Setting Sail: A Festive Holiday Voyage Begins
In December 2025, we left the winter chill of Cincinnati behind for a holiday journey through Spain, the Canary Islands, and Morocco, flying via Paris to Barcelona. Arriving on a Friday allowed us time to settle into our mini-suite at the Royal Hotel Ramblas and begin exploring the city ahead of embarkation.
Royal Hotel Ramblas, Junior Suite.
That evening, we attended a Christmas performance at the Palau de la Música Catalana, a UNESCO-listed concert hall celebrated for its striking Modernisme design. The following day took us beyond Barcelona on a small-group medieval countryside tour with In-Out Barcelona Tours, visiting Vic, Santa Pau, and the remarkably preserved town of Besalú, where crossing the 12th-century Romanesque bridge felt like stepping back in time.
The richly ornamented auditorium of the Palau de la Música Catalana frames the stage beneath stained glass, mosaics, and sculpted balconies in Barcelona.
After returning to Barcelona, we made one final seasonal stop before the cruise—a visit to Fira de Santa Llúcia in front of the cathedral. Browsing the historic Christmas market and picking up a handmade ornament was a fitting way to close our pre-cruise stay before embarkation day.
Embarking on Celebrity Infinity: A Seamless Start
Embarkation day arrived with a short and easy cab ride from our hotel to the port of Barcelona. As this was our first cruise with Celebrity, we were immediately struck by the efficiency of the boarding process. There was virtually no waiting, minimal documentation to present, and before long we were stepping aboard the Infinity.
One particularly appreciated difference from past cruises was Celebrity’s relaxed approach to stateroom access. Rather than carrying luggage through the ship while waiting for rooms to be released, guests are permitted to drop off belongings in their cabins immediately—ready or not—which made the transition onboard noticeably smoother.
By early afternoon, we settled into our stateroom, , an elegant ocean-view cabin that felt both comfortable and well-designed. The room was standard in size for a cruise ship but thoughtfully arranged, featuring a two-person sofa, refrigerator, and—perhaps most notably—the best air conditioning we’ve experienced at sea. The only minor drawback was the traditional shower setup with a curtain rather than a door, a small reminder of the ship’s earlier design era.
Celebrity Infinity Oceanview Stateroom, 3063 on Deck 3.
Any such details quickly faded as the excitement of the journey ahead took hold. The Celebrity Infinity, while known as one of the oldest ships in the Celebrity fleet, carried a timeless elegance and a well-maintained atmosphere that never felt crowded. Its classic layout made getting around intuitive, and from the outset, the crew proved friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming—setting the tone for the memorable holiday voyage to come.
Cruise Itinerary: Spain, Canaries & Morocco
The ship’s central marble staircase rises through the main atrium connecting multiple public decks.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Embarkation – Barcelona, Spain
Departure: 5:00 PM
A smooth embarkation marked the beginning of our Christmas and New Year voyage. With the ship departing Barcelona in the early evening, we settled in and watched the city fade into the distance as our holiday journey officially began.
Monday, December 22, 2025
At Sea – Mediterranean Sea
Our first full day at sea offered time to explore the ship, settle into a comfortable rhythm, and enjoy a relaxed start to the voyage before reaching our first port.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Port: Gibraltar (UK Territory)
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: The Military Heritage of Gibraltar
Docking beneath the iconic Rock of Gibraltar, we explored this historic British territory with a focus on its extensive military past, strategic tunnels, and sweeping views across the Strait separating Europe and Africa.
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
At Sea – Atlantic Ocean
Christmas Eve was spent at sea as we transitioned fully into the Atlantic, enjoying a calm day onboard and festive holiday touches throughout the ship.
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Port: Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: César Manrique’s Legacy
Spending Christmas Day on Lanzarote offered a unique experience, centered on the island’s volcanic landscape and the artistic vision of César Manrique, whose work harmonized architecture with nature across the island.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Port: Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Hiking on Hidden Valley
A day inland revealed a quieter side of Gran Canaria, as we ventured into a lush valley landscape, far removed from the island’s coastal resorts.
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Port: Tenerife, Canary Islands
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Teno Alto – Tenerife’s Last Shepherd Stronghold
In Tenerife’s remote northwest, we explored Teno Alto, where traditional shepherd culture and dramatic mountain scenery offered insight into a way of life that has endured for centuries.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
At Sea – Atlantic Ocean
A welcome sea day provided time to rest, reflect on the Canary Islands, and prepare for the upcoming ports in North Africa.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Port: Casablanca, Morocco
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 5:00 PM
Event: Rabat – Capital of the Kingdom
From Casablanca, we traveled to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, where wide boulevards, royal architecture, and historic landmarks offered a more refined perspective on the country’s political and cultural heart.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Port: Tangier, Morocco
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 5:00 PM
Event: Umberto Pastis Garden & Asilah
Our final Moroccan port blended coastal scenery with artistic heritage, combining a peaceful garden setting in Tangier with a visit to the white-washed seaside town of Asilah.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Port: Málaga, Spain
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Discover Córdoba
New Year’s Eve was spent inland in Córdoba, where Roman, Moorish, and Christian influences converge—highlighted by the Mezquita and the city’s layered history.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
At Sea – Mediterranean Sea
New Year’s Day unfolded at sea, offering a calm and reflective close to the holiday celebrations as we sailed back toward Barcelona.
Friday, January 2, 2026
Disembarkation – Barcelona, Spain
Arrival: 5:00 AM
An early-morning arrival brought our Christmas and New Year voyage to a close. After a smooth disembarkation, we transferred to the airport for the journey home—already reflecting on a holiday season unlike any other.
Seamless Navigation & Holiday Spirit at Sea
From the moment we stepped aboard the Celebrity Infinity, it was clear we were in capable hands. The captain provided consistent midday updates on our route and conditions, and the ship was confidently maneuvered into every port throughout the journey. Embarkation and disembarkation were handled efficiently, keeping transitions smooth for both excursions and sea days alike.
Guest performers and company entertainers and dancers, gather on stage for the closing number of The Holiday Spectacular 2025.
Sailing over Christmas and New Year added a special dimension to the voyage. Holiday programming included a festive Christmas show, officer-led caroling, and multiple New Year’s Eve celebrations throughout the ship, complete with live music and countdowns that carried well into the night.
We pause during the ship’s New Year’s Eve festivities.
Engaging Entertainment: A Voyage Filled with Performances and Fun
Entertainment was a standout feature of our holiday voyage, offering a lively mix of performances, themed shows, and daily activities that kept the ship energized throughout the cruise. From trivia and game shows to music and interactive events, the entertainment team created a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged guests to participate and linger well into the evenings.
Each night, the Infinity Theater presented a diverse lineup of performances featuring both accomplished guest entertainers and the ship’s production cast. The production shows were consistently polished and engaging, while guest performers brought variety and personality to the stage. A particular highlight was the matinee performance by Ernest Marchain, whose Modern Classics show stood out as one of the strongest performances of the sailing. It was especially amusing to learn that he also served as the cruise director—fortunately for everyone onboard, he booked himself wisely.
Theater Performances:
- Robert Schmuck (Piano Legends)
- Tabitha (Icons of Songwriting)
- Production Show: Star Factory
- Celebrity Showtime: The Holiday Spectacular
- Gold Strings Duo (Modern Classics)
- Production Show: Broken Strings
- Adam Barry (Multi-Instrumentalist)
- Matinee Showtime: Ernest Marchain (Modern Classics)
- Adam Barry (Ain’t Patrick’s Day)
- Mistika (Magic Show)
- Production Show: iBroadway
- Tabitha (Legends of Songwriting)
- Karl Loxley (A Musical Spectacular!)
Beyond the main theater, the ship’s lounges and public spaces offered a more informal layer of entertainment throughout the day and evening. Live music, casual performances, and podium-hosted activities created a relaxed, social atmosphere that carried well beyond the scheduled shows. We also joined a pair of craft sessions, making origami butterflies and Mexican macramé Christmas ornaments.
Hand-folded paper butterflies created during a shipboard holiday craft session.
Dining Highlights: A Standout at Sea
Dining aboard Celebrity Infinity exceeded expectations. While the main dining room offered varied nightly menus, we gravitated toward the Oceanview Café, where an impressive rotation of Indian dishes was available daily—something we had not previously encountered at sea. These were complemented by nightly themed offerings, alongside familiar options such as pizza, Italian, Mexican, and grilled fare.
Lunch choices were fewer than on some cruises, but this never felt limiting. The quality and consistency of the buffet more than compensated, making it one of the strongest dining experiences we’ve had onboard.
A specialty dining crab cake served at Tuscan Grill aboard Celebrity Infinity.
One evening, we opted for specialty dining at Tuscan Grill, where both the crab cakes and filet mignon were exceptional. The steak, in particular, stood out as one of the best we’ve enjoyed at sea—rich, tender, and expertly prepared.
A grilled filet mignon served during specialty dining at Tuscan Grill.
We also discovered a wonderful Toffee Apple Martini, and found that a nightcap of Tía María and cream was far smoother than the Kahlúa we had been drinking for years.
Ports, Discoveries & Standout Moments Ashore
Each port offered something distinctive, but not all highlights came from organized excursions. In Gran Canaria, we independently walked from the ship to the Belén de Arena sand nativity on Las Canteras Beach—a seasonal installation featuring massive biblical scenes sculpted entirely from sand. Although we initially arrived before it opened and had to return later, the experience was well worth the effort.
A sculpted sand nativity scene forms part of the seasonal Belén de Arena installation on Las Canteras Beach in Gran Canaria.
Córdoba proved to be the most visually striking destination of the cruise. Wandering through the historic city and visiting the Mezquita showcased layers of Roman, Moorish, and Christian history in a setting unlike anywhere else on the itinerary.
Rows of red-and-white horseshoe arches rise from closely spaced stone columns inside the former mosque hall of Córdoba’s Mezquita-Catedral.
Earlier in Barcelona, the journey was set in motion with a Christmas performance at the Palau de la Música Catalana, followed by a small-group medieval countryside tour and a final stroll through the Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market—festive moments that framed the voyage before the ship ever left port.
A Memorable Farewell
After twelve festive days exploring Spain, the Canary Islands, and Morocco, we returned to Barcelona feeling that the journey had struck a satisfying balance between relaxation, culture, and discovery. With favorable weather, a welcoming crew, and a thoughtfully paced itinerary, this holiday cruise delivered experiences that felt both enriching and unhurried—an ideal way to begin 2026.
Cruise Details
📍 Embarkation Port: Barcelona, Spain
🗺 Itinerary: Spain, the Canary Islands & Morocco
🚢 Cruise Line & Ship: Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Infinity
📆 Sailing Date: December 2025
⏳ Duration: 12 Days
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