“LIVE” from the Infinity, MAY 15-24 Portugal & Spain from a first timer on the Celebrity board 🤗

[niksmom630]

More photos coming up. Our hotel arranged for a private TUK TUK tour…. 180 Euro for two hours for the two of us. 
 

our guide was wonderful, included a stop to sample the famous tart, Pastel de Nata. 
 

I had actually tried one at breakfast the day we arrived and was rather unimpressed, but spot she took us to-amazing! Served warm with just the right amount of egg custard and flakey layers of pastry. 
 

she also stopped so we could pick up a bottle of wine before returning to our hotel. All in all, a great experience. It’s clear to see you need a few days here to truly explore. Another plus for this itinerary 🤗

 

the “pee pee” tree, our guide called them, accurately named for their odor. 😂 beautiful color tho

 

 

7th hilliest city in the world, I think we were told? In any event, good walking shoes are a MUST

 

 

 

 

 

port view

[niksmom630]

 

street art

 

 

 

Golden Gate Bridge “replica” 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

 

 

 

the gardens here were lovely ☺️ 

 

[niksmom630]

 

 

[niksmom630]

Learned that some restaurants are closed on Sunday, so some of the “recommended” spots were not available….but we stumbled upon this place a short walk from our hotel. Outdoor seating in the square was a perfect end to the day 🤗

 

Showing the effects of 2 hours worth of sleep in 24 😵

 

breads and cheese board appetizers

 

 

 

these were both very good….

 

for the main, we shared the mushroom risotto. I would call it fair, mostly because we waited so long for it to arrive that we asked for it “to go” , lest we nod off at the table. 
 

no photo, because it looked even less appetizing packed in a styrofoam container. 
 

we sampled it back at the hotel and were done for the day! 🥱
 

 

 

 

[jimbri]

Enjoying your photos.  Went to Portugal and Spain almost 50 years ago on our honeymoon.  

[goldie099]

Following along! I'm heading on the Infinity July 8 2023 RT Athens around the Greek Isles and I too am going in knowing that the ship will have a "slight vintage vibe". It being my first Celebrity cruise and incredibly port-intensive, I am hoping it won't matter! Like you, I booked the trip for the itinerary.

[niksmom630]

Boarding was smooth as silk. Probably one of my better experiences of all time. 
 

things are definitely different in Europe when it comes to the embarkation process. We were dropped off at the entrance to the terminal

and greeted by a porter. Who was wearing a suit and tie 😳

 

because our bags were tagged already, he told us to just proceed into the terminal . Once there, it was a quick security checkpoint, then you enter the main check 

in terminal. No iPads like I’ve seen on Royal but at least 20+ counter personnel who checked in with the passports. 
 

our check in time was 11:30 -12 . We arrived at 11:50, and were onboard and at the pool deck toasting our first beverage 20 minutes later. Would have actually been sooner, but we were able to drop our carry ons off in the cabin, even tho they weren’t officially open until 12:30 pm. Seapass cards were on the door. 
 

Terminal pics….first glimpse 

 

 

BIG  duty free shop

 

 

tarts if you hadn’t gotten one yet..,,

 

 

happy wife….”happy life” … was the name of the terminal jewelers …..D+ for originality but an A for execution 😉 I’m sure they’ve sold a bauble or two 

 

 

 

welcome aboard beverage station, and photo op…

 

 

[amshowers]

Infinity was my first Celebrity cruise last summer.  We were on her 3rd cruise after restart and we were nervous, because of negative reviews, but we had a wonderful time.  She is older, but honestly that is part of the charm.  I’ll be cruising her next summer around the Greek Isles (Athens to Athens) very port intensive, and am very looking forward to it.  As long as you aren’t expecting an Edge class experience you should be fine.  Following along, because this looks like a great itinerary!  Have a wonderful cruise!

[hcat]

there is a certain advantage to older smaller ships in Europe. fewer pax abd easier on an off in ports..Century was great!  

[niksmom630]

2 hours ago, amshowers said:

Infinity was my first Celebrity cruise last summer.  We were on her 3rd cruise after restart and we were nervous, because of negative reviews, but we had a wonderful time.  She is older, but honestly that is part of the charm.  I’ll be cruising her next summer around the Greek Isles (Athens to Athens) very port intensive, and am very looking forward to it.  As long as you aren’t expecting an Edge class experience you should be fine.  Following along, because this looks like a great itinerary!  Have a wonderful cruise!

thanks @amshowers ! After one day, I have a similar view 😉

[niksmom630]

boarding day in the Med doesn’t differ much from the Caribbean for me ♥️

 

pina Colada , myers rum floater….in a pinch, Kracken will substitute nicely 

 

I know  I jokingly posted that dated cabin photo but I’m ready to admit my concerns were absolutely unfounded. 
 

deck 6 forward cabin….

 

 

 

 

are some areas feeling a little worn? Maybe, particularly if you look for them. Storage space compared to the Edge is far superior, especially considering there are two women storing clothes for a 9 day cruise. And definitely better than RCI Oasis class . Roomy closet and safe with drawers beneath. 
 

also REAL nightstands. Also with drawers. Score one for Celebrity 

 

 

 

[theopup]

Your pictures are beautiful, enjoy your new adventure 

[niksmom630]

The bathroom is definitely a bit dated, but the shower? May be older but 100% better than the tubes. It’s actually quite roomy. Even tho there is a shower curtain  

😂

 

 

 

Also  quite a bit if storage below and above. 

 

the life boats are directly below, so views down are somewhat obstructed
 

not sure how this will feel on a sea day, but I’ll decide on the first sea day. 🤔

 

it feels very strange to still be in port for a another day and not have the traditional sailaway event on boarding day. 
 

but the views from the lounge on 11 were nice 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

3 minutes ago, theopup said:

Your pictures are beautiful, enjoy your new adventure 

thanks @theopup for following along! 

[niksmom630]

And this view from our balcony this evening 🥰🤗

 

Edited May 15, 2023 by niksmom630

[theopup]

We have booked our first European cruise on the Ascent For July 2024 - Italy/Greece/Turkey

 

Really looking forward to it, and your review. Thanks for taking the time to do so

[Azulann]

Love your pictures. Hope you are all settled in on board ready for a great adventure ! 

[amshowers]

The fact that you have been on a lot of cruises, I knew you would forgive Infinity for her faults!  I think one of the great things about taking an older, smaller ship around the Mediterranean is that it will be easier to get on and off, especially for tender ports.  I have taken mostly Royal cruises, but have (since last summer) switched to Celebrity and I agree that the storage spaces on the older ships is wonderful (talking as a woman who likes to overpack!).  Your pictures are beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing what you get up too!  This is definitely an itinerary that I will look for in the future.

[Lemonlee]

Thanks so much for posting - looking forward to following along.  Curious what room you're booked in with the life boats directly underneath, as we'll be sailing Infinity next year.

[barneyboy]

Thanks for all the cabin photos. We’re looking at a cruise on Infinity for November this year. I haven’t been on her since 2019 when she seemed a bit worn. However going by your photos everything seems well maintained. 

[niksmom630]

13 hours ago, Lemonlee said:

Thanks so much for posting - looking forward to following along.  Curious what room you're booked in with the life boats directly underneath, as we'll be sailing Infinity next year.

We are in 6112. For reference , here are a few photos although we are on the opposite side of the ship in this picture/starboard/aft. 
 

 

our room is right above the first lifeboat. 
 

It looks like the only standard balcony cabins without some view of the lifeboats are those farthest forward, where they are tucked underneath. Making an assumption that both sides of the ship are identical in life boat configuration but hope this helps! 

 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Uploading a few photos before I’m unable to post photos.the ships Wi-Fi has yet to be upgraded. In short, that means everyone’s Wi-Fi is abysmal. And unlike on the edge , where I was able to upgrade  to faster speed, it won’t be possible here. I couldn’t even load CC much less  add a photo..

 

So no updates on sea days, when I can connect via AT&T international day pass, there will be more photos! 🥳

[niksmom630]

Last day in Lisbon…shopping 💕

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hcat]

we will welcome you back when you are able...E N J O Y!