Infinity Sails Again June 25th

[12cruise2]

3 hours ago, cruising sister said:

Guest count 1725. I have not eaten in specialty restaurants. We are wearing masks but only about 1% are. We have been thanked by many of the crew and officers for wearing them. Remember they were the Covid ship so they may have a different perspective on masks.  
Guests are friendly and I see they are getting a little happier as issues are being resolved. We came out of Luminae at 6:45 last night and the line for select dining was much much shorter.  A couple more cruises under her belt and I think things will be better. You can’t change the aesthetics until dry dock but service can improve. 

Perspective--we were on the Equinox late May 2022; 2300 passengers; about 10 of us wore masks, not kidding at all.  And yes, countless crew members thanked us for wearing masks--which helped protect them.  And we got covid on the Equinox ship within 5 days--even after protecting ourselves as much as we could and had always done for 12 weeks on another line.  No one cared about mask wearing; partying, drinking and the whole 9 yards, especially because there are so many bars and public, group areas on that ship.  Then, on the 5th day, the capt. announced we are at 1% covid in isolation, so everyone has to wear masks--in the theater and casino--that's all!  Can you believe it, of course by then probably 3-4 times as many passengers were positive and spreading it around and not admitting to it.  One lady said to me--oh, did they find out if that 1 PERSON really had covid; I explained 1%.  I think unless folks read CC, they are not aware of the prevalence on board.  Soooo many more passengers now on board ships--we cruised 12 weeks on another line Sept. 2021 thru April 2022 and there was lower passenger count and no problems--now, on Celebrity, and others I believe who have increased their passengers counts substantially and dropped mask mandates, it's everywhere.

I write this to make our cruise critic friends aware that it's the wild west out there now since they dropped mask mandates and increased passenger counts; I can hardly wait for the next, more refined booster.  But we won't get away from the higher passenger counts; the cruise lines have to have more business at this point.

I'm not trying to get a whole thing started because of this message; please, just read it for info and perspective and let's stay on topic of the Infinity and cruising sister's wonderful thread.  We'll be on the Infinity 7/9 for two weeks! 

Edited June 29, 2022 by 12cruise2

[cruising sister]

In Grand Turk today. They use the US dollar and local vendors, taxi etc are all cash. It is very small and most of the beaches are right off the cruise ship and an easy walk. There are chars, umbrellas and clam shells to rent. There are plenty of places to get food and drink right behind the chairs.   I will attach a picture of the beach I took from my verandah  

[LGW59]

35 minutes ago, 12cruise2 said:

Perspective--we were on the Equinox late May 2022; 2300 passengers; about 10 of us wore masks, not kidding at all.  And yes, countless crew members thanked us for wearing masks--which helped protect them.  And we got covid on the Equinox ship within 5 days--even after protecting ourselves as much as we could and had always done for 12 weeks on another line.  No one cared about mask wearing; partying, drinking and the whole 9 yards, especially because there are so many bars and public, group areas on that ship.  Then, on the 5th day, the capt. announced we are at 1% covid in isolation, so everyone has to wear masks--in the theater and casino--that's all!  Can you believe it, of course by then probably 3-4 times as many passengers were positive and spreading it around and not admitting to it.  One lady said to me--oh, did they find out if that 1 PERSON really had covid; I explained 1%.  I think unless folks read CC, they are not aware of the prevalence on board.  Soooo many more passengers now on board ships--we cruised 12 weeks on another line Sept. 2021 thru April 2022 and there was lower passenger count and no problems--now, on Celebrity, and others I believe who have increased their passengers counts substantially and dropped mask mandates, it's everywhere.

I write this to make our cruise critic friends aware that it's the wild west out there now since they dropped mask mandates and increased passenger counts; I can hardly wait for the next, more refined booster.  But we won't get away from the higher passenger counts; the cruise lines have to have more business at this point.

I'm not trying to get a whole thing started because of this message; please, just read it for info and perspective and let's stay on topic of the Infinity and cruising sister's wonderful thread.  We'll be on the Infinity 7/9 for two weeks! 

CC probably represents about 1% of the cruising population, so yea, most people that are cruising are just simply enjoying it without false worries.  Plus you wore your mask along with 10 other people onboard and you still got COVID, so there is that. I spent two weeks at an all-inclusive  resort in Mexico recently, mask less, as were the VAST majority of others, in bars, nightclubs, restaurants,  was not in the least bit worried.  I'd just not be taking a cruise or any other type of vacation right now if masks were a concern to me.  

[Turtles06]

48 minutes ago, cruising sister said:

In Grand Turk today. They use the US dollar and local vendors, taxi etc are all cash. It is very small and most of the beaches are right off the cruise ship and an easy walk. There are chars, umbrellas and clam shells to rent. There are plenty of places to get food and drink right behind the chairs.   I will attach a picture of the beach I took from my verandah  

 

Thanks for the lovely photos and for sharing your cruise with us.

 

In terms of renting the chairs and umbrellas -- are they expecting you to haggle over the prices, as in some other places?  (I really hate haggling.  😁)

[cruising sister]

2 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Thanks for the lovely photos and for sharing your cruise with us.

 

In terms of renting the chairs and umbrellas -- are they expecting you to haggle over the prices, as in some other places?  (I really hate haggling.  😁)

I don’t know about the chairs but we did bargain with a taxi driver to take my sister and I  on a private tour of the island. He did not have any other customers at the time so that may have figured into the request. The tour was an hour as we did not want to stop and shop. 

[12cruise2]

1 hour ago, cruising sister said:

I don’t know about the chairs but we did bargain with a taxi driver to take my sister and I  on a private tour of the island. He did not have any other customers at the time so that may have figured into the request. The tour was an hour as we did not want to stop and shop. 

In our experience at Grand Turk and other Caribbean locations, there is no haggling on price of the umbrellas and lounge chairs period.  Take it or leave it.  And in May, per another cruiser, when we were in St. Thomas they were charging $40 cash for an umbrella and chair they claim for set up for less than 2 hours PLUS you HAD to leave another $30 cash DEPOSIT for the items and then had to stand in line at the end of your usage to get that $30 refund--all cash. The chairs/umbrella are already set up.  Our friend said she didn't have that much cash on hand!  Somehow she came up with it.  Also in St. Martin they charge, cash and same deal.  No bargaining that I've ever heard of.  Last I knew in Grand Turk, you could use Margaritaville chairs/umbrellas to the immediate left as you leave the pier--I don't know how the charge for them, how that works--maybe if you buy a drink or lunch?  Not sure.

Edited June 29, 2022 by 12cruise2

[DDShawnee]

Thank you for sharing your cruise with us! We are cruising Infinity in September, and really appreciate all your updates and your wonderful perspective on the situation.  We only have an OV room booked this time, so we will be the ones in the MDR and the more basic areas of the ship. Nevertheless, we are hoping for the best and are looking forward to finally sailing again!

[weregoingcruising]

7 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Thanks for the lovely photos and for sharing your cruise with us.

 

In terms of renting the chairs and umbrellas -- are they expecting you to haggle over the prices, as in some other places?  (I really hate haggling.  😁)

The answer is no. They would like the price they quote but hagglers don't want to pay it.

[Jim_Iain]

On 6/27/2022 at 9:54 AM, closecruiser said:

If anyone aboard now could snap a picture of cabin 7903-7904 that area would be much appreciated.

Trying to see what is across from those cabins.

 

Thank you....Enjoy your cruise

Haven't seen a picture of 7903, 7905 but recall walking buy it.    It faces the Elevator bank with the glass elevators.   If I recall there is a wall between the cabins and the elevators -

 

I did take a peek inside as security was pounding on the door and when he opened a puff of smoke came out.   I guess the guy was smoking and set off the alarms.   It's a standard inside cabin with beds facing the door.

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for your wonderful review and sorry to hear of the teething problems of Infinity coming back into service.   We were talking about that when I first say your post.   We have always tried to avoid maiden voyages and ships first cruises after a shut down.  

 

I am late to reading your review and if your still having service issues with your Butler and/or Stateroom attendant please ask one of the hosts if you have have a word with the Retreat Manager.  His also manages the PRH and will fix immediately.   

 

Your initial comments on being told  to go to the Retreat for your snack needs is unacceptable.  Maybe it was just a misunderstanding of where you will find afternoon snacks.   If you want anything   your Butler is responsible to deliver it.   You can either call him or Room Service.   If you call room service he will be called to deliver it to you.   We normally have the opposite problem and have to ask them not to leave afternoon snacks etc.   We are not big eaters and I'm the type if something is sitting there it ends up in my stomach ....Ugh...

[cruising sister]

Thanks for your kind words. We are not big eaters either. We have been eating room service breakfast, no lunch or very light, so we have an afternoon tea in Michaels Club where our PRH serves us. It has turned out to be very nice. We have been trying to decide if we like the clotted cream on the top or bottom. We read that on your review!  Personally I like it on top.  
 

Teething is a good way to describe it. Either people are numb to the pain or things have improved enough as there is less grumbling. We have received gifts as if it was a inaugural cruise. So far a hat, a tote and a nice set of prints. 
 

 

[cruisedd]

Thank you for the live updates and pictures.  Can you tell me about the wifi performance on board ship?  I'm guessing it is OK since you are able post frequently.

[MrDavid2]

The wi-fi is poor in my experience.  I’m using my wife’s cell phone right now.  I couldn’t load CC via wi-fi.  We have the premium plan.  You won’t be streaming.  Email and twitter at best.  We use international cellular when in port.  Otherwise it is bare bones.

[cruising sister]

I have attached a picture of 7903 and 7905. The angle is from the area in front of the glass elevators looking at the rooms. 
 

I was unable to get any pictures of 6118 but did peek in the door of a near by cabin. The furniture on the balcony is the wooden slat chairs and small wooden slat table. Hope that helps. 

[cruising sister]

4 minutes ago, MrDavid2 said:

The wi-fi is poor in my experience.  I’m using my wife’s cell phone right now.  I couldn’t load CC via wi-fi.  We have the premium plan.  You won’t be streaming.  Email and twitter at best.  We use international cellular when in port.  Otherwise it is bare bones.

The WiFi has been ok with our iPhones. I have not had any trouble with posting. We have only used iPhones so not sure how it works on other devices. 

[cruising sister]

Today was Puerto Plata DR. The cruise port was built by Carnival. It is 25 acres of shops, pool area, small beach and monkey experience. 
 

It looked like pool and beach loungers were free but if someone knows different please speak up. 

Area right outside of port seemed like local housing and not somewhere I felt comfortable walking. There are pretty aggressive taxi drivers willing to drive you to town. We decided not to and went back to the cool of the ship. 

[MrCoachRentz]

Yeah that's a terrible port to stop.  We did do the waterfall jump/slide excursion last time we were there... not for the faint of heart lol.

 

[travelwide]

The streets outside the port area are not dangerous. We walked to the church square and the umbrella street. Quite a few ship guests did the same thing. On our second visit took a 2 hour taxi tour. The local police are very vigilant. They don't want any bad press.

[closecruiser]

16 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Haven't seen a picture of 7903, 7905 but recall walking buy it.    It faces the Elevator bank with the glass elevators.   If I recall there is a wall between the cabins and the elevators -

 

I did take a peek inside as security was pounding on the door and when he opened a puff of smoke came out.   I guess the guy was smoking and set off the alarms.   It's a standard inside cabin with beds facing the door.

Thanks.  

[closecruiser]

4 hours ago, cruising sister said:

I have attached a picture of 7903 and 7905. The angle is from the area in front of the glass elevators looking at the rooms. 
 

I was unable to get any pictures of 6118 but did peek in the door of a near by cabin. The furniture on the balcony is the wooden slat chairs and small wooden slat table. Hope that helps. 

Thank you.   How are things today on the ship.  Getting better?    We sail end of October. 

[cruising sister]

24 minutes ago, closecruiser said:

Thank you.   How are things today on the ship.  Getting better?    We sail end of October. 

For us things are better. I think generally it has improved. I can’t speak for others. I have not seen long lines for dining the past 2 days. 

[ricflyer]

@cruising sister Thanks for all the information!! I leave tomorrow for FLL and will be getting on after you get off. I am in Aqua so hoping no long lines at Blu but its a vacation so I will be chilling!!

[MrCoachRentz]

32 minutes ago, ricflyer said:

@cruising sister Thanks for all the information!! I leave tomorrow for FLL and will be getting on after you get off. I am in Aqua so hoping no long lines at Blu but its a vacation so I will be chilling!!

We're getting on Saturday also, and have Aqua.  We went ahead and made a reservation to avoid lines.  

 

[cruising sister]

11 minutes ago, MrCoachRentz said:

We're getting on Saturday also, and have Aqua.  We went ahead and made a reservation to avoid lines.  

 

We talked to some people who ate in Blu and no complaints. I am sure you will have a great time. They have made tremendous improvements since embarkation. If you love beach and sun activities this is a good itinerary. 

[MrCoachRentz]

We were on the Milli in April and had Aqua.  The first night the wait for dinner was over 2 hours.  It was better after that (anytime dining).  We just went ahead and booked the 6pm dinner.  We have been mostly Carnival cruisers so Celebrity, even old Celebrity, is a huge step up for us lol!