Searching for summer - LIVE from the newly refurbished Infinity 12/5/15

I posted live previously from Millenium last December (2014) and this past April when Luminae opened and have been encouraged to post again. I will be posting some, as this is the first cruise with the new rooftop terrace, Tuscan Grill hasn't been open long with the new menu on Infinity and will share pics of the Refurbished Royal Suite and Penthouse.

First, security at the port was TIGHT at the port entrance. We Ubered over from our hotel which was $15 for lux, very inexpensive and a nice ride. Barely a line at security, or check-in but it's now 11:20 and we're waiting upstairs with other suite guests to board. It looks like general boarding will be starting any minute.

It's a bit rainy in Fort Lauderdale so not sure I'll post roof top terrace pics today. I did notice as we saw the ship as we drove in there are cabana looking curtains in the back as well as what look to be new sound panels added to the outside metal area next to the aft facing cabins on deck 11. We could only see one side.

Before I finished we boarded, but everything is delayed (cabins at 2pm, Luminae at 1pm due to health inspections).

I've taken pics of the "Rooftop Terrace" but wasn't impressed. I'll be posting soon.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Hi Jenna - Thanks so much for doing another "live" cruise report for us. I enjoyed your April review, and the information you provided then is actually one of the reasons I am looking at cruising Celebrity again. I appreciate your honesty in your reviews.

I currently have a Royal Suite on the Infinity on hold with my TA for a Pacific coastal cruise, and I need to make up my mind by Monday if I want to qualify for the "5 day extra sale" in addition to the "Go Best" package. So I will be glued to your review over the weekend, and I must say your timing is most helpful to me:)

Thanks again.

Thanks Jenna. I enjoyed reading through your last report. I'm looking forward to doing it again!

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I braved the win and survived better than the planters at the rooftop terrace.

The new stairs to the sunset bar aren't open yet. Presumably with no bar at the terrace this is how they'll bring drinks up?

A few more to follow...

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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And the tribute to the S.S. United States near the Casino:

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Thank you, Jenna. So looking forward to your review of the PH suite. Was in it for the mid-September cruise out of SF. Hope they find an umbrella for you. BTW, what is your butler's name?

Phil

Thank you, Jenna. So looking forward to your review of the PH suite. Was in it for the mid-September cruise out of SF. Hope they find an umbrella for you. BTW, what is your butler's name?

 

Phil

Our butler is Godfrey, we just met him. They do have an umbrella, but it was a bit of saga to get it.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Excited to follow along with you again on a cruise.

I have to admit that when I first read the title of your thread i thought you were looking for advice on how to book a summer cruise and wondered why someone as experienced as you are needed advice. :o

I guess I'll attribute that to old foggy brain. :p

The rooftop terrace looked beautiful (even in the rain) until I saw the TV. :eek:

Same gentleman then. Nice guy, but we had some communication issues. To be fair to him, this was our first experience with a butler so we may have been too tough on him and also the PH had some problems. Although we had a great time and loved many many aspects of the PH. Plus Luminae was fantastic.

Thanks for bringing back so many wonderful memories [emoji4].

Have a terrific cruise!

Phil

Far from a total gut, the room is mostly looking in good shape. New wall coverings, new wall tile in bathroom, new tub inside, new surround on old tub outside, new (but same as we're used to toilet), same old bidet, new headboard in Bedroom, same lights / switches, no new outlets by bed :(

Royal suite pics will come later, probably not today.

More to follow ...

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New TV:

- Few more to come ...

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We're off to muster soon.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Officers:

Schedule:

We haven't seen much of the ship but what we have she is looking fine and as spiffy or better than the other M-Class ships.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Hi Jenna,

Thank you so much for taking us all along on your Infinity cruise! I've been so curious about the Rooftop Terrace since our cabin is right below in 1140, in just 4 weeks. I'm glad to hear you think the ship is looking spiffy and look forward to whatever info and photos you can share with us!

Have a great cruise!

Tammy

Hi Jenna,

 

Thank you so much for taking us all along on your Infinity cruise! I've been so curious about the Rooftop Terrace since our cabin is right below in 1140, in just 4 weeks. I'm glad to hear you think the ship is looking spiffy and look forward to whatever info and photos you can share with us!

 

 

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Tammy

We have a roll call member onboard who has become a friend who is an an aft Aqua cabin who also posts frequently on cruise critic who I a sure will report.

On a side note, we're going to be leaving at least 2 hours late, no word yet why.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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Hi Jenna, Let me know if you think AQ cabin 1122 on Deck 11 will have noise issues Hope you and Dee have a smashing time. Heather

Hi Jenna, Let me know if you think AQ cabin 1122 on Deck 11 will have noise issues Hope you and Dee have a smashing time. Heather

As above, we'll ask around.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

Just a quick thanks for the photos. We've done six cruises on the Infinity and I was curious regarding the changes. And hope you enjoy this cruise -- we were on the reverse of your itinerary earlier this year.

Hope you have a great cruise..that itin is on our to do list!

From what berth did the ship dembark?

Was it windy on that rooftop terrace area? Are stairs the only access?

Can't wait to hear about the updates, cruise director and music/bands/shows and any dining outside of luminae..

Thanks..

I so loved your last cruise ...following along as you posted. So I am looking forward to this cruise and all your photos as we are sailing on Infinity Sept 4th next year...

Would you be so kind to ask or see how they plan on allowing those with mobility issues get to that roof top dock to watch movies? I will be renting a scooter as I cannot walk any distance at all anymore .. use a walker to get around right now.... I am really hoping to use this new area of the ship.

Thank you again for your wonderful photos and information and enjoy each moment of your vacation....

Hope you have a great cruise..that itin is on our to do list!

 

 

 

From what berth did the ship dembark?

 

Was it windy on that rooftop terrace area? Are stairs the only access?

 

 

 

Can't wait to hear about the updates, cruise director and music/bands/shows and any dining outside of luminae..

 

 

 

Thanks..

We departed from 4 which was nice enough, didn't board until after noon, no rose, no escort, all the staff went to on do couple, the MC concierge boarded them and then everyone else scrummed for the door. Not very suite like based on previous experience.

It was windy I general yesterday, so EVERYWHERE was windy. On said away they moved all furniture and lashed it down. It moves easily, seems quiet when moved, but not sure what can be heard below, sound can travel more easily through solids then air.

Now movies on the program yet, just a football (American) at 1pm.

The cruise director has been very visible but our only entertainment so far was the martini bar.

Service was good, drinks well done, it was not crowded, music appropriate.

Other Entertainment onboard:

House Band: Band Masters

Dance Band: Soundtrack

Guitar and Vocal duo: Full Moon Shine

Piano and Vocals: Julia Sunay

Guitar and Vocals: Roberto Neves Amaral

We have not heard any yet except the band playing while we boarded into the atrium, but I didn't notice.

The casino was DEAD last night, but the only place I recognized any staff (who recognized me, not sure that is good ;) )

Im drinking latte, looking out at the sea and planning my day.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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I so loved your last cruise ...following along as you posted. So I am looking forward to this cruise and all your photos as we are sailing on Infinity Sept 4th next year...

 

 

 

Would you be so kind to ask or see how they plan on allowing those with mobility issues get to that roof top dock to watch movies? I will be renting a scooter as I cannot walk any distance at all anymore .. use a walker to get around right now.... I am really hoping to use this new area of the ship.

 

 

 

Thank you again for your wonderful photos and information and enjoy each moment of your vacation....

Sure, I'll ask and see. Things are still being worked out onboard, day one was the usual rush rush, especially with the late departure which seemed to be due to a late provisioning of supplies, possibly due to the inspection.

Happy sailing,

Jenna

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A few other quick observations:

We've sailed enough to know what is possible and what can be expected. So far things are satisfactory, nothing special. We'd call service more robotic than warm except for a few staff, our butler has been excellent (Godfrey, no communication issues). We give him short lists as we have needs and wants and all are fulfilled with a smile. He told us we will not get "no" unless there is some rule or it has to come from outside the ship. We've had quite a few little requests, extra towels, more pillows, batteries for the magnifying mirror, morning latte, pressing, laundry, hole in sea pass card, to name a few, all fulfilled quickly. This morning we had our first special request that we'll see if full filed tomorrow.

Luminae was packed at 8pm, service was slow, we dined with another group of 3 so 5 total and closed the place at close to 10:30. Food was good, but that's to be expected. We don't plan to be back for dinner until Tuesday as we have alternate plans the next two nights.

The towel warmer in the bathroom has been permanently disabled, supposedly because some guest have burned themselves on it :rolleyes: The suite should really be in absolutely perfect condition, and it's not. It IS beautiful, large, and wonderful, but there are many areas for improvement such as outlets by bed, more functional storage (there are 4 large closets, 2 walk ins, but very little shelf space and almost no drawers and what drawers there are don't open or close properly or only open half way). The entertainment system is nice, but connections from external sources aren't ideal, or modern except for one connection via mini phono (headphone type) cords. There are places in the bathroom where there is hardware for a door, to a small cabinet, but no door. Some curtains don't open properly (switch is reversed) or all the way.

Of course these are totally nitpicking first world problems, and nine will impact the cruise, I on,y share to illustrate the attention to detail compared to other similar land based hotels we've stayed in.

Happy sailing.

Jenna

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Jenna

I noticed in your list of entertainers on board there was no string quartet, trio or even duo.

Sitting with a drink and listening to the strings before dinner was a favorite activity of ours.

Is it totally gone now? :(

Jenna,

Great to hear Godfrey is working out so well. I hear you about the minor things, but they start to add up especially when one realizes the cost of the suite.

We finally were able to persuade Jan, HD, to add a couple of power strips. How are the interior doors? Do you have small blocks of wood as door stops?

Godfrey did keep our pantry well stocked. Loved it.

I used the hot tub on the deck all the time. It was great, but my wife has mobility issues and the tub is not designed to include same.

Did they fix/enable the player piano or is it still only manual?

Thanks and enjoy!

Phil