Palo brunch ID hassle on Dream

[dclpluto]

Complintery champagne or mimosa? I got nothing . I did the palo brunch 8 days ago on the fantasy. I’m 47 and wife 50 so it wasn’t a age issue.

 

[NS8VN]

I still remember the day my wife was first not carded for a drink. She looked so sad. She still convinces herself it is a compliment to get carded when we visit friends in Tennessee, where state law is everyone shows ID

Another thing to remember, these ships are flagged under the Bahamas. They are not held to US consumption laws. Which is good because US consumption laws are controlled by state and not federally (yes, there is no national drinking age in the US, but states lose 8% of their federal highway funding if they set the alcohol purchase age below 21). So the rules followed on the ship really are just rules, they are not breaking any laws if they accidentally serve a 20 year old. So I disagree that they should require additional ID beyond the KTTW card. However, if they are going to then it should be applied across the board and make it clear that this will be the expectation. IMO the worst part of OP's experience wasn't so much that ID was requested, but that such a thing is unusual and not expected.

 

[bumbershoot]

What if he or she input it incorrectly into the system?

Then they have way bigger problems.

Not seeing an issue here. People are asked for ID everywhere alcohol is served/sold. Caution is good. As for claiming that the info is available via the KTTW, what about when siblings look alike but are not the same age? What is stopping the underage person from using the older person's KTTW?

If they are like lookalikes then they will still look alike with IDs.

I've read that younger adults may need a photo ID on the ship, so I guess this didn't come as a surprise to me.

I’ve never read it. Keycard IS ID.

Complintery champagne or mimosa? I got nothing . I did the palo brunch 8 days ago on the fantasy. I’m 47 and wife 50 so it wasn’t a age issue.

They should ask if you would like mimosa at brunch. I once said no (not wanting to pay for it) and the server read the situation correctly and mentioned that it was included. So I said yes.

 

[jane01jp]

I still remember the day my wife was first not carded for a drink. She looked so sad. She still convinces herself it is a compliment to get carded when we visit friends in Tennessee, where state law is everyone shows ID

Another thing to remember, these ships are flagged under the Bahamas. They are not held to US consumption laws. Which is good because US consumption laws are controlled by state and not federally (yes, there is no national drinking age in the US, but states lose 8% of their federal highway funding if they set the alcohol purchase age below 21). So the rules followed on the ship really are just rules, they are not breaking any laws if they accidentally serve a 20 year old. So I disagree that they should require additional ID beyond the KTTW card. However, if they are going to then it should be applied across the board and make it clear that this will be the expectation. IMO the worst part of OP's experience wasn't so much that ID was requested, but that such a thing is unusual and not expected.

Exactly. We put wallets and passsports in the safe as soon as we board. If we carry KTTW cards around on the ship and lose them, they can be readily replaced.

Not so with driver's licenses or passports. Driver's licenses are a pain to replace. Ditto for passports.

Carrying around extra ID on the ship is a hassle. If it is expected, they should tell people.

BTW, our 19 year old daughter did not have to show any ID to eat at Palo (minimum age is 18). That rule is also arbitrary, but did not seem to carry the same dread with the waiter.

Note that on DCL cruises in Europe, anyone 19 years old, or older, may consume alcoholic beverages with parents. These are DCL rules only.

 

[gotomu212]

That seems weird to me. They were actually asking for a second ID since the KTTW card has absolutely everything they need. It would be similar to taking your drivers license somewhere on shore and them saying I need to see another ID because I can’t be hassled to read this one.

I think the Palo manager was just bs’ing to cover the servers weird request since Disney is. Dry clear that once onboard the KTTW arc is all you’ll need to carry.

 

[JW9DVC]

Good for you.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My family just got off of Dream 4 day. It was a great cruise, but we did have an odd incident at Palo.

We went for the brunch. It was me, my wife, our 21 year old son, his 21 year old girlfriend, and our 19 year old daughter.

Each of us over 21 was offered the "complimentary" champagne or mimosa. Then, the waiter asked both my son and his girlfriend for ID above and beyond their room keys. The girlfriend did not have her ID with her at Palo, and we didn't want to have to go back to the room to get it. Neither she, not my son, had been asked to produce age verification at any other time, or at any other place on the cruise.

The room keys have a picture on file, so the request seemed idiotic. I told the waiter that the request was unnecessary and that he could use the room key. He was kind of salty, but begrudgingly took the girlfriend's room key and went to look up her picture.

I called Palo later and mentioned the incident. The woman on the phone said that what I described was very unusual.

Later that night, when we went to the MDR for dinner, we were greeted by the manager of Palo. He was gracious and apologized and treated us to an unsolicited bottle of champagne. However, his explanation of why the ID incident had happened still didn't make any sense. He said something about abundance of caution with people near 21. This rang hollow, as there is no such abundance of caution anywhere else on board.

I suggested to him that the reminder cards that they send to your stateroom should ask you to bring IDs, if they were going to ask to see them.

If Disney is going to start requesting ID in additon to room keys under any circumstances, they should let people know. After all, documents that verify birthdate are absolutely required to even board the ship.

If you had read the DCL website, here's the policy on drinking (bolding mine):
Q.What age must a Guest be to drink alcoholic beverages on the ship?
A.The drinking age on board is 21, and a valid photo I.D. is required.

However, during roundtrip cruises departing from any European country that has a lower drinking age, parents or guardians may sign a Beverage Consent Form that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult’s presence.

Please note:

• All Guests must comply with all laws and Disney Cruise Line policies related to the consumption and distribution of alcohol. In particular, Guests are prohibited from providing alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age.
• This policy is subject to change without notice.
• Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to refuse sale and/or service of alcoholic beverages to anyone.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/dining-food-beverages/alcohol-policy-onboard/

I doubt that a KTTW card is considered "valid ID". So a driver's license (or some other official ID) was asked for.

 

[jane01jp]

If you had read the DCL website, here's the policy on drinking (bolding mine):
Q.What age must a Guest be to drink alcoholic beverages on the ship?
A.The drinking age on board is 21, and a valid photo I.D. is required.

However, during roundtrip cruises departing from any European country that has a lower drinking age, parents or guardians may sign a Beverage Consent Form that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult’s presence.

Please note:

• All Guests must comply with all laws and Disney Cruise Line policies related to the consumption and distribution of alcohol. In particular, Guests are prohibited from providing alcoholic beverages to any other person, regardless of age.
• This policy is subject to change without notice.
• Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to refuse sale and/or service of alcoholic beverages to anyone.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/dining-food-beverages/alcohol-policy-onboard/

I doubt that a KTTW card is considered "valid ID". So a driver's license (or some other official ID) was asked for.

Valid photo IDs are required to get the KTTW card. If the KTTW card is not valid while on board, they need to clarify the policy.

 

[jane01jp]

That seems weird to me. They were actually asking for a second ID since the KTTW card has absolutely everything they need. It would be similar to taking your drivers license somewhere on shore and them saying I need to see another ID because I can’t be hassled to read this one.

I think the Palo manager was just bs’ing to cover the servers weird request since Disney is. Dry clear that once onboard the KTTW arc is all you’ll need to carry.

I agree that the Palo manager was just covering for bizarre behavior by the waiter, and the resultant customer service issue.

My guess is that there have been problems with lax enforcement on board, and the pendulum has swung too far the other way.

 

[undertheradar]

Why was checking ID "bizarre behavior by the waiter?" If the members of your party were of legal drinking age, what exactly was the harm done?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Valid photo IDs are required to get the KTTW card. If the KTTW card is not valid while on board, they need to clarify the policy.

If you do a search for "valid ID" you'll find that it's something with a photo and signature. Also with full name and birth date.

KTTW cards, while they do have a photo attached, do not have a signature on them. And, I believe, the KTTW card only indicates whether the holder is a "child", "under 21 adult", or "adult". These are designated by a big "A" for an adult; "B" for an over 18, not yet 21 adult; and "M" for minor (no birth date). Not sure whether the full name is on them, but I don't think so.

The KTTW card is basically just a hotel charge card. So that you can charge stuff to your room/onboard account. It's not ID.

 

[BruinEd03]

If you do a search for "valid ID" you'll find that it's something with a photo and signature. Also with full name and birth date.

KTTW cards, while they do have a photo attached, do not have a signature on them. And, I believe, the KTTW card only indicates whether the holder is a "child", "under 21 adult", or "adult". These are designated by a big "A" for an adult; "B" for an over 18, not yet 21 adult; and "M" for minor (no birth date). Not sure whether the full name is on them, but I don't think so.

The KTTW card is basically just a hotel charge card. So that you can charge stuff to your room/onboard account. It's not ID.

I did a search for valid photo ID and couldn't come up with the criteria for a photo and a signature. However, other sections require "Government-issued photo ID". (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/) Thus, to me, there is a difference between a "valid photo I.D." and a "Government-issued photo ID". If the KTTW has the person's photo (even if online), and there is nothing to the contrary in the Disney Cruise language, I don't see why it wouldn't be a "valid photo I.D." Of course if there are other specific requirement (e.g., signature) then KTTW card wouldn't apply, but I didn't see it on their web site.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I did a search for valid photo ID and couldn't come up with the criteria for a photo and a signature. However, other sections require "Government-issued photo ID". (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/) Thus, to me, there is a difference between a "valid photo I.D." and a "Government-issued photo ID". If the KTTW has the person's photo (even if online), and there is nothing to the contrary in the Disney Cruise language, I don't see why it wouldn't be a "valid photo I.D." Of course if there are other specific requirement (e.g., signature) then KTTW card wouldn't apply, but I didn't see it on their web site.

I just did a generic "valid ID" search on Google. And found several hits that specify "full name, photo, birth date, and signature" as being required for a valid ID.

I would say, since DCL does specify "Government-issued photo ID" on their website, that would not be a KTTW card.

At any rate, OP said that they were not aware that ID would be required for alcohol consumption. And I just pointed out that the DCL website does say that.

Yes, "valid ID" can mean many things to many people. But, IMO, it means an actual ID that's been verified by some official agency of some sort (driver's license, passport, whatever), not a ship's card to be used for room access and charging things to the onboard account.

 

[jane01jp]

Why was checking ID "bizarre behavior by the waiter?" If the members of your party were of legal drinking age, what exactly was the harm done?

When I called Palo to discuss the incident, the woman on the phone said "that is very unusual." The manager met me at Royal Palace upon my arrival that night. I showed zero signs of being upset, I just wanted them to know about it, because I thought it was poor customer experience. I gave the waiter a good tip and everything.

If it wasn't bizarre behavior on the part of the waiter, why all of the apologies?

And what harm did it do? It just got us off on the wrong foot. We hadn't even requested the champagne/mimosas. The waiter kind of foisted them on us, then demanded ID. We said the girlfriend only had a room key, and the waiter retorted "no room key, I need an ID." This created an initial awkward moment that had the potential to ruin the whole meal.

 

[tvguy]

Not seeing an issue here. People are asked for ID everywhere alcohol is served/sold. Caution is good. As for claiming that the info is available via the KTTW, what about when siblings look alike but are not the same age? What is stopping the underage person from using the older person's KTTW?

I find it VERY odd for ID to be requested. I am assuming they had a reservation, and did not walk up to Palo. They should have had everyone's name on the reservation, and they know your age before you ever step foot on the ship it should have been in the reservation system. Anyone underage should have been flagged on the reservation for Palo.

 

[mmmears]

The KTTW card is basically just a hotel charge card. So that you can charge stuff to your room/onboard account. It's not ID.

That's pretty much what I've always thought it was. I never once considered it "valid ID" for anything.

 

[gotomu212]

That's pretty much what I've always thought it was. I never once considered it "valid ID" for anything.

Except it’s your ID to get on and off the ship in each port (some countries require a separate gov issued ID but that’s for their customs- to reboard Disney just needs your KTTW), it’s the ID you use to prove you’re over 18 in the adult venues, and it’s the ID you use to claim you children including babies from the clubs.

If it’s valid ID to give you a baby I think it would be valid to give you a drink.

 

[firsttimemom]

I agree that the Palo manager was just covering for bizarre behavior by the waiter, and the resultant customer service issue.

My guess is that there have been problems with lax enforcement on board, and the pendulum has swung too far the other way.

My DD was brought a mimosa during her first palo brunch on the Dream. She had just turned 18.

 

[MUN]

My family just got off of Dream 4 day. It was a great cruise, but we did have an odd incident at Palo.

We went for the brunch. It was me, my wife, our 21 year old son, his 21 year old girlfriend, and our 19 year old daughter.

Each of us over 21 was offered the "complimentary" champagne or mimosa. Then, the waiter asked both my son and his girlfriend for ID above and beyond their room keys. The girlfriend did not have her ID with her at Palo, and we didn't want to have to go back to the room to get it. Neither she, not my son, had been asked to produce age verification at any other time, or at any other place on the cruise.

The room keys have a picture on file, so the request seemed idiotic. I told the waiter that the request was unnecessary and that he could use the room key. He was kind of salty, but begrudgingly took the girlfriend's room key and went to look up her picture.

I called Palo later and mentioned the incident. The woman on the phone said that what I described was very unusual.

Later that night, when we went to the MDR for dinner, we were greeted by the manager of Palo. He was gracious and apologized and treated us to an unsolicited bottle of champagne. However, his explanation of why the ID incident had happened still didn't make any sense. He said something about abundance of caution with people near 21. This rang hollow, as there is no such abundance of caution anywhere else on board.

I suggested to him that the reminder cards that they send to your stateroom should ask you to bring IDs, if they were going to ask to see them.

If Disney is going to start requesting ID in additon to room keys under any circumstances, they should let people know. After all, documents that verify birthdate are absolutely required to even board the ship.

I hope you enjoyed your free bottle of champagne. Seems like a good trade for the "hassle" you suffered. I agree with you, the KTTW card should have been sufficient, but apparently it wasn't in the eyes of the server. C'est la vie!

 

[jane01jp]

I find it VERY odd for ID to be requested. I am assuming they had a reservation, and did not walk up to Palo. They should have had everyone's name on the reservation, and they know your age before you ever step foot on the ship it should have been in the reservation system. Anyone underage should have been flagged on the reservation for Palo.

Yes. We had a reservation. And, the waiter looked directly at my 19 year old daughter, stated her name, and offered her a non-alcoholic beverage. He then asked the others for their IDs.