I was lucky enough to be asked to go on my first-ever ocean cruise in May and when I found out it was to be on the only cruise in the world to have a Forbes 4* rating, I couldn’t have been more excited!
When we arrived at the airport, we were greeted by a friendly Celebrity representative who took our cases and loaded them onto the coach for us. After a short transfer to the cruise terminal and our credentials were checked, we were invited to stroll up the gangway, where we were greeted by smiling faces and a refreshing welcome drink. After visiting our muster point (safety first) we found our cabin which we were blown away by. It was so modern yet homely and you could see the attention to detail with every aspect of the décor.
We opted to use our mobile phones as our door keys. Celebrity has an excellent app - very easy to navigate and also works for check-in, excursion information, dining reservations, ship orientation, daily planner information and health & safety protocols. This made things much more straightforward, speeds up the embarkation process and having your Sea-pass on the app made life on board much easier.
We stayed in an Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda. Midship on deck 7 was an ideal location and our cabin was spacious, comfortable and quiet. The bathroom was bigger than mine at home so it really did feel luxurious. After unpacking we headed down to the Café for some refreshments. I opted for an Oat milk iced latte and a Chocolate muffin which were delicious. We spent the rest of the afternoon at Leisure exploring the ship and what was to be our home for the next few days.
That evening, we enjoyed more than a few cocktails at The Club which were taken care of due to our prepaid drinks package. Not having to worry about paying each time we went to the bar was very convenient. The atmosphere was great and there was music played for everyone’s taste. We made our way to the Normandie restaurant for dinner which specialises in French dishes. I tried snails for the first time and I loved them! For main I had Duck a l’orange and a French Suzy cake for dessert which were both delicious. We ended the night in the magnificent Theatre watching an acrobatic show. The show was better than those I have seen on land and I cannot commend the performers enough on their talents.
After a great night's sleep, the first thing I could think of was getting another one of those Iced Lattes. I decided to stop at the Café on the way to the buffet restaurant to pick one up and the barista recognised me and remembered I had it with oat milk! It was obvious the staff really take the time to get to know the guests on board. We continued to the Ocean View café which is the main buffet restaurant. There was so much to choose from I didn’t know where to begin. I started with some waffles, had a full English and ended with a selection of fruit. Needless to say, I was stuffed!
The food throughout the whole cruise was outstanding. The choice was vast and it was all presented beautifully. I think the Cyprus restaurant was my favourite. It offered Greek-inspired dishes which were to die for. I enjoyed a Meze board, Saganaki and Moussaka which left no room for dessert.
The different venues onboard were also a real highlight for me. The Grand Plaza is the real hub of the ship. This open, three-story venue inspired by the piazzas of Italy allows you to experience the invigorating energy of everyone coming together to savour a taste of the good life. The popular Martini Bar and Café al Bacio are the ultimate gathering places on Celebrity Apex.
The Resort Deck is unlike any other outdoor space at sea. Here, you’ll find endless ways to enjoy the outdoors and connect with the sea, including the Rooftop Garden, the adults-only Solarium pool, and the Main Pool which is an asymmetrical space surrounded by a terraced pool deck, so while unwinding poolside, the ocean views become the main focal point.
My favourite venue however is definitely Eden. This breathtaking venue is the epitome of Celebrity Apex’s outward-facing concept and will awaken every one of your senses in an atmosphere that transforms from wholesome mornings, playful afternoons to wonderful evenings.
For me, Celebrity cruises cannot be beaten. For modern travellers, it’s about being fully immersed in new destinations and cultures without sacrificing comfort and style. They set the standard for luxury travel and have made the destination experience even more immersive, starting right on board.
From its unique outward-facing design, to the industry-first Magic Carpet that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level, Celebrity Apex breaks from traditional ship design. Here, predictability and convention are stripped away, returning luxury sea travel to its very essence: simple, beautiful, imaginative encounters that leave you relaxed, refreshed, and inspired by the world around you. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
