Infinity P/C Cruise ... a little at a time

[Mysteryreader]

Dh and I returned from our 10/25 Panama Canal cruise just a few short hrs ago. I've got plenty to report on and not enough energy to write a comprehensive review so I hope you don't mind if I do this in installments. Of course, if anyone has any questions, I'll be glad to answer.

TOPIC #1: Live Entertainment

The live entertainment was some of the best we've ever seen on a cruise. Dh is not the type to hang around lounges, but we checked out the venues for the various musical acts each evening. That alone is a statement as to the quality.

The Dockers (an all-male a capella quartet) got more and more fans as the cruise went on (I was among them) until it got to be SRO at each of their appearances. The last night they were performing a final time in the Martini Lounge. A group was talking loudly at one side. They got shushed! All of the lounge acts were good to excellent. The string quartet is comprised of 4 music grad students from Indiana Univ (or so one of our tablemates reported). My dh particularly enjoyed the jazz quartet.

The Celebrity Theatre music/dance productions were so popular that the last performance it was SRO--every seat was taken. The singers were very good. I have to wonder: is the poor economy making it possible for cruise lines to book better artists?

The individual stage acts at the beginning of the cruise were really good. Bob Brezendine (comedy/magic) was very very funny. His final "sketch" in his 2d performance (the yellow banana) was one of the funniest routines I've ever seen; my sides ached. And we spoke with others who agreed. He was particularly good at ad libbing with members of the audience. I'd actually pay to see him perform in a non-cruise setting. Hayden Smith (vocalist/instrumentalist) was a so-so vocalist but when he played the soprano sax ... WOW!

Then those two left in Panama and Joey Van and Lorenzo Clark came aboard. Bummer. LC did a "pickle" trick that was a near duplicate of BB's grapefruit trick except BB put original comic twists on it that in comparison sent LC's into the dumpster. The final night's show with JV and LC was so dull we left before it ended. LC actually kept telling us what he was doing was funny and we were supposed to be laughing. There might be opposing views.

One fellow pax complained to me that there was rarely a pool band. Dh and I were glad of it; you could actually carry on a conversation. But that was just our opinion; obviously there were differing opinions.

I'll be back tomorrow with more comments.

M/R

[Texed]

Thanks for posting.

[sammamishcruiser]

My DH and I were on the Infinity, Panama Canal September 25 - October 11, just before you. We also thought that the Dockers were just FANTASTIC!!! I felt like I was becoming a "groupie" LOL!! Whenever or where ever they sang, I was. They are a very young ( early 20's) group and this is there first contract with Celebrity. Our cruise was the very first time performing on a cruise ship. I am very sure that it will not be there last!! They were wonderful!!!

Happy cruising!
Melody

[fateknows]

Originally Posted by Mysteryreader

Dh and I returned from our 10/25 Panama Canal cruise just a few short hrs ago. I've got plenty to report on and not enough energy to write a comprehensive review so I hope you don't mind if I do this in installments.

M/R

Thank-you mysteryreader! I can't wait for the next installment.

[clavius]

Thanks for the head's-up on the Dockers. We will be on the Infinity in 2 weeks and will check them out. A barbershop quartet sounds so "Lawrence Welk". But, apparently they sing pop music too, so I'll reserve judgment until I hear them for myself.