Will DCL Raise drink prices and what is next perk to go?

[Ofinn]

Now that we are going to be cruising Platinum, I am worried about those benifits being diminished, we already saw the obc cut, and we were looking forward to it.

I am, hoping for the sake of those with kids, mine is now 18, that the trend in the hours for the clubs reverses or isn't leading towards a charge structure. My daughter loved the clubs and she is really bummed that she is an adult now. It made her cruise special for her.

What benefits are there beside a free meal in Palo and booking excursions early? We don't do DCL excursions or book cabanas so that's not even a benefit for us.

 

[dcassetta]

Remember at the heart of Disney The Magic Kingdom doesn't sell booze.

Yes, they do.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/be-our-guest-restaurant/menus/dinner/

 

[yorkieteacher]

Remember at the heart of Disney The Magic Kingdom doesn't sell booze.

I was surprised that Be Our Guest restaurant now does sell beer and wine. I wonder if more places in the MK will be added and Walt's original policy of alcohol free Magic Kingdom is on its way out. I feel if the powers that be want a higher profit that may be next.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yes, they do.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/be-our-guest-restaurant/menus/dinner/

Forgot that, but for a long time booze free. Thank you!!!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I was surprised that Be Our Guest restaurant now does sell beer and wine. I wonder if more places in the MK will be added and Walt's original policy of alcohol free Magic Kingdom is on its way out. I feel if the powers that be want a higher profit that may be next.

Yes it used to be booze free. Liked it that way. One more principle gone.

 

[squirk]

You jest but industry standard is to make theater reservations.

I'm not sure they were jesting. I think about the FastPass reservations for parade viewing at WDW and I can totally see "premium poolside seating" or "premium Pirate Night fireworks viewing" either a.) requiring reservations; b.) costing extra; or c.) both.

 

[FloridaBabe]

Need to

Agree about drink prices being reasonable. After gratuity, I'm not even paying $1 more per drink than at home.

..............

It wouldn't be so bad if they had half the things people like to drink. One example, we like port after a nice meal and in Remy the choice was $16 or $200. The $16 (x 2) port tasted watery and not very nice at all, would I pay $200 for a glass of port, not on your nelly but there was nothing in between or even what I would consider mainstream like Taylors or Cockburns. I also drink certain spirits that are not available on board and the cocktails they make leave a lot to be desired.

I will be taking on probably 2 champagne/2 better wines on my next trip and OH can get lager at the ports, so I can have something on the balcony I enjoy. We buy alcohol on the ship mainly in Remy/Palo but I will miss my liquor nightcaps, or maybe not.........

 

[cgolf]

What benefits are there beside a free meal in Palo and booking excursions early? We don't do DCL excursions or book cabanas so that's not even a benefit for us.

Not much, and the big one of the increased obc was pulled a few years ago. We try to not look at what other lines do, because when we did we were disappointed.

 

[Evil Queen 2]

Cutting the OBC amount for Castaway Cay members and limiting the onboard booking times were 2 biggies as far as I'm concerned. Now the alcohol was one I used occasionally (when the senior folks traveled with us) but is annoying that it's gone. Next to go will be being able to bring on non-Coke products, then water not long after than, IMO. Or maybe it will be the 'free' snacks and/or deserts that are out for deck parties and in the adult club section at night.

I think that Disney is getting away from the things that made them special / different from other cruise lines. We have already been looking at others for different itineraries. We prefer the smaller (classic) size ships and not having casinos but then we know we're strange.

When they stopped letting your have gift baskets delivered by Shirley that was a HUGE perk we lost IMO. When the very senior folks traveled with us they loved finding their 'surprise' in the room.

 

[bumbershoot]

This was after limiting some of the happy hour drink options because rumor was some of the bar staff had pulled some high jinks.

Tell us more?

I do not think they will bring in booze packages they get a used RCCI had an all inclusive then what would happen was that one person in the stateroom would buy it the others didn't but the person who had it hot drinks for the others. So they limited it per time if bar but still didn't work.

I'm confused. What?

Not sure how the drink packages used to be, but as of November 2013 they allow people to book whatever package they want, and not order if they don't want to. You can't buy two drinks at once (though a bottle of water and a drink, if you have the Premium or Ultimate package, is generally allowable), and if they catch you sharing the package is cancelled.

Then they said all adults must buy it in the room. The next issue people were drunk as they got their monies worth, like goof at buffets some thought they needed to have far too much to get fake for the cruise fare.

Must have been awhile ago. Because everyone in the cabin can have whatever package they want or don't want. And although you have seen super-drunk people on DCL, I have seen exactly ONE serious drunk on Royal, and I have no idea if she had a package or not. So I'm not sure it's causing wild behaviour on Royal or not. Sure doesn't seem like it, though!

Regardless, on our upcoming cruises on Royal, I could buy the Ultimate, DH could buy Select, and DS could buy Replenish, and it would be totally OK. (as it is, DH will buy Replenish and we'll get one water package for the room and get the other drinks we want (some alcohol for me if the 2 bottles of wine aren't enough, DS will buy fresh squeezed OJ at a breakfast or three, I'll get my lattes)

Remember at the heart of Disney The Magic Kingdom doesn't sell booze.

Others mentioned BOG, but I'll mention that the best mai tai I ever had was at Club 33 in the heart of the heart of Disney, Disneyland. And that's not a new change, that there's alcohol at Disneyland.

 

[C6PT7]

They shouldn't raise drink prices whilst the new booze policy comes in.

The next policy to go will be the one cruisers abuse next.

I have found DCL drink prices " reasonable" if compared to a fine restaurant or tourist attraction, I see no reason why they would inflame a position of a change of policy to rise a price, or stop desks, in fact may have more offers. The drink if the day us always a good price.

Let's dance it people can still bring on limited booze per person in wine or beer at each port, sensible drinkers shouldn't be affected.

Cruisers have abused the unlimited internet package in the last, it was taken off sale, and they abused the REAs programme ( romantic escape at sea) a wedding package to take advantage of early booking of palo and shore trips then cancel and not pay when their booking window opened. It went.

I feel sorry for the D Lounge cleaners who went in on my cruise and had to clean up the ness left by cruisers who brought on their own booze.

How does the policy o2 2 bottles of wine or 6 beers work for 'sensible drinkers' on a PC or TA cruise?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

How does the policy o2 2 bottles of wine or 6 beers work for 'sensible drinkers' on a PC or TA cruise?

Get a thimble & ration.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I can see gratuities going up along with the cost of liquor based drinks (not so much beer and wine because you can still bring some on), but anything that you're a captive audience for, I can see the cost rising.

I can also see more add ons - they already have for-fee popcorn, I can see them adding a full concession area with a variety of candy and treats and of course, canned soda (because hey, if you're already whipping out the card, why run up to the pool deck to save a couple of bucks).

I also think the Dream won't end up being the only ship with the extra cost candy shop and the for-fee ice cream. And I can see the hours of the ice cream and flavour varieties of "free" soft serve being limited (maybe only vanilla, chocolate and twist and hours being shortened to noon - 6pm).

They've already started with the extra fee, upgraded food on the Palo and Remy menus, I can see they'll add it to the regular MDR menus - an upcharge for the Palo Chocolate Soufflé or the filet that's so popular. They'll market it as being for those who don't want to dine without their kids but still be able to enjoy a "taste of Palo".

If Disney decided to upgrade their soda machines to the Coke Freestyle, I can also see that there will be an upcharge. As long as they have the so-so soda fountains, I don't see Disney going back to charging for it. They would need to ensure that the soda mix was always perfect.

 

[C6PT7]

Faith, trust and pixie dust?
More like adjust, mistrust or you'll be bust....

 

[squirk]

Others mentioned BOG, but I'll mention that the best mai tai I ever had was at Club 33 in the heart of the heart of Disney, Disneyland. And that's not a new change, that there's alcohol at Disneyland.

I'm not sure Club 33 should count, given that 99.99% of guests can't get into it.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Faith, trust and pixie dust?
More like adjust, mistrust or you'll be bust....

This needs to be a tshirt.

 

[professorandmom]

I'm not sure Club 33 should count, given that 99.99% of guests can't get into it.

My calculations suggest the 99.99% figure is inaccurate. With approximately 16.2 million visitors per year, .01% of them is 1,620 people who are permitted into Club 33. I am quite certain that, given the limited number of memberships, the number of guests at Club 33 per year is far fewer than 1,620. And perhaps we should discount the number of visitors to Club 33 who are under 21 or those that do not drink...so...I think the percentage is closer to 99.999%

With that in mind, no, Club 33 shouldn't count...IMHO

 

[sweetpee_1993]

My calculations suggest the 99.99% figure is inaccurate. With approximately 16.2 million visitors per year, .01% of them is 1,620 people who are permitted into Club 33. I am quite certain that, given the limited number of memberships, the number of guests at Club 33 per year is far fewer than 1,620. And perhaps we should discount the number of visitors to Club 33 who are under 21 or those that do not drink...so...I think the percentage is closer to 99.999%

With that in mind, no, Club 33 shouldn't count...IMHO

I do not math this well. I bow to the numbers people.

 

[squirk]

My calculations suggest the 99.99% figure is inaccurate. With approximately 16.2 million visitors per year, .01% of them is 1,620 people who are permitted into Club 33. I am quite certain that, given the limited number of memberships, the number of guests at Club 33 per year is far fewer than 1,620. And perhaps we should discount the number of visitors to Club 33 who are under 21 or those that do not drink...so...I think the percentage is closer to 99.999%

With that in mind, no, Club 33 shouldn't count...IMHO

I think my point was made without calculating out to a thousandth of a percent, no?

 

[cgolf]

Tell us more?

The second cruise we did concierge the drink options we had were more limited compared to the previous year, and no I wasn't asking for stratosphere shelf stuff like Walker blue or other tipitty top shelf stuff. What I heard was DCL was cracking down on it because they had lost some $ on it and it sounded like it was staff that blew it for us. How true is that, who knows.

We were just glad they still had the Rosa Regale which is incredible and Makers Mark. Really wish we had bought a case of Rosa locally when I found it at what I learned later was a super cheap price.

Realistically it may have been a case of some attempting to drink as much of the most expensive drink in the bar to offset the price they paid.