Introducing the Celebrity Apex! An Innovative Luxury Cruise Experience
Celebrity Cruise Lines newest ship the Apex was set to sail in March of 2020 and then the world came to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic and everything was put on hold. This past month, I had the amazing opportunity to be one of the first people on board to experience this beautiful ship. The Celebrity Apex is the second in the brand new Celebrity Edge series and is the epitome of luxury cruising.
HEALTH & SAFETY
First, let’s talk safety. We all know the cruise industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic and a lot of people are still incredibly hesitant to hop back on a ship any time soon. Well let me reassure you, as someone who is immunocompromised, I was very impressed with the amount of precautions and protocols that Celebrity Cruises has put in place to ensure safety. The three biggest are vaccination requirements, a “negative” Covid test within 48 hours of boarding, and limited capacity. On board the ship there were also numerous features put into place to maintain a clean and safe experience. To read more about the safety of the Celebrity Apex click here.
THE LUXURY EXPERIENCE
Now let’s talk luxury! As soon as you board the Celebrity Apex, you’re greeted with it’s beautiful interior design. Everywhere you look, there’s incredible art filling the walls, so much so that there is even an art gallery on board! The Grand Plaza is a three-story open space full of restaurants, shops, and live music. The martini bar is the hub of it all.
The resort deck takes the cruise experience to the next level. The giant pool and live dj keep the party going day and night. The coolest feature to me were the giant martini glass shaped hot tubs that offer 360 views of the ocean as well as the entire ship. There is an adults-only Solarium pool, a jogging track that surrounds the ship, and Rooftop Garden full of games, drinks, and the most incredible food!
The Magic Carpet is the true gem of the Celebrity Apex. This floating bar area hangs 13 stories off of the side of the ship offering incredible panoramic views of the ocean. I honestly thought this might be fairly scary knowing you’re hanging off of the side of the ship, but seeing as it’s an extension of the deck (and there’s no glass bottom), it just feels like another incredible space to explore.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The best part of the Celebrity Apex experience for me though were the accommodations! I stayed in the exclusive Retreat suite that offered a beautiful private veranda overlooking the ocean. The ridiculously comfortable king size bed and cozy accommodations made for one seriously luxurious stay. And that’s only the beginning. Guests in the Retreat have access to a private restaurant, an exclusive lounge, and a private sundeck. The 24/7 concierge service is there to provide anything you may need, at any time. And all gratuities are included as well as WiFi, premium drinks, personal Retreat host, and more. Staying at the Retreat will truly make you feel like a celebrity!
ENTERTAINMENT
There is no shortage of entertainment on board the Celebrity Apex. On top of the live music in almost every section, this ship has world-class shows and performances, a circus variety show, the casino and more. The Theatre is surrounded by a 20ft tall 4k LED screen that curves around the stage for dynamic performances. “Rockumentary” is a show that’s all about the history of Rock music with a finale chosen by the guests on board! “Tree of Life” is an inspirational show that journey’s through life’s seasons. I attended “Crystallize” which was incredible! Full of electronic violin pop, Cirque du Soleil style acrobatic performances and incredible singers and musicians. It rivaled the best of Broadway and Vegas!
DINING
We all know one of the best parts of the cruise experience comes down to the culinary experiences on board. My first experience on a cruise ship offered one (really good) but repetitive buffet. The Celebrity Apex is NOTHING like that! There are 29 different restaurants, bars, and lounges designed to bring you flavors from around the world. Speciality Dining, Main Dining, and Complimentary Dining options are available and range from Michelin-starred chefs, to globally-inspired dishes. My personal favorite was the Rooftop Garden - I highly recommend the filet mignon! With only two days, I only got a small sample of the incredible food the Celebrity Apex has to offer but it’s an amazing reasons to sail again!
Whether it’s your first cruise, or your 100th cruise, the Celebrity Apex is bound to surprise and delight you. This ship is the true definition of luxury cruising. And with unlimited drinks, complimentary restaurants, and incredible discounts, there is no better time to check it out! Learn more and book your trip here. And watch the full video below!