What is the appeal of the Maiden Voyage on the Disney Wish???

[Cheburashka]

A lot of people want to experience the excitement and enthusiasm that exists during a maiden voyage, and to have the special feeling that they got to be the first to enjoy the ship.

 

[AquaDame]

I'm going to try and no, it's not for bragging rights. It's more a bucket list item. We had been booked on the first Adventures by Disney to visit her being built in the dockyard at Meyer Werft (which has since been cancelled) so the idea had been see her being built, and then try to get on the maiden voyage. That is out the window now, but there are still a few reasons I'm going to try...

1) I've heard Disney brass is onboard, and special presentations are run.
2) Swag - included and available for purchase (for me, not to sell, I don't do that).
3) It'd be fun to be on a 'brand new' ship.
4) "Research"/so I can answer questions here for folk early on.

Lots of reasons I'm more likely to fail than I thought too though... I haven't seen the pricing yet, so I may balk at that anyway.

1) They changed the system so I'm at the very back of the Platinum pack; I'd spent the last several years since they announced the ships assuming I could book day 1.
2) The Dreams agent I was assigned since my agent was out ghosted me last week when I emailed her. We'd previously spoken and she had said I was on her list but I'm not sure what is going to happen there.
3) I'd do it myself online but at the last release my account was messed up and the system did not recognize my CC status, so I half expect it to happen again. I'm worried I won't be able to book it on my own in time.

If it doesn't work out, I'll just book a later date. I want a 4-night or longer so the earliest we would sail otherwise would be June 20th. That's far enough away from the start that I'm not sure I care to pay the summer premium... we'd likely just wait and sail in the autumn instead.

 

[DCLMP]

A lot of people want to experience the excitement and enthusiasm that exists during a maiden voyage, and to have the special feeling that they got to be the first to enjoy the ship.

There some ships out there that are still waiting to take their Maiden voyage. Some people are going to luck out without spending any extra money. At this point I don’t think Carnival, Royal or Virgin know which sailing will be the first.

 

[Sakura1017]

Can anyone share what special swag was given on the maiden voyages? I doubt I will be able to get on the maiden voyage due to pricing, but now I'm thinking b2b on the wish might be better? Furthermore, how often do maiden voyage dates change?

 

[mmouse37]

We have been on two MV....the Disney Magic and the Disney Dream. The Magic was my first cruise ever so I had nothing to compare it to but I knew I loved the ship and I knew as soon as I boarded that I would love cruising. I was hooked. There were MANY issues on the MV of the Magic but it didn't matter to me. It was kind of expected as it was Disney's first foray into the cruise market. The MV of the Magic was postponed twice. Third time was the charm.

The MV of the Dream was very nice. I don't recall many issues with service. There were actually a few cruises before the official MV for paying guests. We were on a pre cruise (the Boys and Girls Club cruise) which was about a week before the Dream MV. I heard of some issues on the Dream MV and we did witness very bad guest behavior (people grabbing handfuls of t-shirts and other item to sell), people stealing the melamine plates from the quick service place. People fighting over items in the shops. More guest issues than Disney issues.

I am not looking for bragging rights but a die-hard DCL fan that can't wait to experience a new ship and explore all the new spaces onboard. I have truly enjoyed watching DCL grow over the years and become one of front runners in cruising. Like watching my kids grow up LOL.

I will be trying for the Wish MV on May 17th (my birthday!). If it prices out above my limit I won't book. I am cruising with my friends who were also on the MV of the Magic with me back in 1998 so we are excited to possibly experience a new MV together.

MJ

 

[mostlytraveling4food]

Just to say you're the first and post on your YT channel about how wonderful everything is.

And then make a video about the ten things you hate about it.

 

[RedHead0186]

More than bragging rights, methinks. Months, or even years from now, someone, on some forum somewhere, will be posting "Well, when WE were on the first sailing of the Wish . . ."

As people are doing now on this thread about other maiden voyages. (Not that I have an issue with it, just pointing out that proves your point that clearly for some being on a maiden voyage sticks with them, even years later).

 

[mmouse37]

As people are doing now on this thread about other maiden voyages. (Not that I have an issue with it, just pointing out that proves your point that clearly for some being on a maiden voyage sticks with them, even years later).

It absolutely sticks with you as anything special in your life sticks with you.

MJ

 

[Amunet]

While I don't think I would be able to snag a MV spot (lowly Silver) but the reason why I would want to is because the merchandise and special speakers. I've noticed a lot of special event merch is actually practical instead of just a trinket and THOSE are the type of swag I like. I think the special speaker reason is self explanatory.
I am a huge DCL fan, my wallet just can't keep up with my enthusiasm.

 

[auntlynne]

In reality, nobody cares. I don't know one person in my life I could brag to in fact I don't know one person that would even know what the Wish was. I'm sure if I did sail on the MV and told someone outside of Disney forum what I paid they'd think I was a complete fool.

... and someone on the Disney forum might think the same.

 

[DCLMP]

... and someone on the Disney forum might think the same.

If covid hadn't happened and I had already sailed on the cruises I wanted to I might be one of those people booking the MV. I would be trying to convince myself I wasn't overpaying for a "once in a lifetime cruise". I envy people that can do it. I've just missed out on so many trips I can't justify that kind of money on a Bahamas cruise.

I'm currently booked on a cruise that goes to Isreal. YIKES! I hope things are looking better in a year.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I want to go on the Wish, but I don't want to pay a fortune (more of a fortune, LOL) to go on the maiden voyage. But, if they ever retire the Magic, I would pay a lot to be on her last cruise, I love that ship

 

[GatorMomInNC]

If covid hadn't happened and I had already sailed on the cruises I wanted to I might be one of those people booking the MV. I would be trying to convince myself I wasn't overpaying for a "once in a lifetime cruise". I envy people that can do it. I've just missed out on so many trips I can't justify that kind of money on a Bahamas cruise.

I'm currently booked on a cruise that goes to Isreal. YIKES! I hope things are looking better in a year.

We are on a cruise with a stop in Israel in November. Now my sister wants to rebook....

 

[ahain]

We are on a cruise with a stop in Israel in November. Now my sister wants to rebook....

I don't believe any reputable cruise operator would sail to a destination that would put guests in danger. They would most certainly either skip the stop and create a sea day or create a different port stop to replace Israel. Similarly, I wouldn't think they would continue to sail FROM a port with extreme civil unrest and would pause until the situation stabilized.

 

[stlrod]

I was on a MV on one of Carnival's ships a little less than 20 years ago. It was the cruise from Hell (no air for almost two days in the Caribbean in July) and swore I would do a MV again. I'm sure Disney will do a better job. My only sailing with Disney was the Inaugural season of the Magic in 1998 and it was great. I am thinking about the MV of the Wish but won't be able to book until May 25th since I don't have status. Debating whether to go on the next cruise (the DVC cruise). Anyone have a guess as to how quickly the MV on the Wish will sell out?

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I guess everyone has different experiences. Of my 17 Disney cruises the Maiden voyage on the Fantasy is certainly one of my favorites. I guess we lucked out there were no negative issues that we encountered and we didn’t pay too much of a premium. We had very unique entertainment (Leah Salonga, Steven Schwartz, Larry the Cable guy) Many opportunities to hear several top Imagineers, John Lassiter and field questions to Bob Iger. Executives stayed on board for entire 7 night cruise.

Of course gifts in our room every night was also fun, but it was more about the experience, so I am hoping I am able to book the Wish maiden. Although with the new tiering system and the way the prices have jumped since 2012 it might not be a reality. I paid between 6 and 7k for a 5b stateroom for 2a and 1c. I wouldn’t be surprised if prices will be more than double for the 2a I have to book now that I paid for 3 people.

I wonder if because it was the second of the two ships things went more smoothly because they already knew what to expect after the Dream?

Hopefully they are able to get back up and running fully before they have to worry about staffing the Wish but time will tell!

 

[Robbydj13]

Ive been on maiden voyages for Royal Caribbean and theres often swag, the ability to say you were on the first, and usually they offer free drinks throughout the cruise among others... Im not sure what DCL does, but we are going to try and get a room if we can, if not, oh well. We are upper middle of the pack Platinum so as long as we can get a higher level balcony we will go.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I want to just because it sets sail on my birthday (which would be a fantastic birthday gift) but since I've never taken a Disney cruise I'm low on the totem pole of access.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'd like to do it just for the experience and to say I was on it.

 

[DCLMP]

We are on a cruise with a stop in Israel in November. Now my sister wants to rebook....

I think anytime to plan a trip to that part of the world you have to be prepared for it to possibly get canceled. The good thing about a cruise is the ship will just skip those ports and you'll still get to enjoy the rest of your vacation. The only reason I booked the cruise was for the stops in Isreal. The cruise the week before and after are Greek isles and Turkey and are considerably less money.

The last time I was on a cruise that was supposed to stop in Turkey they skipped the port because of civil unrest. It is a gamble, but I haven't been to the Greek Isles yet so whatever happens, we'll still see something new. We're planning on flying into Zurich and taking the train on to Milan and then Rome. It should be an adventure.