Please explain the difference between a "preview" cruise an "inaugural" cruise?

[cwdefouw]

Here is my two cents. I believe that the large number of preview cruises, celebrity cruises before the Maiden Voyage on the Dream are a little unusual and probably won't happen on the Fantasy.

With the Magic, Disney had problems with Fincantieri getting the ship done in time and delivery was late, causing massive problems.

Disney was not about to get burned like this again so I think they built in about an extra 2 to 3 weeks of time before the scheduled Maiden Voyage, just in case there were similar problems with Meyer Werft.

Now, we all know that Disney can't be happier with Meyer Werft for getting the ship ready on time with very few glitchs to be taken care of after the test and adjust phase. Leading to an on-time, or perhaps even early, delivery.

However, on time delivery meant the ship would now arrive in Florida early in January, and they were not about to leave a 750 million dollar ship sit at the dock for almost a month. Hence the multiple preview, celebrity, charity cruises.

I think this is also why the Fantasy Maiden Voyage was moved up a week. After Meyer Werft's performance with the Dream, Disney realized they could move up the Fantasy's Maiden Voyage, with little or no risk of late delivery. I suspect the Fantasy will arrive in Florida no earlier than 3/15/12 and only have a couple of pre-maiden voyages, (1 or 2 preview and the christening)

Just my thoughts...

 

[mmouse37]

We booked the maiden voyage the day it was available. As gold castaway members going to the captains receptions, we would always watch the videos of the previous Christening AND Maiden Voyage of the Magic and the Wonder, and every time we would say that looks like it would be a blast to be able to experience that much fan fair. All the celebrities and all the celebrations. This is part of the reason that we booked the MV. We were a little upset about the pre cruises, only because none of these were discussed during our booking. Right now the only thing that we are REALY UPSET is the fact that they are doing the Christening before the MV. Like I said before we like the celebrations. I am hoping that they do clean out all their problems and every thing runs 100% during the MV, otherwise the customer service people are going to hear about it. Two weeks left to go and we can't wait!!

The Christening Cruise was before the MV of the Magic as well and they showed it in the staterooms continually which upset many Magic MV cruisers as there was no real recognition for the "first paying guests". The fanfare from the Christening cruise was incredible....but nothing like that on the MV.

I hope DCL learned from that and does do at least something to recognize those of us who paid good money with many restrictions to be on the Maiden Voyage.

MJ

 

[cseca]

The Christening Cruise was before the MV of the Magic as well and they showed it in the staterooms continually which upset many Magic MV cruisers as there was no real recognition for the "first paying guests". The fanfare from the Christening cruise was incredible....but nothing like that on the MV.

I hope DCL learned from that and does do at least something to recognize those of us who paid good money with many restrictions to be on the Maiden Voyage.
MJ

I completely agree with this statement although I don't want to hold my breath just to get disappointed later.
I think this is the main reason we didn't jump to book on the Fantasy MV cruise. We want to know how well they handle this one first and see if the $ we spent is worth it.
If not then we'll book Fantasy a little further out from MV date to save some $. If they proven themselves that the $ we spent is worth it then we'll rebook onboard for MV if possible.

I'm a bit miffed on the 7 or 8 precruises too, that's another reason we didn't jump on the next MV.