Cross-post from 1st Timer Board: Infinity - Parents' 1st cruise - Input Appreciated

[QT911]

I (late 30s) went and whether randomly booked a 5 nights cruise last night - fully refundable until August 25.

This is for my mom's 70th birthday (dad is mid-70s, they never cruised before).

3 people in 1 room, I booked the C-3 room (I think it is slightly bigger) & hoping it will make embarkation easier for dad who can't stand for too long.

 

My parents do not do much. They can sit and watch people all day (I know Carnival may be better for people watching lol)

Food and entertainment will probably be more important for them.

I pick 5 nights as it is not too short or too long for 1st time cruisers; easy ports (Key West & Cozumel)

 

I now have read many comments regarding the old age of the ship, and the issues they had back in March & May.

 

Honest input please: is Infinity a good option for my purpose of taking my elderly parents on an easy vacation? Any thoughts/personal experience you care to share is appreciated.

 

I only searched on cruise website (not thru a TA) - and comparing to Carnival & RC, this was actually less expensive for similar route and time frame and come with classic drink package (I am the only drinker - so it is nice to have this perk and not have to pay extra for my parents). TIA for your input.

[Anita Latte]

I don't know about the Infinity in specific. No clue what you are talking about with issues in March and May. I can say that I often read of many criticisms regarding ship age, etc., from people who have cruised a lot, and perhaps have more experience to draw from for comparisons. And I know that I've read of complaints on the various ships that I have cruised...then cruised them and not been bothered by things that have bothered others. That said...maybe someone with more recent experience on the Infinity will respond to those concerns.

 

Have you cruised on Celebrity before? Been on an M-class ship? I'd hate to go into great detail as to why I think this cruise would be so great for your parent's first cruise if you are familiar. That said, I think M-class is a great ship for a first cruise! I could elaborate if you have't been...

 

I also like your itinerary and time frame. I love Cozumel because I LOVE Nachi Cocum. Look it up. I would highly recommend going there while in port.

 

Key West is fine. I've been there once and I enjoyed it more than Nassau, so to have an itinerary that goes there instead of Nassau is a plus to me.

[jelayne]

We have sailed on the Infinity 3 times, most recently was just over a year ago. We also just returned from 29 nights on the Constellation (basically the same ship). These are very nice ships and while they are older than the bigger S class ships they are just as pretty. The S class are larger, more modern decor while the MClass are smaller and have a warmer decor.

 

The MClass ship are, IMHO, less crowded and easier to get around than the bigger ships.

 

If you arrive at the port on the mbarkation day around 11:30-12 there is a special lunch in the MDR just for guests sailing in Concierge class. This would be a more relaxed way to have lunch than fighting the crowds in the buffet. Plus it will set the tone for your parents to feel special.

 

The Infinity had some mechanical issues that have been corrected. We have sailed on 42 cruises & 4 cruise lines and have a encountered mechanical problems only twice, the most disruptive was on a ship that was only 6 months old.

 

I think your parents will have a wonderful time and seems they have a very thoughtful daughter.

[QT911]

Have you cruised on Celebrity before? Been on an M-class ship? I'd hate to go into great detail as to why I think this cruise would be so great for your parent's first cruise if you are familiar. That said, I think M-class is a great ship for a first cruise! I could elaborate if you have't been...

 

Anita, I have never been on a Celebrity. Please elaborate. There are so many cruiseline options out there. I went on 2 cruises over 10 years ago, both on Carnival. And people I know who cruise swear by RC.

 

I guess the new trend of "specialty dining" is what's confusing me. I thought the whole idea of cruising is all inclusive eating. But I don't want to have bad food for 5 nights, yet I am already spending a good amount on the cruise itself, hate to spend hundreds more just on food.

 

And wonder what I can do on the cruise while my parents chill... I really can't find much info on Celebrity website as to what is included, what are add on, and what a typical day looks like onboard.

 

Thanks for your reply!

[Essiesmom]

I don't understand specialty dining either. I feel that my fare includes all the food I need. I have always been satisfied with the MDR and buffet food. In 50 or so cruises we have only dined in specialty restaurants twice, both on the same cruise (HAL) and because they were comped. One by out TA and the other because we were on a B2B. We were't really impressed, and wouldn't do it again unless free.

As for a typical day...You get up, eat breakfast either in the buffet or the MDR, or order room service...Then if it is a sea day, there might be a talk, a seminar (where they try to sell you products), trivia of various types, bingo (not free); you can go to the casino...Then have lunch, again in MDR or buffet if it is a sea day. Relax around the pool, more trivia, relax, repeat. Take a nap. Get ready for dinner. After dinner retire to a lounge for music or attend the show. Go to bed. If it is a port day, you have breakfast and go ashore. EM

 

This thread further down has the daily sheets for a totally different itinerary but it will give you and idea of the activities offered.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2640648

Edited June 1, 2018 by Essiesmom

[mailmama]

Infinity is great ship and easy to get around onboard. We had great food in the buffet plus main dining room. Beverage package will allow your parents to have specialty coffee and teas from AL Bacio while people watching and relaxing. I. Have been on 5 cruise lines and if this was my parents, I would choose the Infinity too!

 

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[DENIE]

We were on the Infinity just last September/October (2017). It was in beautiful shape! Very clean and well maintained, and did not feel its age. Very classy! We have been on larger ships, and this one felt big enough to have everything you need without being overwhelming. Food in the MDR was just fine (we did not use specialty dining). We were on a port-intensive California Coastal cruise, so did not spend many days on board (no sea days). All other entertainment was just fine. The Cafe al Bacio is wonderful, and can easily spend an hour or two per day there.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise! We really loved Cozumel a few years ago.

[Anita Latte]

Celebrity has a more laid back feel to me than the other cruises that I've been on, which would be Royal and Carnival. In fact, I've done 4-5 night cruises on all three. I'm not one to necessarily say that one is better than the other...I'm that type of person that can see the good and the not so great...and I do my best to make the best of whatever I am able to do.

 

So...the ship itself, and why I like it so much.

 

Thelassotherapy Pool. In the Solarium, the pool in there is a thalassotherapy pool. It's big enough to move around in, has some sort of weird lounge bench thing IIRC, and just flat out feels great. Without going into great detail, it's like a lukewarm mineral bath with areas you can sit with jets and big enough that you can stretch out and shallow enough that you just walk around. You want to bring a suit that you don't mind being discolored because of the minerals. On M-class, this pool is in the solarium...with hot tubs too...and the whole environment is just lovely. The lounge chairs are cushioned. The atmosphere is on the more relaxing side...but if you want to people watch, you can always go to the main pool area.

 

In the main pool area, there is a grill with burgers. This is one free option for food. Many people want to hit up the buffet for lunch, but this is another option. There is also a cafe in the Solarium that has lighter fare that serves breakfast and lunch, IIRC. (There's food everywhere on the ship OMG).

 

If you do go to the buffet, if you can snag one...you can sit outside at the bar that is aft. I think it's called the Sunset bar. Not every cruise ship has outside seating for their buffet...and it isn't possible to get a seat always, but the possibility exists.

 

I don't know how the buffet is these days, but when I was last on the ship, there was an Eggs Benedict station that has a variety of choices for how you want to dress up your poached egg, muffin or no muffin breakfast. Made to order omelets too. Made to order eggs for that matter. And there were several of those egg stations around so you could usually find one with a short enough line.

 

The ship itself is really easy to get around on. In general, the interior areas of the ship are more oriented toward the outside than the inside. Most public venues have a window view, which is really odd to say considering that we're talking about ships...but the promenade style of ship on Royal is such that many areas of the ship are more oriented toward the interior, and they don't have the water views. I prefer the water views.

 

Also...M-class generally follows the rule of entertainment forward and food aft. It's a great sized ship in that there are many different areas to hang out in but all at the same time...it isn't so huge that you feel like all those areas are so far from each other. You can get your bearings quickly and feel like you know what's where and how to get there.

 

I feel somewhat weird posting this link, but here's my review of my experience on an M-class ship. Things have changed...I believe that Bistro on 5 is now the sushi place. Bistro on 5 used to be only $5 I think. It was a great way to avoid the buffet rush on embarkation day. They have that Concierge lunch now in the MDR and that would be a lovely way to have lunch IMO. The buffet can be crowded normally, but on embarkation day, many people have luggage or baggage of some sort with them, so the buffet can be extra crowded as people just park it there and don't really move on until their cabins are open. It can make it difficult to find a seat since turn over can be slower than normal.

 

Anyway, here's my review, keep in mind that some things will have changed, and also I had issues with my camera, so there aren't pictures in my review. And if this post reply doesn't give you an indication...I can talk A LOT...so it's a very descriptive review and I think it might give you an idea of what going on a short cruise on an M-class ship is like. And IIRC, we stopped in Key West and Nachi Cocum:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2021390

[ldubs]

We were on the Infinity this past Feb in South America. The ship shows a little wear here and there, but is in pretty decent shape overall. The engine issues didn't impact our cruise and I think will have been addressed by now or will be shortly. Food and service is very good. I can't come up with any reason why you and your folks shouldn't have a great time.

[Travelling2Some]

I think you've made a wonderful and well thought out choice. I'd second the poster that mentioned Nachi Cocum for your day in Cozumel. I've recommended Nachi to several friends and they have all loved it. I'm also one who does not get the need for specialty dining. I've been comped it on a few cruises and it was nice but I still would never pay for more of what I've already got too much of on a cruise -- food, lol. Perfectly good food in the MDR that's already paid for as far as I'm concerned and I'm pretty picky.

[phoenix_dream]

We sailed Infinity many times, including over 3 weeks last year. She is one of our favorite ships (and we have sailed Celebrity 43 times). We are just slightly younger than your parents. You have a nice itinerary - Key West is very close to where the ship docks and easy to get around for your parents, as well as clean and well-kept. I second the Nachi Cocum suggestion - went there a few years ago with our 80 year old aunt and we all loved it.

 

No need to go to specialty restaurants if you don't want to - the main dining room is just fine.

 

The main things to do during the day are really just chill out by the pool, play some trivia if you would like, read, gamble, relax, work out if that is your thing. Not a ton of interesting activities IMHO but then we go to relax not party.