Norwegian Cruise Line bans almost all carry-on beverages (DCL Next?)

crazy4wdw

Moderator - Restaurant Board
Moderator
Joined
Jan 3, 2001
Messages
9,060
Norwegian Cruise Line bans almost all carry-on beverages (From Fox News Travel)

Wonder if DCL will be next?

If you’ve planned a cruise aboard Norwegian Cruise Line and you’re thinking of bringing along a six-pack of beer, or a can or two of soda, or a case of bottled water-- or even a single bottle of water-- then you'd better book a trip soon.

Beginning July 15, with just a few exceptions, if you sip it, slurp it, guzzle it, chug it, quaff it, imbibe it or just plain drink it, NCL insists that it must be bought on board, not brought on board.

The new beverage policy, which NCL has posted on its website, reads:

“Effective for sailings July 15, 2016 and beyond, guests are prohibited from bringing any beverages -- including liquor, beer and non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soda and juices -- on board either as carry-on or checked luggage…. Open beverages of any kind must be consumed or discarded at the security check-point, on embarkation day and at any port of call.”

NCL says the policy “reduces the need for individual time consuming screening and package inspection of large volumes of beverages.”

Of course, it also lets NCL charge for every drink besides tap water – and not at cheaper grocery store prices.

There are a few exceptions to the new rule:

--You are permitted to bring two sealed bottles (not boxes) of wine onto your ship. But be forewarned:

“They will be checked prior to embarkation and a corkage fee applied at that time of $15.00 for a 750 ml Bottle or $30.00 for a 1,500 ml Magnum bottle…. If guests do not wish to pay the corkage fee, the wine will be held onboard and returned to the guests at the end of the cruise.”

--Medically necessary liquids, like baby formula, will be permitted. But contact the cruise line before you set sail:

“Guests who have special needs or medical requirements should contact the access desk at accessdesk@ncl.com. Families with infants who require water for formula or milk should advise the security team during embarkation and those items will be inspected at the check point.”

NCL claims its new policy brings it in line with its competitors. That’s true for alcohol, but most other cruise lines – including Celebrity, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Princess – either permit guests to bring soft drinks and bottled water on board, or do not mention those items at all.

Last year, Carnival Cruise Line implemented a ban on most bottled beverages in an effort to keep passengers from smuggling alcohol disguised as bottled water aboard ships. In September, Disney changed its policy to limit the amount of alcohol passengers could bring on board to two bottles of wine or a six-pack of beer.
 
My guess is that DCL won't follow suit on the water and soda at least. Since soda is free on board DCL, there's no real incentive to prevent guests from carrying it on. NCL's model is to charge base fares so low that they just break even with a full ship and then make up the difference with up-charges. Now, anyone who wants soda on board needs to pay the up-charge. I see this change as in keeping with NCL's a la carte business model.
 
I agree with Jess, DCL is built around charging a premium for a mostly-inclusive experience. Inspection of bottles is a non-issue, they have to search the baggage anyway, whether they can allow it or not. It was only 11 months ago they announced the current policy as well, so I feel more time would have to pass before they decide whether it is something that needs further adjusting or not.

That said though, with the current cost-cutting mentality in Burbank anything is possible.
 
Can't see it happening. Different business models as already noted, hence why they have been able to raise fares by double digits for the last few years. And yes that generates a whole different discussion. DCL can get away with doing that, NCL wouldn't. It doesn't however mean that it is a bad product. Different yes. And no Mouse which is always a bummer when you park next to one. The new Breakaway class ships are wonderful. Getaway ranks only behind the Fantasy on our list of favourite cruises. We have Escape booked for summer 2017, 2A2K, $3k for a large balcony. DCL would run us over $6k for the same time. For an inside. That includes their ultimate beverage package. Now I don't really drink, but I can probably bottle enough stress and frustration from work over the next year to make me start.
 

My guess is that DCL won't follow suit on the water and soda at least. Since soda is free on board DCL, there's no real incentive to prevent guests from carrying it on. NCL's model is to charge base fares so low that they just break even with a full ship and then make up the difference with up-charges. Now, anyone who wants soda on board needs to pay the up-charge. I see this change as in keeping with NCL's a la carte business model.

True, soda and water are for the most part, free on DCL, but NCL is citing that people sneaking alcoholic beverages as being among the reasons for this change. That paves the way for other cruise lines to cite the same. Though banning bringing bevs won't really solve the smuggling issue. Not unless they go the TSA 311 route. My hope, however, is that DCL doesn't follow suit. I would like to see more of a premium perk distinction between DCL and other cruise lines besides the premium cost.
 
Wow! I see an influx of cancelations for NCL. That is a terrible rule, especially for the price good people who work hard pay to cruise on their line.
 
terrible rule, I hope DCL never does that

Well, part of their official line last year, other than the "it's for the children" farce, was that the alcohol policy change brought DCL "in line with its competitors" so now that their "competitors" are getting more Draconian, it's only a matter of time.
 
IF they do, I'd hope they would offer a competitively priced alcohol package (i.e. something better than the expensive wine package).

Of course, on our most recent cruise, we ended up with a no carry-on beverage policy anyway since two people at the port told us that it was fine to pack the wine in our luggage (as opposed to our carry on) and the wine was then confiscated by Disney because we didn't carry it on. Very disappointing since both people we asked at port were Disney representatives.
 
I don't see DCL doing this and to clarify the Carnival policy a bit. The banned all bottled beverages except 1 bottle of wine per person, they did however lower their bottled water bought on board to only $3.99/case of 12. They also allow you to bring cans of soda on board still. In addition to that, for the Vista in Europe right now, they are allowing any type of alcohol to be brought on board at all the ports.
 
Of course, on our most recent cruise, we ended up with a no carry-on beverage policy anyway since two people at the port told us that it was fine to pack the wine in our luggage (as opposed to our carry on) and the wine was then confiscated by Disney because we didn't carry it on. Very disappointing since both people we asked at port were Disney representatives.
Where were the "Disney representatives" at the port who told you it was fine to pack the wine in your checked luggage? I don't think I recall ever seeing anyone employed by Disney working at the port until after the luggage drop-off area. The porters are not Disney representatives.
 
NCL has been adding costs for a while now. I followed the board on another site for a while and determined the loyal NCL cruisers were the most unhappy of any of the cruise lines. They are constantly adding fees and new rules - much more than DCL. I don't imagine DCL ever following what NCL does.
 
Where were the "Disney representatives" at the port who told you it was fine to pack the wine in your checked luggage? I don't think I recall ever seeing anyone employed by Disney working at the port until after the luggage drop-off area. The porters are not Disney representatives.
Good catch. Often the porters will say that it's fine to put a luggage tag on a case of water and check it. It seems they think they are jeopardizing a nice tip if they say they can't take the checked beverages. But they are definitely NOT DCL employees.
 
NCL has been adding costs for a while now. I followed the board on another site for a while and determined the loyal NCL cruisers were the most unhappy of any of the cruise lines. They are constantly adding fees and new rules - much more than DCL. I don't imagine DCL ever following what NCL does.

I agree. I cruised NCL regularly before trying DCL and loving it. NCL cruisers love to complain about the famous NCL nickle and diming. (I personally factored the upcharges into the cost of my vacation, which is why I think of it as cruising a la carte. Pay for each item you want and not what you don't. I was surprised to find I preferred the inclusive DCL experience).
 
Just let it be a warning to all those trying to sneak in liquor onto DCL. They need to wise up before they ruin it for everyone. For the price of DCL I'd be seriously pissed if they started charging for sodas. I realize soda is a little thing but I like it and it's something I allow my kids only on vacation and special occasions.
 
Not surprised about the carry on policy (all the major lines have one - but most just don't enforce them), but the mandatory corkage fee is a bit over the top. Other cruise lines (including Disney) only apply the corkage fee if you open the bottle in a public venue. Paying an extra $15 to drink my wine in my cabin is out of line with "their competitors".
 
As a non-cruiser, how much would I expect to pay for a bottled water on a cruise? It is enough to make it worth the hassle of packing a case of water? That stuff is heavy.
 
Not surprised about the carry on policy (all the major lines have one - but most just don't enforce them), but the mandatory corkage fee is a bit over the top. Other cruise lines (including Disney) only apply the corkage fee if you open the bottle in a public venue. Paying an extra $15 to drink my wine in my cabin is out of line with "their competitors".
Well, Princess and Holland America also charge corkage on bottles above the allotted carry on allowance. Regardless of where you intend to consume it.
 
As a non-cruiser, how much would I expect to pay for a bottled water on a cruise? It is enough to make it worth the hassle of packing a case of water? That stuff is heavy.
Well the six pack is $9.00 and the 24 pack is $35.00 (in room gifts).

Onboard (embarkation specials) were 12 bottles for $19.50, and 24 for $39.00 on one of our cruises.

I suggest you just bring a refillable water bottle onboard and fill up at the tap in your room. Or at the drink station. That's what we do.
 

GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!

If you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation with Dreams Unlimited Travel you’ll receive these incredible shipboard credits to spend on your cruise!

























DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top