Using Your Own Cup on Cruise

[Something Original]

I know a lot of people bring their own cups, but it's against the rules. Is it okay to do this?

 

[Geomom]

You need to use one of the disposable cups provided to fill your own cup (for health reasons), not use your cup directly at the beverage stations.

 

[Dug720]

Bringing your own cup is NOT against the rules.

Filling your own cup directly from the drink stations is. As @Geomom says, use one of the small cups to fill your cup or bottle and there is no problem.

 

[Something Original]

Bringing your own cup is NOT against the rules.

Filling your own cup directly from the drink stations is. As @Geomom says, use one of the small cups to fill your cup or bottle and there is no problem.

Thank you . Didn't know the difference.

 

[Something Original]

You need to use one of the disposable cups provided to fill your own cup (for health reasons), not use your cup directly at the beverage stations.

Thanks

 

[MelSpees]

I'll probably get flamed for this but...I don't use one of their cups to refill my cup every time. My cup is clean, it has a lid and straw. I do not drink directly from the cup, thereby touching the cup to my lips. If my cup is clean, there is no difference in using it at the dispenser from the disposable cups at the station. Now, if you're drinking out of the cup and there is a possibility that your germs may touch the dispenser that is different and a separate clean cup should be used. I don't like wasting the cups at the station. There would be little point in using a reusable cup, except for size, if you're always using up a paper cup anyway.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'll probably get flamed for this but...I don't use one of their cups to refill my cup every time. My cup is clean, it has a lid and straw. I do not drink directly from the cup, thereby touching the cup to my lips. If my cup is clean, there is no difference in using it at the dispenser from the disposable cups at the station. Now, if you're drinking out of the cup and there is a possibility that your germs may touch the dispenser that is different and a separate clean cup should be used. I don't like wasting the cups at the station. There would be little point in using a reusable cup, except for size, if you're always using up a paper cup anyway.

The issue would be others, seeing you use your cup, will think it's OK for them to use theirs. There are signs clearly posted (several places) asking people to please use a "fresh" cup for refills.

Even using a lid and straw, the back wash from the liquid in the straw returning to your cup will contaminate it. Then the splash of the spigot filling your cup could lodge on the spigot, contaminating other's cups. Yes, minimal chance, but still a chance.

 

[apathetic]

Yeah, it's "unhealthy" to put your cup, not lid and straw, directly under the machine. But somehow it's ok for the cups to go under the machine. The cups are often handled by others (grabbed more than one by accident) who pull them apart by the top of the cup and stuff them back in the dispenser. Or the cups fall on the ground and get picked up (again by the top of the cup) and shoved back in. Don't even look at what happens to the plastic lids.

So, no, don't put your clean cup up to the dispenser. Much more sanitary to use the cups they provide.

 

[Hey it's Kris]

My family brought our own cups on our first cruise (because it was recommended on every blog I read) but I found we never used them. We don’t drink cup after cup of soda so it wasn’t necessary to have to carry around an extra item like a cup all day.

 

[Kae]

I don't get this, people refill with their cups at WDW resort QS places and most fast food places everywhere.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't get this, people refill with their cups at WDW resort QS places and most fast food places everywhere.

The biggest difference is the remoteness of a ship if people onboard start getting sick. They do everything they can to minimize the risk.

On land, you're not far from extensive medical care, if necessary.

 

[MelSpees]

I don't get this, people refill with their cups at WDW resort QS places and most fast food places everywhere.

A very good point.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I saw a guy refill his disposable water bottle with water from the soda fountain. He didn't let it touch the tap, but I suppose it could have splashed out.

 

[Beth D]

But the cup never actually touches anything- these machines dispense beverage by a grubby human hand pushing a button for the desired drink....so maybe a handwashing station there would be a more effective method of preventing germ spread?

I use my own cup.

Also, I use the machine for ice and water all day, not soda.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Whether you use your own cup or not, there have been several studies indicating soda fountain machines (both self-serve and behind the counter) are unsanitary so your cup is likely barely making a dent in the "germ" factor.

 

[TestingH2O]

Whether you use your own cup or not, there have been several studies indicating soda fountain machines (both self-serve and behind the counter) are unsanitary so your cup is likely barely making a dent in the "germ" factor.

True. And the bottle filler part on water fountains is also much more likely to be germy.

Nevertheless, I do my best to follow DCL rules.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

As someone who has been in food service for over 30 years, including a Food and Beverage Manager position for Disney, the biggest contaminant in the entire drinking process is everyone’s fingers touching the buttons to dispense both the ice and the beverage. The use our paper cup sign is just lip service. With that in mind, I’m a rule follower and use one of the paper cups to refill my cup.

 

[MUN]

I know a lot of people bring their own cups, but it's against the rules. Is it okay to do this?

We do not advocate violating DCL rules on this forum.

 

[Starwind]

But the cup never actually touches anything- these machines dispense beverage by a grubby human hand pushing a button for the desired drink....so maybe a handwashing station there would be a more effective method of preventing germ spread?

I use my own cup.

Also, I use the machine for ice and water all day, not soda.

There are handwipe containers at the soda dispensing stations. We grab two -- one to use on our hands, the other to serve as a barrier between our now clean(er) hands and the dispenser.

We use the paper cups, even when using them to pour into our own cups.

SW

 

[NurseDave]

I sure do love these "I know the rules say I shouldn't, but I have reasons not to agree with the rules so will everyone back me up on not following them?" threads.