Live from infinity TA - October 13-27

[ghstudio]

We have frette robes and towels...same as always. GH

[drarill]

GH, thanks for the live updates!!! Hope the weather improves soon!:)

[ghstudio]

How many days of sea state “rough” can one take? While we had a beautiful day in the Azores and calm seas when we left, we quickly found ourselves back in rough seas with large swells….not as bad as our first couple of days/nights, but enough to open drawer during the night and so on. Walking in hallways continues to be back and forth wall to wall. I’m currently typing on our balcony and as long as I’m sitting, it’s OK…the view, given our cabin is great but it would be nice to have a calm sea day.

 

We were offered (and did) the United States restaurant last night for 50% off. Not sure if the offer was ship wide…we were having breakfast in Blu when someone came to the table and made the offer. When we arrived at 7PM, the restaurant was almost empty….but as the meal progressed, more came to dinner and when we left about 9, the restaurant was over 50% full. They had a large group in the wine celler dining on the wine pairing dinner. As usual, the food was very good and, of course, quite rich. I refer to meals at the united states/Murano as two Lipitor meals  Given the short notice, they couldn’t do steak diane, but they readily agreed to do chateaubriand for one. In reality, they served me chateaubriand for two, just on one plate…no,, I didn’t finish it. Another at our table ordered the veal which was actually even better than my filet….and the other two had fish which they said was good. A wonderful cheese course and then dessert…I tried their strawberry balloon instead of my usual souflee and it was excellent. Our mushroom soup was very well seasoned, but a bit too brothey…I like things in my soup. Good service, but we had to ask them to refill our wine glasses. For $25 a person, it was a great deal….but not worth $50. We’ll probably try qsine again before the end of the cruise assuming we can get the same $ offer.

 

One of the nice things about this rear facing cabin is that the wind is blocked…and the wind makes any of the regular decks very difficult to walk or even sit. I’m getting the sun, listening to the sea and not getting blown. If I could stop the creaking and have calmer seas, this would be a great cabin. In this type of sea, not so good.

 

The “heartbeat of the ship” tour has re-emerged…(not sure what they called it and I’m too lazy to get up and look), but it’s the tour of backstage, the engine control room and the bridge…..at a cost of $150 a person. (seems to me it used to be $250 for a while). Been there, done that so I’ll skp on this cruise/ship.

 

Today is $10 watch day…and then later “watch gift set” day…we also have links of gold, etc….all of these are, of course, events. The speakers are quite good…and more are attening. This morning there was a talk on Captain Morgan and pirates.

 

We are heading towards Bermuda, but the captain said he’s waliting to see if we will actually be docking there or “going somewhere else”. Not sure, given our position, where somewhere else might be, but what the heck….we’ll go wherever he decides (with HQ) to go.

 

Comment on the elite breakfast….the specialty coffees taste like they are made with regular coffee instead of expresso. We ordered our usual decaf cappuccino, it arrived in about one minute we tasted it and asked the waiter if we could get real decaf cappuccino made with expresso. About four minutes later two new cups of coffee arrived and they were very different from the first. Not sure if this is a cost reduction or if with so many elites on board, they decided they couldn’t make fresh capucino so they took a shortcut.

 

The crew always say hello, have a nice day or equivalent whenever they pass….on our way to breakfast, one of the high ranking officers almost walked into us and didn’t even acknowledge our existence. Given the seas, I guess they have their hands full….but it’s not the usual for Celebrity. The captain sounds very tired on the morning announcements. For the most part, I haven’t seen the top officers around the ship….it’s a style point…the ship seems to be working just fine, but we’re used to seeing officers during the day or evening. On the other hand, we have been spending more time in our cabin, so maybe we’re just not out enough to see them.

 

GH.

[ghstudio]

Dear G H,

We will be boarding when you get off. Do they still have those great salt and pepper shakers in the specialty restaurant on deck 11 ?

Harcin

P.S. I know what G H stands for.

 

I understand there's one table that doesn't have them...but I'm going to check later in the cruise :)

 

Keep in touch....

[hcat]

Thanks for the updates...hope conditions at sea improve...

.haven't heard if Bermuda will be up and running but from Weather channel it seems they are working on it now that the storm passed...

 

many of the tours of the ship areas used to be complimentary! Glad we took advantage of that....,

 

enjoy!

[Loracpin2]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear the Frette towels are back... I figured they still had to be somewhere on the ship. I did "voice my opinion" to the Guest Services Asst. Manager and the Chief Housekeeping Officer while on board and included the same comments on the On-Line Survey regarding ammenities we were offered when we booked vs what we received while on board. Our tablemates in Blu also planned to do this same on their survey. Nice to know Celebrity is listening to passenger concerns.

[ClairetoCruise]

Gh,

will the drawers come out for a night on the floor?

love your posts. hope you can cut some of the cabin noise.

 

claire

[kennelgang]

GH,

 

If you kept the drawers in the open position and stuff the top with towels or additional clothing (T-shirts, etc.) would that help prevent the banging?

 

Bob

[Sloop-JohnB]

Hi GHSTUDIO,

 

Thanks for the latest Update (Reply # 53 above)

 

No doubt the reason you have not seen Sr Officers is they have their hands full... From the sounds of things here on CC (your report & others) the Atlantic is a mess right now... Hurricane Gonzalo has been wrecking havoc from the Eastern Caribbean northwards. Was a Cat 4 awhile, passed over Bermuda as a Cat 3, and heading to Canada's Maritimes as a Cat 2

 

(UPDATE - have the Cdn Weather Network on right now... They say it has now been downgraded to a Cat 1... Still a good size though when it comes to side effects of winds & rain bands)

 

Seems the Atlantic is just one giant sloshy bathtub right now... With lots of waves / swells

 

Fortunately no loss of life in Bermuda. Lots of collateral damage... Trees & Wires down. But their buildings fared well.

 

Elsewhere on CC, Pax scheduled for Bermuda Cruises this weekend (arriving Monday) have been told that Govt of Bermuda has requested the cruise line not go there... Pax were notified they would be going to Nova Scotia... Lol, don't know how much sense that made in that they would just be following Gonzalo to his next destination.

 

IMO they should have done what The Summit did earlier this summer and head south (at the time, that trip went to Cape Canaveral & Naussau)

 

Anyhow...

 

Hang in there. Write when you can. And do try to enjoy some aspect of this wacky cruise.

 

Cheers!

Edited October 18, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[hvsteve1]

Elsewhere on CC, Pax scheduled for Bermuda Cruises this weekend (arriving Monday) have been told that Govt of Bermuda has requested the cruise line not go there... Pax were notified they would be going to Nova Scotia... Lol, don't know how much sense that made in that they would just be following Gonzalo to his next destination.

 

I recall a few years back when a cruise out of New York, maybe Carnival, had a similar situation and sent a ship, with a big wedding party on board, to Canada instead of the Caribbean. It was late in the year and everybody got on the ship with warm weather clothing and ended up freezing. This is almost the same thing, though Halifax is not exactly frozen this time of year, but definitely not Bermuda.

[poe17]

Hello ghstudio,

Really enjoying your live blog,

So sorry to hear about all the horrible weather you have been having, around this time of year, the bay of Biscay is often like the horrendous weather your experiencing, we had terrible weather on grand princess 2 years ago, thank god it was only for 24 hours, we had to miss the port of Madeira, which was a big disappointment, as we really wanted to stop here, but I will go Back

one day.

[hulamoon]

I am enjoying it too! Thank you for your efforts and I do hope better days are ahead before you disembark.

 

I so love Lisbon, sorry you had to miss it.

[ghstudio]

woke up this am to calm seas...no whitecaps....and drawers are staying closed. Excellent comedian yesterday afternoon...and pianist in the evening was enjoyable. Offered 50% off in Qsine, so we'll do that tomorrow night. more later. Oh...not sure we have the good towels, but we do have bath sheets which as I recall are only in concierge and above. The hand towels seem thinner....maybe they have or are phasing the good towels out.

 

no word yet on bermuda..

[upwarduk]

Our weather forecast is predicting the storm to reach Newfoundland today (Sunday) and Scotland tomorrow ( Monday) where the winds will be reduced from a tropical storm to gale force (approx 90 mph)

 

So it depends on the damage to Bermuda, as to whether you are allowed in.

In 2005, the Captain of Galaxy avoided Wilma by taking a different route, but we couldn't get into Key West, due to 6' flooding in the streets.

[ECCruise]

Our weather forecast is predicting the storm to reach Newfoundland today (Sunday) and Scotland tomorrow ( Monday) where the winds will be reduced from a tropical storm to gale force (approx 90 mph)

 

Scotland doesn't need to worry about 90 MPH winds. Tropical storm force are much less than 90MPH and gale force less than that. Both the Met office in the UK and the NHC in the US are forecasting 35-50MPH at peak.

[ghstudio]

Many days at sea….seas are calmer, very nice out…great time to spend on our oversized balcony….if only the door would stop slamming itself shut unless I tie it with the robe belt. Somehow, that’s just wrong….so I called 53/stateroom services and asked someone to come fix the door. The cabin steward came, checked the door and said “it’s broken” and he was going to contact maintenance. I asked about the drawers opening and drawers hitting the door in the closet and that door opening and he said “design problem”. Folks..there’s something wrong with being in a high priced A1 cabin where you can’t sleep and you can’t enjoy the balcony without bungee cords and duck tape. I’m not happy that we chose to try a rear facing cabin.

 

On the positive side, I guess, smoking at the bar below these balconies is no longer allowed. One can only smoke on deck 10 on the port side just outside the aqua spa café (and yes, that smoke gets into the seating area of the aqua spa café), or on deck 4 or 5.

 

For me, celebrity has gone beyond the point of positive returns on drink prices. Yes,this is a UK cruise, so the 15% is built in, but paying 8.50 for a dos equis which is more than a six pack at home is over the top. If it was $5+15%, I would probably have a couple a day…at 8.50, I had my one for the cruise, Drink and wine prices are high, but I can deal with those better.

 

Anyone who says Holland America passengers are old should be on this ship. If Holland America’s passengers are older than those on this cruise, they are dead. I don’t mind being among my age group, but not exclusively….I feel like I’m in an old age community…no, not an over 55 community. The homogeneity is just not enjoyable. We have been on several 11-14 day cruises in asia, south America, and Europe…and even several TA’s and this is by far the oldest celebrity cruise we’ve ever been on.

 

The 50% off specialty restaurants is being offered ship wide, not just to those in Blu. At 50% off, it’s a very nice meal.

 

Activities continue to be selling events….or arrange your own sport type events. We now even have the retail stores with “activities” and “unveilings” in the evening. The clear thrust is to get people to spend more money on board….and to let the stores, spa, art auction and even the casino to do the “events”. It’s not enjoyable. There are a couple of speakers who are good and they are doing some afternoon “shows” but not all that much else. There’s bingo and the casino tournaments, but also “low cost gambling” in the afternoon (that’s an activity). Three of todays activities are pro football games shown on TV and in the wine bar…..that’s not an activity to me….why not just list all the TV channels as activities?

 

I’ve been on deck a bit more today, and I’ve been passed by more senior officers, assuming that more thick gold stripes mean they are more senior officers. Not one has even nodded at me, let alone say hello. As I think I’ve said before, that’s a style thing, but officer interest in passengers is not at all clear on this ship…a very big difference from some of our previous celebrity cruises.

 

So, for now I leave you with the question in my mind….willl someone from maintenance really come to even try to fix the door, or is this just another major design flaw that can’t be easily fixed?

 

GH

[NLH Arizona]

I asked about the drawers opening and drawers hitting the door in the closet and that door opening and he said “design problem”.

I don't know, but there seems like an easy fix for this problem. A small piece of metal screwed in right above the drawer, so that it holds the drawer closed, but when someone wants to open it, they just moved the metal piece to the right or left and the drawer slides open. Don't think that would cost Celebrity much to fix this.

[upwarduk]

Folks..there’s something wrong with being in a high priced A1 cabin where you can’t sleep and you can’t enjoy the balcony without bungee cords and duck tape. I’m not happy that we chose to try a rear facing cabin.

 

My lasting memory from last year's Infinity TA, but we were in FV, so at least we had a huge balcony.

[richsea]

Sorry to hear of the continuing issues. With all the niggling problems, it sounds like it's time for you to find another cruise line. The lack of activities on sea days is particularly disturbing. I suspect it is a direct result of the severe reduction in the activities staff. Apparently, Celebrity didn't invest the savings gained in those cut backs by providing new choices. Instead, they chose to use it to improve their bottom line. Very shortsighted. I'll have to judge after our next Celebrity sailing.

[ghstudio]

i think everyone has to decide their cruise line and what "class" to sail themselves. I can only report what we are experiencing...not recommending that anyone change cruise lines. We are already booked on some other cruise lines...but given industry changes, I'm not sure what to expect on those lines.

Celebrity still has a good offering..it's just changed, even in the past year, for what we perceive as not as good as before. I suspect we aren't alone..but then again Celebrity is going after a different younger demographic....clearly they failed on this cruise.

 

In any case...we now have confirmation that we really are going to Bermuda....not sure what to expect when we get there...but that's our next port of call.

 

GH

[Dorset Cruiser]

Thanks ghstudio for posting live. Sorry you're experiencing such bad weather.

 

We got off the Infinity on Oct. 1 after a 12 night wine immersion cruise. This was our 20th Celebrity cruise, first one as Elite-Plus. We were also in Aqua on Deck 9 midship (didn't take the upgrade to A1 because I was afraid of motion in the Bay of Biscaye). I agree with you completely about the changes and they're not for the good. To say our Aqua/Blu experience was a complete 180 from the one this past March, would be putting it mildly. It appears that Celebrity no longer sees the need for quality control. Guess the Senior Officers are too busy being part of the ship's nightly entertainment.

 

Our room staff and wait staff were fantastic. The Blu Manager went above and beyond to make things right. But there's just so many times you can apologize for inferior cuts of beef. As for the room, I can do without chocolates and flowers. I was disappointed when I discovered Celebrity decided made to remove the Frette towels from CC, AQ, and suites but, would have been OK with that if the replacement towels didn't have the terry part seperating from the border. Also didn't appreciate getting a Frette robe with a freyed collar. Certainly not the standards we've become accustomed to.

 

If this is what Celebrity call Modern Luxury, I'd rather have Traditional Luxury back.

 

On Constellation this month, our Concierge bathroom was serviced with 'ordinary' towels 😱. We enquired with the Concierge where the advertised plus size towels were and the next day, there they were, a full 4 inches longer in length than the ordinary towels and no wider at all - we were not impressed. Our two bathrobes both had frayed collars. No flowers and just one chocolate covered biscuit each on a 12 day cruise!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Sloop-JohnB]

Hi GHSTUDIO,

 

Thanks for the Updates... Continues to be a great read !!

 

I don't know, but there seems like an easy fix for this problem. A small piece of metal screwed in right above the drawer, so that it holds the drawer closed, but when someone wants to open it, they just moved the metal piece to the right or left and the drawer slides open. Don't think that would cost Celebrity much to fix this.

 

This too came to mind for me... Albeit in a bit different way.

 

Kiddie Proof Door Stoppers.

 

Today they are a plastic contraption

 

http://www.google.ca/search?q=child+drawer+locks&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=qBZEVMvWIJWyyATmuIKQBA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ

 

But when I was a wee one my Dad installed a piece of metal as described here by NLH ARIZONA or a small bit of wood on a screw...

 

Heck for a smoother line, they could even install drawer handles that had a built in locking mechanism (no key required), turn the knob drawer locks into place (metal pops up into the frame or behind the frame)

 

http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mdDdHd3WhjSH6Aa4oGglAiQ.jpg

 

Seriously, as GHSTUDIO says...

 

WHO exactly was on the Design Team... Especially so when it came to Cabin Storage ??

 

Lol, We know on the M-Class Ships it was before those crazy Martini Guzzling Women that drank their way thru the Design of the S-Ship Cabins... ;)

 

Cheers!

Edited October 19, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[uktog]

Summit afts also have the same problem, we had rocky seas some nights last month and there was a lot of creaking and banging of doors and drawers and a safe that rattled.

We had the engineer up several times to our door

On Summit they were certainly still smoking below us, guy with a very large cigar was worst

 

...but we did have engaged officers who always recognised guests.

I think if I was being walked past I would loudly say "good morning/afternoon/evening" and hope for a reaction

[hcat]

GH

glad you gave had some better weather, good deal for QSine and you'll make Bermuda!

 

not so happy to hear of not so friendly officers, creaky drawers, broken doors, lack of REAL non revenue generating activities and piped in music,,wanted or not

 

we have three cruises booked ahead with X and may book one more, but our evaluation of the experience continues...so far still more posiitive than neg...if balance tips we'll try something else.,,

[shoesonfire]

GHStudio: on previous cruises we have observed crews replacing carpeting painting touching ups and other maintenance tasks, have you noticed anything similar on your TA? Seems as though the days at sea would be a good time to spruce the ship up a bit!

Edited October 19, 2014 by shoesonfire