Thoughts on Infinity...

[frankdp]

I have sailed S class several times and really love the ships, especially Aqua class and all that goes with it. I have an opportunity to do an 8 night Caribbean on Infinity and would love to but I'm a little concerned I'll be disappointed.

 

Any of you folks that have cruised S class and M class, I would love the hear your input. Thanks very much and happy new year to all! FYI, if I do book this cruise it will be Aqua class with a premium drink package.

[surebeatssailing]

We sailed on the Infinity in March on a 15 day repositioning from Chile to Florida. I too was concerned since we had sailed on S class ships for several cruises. The Infinity was a lovely ship & I have to say that the entertainment was the best we had experienced on any prior celebrity cruises. My only dissatisfaction was the lines in the Oceanview Café at breakfast & lunch. The arrangement on the S class ships prevents lines like we experienced so after a few of these slow lines ,we switched to the main dining room for all meals.

[2theship]

We sailed on the Infinity in an Aqua Class cabin on Deck 11. We enjoyed the fact that the buffet was just one deck below and even had dinner there one night (out of a 15-night Panama Canal cruise). We found Blu on the Infinity to be even better than on the S-class ships. We're not really sure why but maybe since it's located right beside the MDR kitchens, they were more able to accomodate any needs. The Infinity is smaller than S-class ships but in a good way.

[ghstudio]

We were on the infinity transatlantic a couple of months ago...we will be on her again in Feb cruising Antarctica and then again in May to Norway/Iceland. You can assume we wouldn't be doing the two additional cruises if we didn't like the TA or found some significant negative.

 

Like others, I do prefer the larger solstice ships (prior to the reflection...but I reserve judgement on that ship because i haven't sailed on her yet....my fear is a bit of crowding, perhaps more of a wait in Blu...but I don't know that first hand). The M class ships (I've sailed on all but the summit) are a great size and they are laid out so that there are few lines...in fact, now that most (all?) have aqua class, we only book aqua which makes it feel as if we're on a much smaller ship since we don't go to the buffet or main dining room.

 

The crew on the infinity is one of the most friendly I've experienced and the officers including the captain and staff captain spend a great deal of time just walking around making sure everything is OK and chatting with folks. The captain walked through Blu almost every night during dinner and chatted and joked with anyone who wanted to chat and joke with him. It really made the cruise exceptional.

 

The ship is in very good condition (far better than the Millenium which we were on early this year...which needed some serious maintenance). Blu runs very well...I can't comment on the main dining room. Qsine is fun..worth one visit per cruise.

 

We don't do the drink package...we prefer to be able to stand up and walk on our own :) Of course, if it's free (1-2-3), we would take it, but so far, we've been able to book cruises at better rates or on better deals than when 1-2-3 is in effect (and prices seem to be raised to cover the cost of 1-2-3)....eg. our iceland cruise cost us $4800 for 2 in and A2 cabin....the price today, now that 1-2-3 is in effect, would be over $7000 for the same cabin...and we booked the $4800 with celebrity directly during their 15% off deal..it's not some special TA price.

 

I think you'll have a great cruise on the infinity....

Edited December 29, 2013 by ghstudio

[Going Coastal]

I don't know if this helps, but after five back to backs on Solstice, which we loved, we currently have three booked on Infinity and two on Millie. For us, it all comes down to the itinerary because we are happy with M and S class ships.

 

 

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[Turtles06]

We were also on the recent Infinity TA, but not in Aqua class, so I can't speak to that. We've sailed on the Eclipse, and there were some things about the Infinity that I thought were preferable, particularly including the pool and the banquette-like seating in the main theatre, as well as having a third bank of elevators and set of stairs. We had a wonderful dinner in the SS United States and a fun time at Qsine. Overall, and with minor exception, the staff and crew were great, and we had a very enjoyable crossing.

 

For us, the major drawback was what surebeatssailing noted above: the buffet. Terribly obsolete design, a high school cafeteria without the trays. As a result, it pretty much always felt crowded, uninviting, and unpleasant. I also thought it was very badly run, as stations that should have been open for breakfast according to the daily schedule opened nearly half an hour after they were supposed to, which only served to contribute to the crowding problem. We wound up eating more breakfasts and lunches in the MDR than we generally do.

 

The Infinity is a nice, comfortable size, but it lacked the sort of "wow" factor that the S-class ships have.

 

I wouldn't rule out sailing on an M-class ship again, for the right itinerary.

[Gracie115]

We were on the infinity transatlantic a couple of months ago...we will be on her again in Feb cruising Antarctica and then again in May to Norway/Iceland. You can assume we wouldn't be doing the two additional cruises if we didn't like the TA or found some significant negative.

 

Like others, I do prefer the larger solstice ships (prior to the reflection...but I reserve judgement on that ship because i haven't sailed on her yet....my fear is a bit of crowding, perhaps more of a wait in Blu...but I don't know that first hand). The M class ships (I've sailed on all but the summit) are a great size and they are laid out so that there are few lines...in fact, now that most (all?) have aqua class, we only book aqua which makes it feel as if we're on a much smaller ship since we don't go to the buffet or main dining room.

 

The crew on the infinity is one of the most friendly I've experienced and the officers including the captain and staff captain spend a great deal of time just walking around making sure everything is OK and chatting with folks. The captain walked through Blu almost every night during dinner and chatted and joked with anyone who wanted to chat and joke with him. It really made the cruise exceptional.

 

The ship is in very good condition (far better than the Millenium which we were on early this year...which needed some serious maintenance). Blu runs very well...I can't comment on the main dining room. Qsine is fun..worth one visit per cruise.

 

We don't do the drink package...we prefer to be able to stand up and walk on our own :) Of course, if it's free (1-2-3), we would take it, but so far, we've been able to book cruises at better rates or on better deals than when 1-2-3 is in effect (and prices seem to be raised to cover the cost of 1-2-3)....eg. our iceland cruise cost us $4800 for 2 in and A2 cabin....the price today, now that 1-2-3 is in effect, would be over $7000 for the same cabin...and we booked the $4800 with celebrity directly during their 15% off deal..it's not some special TA price.

 

I think you'll have a great cruise on the infinity....

 

We are also considering an 8 night cruise on Infinity and since I know you were recently on Connie(same sailing as us, I believe) just wondered how you would compare the condition of the 11th floor AQ rooms to those on Connie. We loved our room on Connie and the veranda was especially nice with 2 chairs, 2 table and a footstool...can we expect the same on Infinity on that deck? Thanks for your thoughts...:)

[KirkNC]

We will be on her for the first time in early February, glad to see mainly good comments. Sounds like we should try and avoid the Oceanview Café ;). Many folks try the Bistro for breakfast or lunch?

Edited January 5, 2014 by KirkNC

[Turtles06]

We will be on her for the first time in early February, glad to see mainly good comments. Sounds like we should try and avoid the Oceanview Café ;). Many folks try the Bistro for breakfast or lunch?

 

We had lunch and dinner at Bistro on Five. It was excellent (and virtually empty the night we ate dinner there. We just needed a break from the MDR). I particularly love the Cowboy Crepe and the Italian Crepe, but I ask them to make the latter only with nutella. There can never be enough nutella! :)

 

Have a great cruise and enjoy the bottom of the world! (We certainly did last year; my journal and photos are in the link in my signature. This was an expedition trip with landings.)

Edited January 5, 2014 by Turtles06

[Gracie115]

We will be on her for the first time in early February, glad to see mainly good comments. Sounds like we should try and avoid the Oceanview Café ;). Many folks try the Bistro for breakfast or lunch?

 

I assume the Oceanview on Infinity is like her sister "M" class ships...it's fine if you avoid the "prime" hours....we don't go to the buffet much but when do its during slower times....

 

Really hope someone can answer about Infinitys deck 11 AQ cabins...

[Turtles06]

I assume the Oceanview on Infinity is like her sister "M" class ships...it's fine if you avoid the "prime" hours....we don't go to the buffet much but when do its during slower times....

 

...

 

It was horrible during any time resembling a typical breakfast time. Or lunch time. Pretty useless if it's only viable at odd hours.

[ghstudio]

We are also considering an 8 night cruise on Infinity and since I know you were recently on Connie(same sailing as us, I believe) just wondered how you would compare the condition of the 11th floor AQ rooms to those on Connie. We loved our room on Connie and the veranda was especially nice with 2 chairs, 2 table and a footstool...can we expect the same on Infinity on that deck? Thanks for your thoughts...:)

 

Not us...we haven't been on the connie for a couple of years now. I would be quite confident that the new 11th floor aqua rooms are identical...even down to the leaking shower doors :)

[ghstudio]

We did the entire TA this past fall on the infinity without going to the buffet once for lunch. We either ate hamburgers, suffered with the new aqua spa cafe menu or ate in the MDR. However, it wasn't because of the food or crowding, we just don't like buffets where we seem to always see someone taking food from trays with their fingers, trying something and putting it back on the tray or dropping a serving utensil in the food.

 

Based on general experience on a number of M and S celebrity ships, the crowding is far worse on not so nice days...when people take a table and just sit and read or play some game. That's not what you do in the buffet area...but people just don't seem to care. On a nice day, crowding is far less of an issue.

[Redtravel]

Having sailed on other M class ships and enjoyed them, I sailed on the Infinity last spring. IT was a cruise with the noro virus. Not the most pleasant experience. Staff was working short handed. Hotel director never showed his face. Lots of inept staff trying to fill in for other people. A mess. Long lines at guest relations with many unhappy people. I understood the problem. However, nobody apologized for the late boarding, the lack of activities, and the long lines to get food. The "do not touch" signs were everywhere. After 15 nights, I was glad to leave......and although I will sail on other Celebrity ships, I hesitate to sail on the Infinity again. Infinity was not up to the usual Celebrity standard.

[middlehaitch]

I haven't cruised a lot, but have sailed 3 classes of Celebrity ships. The Infinity was a 16 night Panama canal Cruise in April 2012 and I loved her!

 

She may be my favorite ship.

 

I love the size of her. I think she has extremely friendly and efficient staff. The food in the MDR was good and I never had a problem in the buffet, with the exception that I didn't spot the fish and chip station until the last day almost so didn't get chance to sample it.

 

I am not an early riser so I found the buffet for breakfast fine and there was seldom more than one or two people ahead of me at the waffle station. Again, preferring to eat around 1:30, lunch wasn't a problem either.

I do concede, however that the Solstice class buffets have a better layout if one is a prime time diner.

 

I have never sailed Aqua so can't comment on it.

 

Cheers, h.

[C 2 C]

We sailed on Constellation for two months, half the time in the AQ which we thought was a great location.

We also ate in the Oceanside Cafe every afternoon but always arrived early before the rush began.

 

S-class ships have the wow factor but we love the M-class ships for their smaller size. We have sailed many times on S-class but over the next two years we will continue to avoid them. M-class with our favourite Rendezvous Lounge trumps anything that S-class offers.

[Gracie115]

Not us...we haven't been on the connie for a couple of years now. I would be quite confident that the new 11th floor aqua rooms are identical...even down to the leaking shower doors :)

 

Sorry it was another frequent poster "Orator" not you that was on Connie recently...my mistake...

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I love the M-class ships. The Persian gardens is WAY better on the S-class but other than that- I really prefer M-class ships not that I didn't like S-class.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I assume the Oceanview on Infinity is like her sister "M" class ships...it's fine if you avoid the "prime" hours....we don't go to the buffet much but when do its during slower times....

 

Really hope someone can answer about Infinitys deck 11 AQ cabins...

 

Gracie, I answered your question on the other thread where you decided that people had been posting inaccurate information about AQ cabins' balconies.

 

So I will tell you again that we had an AQ1 in May on the Infinity (cabin 1119 specifically) on the side of deck 11. The balcony was very small and barely accommodated the 2 chairs and one table that were out there.

[Gracie115]

Gracie, I answered your question on the other thread where you decided that people had been posting inaccurate information about AQ cabins' balconies.

 

So I will tell you again that we had an AQ1 in May on the Infinity (cabin 1119 specifically) on the side of deck 11. The balcony was very small and barely accommodated the 2 chairs and one table that were out there.

 

I was only speaking of the Connie. Thank you for your info on the Infinity.

[Lois R]

I have also sailed both classes of ships and love them all. Whether it is

M class or S class I normally am never disappointed:)

 

When is Infinity doing an 8 night Caribbean Cruise?:eek::confused:......I know

Constellation is doing a couple of them later this year and early 2015

but I didn't know Infinity has 8 nighters on her itinerary....

WOW...I see it on the website. I had no idea Infinity was doing an 8 nighter

in October....must be a new one for her. I would do this cruise myself

but I can't sail at the end of the month:(

Edited January 6, 2014 by Lois R

[Gracie115]

I have also sailed both classes of ships and love them all. Whether it is

M class or S class I normally am never disappointed:)

 

When is Infinity doing an 8 night Caribbean Cruise?:eek::confused:......I know

Constellation is doing a couple of them later this year and early 2015

but I didn't know Infinity has 8 nighters on her itinerary....

WOW...I see it on the website. I had no idea Infinity was doing an 8 nighter

in October....must be a new one for her. I would do this cruise myself

but I can't sail at the end of the month:(

 

HI Lois-

 

Infinity is the only "M" class we haven't been on, and this cruise also has two ports we've not been to, so that is enticing too. Sorry you can't make it!!

 

Gracie

[smtcan]

We did a wine cruise on Infinity in October. It was our first M class experience, although we have enjoyed Century and the sadly missed Mercury as well as several S class ships.

 

We booked this cruise as an 'extra' before spending time in UK and returning on Solstice TA, so we took an inside cabin with no drink package. We found the ship to be in good repair, our cabin had none of the mildew problems reported by others and the public areas were well kept. The crew was efficient and friendly and the officers were the most visible and approachable we have encountered in recent years.

 

Since this cruise was port intensive (and rather cool) we did not spend time around the pool, so I cannot comment on that, but I would echo the other posters' remarks about the buffet, which was not easy to navigate now that we are used to the station set up on S class. It was also hard to find seating, probably since the weather was not conducive to eating outside.

 

We would not hesitate to cruise on Infinity again if the itinerary was right.

 

Sheila

[Cruise Raider]

I have sailed S class several times and really love the ships, especially Aqua class and all that goes with it. I have an opportunity to do an 8 night Caribbean on Infinity and would love to but I'm a little concerned I'll be disappointed.

 

Any of you folks that have cruised S class and M class, I would love the hear your input. Thanks very much and happy new year to all! FYI, if I do book this cruise it will be Aqua class with a premium drink package.

 

Of all our cruises, the Infinity and the Equinox were my absolute favorites.

I don't think you will be disappointed whatsoever if you choose the Infinity cruise. They are different from one another but wouldn't hesitate to book on the Infinity again and again.

[lcmslady]

I am sailing Infinity in less than 2 weeks. Haven't sailed her before but have sailed her sister, the Summit and also the S-class Solstice.

 

To be honest, there are things I like and dislike about both. I like the S-class layout of the buffet and also that there is a walkway to get around the casino instead of having to go through it.

 

I like the smaller size of the M class. This will be my first sailing on an M class post solsticizing, so it will be interesting to see what I think about those changes.

 

Ultimately, it's about the itinerary first and the ship second.