I have just returned from a fantastic day on the Celebrity Apex ship. I was lucky enough to visit whilst the ship was docked in Southampton between voyages. We met our host Neil and were taken into the Departures Lounge before boarding.
Once boarded, on Deck 5, I was wowed by the feel of the Grand Plaza which is a three-floor atrium situated in the centre of the ship. This is an area where entertainment takes place and it incorporates the Martini Bar on Deck 3, the seating area on Deck 4 and it can also be viewed from above on Deck 5.
Neil took us through the luxury boutique shopping area to Eden. This is a bright and airy split-level space which is amazing. Designed with stunning tropical-themed décor and massive windows looking out of the back of the ship, plus a wonderful bar. During the day passengers might decide to sit with a book or drink and look out over the water. The space is also home to a piano and musical entertainment takes place there in the evenings. There are some fun and quirky seats, including a rattan hanging swing chair which is fun!
We refuelled with coffee and pastries before going to see the State Rooms. The most prestigious accommodation is the Iconic Suite which was located at the front of the ship. It has the same view as the captain does from the bridge! The suite is absolutely fabulous. There is a living and dining room area, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a butlers’ pantry, a terrace with a private hot tub and a walk-in wardrobe. Guests staying in the Primary Bedroom have a view of the ocean from the bed and a two-person jacuzzi in the bathroom. Everything is exquisitely furnished in muted, neutral tones.
We then moved on to view some of the other suites. They were all spacious and decorated in neutrals with occasional pops of colour. Neil explained that all guests staying in a suite, of any level, are given access to The Retreat. This is part of the ship which can only be accessed by these passengers. The amenities available include a Destination Experience Specialist to assist with planning excursions, a butler, dining in Luminae (which has exclusive menus designed by renowned chef, Daniel Boulud) and a relaxing sundeck where attendants can refresh your towels or bring you a drink or snack.
After rooms, it was on to the Theatre. Here, we were shown all the lighting rigs and the equipment where acrobats and dancers can be harnessed to “fly” whilst performing. The productions are of a Vegas/Broadway standard and there are shows to suit a variety of tastes. For instance, there’s Rockumentary, which is a fast-paced interactive rock music show and Crystallize, which is a multi-sensory experience with choreography, electric pop music and light show. The seats were very comfortable and they cleverly included a drinks holder in the armrests – very handy.
The Club is another multi-use space. It’s designed to reflect a cabaret-style nightclub and during the day is used for presentations and activities such as gaming and competitions. In the evening the mood changes and there are live music performances and DJ sets.
My favourite public area on the ship was the Resort Deck, which we visited next. There were some intimate areas where couples could sit or busier places for groups. The large number and variety of plants on the Rooftop Garden was surprising. It was so peaceful and felt like being in a green oasis. Around the pool, there were plenty of sunbeds and a large screen where sporting events or films are shown. There is also an indoor pool in The Solarium. This is predominantly an adult-only space apart from family time between 5pm and 7pm each day. This is extended if the weather is poor to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take a dip.
Another special area on the Celebrity Apex is The Magic Carpet. It’s a cantilevered platform that has a variety of uses. It’s usually a bar stationed 13 decks above sea level where guests can have totally unobscured views which allow you to feel as though you’re floating above the sea. On a couple of occasions on each voyage, it’s turned into a luxury dining venue which will give guests an exciting experience. On days when the ship goes into port, the Magic Carpet is lowered to the deck where guests can walk directly off the ship onto a tender which can transfer them directly to shore. This is a safer and faster way for passengers to disembark and is preferable to walking down a gangway.
There are 29 food and beverage outlets on the ship, these include several speciality dining options. Guests can pay a surplus charge to visit Fine Cut Steakhouse or Raw on 5 or have a cocktail at the Pool Bar or a real ale in the Craft Social Bar. We had our lunch in Normandie, which is one of the core restaurants available to all passengers. The menu, as you might expect, had a French/European feel to it. I had a beautiful roast salmon fillet with vegetables and a glass of French Chardonnay. The dining venue, which impressed me most, was the Oceanview Café. This is a buffet-style restaurant. The range of cuisines and mouthwatering displays of food was fabulous. Everything looked so appetizing and fresh.
This ship really is a feast for the senses. The quality of the food was excellent, the décor and art were wonderful and the overall ambience was one of fun and relaxation. If you have the opportunity to take a cruise on this ship, I would say grab it with both hands!
