When did mixology change?

[noahsmom]

We just got off Dream on Sunday. Our mixology class was awful, a total waste of time. Mixology on previous cruises have been fun and educational, people had an opportunity to get behind the bar and make drinks. Not on this cruise. There were no stools at the bar, we sat in the regular skyline seating there was no interaction between guests. Bartenders made the drinks behind the bar, there was no explanation of how the drink was made or proportions used. We couldn’t see them being made. They were brought to us on a tray and then one of the bartenders would come to each group and asked how we liked the drink. Class was over in 35 minutes. No education, explanations, or interactions. Very disappointed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just got off Dream on Sunday. Our mixology class was awful, a total waste of time. Mixology on previous cruises have been fun and educational, people had an opportunity to get behind the bar and make drinks. Not on this cruise. There were no stools at the bar, we sat in the regular skyline seating there was no interaction between guests. Bartenders made the drinks behind the bar, there was no explanation of how the drink was made or proportions used. We couldn’t see them being made. They were brought to us on a tray and then one of the bartenders would come to each group and asked how we liked the drink. Class was over in 35 minutes. No education, explanations, or interactions. Very disappointed.

Not sure if/when it changed. Maybe that's the way that particular bartender does mixology classes. I've been to 2 different classes (both on the Fantasy) and, while we sat in the tables (not at the bar), a small group would go up and prepare 5 drinks each (same drink) under the bartender's instructions. Then everyone in the group would get one of the drinks to try. Then a different 5 people would go up to prepare the next drink.

 

[noahsmom]

That’s how all of our previous classes have been. Great fun and we’d all end up standing around the bar. This was so disappointing

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That’s how all of our previous classes have been. Great fun and we’d all end up standing around the bar. This was so disappointing

I know on the Magic class ships, they don't allow people behind the bar to mix drinks and the bartender usually just makes the drinks, explaining how to do it. Then they are served.

Maybe DCL thinks this is a "better" way to do it fleet-wide.

I hope not.

 

[Happy99]

I didn't like it either, first time I did it was in September and was like hmm this is not how it is supposed to be. Maybe it has to do with sanitation?

 

[mcd2745]

I think the experience can vary greatly depending on the bartender running it.

 

[disneyeek]

On our Fantasy cruise in March, our bartender let us know that they would be mixing all drinks due to new rules, and she didn't seem too happy about it. But we still had a blast and learned a lot.

On my Dream cruise in June, most of the drinks were made by the bartender but 2 people got to go up and mix a drink for the rest of the group. Also a fun class.

 

[Tasmen]

Oh what a bummer! We have a mixology scheduled for October and was hoping to be able to make the drinks. I understand why they may not want people to do that, though.

 

[DisneYE]

That’s how all of our previous classes have been. Great fun and we’d all end up standing around the bar. This was so disappointing

They did change it, but not sue if this is new policy across the board or based on each cruise.
Our last 2 cruises (December/wonder & March/Fantasy) it was like you describe: Drinks already made, bartender did a quick explanation, over in 45 mins. Totally different experience from a couple of years back and before, when it was so fun.
We asked the bartender last cruise why the change and he said its bc people abused on the alcohol and overpoured & were mixing ingredients poorly.
But I agree with you, disappointing. Unless I'm super bored & there's space available, I'm not doing it on our upcoming cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hmmm...... I'm wondering if it has to do with food/health regulations.

Maybe there's too much risk of spreading germs by random (public) people going into a food service area and handling ingredients.

In that case, maybe they could set up mixology classes not in a bar/lounge, but say, in one of the dining rooms, so that it could be the way where people actually make the drinks.

Of course, if Disney ships had meeting rooms, they could use one of those.......

 

[algae]

Last Sept, on the Magic, most of the drinks were mixed by the bartender and we were to see if we could figure out the flavors and ingredients used. We only made one drink ourselves. Still moderately educational about the purposes of different ingredients, but little hands-on stuff. The group was very large so we all sat in the lounge chairs. There would be no way we could fit everyone around the bar.

I can see how people could abuse the hands-on part to get a lot of drink. If we messed up the layering of the drink, we had to start over and, of course, we couldn't just pour the mistakes down the drain...

 

[FSU Girl]

That’s a shame if they changed the rules. We did mixology on the fantasy in January and got to go behind the bar. It was a lot of fun that way.

 

[randumb0]

I attended the Martini Tasting in March on the Magic and was able to go behind the bar

 

[DayOhDisMom]

Simular experience on the fantasy 2 weeks ago, mixology in skyline. No seats at the bar, drinks were served by bartenders, they ask for only four volunteers per type of drink. No recipe's of drinks were provided. Class was 30 minutes though the App stated one hour. Was not fun or informative. This was our fourth mixology the others were great.

 

[Calantha]

This is so odd (but good to know) - we just did Mixology on the Fantasy on the 8-day in June. Guests mixed and served all but the first drink - which was already prepared when we arrived. They stood in front of the bar to do it. We had a blast.

 

[randumb0]

I think on my next cruise I will ask the bartender the format and just cancel if it's not something I want

 

[Bonnie1222]

We have done a couple Mixology tastings and they have never handed out recipes, both were in done Meridian. When someone in the class asked, we were told to come back later that night and she would have them printed up for us.

The last one we did was the end of April and we all took turns mixing the drinks and handing them out. No mention of a change in the way things were being done.

I will say there is a definite difference in how the bartenders do each class. Both Mixologies were a lot of fun, but the first one we did with Ali we got to do all kinds of different techniques when making the drinks including layering a shot using the handle of the bar spoon (pouring down the length of the spoon) and if the drinks were pours a little "heavy" he told us they weren't quite right, but we drank them as is. Caroline took drinks from those of us mixing them and "remixed" them so they weren't too strong if we got too heavy handed - she wanted to make sure we tasted the drink as it was intended to be made so we could taste the drink with the correct recipe mix.

We did bourbon tasting with both of them as well on 2 different cruises. Ali make us a special bourbon cocktail to try and talked about adding a drop of water to the bourbon and talked about enjoying and drinking the bourbon while discussing what bourbon is; Caroline did a lot of History and discussion on the different grains and we tasted the bourbon, no bourbon cocktail.

My personal observation with all the different tastings I have done over the years is that when the bartender personally likes/enjoys the cocktail or liquor they are teaching they give you a better or more memorable experience

 

[Tasmen]

I attended the Martini Tasting in March on the Magic and was able to go behind the bar

I so want to do a martini tasting. There are none scheduled on my upcoming cruise. Here's the hoping they have one scheduled for my cruise in a little over a year!

 

[Sparky47]

We did a mixology class on the Fantasy in April in skyline. 3-4 guests were called up to the front of the bar (not behind bar) to make the drink and pass out to all other guests; then 3-4 more guests called up to make drink, etc. Different guests for each of the 4 (5?) drinks.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I attended the Martini Tasting in March on the Magic and was able to go behind the bar

Which bar was it?