Live from the infinity - Antarctica

[picture]

on the Classic beverage package are there any Martini's you can get on the Infinity?

 

just wondering if I have to upgrade to get a Martini on our upcoming cruse in March.

 

Previous post answered this question disregard

[drarill]

GH, thanks for posting. This cruise is on my bucket list!!:):)

[TommyD3]

I am also going to be unhappy if the pasta bar @ lunch time is gone. It is one of the favorite things I look forward to.

they always did such a great job and with a side salad perfect lunch meal for me.

 

I agree. Do they still have Spagetti Bolognese on the room service menu? I am on the Century now and they have SB on the room service menu. What took the place of these stations - a duplicate of the normal line? We were booked for 8 weeks on Infinity in SA. Decided it was TOO expensive - we had done it several years ago and loved it. I would have been VERY upset if there was no pasta.

 

Was there an embarkation line for Zenith?

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

Tom

 

Sent from my LG-E980 using Forums mobile app

[Northern Aurora]

ghstudio: Do you have any hotel recommendations for Buenos Aires? Thanks in advance.

 

The stir fry station during lunch was also missing on the Century last fall. Custom stir fry was only available during the diner hours in the buffet.

[bakcd]

I do hope that things reverse prior to the next sailing. It will be a long 4 weeks with the cut backs you describe. Like you, I find it hard to believe they are unable to procure supplies in South America.

[ghstudio]

34) the chocolate on pillows at night has also disappeared.

35) yesterday, there were three pa announcements…two were a quick summary of what was coming up followed by the captain asking that everyone wash their hands. Hmmm!

36) fog this morning so we can only imagine all the wildlife around us…but we really aren’t yet in the prime areas.

37) The casino has loan me some money which is always a nice way to begin a cruise. Hopefully, I will be able to keep a little of it when we leave the ship J The casino, however is empty….and there now is even a $6 blackjack table.

38) there was some music in the martini bar last night, but actually quite quiet. There were also more people. Overall, loud music is not an issue on this cruise.

39) No a’capella singers but there is a string duet, a guitarist and a pianist/singer as well as the band and perhaps some other band playing at the pool.

40) The pool was busy yesterday, but as we sail south, it will get far less use as the temperature drops.

 

hotel in Buenos Aires: we were very happy with the howard Johnson boutique hotel in recoleta.....not your usual howard Johnson.

[Tommy3putts]

Enjoying the updates.

[lara68]

Thank you very much for your informative posts as you travel your itinerary. We are on the same trip next January so we're anxious to hear all your insights and recommendations. I've heard the weather varies greatly throughout the trip. Can you also comment on the type of weather you experienced in the different ports? Have a wonderful adventure.

[richsea]

Chocolates were also missing the 1st night of our b2b on Summit in January. We mentioned it to the CC hostess, who said that they were out fleet wide, however, I mentioned it to our room steward, & they appeared every night for 2 weeks. Strange.

The CD also mentioned that Summit was the only ship that still had an accapella group.

Enjoying your updates.

[S.O.C.I.O.C.A.T.s]

Reading closely as we are on the B2B2B in 2015 on the Infinity.

pah

(we were also on the InfinityTA in 2013)

[grayjay]

No more chocolates on the pillow? That's unbelievable - I'll have to cancel my cruise! :rolleyes:

But honestly - if cost-cutting goes as far as that I do wish for some old-fashioned luxury instead of the modern variant. It's such a nice gesture - and my MiL won't be happy as well as I tended to save them for her to enjoy after our cruises.

[Gig103]

Thanks for sharing! Enjoy the cruise!

 

I was on the Infiniti this past December with the same leadership you have, and I highly recommend you partake in the various officer-guest shows. The Staff Captain & Hotel Director have a great, friendly competitive dynamic, and some of the other staff are funny. Especially one of the F&B officers Giacomo, who nearly had me in tears laughing during the 'Dancing with the Officers' event.

 

Oh, and I wonder if chocolates will appear in a future night? I remember getting chocolates back in December, but I don't think the first night either.

[Mary El]

GH: We are on the same cruise as yours but February 2015. Antarctic has always been in our bucket list.

 

Don't like to see all of the cutbacks going on. We have a total of 3 cruises booked in 2014 and2015 with Celebrity and am getting concerned at all of the cutbacks.

 

We are about 1/2 way to being Zenith so it'll be hard to switch. But might do it if things keep on getting worse.

[ghstudio]

So we have a new itinerary due to weather. Today we are in the Falklands, then to the Antarctic and then to Ushuaia….but they shortened the Antarctica portion of the trip to one day….to get back through the drake passage in reasonable weather. Our tour companies were ok with changing the days, except here in the falklands where there already is a ship, oceania regatta that has scheduled all the tours for the day on their original schedule. Oh well….we are still here, just not off seeing a major penguin colony. This remains a very quiet cruise. Martini bar had more folks drinking, but the music was very low. Background music in dining rooms and public spaces is very quiet. Nothing much else to report….weather is clear but windy. Seas are reasonably calm.

[ghstudio]

It’s mia culpa time….some things have changed. We arrived back after our short visit to the Falklands a bit hungry….so we went to the buffet to see if anything appealed. I am very please to report that the pasta bar is now open (I have no idea why it was closed at about the same time of day when I passed by the first time). I am also pleased that today there was a pear tart, a mixed fruit pastry as well as the sheet cake stuff. Perhaps someone from Celebrity is reading this thread J and giving feedback. The made to order pasta was very good. Unfortunately, the stir fry to order station is now only in the evenings from 5:30-9:30 (similar to the sushi bar).

With a broad international passenger base, blu is having it’s problems and there is a wait if you arrive anywhere between 6:45 and 7:45. The wait has been 10-20 minutes. This is unusual..hasn’t been the case on any of our other cruises…it varies by who is on board. They are a bit crowded at breakfast, but if you are willing to dine with others at a larger table, there’s been no wait.

We were given a $30 credit for the sparkling wine towards a very nice white wine. The food in blu has been good and the service excellent.

For those asking about the new aqua cabins…yes, there is a 12th deck above, but if someone is on 12 and looks down, they can only actually see someone in a deck 11 cabin if that person is leaning on the rail. They can’t see where you sit, etc. Having said that, there is not much cover as those cabins on 9.

The casino continues to loan me more money….I am sure that they will want the money back before the end of the cruise and being the nice person I am, I’m sure I will repay it with interest. Last night there was one table in the entire casino with people…the $6 minimum blackjack table where I was. I feel sorry for the dealers/etc who have to stand there all night, just in case. Tough job.

Priority tendering is still in effect, although it’s not shown as an elite/suite perk (not sure if suites get it). Meeting point is Qsine. Elite breakfast is in the United States.

As is the norm with Celebrity, a very friendly crew…everyone says hello, they offer to help and so on. Having said that, the officers are not as visible as on the last cruise on the Infinity. I think the difference is the captain’s style. It doesn’t effect this cruise…just an observation.

[grayjay]

May I ask who exchanged the sparkling wine to credit/bottle of white wine? We'll board the Infinity in three week's time and would love to have wine instead of the bubbly.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of the cruise - I avidly read every post and keep comparing it to ours from last year. It's a pity you couldn't do the penguin tour at the Falklands and that the Antarctica part is to be shortened. You never know about the weather in these parts of the world and I have realized that we have been very lucky in 2013.

[Dunelm]

Thanks so much for your reviews! It is interesting that the bars and the casino are quiet (am I getting it right here?). I have noticed some cultural differences when on cruises with either mainly Brits or mainly Americans. When there are mainly Brits, the bars tend to be heaving with people, and when mainly Americans, the casinos are that way. Perhaps the more expensive cruises have people from all countries trying to lessen their expense. I guess I am just a curious person.

[ghstudio]

strange...but I wrote about chocolates missing (confirmed with others on the cruise) and tonight chocolates appeared....????

 

See my new thread "Infinity stuck in Falklands" because we are not leaving until they fix a massive part...so who knows what the rest of the voyage will be.

 

We are ultra sensitive since we were on the Century that had a mechanical breakdown in Villefranche....so this might be our second canceled cruise.

 

BTW...the damage was caused by a fuel bunker coming to tie up to our ship. Our captain should have had those davits pulled in....and yes, the bunker should not have hit them....but I think it's actually a failure on Celebrity's part to safeguard the ship. Of course celebrity will deny that....but it's my view.

 

more later.

[picture]

It’s mia culpa time….some things have changed. We arrived back after our short visit to the Falklands a bit hungry….so we went to the buffet to see if anything appealed. I am very please to report that the pasta bar is now open (I have no idea why it was closed at about the same time of day when I passed by the first time). I am also pleased that today there was a pear tart, a mixed fruit pastry as well as the sheet cake stuff. Perhaps someone from Celebrity is reading this thread J and giving feedback. The made to order pasta was very good. Unfortunately, the stir fry to order station is now only in the evenings from 5:30-9:30 (similar to the sushi bar).

With a broad international passenger base, blu is having it’s problems and there is a wait if you arrive anywhere between 6:45 and 7:45. The wait has been 10-20 minutes. This is unusual..hasn’t been the case on any of our other cruises…it varies by who is on board. They are a bit crowded at breakfast, but if you are willing to dine with others at a larger table, there’s been no wait.

We were given a $30 credit for the sparkling wine towards a very nice white wine. The food in blu has been good and the service excellent.

For those asking about the new aqua cabins…yes, there is a 12th deck above, but if someone is on 12 and looks down, they can only actually see someone in a deck 11 cabin if that person is leaning on the rail. They can’t see where you sit, etc. Having said that, there is not much cover as those cabins on 9.

The casino continues to loan me more money….I am sure that they will want the money back before the end of the cruise and being the nice person I am, I’m sure I will repay it with interest. Last night there was one table in the entire casino with people…the $6 minimum blackjack table where I was. I feel sorry for the dealers/etc who have to stand there all night, just in case. Tough job.

Priority tendering is still in effect, although it’s not shown as an elite/suite perk (not sure if suites get it). Meeting point is Qsine. Elite breakfast is in the United States.

As is the norm with Celebrity, a very friendly crew…everyone says hello, they offer to help and so on. Having said that, the officers are not as visible as on the last cruise on the Infinity. I think the difference is the captain’s style. It doesn’t effect this cruise…just an observation.

So happy to hear it is open again one of my favorites & we sail next month

[Germancruiser]

so good tohave ghstudio on board, to keep us informed about the Davit- Issue- maybe we even have some pictures soon.

Thanks ghstudio!

[ghstudio]

Another day, another change in itinerary….but good news. Our first change shortened our Antarctica time by one day..we were going to miss the elephant island portion…and that was replaced by a day at some uraguay resort city. However, with the delay last night and the weather, we have a new schedule and we are now headed to Ushuaia, arriving tomorrow night and staying the next day. Then we go to the Antarctic on our original Antarctica itinerary…with two days of cruising. At this point we are going to miss Puerto Madryn, but who knows.

Hopefully Pira tours can handle us in Ushuaia with this new change of dates.

Ship is peaceful…lots of folks sitting in the sky lounge (called something else on this ship) but all we have seen so far is birds when at sea. That will change as we get further south. Seas are relatively calm, but the wind is 15 mph plus judging by the whitecaps. Standing on deck is a bit of a challenge…not due to the cold, but the wind.

I have a picture of the tied up davit…not sure how to post it. It’s tied up with a heavy strap. I have no idea how that lifeboat will be reunited with the ship….or if it’s needed if the ship is full. We aren’t full and there is a reduced crew as well so there is no lifeboat issue.

Good communications from the staff and bridge on the problem and the scheduling changes. Since my DW and I were on the century when it had it’s rudder problem in Villefranche…we were especially apprehensive thinking of how Celebrity might handle this problem….but they handled it well in my opinion.

[hulamoon]

I didn't realize that itinerary sailed with less passengers. Is that intentional for weight or did they just not sell?

 

Thanks for your wonderful updates.

[ecslady]

. I have no idea how that lifeboat will be reunited with the ship….or if it’s needed if the ship is full. We aren’t full and there is a reduced crew as well so there is no lifeboat issue.

 

Have you noticed any change in level of service since there is a reduced crew?

 

Can you find out if the next cruise - BA to VAL - is full or not, and if it is full, will they be picking up more crew when you get back to BA?

 

Thanks so much for your continuing posts.

Edited February 20, 2014 by ecslady

[OCruisers]

Thanks, gh, for continuing to keep us updated on the latest.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[ghstudio]

Live from the Beagle Channel. Beautiful…we have had sun, rain, fog, sleet during the past 2 hours with 40 mph winds. The glaciers are incredible as are the views. Standing outside for pictures was a challenge for the hearty (me included) with the wind. This is a rare beagle channel cruise because we just turned around to go back to Usuaia, as planned….so we get to sit on our balcony and see both sides.

Seating at blu continues to be a problem…I guess we go at the peak times 8:30 for breakfast and 7:15 for dinner but either you eat with another couple or wait 15-20 minutes. This hasn’t happened to us before on M-class ships…it’s a function of the passengers on a cruise.

BARGAIN: BEAT THE SYSTEM: Offered today (and perhaps other days and I just noticed….they sell wine by the bottle for $20 plus gratuity in the buffet area….with a sign that says good for lunch only. However, since it’s wine bought on board, I don’t see any reason we can’t bring it to dinner…so we saved $8 on a chilian white.

CASINO: If you want to be part of the casino promotion program (whatever they call it), they look for minimum $25 bets for 2 hours a day. I have no clue as to the benefits, but I’ve been betting $20 so I’ve added $5 and maybe I’ll find out…or maybe not because I’m not timing 2 hours a day.

Clothing: layers are working….today, turtle neck and two cotton sweaters under a goretex jacket. I have a down ski jacket with me as well for the Antarctic…but didn’t really need it in the Beagle Channel. Bring gloves though.

Cabin comments: our shower doors do not leak…the same doors on the millennium and our other cabin on the infinity did leak….no clue as to why. Verandah door moans in heavy wind. Telephone is intermittent…I think a bad wire which I’ll report. The iced tea is some sort of weak herbal tea. We get two bottles of water even if we didn’t finish yesterdays. Same hair dryers as always where you have to hold the switch down to keep it on.

Excellent naturalist on board who has given three talks and gave commentary over the PA on our drake passage cruise. He also sits in the constellation lounge or hangs out on deck to answer any questions.

We’ve seen relatively little sea life….yes whale spouts but not the whales (apparently the type of whale around the falklands doesn’t really break the surface. Some have seen some a few dolphin in the falklands and there was one harbor seal. Other than that, it’s various types of albatross, petrels and perhaps some other smaller birds. We are hoping for much more wildlife as we head to and sail in Antarctica. Many of us did see penguins on the falklands, but from a fair distance.