DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[godde8ss]

My post on DCL'S latest fb post has gotten over 60 likes, and several replies with some being not so nice. I didn't think I said anything necessarily wrong or rude In my original comment. But I guess they felt comfortable behind the safety of their keyboard to shame on me for letting no rum ruin a family cruise. Which is not what I said at all! So I just replied with this ,but my funny Thumper pic of "if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all" got deleted by someone! View attachment 116841

That was wrong to delete that... I mean, asking people to behave themselves and doing it in a Disney way? What is wrong with that? Many of my posts have been very well liked and lots of replies, but I haven't had any deleted...yet! We shall see how it goes.

I have had no canned email response from them yet either...

 

[godde8ss]

That was wrong to delete that... I mean, asking people to behave themselves and doing it in a Disney way? What is wrong with that? Many of my posts have been very well liked and lots of replies, but I haven't had any deleted...yet! We shall see how it goes.

I have had no canned email response from them yet either...

actually...they deleted all my posts where-in I urged others to reach out to Disney....

 

[Quellman]

I agree with many PPs. The things that set DCL apart from other cruiselines are getting smaller and smaller. And these changes come every few months - from the top of my head - just within the past 12 months, DCL:

- Changed the alcohol policy
- Took away the ability to drop off items for character signings
- Increased surcharge at Palo
- Instituted the 24 month limit to onboard booking benefits (was 18 months until the outpour of complaints)

And there are so many more that had slowly been taken away. Anyone remember the onboard credit for castaway members? We also found that the entertainment is no longer top notch. On our Baltic cruise last month, we walked out of two shows because they were so bad and didn't bother going to most of the others. The Broadway style shows are still great but getting really old for repeat customers. We've already been talking about checking out other cruiselines before this policy change, so this change could be what pushes us over.

Don't forget that they no longer allow outside deliveries (like for gifts and things) arranged by other businesses. You can still ship a box of items for yourself, but that is it.

 

[RebelHawk]

I just emailed my official complaint to DCL Shoreside Concierge regarding this policy change. I'll update this thread with what they respond and see if there are any differences with the canned response others have received.

 

[Bruiserknits]

Looking at all the different cruise line's alcohol policy, DCL is right in line with most of the other cruise lines with many not allowing any alcohol brought on board at all. Is Disney a bit more expensive than some other cruise lines, yes. However, Disney also offers a whole lot more than other cruise lines, especially where I am concerned. I don't gamble (I just have other ways I like to spend my money) and don't even play BINGO on board. Disney has so many other things that are far more exciting than other ships. And I'm an adult with adult children. I still love meeting characters, going to Disney-themed shows, doing tours of the ship, playing silly games, watching movies in the pool, and enjoying sitting on my verandah having a cup of tea while I knit.

I'm not opposed to drinking. I have a few drinks each day while at sea. (Usually the daily drink and one with dinner or after dinner in one of the lounges). It's *part* of the experience of being on vacation, but not *the* reason to go on vacation.

 

[jjgarv]

I don't have a problem with them changing the policy if it was due to abuse, but I just can't imagine that was the reason, they may claim it was, but this is really just a money grab.

My real problem is that they are changing the policy with very little notice and many (including us) are past PIF dates.

We didn't abuse the old policy, in fact we only brought one bottle, maybe two, for two adults. But it was rum and or vodka. Which is now not allowed.

We would be perfectly happy, it they would just allow one bottle of spirits per adult.

(sigh) one more reason to find another cruise line. I may not be able to bring by rum and vodka on those either, but at least I am not paying a premium price for what is rapidly becoming just another mediocre cruise line.

Totally in the same boat as you on all of your points! Completely agree! Thanks for boiling down the issues so well!

 

[OKW Lover]

Looking at all the different cruise line's alcohol policy, DCL is right in line with most of the other cruise lines with many not allowing any alcohol brought on board at all.

But I'm not sailing on all the different cruise lines. I chose DCL for several reasons. If I wanted a plain, boring cruise I'd pick Princess. If I wanted a Joe six-pack cruise I'd pick Carnival. Its what Disney does differently that sets it apart.

 

[NancyIL]

But I'm not sailing on all the different cruise lines. I chose DCL for several reasons. If I wanted a plain, boring cruise I'd pick Princess. If I wanted a Joe six-pack cruise I'd pick Carnival. Its what Disney does differently that sets it apart.

I haven't sailed on Carnival, but my 4 Princess cruises (and an upcoming one to South America next year) were anything but "plain and boring"! If that was your experience on Princess, then maybe you picked the wrong itinerary.

 

[apocalyps3]

It's *part* of the experience of being on vacation, but not *the* reason to go on vacation.

Not sure why people keep saying this. This isn't the point. If it was just about drinking I'd just stay home where I can drink more efficiently. The point is that all the reasons you list for making Disney Cruises special are actually done by most of the other cruise lines (except for the Disney themed shows) for more than just a bit less. Disney sells itself (or used to) on the perks that it offers, but one by one all those little perks are being eliminated.

Each small perk eliminated on its own is not a big deal and Disney fans will make excuses for why it was done, but in their entirety you see that the differences between Disney and everyone else is steadily shrinking.

Just think... right now somewhere at Disney headquarters there's a group of people putting together a list of things that they think can be eliminated to save/make money. That's their job. Don't make it easier for them by passively accepting it without complaint, or worse, insinuating to others that something they enjoyed that is now being taken away, wasn't really important anyway and its silly to even complain.

 

[Berger]

This new policy is just the tip of the ice berg. When they start charging for soda,juice ect., will the masses be ok with this if they institute a policy of banning outside soda,juice,water, ect.. ,after you booked the cruise. My guess is no, not at all. I mean if you don't like the soda choices too bad, you can always drink water.
Like many have stated, the little perks that are unique to DCL are slowly going away and will continue to do so until they become just an over priced cruise line,with nothing special except the
Mouse.
This policy change is more than banning carry on liquor, it's a corporate attitude change.

 

[OKW Lover]

I haven't sailed on Carnival, but my 4 Princess cruises (and an upcoming one to South America next year) were anything but "plain and boring"! If that was your experience on Princess, then maybe you picked the wrong itinerary.

I probably should have just used "x" and "y" names in my post. My point about DCL stands.

 

[over50visits]

This new policy is just the tip of the ice berg. When they start charging for soda,juice ect., will the masses be ok with this if they institute a policy of banning outside soda,juice,water, ect.. ,after you booked the cruise. My guess is no, not at all. I mean if you don't like the soda choices too bad, you can always drink water.
Like many have stated, the little perks that are unique to DCL are slowly going away and will continue to do so until they become just an over priced cruise line,with nothing special except the
Mouse.
This policy change is more than banning carry on liquor, it's a corporate attitude change.

Nice first post, welcome.

Bingo. The attitude has permeated the parks for several years, since they have more business than they can handle so they have taken many steps to increase their park revenue. DCL seems to have the same situation, plenty of people (such as ourselves) willing to pay way more for what we think is a superior experience, so they can start adding ways to make more money. I still maintain, though, that what helped them choose this revenue generator (banning liquor, limiting wine and beer) was abuse of the old policies by guests. On this very board people are already talking around how to sneak spirits on board.

I've got a feeling that soon we'll see a "reasonable" charge for room service after midnight, and upcharges for specialty steaks or deserts in the MDRs. We'll continue to cruise with Disney, continue to have a blast, and continue to avoid their multitude of ways to separate us from our money on the cruise!

 

[BooToYou7]

Count me in as someone upset by the change and i will let Disney know.

And, please, let's lose the judgment on people who are upset by this change. I will readily admit my husband and I are big drinkers. We very much enjoy having drinks while getting ready, on our verandah, during dinner and at the bars later. We spent plenty with Disney and also brought our own liquor. We've never made a scene or done anything inappropriate on a ship full of kids. We're responsible drinkers and it's not really anyone else's business that I like to drink on vacation. The amount we saved on long cruises did go a long way to justifying spending more on DCL and I'm not ashamed of that. I'm over 30 years old and it's a legal product. I'm not doing anything wrong by drinking.

I think we should all be able to agree that it sucks to lose a perk, even if you're not affected by it. I never dropped things off to be autographed by characters, but I completely understand why people are upset that's been taken away.

For people who don't drink, just remember it's a slippery slope. The parks have slowly been eroding perks from guests for years. If we only get upset when it's a perk that actually affects us, we're suddenly going to find ourselves without any "free" perks at all.

 

[Robin"D"]

Say hello to my little friend!
trying to make lite of this

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[suebecdan]

Most other cruise lines have the same policey but peole still find ways of bringing it on the ships. I kind of think it stinks bc Disney is one of the premium cruise lines and their prices are not cheap. This was a nice benefit to have. I am sorry to see that they will be changing it before we cruise.

 

[NancyIL]

I probably should have just used "x" and "y" names in my post. My point about DCL stands.

I agree on both points! Only Disney can "do Disney" - but that hasn't lessened my enjoyment of other cruise lines.

 

[rwcmath]

I've seen plenty people with their own alcohol at the shows and wondered when Disney would get wise.

 

[turtle27]

I don't have much a taste for wine. I'm more a cocktail or beer girl myself. I've read the wine list thinking I'd like to try to be more sophisticated and I was unimpressed. Being a wine light-weight I'm looking for moscatos. Didn't see much in the way of those. The ones that are there, holy smokes at the prices! I was wondering what the perspective would be from the serious wine conosseiurs. One of my friends I travel with each fall really schooled the somolier in Remy on the Dream a couple years ago. It was entertaining, at least. LOL!

Please, be sure to contact DCL and explain your feelings. Your voice should be heard.

I don't know if we are wine connoisseurs, but I and DM enjoy our wine. We priced the wine packages (just say no ppl, they are NOT a good value) and have looked over the wine selections on board. To us, we don't like the selections. We are not fans of CA Chardonnays, we like red wine, but really love fish and those two don't normally mix. We like our South African, Australian, New Zealand Sauv Blancs, which DCL offers maybe 1 reasonably priced one and it is not on our short list. The variety really does suck on DCL, especially with the pull they must have. Especially after a visit to WDW where the selection was just phenomenal. Even a fraction of that on the ship would be great. But noooo, and now we cannot even bring enough wine on for a 7 night cruise, let alone the 14 night we are going on.

 

[summerskye]

Our trip is not until next year. I had it all planned out. I could fit 35 - 16oz beers into my carry on. This combined with the beer tag would make for a nice cost savings. Now, I have to change my plans. Guess I need to get that 2nd job delivering papers to pay for my beer...

 

[Hamitchell]

We hardly drink at all, except for vacations and fancy dinners. So some of us who are not big drinkers liked the option, on our "special" outing, of having a grown up cocktail in our rooms. That's it, that's all. We drink wine with dinners, not as cocktails. I have stomach issues with beer and frankly it gets old quick.

I can see a limit of say 1 5th of liquor per family or person. That wouldn't break Disney's "bank" and would allow us to have some time on the verandah with a nice drink.

This is the sort of heavy handed thing that backfires with most companies. Probably DCL won't have a real issue and will clear more profits. But those of us who felt loyal to the company will not feel the same way going forward. In fact, it makes me less likely to order a bar drink in a DCL ship now, because that drink is a reminder of what they've done, and that I can't get a drink in my cabin without schlepping to some overcrowded bar on the ship.