How I became a cruise addict: Celebrity Infinity - 7 day Southern Caribbean Cruise
Written: Jan 02 '02 (Updated Jan 02 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful new ship, good size cabins, excellent spa and health club, wonderful, attentive service
Cons: Buffet restaurant menu not very imaginative, expensive spa treatments, 8am check-out time
The Bottom Line: Excellent food, great new ship with lots of balcony cabins and a wonderful spa, contemporary design. Most suited if you like a stylish and somewhat dressy cruise.
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| Dutch1Boy's Full Review: Celebrity Millennium |
I know, I know - I am supposed to write about the Celebrity Millennium in this section, but at 'press time' no separate category for the Infinity exists. But because the two ships are so similar, I thought much of the information would be valuable to many (potential) Celebrity passengers.
The Millennium is the first in the Millennium-class of four beautiful, new Celebrity sister ships. Infinity and Summit, number two and three, were launched in 2001. The fourth, Constellation, will set sail in May 2002.
ITINERARY
Our cruise was a seven day Southern Caribbean sailing from San Juan, with the following itinerary: St. Croix, St. Lucia, Barbados, Day at Sea, Antigua and St. Thomas.
The itinerary provided a good mix of islands: from the tropical and hilly St. Lucia to the developed St. Thomas, and from the quieter, "flat" St. Croix to the British atmosphere in Barbados and Antigua.
HELLO AND GOODBYE
Embarkation and disembarkation took place at Royal Caribbean/Celebrity's new "Pan American" cruise terminal. Check-in went reasonably quickly. With all our documents completed, we waited for about ten minutes in line.
Disembarkation was very well organized. We had cleared US immigration in St. Thomas, so upon our arrival in San Juan we just needed to go through customs. Luggage was collected on the last night and tagged with colored labels that corresponded with a time slot during which passengers would disembark. We had to leave our cabin early (at about 8am) but were able to sit and relax on one of the upper decks until our color was called. The schedule indicated fifteen minute intervals for each color and the crew managed to stick to that schedule very closely. Plenty of taxis and other transportation options were available.
Note: the Pan American terminal is a ten minute/about $12 cab ride from Old San Juan. Royal Caribbean also uses one of the older terminals right across from Old San Juan.
CABINS
We had reserved a Premium Oceanview cabin with balcony (category 1B). This style cabin is 191 square feet, with a balcony of 41 square feet. Similar cabins on different decks are 1A and 1C. Although color schemes vary, our cabin was decked out in pleasantly bright blue and yellow fabrics, with wood accents and a large mirror on one wall. Well equipped too: TV, minibar, safe, hairdryer, sofa bed, coffee table, two chairs on the balcony, etc. The bathroom was small but complete. No bath tub - just a shower, though. The floor-to-ceiling glass balcony door offered great views, in addition to fresh air at night - one big advantage of a balcony room over an inside or oceanview cabin.
But we did not stay in our cabin very long, as we were graciously upgraded to a Sky Suite. These suites offer a combined bedroom and living area and are 251 sq feet, with a 57 sq feet balcony and beautifully appointed with wooden walls, a large mirror, upgraded balcony furniture, and a wonderful marble bathroom with tub and a small window that offered views from the tub to the bedroom and beyond to the balcony. All suites on Celebrity offer extra services, such as priority (dis)embarkation, welcome champagne, stationery, etc. and most importantly, the services of a butler who will help pack and unpack and provide snacks, high tea, full cooked breakfast in your suite.
Other categories that we took a peek at when we were disembarking included Inside Cabins and Oceanview with Balcony (category 2A/2B/2C). Both are about 171 sq feet and offer a reasonable amount of space.
The Celebrity Suites are much larger than the Sky Suites and separate living and bedroom areas. The living room has a large curved glass wall but no balcony! I did not care for the dark bedroom area that did not have any windows.
THE SHIP
The Millennium class ships are powered by gas turbines rather than diesel engines. Unlike older ships, they have cleaner exhausts and appear to generate less noise. All four ships have the same lay-out and capacity, but vary in such things as color schemes, decorations and art work. The Infinity is a contemporary ship and provides the atmosphere of a four/five star hotel, with decorations and art work to match. Some of the other Millennium ships offer more traditional interior designs.
FAVORITE FEATURES
* AquaSpa - a huge fitness centre and spa at the front of the ship with great views over the ocean, separate men's and women's saunas and locker rooms, salon, massage treatment rooms and an excellent variety (although expensive) of treatments. Nothing like sailing away from an island and admiring the view through the sauna's large round window!
* S.S. United States specialty restaurant - each Millennium ship has a specialty restaurant that is inspired by a traditional ocean liner. On the Infinity, this is the "S.S. United States" restaurant, on the Millennium the "Olympic". Each specialty dining room offers a more intimate atmosphere and individual attention for $25 per person. A meal turns into a three-hour fine dining event, with lots of table preparations, an excellent wine list and a wonderfully dedicated staff.
* Thalassotherapy Pool - just off the AquaSpa, a large indoor adults-only saltwater pool with built-in jets offers you the opportunity to relax.
* In addition to sun decks around the main pools, quieter decks are available as well, away from the music...
* The ship offers the Notes music library, Words library, and numerous other lounges, game rooms and areas to 'hang out' and relax.
Celebrity prides itself on its food and enlists the talents of famous chef Michael Roux to offer a good culinary program. As mentioned, we really enjoyed our meals at the specialty restaurant, but also the meals in the Trellis dining room were very good, and our waiter outstanding. We were less enthused about the Oceanview Grill and Cafe self service restaurant - food quality and options were not very imaginative.
A "WARNING"
If you like to walk around in shorts or jeans at night, Celebrity is probably not your cruise line, but if you like to dress up occassionally, this may be a great fit. Our seven night cruise offered two Formal nights (tuxedo/dark suit for men), two Informal (jacket and tie) and three Casual nights. The specialty restaurant also requires a jacket and tie.
All in all, we were so impressed with our very first cruise on the Infinity that we immediately booked another trip. We're very much looking forward to our next cruise!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
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Epinions.com ID:
Dutch1Boy
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Member: Rob
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 90
Trusted by: 64 members
About Me:
Travel is my work and my passion!
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