Celebrity Infinity, which debuted in 2001, offered the line’s first cruises to Hawaii. These Celebrity ships are powered by environmentally friendly gas-turbine engines, which reduce exhaust emissions by up to 90% and lower noise and vibration levels considerably. The way these ships glide out of port is reminiscent of the smooth sailing aboard steam-driven classic liners from the past. The only vibration noticed was in the aft section when the Azipod propulsion system was altering the ship’s course. That same
propulsion system allows the ships to cruise at 24 knots, enabling them to sail to more destinations in shorter time. They are also able to transit the Panama Canal. Changes in the exterior design — a lean, chiseled profile with a new stack design and hull striping — make the group look like the faster ships that they are. The interiors, created by some of the same design teams that worked on other Celebrity ships, are the line’s most sophisticated and elegant to date. They have something of a back-to-the-future decor, blending the glamour and grandeur of turn-of-the-19th-century luxury liners with the amenities and state-of-the-art technology that passengers in the new millennium expect. The ships also boast Celebrity’s signature features: museum-quality contemporary art collections, an enormous AquaSpa, COVA Café, Michael’s Club piano bar, martini and Champagne bars, and cuisine by Michel Roux.
Celebrity ConciergeClass is an enhanced level of accommodations with upgraded amenities and priority services with the notion that little extras make a big difference. The amenities include a bottle of chilled Champagne on arrival, fresh flowers and fruit, afternoon
canapés, a leather key holder, personalized stationery, an oversized tote bag, and an umbrella to use during the cruise.
In 2005, the number of cabins in ConciergeClass was more than doubled from 100 to 228. Sleeping comfort is enhanced with pillow-top mattresses; lush duvets; pillow selections (such as goose down, Isotonic, and others); and a new room-service breakfast menu. In the bathroom, Concierge-
Class passengers find oversized Egyptian cotton towels, Frette bathrobes, two hair dryers, a Hansgrohe shower head, and a selection of fine toiletries. On the veranda, they have a table for alfresco dining, cushioned chairs, and high-powered binoculars.
Priority service gives them priority luggage delivery, dining time and seating preferences, shoe-shine service, VIP invitations to exclusive shipboard events, priority shore excursion bookings, early embarkation and debarkation privileges, and a one-touch phone button direct to a
ConciergeClass desk representative.
Unique to the ships are their floral conservatories and the silk floral displays by Emilio Robba of Paris, renowned for his silk floral artistry. The floral conservatories — the first at sea — provide an attractive botanical environment, ideal for romantic occasions and reflective moments.
Designed by Robba, they combine natural flora with his silk creations. The floral boutiques are operated by full-time florists who produce flower arrangements and corsages for passengers and hold classes in flower arranging several times a week.
The Millennium-class ships also have Online@Celebrity Cruises Internet cafe, a computer training and education program, Acupuncture at Sea, and meetings space with a business center.
Unofficial Guide © 2009
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