baronessk

I have not, but I lived in Tenerife for 5 years and was just there for a vacation in April. I read the excursion. If it were me, I'd select something else. You can get papas arrugadas ANYWHERE on the island. You really want to see the island (the North...Puerto de la Cruz, Garichico) or Teide.

How was the SHIP? How was the cruise? I board her in less than two weeks!!!

We were embarking onto a Celebrity Infinity in Vancouver last week going to Alaska. The USA immigration at Vancouver port were a disgrace. Firstly they made all non US or Canadian citizens sit in the hall until all the US and Canadian citizens had passed through. This took over 2 hours. Then they decided to make the rest of us stand in a Disney queue to be seen, which took on average another 2 hours. Half way through the machines broke down, and so instead of fingerprinting and pupil iris photographing everybody they suddenly went to just stamping your passport and letting you through! It took us nearly 4 hours to get through. We arrived at the port at 11.30am hoping to be on board by 1pm. It was 4.15pm when we walked on board and immediately we were ushered into the Lounge for Emergency drill. Even in here we had to wait for all other passengers to board before they started the drill and we were not even given a drink of water whilst we waited! Imagine if in Southampton we made US Citizens sit and wait until all other passport holders had been allowed to board, there would be outrage! This will be the last time I travel to the USA via a cruise ship and I am sure many others felt the same.

Just make sure you are not violating any customs import regulations by doing this.

Well since I donate all of my towels/linens to the local no kill animal rescue, I don't see how a dozen tooth brushes and tooth paste DONATIONS will violate any custom import regs!

I have a friend on this cruise, and she's been texting about it. She called security as the woman's screaming woke her up. She saw the men fighting on the balcony and shouted at them to stop.... a nightmare for all involved. Praying for everyone affected by this.

So sorry. I am cruising with my bff to Ak. in August and this would be doubly horrible as her sister was murdered over 30 years ago, and it's still unsolved. She would be reliving that the whole cruise. I feel for ALL involved and my condolences to the family. So sad!

Sad, as that is the same ship that lost a crew member in an explosion back in Feb.

Most people in Dominican Republic live in poverty. 10% extreme poverty. Try to get beyond the cruise company's sales desk and their amber cove compound and spend your money directly into the community where it will make a difference to somebody's life.

There are many mission organisations working in the area. You can make contact with them. Some offer volunteer for the day programs. You can pack up underused quality bedsheets and towels from home and pass them on to these local initiatives who are often delighted to receive them. The kids need toothbrushes and toothpaste, not candy.

 

There are also local operators e.g. MarySol, highly rated on TripAdvisor who pick up just outside the compound.

The is brilliant! I will still plan on staying at Amber Cove, but will happily drop off some items just outside! Thanks!

My husband and I are Platinum members and we are on the first 3 Ocean Medallion cruises on the Regal starting Nov 13th and we haven't receive the survey email. For that matter, we have yet to receive any communication from Princess regarding our upcoming Ocean Medallion cruises. We assume we will get our Medallion packet a few weeks prior to sailing.

DITTO, except I'm not on all 3.

The Harbor and downtown are VERY congested and partially restricted to pleasure craft. As someone who kept a boat at Dinner Key Marina for 15 years, I would suggest exploring Key Biscayne and the stilt houses in Biscayne Bay, but local water knowledge is advised.

Your review is MOST helpful as I'm taking my first X / first Alaskan cruise on Infinity mid August. THANK YOU!!! Saving pics and taking notes!!!

I have to disagree with some of the previous posters. We were one of the first ships to stop at Amber Cover last December. We stayed at the purpose built facility, (pools, zip line, hammocks, basket ball, water sports, restaurant, shops, etc.). We did not book any excursions as I know the DR and I know it's a very poor country. At dinner that night, those who had booked excursions said they wish they hadn't and wish they had just stayed at the port. We are also stopping there this Dec. and we will be planning the day at Amber Cove once again. They did a WONDERFUL job creating this area! Hope that helps.

For anyone that wanted to book this 2 day cruise and found it to be sold out, there are now both Balcony and MS cabins available! Come check out the new technology!

Hi, in addition to cruises, which I usually book 6-8 months prior, I also take a land based trip to Europe. I am wondering what exactly cruisers do regarding airfare, when you book cruises 18-24 months ahead. I am finding most airfares are showing only 12 months out. Do you just roll the dice and if you cannot find an affordable airfare, cancel the cruise?

I'm not sure why airline only seem to allow you to book a flight 12 months out. Thanks for your input and I apologize if this is off topic or in the wrong forum, but I usually only cruise with Princess. TIA.

Following as my request for the Dailies from recent cruisers have gone unanswered. We are on the 8/13 cruise, first time on X and 1st time to Alaska, so would love to see them.

Do ALL cabins get some type of bag? If not I will be carrying around my Princess bag. Thanks!

$500 for a caftan/beach cover??? I can buy a beautiful, authentic formal gown (which I do) for MUCH, MUCH less!!! As a side note, my friend attended a $3mm week long wedding in Greece and the night of the ceremony her zipper broke on her gown as she was getting dressed. After many tears,she DID wear a beach cover (blinged up) to the wedding, and today we laugh about it!.

Along the same line.....I DO enjoy dressing up and never miss a "formal" night. I also like being waited on as one of cruisings perks! However this is my 1st/AK and 1st X cruise. It's my understanding that due to the long daylight hours, and the position of the buffet (Oceanview Cafe"), that I may want to skip the MDR and eat with a view.

If I have this right so far, would I be missing anything in the MDR on "evening chic" night, like AK King Crab or Lobster, that would make me change my mind. I've only ever flown to a port once for a cruise, and that was Singapore, so I wasn't packing all these layers I need for AK. I'm happy to skip the MDR, if the buffet and the views are worth it.

Your input and insight is much appreciated AND if any recent Hubbard Glacier / Infinity cruisers have the Daillies to share, I'd be most grateful.

Happy Cruising everyone!

The bolding is mine . . . statements I very much agree with. Our first Princess cruise was on the Coral last month. While there was a lot that we liked, it was a real disconnect seeing formally-dressed passengers standing around in the atrium with beepers. It brought back visions of high school kids in prom clothes waiting with beepers at a casual chain restaurant.

60 something goes to the Prom. What is wrong with that? lol

I Love formal nights and getting dolled up! I live on the beach in Florida so my days are spent in casual clothes and flip flops. I also dress up for the theatre. But on the ship it IS extra special, gliding down the spiral staircase, and having photos taken. I'm envious of all of the couples that have a hubby in a tux or their finest, but maybe one day I'll find my prince charming and he will be cruising with me. Until then, it's 86y/o DM

Could you please post the Dailies? Thanks!

We were also on this sailing, and as the saying goes, "your mileage may vary". We had a great cruise, and found the staff to be amazing. One crew member made a reservation for our family in Tuscan, and remembered each of our family's names every time we saw him. We are not that memorable. Our Select Dining wait staff couldn't have been more helpful or outgoing. We found the bar staff to be very accessible, and the hot tubs to be warmer than the Solarium pool.

 

Our balcony (FV9156) could have used some varnish on the railings, and more water pressure in the shower, but so what.

 

Sorry your experience was less than you hoped for.

Well I don't have any kids, and I'm a widow, so I became a TA myself....but only for close friends and family. Too many things can go wrong so the low commissions TA's get and how time consuming it is just isn't worth it (to me). Thank God I have a REAL job!

I think you need to marry a TA or if that is not possible - talk one of your kids into becoming one :halo:

THE PERFECT TA

The perfect TA is happy,

And she does not moan;

She has a beautiful smile,

That you can hear right thru the phone.

The perfect TA gets you OBC

And is always on your side.

She is a really good planner

And to you has never lied.

The perfect TA loves searching,

For cruises and airfares too.

She'll do anything in her power

To find the best deal for you.

The perfect TA is sweet,

And will never forget your name.

She's your best friend when you cruise

And never causes you pain.

She never makes you cry

Or never makes you pissed.

Oh, screw this stupid poem...

The perfect TA does not exist.

Could you post the dailes? Thanks!

I am not going to do a full review but please feel free to ask me any questions you have.

 

We were on the Infinity June 4th sailing out of Vancouver on the Hubbard Glacier itinerary.

 

This was my 2nd Celebrity cruise after sailing Alaska last year on the Solstice. I expected the Infinity would not compare to Solstice due to age and I was right but overall the ship was still in decent shape although it could certainly use some work in certain areas, new paint and such.

 

The biggest shock for me was the difference in the crew. The crew on the Solstice were just amazing. Went out of their way to make sure we had the best cruise and they are the entire reason we made sure to book this cruise on Celebrity. The crew on Infinity can not even begin to compare. With some exceptions, they were very rude and did not seem happy to be there. The exceptions were a couple of bartenders at the Martini Bar and our room steward. The other bartenders (for the most part) were extremely rude and the servers in the MDR (with one exception) were just awful. It was so embarrassing because we talked up Celebrity for a full year to all of our friends going on the cruise and the very first experience we have is eating dinner and having our servers stand over us staring at their watches asking us if we planned on eating or just sitting there all night. We had not even received our drinks yet and they were mad we weren't rushing to put in our order (and no, there was no one eating after us, we took the latest reservation). I know they want to get done and have other work to do but we just wanted to chat and get our drinks before ordering.

 

This seemed to be the theme for the cruise. Bars not opened when they should have been, bartenders saying they aren't supposed to make a certain drink even though they had everything they needed, no one taking drink orders (not necessarily alcoholic, just for a diet coke) at the buffet and having to walk to a bar to get something to drink. Service was HORRIBLE.

 

We were concierge class and we were not given a pillow menu and when asked, we were told they were all on the bed anyway. That was not true because there was no body pillow on the bed. The evening savories were only delivered to our room 2 nights out of 7. When we didn't touch the fruit, they just put it back on the table. I called on day 2 and specifically asked for a cheese plate every night since we drink wine. Did not get it a single time.

 

I will compliment our room steward, he was awesome. We had one great server in the MDR who was exceptional but we were only able to get his section the one night. The entertainment crew was just awesome, always super friendly.

 

The embarkation and disembarkation process was a breeze, even with having to go through customs. Celebrity was great at this in Seattle and now Vancouver. They have Carnival beat hands down. It makes me wonder why in the world Carnival can't do better. It can clearly be done.

 

After this sailing I am no longer going to assume Celebrity is the best out there. Solstice had me sold and now Infinity has scared me away. I will still sail Celebrity depending on price and itinerary but I will NEVER sail Infinity again. Oddly enough, we ran into a crew member who was on our Solstice cruise last year and she remembered us. We asked which ship she preferred and she was nice in her answer but said she missed the Solstice. We totally understood why. She is a friendly and talkative person, I don't think the crew, for the most part, are the same.

 

Oh, and entertainment was great. They do a wonderful job. The aerialists put on a new show that was amazing and the guest singers were so good.

 

I still prefer Celebrity over Carnival but Carnival has very consistent service from ship to ship. I can't help but wonder why things are so different on the Solstice and Infinity. Who is in charge and letting things slip on one ship but not the other? This is something Celebrity needs to work on.

So because it's convenient for me to wear my card in a clear lanyard, I am flaunting and tacky??? Good to know that you take other people's inventory! SMH I don't see why everyone can't just do what they are comfortable with on a cruise (as long as it follows rules) and people STOP judging. WOW...just WOW.

Agreed .. Very tacky to flaunt sea pass cards. Sad that a person feels a need to show it off. Mine stays in a pocket out of site

I sail a variety of cabin types.. aqua being my favourite but most proud of myself if I can snag an inside for a dirt cheap price

Following...and if anyone could post the dailies that would be most helpful. We sail in August, however it's out first X and Alaska cruise, so would be very interested to hear from past Hubbard cruisers!

Oh I would definitely do that. So they do not make an announcement over the PA system? Who do leave the request with? I presume they call your cabin. Thanks all.

We sailed Alaska in the end of June into July. It was interesting that it never got really dark. At 3AM there was still that dusk/pre-dawn glow to the sky. August may be different since the daylight hours begin to shorten. You might want to leave a request to be awakened if the Northern Lights make an appearance if that is something you're interested in seeing. If your sailing is toward the end of August you may have a better chance of seeing them.