Five years ago, we cruised on the Celebrity Millennium. It was a memorable cruise. The first time we’d seen the Panama Canal. First time we visited Huatulco, Mexico. First time on a Celebrity ship. When the cruise ended, almost two weeks after it started, it was difficult to disembark.
The other day, Celebrity announced extensive refurbishing is planned for two of its ships, the Infinity (above) and the Summit (below), both about the same vintage as the Millennium (2000). Here is one of the comments from the CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo:
“We want these suites to be so luxurious and comfortable that it’s difficult for guests to leave at the end of their vacation.”
That’s pretty much how we felt…and we weren’t even in a suite.
The working life of cruise ships is generally not much shorter than the working life of human: about 30 years. But cruise ships are flexible. They can be modified in ways than humans can’t. They can be rebuilt from the hulls up, if necessary. All it takes is money. Even money can’t make an old human young again, as much as many humans try.
Celebrity is spending millions, about 16 of them, on refurbishing the Infinity. For those of us who don’t stay in suites, the most notable update will be outside, at the top. On Deck 12, the ship will have a new “rooftop terrace”…comfy furniture, a big outdoor screen for movies with surround sound, unique food experiences. Wide open spaces by day, drive-in theater by night.
The Infinity will get a restaurant upgrade, too, when it enters dry-dock this month (the Summit’s d-date is March). New to the ship will be the Tuscan Grille, an Italian-style specialty restaurant that originated on the Solstice Class ships and now is spreading fleet-wide, currently 10 ships since the old Century left earlier this year.
When these ships become old enough to move on, or too old to modernize, it’ll be difficult for them to leave. Until then, it’ll be the passengers who have that problem.
In the news…
• Cruise industry's new richest man, Francois Pinault, 'dethrones' Philip Anschutz
• Two Princess ships to have two names on hull, one English and one Chinese
• Yet another unique water slide at sea — for Liberty of the Seas in February
Today at portsandbows.com: Carnival proud of Cozumel changes
Emerald Princess
5 nights
November 2, 2015
Fort Lauderdale (return): Majahual, Cozumel
Inside: $249
Cost per day: $49
www.princess.com