Private Mixology class scheduling changes

[DCLDVC1]

• Private Mixology Class has a set fee of $860.00 for a minimum of 25 guests

• Each additional guests would be $25.00 per person for a maximum of 30 guests per class

• The set fee plus additional guests charge would be placed on your onboard stateroom account (not each individuals)

• You will be charged the minimum plus the number of additional guests whether everyone attends the class or not

• Guest count can be changed up to 3 days before the cruise begins

• Set fee would remain the same even if you drop below the minimum

• No refunds will be offered once onboard the ship

 

[Cheerio]

Oh wow, so it's on the organizer now. I did it for my 4 cruises, but with people from out of country wanting in, collecting payment could be a hassle, but I get why they are changing it.

 

[mousefan73]

This is been a hot topic today in two of my FB cruise groups. It really does change everything. Basically the organizer takes all the risk. I wonder if DCL is changing this because there were so many no-shows? It really is a shame because that’s honestly is one of the highlights of our FE groups. What makes it more challenging is that they will not give you the day and time until about two or three weeks before cruise date and so nobody will commit early. Basically the organizer, Now needs to request that everyone pays him or her months ahead to cover their butts. And then book with Disney. Of course others have the trust to organizer they won’t take their money and run. I am sure that 99% of the people out there are honest. This just makes things more Complicated and is asking the organizer to take all risks and put out A large chunk of cash

 

[TestingH2O]

With 25 people, that minimum price is $34 per person. If you get up to 30 people, it drops to $32. That's still more than booking on your own where it's $25.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Oh wow, so it's on the organizer now. I did it for my 4 cruises, but with people from out of country wanting in, collecting payment could be a hassle, but I get why they are changing it.

I was planning to organize one for my next cruise but will let someone else do it. It's not worth the potential hassle or having to pay more than a regular Mixology class.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What makes it more challenging is that they will not give you the day and time until about two or three weeks before cruise date and so nobody will commit early.

And everyone freaks out because it conflicts with things.

 

[uandmfan]

I find this so disappointing. We are silver and at midnight when our booking window opened basically all the tastings were sold out.

I was organizing private tastings for our cruise group but I'm in Canada so collecting money ahead of time is basically impossible and no one will want to commit without a date and time. It's also disappointing they are only being offered on port days.

When I originally asked about these I was told they are being reduced because there are so many more offerings on the ship than in the past. This was definitely not my experience

 

[Stratus22]

I sent my DCL contact an email about this yesterday and am waiting to hear back. If this is the new rules then I won’t be organizing the Private Mixology’s no more and that’s heartbreaking. These groups are a lot of fun too.

 

[Dug720]

I find this so disappointing. We are silver and at midnight when our booking window opened basically all the tastings were sold out.

I was organizing private tastings for our cruise group but I'm in Canada so collecting money ahead of time is basically impossible and no one will want to commit without a date and time. It's also disappointing they are only being offered on port days.

When I originally asked about these I was told they are being reduced because there are so many more offerings on the ship than in the past. This was definitely not my experience

They only put a small number of the offered tastings online for pre-booking. The rest are booked onboard.

 

[TestingH2O]

Seems like private bar is the way to go.

 

[MichelleCanada]

On our cruise in August we participated in a fb mixology class - it was great! We ended up meeting another family that we spent a lot of time on the cruise with. I agree that it is disappointing- I would want to take on organizing one for the reasons mentioned by mousefan73!

 

[Stratus22]

View attachment 371918 Seems like private bar is the way to go.

Not really. I did the open bar and again, all Hastle is out on the organizer. Ugh

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

This is been a hot topic today in two of my FB cruise groups. It really does change everything. Basically the organizer takes all the risk. I wonder if DCL is changing this because there were so many no-shows? It really is a shame because that’s honestly is one of the highlights of our FE groups. What makes it more challenging is that they will not give you the day and time until about two or three weeks before cruise date and so nobody will commit early. Basically the organizer, Now needs to request that everyone pays him or her months ahead to cover their butts. And then book with Disney. Of course others have the trust to organizer they won’t take their money and run. I am sure that 99% of the people out there are honest. This just makes things more Complicated and is asking the organizer to take all risks and put out A large chunk of cash

There was a time several years ago when anyone who didn't show up got charged to the organizer's account. Then, it changed to a point where everyone had to email the organizer saying they wanted to do it and what their room number and some other info was... and that got sent to DCL. I'm not surprised they are doing this new thing while in combination with only scheduling private classes on port days at inconvenient times - and not giving much advance notice. It's their way of keeping the feature, but making it much less attractive so people will sign up for the ones they offer directly.

 

[TestingH2O]

Not really. I did the open bar and again, all Hastle is out on the organizer. Ugh

True, but it's much less expensive.

 

[Stratus22]

True, but it's much less expensive.

So True....let’s make a drink

 

[uandmfan]

They only put a small number of the offered tastings online for pre-booking. The rest are booked onboard.

That's not what the DCL person said when they explained why private tastings are being limited. They said they have added many more options for online booking and made it sound like everything that's being offered is now online. They certainly did not give the impression more would be available to book once we board.

 

[Dug720]

That's not what the DCL person said when they explained why private tastings are being limited. They said they have added many more options for online booking and made it sound like everything that's being offered is now online. They certainly did not give the impression more would be available to book once we board.

Everyone's reports from cruises they have actually taken (as opposed to many of the DCL phone CMs) say that there are many more offerings once onboard than ahead of time online.

 

[uandmfan]

Everyone's reports from cruises they have actually taken (as opposed to many of the DCL phone CMs) say that there are many more offerings once onboard than ahead of time online.

But that was before the 2019 'changes'. It will be interesting to see what happens now.

 

[Dug720]

But that was before the 2019 'changes'. It will be interesting to see what happens now.

I guess so. Based on the low number offered for prebooking for my 2/17 cruise, they are still not putting them all online.

 

[uandmfan]

I guess so. Based on the low number offered for prebooking for my 2/17 cruise, they are still not putting them all online.

I feel the same way. But it's conflicting with what I'm being told. I guess we shall see.

At any rate, although I'm disappointed, it's not the end of the world if we don't do a tasting......