M
mikecho
Guest
This is a review from my Celebrity Infinity trip to Alaska departing
from Seattle July 3, 2009 and returning back to Seattle July10th 2009:
Caveat> This was my first cruise and I have nothing else to compare it
to. I do dine at fine restaurants and my company puts me up a Ritz
Carltons and Four Seasons. So I understand what is good customer
service.
The service is good on the ship unless you have an issue which can be
hard to explain because the majority of the staff are foreigners and
only speak English as a second language. Usually I don’t like having the gratuity added but since it was good service, I didn’t mind.
Here are the negatives (now remember I am being nit-picky on some):
The ship is older and needs to be refurbished. I bed was horrible as
it sags and was uncomfortable as they needed to replace the matteress.
Since there are no irons on the ship, I had to get some of my dress
clothes pressed. They ruined my nice white sports coat but they did
have me fill out a damage deposit on it. We will see what happens
later.
I personally got a little seasick. I tried the Transcop patch and it seemed to help. Internet is super slow like the old dial up lines and the prices are a rip off (.65/per min).
I didn’t think Concierge class was any different than regular class. There was no special treatment for the upgrade. We boarded and debarked with the regular group which went smoothly. Appetizers in your room were not good. Speaking of leaving, I suggest you take the express pass and be the first ones off and carry your own luggage (that way you don’t have to leave it out overnight).
The food was good and some real good. The buffet is what you expect. The SS United States was good food but some similar to the main dining (tip> make your reservation the day of arrival and you should be able to get the time you want even though they say they are booked up with your travel agent). The only difference was having more people wait on you. The Bistro was not really worth it. Oh go to the one-time Brunch….it was great. Room service was good even though they forget items.
The gym can get packed the first day and is fair. Didn’t use any pools or spas so I can’t help there.
TIP on excursion> Don’t buy them on the ship! Save $$ and wait to you get to your port. They are lined up with booths on the exact same excursions for a lot less $$. The ship will tell you that they will wait for you on these excursions that is why to buy them from the ship but if you take the early excursion, you have plenty of time to get back on the ship. We did the Crab Fishing Boat one in Ketchikan and it was totally worth the $$. In Jueano , we did the helicopter glacier tour and paid $220 which was rworth it and eat at twisted fish (great fish tacos). In Victoria, take the big bus tour; it will give you an overview of the area.
Overall, it was a good cruise. Tons of good entertainment on the ship and some real great talent. Go to the night shows; they are first class. Brent Nixon was also good to see speak.
Remember to bring clothes pins and extra wire hangers. You will need the space in the closet (tip: store the lifejackets under your bed). Bring air freshener for the bathroom. Bring power strip. Humm...I can't think of anything else....
Cheers,
Mike
from Seattle July 3, 2009 and returning back to Seattle July10th 2009:
Caveat> This was my first cruise and I have nothing else to compare it
to. I do dine at fine restaurants and my company puts me up a Ritz
Carltons and Four Seasons. So I understand what is good customer
service.
The service is good on the ship unless you have an issue which can be
hard to explain because the majority of the staff are foreigners and
only speak English as a second language. Usually I don’t like having the gratuity added but since it was good service, I didn’t mind.
Here are the negatives (now remember I am being nit-picky on some):
The ship is older and needs to be refurbished. I bed was horrible as
it sags and was uncomfortable as they needed to replace the matteress.
Since there are no irons on the ship, I had to get some of my dress
clothes pressed. They ruined my nice white sports coat but they did
have me fill out a damage deposit on it. We will see what happens
later.
I personally got a little seasick. I tried the Transcop patch and it seemed to help. Internet is super slow like the old dial up lines and the prices are a rip off (.65/per min).
I didn’t think Concierge class was any different than regular class. There was no special treatment for the upgrade. We boarded and debarked with the regular group which went smoothly. Appetizers in your room were not good. Speaking of leaving, I suggest you take the express pass and be the first ones off and carry your own luggage (that way you don’t have to leave it out overnight).
The food was good and some real good. The buffet is what you expect. The SS United States was good food but some similar to the main dining (tip> make your reservation the day of arrival and you should be able to get the time you want even though they say they are booked up with your travel agent). The only difference was having more people wait on you. The Bistro was not really worth it. Oh go to the one-time Brunch….it was great. Room service was good even though they forget items.
The gym can get packed the first day and is fair. Didn’t use any pools or spas so I can’t help there.
TIP on excursion> Don’t buy them on the ship! Save $$ and wait to you get to your port. They are lined up with booths on the exact same excursions for a lot less $$. The ship will tell you that they will wait for you on these excursions that is why to buy them from the ship but if you take the early excursion, you have plenty of time to get back on the ship. We did the Crab Fishing Boat one in Ketchikan and it was totally worth the $$. In Jueano , we did the helicopter glacier tour and paid $220 which was rworth it and eat at twisted fish (great fish tacos). In Victoria, take the big bus tour; it will give you an overview of the area.
Overall, it was a good cruise. Tons of good entertainment on the ship and some real great talent. Go to the night shows; they are first class. Brent Nixon was also good to see speak.
Remember to bring clothes pins and extra wire hangers. You will need the space in the closet (tip: store the lifejackets under your bed). Bring air freshener for the bathroom. Bring power strip. Humm...I can't think of anything else....
Cheers,
Mike
