Anyone have questions about the Infinity sailing to Alaska?

[pertfred]

I am just back from a wonderful trip on the Infinity. If you have any questions about the sailing, please ask and I will try to answer them. I sailed with a 12 and 15 year old.

[winddncer]

I am just back from a wonderful trip on the Infinity. If you have any questions about the sailing, please ask and I will try to answer them. I sailed with a 12 and 15 year old.

 

What kind of cabin did you have?

 

What time did you dock in Victoria?

[GRBlizz]

I was also on that cruise (see pictures below). We had an aft CC balcony. We docked in Victoria in time to get off at 2:00p sharp. There were loads of taxis and pedicabs (!) for those who hadn't booked an excursion.

[bikinibottom]

I was also on that cruise (see pictures below). We had an aft CC balcony. We docked in Victoria in time to get off at 2:00p sharp. There were loads of taxis and pedicabs (!) for those who hadn't booked an excursion.

 

Donna, I LOVED looking at your photos! You are an excellent photog. Thank you so much for sharing - we go on the Infinity in August and looking at your pics was wonderful! We can't wait. Thanks again!

[winddncer]

I was also on that cruise (see pictures below). We had an aft CC balcony. We docked in Victoria in time to get off at 2:00p sharp. There were loads of taxis and pedicabs (!) for those who hadn't booked an excursion.

 

Yes!!! Absolutely what I wanted to hear. We're going to use Cruise Victoria to get to Butchart Gardens, but don't want to book because we've heard horror stories about delays in docking, ships racing for space / other's having to tender in. If we don't get off the ship as close to 2:15 as possible, we have to wait until 4pm to ride out to Butchart Gardens. (which would alow for a smidgen of Victoria time) There are trade-offs.

[mardon]

Donna, did you buy flowers to bring on the ship? Last time we were in Seattle I wanted to but didn't think they would allow it so I didn't. Then as we got back on the ship, I noticed all these beautiful flowers going through security with no problem. I was sorry I didn't buy. This time I plan to. They are so beautiful and so CHEAP! We are going on the Infinity Sept to the Panama Canal.

 

 

marlene

marlenewendtch@sbcglobal.net

[retiring soon]

Donna ~ lovely photos, thanks! I especially liked how you could just move the cursor & it was like a quick slide show. I can't wait 'til we go next May!

~Jo~ :)

[Deep68]

Nice photos!

We are sailing infinity in August. Just a couple of questions for you.

 

1. What time did boarding start in Seattle?

2. Were there long lines to board?

3. Which nights were formal nights.

 

Thanks

[nani1223]

I loved your pictures! Thanks for taking the time to download and share with all of us. What excursion did you take in Juneau to see all the wildlife? I'm sure I will have more question for you later. Thanks

[GRBlizz]

Donna, did you buy flowers to bring on the ship? Last time we were in Seattle I wanted to but didn't think they would allow it so I didn't. Then as we got back on the ship, I noticed all these beautiful flowers going through security with no problem. I was sorry I didn't buy. This time I plan to. They are so beautiful and so CHEAP! We are going on the Infinity Sept to the Panama Canal.

 

 

marlene

marlenewendtch@sbcglobal.net

 

I wish we had brought flowers for the ship! We had a CC cabin which comes with flowers in the room so we thought it was unnecessary, but these were so much more beautiful.

 

Have a great time!

[GRBlizz]

Nice photos!

We are sailing infinity in August. Just a couple of questions for you.

 

1. What time did boarding start in Seattle?

2. Were there long lines to board?

3. Which nights were formal nights.

 

Thanks

 

1. We boarded at 12:30p, but I think others got there as early as 11.

2. Lines did not appear terribly long, but DH is in a wheelchair, so they directed us to a low table at the side nd we had no wait at all.

3. Formal nights were the first sea day (Saturday) and the last sea day (Wednesday).

[GRBlizz]

I loved your pictures! Thanks for taking the time to download and share with all of us. What excursion did you take in Juneau to see all the wildlife? I'm sure I will have more question for you later. Thanks

 

We went with Captain Greg Brown of WeatherPermitting. He picked us up at the dock, took us to his souped-up catamaran, and kept us on the water for about 5 hours. He also fed us great food, including home-made brownies and caviar! The whale-watching tour boats kept to the harbor area, but he took us a lot further North when it appeared there were not a ton of whales to be seen. On the way back, he took us to a salmon cannery and offered to make a couple other stops, too, but Mom needed to get back.

 

Total cost per person for the four of us was about the same as one of the ship excursions. If you had 6 people, it would be much less, as the boat holds 6 comfortably and we paid a flat rate to get the whole boat.

 

Oh, and he has a ramp for a wheelchair to get on board, too, which also makes it easier for older people to walk on. And the inside area is very comfortable.

 

We can't recommend him highly enough.

[pertfred]

Because of the long hours of daylight, I booked an inside cabin + I know from past experiences if I get a balcony I would spend all my time on it! This cruise I wanted to get out more. I knew it would be too cold for me to stay on the balcony. It worked out perfect. We were on deck 8. No noise above or below us. Centrally located near the library, Up 2 decks to buffet, 3 decks down to the restaurant, few decks down to casino. It worked out terrific and was the best location I ever had.

I see my fellow cruiser answered your Victoria question.

We have beautiful gardens in Florida, so no need to go to Butchard. Which was another great decision. We got off the ship and walked to Fishermans Wharf and feed the seals. Then walked a little more to downtown and had a ball shopping and eating and meeting the friendly Canadians.

[Indogal]

I was on the same cruise on Infinity. Just a quick note about the port of call in Victoria. We found the cost of shore excusions to be rather high, so we just planned to tour Victoria on our own. We had heard that the Hop On- Hop Off tour went to all the highlights of the city, except the Gardens (which have a $27 entry fee for anyone who was wondeing) By the time we made it to downtown Victoria it was around 3:00. We walked around a bit & inquired about the Hop On Hop Off bus tour.

 

To our disappointment we were told that the busses make their last run for the day at 3:45, so we could have gone, but we wouldn't have been able to get off at any of the stops. So we just walked around the downtown a little more, but I felt we missed a lot of Victoria that I would have liked to see. If I had known that the late docking time would be an issue, I would have booked a shore excursion in advance.

[nana&papagotosea]

I was also on that cruise (see pictures below). We had an aft CC balcony. We docked in Victoria in time to get off at 2:00p sharp. There were loads of taxis and pedicabs (!) for those who hadn't booked an excursion.

 

Thanks so much for sharing your pictures. They were beautiful.

[travelprof]

I wonder about children's programs (age 4, 6, 7), dining for children. Also, we are paying for 16 people--how comfortable are the inside cabins or must we get an outside?

[nana&papagotosea]

Was there a good place on the ship to take pictures during the cruising days?

Two months to go until our trip!

[pertfred]

deck 11 is a great deck to take pictures. you can walk all around the deck to get the shots you want. as you approach hubbard glacier, you can keep warm on deck 10 and then go up one deck for your pictures. there is ample time to see the glacier, take pictures and relax.

as far as the kids club..they really keep the kids busy! since there are so many in your group, why dont you book one balcony cabin and meet there. I didnt feel it was necessary to have an outside or balcony, like i stated before. It would be way to cold for me, and the long summer daylite would keep me awake.

we didnt see many whales on our cruise. Nixon pointed out a few here and there, but by the time you see them, they're gone!

if your kids are into feeding the seals (sea lions-i'm not sure), when you get to Victoria, go down to Fishermans wharf and buy fish to feed the seals. 6 fish for $5, it was a highlite for my daughter.

 

[nani1223]

Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely check it out.

[Lois R]

Because of the long hours of daylight, I booked an inside cabin + I know from past experiences if I get a balcony I would spend all my time on it! This cruise I wanted to get out more. I knew it would be too cold for me to stay on the balcony. It worked out perfect. We were on deck 8. No noise above or below us. Centrally located near the library, Up 2 decks to buffet, 3 decks down to the restaurant, few decks down to casino. It worked out terrific and was the best location I ever had.

I see my fellow cruiser answered your Victoria question.

We have beautiful gardens in Florida, so no need to go to Butchard. Which was another great decision. We got off the ship and walked to Fishermans Wharf and feed the seals. Then walked a little more to downtown and had a ball shopping and eating and meeting the friendly Canadians.

 

Hi,:) just curious about your Florida comment. I live here too but

in my opinion Butchart Gardens is in a class by itself....I could not

believe how magnificant all the Gardens are there....no comparison

to any gardens I have seen around the state;)

[nana&papagotosea]

Thank you for the information. I am anxious to go and see the sights and cool down!

[DrLookGood]

I have couple of questions:

 

1. Does Infinity use new menus?

2. Was smoked salmon available for breakfast?

3. What was the best time to go to breakfast to avoid lines?

 

TIA

[harryfat1]

I was on the same cruise on Infinity. Just a quick note about the port of call in Victoria. We found the cost of shore excusions to be rather high, so we just planned to tour Victoria on our own. We had heard that the Hop On- Hop Off tour went to all the highlights of the city, except the Gardens (which have a $27 entry fee for anyone who was wondeing) By the time we made it to downtown Victoria it was around 3:00. We walked around a bit & inquired about the Hop On Hop Off bus tour.

 

To our disappointment we were told that the busses make their last run for the day at 3:45, so we could have gone, but we wouldn't have been able to get off at any of the stops. So we just walked around the downtown a little more, but I felt we missed a lot of Victoria that I would have liked to see. If I had known that the late docking time would be an issue, I would have booked a shore excursion in advance.

 

For anyone interested in the Victoria hop on/hop off bus, here is the link to the schedule. Plan your time in port accordingly.

 

http://bigbusvictoria.ca/images/stories/bb_schedule_may09v3.pdf

[greeneg]

Thanks, Harry, that's useful.

[harryfat1]

Yes!!! Absolutely what I wanted to hear. We're going to use Cruise Victoria to get to Butchart Gardens, but don't want to book because we've heard horror stories about delays in docking, ships racing for space / other's having to tender in. If we don't get off the ship as close to 2:15 as possible, we have to wait until 4pm to ride out to Butchart Gardens. (which would alow for a smidgen of Victoria time) There are trade-offs.

 

What ships tender into Victoria? I thought they typically dock at the pier. Did they run out of berths?

 

Can anyone comment on how many berths are at the Ogden Point where the cruise ships dock?

 

Per this web site, it claims to have 4 berths at Ogden Point. Assuming this info is correct, not sure why any ship needs to tender in?

 

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM3WBT

 

If you look at the cruise ship schedule, typically they have 3 cruise ships in Victoria on a given Thursday, which is the day the Infinity is in Victoria.

 

http://www.cruisett.com/ports.php?PortID=735&date=12

 

Rhapsody of the Seas goes in first at 9 AM and leaves by 6 PM. Infinity is there from 2 to 10 and Zaandam comes in from 6 PM to 11:59 PM (there must be some technical reason why it can’t be 12 midnight). If all 4 berths are operational, there should be plenty of space for everyone to dock.

 

One extra wrinkle to your schedule is on the day we are in Victoria, 8/20, Sea Princess from my neck of the woods is making her visit to Victoria as part of their 10 day RT cruise. She is scheduled to be there from 6 AM to 2 PM – the time we sail into port. So if there are only 2 operational berths to dock and the Sea Princess is running late in leaving, then your 2:15 window is very tight as the Infinity might need for her to leave before docking.

 

We ran into this situation back in Tortola on HAL. We were scheduled to dock at 2 PM time frame, but when we arrived at the port, the ship had to “chill out” few miles outside at the outside of the harbor waiting for NCL to vacate the berth as they were late in leaving town. It had no dramatic impact on us as we had no tours scheduled, but others had tight excursion schedules were sweating out on every minute of the delay.

 

So wouldn’t hurt to have a backup plan on your tour schedule in case the worst case scenario happens…