DEEDIA Posted February 28, 2016 #1 Share Posted February 28, 2016 The last and first Inaugural Cruise we did was the Independence of the Seas, we got a few free gifts, a Cap and a photo. Is it usual to receive freebies on these First Cruisers. Guess some of you have some wonderful tales to tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagsfan Posted February 28, 2016 #2 Share Posted February 28, 2016 I sailed on the Majestic's (Premier Cruise Line) inaugural sailing as a guest. We had the bliss of having hors d'oeuvres and Dom Perignon on the bridge and then standing on the wing of the bridge to sail under the Sunshine Skyway in Tampa Bay. In our stateroom was another bottle of Dom and a giant chocolate bar embossed with the ship's profile. That was a never to be repeated fabulous experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joand452 Posted February 28, 2016 #3 Share Posted February 28, 2016 We sailed what advertised as Quantum's inaugural cruise. It turned out that the maiden voyage (trans-Atlantic) the week before got all the goodies we thought we'd get. We got a cheaply printed "certificate" after people at the last day's Q&A with officers brought it up. Our last "inaugural." Definitely wasn't worth the inflated price we paid. We did enjoy the ship, though!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaveitallbehind Posted February 28, 2016 #4 Share Posted February 28, 2016 Was on Grandeur's inaugural and received a hard bound book outlining her build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenfever Posted February 29, 2016 #5 Share Posted February 29, 2016 We sailed what advertised as Quantum's inaugural cruise. It turned out that the maiden voyage (trans-Atlantic) the week before got all the goodies we thought we'd get. We got a cheaply printed "certificate" after people at the last day's Q&A with officers brought it up. Our last "inaugural." Definitely wasn't worth the inflated price we paid. We did enjoy the ship, though!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk We were there also and can confirm what Joan said above. Very disappointing after all the hype that was given to other ships that had their inaugural cruises. We did have a good time though and just loved the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisesOnMyMind Posted February 29, 2016 #6 Share Posted February 29, 2016 We sailed what advertised as Quantum's inaugural cruise. It turned out that the maiden voyage (trans-Atlantic) the week before got all the goodies we thought we'd get. We got a cheaply printed "certificate" after people at the last day's Q&A with officers brought it up. Our last "inaugural." Definitely wasn't worth the inflated price we paid. We did enjoy the ship, though!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk We were there also and can confirm what Joan said above. Very disappointing after all the hype that was given to other ships that had their inaugural cruises. We did have a good time though and just loved the ship. We were also on that cruise and in addition we received 2 light weight back packs with Quantum of the Seas embroidered on them and a bottle of Dom half way through. On the other hand the Oasis Inaugural was incredible with gifts being put on your bed almost every evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regg1216 Posted February 29, 2016 #7 Share Posted February 29, 2016 We sailed what advertised as Quantum's inaugural cruise. It turned out that the maiden voyage (trans-Atlantic) the week before got all the goodies we thought we'd get. We got a cheaply printed "certificate" after people at the last day's Q&A with officers brought it up. Our last "inaugural." Definitely wasn't worth the inflated price we paid. We did enjoy the ship, though!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk I sailed with you. Ship was beautiful but inaugural was a big disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisesOnMyMind Posted February 29, 2016 #8 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I sailed with you. Ship was beautiful but inaugural was a big disappointment. I will add that I did not care for the layout or the feel of the ship at all. DH really liked it. Agree that the inaugural was a disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkbiiii Posted February 29, 2016 #9 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) On Quantum as a Diamond, I did get a book, which I had signed by the Captain! Edited February 29, 2016 by gkbiiii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moopetguy Posted February 29, 2016 #10 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I haven't been on an inaugural cruise and I don't think I'd ever go on one. Cost issues aside, I would be concerned about unfinished amenities and crew who aren't yet "in the groove" (whether they're newly-minted and inexperienced, or transfers unaccustomed to the new ship, service teams, etc.). I have the same concerns about any sailing that is scheduled shortly after drydock, as evidenced by the unfinished work with Liberty right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted February 29, 2016 #11 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Quantum maiden cruise, we got gifts every night, book on the ship, book on the art on board, water bottles, backpack. It was fabulous, Sent from my iPad mini 4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMG Posted February 29, 2016 #12 Share Posted February 29, 2016 We sailed what advertised as Quantum's inaugural cruise. It turned out that the maiden voyage (trans-Atlantic) the week before got all the goodies we thought we'd get. We got a cheaply printed "certificate" after people at the last day's Q&A with officers brought it up. Our last "inaugural." Definitely wasn't worth the inflated price we paid. We did enjoy the ship, though!! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Count us in! We were on the cruise that was sold as an Inaugural only to be told on board that it was NOT an inaugural. They seemed to go out their way to prove that it was not an Inaugural Cruise. Still trying to figure out why we got the cheap certificate if it was not an inaugural. I did manage to get the Quantum hard bound book by asking my Room Steward if there were any available. Everyone got ball caps and a water bottles...that was it! As noted...the passengers on the Maiden Voyage got gifts every night. I do remember being on the Brilliance during the ships inaugural year and they gave out the hard bound books weeks after the actual Inaugural. Times Change!!! Just my opinion but I would not trust that RCI would do anything special for any future Inaugural Cruise. We definitely will not test that theory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisesOnMyMind Posted February 29, 2016 #13 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) We were also on that cruise and in addition we received 2 light weight back packs with Quantum of the Seas embroidered on them and a bottle of Dom half way through.On the other hand the Oasis Inaugural was incredible with gifts being put on your bed almost every evening. Count us in! We were on the cruise that was sold as an Inaugural only to be told on board that it was NOT an inaugural. They seemed to go out their way to prove that it was not an Inaugural Cruise. Still trying to figure out why we got the cheap certificate if it was not an inaugural. I did manage to get the Quantum hard bound book by asking my Room Steward if there were any available. Everyone got ball caps and a water bottles...that was it! As noted...the passengers on the Maiden Voyage got gifts every night. I do remember being on the Brilliance during the ships inaugural year and they gave out the hard bound books weeks after the actual Inaugural. Times Change!!! Just my opinion but I would not trust that RCI would do anything special for any future Inaugural Cruise. We definitely will not test that theory! I have to correct myself here:eek: We were on the Maiden TA cruise not the Inaugural. I can say without a doubt we did not receive gifts every night. Only as mentioned above in my post. Edited February 29, 2016 by CruisesOnMyMind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoeyVictoria Posted February 29, 2016 #14 Share Posted February 29, 2016 We were on the Allure's 4-night Labadee Extravaganza. We received lanyards, ball caps, and towels (all personalized with "maiden voyage"). The big surprise was all the grilled steak and lobster tail you could eat at the Labadee BBQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbug123 Posted March 1, 2016 #15 Share Posted March 1, 2016 We sailed on the Oasis inaugural and it was wonderful. We got cinch sacks (drawstring back pack type bags) upon check in. Then every night after dinner we found gifts in our stateroom. I don't remember everything we got, but I know it included a leatherette portfolio with certificate and ship photo, tote bags, fleece blankets, lanyards, beach towels (I think), hats, souvenir Coke bottles, champagne, and some other stuff. They also had a guy on the boardwalk imprinting commemorative coins. We did the Allure inaugural too and got several gifts, but not quite as much as on Oasis. I think the reason Oasis was so elaborate was because it was truly such an epic new class of ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Fan Posted March 1, 2016 #16 Share Posted March 1, 2016 We've been on the Freedom, Oasis, and Quantum inaugurals. The first (Freedom) was fantastic, with lots of delightful gifts. The second (Oasis) was also terrific, with many nice gifts, although not as many as the Freedom inaugural. The third (Quantum) was a total loss. We received virtually nothing, and paid extra to get it. We're done with inaugurals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEEDIA Posted March 1, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Wow some of you where really lucky compared to others, some lovely mementos handed out there. Jumped on the Ovation booking 3 day Cruise April 14th, so hope we are looked after in the same way. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted March 1, 2016 #18 Share Posted March 1, 2016 In my limited experience, Inaugural cruises are shake down cruises where they are basically working out how to run things and iron out the bugs with a payload of passengers. There are often teething problems and the cruise lines nearly always compensate the passengers with freebies, extra OBC or FCCs. If you want to be one of the first on the ship, (and you pay for it, compared to other cruises), then it is worth the experience. Just don't expect everything to be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted March 1, 2016 #19 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Some great stories, thanks for sharing.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philly Steve Posted March 1, 2016 #20 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Was on Grandeur's inaugural and received a hard bound book outlining her build. Hard to believe that was twenty years ago, isn't it? I purchased a copy online and it's very well done. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbug123 Posted March 1, 2016 #21 Share Posted March 1, 2016 In my limited experience, Inaugural cruises are shake down cruises where they are basically working out how to run things and iron out the bugs with a payload of passengers. There are often teething problems and the cruise lines nearly always compensate the passengers with freebies, extra OBC or FCCs. If you want to be one of the first on the ship, (and you pay for it, compared to other cruises), then it is worth the experience. Just don't expect everything to be perfect. True, but I must say the Oasis inaugural was more or less free of bugs. I don't recall anything not going as it was supposed to. We expected and were fine with it if that wasn't the case, but were pleasantly surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MicCanberra Posted March 1, 2016 #22 Share Posted March 1, 2016 True, but I must say the Oasis inaugural was more or less free of bugs. I don't recall anything not going as it was supposed to. We expected and were fine with it if that wasn't the case, but were pleasantly surprised. That was great then. Sometimes the teething issues may be due to having so many new staff/crew members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compman9 Posted May 12, 2016 #23 Share Posted May 12, 2016 How do you know if you are on an inaugural? I booked the Harmony for 29th May as it was the inaugural Then two short cruises were added before Now I understand the naming ceremony will be in the US So, does anyone know if I am on the inaugural or if I just paid extra because they told me I was :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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