Celebrity Infinity Review
Celebrity's Infinity is the line's second Millennium class vessel. Like the Millennium, its sister ship, new concepts, from a two-story library to the retro ocean liner-themed alternative restaurant to the all-glass seaview elevators, are replicated on Infinity. The line's fleetwide dedication to art, natural woods, and sleek near-Scandinavian styling lends this ship, like others, an elegant, contemporary air.
With this ship -- and other Millennium-class vessels -- Celebrity Cruises is taking on a mighty challenge. Is it possible to successfully offer an elegant, upscale cruise experience on a (very) large scale? On our trip, it seemed that Infinity was very much a work-in-progress. Continually changing rules and regulations are indicative of the struggle. For instance, the ship recently instituted a $20 fee for access to the spa's thalassotherapy pool -- the ship's only covered pool -- and the adjacent spa cafe, in an effort to control crowds that overpowered the area. As a result of numerous passenger complaints, Celebrity recently reversed that decision and has abolished the fee. In the library, staffers recently implemented a "locked bookcase" program, which limits passengers to very restricted check-out times, because "too many books walked away."
On the other hand, the ship's elegant design has yielded some genuine improvements. The shore excursion department is not relegated merely to a counter in guest relations; it gets a stand-alone "boutique" space, with comfy chairs and an ever-updated wall of brochures and catalogues of possibilities. The Emporium, the ship's 14,000 square foot shopping area, is beautifully designed and organized.
Overall, though, the feeling you get is that in trying to be all things to all people, Infinity is struggling with its identity.
One significant problem with Infinity since its launch - and for other ships in the cruise line's Millennium-class - has been a technological one. An innovative "mermaid pod propulsion system" incorporated on Infinity has caused repeated breakdowns -- and resulted in cruise cancellations. Celebrity Cruises has taken the relatively unusual step of filing a $300 million lawsuit against the mermaid pod creators. In the meantime, the company has assured travelers that the breakdowns represent no safety hazard and will continue to offer generous compensation to passengers whose cruises are cancelled or interrupted as a result of the balky system.
 Read Complete Celebrity Infinity Review
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