We arrived in Buenos Aires a day early in order to see a bit of the city and to try to recover from a series of flights (17 hours air time plus five more hours waiting in terminals). We stayed at a small boutique hotel called the Recoleta Guesthouse. We were well treated and the location was such that we could walk to several tourist sites. It is also reasonably close to a subway station if you are so inclined. The Recoleta people arranged for transportation to a tango show (glad we went but I don't care if I ever see another one - my wife probably disagrees!) and, the next day, for a cab to the terminal. And thus our cruise adventure began!

Embarkation: This was our first cruise on Celebrity and our 13th in total. We had always assumed that Celebrity was somewhat upscale from its sister line, Royal Caribbean, on which we had sailed five times and we looked forward to the experience and the destinations. Alas, our first impressions were not positive. The embarkation experience was terrible! After finally finding the correct place, our cabbie - who incidentally did NOT try to extort any extra money and seemed embarrassed by the confusion - dropped us off at the end of a long line in front of a warehouse. This line progressed slowly to a luggage drop-off area whereupon you returned outside to yet another line. Passengers eventually worked their way to various crowded service desks and, once again, reversed course, this time crossing a queue and walking through an opening in a large metal wall that divided the warehouse in two. And what was on the other side? A large empty room. So while people were standing in the rain getting soaked, there was a large, dry room available. (Actually, Celebrity does use this space as the post-cruise luggage pick up area.) Then, onto a bus for the kilometer long ride to the ship and yet another line and another soaking from the rain. Really, Celebrity. You are supposed to be experts in queue management but you've obviously forgotten at least two simple rules. Never have people walking in reverse directions in the same queue and, if at all possible, avoid queues crossing. Both are invitations to line jumping of which there were numerous examples.

The Infinity: When we first booked the cruise, I was curious as to what I might expect from a ship of that size (1950 passengers, 91,000 tons) and age (launched in 2001). As it happens we had sailed on the Brilliance of the Seas (2500 passengers, 90,000 tons with a 2002 launch date) and the Carnival Spirit (2670 passengers, 89,000 tons, also launched in 2001). With its size advantage and fewer passengers, one would expect better service and, for the most part, Celebrity delivered. The ship itself doesn't have the WOW factor of the Brilliance but it is comfortable and easy to get around. I understand that the Infinity has a major refurbishing scheduled and not a moment too soon - it is definitely showing its age. . Read more