Taking Wine to Dining Rooms

[Ofinn]

Apart from scrappinginontario's post, this is why we can't have nice perks people. Abuse of the system.

Oh where is that dislike button.

 

[Ofinn]

Serious question: why is it that when a company does something to increase their cash flow it is labeled greed, while someone breaking the rules to save money is not considered greed?

If you don't get that I can't help you out. I could really save money and not cruise on DCL. Not all rules are good rules. I've cruised DCL 13 times in 4 years. I'm not going to have any guilt about drinking my own wine in the MDR. All I get for my loyalty is a basket a fruit and free Palo dinner. Nothing close to what other cruiselines offer platinum cruisers. So no I have no guilt. So let me ask you Why is that a company doesn't do more for it's loyal customers?

 

[wilkeliza]

If you don't get that I can't help you out. I could really save money and not cruise on DCL. Not all rules are good rules. I've cruised DCL 13 times in 4 years. I'm not going to have any guilt about drinking my own wine in the MDR. All I get for my loyalty is a basket a fruit and free Palo dinner. Nothing close to what other cruiselines offer platinum cruisers. So no I have no guilt. So let me ask you Why is that a company doesn't do more for it's loyal customers?

Totally beating a dead horse but do you often break rules because you deem them not to be good? Yes the real reason Disney limited alcohol and sets rules about personal wine and beer being consumed in public areas because those things negatively affect its bottom line. At the end of the day their reasoning doesn't really matter you can chose to follow the rules or not. Will the do anything? No as they don't make a habit of it unless you are flaunting your rule breaking or become disorderly. Could they decide to do something? Sure.

I don't really see where customer loyalty programs has anything to do with choosing to follow the posted rules or not.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Apart from scrappinginontario's post, this is why we can't have nice perks people. Abuse of the system.

We sail Concierge and at the lounge happy hour we get a glass of wine to take to dinner. We asked if that was ok and was told yes. You can also BUY a glass of wine at one of the bars and bring it into the MDR. We saw plenty of people standing line with a glass of wine and no one questioned where it came from.

 

[Ofinn]

Totally beating a dead horse but do you often break rules because you deem them not to be good? Yes the real reason Disney limited alcohol and sets rules about personal wine and beer being consumed in public areas because those things negatively affect its bottom line. At the end of the day their reasoning doesn't really matter you can chose to follow the rules or not. Will the do anything? No as they don't make a habit of it unless you are flaunting your rule breaking or become disorderly. Could they decide to do something? Sure.

I don't really see where customer loyalty programs has anything to do with choosing to follow the posted rules or not.

I think I have the mental capacicty to decide which rules I want to follow. Im not breaking any laws by drinking a glass of wine outside my stateroom. Im sure DCL is having no trouble with their bottom line since the charge 3 times more than any other cruiseline.

 

[Dug720]

We sail Concierge and at the lounge happy hour we get a glass of wine to take to dinner. We asked if that was ok and was told yes. You can also BUY a glass of wine at one of the bars and bring it into the MDR. We saw plenty of people standing line with a glass of wine and no one questioned where it came from.

I think the whole point is that if they determine they are losing enough money by people flaunting the system, they can (and have done so) take the perk away.

Once upon a time people could carry on their own liquor of any type. With the stated rule that it was to be consumed in your stateroom. MANY people bragged about making their own "juice" or various drinks and carrying them all over the ship - either in personal cups going on the assumption the drink looked like plain soda, juice, or water, or getting cocktail glasses from the bar because "no one will know". The bean counters knew and the ability to carry on unlimited liquor, wine, and beer was restricted to the current rule.

So yes. It could change again. The ability to carry on more in port could go away. It could become a "per stateroom" rather than "per person" limit. Or they could ban carrying it on at all. If they find that the policy hurts the bottom line. DCL is a business - not a charity. So of course they want to maximize their profits. Their shareholders (which I am NOT) want that also.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My understanding of a corking fee is that it should reflect a serving and storing fee for the product. If you are not being served but rather walking in with it, I don't see the conflict. When I read the rule to say no drinking in public places....my question was how does this apply to hallways, decks, etc -- from the sound of it, you can walk around with your drinks?

You are missing that one big reason for corkage fees is to make up for revenue lost because you are not buying wine from the establishment in which you are consuming it. Another reason given for corkage fees it to cover costs related to providing the stemware, cleaning it, and to cover the cost of replacing the broken stemware. These are all things that DCL still has to do even when you are opening your own bottle and pouring it in your room, unless you are carrying on your own stemware and washing it in your stateroom sink. Some cruise lines charge a corkage fee for simply bringing a bottle onto the ship, regardless of whether you consume it in your stateroom or in a public area such as the dining rooms. If people flaunt the rules DCL has in place, they could easily change to charging corkage on all wine carried on, or prohibit carrying on of all wine and beer. They already decided to change their policy regarding carrying on liquor and limit the amount of beer and wine carried on because it was cutting into their revenue when people refused to follow the rules regarding consuming it only in their staterooms.

I think I have the mental capacicty to decide which rules I want to follow. Im not breaking any laws by drinking a glass of wine outside my stateroom. Im sure DCL is having no trouble with their bottom line since the charge 3 times more than any other cruiseline.

You may have the mental capacity to decide to break a rule, but that doesn't give you the right to break a rule. It's DCL's ship so you are obligated to follow DCL's rules. Obviously people decide to break the rule all the time, but that doesn't make it right. And as I stated above, if enough people continue to break the rules, DCL could change their policy again.

 

[Ofinn]

You are missing that one big reason for corkage fees is to make up for revenue lost because you are not buying wine from the establishment in which you are consuming it. Another reason given for corkage fees it to cover costs related to providing the stemware, cleaning it, and to cover the cost of replacing the broken stemware. These are all things that DCL still has to do even when you are opening your own bottle and pouring it in your room, unless you are carrying on your own stemware and washing it in your stateroom sink. Some cruise lines charge a corkage fee for simply bringing a bottle onto the ship, regardless of whether you consume it in your stateroom or in a public area such as the dining rooms. If people flaunt the rules DCL has in place, they could easily change to charging corkage on all wine carried on, or prohibit carrying on of all wine and beer. They already decided to change their policy regarding carrying on liquor and limit the amount of beer and wine carried on because it was cutting into their revenue when people refused to follow the rules regarding consuming it only in their staterooms.



You may have the mental capacity to decide to break a rule, but that doesn't give you the right to break a rule. It's DCL's ship so you are obligated to follow DCL's rules. Obviously people decide to break the rule all the time, but that doesn't make it right. And as I stated above, if enough people continue to break the rules, DCL could change their policy again.

Im not going to argue with you. You live your life how you want. Ill live mine the want. Im sure there are things you do I wouldnt agree with or would find morally unacceptabe. Im not going to loose sleep over anything Disney does with their policies. Thats all Im going to say on the matter.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I think the whole point is that if they determine they are losing enough money by people flaunting the system, they can (and have done so) take the perk away.

Once upon a time people could carry on their own liquor of any type. With the stated rule that it was to be consumed in your stateroom. MANY people bragged about making their own "juice" or various drinks and carrying them all over the ship - either in personal cups going on the assumption the drink looked like plain soda, juice, or water, or getting cocktail glasses from the bar because "no one will know". The bean counters knew and the ability to carry on unlimited liquor, wine, and beer was restricted to the current rule.

So yes. It could change again. The ability to carry on more in port could go away. It could become a "per stateroom" rather than "per person" limit. Or they could ban carrying it on at all. If they find that the policy hurts the bottom line. DCL is a business - not a charity. So of course they want to maximize their profits. Their shareholders (which I am NOT) want that also.

My point is if you carry a glass of wine to the MDR (I have also taken a scotch and water from the Concierge lounge) and a CM does not question it... who is really at fault? DCL needs to stop the practice if it is a violation of their policy and they have not. Should they shut the bars down before the MDR dining time to prevent people from buying a drink to take in? And for what it's worth, I am a shareholder. I agree that the braggers may have ruined it for the many that followed the policy...they should walk the plank!

 

[wombat_5606]

People ignore rules all of the time. On the Disney ships people ignore the rules to not save the seats in the theater and on the pool decks. People ignore the rule to not cut in line or wait your turn to get on the elevator. This is just one more that some people choose to ignore.

People who see the drink issue as one of greed, aren't going to be too concerned about what Disney wants. In my opinion, based on Disney's argument when they changed the alcohol policy, people bringing a single glass of wine into the dining room isn't that big of a deal. It was kids having access to alcohol in their rooms, so they said, which wasn't alleviated by the wine and beer now allowed in your cabin.

If they aren't going to police the adult areas and keep the kids out, if they aren't going to police the pool area or theater and keep passengers from saving seats, I seriously doubt they care a whole lot about a glass of wine in the dining room.

For the people that follow every single rule, good on you. I would say that you are in the minority.

My point is if you carry a glass of wine to the MDR (I have also taken a scotch and water from the Concierge lounge) and a CM does not question it... who is really at fault?

You are missing the point. The point is that you have brought a drink into the MDR that you did not purchase or was given to you on the ship.

 

[wilkeliza]

My point is if you carry a glass of wine to the MDR (I have also taken a scotch and water from the Concierge lounge) and a CM does not question it... who is really at fault? DCL needs to stop the practice if it is a violation of their policy and they have not. Should they shut the bars down before the MDR dining time to prevent people from buying a drink to take in? And for what it's worth, I am a shareholder. I agree that the braggers may have ruined it for the many that followed the policy...they should walk the plank!

What you are describing isn't against any rule. You can take something you purchased on board where ever you want. The bartenders will even tell you to go ahead and take the glass to the MDR. That is okay. What is against policy is taking beer or wine you carried on board yourself outside of your stateroom.

If they aren't going to police the adult areas and keep the kids out, if they aren't going to police the pool area or theater and keep passengers from saving seats, I seriously doubt they care a whole lot about a glass of wine in the dining room.

Every DCL cruise I've taken they have policed their adult areas. They allow kids to walk through (due to design of the ship) but I have never seen a kid allowed to hang out. With the clubs and such they carded me at the beginning of that area starting at 8pm when it becomes adults only. If you see kids where they aren't suppose to you can just bring it up to a CM and they take care of it pretty quickly.

 

[wombat_5606]

Every DCL cruise I've taken they have policed their adult areas. They allow kids to walk through (due to design of the ship) but I have never seen a kid allowed to hang out. With the clubs and such they carded me at the beginning of that area starting at 8pm when it becomes adults only. If you see kids where they aren't suppose to you can just bring it up to a CM and they take care of it pretty quickly.

Hasn't been my experience. One day there was a couple with a screaming baby that were ordering drinks from the Adult pool bar. CM said nothing. When I mentioned to the couple that they were in an adult only area, the CM said that it was perfectly fine for them to be there.

 

[wilkeliza]

Hasn't been my experience. One day there was a couple with a screaming baby that were ordering drinks from the Adult pool bar. CM said nothing. When I mentioned to the couple that they were in an adult only area, the CM said that it was perfectly fine for them to be there.

I would have taken it to guest services later. That bar tender was definitely in the wrong. One reason we cruise Disney is because they actually police their adults only areas (except Cove cafe but if it is just a quick in and out I might roll my eyes but it doesn't bother me). I'm sure the bar tender was just thinking about his tip and not the experience Disney sells.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We also brought drinks from the conceirge lounge and they were very happy too. In fact I don't drink alcholol so I brought a bottle of perrier from the lounge and the MDR server set me out a glass and a straw and insisted on pouring it for me each night! My wife brought wine.

 

[Dug720]

We also brought drinks from the conceirge lounge and they were very happy too. In fact I don't drink alcholol so I brought a bottle of perrier from the lounge and the MDR server set me out a glass and a straw and insisted on pouring it for me each night! My wife brought wine.

Again, that is DCL-provided and covered in the price of Concierge. That is not the discussion going on right now.

 

[wombat_5606]

I would have taken it to guest services later. That bar tender was definitely in the wrong. One reason we cruise Disney is because they actually police their adults only areas (except Cove cafe but if it is just a quick in and out I might roll my eyes but it doesn't bother me). I'm sure the bar tender was just thinking about his tip and not the experience Disney sells.

So the CM broke a "rule" for their financial gain and I see people who bring a glass of wine as the same thing. I doubt Disney would have done a single thing about my complaint, unless a lot of people complained about this over and over. They aren't going to reprimand a single CM who is earning tips for a single infraction.

Oh, and I'd forgotten the people who take their children in the Cove Cafe. Interested why that rule violation doesn't bother you, but a single glass of wine in the dining room does?

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Again, that is DCL-provided and covered in the price of Concierge. That is not the discussion going on right now.

I see thank you.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Again, that is DCL-provided and covered in the price of Concierge. That is not the discussion going on right now.

I disagree...I think it is part of the discussion. The CM's don't know where you got that glass of wine from...the Concierge lounge, the bar or from your room. Unless they start putting stickers on the glass or stop everyone from bringing it in the MDR or walking around with it...they don't know. ..period. Yes, they could stop their policy of bringing wine and beer on board because of lost revenue. I seriously doubt that wine and beer sales have suffered due to people bringing it on board and taking a glass of wine to the MDR..

And to address the kids in the adult area...I too have seen folks plop their young children onto the bars stools and order drinks. The bartender said nothing.

 

[wilkeliza]

So the CM broke a "rule" for their financial gain and I see people who bring a glass of wine as the same thing. I doubt Disney would have done a single thing about my complaint, unless a lot of people complained about this over and over. They aren't going to reprimand a single CM who is earning tips for a single infraction.

Oh, and I'd forgotten the people who take their children in the Cove Cafe. Interested why that rule violation doesn't bother you, but a single glass of wine in the dining room does?

I mean it bothers me but you kind of have to pick your battles. Just like if I saw someone walk out of their stateroom with a wine glass I'm not going to run off and report them. A parent who quickly orders a drink from cove holding their kid who then takes the drink and goes back to the family pool eh not worth the steam. A kid who is allowed to play in the adults only area or swim in the pools or hot tubs yep that's enough that I'll let a deck CM know. I can be bothered by something but not go off reporting every little infraction to DCL.

 

[Dug720]

The bottom line is it's a moot point. As long as people are allowed to bring wine and beer aboard, those who insist the rules don't apply to them will continue to drink it wherever and those who obey the rules will continue to obey them.

And if/when Disney decides they are losing too much money on people not obeying the rules and change the policy for bringing alcohol on board to make it more restrictive (either none, further limits, and/or automatic corkage fee for anything brought on board, etc.), the rule-breakers and the rule-followers will all pay the same price.