Live on the Inifinty to Alaska May 29 - Jun 05

[photosg]

Hello cruisecritic!

 

We have just set sail on the Inifinity from Vancouver. This is the first cruise where I have unlimited internet so I intend to drop by at least once a day to give brief updates.

 

We flew in to Vancouver a couple of days ago and it rained more or less continuously for the first two days. And it was cold. But it all cleared up nicely and we had beautiful skies for the sail out.

 

We got to Canada place around 1230 or so. Embarkation was pretty smooth until we got to US CBP. Then those with US or Canadian passports had maybe a 5 - 10 minute wait but those with other passports had to line up for something much more like an hour.

 

Once through it was a quick snap for our sea pass photo and another minute before someone was asking ask whether we wanted a mimosa or champagne.

 

In reply to my "where do we go?" I was told "wherever you want to!"

 

This gave me a bit of a pause. So my next question was "which way to Luminae? Is it still open?" She looked at her watch and said "yes, this way and then left."

 

We got there about 2:10 and soon after sitting down they told us we needed to order before the kitchen closed.

 

From Luminae we went to our stateroom and soon it was time to head for the muster drill which was scheduled for 3:45. After the initial announcement there was nothing said until 4:00pm when they started the briefing. This went on until 4:30 because after the English instructions everything was repeated in Spanish and then German!

 

Sometime before 5 the ship started moving and I went up to the rooftop terrace on 11 for the sailaway. As I mentioned earlier the skies were blue and the mountains were beautiful.

 

Unpacking took almost to dinner time (7pm) and then it was back to Luminae. The service is really outstanding but possibly because I had very high expectations after reading many members' rave reviews of of the food, my travel companions and I found the food Ok to good. Nothing was bad but not everything was superb. What we did like was the zucchini "pasta" (the vegetarian option) and the baked pear for dessert. The guava sorbet that two of us ordered as we couldn't squeeze in a full dessert was also great.

 

There was a breathtaking sunset as we walked along the promenade towards the theatre.

 

We got to the theatre a little after 9 And the Comedian had already started. There was empty seats up front but otherwise the theatre was more or less full. People did walk out intermittently but those who stayed laughed quite a lot. He was billed as "family friendly" and it was all very safe, nothing edgy. I did wonder if perhaps those who walked out did not have English as their first language.

 

Oops! So much for being brief!

 

I'm instagramming if you want to see photos. My ID is "hiaoshu" and I'm using #hiaotravel #celebrityinfinity #cruiselife and #cruisefood depending on the subject.

Edited May 30, 2016 by photosg

[TeeRick]

Thanks so much for the Live post. I was on Infinity a few weeks ago and loved every minute of it particularly Luminae. What type of suite are you in?

[DanaDanes]

So excited to hear more! Let us know the shows/entertainment/naturalist if you can! We are on a week after you disembark.

 

 

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[DanaDanes]

Also, let us know if you are free to eat in blu when you wish. We want to try it once if allowed.

 

 

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[sherrar]

Thanks for the review - we are on this coming Sunday so leave her in good fettle!!

[El Crucero]

Also, let us know if you are free to eat in blu when you wish. We want to try it once if allowed.

 

Suite guests can eat in Blu on a "space available" basis as often as they want, but Aqua guests get priority over Suite guests at any time. Avoid the 6:30 to 7:15 time slot when Blu is most busy.

[Clarea]

Looking forward to more.:)

[CU64]

There is a duplicate bridge group (30) on board from So Calif. Glad to hear how the weather was in Vancouver on sailaway. Most have not been to that port or Alaska. Too beautiful........

[hnet999]

Hi Photosg - Thanks for the live blog on-board - we're on next month and I am looking forward to your updates. It there any chance you could upload (either here or Instagram) a pic the Celebrity Today daily bulletin?

 

Any comments on your cabin would be great also.

 

Thanks SO much!

[timtrek]

Thanks for the live review - Have a great cruise

[photosg]

A rather grey day but it didn't rain and the sun did manage a flash or two.

A rather lazy day too, with only Mickeylive's Alaska lecture in the morning.

 

Our butler, Roger appeared in the afternoon with a trolley laden with teatime treats around 4pm. All I had done since lunch was take a nap!

 

After tea I sat by the balcony to look for whales, but only saw a few dolphins as I was changing for dinner. My friends saw whales in the morning from ocean view cafe, during lunch at Luminae, and back in their cabin in the afternoon.

 

Our estimation of Luminae has improved after enjoying a zesty tuna tartare at lunch and a melt-in-the-mouth cote de beouf at dinner. Once again the vegetarian choice of cauliflower steak was really good with the curry yogurt having an authentic tasting blend of spices. (Lots of food photos on Instagram #hiaotravel)

 

After dinner we went to watch iBroadway, where they gleefully mashed-up Broadway favourites. The full house gave the enthusiastic performers much applause.

 

Stopped by the casino on the way back to the room. First time playing with cash only slots. (Other cruises deducted and stored value in your access card.)

 

Thanks for reading and all your comments and kind wishes! :):):)

And I guess some of you are following me on Instagram too? Thanks for the follows! :)

 

TeeRick I'm in an S2 on deck 9.

 

DanaDanes we haven't been to Blu yet but the staff at Luminae said we could just turn up at Blu if we wanted to eat there. The menu at Blu seems more "Californian" (?) if that makes any sense to you. Perhaps more modern in comparison to the more traditional Luminae.

 

hnet999 there is Tuesday's "Inifinity Today" up on my Instagram. Not sure how helpful it will be as Instagram doesn't really allow you to zoom into the photos....

[DanaDanes]

Thanks for the report! I am indeed following!

 

 

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[thepoint]

Just wondering if you are in sweater or jacket weather. What is the heaviest outer wear that someone would need on your trip. We will be doing Alaska in 2017. Thank you.

[TeeRick]

A rather grey day but it didn't rain and the sun did manage a flash or two.

A rather lazy day too, with only Mickeylive's Alaska lecture in the morning.

 

Our butler, Roger appeared in the afternoon with a trolley laden with teatime treats around 4pm. All I had done since lunch was take a nap!

 

After tea I sat by the balcony to look for whales, but only saw a few dolphins as I was changing for dinner. My friends saw whales in the morning from ocean view cafe, during lunch at Luminae, and back in their cabin in the afternoon.

 

Our estimation of Luminae has improved after enjoying a zesty tuna tartare at lunch and a melt-in-the-mouth cote de beouf at dinner. Once again the vegetarian choice of cauliflower steak was really good with the curry yogurt having an authentic tasting blend of spices. (Lots of food photos on Instagram #hiaotravel)

 

After dinner we went to watch iBroadway, where they gleefully mashed-up Broadway favourites. The full house gave the enthusiastic performers much applause.

 

Stopped by the casino on the way back to the room. First time playing with cash only slots. (Other cruises deducted and stored value in your access card.)

 

Thanks for reading and all your comments and kind wishes! :):):)

And I guess some of you are following me on Instagram too? Thanks for the follows! :)

 

TeeRick I'm in an S2 on deck 9.

 

DanaDanes we haven't been to Blu yet but the staff at Luminae said we could just turn up at Blu if we wanted to eat there. The menu at Blu seems more "Californian" (?) if that makes any sense to you. Perhaps more modern in comparison to the more traditional Luminae.

 

hnet999 there is Tuesday's "Inifinity Today" up on my Instagram. Not sure how helpful it will be as Instagram doesn't really allow you to zoom into the photos....

 

Give Roger my best! He was our butler too on the Panama cruise in April. Tell him Rick and Linda.

[hnet999]

Photosg. The Celebrity Today bulletin was perfectly readable. If it's not a pain, I would love to see more throughout your cruise. Thanks so much.

 

 

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[photosg]

The clocks went back an hour overnight.

 

Another grey day. After breakfast I went outdoors to see how many layers I had to put on for the whale watching later, and to take test shots with my large camera (with a 200mm lens). That's when I discovered it was wet too.

 

Coming back into the warmth of deck 5 I found myself in the middle of a shopping frenzy. But look, the future bookings desk was free: see you on Connie at the end of May next year!

 

After lunch we had time for a short nap before heading out on the brand new icy strait point dock and walkway.

 

I had some trouble finding our bus pickup due to the new arrangements, but once I stopped to ask everyone was very helpful and we were soon on our way to our first shore excursion.

 

We ended up on a boat with 10 others from Infinity making a total of 14 on a boat with a maximum capacity of 16. I am not sure where another two passengers could have sat.

 

Words cannot express how I felt. Awesome and wonderful are just the beginning. We not only saw a lot (9? maybe more) of humpback whales with a detour to look at sealions and sea otters, but our penultimate whale sighting had a whale playing with us. First he slapped and waved his tail about over and over again and then he turned on his side to wave at us with his side fins. And THEN he came closer and closer until I had to change from zoom to wide-angle, all the while waving and slapping his fins making a loud splash. I've been whale watching before but this was the best. One of my friends said that sighting was worth the price of the whole cruise. (Me, I have great expectations for Hubbard Glacier tomorrow. Praying for good weather.) Of course bubble feeding or a flip in the air breech would have been even better but I was plenty satisfied with what we experienced.

 

By the time we got back onto the ship it was about 8-8:15 and I think we got to Blu about 8:25, possibly earlier. They did ask if we in the right place but once we said we were from Luminae they just asked for your cabin numbers for the record. We went to Blu because the menu looked more interesting tonight, and what we had was great but after a couple of days in Luminae we did feel a little out of place in Blu. There's piped in music in Luminae too but somehow it was louder and more irritating in Blu. Of course the servers were all new to us and us to them. The most disappointing part came when they showed us the dessert menu. The menu we saw outside had mentioned cherries jubilee so we had been looking forward to that all afternoon. But the printed menu before us only had some strange Top Chef creations instead. I ended up with a lemon sorbet. Luckily the chocolate lava is on the classics part of the menu and it was good.

 

thepoint: today was definitely jacket weather. I had a fleece and a waterproof shell on top of that with a scarf and a hat. I'm expecting tomorrow to be even colder but I that's the extent of the outerwear I brought.

 

Hnet999 : Glad you can read the infinity today. I'll try to post one as soon as I get them every night.

 

For those tired of seeing food photos today I have some great whale watching shots - even if I do say so myself! :D

 

(Oops! I forgot to post the pic of the ship at the new dock. I'll try to remember for tomorrow's update.)

[DanaDanes]

OP, first thanks so much for taking your vacation time to do this. I love your photos you are talented!

 

Did you book your ISP whale watching through the ship or with an independent operator? Sounds like a good size boat for whale watching.

 

Also, did you go straight to blu in your whale watching clothes? The dress code is still confusing me.

 

 

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[photosg]

OP, first thanks so much for taking your vacation time to do this. I love your photos you are talented!

 

Did you book your ISP whale watching through the ship or with an independent operator? Sounds like a good size boat for whale watching.

 

Also, did you go straight to blu in your whale watching clothes? The dress code is still confusing me.

 

 

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Thank you for your kind words. I do have a love of photography and it's always great to receive compliments!

 

We booked through an independent operator. In this case it wasn't significantly cheaper than going with the ship but we were on a smaller boat so got a better experience for the same price.

 

Most of us just dropped off out warm clothes at our cabin and headed to Blu after a pit stop. Don't be stressed about the dress code. Even on "evening chic" night there were people in t-shirts. Yes there were groups in sharp suits and elegant dresses but they were in the minority. In any case last night was only "smart casual" so yes, whale watching clothes would have been fine.

[hnet999]

BTW ... Definitely NOT tired of seeing food photos.

 

 

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[brooklynap]

Thanks so much! Your pictures are lovely!

[photosg]

Oops! I overslept and woke up just 10 minutes before I had to meet my friends for breakfast. I had set my alarm but gorg it that my ipad was set to silent mode! By the time I drew back the curtains beautiful snow covered mountains were already sliding into view.

 

After yesterday's grey and wet the sun was much brighter and here and there you could just make out some blue. We were scheduled to enter Yakutat Bay at 8:15 and they were opening the helipad at 9am so we had to be done with breakfast by then.

 

From the bridge cam on channel 16 we could see the helipad filling up so after checking it out and a quick photo just to show how ridiculously crowded it was I went to deck 4 for most of the scenic cruising. Mickeylive gave us the commentary, but it wasn't so audible on the outside if deck 4 so I had to step inside to warm up and hear the more interesting bits.

 

Much as I enjoyed yesterday's whale watching, it was standing in front of a very large wall of ice and feeling very small and alone (if you discount 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew) in a vast wilderness that made me say to myself I'm definitely doing this trip again. To yesterday's wonderful and awesome I would add beautiful and breath-taking.

 

All the photos I had seen before the trip did not prepare me for the live experience. Book your Alaska cruise now!

 

I have to rush off to dinner now. If I'm not falling asleep I'll finish this after the show. Otherwise it's an early start for Juneau tomorrow!

[photosg]

I'm not sure what were the favourable conditions but the captain was able to bring Inifinity right up to the legal limit of proximity to the glacier. And just then the clouds parted just enough to let the sun through while still shrouding the mountain peaks. This made for some rather dramatic lighting just when the ship turned to face the glacier sideways on so everyone could take their widescreen or panoramic shots of the entire glacier. If you will allow me some caps: SO HAPPY!

 

We also seemed to be able to stay longer than scheduled (don't think there was another ship queuing up for their turn at the glacier) so it was well into lunchtime when we exited Yakutak Bay.

 

Turning about at Luminae at 12:50 we couldn't find a table for four. So we went to check out the Aquaspa Cafe but that didn't have any free tables either. That's how we ended up queuing for a table at the MDR, Trellis. This was a first for us after all the different cruise lines we've been on, having to wait for a table at lunchtime in the MDR. It wasn't that there wasn't enough space, just that the had reduced staff with some deployed elsewhere on the ship. To be honest the MDR menu was much more appealing than the Luminae lunch menu, which was a repeat from two days ago. It seems there are only two lunch menus on rotation at Luminae.

 

After lunch it was nap, tea time, reviewing photos and updating the first part of today's blog.

 

In Luminae we mentioned that the background music was a little too loud and they immediately turned it down. It never hurts to ask.

 

After dinner we went to the show called Star Factory. This seemed to have more contemporary (i.e. more unfamiliar to me!) hits, which meant I didn't quite enjoy the show as much as iBroadway.

 

Thanks once again everyone for your kind words and encouragement.

 

Teerick : I mentioned to Roger at tea time that you sent your regards and he seemed surprised and chuffed at the same time.

[cinbeach]

Photosg

 

Thanks for your review. I will be on the Infinity on June 19th and have the exact room you do. Would you please tell me about the room. We were assigned this room although we do not need an accessible room. Would you say the room and bathroom are larger than other Sky Suites and would someone who does not need an accessible bathroom feel awkward?

 

Also have you tried Bistro on 5 - I have heard mixed reviews lately stating that the food has declined. We were the Eclipse over a year ago and it was fantastic but word is that it is mediocre and they are changing over to Sushi.

 

The Solarium Pool - what can you tell me about this on your voyage - we love this area on the Solstice Class Ships and would like to know if it was still adults only and peaceful.

 

Thanks for answering all my questions and continue to enjoy your cruise.

[sherrar]

Great review - many, many thanks for spending the time to do it.

 

I have just checked in on-line for our flight to Vancouver tomorrow morning. I may miss the last couple of days review - depends what the hotel wi-fi is like. Can't wait to join Infinity for what sounds like a great cruise.

[timtrek]

Great review and Pics - following on Instagram, too. Getting me very excited for our Sept 2017 (sounds so far away) CA Coastal on Infinity.