Earlier this month, five VWT members traveled down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to attend Celebrity Cruises’ inaugural naming ceremony of their newest and latest vessel, Celebrity Apex. After waiting 581 days to board the ship, it was an emotional ceremony and succession of events to kick off its’ cruising season.
In line with the President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises’ Lisa Lutoffs words during the ceremony, ‘Our comeback will be stronger than our setback,’ the festivities did not disappoint! The ship was christened by its Godmother, Reshma Saujani, the inspiring founder of the non-profit Girls Who Code, followed by inspiring and memorable personal enhancement talks led by world-renowned speakers on nutrition, yoga, and meditation on day two. The two-night trip aboard Celebrity Apex gave an incredible insight into the strong spirit behind Celebrity Cruises and what clients can expect upon boarding this innovative vessel.
First thoughts:
Upon boarding the ship, one can immediately sense the attention to detail put into the cozy and unique seating areas scattered throughout the ship. There was an abundance of locations ideal for conversation and cocktails in addition to a plethora of beautiful cafes and bars. The color scheme throughout the boat was warm and muted, which felt comfortable and relaxing, yet sophisticated and elegant. Displayed framed artwork and sculptures added to the ambiance of luxury that was felt throughout the entire experience.
Accommodations:
Celebrity Apex offers the broadest range of staterooms in the Celebrity fleet thus far. From Single Staterooms to the large Iconic Suite, rooms are equipped with newly designed living areas for a more spacious and efficient layout in addition to adjustable comfort features using state-of-the-art technology. Ninety-nine percent of rooms offer king-size beds, and the bathrooms felt very large.
The ship offers over 178 possible options for connecting rooms when traveling with friends and family, with one of the most extensive options comfortably sleeping ten guests. The infinite veranda allows the stateroom to feel more spacious as guests have a front-row seat to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
Dining:
Celebrity Apex offers twenty-nine different food and beverage experiences, including specialty restaurants, complimentary dining venues, main dining restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges. One notable highlight was the beautiful Eden Bar which used an abundance of live plants and flowers to fully encapsulate the themes of air, wind, sun, and sea. A dining experience suits everyone’s taste and style in varying forms of formality, venue, and experience.
The main dining on the ship was executed wonderfully. Instead of one large dining room, there are four smaller dining rooms with a more intimate feel. Each dining room has standard menu offerings in addition to options that are unique to that specific restaurant – each plate delectable and photograph worthy!
Entertainment:
Celebrity Apex offers an abundance of entertainment and performances, whether you are watching an immersive show in The Theatre, up close and personal with the Celebrity cast of the circus show, Caravan, or jamming out to live DJ performances in The Club. The first night of the trip, Crystalize was a show to remember. Set in The Theatre, acrobats and visuals made for a fully immersive experience that was just a clue into the caliber of performances offered onboard. Another notable highlight was attending Soul Night in The Club with live bands and music. The live music scattered throughout the boat always drew a crowd and emulated a fun and inviting ambiance.
One highly recommended tip to all future guests considering sailing the Celebrity Apex is to use the Celebrity Cruises app! In addition to letting users familiarize themselves with the boat and onboarding procedures beforehand, the app allows guests to see an overview of all the activities going on onboard so guests can plan out a day-by-day itinerary in advance. The app syncs with your calendar and will send helpful notifications when something is coming up. With that being said, the ship still offers paper agendas for people who prefer physical information.
Final thoughts:
There is an air of sophistication and class aboard Celebrity Apex unlike any other. Passing through the high-end shops of Montblanc, Bulgari, and Cartier, you can’t help but feel the grandeur and lifestyle that the ship represents.
Luxury, innovation, and relaxation will be the heartbeat of your sail on Celebrity Apex. Without being too over-the-top, the ship masters the delicacies of fine cruising making for a perfectly balanced trip to remember!
November 2021