Infinity Review - Just back from 2/19/06 Sail

[Pelham233]

WOW! I think that is an understatement. This was our first X cruise, but it won't be our last. It was great from the start and only got better.

 

Embarkation: We flew to FLL 2 days prior to sailing. We were at the port at 11:40 AM on Sunday, went straight to the CC line (where no other passengers were around), got our Seapass and were on the ship at 12:00 PM. What a breeze? We were not able to go to our cabin until 1:00 PM so we went exploring and had some lunch. Which I must say was great for a buffet. We decided to see if we could get into our cabin around 12:50 when the announcement came that our cabins were ready. We booked in CC class with a veranda. I don't think I will ever cruise again wo a veranda. What a difference it made. Even my husband's rented tux was waiting there for us along with a bottle of champagne, fresh fruit bowl and fresh flowers.

 

Food: Exceptional! I can't even begin to say how delicious the food was. We only had dinner in the main dining room and had the late seating (8:30). Our waiter Mete from Turkey was so great. There were a couple of fish dishes I decided to try (I'm not a huge fish eater) but didn't care for. I should say that other people at my table (which was family) loved the fish. Mete took it away immediately, asked me what else I wanted and brought it. The beef was great, the veal was great, the lobster tail was great. I even tried escargot (which I didn't care for) and Frog Legs (which I loved). We always brought our own wine to dinner and the sommelier would open the bottle and even brought us very nice red wine glasses. We had room service for breakfast a few mornings that we enjoyed on our veranda. I never knew Mimosa's could taste so good. I have to say that the room service menu could have been better, but I ordered something that was not on it and I received it anyway. That could be b/c we were in CC class though. For lunch we mainly ate at the buffet, although I did try the spa food which was fabulous. For happy hours we were a little disappointed in the service around the pool. The bartenders just couldn't get it right. We spent most of our happy hours on the Aft deck. No complaints there. The Martini Bar was pretty good too. The Cova Cafe is a must for an afternoon pick me up. We unfortunately did not get there until the last day and I absolutely regret that. That will definitely be on our to do list next time. I was surprised there was only ONE midnight buffet. It was absolutely beautiful and was on the last formal night. Every other night the cruise staff did passed hors douvres around the pool deck and casino around midnight. I must admit though, there was no way I would have been able to eat anything since we had just left dinner. It was just something I was looking forward to seeing, but in no way was a negative.

Ports: San Juan was okay. It was very hot and we were only there for a few hours. Did some shopping then went back to the ship. I have one suggestion for X. They really need to update their maps for their ports. We could not find our way around the streets of San Juan. Unfortunately no one in our group spoke Spanish and it took awhile to find someone who spoke English. When we did find our way around we happened upon an old fort which was great.

Antigua: Great Eco kayak tour. Had a wonderful time. The port area left something to be desired though. Don't think we would go back there.

St. Maarten: Incredible! Went to Orient Beach on the French side. Did some sun bathing, parasailing, and jet skiing. Of course had some cocktails too. Beautiful island. Great pictures. The port area was beautiful. Newly refurbished in January 2001. Will definitely go back there. Heard of some great jewelery deals too. We made it out too late for shopping.

Back on the ship: our ship was at full capacity. 2300 passengers which included 300 children. I have to be honest and say I really did not notice the kids until the last day. We traveled with a large group (17; 7 of which were kids). We did not bring our own; just too young. This was a school break week too, but X staff kept them out of our hair. The pools were nice, especially the T-pool. A must after a long day in a port. We took a spa tour the first day and I ended up making an appt for a massage. Hot Stone Therapy! Wow, it was great. The staff there was very helpful and not pushy at all. If you didn't want to book an appt, that was fine.

I enjoyed getting the activity list everyday w/the daily. It was really helpful. I took advantage of the free bingo, the jewelery sale and t-shirt sale. The shows were great. Thein Fu was exceptional. Really funny. Let's Rock! was also great. Good music.

I think I covered everything, hopefully not too boring. One of my favorite parts of this trip was meeting everyone from our Roll Coll. Cheers to Stacy, John, Vicky, M&M's, Lisa, Debbie & Bill, Laura & Rick. :) We missed you Kathy & George. :(

[halos]

I'm glad you had a great time on the Infinity. I'm due to sail her in Nov. and it will be my first X cruise as well. :)

[Lisa63]

Great review, Denise! Glad you had a great time. I agree that Thein Fu was a highlight -- he was amazing!

 

It was nice meeting you at the Cruise Critic party and talking to your DH about the places we grew up. Small world!

[Kathy & George]

So glad that you all had such a good time! Hope to meet you soon.

[badger71]

excellent review i wonder when you ordered room service if you used the tear out sheet from the very back of the in room info book it is very extensive and because of cc class it is more bountiful than the regular room service menu. as you found out, they will bring whatever you request it was our third celebrity cruise after some other lines and they are our favorite:)

[themirsk]

Great review Denise.........and we did have a terrific cc group.....didn't we? :)

Hope to cruise with you again.........

M&M's

[Mom2Joce]

Nice review, many thanks, we're planning our first Celebrity Cruise (CC/Veranda) and it was nice to hear your input :)

 

Did you take pics of the room/bathroom?

 

What is the Cova Cafe?

[wolfganghowell]

The Cova cafe is a pastry/specialty coffee area that serves lattes, etc etc. You pay for the drinks but I believe the pastries are complimentary.

[Pelham233]

Like Wolfganghowell said, Cova Cafe is a specialty coffee area. I had a frozen cappaccino and my DH had a latte. You can get reg/decaf cappaccino's, espressos, lattes, etc. The drinks you pay for, but the pastries are free. They are wonderful.

[CRSNDC]

Denise,

 

Thanks for the great review. I am sailing on Infinity this Sunday and can't wait! It's a charter though so we'll be going to Coco Cay, Frederiksted St Croix, and St Maarten.

I was on Constellation last year and was super impressed. I have no doubt Infinity will be equally as nice. X cruises are wonderful.

 

-Chris

[MandyGirl]

Denise,

 

Thanks for the great review. I am sailing on Infinity this Sunday and can't wait! It's a charter though so we'll be going to Coco Cay, Frederiksted St Croix, and St Maarten.

I was on Constellation last year and was super impressed. I have no doubt Infinity will be equally as nice. X cruises are wonderful.

 

-Chris

 

Chris - We vacationed on St Croix one year. Head over towards Christiansted and do a sailboat trip out to Buck Island. It is a different Buck Island from the one near St Thomas. The snorkeling is outstanding!!

 

This is who we sailed with when we went:

http://www.buckisland-diva.com/

 

National Park website: http://www.nps.gov/buis/

[jerseygirl3]

Badger, I was going to ask the OP the same question. I suspect she didn't see the special Concierge Class room service menu. The breakfast menu is the most extensive I've ever seen at sea. Eggs any way you want (including egg beats and/or egg whites), breakfast meats. yogurt parfaits, pancakes (blueberry, wheat, regular), french toast...the list seemed endless!

 

We were on Infinity 2/5-2/12 sailing and although we are experienced cruisers, it was our first time onboard Celebrity. We've already booked the 11 day Caribbean sailing next Feb. on the Constellation. We even booked the same Concierge Class cabin we had on Infinity.

 

The OP forgot to mention the wonderful "cold towels" presented to you upon embarkation after a day in port. It's those "little things" that seems to set Celebrity apart from the other cruiselines.

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks :)

[2ladies]

Did any of you have a CC cabin on the side at the aft end of the ship? We will be in 8169 and wonder if there will be space on the balcony for a sunlounger? On the plan they appear deeper than the regular balcony, but I wonder if this is in fact, the case!!!

[zamgwar]

Hiya Denise-

 

Great review, but not as great as meeting you. Where is Eli with my martini? Where is my 5:30 SUSHI!!!!

 

John

Office of Applause

The Zamgwar Institute.

[BRONZEMEMBER]

:) Glad to here you had a great time. We are sailing on the Infinity in November.:D