probably is not just ALL about $$, I am 100% sure that the $$ is a huge factor, but there were probably other factors, that could be due to insurance, maybe there were just 1 too many instances of the stolen FE bottles, or maybe just quite a few complaints from others near the staterooms of those imbibing a bit too much.

I have heard (through a third party and I have not personally verified, full disclosure) that if you are past your PIF date, that they are allowing you to cancel with no penalty. Of course, they have yet to offer to reimburse for other nonrefundable items purchased outside of the cruise (not sure if you booked air through them if that would be covered too). And, this is a bit of a hollow offer, as they have to know that with most of us affected by the new policy after the PIF date, that there are way too many factors in motion to just not cruise because of the new policy. My DM and I were discussing this again last night, and she thinks they could have handled this with the PIF guests with a simple, we know this is inconvenient to you and as a measure to correct what was an oversight on our end, here is a credit for drinks for each person over 21 in your party. They could even base the amount on the length of the cruise. That would have been good customer service, instead of the middle finger I feel we all received.

They have stated they are increasing the characters and the character visit times, so hopefully this will be sufficient.