Celebrity Infinity
{{short description|Millennium-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = Celebrity Infinity | display title = ital }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Celebrity Infinity IMG 9961 (14386202415).jpg | Ship caption = Celebrity Infinity docked in Lerwick, 2014 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = Malta | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Malta|civil}} | Ship name = *2001–2007: Infinity
| Ship owner = Royal Caribbean Group | Ship operator = Celebrity Cruises | Ship registry = *2001–2002: Monrovia, {{flag|Liberia}} | Ship route = | Ship ordered = February 1998 | Ship builder = *Chantiers de l'Atlantique |title=GTS Infinity (2001) |access-date=February 6, 2012 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv}} | Ship original cost = | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = | Ship completed = | Ship christened = 29 April 2001 | Ship sponsor = Solveig Wilhelmsen | Ship acquired = 25 February 2001 | Ship maiden voyage = 3 March 2001 | Ship in service = 2001–present | Ship out of service = | Ship identification = *Call sign: 9HJD9
| Ship fate = | Ship status = | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{Sclass|Millennium|cruise ship}} | Ship tonnage = *{{GT|90,940}} | Ship displacement = | Ship length = {{convert|964.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|105.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|26|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = | Ship decks = 12 | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship sail plan = | Ship power = *Two General Electric gas turbines
| Ship propulsion = 2 × 19 MW Rolls-Royce/Alstom Mermaid azimuth thrusters | Ship speed = {{convert|24|kn}} | Ship capacity = 2,170 | Ship crew = 999 | Ship notes = }} |
GTS Celebrity Infinity (formerly Infinity) is a {{Sclass|Millennium|cruise ship}} operated by Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group. She measures {{GT|90940}} and {{convert|294|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, and holds a capacity of 2,170 passengers across 12 decks. After Royal Caribbean signed a letter of intent with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique in February 1998, she was floated out in June 2000 and delivered in February 2001, making her the second Millennium-class ship to join the fleet following Celebrity Millennium.
Construction
In February 1998, Royal Caribbean signed a letter of intent with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique to build two new ships, with an option for two more, that would make up a new class of ships, dubbed the Millennium class.{{Cite news|date=3 February 1998|title=Giant Royal Caribbean Ship Order|work=Cruise Industry News|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/14314-giant-royal-caribbean-ship-order.html}} Designed to be an evolution from Celebrity's Century-class ships, the two ships were initially planned to measure {{GT|85000}}, have a guest capacity of approximately 1,900, and be delivered in June 2000 and January 2001, respectively.
In March 2000, Celebrity announced the second Millennium-class ship would be named Infinity.{{Cite web|date=1 March 2000|title=Celebrity Cruises selects Infinity name|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Cruises-selects-Infinity-name|website=Travel Weekly}} On 9 June 2000, she was launched from the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.{{csr|register=MSI|id=9189421|shipname=Infinity|access-date=November 17, 2018}} On 25 February 2001, Celebrity took delivery of Infinity in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after she embarked on a transatlantic crossing from Saint-Nazaire.{{Cite web|date=26 February 2001|title=Celebrity Cruises Welcomes New Infinity|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/celebrity-welcomes318742|website=Marine Link|publisher=Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.}} Formal naming festivities were held on 29 April 2001 in Los Angeles, where Infinity was christened by Solveig Wilhelmsen.{{Cite web|date=30 April 2001|title=Celebrity Cruises Welcomes New Infinity|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/celebrity-welcomes305715|website=Marine Link}}{{Cite web|title=Celebrity Infinity Fact Sheet|url=https://www.celebritycorporatekit.com/content/uploads/2017/08/Infinity_Fact_Sheet.pdf|website=Celebrity Cruises}}
Service history
The ship's maiden voyage was originally scheduled for 3 February 2001, a 14-day cruise from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal before arriving in San Diego for her inaugural season. However, the voyage was later postponed by one month to 3 March 2001.{{Cite web|date=11 October 2000|title=Celebrity Cruises delays Infinity launch|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Cruises-delays-Infinity-launch|website=Travel Weekly}} Her inaugural season also included cruises to Hawaii{{Cite web|date=25 June 2001|title=Travel Weekly's Hawaii E-Letter: June 25, 2001|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Destinations2001-2007/Travel-Weekly-s-Hawaii-E-Letter-June-25-2001|website=Travel Weekly}} before she headed to Alaska in summer 2001, joining fleet-mate Mercury.{{Cite web|date=29 November 2000|title=From yachts to megas: Lines sailing in 2001|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Destinations2001-2007/From-yachts-to-megas-Lines-sailing-in-2001|website=Travel Weekly}}
Since 2002, she has also cruised to South America,{{Cite web|date=24 March 2003|title=Travel Weekly's Cruise E-Letter: March 25, 2003|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Destinations2001-2007/Travel-Weekly-s-Cruise-E-Letter-March-25-2003|website=Travel Weekly}} Antarctica,{{Cite web|date=13 May 2008|title=Celebrity Infinity to sail to Antarctica in 2010|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Infinity-to-sail-to-Antarctica-in-2010|website=Travel Weekly}} the Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico{{Cite web|date=27 August 2001|title=Celebrity to blanket Caribbean for peak season|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Destinations2001-2007/Celebrity-to-blanket-Caribbean-for-peak-season|website=Travel Weekly}} and Fort Lauderdale,{{Cite web|date=1 September 2005|title=Celebrity swaps ships on South America, Caribbean itineraries|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-swaps-ships-on-South-America-Caribbean-itineraries|website=Travel Weekly}} and Europe from Harwich{{Cite web|last=Tunney|first=Donna|date=23 February 2012|title=Celebrity Infinity headed for England in 2013|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Infinity-headed-for-England-in-2013|website=Travel Weekly}} and throughout the Mediterranean.{{Cite web|date=17 October 2017|title=Celebrity Announces 2019 Europe Programs|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/17960-celebrity-announces-2019-europe-programs.html|website=Cruise Industry News}}
On 3 June 2016, while docking in Ketchikan, Alaska, the ship crashed into the dock on her port side, causing a 10-to-15-foot scrape along her bow above the waterline and heavily damaged the dock.{{cite news|last=Shedlock|first=Jerzy|date=June 3, 2016|title=Video: Cruise ship crashes into Ketchikan dock|work=Alaska Dispatch News|url=http://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2016/06/03/video-cruise-ship-crashes-into-ketchikan-dock/|access-date=June 4, 2016}}{{Cite web|last=Stieghorst|first=Tom|date=6 June 2016|title=Coast Guard investigating Celebrity Infinity dock collision in Ketchikan|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Coast-Guard-investigating-Celebrity-Infinity-dock-collision-in-Ketchikan|website=Travel Weekly}} Winds were reportedly gusting to 45 miles per hour from the ship's starboard side at the time of the accident, which accelerated the ship's approach. There were no reported injuries or pollution caused by the incident. In addition to the damage to the ship, the collision caused $2–3 million in damage to the dock.{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Jim|date=June 4, 2016|title=Celebrity Infinity Crashes Into Ketchikan Dock|url=http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/06/articles/collisions/celebrity-infinity-crashes-into-ketchikan-dock/|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=Cruise Law News}} The ship was quickly repaired and resumed sailing following the collision.{{Cite news|last=Kalosh|first=Anne|date=4 June 2016|title=Celebrity Infinity repaired and sailing after striking Ketchikan pier|work=Seatrade Cruise News|url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news-headlines/celebrity-infinity-repaired-and-sailing-after-striking-ketchikan-pier}}
In summer 2020, Celebrity Infinity was scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean,{{Cite web|url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/celebrity-s-2020-europe-has-apex-edge-new-lisbon-cruises-turkey-return/|title=Celebrity's 2020 Europe has Apex, Edge, new Lisbon cruises, Turkey return|date=November 28, 2018|website=Seatrade Cruise News|access-date=September 12, 2019}} but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the season.{{Cite web|last=Simms|first=Richard|date=23 June 2020|title=Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruises Through September 15|url=https://cruiseradio.net/royal-caribbean-cancels-cruises-through-september-15/|website=Cruise Radio}} Following the cruise line's pause in operations, she is scheduled to resume sailing from Port Everglades on 25 June 2022, sailing weekly Caribbean voyages.{{Cite news |date=29 January 2022 |title=Celebrity Infinity to Sail in Caribbean for Summer 2022 |work=Cruise Industry News |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/26677-celebrity-infinity-to-sail-in-caribbean-for-summer-2022.html |access-date=16 April 2022}} Beginning in summer 2023, the ship will be stationed year-round in the Mediterranean, making it the first time Celebrity will have a year-round operation in the region.{{Cite web |last=Zelinski |first=Andrea |date=4 March 2022 |title=Celebrity Cruises to sail year-round in the Mediterranean |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-Cruises-sail-year-round-Mediterranean |access-date=16 April 2022 |website=Travel Weekly}}
= COVID-19 pandemic =
{{further|COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships}}On 23 March 2020, two crew members reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, raising concerns among crew members of their safety while on board.{{Cite web|title=Celebrity Infinity Crew Members Tests Positive for COVID-19 | Crew Center|url=http://crew-center.com/celebrity-infinity-crew-members-tests-positive-covid-19|website=crew-center.com}}{{Cite web|last=Kosik|first=Alison|title=Crew member aboard Celebrity Infinity raises concerns over whether cruise ship unnecessarily put crew at risk|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/06/us/crew-member-celebrity-infinity-concerns-coronavirus/index.html|website=CNN}} On 14 April 2020, nearly two weeks after a crew member died aboard the ship, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of over a thousand Celebrity employees over the company's allegedly inadequate response measures to outbreaks aboard its ships.{{Cite web|last1=Maile|first1=Amanda|last2=Kaji|first2=Mina|date=14 April 2020|title=Employees sue Celebrity Cruises over COVID-19 response|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/cruise-employees-sue-celebrity-covid-19-response/story?id=70147214|access-date=13 July 2020|website=ABC News}}
Design and specifications
Along with her sister ships, Infinity is equipped with a turbo-electric COGAS power plant.{{Cite book|last=Cudahy|first=Brian J.|title=The Cruise Ship Phenomenon in North America|publisher=Cornell Maritime Press|year=2001|isbn=0-87033-529-4|location=Centreville, Maryland|pages=150–228}} The COGAS plant consists of gas and steam turbines, with the latter being driven by steam generated using the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbines. In this way, some of the otherwise lost energy is reclaimed and the specific fuel consumption of the plant is decreased. Propulsion is provided by two "Mermaid" azimuth pod-propulsion units from Kamewa and Cegelec (now Alstom). The ship also has three bow thrusters.
= Recurring pod-propulsion issues =
Infinity and her sister ships have experienced problems with the pod-propulsion system. Months following her delivery, Celebrity reported Infinity began experiencing problems with a faulty ball bearing in the ship's starboard propulsion unit; it necessitated an emergency dry dock repair in June 2001 in Victoria, British Columbia, which resulted in cancelled sailings.{{Cite web|date=7 June 2001|title=Celebrity dry-docks 2 ships due to technical problems|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-dry-docks-2-ships-due-to-technical-problems|website=Travel Weekly}}{{Cite web|date=8 May 2002|title=Victoria Shipyard Racks Up Cruise Ship Jobs|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/victoria-shipyard-cruise321024|website=Marine Link}} In April 2002, more dry dock repairs were made to the ship's propulsion pods, as they were reportedly showing premature wear, preventing her from cruising at maximum speed.{{Cite web|date=20 March 2002|title=Celebrity cancels Summit, Infinity sailings|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-cancels-Summit-Infinity-sailings|website=Travel Weekly}} In a third dry dock in February 2003, Celebrity had all ball-bearing units on Infinity replaced, forcing the cancellation of two sailings.{{Cite web|date=29 January 2003|title=Celebrity cancels two Infinity sailings|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-cancels-two-Infinity-sailings|website=Travel Weekly}} A fourth dry dock took place in April 2004 to replace a thrust-bearing propulsion unit.{{Cite web|last=Tobin|first=Rebecca|date=12 March 2004|title=Pod prob forces Celebrity to swap itineraries|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Pod-prob-forces-Celebrity-to-swap-itineraries|website=Travel Weekly}}{{Cite web|last=Tobin|first=Rebecca|date=24 March 2004|title=Pod issues force Celebrity to move Infinity to drydock|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Pod-issues-force-Celebrity-to-move-Infinity-to-drydock|website=Travel Weekly}} A fifth dry dock was held in March 2005 to replace the ship's starboard thrust bearing unit.{{Cite web|date=23 March 2005|title=Celebrity pulls Infinity for propulsion fix|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-pulls-Infinity-for-propulsion-fix|website=Travel Weekly}} A sixth dry dock was performed in September 2006 to repair one of the ship's propulsion pods.{{Cite web|date=10 August 2006|title=Celebrity's Infinity to miss Alaska voyage for propulsion fix|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-s-Infinity-to-miss-Alaska-voyage-for-propulsion-fix|website=Travel Weekly}}
Numerous unsuccessful repairs led Royal Caribbean to file a lawsuit against Rolls-Royce and Alstom in August 2003 for $300 million to recover lost revenue and the costs associated with the faulty pods on all four Millennium-class ships.{{Cite news|date=2003-08-07|title=Celebrity Files $300M Suit Against Rolls Royce, Alstom Power Conversion|work=MarineLink|url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/conversion-celebrity306875}}{{Cite web|last=Stieghorst|first=Tom|date=2013-08-30|title=Celebrity recounts decisions after Millennium breakdown|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Celebrity-talks-Millennium-decision|website=Travel Weekly}} Royal Caribbean settled the lawsuit in January 2010.{{Cite web|last=Jainchill|first=Johanna|date=11 January 2010|title=Royal Caribbean and Rolls-Royce reach settlement|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Royal-Caribbean-and-Rolls-Royce-reach-settlement|website=Travel Weekly}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|IMO 9189421}}
- [http://www.celebritycruises.com/explore/ships/detail.do?shipCode=IN Official website]
{{Celebrity Ships}}
Category:Maritime incidents in 2016