On 28th March, I embarked on the Celebrity Infinity’s 10-night Greek Islands cruise departing from Athens, accompanied by my husband and another couple, dear friends we’ve cruised with before. While this itinerary runs several times a year, the Celebrity Infinity offers a range of Greek Island sailings, each with slight variations in port stops.
We initially booked an ocean view room to stay within budget, but luck was on our side. The very next day, a trade email from Celebrity hit my inbox with details of a major sale. As it turned out, our sailing was included, allowing us to upgrade to a Concierge Veranda stateroom for the same price as the ocean view. Winning!
Concierge perks include:
- Private welcome lunch on embarkation
- Welcome bottle of sparkling wine
- Afternoon canapes delivered to the room daily
- Upgraded toiletries
- Pillow Menu: Guests can choose from a variety of pillows
- Umbrella and binoculars provided for use in the room
- Cozy bathrobes
- Celebrity Embossed Key Holder: a souvenir card key holder is provided
- King sized bed
- eXhale® bedding
- Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
- Sitting area with sofa
- Veranda with lounge seating and more
We chose a guaranteed room on Deck 7 or 8, happy to be located anywhere on these decks. We were assigned cabin 7192 (aft) and couldn’t have been more pleased with its location (close to the restaurant and buffet ends) and accessibility.service, immersive cultural experiences, and a welcoming onboard atmosphere that keeps guests coming back time and again.
Ports of Call
- Athens (Piraeus), Greece
- Thessaloniki, Greece (overnight)
- Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
- Limassol, Cyprus
- Rhodes, Greece
- Heraklion (Crete), Greece
- Athens (Piraeus), Greece (overnight)
Check-In and the Celebrity app
The Celebrity app was easy to use with lots of different functions. Key features include booking, managing reservations, checking in, pre-cruise offers, booking shore excursions, finding onboard information, chatting with fellow passengers, and connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi. We completed most of our online check-in through the app and we found it easy and straight forward to use. Celebrity has a rewards program called the ‘Captains Club’ and this is easy to sign up to.
Having cruised before, we braced ourselves for the usual drawn-out check-in process on the day of embarkation, but to our surprise, this was the fastest and smoothest check-in we’ve ever experienced. Despite some initial confusion navigating the terminals at Piraeus, we were processed, through security, and on board in under 20 minutes. A fantastic way to start the trip.
As Concierge guests, we were treated to a private welcome lunch in the main dining room. This was delicious and a relaxing start before exploring the ship and slipping into holiday mode.
We boarded with realistic expectations. The Infinity is an older ship, but feedback from colleagues and reviews had reassured us that while dated in parts, she still offered a fantastic experience. With a guest capacity around 2,500, she’s the perfect size for us, not too big, not too small. There have been several refurbishments over the years, though certain areas show their age more than others.
The cabin
Our stateroom was clean and comfortable. The carpet and linens had clearly been updated, although the salmon-coloured bed throw and sagging sofa were past their prime. Still, the bed was oversized and comfortable, the balcony was enjoyed daily, and we managed to turn the bed into our main lounge area, complete with three pillows each, thanks to the pillow menu.
The bathroom was spacious and tidy, with good wardrobe space. Overall, a solid and clean cabin for our needs.
The Ship
The ship itself is a mix of original charm and modern touches. Some stairways and fixtures show their age, but areas like the Constellation Lounge on Deck 11 have been beautifully refreshed. With sweeping panoramic views, stylish lighting, and comfortable seating, this was our go-to for trivia, live music, and a peaceful drink. The Cellar Master bar on deck 5 and the Retreat lounge and Rendezvous lounge on deck 4 were all atmospheric, well maintained, themed and extremely comfortable. The theatre was modern with great tiered seating, small drinks tables and a new feel to the area.
The main deck pool areas were immaculate and inviting, and we especially loved the indoor Solarium, complete with a heated hydrotherapy pool and hot tubs which we made good use of. There is a spa thermal suite featuring hammams, steam rooms, heated loungers, and a sauna. Day access was $79 USD, or $150 USD for the full cruise.
We enjoyed the Rooftop Terrace on Deck 12, a quiet retreat with varied seating and a big screen. This was a great place to be during sail out. Watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 wrapped in blankets, on comfortable sun loungers while sailing through the Aegean was a moment to remember. Unlike the loud poolside screens on many ships, this setting was peaceful and cozy.
The shopping arcade was a good size for the ship, very well maintained and we headed down a few times to browse the stores. We aren’t gamblers but we walked through the casino to get where we needed, and it was very well presented with modern fixtures and the size seemed to fit the number of clients using it.
Dining and Drinks
We didn’t purchase the drinks package, as it was nearly as expensive as the cruise itself. A glass of wine on board could cost up to $25 AUD, and cocktails often exceeded $30 AUD. Since we’re light drinkers and local drinks on shore were very reasonably priced (cocktails for €7–9), it made sense for us to enjoy beverages while exploring.
Dining was a highlight. The Trellis Restaurant (included in fare main dining) offered a refined experience with great service and variety. The main buffet called the Oceanview Café and Bar was extensive, including themed cuisine, a vegan station, a pasta station, curries, a stir-fry bar (big thumbs up from my husband), carvery, pizza, ice cream, fresh salads, cheese, antipasto, a hummus station (yes please) and desserts with sugar free and gluten free goodies as well. I have to say the sugar free chocolate mousse was delicious.
Our preference for breakfast was the main dining room. We could tailor our egg dishes, get great service and enjoy a more relaxed and quieter pace. The buffet also delivered with made-to-order omelettes and a huge variety of breakfast favourites. The Spa café offered some lighter and healthier alternative breakfast options like avocado on toast or blueberry bagels with banana and peanut butter.
Guests in AquaClass have access to the Blu Restaurant, which emphasizes healthy dining, and Retreat guests enjoy exclusive access to a higher-tier dining venue called Luminae at The Retreat (not sampled by us, but feedback was glowing). Even with dietary restrictions, the options were excellent, gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan menus were all available in the dining room and dietary needs were catered for and clearly signed in the buffet.
We indulged in a room service breakfast on a few mornings, and I particularly enjoyed the fresh fruit platters (extremely fresh and varied) and oatmeal and apple muffins. It was the perfect fuel for busy days exploring. For the coffee connoisseur the barista made coffees were available at the Café al Bacio on deck 5 however our travelling party rated them as average. We waited until our trips onshore to get decent flat whites and cappuccino’s.
There was also a selection of paid dining meal options onboard, we didn’t try them but friends we made during our time on the cruise highly recommended the Tuscan Grille.
Port Stops
Each port of call offered something unique, but Rhodes was the standout. We opted for a private tour over a ship excursion and were blown away by the charm of Anthony Quinn Bay, the medieval Old Town, and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. It was fascinating learning about the history and eating a wonderful meal at a local restaurant (best moussaka ever), none of us wanted to leave.
Other tour highlights included Ephesus in Turkey and Knossos in Crete. In Athens, we had ample time to explore the Acropolis, local markets, and the Acropolis Museum. Thessaloniki was rainy, but we made the best of it with a couples massage and a cozy pub visit.
We did one ship-organized tour in Cyprus, visiting local entrepreneurs and artisans, a great experience, especially the rose oil distillery and Nikhe Traditional sweets, where we picked up beautifully priced oils and treats as souvenirs.
Cruising during shoulder season was ideal. With temperatures between 17–23°C, it was comfortable for walking and sightseeing, warm enough to enjoy the sun but not stifling. Tour guides repeatedly told us this was “quiet” compared to the chaotic summer months, and we were glad to avoid the extreme heat and crowds of June–August.
Every afternoon when boarding the ship after a day out we were met by smiling staff with the fruit infused cold-water stations and this was great after a day of heavy walking.
Entertainment
Evenings onboard were relaxed. We enjoyed a few shows, though they didn’t meet expectations in terms of production. The “Stars of Hollywood” show, for example, was talented singing, but lacked set design, choreography, or costumes. While the performers sung their hearts out and the band was top notch, the shows felt more like a small concert than full productions.
One highlight was a traditional Greek band from Thessaloniki performing in the Constellation Lounge. As they played the Zorba, a guest jumped up from the audience and began performing the dance. The band, along with the audience, cheered him on. It was heartwarming, and guests laughed and clapped along as the pace of the music increased.
There was always something to do on board: trivia, tastings, painting and craft classes, singing and dance classes, art auctions, and live music in the bars. The Martini Bar was a favourite for evening entertainment. If you are ever onboard, make sure you get along to watch the bar staff show off their crazy cocktail making skills.
Final Thoughts
We met many seasoned cruisers who had sailed on Infinity before and loved her for her comfort and charm. Some even preferred her to newer ships, citing issues like too-low seating, poor theatre layouts, and overcrowding on larger vessels. One recurring recommendation and rave review from guests oboard? The Canary Islands cruise on Celebrity Infinity, that one is now on our bucket list!
We noticed a variety of ages onboard and only a handful of families but that was most likely due to us travelling outside of school holidays and in the shoulder season. There were many guests aged 60+ but there were groups of younger adult families, couples and friends. The pace was great, and the itinerary was so jam packed with port stops and activities onboard that you barely saw the same people throughout the cruise, even if you wanted to.
The Celebrity Infinity may show her age in parts, but she delivers where it counts: excellent service, thoughtful itineraries, and a warm, welcoming onboard experience. If you’re after a mid-size ship with great atmosphere and well-curated ports, this cruise is a gem, especially outside the peak summer months.
How to book
To book your cruise with Celebrity Cruises, you can contact them directly at the details below. All cruises are commissionable for travel agents
Website: Website for travel agents: https://secure.cruisingpower.com/SecureLoginAU.do?
Phone Number: 1800 003 002
Disclosure: Jade Stewart cruised as a paying guest of Celebrity Cruises These opinions and words are a true representation of their experience and have not been endorsed.
About the Writer – Jade Stewart
I’m a personal travel manager who lives in a northern Brisbane suburb and makes regular use of the beautiful beaches on the Redcliffe Peninsula. I love cruising, indulging with a good book and all things tea. In my spare moments I enjoy time with my family, brainstorming my next trip, hunting down second-hand treasures, and renovating my home. I gain immense satisfaction from planning a clients dream journey and hearing about their adventures upon return.
