Rare cruisestitch Posted February 7, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2013 A couple of brief observations from Infinity, as I am not likely to post on a regular basis due to unpredictability of Internet from the bottom of the world , in response to several threads that were active in the last few weeks, 1) contrary to published reports, captains club host is Jenny, not Graeme 2) embarkation was the worst ever in 30+ cruises and can only be described as a nightmare, so Celebrity should really make it clear that at some ports, this being one of them, there is NO priority embarkation of any kind for any class of passenger, including handicapped, and should adjust the wording of its advertisements accordingly 3) here is the statement given out on board regarding dress: " celebrity Cruises honors this grand sailing tradition and all guests are asked to follow the dress codes as indicated in Celebrity Today. *Dress codes are in effect from 6:00 pm in all restaurants and in the theater during evening performances. *Beachwear, flip flops/bare feet and baseball caps are not permitted in shipboard restaurants at any time" 4) the new staterooms on deck three do not have a full-sized pull out couch, but a smaller, love-seat sized seat, with a pull out single bed inside, so would be adequate, but tight, rooms for three passengers 5) there is a classical string trio entertaining but no a capella singers**6) a non scientific poll of people in Rendezvous on formal night saw 30% women in long formal dresses, 40% in silky or velvety slacks with shawls, beaded tops, or other fancy blouses, 30% in short fancy dresses with the percentage for men being 50% dark business suits45% tuxes, 5% other including white dinner jackets and gray suits and only one man visible in a tweedy sport coat, no one in just shirt and tie 7) there is a prominent sign, and it was specifically mentioned in the Daily, that snacks at Cafe al Bacio are *complimentary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtreas99 Posted February 7, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 7, 2013 What time did you arrive at pier for embarkation and how long did it take to get on the ship? We were planning to arrive at 2:00 and are hoping lines won't be so long at that time! When you say no beachwear in any restaurant....hope that does not apply to buffet near pool??? We appreciate any feedback you might have on this sailing as we are on the March 3rd sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAV Posted February 7, 2013 #3 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Where did you embark? As far as dress codes, was anything written advising that specialty restaurants are "smart casual" dress even on formal nights in the MDR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urkidn Posted February 15, 2013 #4 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Thanks Cruisestitch for the info on the bed configuration, much appreciated. Hopefully it will be enough room for 3 of us. Here's hoping disembarkment went better for you than embarkment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harz99 Posted February 15, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 15, 2013 A couple of brief observations from Infinity, as I am not likely to post on a regular basis due to unpredictability of Internet from the bottom of the world , in response to several threads that were active in the last few weeks, 1) contrary to published reports, captains club host is Jenny, not Graeme Well that's a shame, nothing against Jenny whom I don't have any experience of sailing with, but of the others I have encountered IMHO I think Graeme does a fantastic job. When I last spoke to Graeme in September 2012, he did hint that he might be looking for a behind the scenes job at some time in the future - maybe that time has come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40yearcruiser Posted February 16, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I hope the OP posts again with the port of embarcation. We will be boarding the Infinity in Valparaiso next month. We will be in one of the "new" cabins on deck 3 so appreciate the heads up on the size of the sofa. There are just 2 of us in the cabin so it isn't a big issue for us. We booked that cabin because other posts on CC reported that the window is much larger than other OV cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeaBag Posted February 16, 2013 #7 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Was embarkation Valparaiso? Presume you are somewhere in South America? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killington Posted February 16, 2013 #8 Share Posted February 16, 2013 I think the OP boarded at Buenos Aries for the Antarcica trip. They get back tomorrow which is when we board. Someone else posted that they went to the port at 10.00am and breezed through. I also have the impression that the issues are with the Argentinian authorities ratheer than with Celebrity check in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseacecat Posted February 16, 2013 #9 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Well that's a shame, nothing against Jenny whom I don't have any experience of sailing with, but of the others I have encountered IMHO I think Graeme does a fantastic job. When I last spoke to Graeme in September 2012, he did hint that he might be looking for a behind the scenes job at some time in the future - maybe that time has come. Graeme just joined Constellation this past week and will be there for several months. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harz99 Posted February 17, 2013 #10 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Graeme just joined Constellation this past week and will be there for several months. Anne Great; we get to see him again on April 1st. Thanks Anne. Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted February 18, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm back. Yes embarkation was Buenos Aires The fault lies jointly with Port of BA which is I'll- equipped to handle 3 shps simultaneously and with Celebrity for not having enough personnel to let us know what was happening. First pax boarded quickly starting around 11. Around noon the immigration computers broke down and lines came to a halt. People pushing and shoving and a huge safety hazard w/pax allowed up an escalator but there was no room at the top for more people. Nobody working "crowd control". Nobody makIng announcements as to what was happening. When announcement finally came that the computers were on again, it was in Spanish only. And on a nearly unintelligible PA system so we still didn't know what was happening. No wheelchair avail for handicapped pax, nowhere to sit for anyone else And as already stated, no dedicated check in lines, although given the immigration procedure that really wouldn't have made a difference at this port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtreas99 Posted February 18, 2013 #12 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Any other feedback on this cruise would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted February 18, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Sure -- Plan for lots of sea days. Even with there being two "cruising Antarctica" days, they are really sea days. If you are a reader, bring your own books. The library was terribly picked over. No way to re-stock it while the ship is in S. America. Very interesting lecturers on board. The Antarctica lecturer was very good, and the special lecturer was a former DA in Los Angeles discussing famous crime victims and mysterious deaths. Shows were very good. Alejandro is Cruise Director -- sharp, funny, witty, be sure to go to the activities he is in charge of like Liar's Club and Newlywed Game and such. Most people dressed in heavy coats and mufflers and the like to view Antarctica, but really, you can duck in and out of warm places on the ship after heading out on deck to take photos so I would say that many pax felt like they had packed too many heavy sweaters and sweatshirts and such. Can't recommend the Disembarkation day shore excursions. But BA is an awkward port as far as this goes, with most flights to the US leaving around 10 p.m. The airport has no comfortable seating, you can't check in for your flight until around 3.5 - 4 hours prior to the flight, so you are sitting there (or rather standing there) all day with your luggage. The shorex would seem to be a good option, but you end up at the airport around 1 from the TangoShow/Lunch shorex (which means you ate lunch around 11 a.m.). Also their method of bringing the luggage to the airport is rather haphazard. Best option would be to plan an extra day in BA, and make your own way to the airport the following afternoon. Happy to answer any other questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseacecat Posted February 18, 2013 #14 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Happy to hear you are enjoying Alejandro. Absolutely a joy to be around. Looking forward to his returning to a ship I can actually sail on easily. Does not sound like this cruise is one of them for those who are less than young and healthy. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted February 18, 2013 #15 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Here's a photo that I took of the Infinity docked in Ushuaia, Argentina -- Fin del Mundo -- the End of the World --- across from the National Geographic Explorer on Feb. 7, 2013. My partner and I had just gotten off the Explorer after an amazing adventure in Antarctica, and could not believe it when we saw the Infinity, as shortly before leaving for South America we'd booked a TA on the Infinity for October. So here was our current ship and our next ship, together in one of the most remote places on earth! What's the chance of that? We took it as good karma!:) (photo by turtles06) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtreas99 Posted February 18, 2013 #16 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Great info! We are doing a slightly different itinerary...ending in Santiago. Very confused on packing for weather! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radsailor Posted February 19, 2013 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2013 We were on this cruise too and agree that the embarkation was the worst that I have ever encountered. We booked the lunch and tango show after the cruise as well thinking it would take some of our day, but didn't realize that we couldn't check in until 3 hours prior to our flight. Agreed that the EZE airport needs more and better seating!!! It was an AMAZING trip though:) I think I packed too many summer clothes and not enough warm. Got a ton of use out of my sweatshirts and heavy waterproof jacket. Came in handy at the Falklands:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxMamacitaII Posted February 26, 2013 #18 Share Posted February 26, 2013 We are booked on the 2/2/14 cruise, and with so many sea days, I was wondering if there is a cinema or if movies are shown in the theater during the day. Also, if anyone would be kind enough to post them, I would love to see the dailies for the South America/Antarctica cruise. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted February 26, 2013 Author #19 Share Posted February 26, 2013 answered in your other thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxMamacitaII Posted February 26, 2013 #20 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicCanberra Posted February 26, 2013 #21 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Thanks Crusietitch, good info, I am on the Antarctic cruise next year (2 Feb 2014) as well and these pointers are so valuable. Thanks again.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelo7 Posted February 27, 2013 #22 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Thanks for checking in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted February 27, 2013 #23 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Thanks for the report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseclues Posted May 10, 2013 #24 Share Posted May 10, 2013 Thanks for your cruise review. :):):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trainer Posted May 10, 2013 #25 Share Posted May 10, 2013 You will not be disappointed with Jenny. She was on our December Infinity cruise from Fort Lauderdale South America. She was delightful, friendly, funny and welcoming. She knew our names after the first day and was always charming to everyone. We saw her at breakfast in the Elite (and up) restaurant and at the cocktail event as well as other times around the ship. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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