Ina of Etiwanda, CA on March 30, 2004
On November 19, 2003, we arranged to purchase a combination cruise to sail on Celebrity's "Infinity", leaving Buenos Aires, around the Cape, through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning February 29, 2004. At no time were we ever informed verbally or in writing that the "Infinity" had previously and still was experiencing mechanical difficulty.
After securing special approval to take a four-week vacation from our employment, on November 24, 2003, final payment in the amount of $7,496.00 was made for the back-to-back cruises. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, on February 29, 2004, we boarded the vessel. Although we were aware that the "Infinity" had just previously sailed from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro and back, we were unawares that the ship had experienced mechanical difficulties during that leg.
The original itinerary from February 29 to March 14, 2004, listed the following ports: 3/1-Montevideo, Uruguay; 3/3- Puerto Madryn, ARgentina; 3/5-Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; 3/8-Ushuaya, Argentina; 3/9-Punta Arenas, Chile; 3/12-Puerto Montt, Chile; and, 3/14- Valparaiso, Chile. While out to sea on March 2, 2004, it was rumored that the ship was experiencing mechanical difficulties. After being out exploring the ship all day, at or about 5:00 PM on 3/2, we received a written leeter from the Captain, which was left on our bed. The letter informed that for the prior two (2) days the ship was experiencing problems with the starboard propulsion system, due to premature wear on a specific part, according to the ship's engineers.
Due to the reduced speeds we were traveling, the Falkland Islands were eliminated from our itinerary; we received one hour of complimentary cocktails; and $150.00 credit per cabin. While dining, many of the passengers were rehashing the Captain's news, when one of the passengers informed that he had been on the "Infinity" in 2003, when the same system broke; all the passengers were put off at Acapulco; and the ship went into dry dock for four months. While I was very dissappointed in not being able to see the Falklands, I felt suspicious that the company knew of the mechanical problems prior to our embarking on board on February 29, 2004.
During the course of the remaining part of the first leg of the cruise, we encountered one of the passengers who had been on the "Infinity" from February 15th. This passenger, who was from Scotland, openly discussed the rioting at the Guest Relations Desk during that February 15th leg of the cruise, as a port(s) had been missed then also. Disgusted we had missed the Falklands, we chalked up our loss and looked forward to our next leg of the cruise, which was to include Arica, Chile; Lima, Peru; Manda, Ecuador; the Panama, Canal; Aruba; then Fort Lauderdale.
Again, after some passengers leaving (due to their only taking one leg of the cruise) and taking on new passengers, in Valpariso, while I and my husband were out in the city, another letter was left on our bed on March 14, 2004 informing us that tests were conducted on the system and it was recommended by the manufacturer that use be limited. For those reasons, the port in Ecuador was cancelled, as well as four hours was reduced from the time to be spent in Aruba (3/25). In some sort of attempt to appease unsuspecting passengers, there was a one hour open bar before each dinner seating and $150 credit applied to each cabin.
March 26th was our anniversary and a surprise catamaran sunset cruise dinner was planned for the evening in Aruba, which was not fulfilled. To add fuel to the fire, on transitting the Panamal Canal, after some two hours sitting aft on Deck 10, the wooden slatted chair I was seated in separated, causing me to fall through the bottom, striking the deck severely with my tail bone and right lower back. The Assistant Maitre 'd called to arrange for the doctor to see me. After being given a shot for the pain; five pills of an anti-inflammatory and 600 mg of ibuprofen, (not to mention missing two hours of the crossing), I ate lunch and then was caused to retire to bed, till dinner (8:30 PM), due to the uncomfortable pain I was experiencing.
Despite my written contact to the Captain regarding my dissatisfaction with the inadequate monies credited to our cabin, and the incident report of my accident, I have only received one telephone call, while still on board, from guest relations, asking how I felt. As reported to them, I am still in pain. To exacerbate things a minimum of twice, I reported to our assistant cabin steward that the cabin's water was flowing black, in the toilet, sink and shower. This too, as reported by a couple who traveled to the airport with us, occurred several times in their cabin. The last occurrence was the morning we were to get off the ship to travel home on March 28, 2004.
I was caused to use six vacation days, which should have been actually sick leave, due to my injuries. My husband, many times had to become a caregiver, due to my inability to do certain things for myself. Additionally, and as expressed above, those ports we were unable to visit, was not equitably compensated for.
