Better late than never! CELEBRITY INFINITY Thoughts & Pics - 9/10/2022

[eroller]

This cruise was a couple months ago on CELEBRITY INFINITY out of Port Everglades.  7-day sailing to Key West, Belize, Cozumel, and Bimini. 

 

Attached is a link to some 200+ pictures, mostly of the ship, and also all the daily programs and some other printed information. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72177720303492023

 

Overall this was a great cruise, especially for the price.  One of my best buddies and I booked fairly last minute, and we each got our own Concierge Class balcony cabin at a bargain.  Even more enticing was that the single supplement was waived for this sailing. 

 

I had read a lot about a/c issues on the ship and that concerned me a little.  Thankfully my cabin (8063) had no issues and the temperature could get down into the high 60's if I so desired.  There were areas around the ship that were warm, such as the casino, sometimes around the Martini Bar, and up by the Ocean Cafe.  Mainly the warm areas were around doors to the open decks, and the a/c simply could not keep up with the hot air and humidity.  In any case it didn't impact our enjoyment of the cruise. 

 

I last sailed on INFINITY in 2003 when the ship was new.  I love the M-Class of ships and feel they are the perfect size and have a great layout.  CELEBRITY INFINITY has not received the "Revolution" upgrades and parts of the ship are showing their age.  There are also some signs of rust on the outer decks and balconies, but nothing too major and nothing off-putting.  For the most part everything was in good shape and in working order.  There are also some pluses of the ship not having received the upgrades.  The fitness center is still large with separate changing rooms and ocean view saunas at no charge.  In addition the forward observation deck has not been converted to the Retreat, so it's available to all guests and is a very serene and quiet spot.  

 

Food overall was quite good.  We dined every night in the Trellis Dining Room and although we opted for Celebrity Select dining, they sat us in the same section with the same waiters every night.  This was a big plus as the waiters got to know us and our preferences even though we didn't have assigned dining.  I thought the cuisine was quite good (especially my favorite Beef Wellington), and compared to the Holland America cruise I just disembarked from last week it was downright fabulous.  What a difference!  We also enjoyed great service from our dining room staff, Tatiana our cabin stewardess, and pretty much all the crew.  This cruise was not full and was something like 1000 under capacity, so there was really no crowding and finding a deck chair in a great spot at any time was no problem. 

 

My cabin was a Concierge Class balcony midship on Deck 8.  In this case the Concierge Class was actually less expensive than a regular balcony cabin.  So no-brainer there.  While I would not pay a great deal more for Concierge Class, the little perks were nice.  A few party invitations (including a sailaway on the bow), a nice holder for the Seapass card, and daily appetizers delivered which frankly I did not enjoy.  Unlike Holland America, twice daily cabin servicing was standard and chocolates were still left on the bed each evening.  

 

Entertainment was quite good, with live music all around the ship and in the pool area.  The production shows were entertaining, the Martini Bar lively, and even a few hopping evenings into the wee hours.  I really enjoyed the silent disco with the battle of the DJ's.  A stand-out performer was Cheaza.  Talk about fabulous.  She headlined one night in the Main Theater with a tribute to Whitney Houston (it was excellent), then later in the cruise offered a more impromptu performance after hours in the Constellation Lounge.  One area where maybe Celebrity is trying too hard are the pool games and activities every afternoon.  This isn't Carnival and while I always appreciate some poolside fun, it was a bit excessive for my taste especially when I just wanted some relaxing quiet time by the pool.  My recent cruise on Holland America was just the opposite.  Zero music and zero activities by the pool.  A little too sedate.  Something in the middle would be ideal.  I don't recall excessive pool games on APEX in January, so maybe this is something new or just something that is happening on INFINITY? 

 

Our ports were Key West, Belize, Cozumel, and Bimini.  We did not partake in any shore excursions and just ventured on our own in each port.  Key West is always fun and a great place to walk about on your own.  Belize I could have skipped, but if you did a shore excursion things would be different.  This is not a port to do on your own.  Cozumel I've been to many times, and each time I see more and more pharmacies.  This seems to be a big draw here.  Get your prescription drugs!  LOL   Lastly Bimini which I quite enjoyed.  I live not far from Bimini in Fort Lauderdale but this was my first time really seeing this charming and small island.  A far cry from Nassau.  A free shuttle (operated by Resorts) will take you to the Bimini Beach Club (extra charge) or the the public beach which is perfectly nice, clean, and beautiful.  That is where we went, but I confess I snuck into the Bimini Beach Club for a quick look around.  It's very nice with beautiful pools and facilities, and also the same beach club that Virgin Voyages uses on their stop in Bimini as their private beach day.  I'm sailing on VALIANT LADY in December so this was a nice preview.  I'll look forward to going back. 

 

In closing this was another great Celebrity experience even on one of their oldest ships.  My last Celebrity cruise was on APEX at the beginning of the year, and that ship blew me away in every respect.  While I'm not loyal to any one cruise line and enjoy trying them all, more & more I realize Celebrity is probably the overall cruise line best suited for me.  From the style of their ships, to cuisine, to passenger demographics, and the right mix of luxury, service, and fun ... the balance seems well suited to my cruising preferences and lifestyle.  Since I loved APEX so much, I'm hoping to sail on BEYOND in 2023 if I'm lucky.  First though is NORWEGIAN PRIMA later this month and then VALIANT LADY in December which I'm very excited to try.  In the meantime happy sailing to all, and I hope you enjoyed this short (and very late) review.

Edited November 7, 2022 by eroller

[eroller]

Attached a few preview photos I took on the cruise.  The full collection of over 200+ photos can be found at the following link:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72177720303492023

 

 

 

[KatieDub]

I was on this cruise too and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks for sharing your pictures- But how did you get so many of the ship without any passengers?!

[kathynorth]

We sailed on Apex in Feb and then Infinity in October. Our cruise on Apex was awesome, so I was a bit apprehensive prior to our infinity cruise. However, we found the  Infinity to have a  relaxing and friendly charm, and we had a wonderful cruise.

[Beachlover1989]

Thank you for this thoughtful review.  We were on Infinity a couple of weeks ago and found her wonderful with the best staff!  I enjoyed your pictures as I didn't take many of my own.

[D C]

Fantastic pictures!  Thanks for sharing!  Can't wait to be back on her in the very near future!

[NaplesKnitter]

ERoller - thanks for your review and pictures.  Like you, we've come to appreciate Celebrity more and more.  By the way, we just got off the Beyond - if you liked the Apex, you will love the Beyond which steps up the game with the new Sunset Bar, World Class Bar, and Martini Bar designs.

[MISTER 67]

We were on the Infinity on the Oct. 1st cruise and had a great cruise, super entertainment with excellent service and food. Infinity is a beautiful ship, just the right size with the traditional promenade deck with deck chairs where you can read a book in a quiet place while watching the ocean pass by, also very clean and well maintained. 

[tenmile]

Thank you for sharing. We will be on the Infinity in June. I am a little apprehensive as our last two cruises have been on the Edge, and the only M Class ship I have sailed is the Millenium after it was “revolutionized.” Your review makes me realize I won’t be disappointed. We are even booked in the same cabin—8063! 

[shipshape sam]

Loved Infinity when we sailed her in 2006 - 2010 timeframe 3 times for 45 days.  Not as fond of all the cabin additions and lost of public space. M class was a great class of ships.  Like S class too and will be trying our first E class on Beyond soon

 

Thanks for posting pic's!

Edited November 19, 2022 by shipshape sam

[eroller]

On 11/17/2022 at 4:12 AM, KatieDub said:

I was on this cruise too and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks for sharing your pictures- But how did you get so many of the ship without any passengers?!

It’s all about timing.  Generally 11am on a port day works well.  I’m all about the ship so I try to photograph all the public areas of area ship I sail.  

[eroller]

On 11/18/2022 at 7:42 AM, NaplesKnitter said:

ERoller - thanks for your review and pictures.  Like you, we've come to appreciate Celebrity more and more.  By the way, we just got off the Beyond - if you liked the Apex, you will love the Beyond which steps up the game with the new Sunset Bar, World Class Bar, and Martini Bar designs.

I have zero doubt I would love Beyond.  I would also love to sail with Captain Kate!  

[eroller]

On 11/19/2022 at 12:02 AM, tenmile said:

Thank you for sharing. We will be on the Infinity in June. I am a little apprehensive as our last two cruises have been on the Edge, and the only M Class ship I have sailed is the Millenium after it was “revolutionized.” Your review makes me realize I won’t be disappointed. We are even booked in the same cabin—8063! 

 

it was a good cabin, and Tatiana the cabin stewardess was awesome.  I hope she is still there when you sail.  

[PJREGALADO]

Thank you so much for the pics and review. Husband and I are on Infinity in March for a 12 night Patagonia cruise. I was concerned with the ships age but seems to have been very well maintained. 

[BlueSkiesTX]

Great review and pictures! Thank you! 😊

[Grandmaanne7]

Really enjoyed your review and your photos!  Thank you for posting.

[cruise47]

Excellent review and outstanding photos.