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Topic: Would you book an inaugural cruise?

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-01-2000 06:08 PM

After reading about Millenium's inaugural,I was wondering how people felt about booking an inaugural cruise. Who would book or not book and why?

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Premier
First Class Passenger
Member # 1463

posted 08-01-2000 06:16 PM

I would wait until the ship is one or two months old.

Posts: 64 | From: New Jersey(Birthplace of the Emerald Seas) | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-01-2000 06:18 PM

No! Inaugural cruises are nearly always postponed or have crew or technical problems. The first Disney ship and P&O's Aurora are other recent example

If you wait for six months to a year you get an 'almost' new ship, a well settled in crew and a cheaper rate!

As for compensation, this would not make-up for a ruined holiday as far as I am concerned!

(I bet Summit and Infinity are delayed too!)

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 08-01-2000).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 08-01-2000 06:28 PM

If I could book an inaugural cruise, it would be with Celebrity. Aside that they're my favorite line, I think with the embarassment with "Millie", they'll do whatever it takes to ensure the Infinity and Summit sail on time. Besides, I believe those from the Millie inaugural received great compensation for their inconvenience

Regards

Bob

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Winner
First Class Passenger
Member # 1188

posted 08-01-2000 06:34 PM

Not after the past few years. It seems that even when the ship is ready, the crew is not. Thanks, but I'll wait until later.

Posts: 113 | From: Santa Rosa CA USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Premier
First Class Passenger
Member # 1463

posted 08-02-2000 03:46 PM

The Carnival Triumph was late,too. We went on it last August and it was fine.

Posts: 64 | From: New Jersey(Birthplace of the Emerald Seas) | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

CruiseAholic
First Class Passenger
Member # 93

posted 08-02-2000 03:48 PM

Was originally booked on the Sea Princess Inaugural, which was delayed. Ended up on the Inaugural anyway and it was fantastic.

However, I think I would choose to wait in the future.

Posts: 32 | From: Hagerstown, MD USA | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 08-03-2000 07:56 AM

If your hearts not set on that cruise it's probably not a bad deal - you get your money back plus a free cruise! I keep saying I'm going to book on one, of course, that will be the one that comes out on time.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

stangirl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1171

posted 08-03-2000 08:25 AM

We didn't know we were booking an inaugural cruise when we went on our very first cruise. It was with Holland America. We were on the Rotterdam VI and had the best time! The ship was so new and shiny and the experienced cruisers had so many stories to tell. The staff was just fine. Maybe it was because it was our first cruise and we didn't know what to expect, but now after several other cruises, we can still say we had a wonderful cruise. All the celebration was really fun.

[This message has been edited by stangirl (edited 08-03-2000).]

Posts: 17 | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-03-2000 10:06 AM

I have been on only two inaugural cruises
and I liked them both. There were problems
with the staff learning the ship, but with
the right frame of mind it was great fun.

If you are concerned that you will be
disappointed, then wait to take a later
cruise......perhaps a 6-month wait.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 08-04-2000 07:41 AM

jwine,
You stated you get your money back plus a free cruise. How does this work? If you were booked in a suite, is the free cruise the same cat or do they give you lower cat?

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 08-04-2000 09:14 AM

We did the Grandure of the Seas Inaugrural.
The pool leaked several floors down and was closed most of the cruise. Our room was an ice box and they couldn't control the air flow for some reason. Their solution was to pass out additional bankets. The dining room service was 30 mintes late the first few days. In general, there was just a lot of confusion. We won't book anymore I's. Beautiful ship though. We loved it.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

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