Live from the infinity - Antarctica

[Wine-O]

 

Cabin comment: I decided to see what was above our cabin because it seems that starting around 7am, there is noise from above. Ahah….we are under a service room where all the dirty dishes seem to go….so they are rolling carts. If you are on the starboard side of aqua, you want 2129 or higher…..not our cabin. They did fix the door so it doesn’t whistle and moan….unfortunately, now it just leaks air so the cabin is cold. I’ll try to get it fixed again….sigh!

 

What stateroom were you in? 2129 is an OV on Deck 2.

[AC Stew]

On the cruise just before you: EZE taxi question, airport to hotel:

 

"Taxi Ezeiza" (white taxi). No advance booking was made; we booked on the spot at their kiosk, located just outside the doors after exiting baggage.

 

The cost was higher than the price I'd reviewed online. Still, at 300 pesos or $38 US for the safe and comfortable ride, it's a good deal. You check in at the kiosk, pay, receive a voucher, and you are escorted outside to your taxi. Note* the guy who helps you outside should get a couple of bucks tip because he does assist with the bags.

 

We'd definitely use them again.

 

AC Stew

[ghstudio]

What stateroom were you in? 2129 is an OV on Deck 2.

 

 

sorry 9129/9108 or further back

[ghstudio]

No pasta bar at lunch…egg drop soup is wonderful….thai curries are very good. Desserts remain a low point in the buffet area, but there’s always ice cream of café bacchio so we’re not exactly getting thinner. Naturalists have been excellent…both in their speaking to groups in the theater, but also in the constellation lounge or on deck.

We have surprisingly had little trouble connecting to the internet. We have the $99 package for each of us (elite plus) and we still have some time on the first ID….haven’t even used the second one. We check/send mail three times a day, update quicken twice a day and of course I’ve been posting here almost every day….so that gives you an idea of what you can do by overlapping things and planning your internet time.

There have been no computer classes on this cruise which I just realized and is a bit unusual. Very good tango show last night. This is formal night 3, so we are going to blu with folks we met on the ship.

The casino rolled out the decks that automatically give the dealer 21 on every deal last night. I did as well as the others at the table….awful. It’s pretty much the same fun group at the table every night. Other tables are almost empty but there is some craps play.

Laundry is one day service…we leave it on the bed when going to dinner and it returns the next afternoon. We must be special….we have two pears and one orange AND a banana. I do miss the grapes though. Our flowers were replaced this morning…..and they are beautiful.

The guitarist continues to pack the central areas on 4/5….he is excellent. The martini bar remains with quiet music when the guitarist isn’t playing.

I was looking around at lunch and I’d say the passenger average age is a fair amount lower than we’re used to on Celebrity. Far fewer wheelchairs and almost no walkers. I think this cruise attracts folks in their 50’ and 60’s and those who are in their 70’s and 80’s are the young 70’s and 80’s. There are at least three groups on board, but none have “taken over” anywhere. They now have someone at the door to the buffet trying to be a bit forceful about using sanitizer…..a good step. I have eaten more in the buffet on this cruise than others because almost all the main dish food/soup is served rather than having everyone handling the serving spoons. I avoid the bread and salads which are serve yourself. My DW eats lunch in the dining room and she is not alone…it’s packed every day. I presume the grand buffet will be tomorrow, our last sea day.

The new revenue push seems to be selling bottles of wine for lunch….$20. It’s a good deal for shipboard wine. They were offering hot chocolate on deck when we were in the Antarctic for $9.95 in a souvenir glass….seem to be few takers though. Tables are being cleared much faster now in the buffet area than when the cruise started…..good.

I had sushi again last night since we were going to a 7pm show and eating later…..that rice is just awful, but the fish/ingredients are good. You would think that with the Japanese and Asian crew members, someone would know how to cook rice.

I ordered prime rib last night in blu…..and it must have been 20 ounces…maybe more. Quite good, but of course some was left. The crepes suzettes were less exciting…..they really need to have crepes that were just made and these obviously had been made hours if not days earlier. The mussel ceviche had little lime taste, but was still refreshing. The new England clam chowder was really a clam broth with a very small smidgen of clam….taste was good, but it’s a far stretch to call this chowder. I hate to sound critical of the food all the time….the reality is that it is generally tasty, very well plated and served in Blu.

If one has followed my trials and tribulations with poached eggs on Celebrity ships, I’ve had excellent poached eggs in blu on this cruise. The bacon is as good as ever. The salmon is good, but not quite up to some we’ve had on other cruises….the texture is a bit off due, I’m sure, to the fact that its frozen along the way. The pastry chef for Café Baccio is terrific….for the buffet, not so much. The hamburger bar remains constant….and although aqua is more or less the old one, the plated offerings and desserts aren’t up to the level of the old aqua spa café. I’m sure the SPE version will return to this ship….

[grayjay]

Just a quick question, please, about the guitarist: Is it still Cesar Paucas - I hope for a " yes" . He's truly awesome and Michael's Club and Café al Bacio were packed when he played. (I know: no Michael's Club any more...)

Thank you for your reports - they bring back happy memories of our cruise to Antarctica last year and - better still - anticipation for our upcoming cruise on "Infinity". :)

[LadyDivot]

We were on the cruise just prior and the guitarist was Nestor Santuario. He was excellent. First and only time I've bought a CD by a cruise musician.

 

Really enjoying the posts, GH.

 

Pam

[Northern Aurora]

We were on the cruise just prior and the guitarist was Nestor Santuario. He was excellent. First and only time I've bought a CD by a cruise musician.

 

Really enjoying the posts, GH.

 

Pam

 

We also enjoyed Nestor on an Equinox TA last spring. Glad to hear that he is still on a Celebrity ship.

[ghstudio]

yes, it's nestor. I had to send the bill back in blu...they didn't give us the discount even though I gave them my elite plus card. Always check your bill. Very nice dinner....

 

Rendezous lounge is filled tonight...no seats...nestor is playing. Casino a little more busy.

[upwarduk]

have not heard any disco type music in the martini bar area….and I thought that was the one area that they insisted on being loud…..note: I am not complaining.

 

I have a theory; it's the Caribbean cruises that suffer the loud music.

We too were on the Infinity TA and never noticed any, and walked past the Martini bar on our way to the Theatre after first sitting dinner every evening.

[Germancruiser]

Ghtudio- thanks for your report- I can´t wait to board Infinity in about two month for the TA. Maybe you mentioned it already- if so - I am sorry, but were is the elite breakfast held on board Infinity? Thx.

Michael

[Wine-O]

yes, it's nestor. I had to send the bill back in blu...they didn't give us the discount even though I gave them my elite plus card. Always check your bill. Very nice dinner....

 

 

What discount didn't you get with your elite plus card? I thought you had to have an Elite Plus Coupon to get any Elite Plus discount except for the free espresso/cappuccino where you just show your Elite Plus Seapass?

 

I'm asking because on my TA this coming April wanted to know what discounts you can get by just showing your card.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Wine-O

[ghstudio]

we received a 15 discount in the specialty restaurants by showing our card (and telling them it was elite plus). Elite breakfast is in the United States. They actually take your card and ring it up for cappuccino...you don't have to sign for the coffee and it doesn't show up on the bill.

[Eleris]

cold coffee drinks as well? I realize your itinerary may leave you wanting hot coffee drinks only but do you know if it includes cold also?

[ghstudio]

A tale of a booking…not.

We decided to do an onboard booking. In fairness, it’s a “just in case” booking since there is no cancellation charge so why not lock in an extra OBC.

First choice: hong Kong to Vancouver B2B - can’t book because the cruise just prior to the repositioning is blocked (presumably for a charter). Lost revenue to Celebrity - $10K plus in a C3 cabin (which would upgrade to C2)

Second Choice: Miami to Buenos Aires B2B – if you are on drugs, very drunk or just won the lottery, you might book this. A2 cabin for the two cruises – Over $30,000 (no that’s not a typo). Celebrity – you are nuts. Someone obviously has visions of “modern luxury” far beyond rational pricing.

Third Choice: Miami to Barcelona and then Barcelona RT – more reasonable…a little over $10K in a sunset veranda. The agent gave us a price, but when she booked it for us the price went up $200 pp per cruise. The transatlantic cruise only gave us $100 OBC….and even though we are elite plus, you can’t upgrade to a sunset veranda. We just told her to cancel the whole thing.

So Celebrity…I hope your “new modern” thrust works….and I hope they are willing to pay you these prices…..but not for us. You lost over $10K revenue and somehow, I now we aren’t alone.

I should also mention that we finally decided after 6 cruises in aqua that we are just tired of the aqua menu….and on this cruise, the consistent wait for a table in Blu has really become annoying….we are finished with Aqua. We’ll enjoy select dining, if we find another celebrity cruise we want to take at a reasonable price (which is appearing less likely)…or we will enjoy far better food on Oceania, etc.

This is sort of a case study in how to either lose customers or make sure they consider other cruise lines or travel options. Take you pick….and pat yourselves on the back Celebrity for some great marketing.

[ghstudio]

Celebrity highlights it’s “save the waves” program. Well, I have a suggestion for them…..how about save the trees. Admittedly, I am not a fan of Park West galleries, but I seem to get a notice under or stuck in my cabin door almost every day from park west or someone else. Today I got a printed thank you note from the maître d’ in Blu. We have received other flyers….some thrown out without even opening. Celebrity….save a tree….believe it or not, if I want to buy art, I’ll find the auction. If I don’t, then I don’t care how many envelopes I receive, I’m not going to buy art.

Wow….a shock this morning…our cruise director actually mentioned the buffet lunch. We noticed it in “Celebrity Today” but our waiter in Blu last night never mentioned a thing. The buffet was pretty much the same as other cruises…mostly what you get in the regular buffet with the addition of gravlax, some desserts and probably some other stuff I just don’t notice. Smoked salmon was missing as was herring, but there were smoked fish and two types of gravlox (one was blueberry?). plenty of food, stir fry, omelette stations, etc. There was plenty of seating….and I’m happy to report that most people were using tongs rather than taking sushi and desserts with their fingers (ok….maybe that’s not a positive comment).

We went to our Captain’s club hostess with some questions…clarification, if you will. You see, we got one coupon each for specialty coffee (cappuccino)….but we never used them since we seem to get free cappuccinos the entire cruise without ever being asked for a coupon. I have no idea if we should only have gotten one free….or if they had nothing better to print on the coupon page so they printed two coupons we didn’t use. The captain’s club hostess explained this to my DW and I and we both just shook our head because her answer about the coupons made absolutely no sense.

I also can’t give you an answer on whether a shot of flavor which costs 50 cents extra is included for free…the waitress said that anything in café baccio is free for us (elite plus)….but I don’t think that’s really the policy. I can’t address if elites get this either.

We didn’t stop in Port madryn…actually we had one less day in port than originally scheduled. I’m’ going to ask at guest services how they are going to handle the refund of port fees for ports not visited. Yes, I expect a blank stare, but I don’t think they can charge for something itemized as a port fee if they don’t pay it. (we’ve been at sea for 9 days…I need something to stay awake).

[ecslady]

Ah, I have to laugh. Those Park West notices are really the biggest waste of paper!

 

See you on board in a couple of days.

[h20cruzer]

Wow what an adventure, something new every day. With all the changes I am surprised anyone at the guest relations counter is still alive. You know how some people are when there is a change, yelling screaming like its the end of the world. I have enjoyed you review very much. I think the questions you ask are reasonable, not sure why you cant get a straight answer. Disappointing about trying to spend your money on a Celebrity cruise and every way you turn there is a road block.

$30,000.00 come on now, they must have made a mistake, own up to it, probably not.

I think you gave it your all, 3 totally different cruises and still not able to book.

WOW

Norma

[excitedofharpenden]

Celebrity highlights it’s “save the waves” program. Well, I have a suggestion for them…..how about save the trees. Admittedly, I am not a fan of Park West galleries, but I seem to get a notice under or stuck in my cabin door almost every day from park west or someone else. Today I got a printed thank you note from the maître d’ in Blu. We have received other flyers….some thrown out without even opening. Celebrity….save a tree….believe it or not, if I want to buy art, I’ll find the auction. If I don’t, then I don’t care how many envelopes I receive, I’m not going to buy art.

I've been told on cruises before that they recycle paper and other waste so your Park West flyer is probably on its fifth reincarnation!

 

Phil

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I totally agree about all the notices stuck on the door or under the door. If I were to want to purchase any of that overpriced stuff, I would be sure to find a way to do it. Since I don't, no amount of paper sent to my room will convince me. I don't care if they do recycle the paper. A perfectly good tree had to be sacrificed in the beginning in order to produce the first notice.

 

I agree, the coffee coupons for Elite+ are a joke. No coupon is needed. Although the bar staff is not quite up to speed on this program yet. Many times I was presented with a bill. Some were taken off--others I had to go to Guest Relations to have removed. By the end of my third cruise, they seemed to have gotten the hang of it. Actually I think it was because the servers in Cova were so good. The waiter in Bacio 2 on the Reflection actually claimed that I could only have my free coffees from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Communication and training are not Celebrity strong points these days.

 

I think you'll get your port charges refunded. In the form of OBR.

[ecslady]

Ghstudio - Any update on the Davit repair and lifeboat situation?

[ghstudio]

no work is going on around the broken davit..no hint when the lifeboat will be replaced.

 

I double checked the price of the B2B from south America....$15798 pp in A2. Go for it Celebrity.

[ghstudio]

norovirus precautions now in effect....apparently there have been some (?) sick folks.

 

Hopefully I'll hear voices singing "happy birthday" coming from the bathrooms.

[OCruisers]

ghstudio .... Did they ever fix your balcony door again so it won't leak air and make your cabin too cold?

LuLu

~~~

[LeftcoastBC]

norovirus precautions now in effect....apparently there have been some (?) sick folks.

 

Hopefully i'll hear voices singing "happy birthday" (x 2 )coming from the bathrooms.

 

............. :)

[ghstudio]

ghstudio .... Did they ever fix your balcony door again so it won't leak air and make your cabin too cold?

LuLu

~~~

 

I didn't try...the cabin is comfortable and we had enough heat to keep us comfortable unless we sat right next to the door. Don't think anyone will really notice the air flow unless it is very cold.

 

I have not really seen any change now that there is some noro on board....apparently the notice goes out when 1% of the passengers come down with it.....so perhaps it's a very small outbreak. We know one passenger who has it....they are confining themselves to their room.

 

Montevideo....land at last...today. Docked.

 

So the Blu bill still isn't settled. First they charged us $90....then when I reitereated that we were elite plus in the restaurant, they credited the $90 back and charged the correct $77. Then, the next morning they reversed the $77 and charged us $90. I went to guest services and at this point they reversed the $90 charge (again) so for at least the moment, we seem to have eaten there for free. Likely that will change again.

 

No word yet on the port charges for Port Madryn being credited somewhere. Celebrity, if you're reading this..you might want to get this fixed before it winds up in the news or other places you don't want it. You really do owe all the passengers something, however small, as a refund (I'm not suggesting anything extra....just refund the port charges you didn't incur).