My favourite cruise company has always been Royal Caribbean, which has a lot of sparkle, but Celebrity has a serene and sophisticated vibe about it and I loved it. Boarding was easy. I arrived at the cruise terminal and I was checked in, through security, and onboard in minutes. It holds 3405 passengers and 1320 crew.
This cabin was great. It's a concierge-class edge balcony cabin with an infinite verandah. If you look at the photo you'll see some bi-fold doors. Open them up and it expands the size of your room. The balcony has a slide-down window. This particular level had an overhang above so it wasn't particularly good for sunbathing. It was deck 12. I liked the technology of being able to set everything from your phone. Very convenient if you are in bed. The lighting, the temperature, and the blinds. Press “morning” and the blinds go up and some lights come on. Dappy me grabbed my phone in the night and inadvertently touched the morning button. Yes, lights on, blinds up, 3 a.m.!
Oooh, I do like a perk. I had a status match with Royal Caribbean. Making me Elite on Celebrity, which gives a few extras worth having. With the Concierge class cabin, there was a set of binoculars, fluffy dressing gowns, umbrellas, and treats delivered to the cabin every afternoon. Complimentary laundry, discounted internet and 90 minute stream. Spa discount, photo discount, a complimentary specialty coffee. One free scoop of gelato and a casino bonus. Complimentary drinks off the Captain’s Club Cocktail Hour menu, between 5 pm and 7 pm. These drinks are only available at the bars, not in the main dining room.
Additionally, some invites are as below.
Quite a lot of extras.
I scanned through the Celebrity Today magazine to see what activities were available for solo guests. I noticed meet-ups for LGBTQIA+ members, a Friends of Bill W gathering, and a veterans' get-together, but there was no solo meet-up listed. While this didn't particularly bother me on this cruise since I had family on board, I would have been disappointed if I were travelling alone. Solo meet-ups are great opportunities to connect with other solo travellers, plan shore excursions, and arrange dinner get-togethers. You can read more about my experiences travelling solo in a previous review.
If you find yourself in this situation, don't worry. When you go to the main dining room, ask to be seated at a table with other solo travellers or a shared table. I’ve found that people are often fascinated by solo travellers, as we usually have interesting stories to share.
There are many special areas on this ship. I particularly liked the Rooftop garden. Very attractive. Filled with beautiful plants, sculptures and comfortable loungers, tables and chairs, and a large cinema screen.
There are three pools on board, and five hot tubs. An adults only solarium pool, a large main pool, and a private pool for suite guests in the Retreat.
Another popular place to go to is the Magic Carpet. It's a platform that goes from deck to deck, depending what it is being used for. A bar and restaurant, and though I never saw it used for this it is a tender embarkation point. It's hard to get a seat in here, as it's so unique hanging over the side of the ship, sea on three sides. It's a nice place to relax with your pre-dinner cocktail.
I've been lucky to experience many cruise lines, and out of those, for food and service Celebrity is my favourite. On arrival day we were treated to a wonderful three course meal in the main dining room. An attractive area with beautiful decor.
We then experienced the buffet several times, Ocean View cafe, all very delicious. The staff are extremely helpful with any dietary concerns. They supply foods for a variety of diets.
There are many places to eat on board Celebrity Apex, you can check details of the restaurants on this link.
All the restaurants were themed differently, I thought Blu was beautiful, but I didn’t get to experience it, as this is for Aqua class guests. The menu says it’s a holistic health experience.
There is no doubt about it, if you want a unique experience then a visit to Le Petit Chef, in the Grand Bistro is an amazing experience. On your table you will experience 3D animation of the chef as he prepares food and tells his story. It’s cutting edge technology, projection mapping. Children will love it as everything comes to life on your table.
At the time of purchase it was $64.50. It's great fun, and the food was good too.
Entertainment on the Celebrity Apex is a dazzling array of performances and activities
The Theatre, is a state-of-the-art venue, showcases Broadway-style productions, comedians, magicians, and more, all brought to life with stunning technology and choreography. We saw a brilliant, energetic show called Rockumentary.
I liked Eden, a multi-level wonder, it transforms from a serene daytime place during the day to live performances and interactive experiences by night. The Club offers dance classes and game shows to silent disco.
The Rooftop Garden also provides live music, outdoor movies, and special events. The ship’s many lounges and bars host a mix of live music, so there’s something for everyone.
The casino caters to gambling enthusiasts with slots, poker, and blackjack.
My favourite things are the destination talks, art exhibits, auctions, and the cooking demos.
For suite guests, The Retreat offers exclusive access to private lounges, pools, and dining, along with special performances and meet-and-greet events.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my brief review of Celebrity Apex. Summing up. The food is the best, the entertainment was joyful and professional. The cabin was very comfortable and I loved the technology. All the areas are very classy, and the ship had a calm ambience. I will go again. I hope.