JetAway

FWIW-Most people do not have a reaction to bedbug bites, which is the reason the critters are unwittingly spread so easily and widely. For those who do have a reaction the bites can be quite miserable.

This have might have worked better if the OP had posted in his/her own language and we could have collectively taken it from there.

Great picture...and this reenforces my view that none of the aqua cabins are all that good. The picture doesn't show that the basketball court is in the middle of that deck over the A1's....over about 1/2 the A1's on 11.

 

So the choice is no shade or privacy vs constant shade and at least some privacy.

 

Why can't I just get a nice veranda cabin on deck 6/7 and eat in blu??? That's all I want.

I think Aqua/Concierge were placed on Deck 9 as enhancements for cabins that otherwise would go begging. Based on my recent excellent experience with Blu, I'm willing to put up with some annoyances to be able to eat there.

it seems clear that those elusive deck 11 AQ cabins were not used on this voyage... we will have to wait for another group to disembark

They were not used by passengers. We were told that a few contractors were staying in some of them. I, too, am anxious to read feedback from folks who stayed in those units on the current cruise.

JetAway

 

This is a little off topic, but did they upgrade the TV to the Apple server like used on the S class ships that has numerous on demand movies to choose from?

 

Thanks in advance:)

We never watched the TV except to check our accounts. They were new flat screen units, Samsung I believe.

Here's an exterior shot taken from a hill near Arica, Chile. The new AQ cabins are above the windows of the Oceanview Cafe.They do look like something that has been added later to the ship and give the aft of the ship a cut-off, boxy look. Close up, they look like long line of shipping containers. I'm assuming Celebrity will eventually decorate or paint them in some fashion so they blend in better.

JetAway

Which cabin number were you in on deck 9? We have one reserved on the Millenium for one of the Asian cruises in 2013. It is also below the grill area closer to the restrooms.

 

That's where they have the Aqua class cabins other than aft.

 

Thanks

I'd rather not get that specific since one never knows who is reading these boards. In retrospect, we will try very hard to book beneath a carpeted area next time. Absent that we would book forward as far as possible for AQ class. The grill area gets far too much activity. The carpeted area near the restrooms is "probably" OK.

Here's Crush. My shots of the Martini Bar itself all have people in them--it seems someone was always there :)

Here's a pic of the fuzzy chairs in the Martini Bar/Lounge. I really liked them although I'm not sure they will hold up well over time.

JetAway,

By any chance did you snap any pics of the aft facing deck 11 cabins from below?

 

Thanks for the pics so far.

I did get a couple but they include identifiable individuals sitting at the rear deck bar so I can't post them. As you may know, there is a multi-part awning covering much of the rear deck bar and aft seating area. It is possible to view the "goings on" in some of those rear AQ balconies through the spaces in the awning. And, of course, noise drifts upwards. As does smoke. It'll be helpful if those on the current cruise who are in those cabins post their impressions of the set-up and whether it was bothersome.

Doesn't appear to be any renovation in the SS United States to me. Compare this photo from this past April:

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2706349400099099348mXRMuW

 

The SS United States specialty restaurant has always had a 'brighter' less club-like look. That was the look of the modernist style of the steamship the restaurant memorializes.

 

 

CM

You're probably right. SS United States was the only one of the specialty restaurants I had not tried. As I recall, the others had a more traditional, intimate look and feel.

"Not enough room to lounge but a comfortable space nonetheless."

 

Thanks for posting pics JetAway...from the above quote, are you saying there is no space for chairs etc on the CS new decks? It appears there are chairs on the decks..??

 

As I previously posted on another thread...the only disappointment I see with these new balconies is the partition that, when staying in the forward facing suite, would block any view from the forward facing window while inside the suite, and not standing on the deck. This was my favorite view forward on inclement/cold days and nights when on an Alaska cruise a few years ago.

 

Thanks again

 

 

Woody

Plenty of room for chairs, which are furnished; not enough room for loungers, which are not furnished.

Maybe I should upgrade!!!

Better not waste time doing so as I think those suites will become very popular.

Staying in a Sky Suite. Did you hear any comments on your trip?

No comments about the Sky Suites-I assume they were refurbished and very nice. Here is a picture of the new Celebrity Suite balconies. A very clever and smart addition to those suites. Not enough room to lounge but a comfortable space nonetheless.

Is this what the SS United States looked like originally, or is that a renovation to the specialty restaurant?

I think this is a renovation. I didn't like the "look"--the restaurant has lost its quiet elegance.

Several people had to leave the ship for a variety of medical reasons, including this instance off the Peruvian coast. Very sad to end a wonderful cruise in this fashion.

Qsine during the day,while workers are putting on the finishing touches. We really enjoyed this venue although the staff could do a better job explaining how things work. It's very easy to over-order. We stopped at 5 dishes and rolled out of the restaurant.

Infinity's Bistro on Five really took off by the second week of the cruise. For the first week things were pretty slow.

SS United States on Infinity

Blu on Infinity

"New" Infinity with Christmas Decor. The new Martini Bar is to the right.

Thanks for your mini review for the new Infinity!! Can't wait for next September:):D! Do you have any pictures that you can post? Thanks in advance!

 

Melody:D

What would you like to see?

I just returned from the Dec. 3 Panama Canal/S. America cruise on Infinity. I was in Aqua Class and the bathrooms were totally refurbished, including new tile work and a double glass door to the shower. Carpets, upholstery curtains, everything was brand new (except built-in cabinets). Blu was wonderful--as good if not better than any other ship restaurant I've eaten in. Every public room except the Casino was refurbished or remodeled in some (extensive) fashion. The ship is a knock-out, a true Solstice mini-me.

We were able to examine the newly-installed aft AQ cabins only from the outside as they were roped off while undergoing finishing touches. Personally, I would not want to book one of the cabins that are above the rear deck because of possible noise, smoking and privacy issues. However, the side cabins looked as if they would afford significant privacy with no noise problems because no one would be above. Unfortunately, our room on deck 9 was directly below the grill area of the pool deck and was quite noisy during the day and on the evening of deck parties.

We tried both Qsine as well as the SS United States specialty restaurants. Each was enjoyable although I don't think there is $40 pp. worth of difference between Blu and SS United States (which is no longer classical French but instead is some kind of hybrid modern continental cuisine).

All of the new venues (Cellar Masters, Bistro on 5, the Martini Bar, etc.) are close copies of their equivalents on the Solstice Class ships.

The cruise itself was excellent, the ports and excursions interesting and well managed. Although I generally hate bus tours, ours were enjoyable and it seemed that Celebrity intentionally never filled the buses to capacity, resulting in room for everyone to comfortably spread out.

We had such a great time we are now considering an Asian cruise after the Millennium is fitted with AQ staterooms.