DCL carry-on alcohol policy changing Sept. 30 2015

[Neesy228]

Can't believe they screwed this up cruise #1, unbelievable

Really? Because I can totally believe they screwed this up. I would have been more shocked if things went smoothly.

Disney, as a whole, is horrible about instituting new policies and then forgetting to pass that information along to those people who actually have to deal with the new policies.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

This. Sounds. Amazing. Or at least interesting... wine makes me snoozy but I do love it and coffee...

It is. Well, from what I remember. I sampled it in the shop. They served it chilled in the tiniest little glass. I may have been that hot or that worn in the moment but it was faaaaaaaabulous. I've done some looking (asking) at our local liquor stores (big stores) but none of them have heard of coffee wine. I may check some wine specialty shops. If I'd known it was impossible to find I would've bought a case. I'm saving (read: coveting) my bottle until I can sip it with my mom. Thankfully, she'll be here next week. I'm practically giddy just thinking about it. LOL!

 

[Orukal]

Of course, if DCL perceives that smuggled liquor is a real problem, they will just increase enforcement or make the rules more strict.

Or change the policy further and not allowing any type of alcohol from being brought onboard.

 

[Ofinn]

I agree with most of what you said, but sure you can fly with beer and wine. And liquor. We didn't plan on buying Guavaberry Rum in Sint Maarten so we weren't prepared, but we wrapped it up in several layers of clothing, put it in our hard case, and it got home just fine. They sell "wine diapers" to protect wine, beer, liquor bottles in checked luggage.


If the PP is right about what you mean, if you can't take the stuff to your room, you KNOW you'll be getting it the morning of embarkation. So don't set out one of the checked bags. Leave room in it for the alcohol. Take it off the ship with the alcohol you have now picked up, and when you get through customs put the alcohol into the checked bag. Maybe go prepared with some wine diapers.

My point was I wouldnt buy beer or wine in port to take home. My dh drinks american beer that you can buy anywhere. I can buy wine at home. If they consficated it id be pretty mad if my purpose for buying it was to drink it on the ship.

 

[bumbershoot]

My point was I wouldnt buy beer or wine in port to take home. My dh drinks american beer that you can buy anywhere. I can buy wine at home. If they consficated it id be pretty mad if my purpose for buying it was to drink it on the ship.

OK.

 

[steves100]

Really? Because I can totally believe they screwed this up. I would have been more shocked if things went smoothly.

Disney, as a whole, is horrible about instituting new policies and then forgetting to pass that information along to those people who actually have to deal with the new policies.

I was being facetious

 

[jahber]

This. Sounds. Amazing. Or at least interesting... wine makes me snoozy but I do love it and coffee...



Thank you for posting this - THIS is a huge reason we dropped our January cruise in favor of a line with just as stringent policies. They at least know what they are doing and I will know that I can collect my rum at the end. When I asked DCL specifically how it would work they had no answers, not even to what they would do if they accidentally broke a bottle while it was in their care. We are planning on buying some high end special stuff, so I would be in tears if they did this at the end of what should be a very relaxing vacation! I feel so sorry for her!!

Just for an update, the person I mentioned before (the one who wasn't able to find her bottle of rum) received a call from DCL. The CM told her she shouldn't have had to ask where to pick up her alcohol because it was printed on her claim ticket. Period. She didn't address the fact that she was given wrong information--in person--three times. It was her fault.

I'm not sure what happens next, but I would expect her to escalate it. She was basically called stupid (in her words) and brushed off when DCL was at fault. No matter what, they should have trained their crew to know the answer to what was probably the #1 new question onboard recently. It's disappointing.

 

[turtle27]

Well, this should not be shocking news to anyone still following this. I stop working crazy hours in 8 days, and I will be returning the phone call I received. I thought it mean/unproductive to call back at 9pm at night.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/envelope-please-the-best-cruise-lines-of-2015-093014391.html

Anyone else feel like telling DCL that they cannot continue on this path to non-customer service?

 

[AquaDame]

Just for an update, the person I mentioned before (the one who wasn't able to find her bottle of rum) received a call from DCL. The CM told her she shouldn't have had to ask where to pick up her alcohol because it was printed on her claim ticket. Period. She didn't address the fact that she was given wrong information--in person--three times. It was her fault.

I'm not sure what happens next, but I would expect her to escalate it. She was basically called stupid (in her words) and brushed off when DCL was at fault. No matter what, they should have trained their crew to know the answer to what was probably the #1 new question onboard recently. It's disappointing.

You know what is worse than just saying I don't know? Giving wrong information....sorry Disney but that is remedial customer service we are talking about here. I'm livid for her!

Well, this should not be shocking news to anyone still following this. I stop working crazy hours in 8 days, and I will be returning the phone call I received. I thought it mean/unproductive to call back at 9pm at night.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/envelope-please-the-best-cruise-lines-of-2015-093014391.html

Anyone else feel like telling DCL that they cannot continue on this path to non-customer service?

Honestly the way people speak of DCL around here I assumed they had been wining the family category since inception. ^^;

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Or change the policy further and not allowing any type of alcohol from being brought onboard.

Which I'm sure would stop current liquor smugglers from attempting it...

 

[jetskigrl]

Well, this should not be shocking news to anyone still following this. I stop working crazy hours in 8 days, and I will be returning the phone call I received. I thought it mean/unproductive to call back at 9pm at night.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/envelope-please-the-best-cruise-lines-of-2015-093014391.html

Anyone else feel like telling DCL that they cannot continue on this path to non-customer service?

Wow...so DCL didn't even win the award for best for families this year. That is pretty telling. The only thing DCL won was best inside rooms? Isn't there a ship now that has virtual verandahs (floor to ceiling)? I thought I read that somewhere. If that is the case, I can't imagine them even being able to hold on to that inside rooms award.

 

[gumbypee]

Just for an update, the person I mentioned before (the one who wasn't able to find her bottle of rum) received a call from DCL. The CM told her she shouldn't have had to ask where to pick up her alcohol because it was printed on her claim ticket. Period. She didn't address the fact that she was given wrong information--in person--three times. It was her fault.

I'm not sure what happens next, but I would expect her to escalate it. She was basically called stupid (in her words) and brushed off when DCL was at fault. No matter what, they should have trained their crew to know the answer to what was probably the #1 new question onboard recently. It's disappointing.

well.. was it on the claim ticket?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow...so DCL didn't even win the award for best for families this year. That is pretty telling. The only thing DCL won was best inside rooms? Isn't there a ship now that has virtual verandahs (floor to ceiling)? I thought I read that somewhere. If that is the case, I can't imagine them even being able to hold on to that inside rooms award.

That would be Royal Caribbean. It's on several of their ships. They've included virtual balconies in their single studios on their new ships, too. None of Disney's ships have single studios (solo travelers do cruise). They've added the virtual balconies to several of their older ships, too. Disney has not added virtual portholes to the classic ships during their dry docks and/or room overhauls.

The CC awards that are being referenced are the Editor's Picks. Cruiser's Choice could be different. It's subjective.

But, I do think that innovation is where DCL is falling sorely behind within the industry. Their recent moves to be more in-line with industry standards aren't reflecting well in technological advances, IMO. With no new ships on order I don't see that improving much anytime soon either.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

well.. was it on the claim ticket?

That's what I was wondering. But, an explanation or maybe even a mention that it's on the claim ticket would be nice at the time you are issued it.

 

[DisneyNurse19]

Well, this should not be shocking news to anyone still following this. I stop working crazy hours in 8 days, and I will be returning the phone call I received. I thought it mean/unproductive to call back at 9pm at night.

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/envelope-please-the-best-cruise-lines-of-2015-093014391.html

Anyone else feel like telling DCL that they cannot continue on this path to non-customer service?

So these were awards by Yahoo Travel?

 

[jetskigrl]

Just for an update, the person I mentioned before (the one who wasn't able to find her bottle of rum) received a call from DCL. The CM told her she shouldn't have had to ask where to pick up her alcohol because it was printed on her claim ticket. Period. She didn't address the fact that she was given wrong information--in person--three times. It was her fault.

I'm not sure what happens next, but I would expect her to escalate it. She was basically called stupid (in her words) and brushed off when DCL was at fault. No matter what, they should have trained their crew to know the answer to what was probably the #1 new question onboard recently. It's disappointing.

I agree, since this is a new policy, they should have had everyone prepared for how to handle questions in person. And I would be curious to see the claim ticket too (and how small that print is). Good customer service would have been to let her know where/when the pickup would be when they were taking the alcohol from her.

But after seeing how the whole alcohol policy change was handle from a customer service perspective, I'm not at all surprised that this was the response she received from the CM.

 

[jcarwash]

So these were awards by Yahoo Travel?

No, Cruise Critic. It's a Yahoo article about the Cruise Critic editor's choice awards: http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/

 

[Twinprincesses]

I wish we would hear from more people that were on that first Magic cruise. I heard from 2 people. The first said alcohol pick up was a breeze and had no issues. That same person said she saw no beer or wine taken unless it was over the allotted amount. The other said all beer. wine and alcohol was confiscated and nothing was allowed on so it is like who do you believe?


Right now the first Fantasy cruise is sailing with the rules in place so I guess we will hear from them. I would think there would have been more backlash if there was beer and wine taken so besides just the bad way of dealing with calls I am giving Disney the benefit of the doubt at this point.

I do think eventually Disney is just going to a no carry on alcohol of any kind and probably no water either. I hope if they get to that point they drop their prices but judging at the way people were salivating to book the 2017 cruises that is not going to happen.

 

[over50visits]

well.. was it on the claim ticket?

Absolutely positively not relevant.

Next time you get food poisoning on DCL don't complain, you should have read the cruise contract.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The other said all beer. wine and alcohol was confiscated and nothing was allowed

I believe this comment related to bringing the items onboard during a port stop. Possibly, in the two separate cases, there were 2 different CMs manning the security screening station.