Royal Caribbean
This family-friendly, modern resort ship has plenty of style
The Ship. Celebrity Infinity is a sister ship to Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Summit. Famous mega-yacht designer Jon Bannenberg created the exterior.
The atrium is the interior focal point; three decks high, it houses the reception desk, tour desk, and bank. Four glass-walled elevators travel through the ship’s exterior (port) side, connecting the atrium with another seven decks, thus traveling through 10 passenger decks, including the tender stations – a nice ride.
Michael’s Club (which was a cigar smoker’s haven, when the ship was new) is now a pleasant, comfortable lounge for suite-grade occupants only.
Gaming sports include the ship’s overly large Fortunes Casino, with blackjack, roulette, and slot machines, and lots of bright lights and action.
The ship provides a wide range of choices and possibilities. Travel in one of the suites and you will receive the highest level of personal service, while cruising in non-suite accommodation is much like any ship. It all depends how much you are willing (and able) to pay. The two-seating dining and two shows nightly detract from an otherwise excellent product. A 15 percent gratuity is added to bar and wine accounts. Note that a charge of $3.95 for room service applies between 11pm and 6am.
Accommodation. There are many price grades from which to choose, depending on your preference for the size and location. These include Standard Interior (no view) and Outside View Cabins (with or without balcony) to spacious suite grades named Aqua, Concierge, Royal, Celebrity, and Penthouse. There are also wheelchair-accessible cabins (all with wheel-in showers), positioned close to elevators.
All accommodation grades are very comfortable, but suites, naturally, have more space. If you choose a balcony cabin on one of the upper decks, note that it could be shaded under the pool deck, which extends over the ship’s side – and by many balconies (so, not good for private sunbathing).
Dining. The 1,170-seat Thellis Restaurant is the main dining room. It is two decks high; a grand staircase connects the two levels. A huge glass wall overlooks the sea at the stern (electrically operated shades provide several different backdrops), and a musicians’ gallery on the upper level. There are two seatings for dinner (open seating for breakfast and lunch), at tables for two to 10. The dining room, like all large dining halls, can be extremely noisy. Menu variety is good, the food has taste, and it is attractively presented and served in an orchestrated fashion with European traditions and training. Full service in-cabin dining is also available for all meals, including dinner.
Suite occupants can dine in the exclusive setting of ‘Luminae,’ which features tableside preparation of signature dishes, an eclectic menu, and a selection of over 400 wines.
Blu, located on the port side of the upper level entrance of The Thellis dining room, is exclusively for the use of occupants of Aqua-class accommodation.
The former United States Restaurant, adjacent to the main lobby, is now the Tuscan Grille. The extra-cost, reservations-required venue features Kobe beef and premium-quality steaks, and includes a dine-in wine cellar and a demonstration galley.
QSine, with menus and wine list on iPads, is another extra-cost, fine-dining venue (added in 2011, it replaced the former Conservatory); reservations are required.
Las Olas Café and Grill is a casual self-serve buffet area, with six principal serving lines, and seating for 754; there is also a grill and pizza bar.
For Champagne and caviar lovers, not to mention Martinis, Carlisle’s is the place to see and be seen.
Café al Bacio & Gelateria, on the third level of the atrium lobby, is the place to go for (extra-cost) coffees, pastries, cakes, and ice creams, in a trendy setting.
Sushi on Five features extra-cost sushi and cooked items including noodle and hot pot dishes.
Entertainment. The 900-seat Celebrity Theater is the venue for production shows and major cabaret acts. Spanning three decks in height, it is located in the forward part of the ship; seating is on main, and two balcony levels, and the large stage has a full fly loft behind its proscenium.
Spa/Fitness. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea measures 24,219 sq ft (2,250 sq m). It includes a large thalassotherapy pool under a solarium glass dome, complete with health bar for light breakfast and lunch items and freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.