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, cleanliness, to the great service.
I believe the only really negative experience 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!
