Sneaking alcohol onto DCL - We need to learn how

[Maggie'sMom]

Sigh... People refused to follow the old policy by bringing their own beverages to the pool deck, MDRs, and I've heard, even into the adult lounges. Lo and behold, DCL tightened the restrictions. So if people break the new rule by trying to smuggling on alcohol, the next step will be taking away the right to bring on the limited amount of wine and beer, or stopping bottled non-alcoholic beverages like another cruise line did. I believe that was Carnival, correct? So those that refuse to abide by the rules end up ruining it for everyone.

 

[littleblackegg]

So quickly that a thread can be spoiled with holier than thou posts, Board rules warnings, and accusing fellow cruisers of being a drunk.

I was hoping we could discuss ways to circumnavigate a rule made by a greedy corporate entity...

Don't forget being a bad parent who ruins the vacation for their poor little kids, a publicly drunken and disorderly lout, a criminal who is going to ruin the cruise for everyone and one of THOSE people. I think this is some symptom of Protestantism because being drunk, naked and arrested by midnight is just part of a good time. I learned it at my grandmother's knee.

 

[littleblackegg]

You seem invested in enforcing DCL rules. How about this: I will decide whether the rules apply to me or not and it really is not your business. As long as my decisions do not negatively affect other passengers the issue is between me and DCL.

Maybe they'll have a posh Disney lock up. With a buffet.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

If I drank, I would so try to sneak in on, I think.

I smuggled several flasks onto Allure in 2013 even though I had prepaid an adult beverage package. I only had 1 shot from the smuggled hooch. Honestly, I hadn't planned to drink any of it. I only did it to see if I could. My logic: if it makes it onboard then yay. If I got the call to go to the "Naughty Room" to remove my stash then I'd get to see the fabled "Naughty Room". Cool. And, if I get the call I wanted to see if they'd catch it all or not. My BiL got the summons but I didn't. I was somewhat jealous. LOL!

 

[DLgal]

How hard is it to pour vodka or rum into a water bottle? Not very hard.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Sigh... People refused to follow the old policy by bringing their own beverages to the pool deck, MDRs, and I've heard, even into the adult lounges. Lo and behold, DCL tightened the restrictions. So if people break the new rule by trying to smuggling on alcohol, the next step will be taking away the right to bring on the limited amount of wine and beer, or stopping bottled non-alcoholic beverages like another cruise line did. I believe that was Carnival, correct? So those that refuse to abide by the rules end up ruining it for everyone.

Carnival stopped bringing bottled water aboard. My opinion is that it was due to people using cases of bottled water to smuggle on clear liquor. I know exactly how that worked. I know exactly how you can tell the difference between the contents of a clear bottle of liquid. In response to the halt to carrying on bottled water Carnival has dropped the price of bottled water packages onboard their ships. So instead of $30-something a case it's now more like $5 a case. Don't quote me on those prices. More an example than anything. If DCL would like to DROP the price of anything I don't see that being a terrible thing in and of itself.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

How hard is it to pour vodka or rum into a water bottle? Not very hard.

It's very easy to tell if it's water or liquor in there. Use caution.

 

[Sanchez]

Sigh... People refused to follow the old policy by bringing their own beverages to the pool deck, MDRs, and I've heard, even into the adult lounges. Lo and behold, DCL tightened the restrictions. So if people break the new rule by trying to smuggling on alcohol, the next step will be taking away the right to bring on the limited amount of wine and beer, or stopping bottled non-alcoholic beverages like another cruise line did. I believe that was Carnival, correct? So those that refuse to abide by the rules end up ruining it for everyone.

That makes no sense. First, I would suggest that the policy change is due to a desire for increased profits rather than to punish rule breakers. Further, even if the wine and beer allowances were removed attempted smuggling would continue or increase. This is profit driven and I am not sure why some do not see that.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Maybe they'll have a posh Disney lock up. With a buffet.

I am genuinely interested to know if Disney will have a naughty room!

 

[littleblackegg]

Sigh... People refused to follow the old policy by bringing their own beverages to the pool deck, MDRs, and I've heard, even into the adult lounges. Lo and behold, DCL tightened the restrictions. So if people break the new rule by trying to smuggling on alcohol, the next step will be taking away the right to bring on the limited amount of wine and beer, or stopping bottled non-alcoholic beverages like another cruise line did. I believe that was Carnival, correct? So those that refuse to abide by the rules end up ruining it for everyone.

Let me get this straight. Cruises operated by huge multinational corporations are basing their operations on grade school-type rules that change according to their customer's adherence to the rules? Instead of the way all other corporations function-changing policies based on profits. And who is the monitor? Does he or she make a nightly report to the CFO so the rules can become more severe if the customers aren't following them? Does the CFO make a presentation to the board about how well the customers are behaving?

 

[littleblackegg]

I am genuinely interested to know if Disney will have a naughty room!

Me too. I will pay extra.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Let me get this straight. Cruises operated by huge multinational corporations are basing their operations on grade school-type rules that change according to their customer's adherence to the rules? Instead of the way all other corporations function-changing policies based on profits. And who is the monitor? Does he or she make a nightly report to the CFO so the rules can become more severe if the customers aren't following them? Does the CFO make a presentation to the board about how well the customers are behaving?

I now have visions of Mickey in uniform shouting, "FALL IN OR WALK THE PLANK!"

 

[Maggie'sMom]

That makes no sense. First, I would suggest that the policy change is due to a desire for increased profits rather than to punish rule breakers. Further, even if the wine and beer allowances were removed attempted smuggling would continue or increase. This is profit driven and I am not sure why some do not see that.

No, it makes perfect sense. You are correct that it wasn't about punishing rule breakers but about increasing profits. But that's exactly why I said what I did. Follow along:

1) DCL says you can bring on unlimited alcohol, but it must be consumed in your stateroom.
2) If people follow the rule, then DCL gets revenue from bar sales on the pool deck and in the MDRs.
3) People refuse to follow that rule and take their own mixed drinks to the pool deck and their own glasses of wine (not bottles as to avoid the corkage fee) into the MDRs.
4) DCL loses sales of alcohol to those bringing their own to these locations because people want to drink when they are laying by the pool or eating dinner.
5) DCL decides that since people aren't purchasing their alcohol on the pool deck or in the MDRs, they will place new restrictions. Now no one can have their own liquor-based drinks and must purchase them from DCL whether they want to consume them in their stateroom, on the pool deck, or MDRs.

I have no idea where you are getting the idea that I said this was to punish people.

 

[littleblackegg]

That makes no sense. First, I would suggest that the policy change is due to a desire for increased profits rather than to punish rule breakers. Further, even if the wine and beer allowances were removed attempted smuggling would continue or increase. This is profit driven and I am not sure why some do not see that.

They are responsive first and foremost to their shareholders, and make all decisions, even if it's a nice decision that looks like it is solely to the guest's benefit, on profits. People sometimes think that companies truly care how guests behave. Companies have subtle ways of controlling environments. As long as no one dies, the environment is being managed safely. Because the safety concerns are SO serious, they just can't get too concerned about the lady in the pool with the vodka. Unless she is drowning. Then she becomes a safety concern. Concerns are ranked, and you can bet that rule breaking and morality are pretty low down. Can you imagine the size and skill of the staff they'd have to maintain to sniff every soda and monitor every bikini strap? This is about a profit margin.

 

[littleblackegg]

I now have visions of Mickey in uniform shouting, "FALL IN OR WALK THE PLANK!"

This is becoming a very interesting cruise indeed. I want my own personal Mary Poppins to order me into my pajamas and make me finish my plate. They could make make a fortune on us lapsed Catholic Anglophiles. What DID I do with those sherry glasses and my riding crop?

 

[DLgal]

It's very easy to tell if it's water or liquor in there. Use caution.

Uh, yeah, if someone opens it up and inspects it. I carry water with me everywhere. People "inspecting" it just take it at face value that it is water. I carry a water bottle with me when I board DCL ships. No one has ever even given it a second glance.

I guarantee I could fill my Dasani bottle with vodka and take it anywhere I take a bottle of water. Easily.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Uh, yeah, if someone opens it up and inspects it. I carry water with me everywhere. People "inspecting" it just take it at face value that it is water. I carry a water bottle with me when I board DCL ships. No one has ever even given it a second glance.

I guarantee I could fill my Dasani bottle with vodka and take it anywhere I take a bottle of water. Easily.

They can tell from shaking it. Something about the bubbles act differently if it's liquor versus water. I know they've caught people trying to sneak alcohol into the MK this way.

 

[steves100]

Dont need to sneak it on just want to bring my case on board on my next trip in April!!!

 

[TheLanes]

Uh, yeah, if someone opens it up and inspects it. I carry water with me everywhere. People "inspecting" it just take it at face value that it is water. I carry a water bottle with me when I board DCL ships. No one has ever even given it a second glance.

I guarantee I could fill my Dasani bottle with vodka and take it anywhere I take a bottle of water. Easily.

But when it comes time to pass through an inspection, they may shake the bottle to see if it bubbles. Water doesn't bubble.

 

[TheLanes]

No, it makes perfect sense. You are correct that it wasn't about punishing rule breakers but about increasing profits. But that's exactly why I said what I did. Follow along:

1) DCL says you can bring on unlimited alcohol, but it must be consumed in your stateroom.
2) If people follow the rule, then DCL gets revenue from bar sales on the pool deck and in the MDRs.
3) People refuse to follow that rule and take their own mixed drinks to the pool deck and their own glasses of wine (not bottles as to avoid the corkage fee) into the MDRs.
4) DCL loses sales of alcohol to those bringing their own to these locations because people want to drink when they are laying by the pool or eating dinner.
5) DCL decides that since people aren't purchasing their alcohol on the pool deck or in the MDRs, they will place new restrictions. Now no one can have their own liquor-based drinks and must purchase them from DCL whether they want to consume them in their stateroom, on the pool deck, or MDRs.

I have no idea where you are getting the idea that I said this was to punish people.

They really don't have a clue how many people are sneaking on extra alcohol, they just watch their profit margins.