I just booked my first celebrity cruise. We ususally go RCCL. We are going to Alaska in 2008. Everything I read about Infinity is a nightmare. Food stinks. Ship smells from smoke. Have to wear a jacket to dinner almost every night or you don't eat. This just sounds terrible. Has anyone EVER had a good Infinity cruise or should I abandon ship and go back to RCCL. Anyone wishing a private response can send t to fjtpres@hotmail.com thanks to all...HELP!
I don't know where you've read all these terrible reports but I book cruises for a living and get regular reports back from Infinity and all the ships from 27 different lines. I can tell you that Infinity recieves regular and recent reviews that are as good as nearly any ship in the mainstream industry. Mt own mother, who was for years a Princess loyal recently asked me about a cruise with Celebrity and I told her what I'll tell you. There is no cruiseline I'd more highly recommend for overall quality of food and service. There are those out there that can find something to complain about if they look hard enough about any ship or cruiseline. There are also the rest of us who don't try so hard to find fault. I think if you'll let yourself, you'll have among the best cruise experiences of your life with your recent booking. But if you believe the bad press and go in with that as your expectation you'll find that too.
Ever have someone you like introduce you to someone they knew and say something like "Hey I want you to meet my good friend Rick, he's a great guy, you're going to love this guy". Ever had a friend say "See this guy coming this way, his name is Bob, what a jerk, I hope he doesn't stop to chat." You never met either of these fictitous people but you imediatly formed an opinion. You like Rick, you don't like or want anything to do with Bob. There are many more people out there that feel Celebrity is a Rick than those who see them as Bob. They wouldn't be in business and building new ships as we type if that weren't the case.
Hi, I started reading cruise reviews after I booked. I had heard Celebrity was great but got scared after reading this stuff. Just wanted some honest feedback.
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Originally posted by happycruiser 3131: If you think Celebrity is so terrible, why on earth did you book on it???
Hi, I started reading cruise reviews after I booked. I had heard Celebrity was great but got scared after reading this stuff. Just wanted some honest feedback.
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Originally posted by happycruiser 3131: If you think Celebrity is so terrible, why on earth did you book on it???
Hi Neil. Thanks for the input. I have a concierge cabin with a double balcony. I am sure I will enjoy the cruise. I am feeling better about this after reading you input.
Thanks, Frank
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Originally posted by TrvlPro: I don't know where you've read all these terrible reports but I book cruises for a living and get regular reports back from Infinity and all the ships from 27 different lines. I can tell you that Infinity recieves regular and recent reviews that are as good as nearly any ship in the mainstream industry. Mt own mother, who was for years a Princess loyal recently asked me about a cruise with Celebrity and I told her what I'll tell you. There is no cruiseline I'd more highly recommend for overall quality of food and service. There are those out there that can find something to complain about if they look hard enough about any ship or cruiseline. There are also the rest of us who don't try so hard to find fault. I think if you'll let yourself, you'll have among the best cruise experiences of your life with your recent booking. But if you believe the bad press and go in with that as your expectation you'll find that too.
Ever have someone you like introduce you to someone they knew and say something like "Hey I want you to meet my good friend Rick, he's a great guy, you're going to love this guy". Ever had a friend say "See this guy coming this way, his name is Bob, what a jerk, I hope he doesn't stop to chat." You never met either of these fictitous people but you imediatly formed an opinion. You like Rick, you don't like or want anything to do with Bob. There are many more people out there that feel Celebrity is a Rick than those who see them as Bob. They wouldn't be in business and building new ships as we type if that weren't the case.
ftacher - I have been through a similar process. Our group booked the Celebrity Infinity after we almost went on the Golden Princess. So - I settled in and checked out all the reviews. All the reviews I read seemed to indicate that the Infinity was a great ship! I got so excited. Went on Webshots and took a look at all the photos. Just when I was thoroughly psyched - our group moved to the Star Princess because it goes to Skagway unlike the Infinity. Oh well - glad we are on Princess, but I really was looking forward to the Infinity. Let us know your review when you get back.
who is telling you this crazy things ? We made the 4. cruise on all Millenium Class Ships,( all incl. our 14 .cruise, but we have never , never anything to complaint on Celebrity Ships, this is the reason why we allways go back to this Cruise Line. Be shure your cruise will be all right and very pretty
elke kramer
Posts: 69 | Location: Deutschland | Registered: July 29, 2002
We had a great 14 day cruise on Infinity around South America Feb. '07 and enjoyed everything, except the rather pompous guy giving lectures about different ports of calls. His content was excellent but his pompous manner made it hard to take. The naturalist was excellent and pleasant.
Hi Elke, It seems most of the responses I have gotten tell me the original info was exaggerated. I also called Celebrity aboutthe dining because I refuse to wear a jacket on vacation. They said that they have relaxed standards ( though not in writing) and jackets are not required on informal nights. This has made us feel MUCH better. Thanks for your info.
Frank
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Originally posted by elli: Hallo Cruiser
who is telling you this crazy things ? We made the 4. cruise on all Millenium Class Ships,( all incl. our 14 .cruise, but we have never , never anything to complaint on Celebrity Ships, this is the reason why we allways go back to this Cruise Line. Be shure your cruise will be all right and very pretty
On our '07 14 day cruise on Infinity (Celebrity) many appeared on informal nights without jackets and even on formal nights only about 40% wore a tux. Some women were excessively casual on informal nights.
There seemed to be no logic on the formal and informal choice of nights. Rather than having a formal sitting on a sea day, they often were scheduled on days in port, most of which were tendered, so it was always a mad rush to change. At Port Stanley the seas were rough and there were delays with the tenders and still the evening was formal though many turned up in their touring clothes, rather than miss their seating.
Being retired we enjoy an excuse to dress. My husband's even going to bring his kilt -- which uses a fair bit of our weight allowances -- for the next cruise. Since he's the male peacock I dress in PLAIN and subdued outfits.
I can't imgine that any line would fuss about dress, counting on peer pressure to get the protocol set. They want our business.
I actually just came back last week (August 5th, 2007) from the Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the Celebrity Infinity. I also was very curious to find more stories about the ship and the cruise before I went. I found a couple articles but none of them really answered all my questions. I thought the same thing about the formal dress code but it turned out to be much more relaxed than advertised. But also think of if this way... how people around you dress really contributes to the atmosphere of fine dining. Since you mentioned dining was one of the things that matter to you on a cruise, you will surely find it positive that torn jeans and shorts are not worn at dinner. A couple nights, we wore dress shirts without ties on informal nights where jackets and ties are required, and no one said anything.
Here is my full write-up and cruise review with high-res pictures for Alaska's Inside Passage on the Celebrity Infinity:
K, very nice review of the Infinity. We were on it last in July 2001 for an Alaskan Cruise and will be on it again September 29th for a Panama cruise and it's good to know it's still a wonderful ship.
LisaP, hope you have a good time! I have my travel scheduled booked up for a while either so I won't be able to go on a cruise until 2009 at least either. Thinking Galapagos. : )
This is not an attack on the OP but it always amazes me at just how many people book X full knowing about the requested dress code but then are not happy with it and proceed to bitch about it and ask about ways of getting around it!!!
This is MHO you don't like it? DON'T book it!! It drives me mad that these people always put it in their comment cards at the end of the cruise. If you don't like dressing up go elsewhere and leave this line to those who like it the way it is.
Posts: 972 | Location: Germany | Registered: February 20, 2004
Hi K, I read your entire listing and it was great to read something positive about thei Alaska trip. I have it booked for next June and took a Concierge class cabin. Thanks for all the info. Just ONE question. How many people did not wear jackets in the dining room. I won't wear a jacket on vacation. Celebrity said a collared shirt and dark pants is acceptable and I would not be asked to leave the dining room. Thanks
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Originally posted by Khatsalano: I actually just came back last week (August 5th, 2007) from the Alaska Inside Passage cruise aboard the Celebrity Infinity. I also was very curious to find more stories about the ship and the cruise before I went. I found a couple articles but none of them really answered all my questions. I thought the same thing about the formal dress code but it turned out to be much more relaxed than advertised. But also think of if this way... how people around you dress really contributes to the atmosphere of fine dining. Since you mentioned dining was one of the things that matter to you on a cruise, you will surely find it positive that torn jeans and shorts are not worn at dinner. A couple nights, we wore dress shirts without ties on informal nights where jackets and ties are required, and no one said anything.
Here is my full write-up and cruise review with high-res pictures for Alaska's Inside Passage on the Celebrity Infinity:
Originally posted by ftacher: I won't wear a jacket on vacation. Celebrity said a collared shirt and dark pants is acceptable and I would not be asked to leave the dining room.
A collared shirt and slacks are fine for casual nights, of which there are three on a 7-night cruise. On other nights, Celebrity does request jacket and tie (informal nights) or dark suit, at a minimum (formal nights), and most passengers comply. Celebrity also requests that passengers remain dressed this way for the evening, not just dinner.
There is a casual dining option on Infinity, but it would be a shame to miss out on the fine meals in the main dining room or specialty restaurants for four nights of your cruise.
It sounds to me like Celebrity might not be the best fit. JMHO.
