I have never tried the solo IV--and hadn't read much from people who have sailed on them. Good to know. I never do the AI--because I don't drink alcohol.
Because I cruise solo and spend so much time on my veranda, the deficiencies of the infinite veranda matter a lot more to me than the drinks. To people who use the pool, it doesn't make such difference and they enjoy the extra space.
The first reason makes sense because the reason for infinite verandas is to reduce drag and save fuel for Celebrity. Wind above a certain level would increase drag from windows. Rather than admitting that the purpose is to reduce drag from real verandas, Celebrity sells infinite verandas as an enhancement to the cruise experience.
TAs are inherently risky. Both because of the nature of crossing the ocean but because they sail in spring and fall. I have been very lucky on my eight TAs. Only one has rough seas or cold weather. But the ship *one day* behind my TA this year, had much worse weather.
I guess it depends on the time of the year. I did a TA on Odessey in April and used the veranda every day, almost all day--even in the evenings. But I may be more hot-natured than others.
Count me among one of them. I never go to the pool. I live the privacy of sitting on the veranda for several hours of the day feeling the sea breeze. If you are a pool person or a person who doesn't like to sit on the veranda, the extra space makes an IV a better choice.
Many people seem to love the IVs. The problem with trying them for the first time on a Transatlantic (if you are among the many who don't like them), is that you are stuck with them for two weeks.
Do you like a real balcony? Odessey has almost all real balconies, Beyond has mostly infinite verandas.
I think Odessey has more to do for young active people.
What is the price difference per day?
Odessey "feels" a lot like a Celebrity Solstice class ship.
How does the itinerary differ?
I have sailed on both. Would sail on either but sailed on Odessey twice this year because the balcony is important to me.
A bit off topic but when using Diamond drinks on Royal, Pelligrino is available with the free vouchers. I get Pelligrino on Royal but club soda on Celebrity.