nikicares
Creating Memories of a Lifetime!
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2010
- Messages
- 294
Here is my review from the Maiden Voyage versus our sailing on Sept 11-15th, of the Disney Dream. Maiden Voyage review is 1st then the Sept cruise review 2nd. Hope you enjoy.
We just returned from the Disney Dream Maiden Voyage and there was many great things about this cruise! YES a few kinks to be worked out, but I think that comes to say with anything 'new' - did you get a IPhone when they 1st came out?! LOL
I think that this ship is completely amazing, from the size of the ship, the decor, rooms, to the service.
I agree with the above post that states the only really negative was the Maiden Voyage Merchandising! This was a MESS! I do not personally feel that anything such as a T-Shirt, Jacket, Hat or Pin was worth this hassel. There was so many people that were only there to grab items for resale when they returned home! This truly saddens me. There were many guests that were on a 1st time Disney Cruise that was not able to even obtain a hat in memory of their voyage.
I saw people grabbing RACKs of Shirts and Jackets! Leaving nothing for other guests! This is disgusting and selfish. I believe that Disney needs to find a better way to handle the speciality merchandise.
Merchandising suggestion/solution: The RSP (reserved item presale), where ALL speciality items are available to order in advance and pick up on the ship. I also believe that all dated and speciality items should be limited to 1 per person! With the few collectable items that Disney awarded Maiden Voyage guest to 1 per stateroom! I do not believe because some guest booked 2 families to a room (to save money) should be allowed to get 2 stateroom gifts! They only paid the same price as a single family in a room and split the cost - they should not be giving extra items (many are being sold on EBAY)! I believe that Disney can find a way to limit these items to per person and per stateroom by using the Key to The World cards to verify when picking up items on board.
This system would also limit the crowds for newly released items in the shops and all guest can enjoy the shops for the items that are being sold in them and not the greedy people.
Enough about Merchandise!
I agree that there are some minor kinks that I believe will be worked within the next couple of sailing and months. Such as closing the pools for the Sail Away party so the families and kids can be closer to participate more. There was many guests talking about the 'keg beer' was not working and on ship yet, the dinning hostess' learning the seating schedule, and such things... these are all very minor issues that will easily be noted by Disney and changed soon I am sure.
As far as catering to the VIPS... I am not sure what causes this feeling, as we were concierge level with many VIPS, and we never felt they were "expecting' better service than us? They never seemed to be 'needy' of the staff. Though I did see many Platinum members that expected to be catered to because of there membership level, but in some ways maybe Disney needs to re evaluate the membership level benefits to help with this issue (but again not a Maiden Voyage or Disney Dream issue).
All staff members were doing their very best to answer questions and concerns of guests, to the best of their ability (people remember this is a new ship to them as well), they are learning too!
I personally feel honored and blessed to have been a guest on the Dream's Maiden Voyage! And I want to send a special Thank YOU to the Disney team, for all the extra gifts in our stateroom that will remain in our personal possesion as a memory and token of our Maiden Voyage cruise with you! Thank you to the staff for all your hard work and effort to make this a great experience!
Way to go Disney - the Maiden Voyage was a memory of a lifetime for our family!
Sept 11-15th, 2011 Disney Dream Cruise Review:
We just returned from the Disney Dream Sept 11, 2011 sailing, and this was an amazing cruise! I believe most of the 'kinks' that I expereinced on the MV have been worked out and most of the staff has settled into the new larger ship expectations
As before we were still completely amazed at the detail and beauty of this ship!
Some of the issues I heard complaints about on the MV -
Sail Away
good time, they did close the Mickey and Donald pool this time for the party so the kids (and parents) could dance on the deck. Good time, and I am glad they made this change - makes for more room for everyone.
Keg Beer: Most of the bars now had beer on tap (not all), bottle beer and we was able to purchase a beer mug for refills, at locations that had the beer on tap.
Dinning Seating: this was the biggest change in my eyes, as the servers now were much more friendly, organized and ready for the guests. On the MV no one even knew where the tables were.... Our dinners were NOT unreasonably long, but they were not fast food service either. They had drinks ready for the little ones when we arrived at our table, and on night 2 they had our drinks out to us within minutes of us sitting down - and asking if we needed anything different or more to drink. Food was delivered in a timely manner, the little ones food came out about the same time our appetizer did, so they didnt have to wait - very nice touch! Servers were very fun, and friendly!
Concierge Level: We had concierge level on both cruises and yes this time service far exceeded the service on the MV (though the MV was not awful)! Melanie, Julia and Thomas was amazing! We were told about the 100 minutes of internet service, offered assistance in booking extras (nursery, dinning, spa). They were very friendly and great with our teen daughter who booked her spa, and the 20 month old - they would always bring him milk when he came in and would high five him, he actually gave Melanie a hug one day (NOT like him at all, very shy)!! They did not mention anything about an arcade card for the teens (we did not ask either). We are very laid back people with not many 'special' requests. We did have a Captian Mickey delivered to our friends room traveling with us, and they put a bow in him and left him a note in their room with it Great service!
Service: Overall on board service was much better and enjoyable than on the MV. I can tell that everyone now knows what is expected of them and they are there to enjoy the time they have with the guests. We did not experience any negative staff members this time at all! Everyone was amazing!
The only complaint I have about this cruise is it is too short. 4 nights is perfect for those with little ones, and are limited on time. But for us it just seems to fly by too fast. By the time we get settled in and get relaxed it is time to pack up and come home!
Looking forward to another Dream cruise!
We just returned from the Disney Dream Maiden Voyage and there was many great things about this cruise! YES a few kinks to be worked out, but I think that comes to say with anything 'new' - did you get a IPhone when they 1st came out?! LOL
I think that this ship is completely amazing, from the size of the ship, the decor, rooms, to the service.
I agree with the above post that states the only really negative was the Maiden Voyage Merchandising! This was a MESS! I do not personally feel that anything such as a T-Shirt, Jacket, Hat or Pin was worth this hassel. There was so many people that were only there to grab items for resale when they returned home! This truly saddens me. There were many guests that were on a 1st time Disney Cruise that was not able to even obtain a hat in memory of their voyage.
I saw people grabbing RACKs of Shirts and Jackets! Leaving nothing for other guests! This is disgusting and selfish. I believe that Disney needs to find a better way to handle the speciality merchandise.
Merchandising suggestion/solution: The RSP (reserved item presale), where ALL speciality items are available to order in advance and pick up on the ship. I also believe that all dated and speciality items should be limited to 1 per person! With the few collectable items that Disney awarded Maiden Voyage guest to 1 per stateroom! I do not believe because some guest booked 2 families to a room (to save money) should be allowed to get 2 stateroom gifts! They only paid the same price as a single family in a room and split the cost - they should not be giving extra items (many are being sold on EBAY)! I believe that Disney can find a way to limit these items to per person and per stateroom by using the Key to The World cards to verify when picking up items on board.
This system would also limit the crowds for newly released items in the shops and all guest can enjoy the shops for the items that are being sold in them and not the greedy people.
Enough about Merchandise!
I agree that there are some minor kinks that I believe will be worked within the next couple of sailing and months. Such as closing the pools for the Sail Away party so the families and kids can be closer to participate more. There was many guests talking about the 'keg beer' was not working and on ship yet, the dinning hostess' learning the seating schedule, and such things... these are all very minor issues that will easily be noted by Disney and changed soon I am sure.
As far as catering to the VIPS... I am not sure what causes this feeling, as we were concierge level with many VIPS, and we never felt they were "expecting' better service than us? They never seemed to be 'needy' of the staff. Though I did see many Platinum members that expected to be catered to because of there membership level, but in some ways maybe Disney needs to re evaluate the membership level benefits to help with this issue (but again not a Maiden Voyage or Disney Dream issue).
All staff members were doing their very best to answer questions and concerns of guests, to the best of their ability (people remember this is a new ship to them as well), they are learning too!
I personally feel honored and blessed to have been a guest on the Dream's Maiden Voyage! And I want to send a special Thank YOU to the Disney team, for all the extra gifts in our stateroom that will remain in our personal possesion as a memory and token of our Maiden Voyage cruise with you! Thank you to the staff for all your hard work and effort to make this a great experience!
Way to go Disney - the Maiden Voyage was a memory of a lifetime for our family!
Sept 11-15th, 2011 Disney Dream Cruise Review:
We just returned from the Disney Dream Sept 11, 2011 sailing, and this was an amazing cruise! I believe most of the 'kinks' that I expereinced on the MV have been worked out and most of the staff has settled into the new larger ship expectations
As before we were still completely amazed at the detail and beauty of this ship!
Some of the issues I heard complaints about on the MV -
Sail Away
good time, they did close the Mickey and Donald pool this time for the party so the kids (and parents) could dance on the deck. Good time, and I am glad they made this change - makes for more room for everyone.Keg Beer: Most of the bars now had beer on tap (not all), bottle beer and we was able to purchase a beer mug for refills, at locations that had the beer on tap.
Dinning Seating: this was the biggest change in my eyes, as the servers now were much more friendly, organized and ready for the guests. On the MV no one even knew where the tables were.... Our dinners were NOT unreasonably long, but they were not fast food service either. They had drinks ready for the little ones when we arrived at our table, and on night 2 they had our drinks out to us within minutes of us sitting down - and asking if we needed anything different or more to drink. Food was delivered in a timely manner, the little ones food came out about the same time our appetizer did, so they didnt have to wait - very nice touch! Servers were very fun, and friendly!
Concierge Level: We had concierge level on both cruises and yes this time service far exceeded the service on the MV (though the MV was not awful)! Melanie, Julia and Thomas was amazing! We were told about the 100 minutes of internet service, offered assistance in booking extras (nursery, dinning, spa). They were very friendly and great with our teen daughter who booked her spa, and the 20 month old - they would always bring him milk when he came in and would high five him, he actually gave Melanie a hug one day (NOT like him at all, very shy)!! They did not mention anything about an arcade card for the teens (we did not ask either). We are very laid back people with not many 'special' requests. We did have a Captian Mickey delivered to our friends room traveling with us, and they put a bow in him and left him a note in their room with it
Great service!Service: Overall on board service was much better and enjoyable than on the MV. I can tell that everyone now knows what is expected of them and they are there to enjoy the time they have with the guests. We did not experience any negative staff members this time at all! Everyone was amazing!
The only complaint I have about this cruise is it is too short. 4 nights is perfect for those with little ones, and are limited on time. But for us it just seems to fly by too fast. By the time we get settled in and get relaxed it is time to pack up and come home!
Looking forward to another Dream cruise!
