New Review

[Troy86]

I have posted my review of our South America cruise during Christmas and New Year's holidays. It took a while to write and get it posted, but it is there now. It was a difficult trip for us, and for a while, I debated whether or not to write about our experiences. I had written a very positive review of our first time doing this itinerary in 2004, and then I thought it would only be fair to write about our not so great experience this time around.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions about the itinerary, ports or the ship on this thread.

 

Noel

[luv2getaway]

What ship were you on so we can read your review?

[Troy86]

I guess that would help: Celebrity's Infinity

[NJ Gal]

I will be on the Infiniti sailing on 2/15 and have been extremely concerned about your review and others that I have read over the last few days. It sounds as though Celebrity is not keeping up their good standards and just coasting on prior ratings. Was the fact that this was a Xmas sailing one of the main problems? Just too many children? Too crowded? Please any further comments will be appreciated. I am not new to cruising having taken 9--two on Celebrity previously & several on Royal Caribbean.

 

NJ Gal

[croftonbill]

we were on the dec.10th infinity cruise,and the service was the worst we have ever experienced-it appeared as though the first team had left and the reserves were running the ship??

[Troy86]

my guess is that hit a perfect storm with our cruise:

 

1. The holiday cruise attracted a crowd that, in my opinion, was clueless about how to behave in a cruise ship.

 

2. You could not fit one more person on our ship. The was a huge amount of extended families, filling 3rd and 4th berths.

 

3. Celebrity did not enforce the rules around the ship at all. This allow improper behavior around the ship.

 

4. Celebrity had a hard time accomodating 400 kids. The staff on the Fun Factory was stretched to the limit. They typically do not handle this number of kids, and it showed.

 

This was our fifth cruise on Celebrity over the last 8 years. We like Celebrity because they typically offer a more upscale experience without being stuffy. Not on this cruise.

 

NJ Gal, I think that your cruise will attract the more typical passenger, and thus, should be a more enjoyable cruise than ours. However, the mediocre food and entertainment, maybe not be any better than ours. And the ship is in need of a major refurbishment. I look forward to reading about your experience when you get back.

 

This was our fifth cruise on Celebrity over the last 8 years. We liked Celebrity because the offered a more upscale experience without being stuffy. Not on this cruise.

 

BTW, another CC passenger on our cruise mentioned that this had been the highest grossing cruise for Celebrity. I believe that. The passengers from latin america were spending money on the casino and the spa like there was no tomorrow. The bingo jackpot grew to more than $11,000 usd by the end of the cruise. I wander if Celebrity is sacrificing class, style and quality for increased revenues??

 

I hope that this was a isolated experience for us, and we look forward to better cruises with Celebrity in the future.

 

Noel

[retiredbrit]

We too were on Troys Cruise and believe me he has painted a restrained view. I agree with everything said except we loved the excursion to see the King penguins on the Falklands - that was for us the highlight.

 

I am sure the passenger mix was a major problem - there were lots of extended Spanish speaking families on board - very noisy - talking at shouting level - children standing on the furniture watched by smilling grandparents. There were children walking round with bowls of food - sitting on the stairs eating.

 

Our cruise was tender intensive - Celebrity cancelled Concierge class priority tendering with out notice and attempted to stop passengers with private tours leaving the ship untill all the ships tour passengers had left.

This was our third Celebrity cruise - would we travel with Celebrity again ? - not for a long time - our next two are with P&O

 

regards Alan

[NVCLVR]

Troy86: I read your review and it brought back recent memories we have been trying to forget, as well as our re-thinking next year's plans. My dtr (adult) and I were on the New Year's cruise thru the Panama Canal on the Island Princess. Same scenerio, but I'm sure 2 - 3x as many children and Latin families. It seems Princess gave some "hot deals" to families from our embarkation port (Puerto Rico) (per one of the receipiants of one of these "hot deals", who I met) and we found families of 10-12-14 aboard and occupying 4 & 5 in staterooms (mostly inside) really mean't for 2 or 3. It was a nightmare..the children (ages from tiny infants to 17) were unruly, rude and obnoxious...as were their parents. They took over most venues on the ship, including the adult-only areas...trying to sneak into the adult pool (in the "sanctuary" area) & driving passengers and staff ("Youth Patrol" and Security) absolutely nuts. Trying to throw furniture overboard, throwing papers and trash in the stairwells and walkways, etc. I understand Princess has a terrific children's program...free..but it didn't appear these families were interested. I don't believe the Princess staff was really prepared for this onslaught and seemed harried and overwrought. We heard many comments & complaints from staff/crew, as well as fellow frequent cruisers. I also understand people were disembarked (asked to leave) due to "misbehaviour" mid-way through the cruise. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not singling out any particular group...there were teens and pre-teens from the States, just as rude, unruly (as well as drunk) running amok on the ship. We usually like to eat late in in the dining room, to avoid crying, whining and loud children & families, but these huge families came in at 9pm & later with infants and toddlers who were, of course, hungry, cranky and should have been fed & put to bed hours earlier....very disturbing. The actual cruise, ports and staff/crew were absolutely wonderful and we are signing up to do the same itinerary again 2/09 (when the little hellions are back in school). We did meet some terrific families with wonderful, well behaved, polite children (from Mexico, US & PR); however, the others truely overshadowed these people. My dtr is a teacher and certainly didn't want a "busman's" holiday. We're booked on a Rio-Valparaiso cruise over both holidays 12/08, but, after reading your review, are rethinking this trip, as it appears this situation of booking huge families (not used to cruise etiquette) over the holidays might be industry-wide (Celebrity, Princess..probably HAL, etc). I have asked my TA to start checking w/Princess, periodically, for the # of children booked for this upcoming cruise...but don't really think she'll be able to obtain a true, accurate answer. Think I'll look at what's available on Oceania or some other more adult-oriented company. Thank you for your review and I'm so sorry your wife was so ill and all your excursions were not up to par. I think this past holiday season's experience was an eye-opener for many of us!;)

[San Diego Ellie]

There is another Infinity review posted for a January cruise, and it is also a very bad review. This sounds like a ship to avoid! I have only taken Celebrity twice, both times the Mercury before refurbishment. The first time the service was excellent, and just 14 months later you could notice the decline. Just a couple of examples: In the buffet, no one was available to carry plate/tray (forget which) from buffet to table; many tables were dirty and were not cleaned for ages despite the fact that people were looking for tables. On the earlier cruise there was always someone waiting to help with your plate and find you a table, and tables were cleared immediately. I am not in a hurry to cruise again with Celebrity.

[alwayshappytocruise]

We were on Infinity 1/6-1/2-08 South America cruise and had a great experience (with one exception). Going around Cape Horn is spectacular. Have done holiday cruises before, agree with other posters that we will NOT do that again!! Only complaint we had on this trip is that we got upgraded to a Sky Suite that adjoined the Penthouse Suite. The adjoining door(s) left much to be desired. The loud mouthed, crude, shouting, crying couple (hystrionic non-English speaking couple-how rude of them, I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about...love to snoop) in the Penthouse Suite had no business being around other human beings...never mind the PH. Don't get me started about the grand piano they had.....who needs a grand piano on a cruise for goodness sake? Loved those show tunes at 2am!! We had such a good time meeting fun people and were zonked at the end of the day that fortunately we were able to block them out. Loved the suite, probably should have asked to be moved.

[Coastaljen]

I hope this is not a sign of what the Celebrity's holiday cruise will be this year... I have done a number of holiday cruises because that is one of the limited time frames I can travel, and so far they were great.

 

This is the most expensive cruise I have taken, so I hope it is nice.

[greatam]

I hope this is not a sign of what the Celebrity's holiday cruise will be this year... I have done a number of holiday cruises because that is one of the limited time frames I can travel, and so far they were great.

 

This is the most expensive cruise I have taken, so I hope it is nice.

 

IF you are on the Dec. 21 Celebrity cruise, it will be FILLED with South American extended families. It will NOT be the same cruise as a January or later cruise.

 

If nothing else, it will be VERY loud.

[Coastaljen]

I am really worried. I have spent a small fortune on an airline ticket, done all this planning for ports, etc., and this thread makes it sound like a mistake...

 

Normally I am counting down the days until I leave. I wish someone could give me some sort of happy thought. Our roll call is almost on life support with minimal signs of life.

 

Oh well....

[woody14h]

We were on the April Infinity from Valparaiso to FTL. 14 days. Nothing could be finer. Perhaps the holiday cruises are to be avoided. We had a great time. food and service was excellent. Same as our previous 2 cruises on the Connie. Maybe it is luck of the draw but all of our cruises X, HAL, Princess, Cunard have been exceptional. Of course we research demographics in advance. A ship full of screaming kids or fraternity boozers would ruin anyone's good time. Note I said screaming kids not well behaved ones. I do not think Celebrity is to be avoided at all. IMHO, still one of the best. We are booked on the Solstice in Dec and HAL in Nov 2009. Is cruising what it was 25 years ago, absolutely not but it sure is more affordable. And for the mass market my money will be on the Celebrity or HAL line every time.

[greatam]

I am really worried. I have spent a small fortune on an airline ticket, done all this planning for ports, etc., and this thread makes it sound like a mistake...

 

Normally I am counting down the days until I leave. I wish someone could give me some sort of happy thought. Our roll call is almost on life support with minimal signs of life.

 

Oh well....

 

Is there ANY way you can change to the next cruise??? (I know you said vacation time was hard to come by).

 

I was in Valparaiso three years ago when a Xmas cruise departed. It just so happened that a Celebrity ship was leaving that day. I was down in the port area most of the day watching my containers of grapes get loaded.

 

I was astounded at the MASS of people who were shouting, kids running all over. The port workers were trying to keep the kids contained, but the kids just blew them off until they got close to the cranes. Then the port workers corralled the kids and held them until someone got the parents. The parents were SCREAMING at the port workers for detaining the kids. It was total chaos.

 

I was just thanking my lucky stars that I was NOT taking the cruise.

 

IF you can't change your cruise, please be prepared that this will be NOT be a normal Celebrity cruise. The scenery will be the same, the ambiance in the ship most likely will not. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[Coastaljen]

I did a Holland cruise over Christmas 2006-Panama Canal, and it as fine. I took Celebrity last year, but it ended about December 23 in Sydney. I have done NCL, but it left December 26 out of San Juan years ago. They were all fine. Holland said last year we set a record for them with the number of kids on board for an Alaskan cruise (early August), but I didn't notice it being chaotic at all.

 

It is either go then for me or don't go.

 

I took late dining so it might be a little more sedate. I know some cultures like to eat late, but with really young kids I would expect people would eat earlier (the majority anyway). (yes, I saw the post about all the infants in late dining...) I don't care if kids are there at all, but the posts about all the yelling and kids sitting on the stairs eating?

 

I remember reading once that Holland had a nightmare cruise because they had an onslaught of kids that for some reason they didn't prepare for. I think it was an Easter time cruise. Maybe Celebrity wasn't quite prepared , and maybe it will go smoother this Christmas.

 

I can't change. The most I could do is cancel, and there is a possibility I could go in Spring 2010. However, I now have a $2,000 airline ticket to use within a year....

 

I am amazed people can afford to travel with large groups of kids. I never cruised until I was middle aged. Sheesh.

 

--------------------

Ok (breathing into a paper bag to keep from hyperventilating...) Maybe I can look at it like I do all cruises. It is merely a way to get to the ports I want to see. I never go to shows or the bars anyway. I eat, sleep and read on the ship. Yeah.. I am pretty boring, and that is why I end up solo. ha ha Sea days are reading and drinking coffee or in the gym. Surely these people can't afford all the shore excursions at a per person cost. Surely the shore excursions through Celebrity (normally I go private) will be sane... I did book a private guide for the day in Buenos Aires. It will just be the two of us. I also booked a solo tour to get from Santiago to Valparaiso.

[greatam]

?

 

Ok (breathing into a paper bag to keep from hyperventilating...) Maybe I can look at it like I do all cruises. It is merely a way to get to the ports I want to see. I never go to shows or the bars anyway. I eat, sleep and read on the ship. Yeah.. I am pretty boring, and that is why I end up solo. ha ha Sea days are reading and drinking coffee or in the gym. Surely these people can't afford all the shore excursions at a per person cost. Surely the shore excursions through Celebrity (normally I go private) will be sane... I did book a private guide for the day in Buenos Aires. It will just be the two of us. I also booked a solo tour to get from Santiago to Valparaiso.

 

You are taking the right attitude. But it truly is the South American culture. I am constantly astounded the way they travel. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, through in a couple of aunts and uncles and all the kids. I was behind a couple with Grandma, Grandpa, nanny and 4 kids at the Santiago airport in February-business class line on LAN. They had a total of THIRTY THREE bags and boxes (including 2 TV boxes) I wondered if they were moving. No, they were visiting family. The kids were all over the place, Grandma was yelling at DIL and they were totally oblivious to the chaos they were causing with all the luggage and all the people. This is the NORM in South America. Just be prepared.

 

PS-the South Americans are targeted marketing groups for those Xmas cruises. They spend a LOT of money on extras (which heavily increases cruise lines' revenue). And they have a LOT of money when you put the entire family's money in the pot. I have seen extended families take over small hotels in Chile and Peru. They may not spend much on the room, but their booze, food and spa bills could pay the hotel mortgage payments for the month.

[Coastaljen]

That is amazing.

 

When I was sitting in the Copenhagen airport, a really nice lady ..about 70 came up and sat down, and we were chatting for about an hour. She mentioned she had been on the same cruise I was just on with twenty family members (her grown kids and their kids). She was from Mexico and they all now lived in Los Angeles. Pretty soon the rest of the family materialized. The funny thing is one of her daughters showed up, and I recognized her. I had gone on and on about what a cute girl her daughter had when I saw her on the cruise. Small world.

 

Anyway, I was blown away that they could travel like that. Twenty people with tons and tons of luggage. They were all really nice. The grandmother, who I was talking to, said to me it was kind of expensive to travel like that so they might not take a cruise next year. Maybe they would wait a year and then do a Holy Land cruise. My mind was boggled. I seriously came home and mentioned it to my sister in a phone call. None of my family travels at all. I don't see how all of those people could afford to take all of those kids on a cruise. You would have maybe two incomes to pay a cruise for two adults and a handful of kids. I thought that people paid for kids on a cruise after a certain age. Obviously I have no clue how it works.

 

Oh well.. I am done worrying. I will be back to share the story..and maybe log on while I am on the cruise. ha ha

[retiredbrit]

The South America Christmas cruise was a nightmare due to the high percentage of Spanish speaking passengers and their children - I have had two Celebrity Holiday Cruises (for us it was a Christmas and New Year Cruise).

The first was through the Panama with lots of very well behaved children (mainly Americans) who were no problem at all. The second was the South America cruise where the Hispanic children and their extended families caused a lot of bother.

 

On both cruises I felt there was not enough Chrismassy atmosphere - Christmas day dinner was like any other night. The maitre d said celebrity have a low key christmas because they dont want to offend other faiths.

 

So this year its away from Celebrity to P&O who I believe celebrate Christmas and New Year in a true way.

I am old fashioned enough to like the formality of cruising and I was rather disapointed on both celebrity cruises how often the dress code was ignored even to a zip up windcheater on formal night.

 

I have just got back from two weeks on P&O Arcadia - its a typical British way of life - the dress code was generally adhered to and on formal night everyone I saw was in a suit or tuxedo.

 

For 09 / 10 christmas I am looking a Princess line cruising the Amazon - but it starts in Manaus - will it be over run with hispanics I wonder?

 

regards Alan UK

[greatam]

That is amazing.

 

When I was sitting in the Copenhagen airport, a really nice lady ..about 70 came up and sat down, and we were chatting for about an hour. She mentioned she had been on the same cruise I was just on with twenty family members (her grown kids and their kids). She was from Mexico and they all now lived in Los Angeles. Pretty soon the rest of the family materialized. The funny thing is one of her daughters showed up, and I recognized her. I had gone on and on about what a cute girl her daughter had when I saw her on the cruise. Small world.

 

Anyway, I was blown away that they could travel like that. Twenty people with tons and tons of luggage. They were all really nice. The grandmother, who I was talking to, said to me it was kind of expensive to travel like that so they might not take a cruise next year. Maybe they would wait a year and then do a Holy Land cruise. My mind was boggled. I seriously came home and mentioned it to my sister in a phone call. None of my family travels at all. I don't see how all of those people could afford to take all of those kids on a cruise. You would have maybe two incomes to pay a cruise for two adults and a handful of kids. I thought that people paid for kids on a cruise after a certain age. Obviously I have no clue how it works.

 

Oh well.. I am done worrying. I will be back to share the story..and maybe log on while I am on the cruise. ha ha

 

You need to look at how South American/Mexican cultures live. Extended families in one house-I will use Los Angeles (I was born and raised there) as an example. 4 bedroom house-mortgage/house payments $3000 per month. BUT inside that house, you may have two COMPLETE families-Mom, Dad, kids AND Grandma and Grandpa. So when you divide the rent by 6 adults, you now see why they can afford new cars, cruises, and heavy spending for "extras".

 

I now live part of the year in the Phoenix area. I have a couple of rental properties. One of them is currently for rent-$1400 per month, 3 bedroom, two bath. I almost rented it to a nice couple with two kids a couple of weeks ago. UNTIL I found out that not only was it going to be the four of them, but two cousins AND Grandma. Divide the rent by 5 working adults-PRETTY DARN cheap and NOT the way Americans live. But it is the culture in Mexico/South America. EVERYONE (extended families) just stays together in one house. The street where my rental is on is FILLED with brand new, very expensive pickups with $2000.00 sets of wheels. When you look under the surface, the apt building across the alley has 2 bedroom apts-$800 per month. 4 people to an apt-PRETTY DARN CHEAP living. And that is the way it is done.

 

A couple of years ago, "60 minutes" had an feature about workers in Aspen Colorado-how the average worker could not afford to live in Aspen and had to commute from Glenwood/Carbondale. The family represented had 10 people AND 6 kids living in a 5 bedroom house. IIRC, the rent was $2500 per month. Divide that living expense by ten and if we were willing to live with that many in a house, we Americans would be cruising, vacationing or driving expensive cars all the time. A VERY BIG difference in culture.

[MightyQuinn]

PS-the South Americans are targeted marketing groups for those Xmas cruises. They spend a LOT of money on extras (which heavily increases cruise lines' revenue). And they have a LOT of money when you put the entire family's money in the pot. I have seen extended families take over small hotels in Chile and Peru. They may not spend much on the room, but their booze, food and spa bills could pay the hotel mortgage payments for the month.

greatam - are you aware of any similar marketing blitz to SA families during Easter? And is there anything akin to Spring Break in the SA culture? We're doing a SA itinerary aboard HAL Amsterdam in March/April '09. Do we need to get geared up for the family onslaught? TIA for your response. I really enjoy your first-hand accounts of all that is South American;)

[greatam]

greatam - are you aware of any similar marketing blitz to SA families during Easter? And is there anything akin to Spring Break in the SA culture? We're doing a SA itinerary aboard HAL Amsterdam in March/April '09. Do we need to get geared up for the family onslaught? TIA for your response. I really enjoy your first-hand accounts of all that is South American;)

 

I am going to make an educated guess. I have never seen marketing for the late cruises in South America, as I have in October/November for the Xmas cruises. And I am generally NOT in Chile past mid March, so would have no opportunity to actually see the ships in Valaparaiso.

 

Easter is big in South America, but usually only about 4 days-no time for a cruise. I will pay more attention this fall when I start my yearly trips. And I will try to remember ask some of my business associates.

 

You really should be OK. You do realize that most of the penguins will be gone when you go other than in the Falklands. Enjoy your cruise.

[Coastaljen]

Ah well... I am getting excited again. I get to cruise, etc. We will see how a 44 year old single person handles it I guess. ;)

 

I checked and I really can't find any other cruise near the cost that appeals to me. I am NOT going to the Caribbean. I have to use up a $2,000 airline ticket if I canceled it. I can't do Delta to Sydney, so I can't do one of those. IF I hadn't bought the ticket, I wouldn't go. I am optimistic (trying to stay that way) this cruise won't be horrible, or I would cancel it.

[MightyQuinn]

I am going to make an educated guess. I have never seen marketing for the late cruises in South America, as I have in October/November for the Xmas cruises. Easter is big in South America, but usually only about 4 days-no time for a cruise. I will pay more attention this fall when I start my yearly trips. And I will try to remember ask some of my business associates.

 

You really should be OK. You do realize that most of the penguins will be gone when you go other than in the Falklands. Enjoy your cruise.

greatam - thanks so much for your quick & helpful reply. Since our itinerary is Rio-Valparasio-Seattle, it is probably even less likely to attract large multi-generational families!

 

Yes I do realize we're hitting it past the austral summer & the penguins will be gone. We spent 21 days on board Society Expeditions World Discoverer back in Dec '97 & saw a ton of penguins when we did zodiac landings on Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, South Orkneys & the Falklands. What a treat! It will be wonderful to see the colony of Kings at Volunteer Point, which I understand are resident year-round. Do you know if there's any seasonal variability in their numbers? What's the likely population in late March? Thanks again ;)

[Fabian52]

I am going to make an educated guess. I have never seen marketing for the late cruises in South America, as I have in October/November for the Xmas cruises. And I am generally NOT in Chile past mid March, so would have no opportunity to actually see the ships in Valaparaiso.

 

Easter is big in South America, but usually only about 4 days-no time for a cruise. I will pay more attention this fall when I start my yearly trips. And I will try to remember ask some of my business associates.

 

You really should be OK. You do realize that most of the penguins will be gone when you go other than in the Falklands. Enjoy your cruise.

We are doing the NCL Sun from Dec 7 - 21st. Is this the time that school is out for South American families? Hoping it is later in Dec. like 12/21/08 or after. Can you advise. :)