Infinity, Jan 3, 2005

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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
It's a long way off, but I found a great itinerary on the Infinity, departing Ft. Lauderdale January 3, 2005, transiting the Panama Canal, then heading south down the western coast of South America, arriving in Valparaiso two weeks later. We cruised around the Horn from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on the Mercury two years ago. Is anybody else considering it, or has anybody else signed up for this cruise?

Charlotte
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: What was the cruise like from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso? We are considering this cruise on the Infinity in February 2005. Did Celebrity offer a pre-cruise package to Iguassu Falls? I've been to their website but don't see anything about Iguassu Falls. Been on Celebrity 10 times so I'm familiar with the Celebrity lines.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
We really enjoyed the cruise. I fell in love with penguins at the two penguin sanctuaries we visited; you can get up really close to them at Puerto Madryn. Just be aware that around the Horn can be really bumpy. We were on the Mercury, and at times the waves were so high that water came through window seals on the higher decks into the centrum lounges and casino. Just depends upon the cruise and what storms are out there, I suppose. We departed Buenos Aires mid January.

I've heard that the western coast of South America is not so bumpy going southward. I don't know for sure, but it was pretty rocky going northward toward Valparaiso. Same as Mexican Riviera; going southward is smooth as cream; returning north, it's bumpy.

However, the sites made it worthwhile. If you'll send me an e-mail to craven3 @ adelphia. net (omitting the spaces, of course) I'd be happy to send you my port-by-port reports that I sent to friends. Some of the ports are great.

If I were going to do it again, though, I'd go on Marco Polo (Orient Line), Quark, or Holland America because those are the only three that actually offer something in Antarctica. Celeb only offers a $2500 flyover, with no refunds for foul weather. These three let you get in Zodiacs and wade onto the ice. See the giant penguins for yourself. That kind of thing.

I don't remember a pre-excursion to the falls, but it's super easy to arrange your own air and hotels and then get up to the Falls on your own for a stay.

Charlotte
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: Many thanks for you insights. We've just booked the Infinity February 13, 2005. I know it's way in advance but we wanted a cabin on the stern of the ship and just grabbed the last one. I can't wait.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Wow! You snatched the last one??? That's something this far in advance. We, too, will be at the stern on our Jan 3, 2005 cruise; we'll be in cabin 7206. I know you'll love the cruise; we met our very best tablemates ever on that cruise.

If you have time for pre-and post cruise stays, both Santiago and Buenos Aires are great places to visit. I'm hoping that Mike and I will be able to fly to Buenos Aires for a few days after we spend a couple in Santiago, but we'll just have to see how things stack up as time goes by.

I'm also hoping, even though the ports will be different on our cruise than on a similar one this year, that they will retain the overland excursion to Machu Picchu. You want the falls, I want Machu Picchu.

Have a great cruise,
Charlotte
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: We snagged cabin 9162, Concierge Class. Yup according to our TA it was the last cabin at the stern. Couldn't believe they were sold out that fast. I was hoping that we could get another category at the stern but that was it. My husband wanted the stern cabin so bad he didn't mind paying the extra.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Hi Mary,

It appears that people reserve and then don't book. After thinking about your aft cabin, I called my TA, who called Celebrity. He called me back with the "last aft cabin", which also was in Concierge Class. Maybe that's a story they tell everybody. At any rate, we switched to cabin 9201. I don't understand the numbering system, but we're two doors down from you. I'm looking forward to sitting on the balcony and watching the wake; it must be something like watching the grass grow, but more interesting, don't you think?

Happy cruising,
Charlotte
 
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MortgageChick

Guest
Watching the wake is pretty cool-better than the grass-LOL



Post Edited (12-04-03 06:56)
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: I don't think my TA was pulling my leg about there being only 2 CC aft cabins left. Prior to booking I did some research and it appeared to be that these cabins were going real fast.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Mary El,

We'll be on the Infinity January 3-17, 2005; you'll be on its February 13, 2005 departure, right? We'll be sure to post and let you know how the aft cabin was. Anybody else signed up for the January 3rd, Ft. Lauderdale/Panama Canal/Pacific-side South America cruise yet?

Happy cruising,
Charlotte
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: Yes, please post your experiences on this cruise. Never have done a South American "voyage". Been on the Summit so I think I have a pretty good idea what the Infinity will be like.

I crossed the Atlantic on the SS United States when I was a teenager and still remember the crossing after so many years. So reallly, really want to dine in the SS United States specialty restaurant.
 
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Mike & Charlotte

Guest
Hi Mary El,

First, I've read that NCL bought the SS United States, with plans to refurbish her and put her into service. Sounds like a pipe dream, considering how long she's been sitting in the Philadelphia dockyards and the condition she's in, but you never know. Maybe they plan to replace the Norway, which was a very popular older ship, with the SS United States. Or maybe they plan to put her in Hawaii, along with their newer ships. We'll have to wait to see, but wherever they put her, I'll bet she'll be a hit.

Second, as holiday cards arrived, we discovered that fellow cruise addicts whom we met on the Mercury a couple of years ago, going round the Horn, will also be on this cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, through the Canal, to Santiago. That's four. Anybody else signed up?

Charlotte
 
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Mary El

Guest
Mike & Charlotte: I heard about NCL buying the SS United States and is planning to refurbish it. It would be fun to sail her again.

We also sailed on the old SS Constitution, SS Independence, and SS France.
 
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