Celebrity Infinity
A Millennium-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Celebrity Infinity is a Millennium-class cruise ship operated by Celebrity Cruises, which is part of Royal Caribbean Group. The vessel was built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, as the second ship in Celebrity's Millennium class and as an evolution of the earlier Century-class fleet. The class was developed in the late 1990s as Celebrity sought larger ships with expanded passenger capacity, updated public spaces and more advanced propulsion technology. Royal Caribbean signed a letter of intent with Chantiers de l'Atlantique in February 1998 for two new ships, with options for additional vessels. Celebrity announced the name Infinity in March 2000, and the ship was floated out on 9 June 2000. Delivery followed on 25 February 2001, after a transatlantic crossing from Saint-Nazaire to Fort Lauderdale. The formal naming ceremony took place in Los Angeles on 29 April 2001, with Solveig Wilhelmsen serving as the ship's godmother. Her first planned voyage was postponed from February to March 2001; the inaugural itinerary departed Port Everglades, transited the Panama Canal and continued to San Diego. The ship measures approximately 90,940 gross tons and is about 294 metres long. It has 12 passenger decks and a stated capacity of roughly 2,170 guests. Its engineering plant uses a turbo-electric combined gas-and-steam turbine arrangement, intended to recover energy from gas-turbine exhaust. Propulsion is supplied by two Mermaid azimuth pod units, supported by three bow thrusters. The propulsion system became a significant part of the vessel's early operational history because repeated bearing and pod failures led to repairs, dry-dock periods and cancelled sailings. Infinity initially operated in the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii. From 2002 onward, its itinerary range expanded to South America, Antarctica, Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as Caribbean departures from San Juan and Fort Lauderdale. The ship has therefore functioned as a flexible international deployment asset rather than a vessel tied to one permanent regional route. Celebrity later planned year-round Mediterranean deployment beginning in summer 2023, marking a notable expansion of the brand's presence in that region. The vessel has also experienced several operational disruptions. In June 2016, strong winds contributed to a collision with the dock at Ketchikan, Alaska. The ship sustained a scrape above the waterline and the dock suffered substantial damage, but no injuries or pollution were reported; repairs allowed Infinity to return to service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, crew coronavirus cases and a crew death were reported while the ship was inactive, and a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of Celebrity employees alleging insufficient outbreak protections. The ship's planned 2020 Mediterranean season was cancelled during the industry's suspension of operations, with a later return to Caribbean service scheduled for June 2022. Celebrity Infinity is positioned as a premium cruise product within Celebrity Cruises' fleet. Its principal offering is the cruise vacation itself, combining accommodation, dining, entertainment, transportation between ports and shore excursions. The ship's historical itineraries have covered warm-water leisure destinations, scenic northern routes and expedition-oriented calls in South America and Antarctica. It remains identifiable primarily as a named cruise vessel rather than as a standalone consumer brand independent of Celebrity Cruises.
History
Celebrity Infinity originated in Celebrity Cruises' late-1990s fleet-development program. In February 1998, Royal Caribbean entered into an agreement framework with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for two new ships, with options for further vessels. The project created the Millennium class, a larger and more technically advanced successor to the Century class. The initial design concept called for ships of approximately 85,000 gross tons and passenger capacity near 1,900, although the completed vessels were larger. Celebrity announced the second ship's name, Infinity, in March 2000. It was floated out at Saint-Nazaire on 9 June 2000 and delivered in February 2001. Celebrity accepted the ship in Fort Lauderdale on 25 February after its Atlantic crossing, and a formal christening ceremony was held in Los Angeles on 29 April. The maiden voyage, initially planned for early February, was postponed to 3 March 2001. The first program travelled from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal to San Diego, followed by Hawaii and Alaska voyages during the ship's inaugural season. Infinity's early service was marked by problems with its podded propulsion equipment. The ship used two Mermaid azimuth propulsion units, and a faulty starboard-unit ball bearing required an emergency dry dock in Victoria, British Columbia, in June 2001. Further work was undertaken in April 2002 after the pods showed premature wear and restricted the ship's maximum speed. In February 2003, all ball-bearing units were replaced during another dry dock, cancelling two sailings. Additional work followed in April 2004, March 2005 and September 2006, including replacement of thrust-bearing components and repairs to a propulsion pod. The wider Millennium-class problem led Royal Caribbean to sue Rolls-Royce and Alstom in August 2003. The company sought compensation for lost revenue and repair-related expenses, and the case was ultimately settled in January 2010. After its inaugural North American deployment, Infinity developed a broad international itinerary profile. From 2002 it operated cruises to South America and Antarctica, as well as Caribbean voyages from San Juan and Fort Lauderdale. It also served Europe from Harwich and various Mediterranean ports. This itinerary flexibility allowed Celebrity to use the ship across seasonal markets and to offer both conventional resort cruises and longer, destination-intensive voyages. On 3 June 2016, Infinity collided with a dock while manoeuvring in Ketchikan, Alaska. Winds reportedly reached approximately 45 miles per hour from the starboard side and affected the ship's approach. The vessel sustained a scrape roughly 10 to 15 feet long along the bow above the waterline, while the dock suffered an estimated multi-million-dollar loss. There were no reported injuries or pollution, and the ship was repaired and returned to service. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the ship's operations. Two crew members were reported to have tested positive on 23 March 2020, and a crew member died aboard the vessel later that month. On 14 April, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of more than 1,000 Celebrity employees, alleging that the company had not done enough to protect crew members during onboard outbreaks. Infinity's planned Mediterranean season was cancelled during the cruise industry's suspension. A return to Caribbean operations from Port Everglades was scheduled for June 2022, followed by a plan to place the ship in the Mediterranean year-round from summer 2023. The ship's identity remains tied to Celebrity Cruises rather than to an independent corporate brand. It operates as a premium cruise vessel, selling accommodation, dining, entertainment and transportation as a bundled vacation product. Its technical specifications include approximately 90,940 gross tons, a length of about 294 metres, 12 decks and capacity for around 2,170 passengers. Reference material also reports a complete loss of power near Piraeus, Greece, in February 2026, after which tugboats brought the ship into port and the next cruise was cancelled.
- 2023
Planned year-round Mediterranean operation
[1]Celebrity planned to base Infinity in the Mediterranean throughout the year.
- 2022
Planned return to Caribbean service
[1]The ship was scheduled to resume weekly Caribbean voyages from Port Everglades on 25 June.
- 2020
Pandemic service suspension
[1]The ship's Mediterranean season was cancelled during the COVID-19 suspension of cruise operations.
- 2016
Ketchikan docking collision
[1]High winds contributed to a collision that damaged the ship's bow area and the Ketchikan dock.
- 2010
Propulsion lawsuit settled
[1]The dispute between Royal Caribbean and the propulsion suppliers was settled.
- 2003
Fleet propulsion lawsuit filed
[1]Royal Caribbean sued the propulsion-system suppliers over recurring pod failures affecting the Millennium-class ships.
- 2002
International itinerary expansion
[1]Infinity began serving South America and Antarctica in addition to its North American and Caribbean programs.
- 2001
Delivery, christening and maiden voyage
[1]Celebrity took delivery on 25 February, held the formal naming ceremony on 29 April, and began service in March after a postponement of its original maiden-voyage date.
- 2001
First emergency propulsion repair
[1]A faulty bearing in the starboard propulsion pod led to an emergency dry dock and cancelled sailings.
- 2000
Ship named Infinity and floated out
[1]Celebrity announced the name Infinity in March, and the ship was floated out at Saint-Nazaire on 9 June.
Products and positioning
Premium cruise ship offering international leisure, destination and regional cruise itineraries under the Celebrity Cruises brand.
Premium cruise ship · 2001
Celebrity Infinity
The principal and only product associated with this entry is the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship. The Millennium-class vessel provides accommodation, restaurants, bars, entertainment, onboard leisure facilities and transportation between scheduled ports. Its deployments have included Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, South America, Antarctica, British and continental European ports, and Mediterranean itineraries. The ship is approximately 90,940 gross tons, 294 metres long and configured for about 2,170 passengers across 12 decks.
Controversies
2020
COVID-19 crew-safety litigation
After reported coronavirus infections and a crew death aboard the ship, a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of more than 1,000 Celebrity employees. The complaint alleged that the company had inadequately protected crew members during onboard outbreaks. The available reference does not establish the final legal outcome.
Brand decisions
2023
Year-round Mediterranean deploymentStrategyBackground
Celebrity sought to establish a more continuous presence in the Mediterranean rather than relying solely on seasonal deployment.
Action taken
The cruise line planned to station Infinity in the Mediterranean throughout the year beginning in summer 2023.
Aftermath
The plan was described as Celebrity's first year-round operation in the region.
2020
Cancellation of Mediterranean seasonOtherBackground
The global COVID-19 pandemic caused a broad suspension of cruise operations and disrupted planned travel programs.
Action taken
Celebrity cancelled Infinity's scheduled 2020 Mediterranean season.
Aftermath
A later return to Caribbean service was planned for June 2022.
2002
Expansion into long-haul destination marketsStrategyBackground
After its inaugural North American deployment, Celebrity used Infinity's range and capacity for additional seasonal markets.
Action taken
The ship was deployed to South America and Antarctica, while continuing Caribbean and North American operations.
Aftermath
Infinity developed a multi-region itinerary profile spanning the Americas, polar destinations and Europe.
1998
Development of the Millennium classStrategyBackground
Celebrity Cruises sought a larger successor to its Century-class ships, with modernized design, greater capacity and updated marine engineering.
Action taken
Royal Caribbean commissioned new ships from Chantiers de l'Atlantique and established the Millennium-class program.
Aftermath
Infinity became the second ship in the class and expanded Celebrity's capacity for international itineraries.
Recent events
- 2026
Reported loss of power near Piraeus[1]
Other
Reference material reports that the ship lost power during a cruise near Piraeus, Greece, was towed into port by four tugboats and had its following cruise cancelled.
- 2023
Year-round Mediterranean deployment planned[1]
Other
Celebrity planned to station Infinity in the Mediterranean throughout the year, a first for the cruise line's Mediterranean operations.
- 2022
Celebrity Infinity scheduled to resume Caribbean service[1]
Other
Following the industry's operational pause, the vessel was scheduled to return from Port Everglades on 25 June 2022 with weekly Caribbean itineraries.
- 2020
Mediterranean season cancelled during cruise-industry shutdown[1]
Other
The ship's planned Mediterranean program was cancelled during the COVID-19-related suspension of cruise operations.
- 2016
Celebrity Infinity collides with Ketchikan dock[1]
Other
During docking in Ketchikan, Alaska, high winds contributed to a port-side impact. The vessel received a scrape above the waterline and the dock was heavily damaged; no injuries or pollution were reported.
- 2003
Royal Caribbean files propulsion-system lawsuit[1]
Lawsuit
Royal Caribbean brought a lawsuit against Rolls-Royce and Alstom concerning defective propulsion pods installed across the Millennium-class fleet, seeking recovery for lost revenue and related costs. The dispute was settled in 2010.
- 2001
Celebrity Infinity delivered as the second Millennium-class ship[1]
Product launch
Celebrity Cruises took delivery of Infinity in Fort Lauderdale on 25 February 2001 following its construction in Saint-Nazaire. The ship was formally named in Los Angeles two months later.
- 2001
Infinity suffers repeated propulsion-pod failures[1]
Other
Faulty bearings and premature wear in the ship's Mermaid propulsion units led to multiple emergency repairs and dry docks between 2001 and 2006, with some sailings cancelled.
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