Apex is one of Celebrity Cruise Line’s award-winning edge series ships that can hold around 2900 guests. I was lucky enough to spend the day on board in Southampton. We were given a full tour of the ship and were also treated to a delicious lunch. The terminal in Southampton is big however the traffic in the area can get busy with people coming and going so I suggest you allow plenty of time to get there. If you happen to arrive before your check-in time it is definitely worth asking if you can board early to make the most of your time on board.
Dining
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining venues on Apex. There are 4 main dining rooms for dinner. Depending on which option you select when booking your cruise, you will either be allocated one of these restaurants and a time slot for your evening meal or it will be up to you to choose which restaurant you would like to book on each day of the cruise. Each restaurant has a different theme and the menus will change daily. There are also plenty of more casual dining options which are open throughout the day. These include the Ocean View Cafe which is a buffet restaurant, the poolside grill, the pizza grill which is open until late at night and the spa cafe. There are also exclusive restaurants which are reserved for guests who have booked a suite as well as speciality restaurants which you can pay extra on top of your cruise fare to dine in.
Celebrity Apex is also home to some very unique bar areas. Eden is a bar and lounge area at the back of the ship which is designed to look like a garden. It has glass panels at the back with great views out to sea and big comfy chairs. This space can also be used as an entertainment venue hosting live performers such as musicians, dancers and acrobatics. You also have the iconic Martini bar located in the grand plaza where you will be entertained by musicians and the nightly light show, the sunset bar, the pool bar, the craft social bar and the magic carpet which is a platform that extends off the side of the ship.
Cabins
There are a variety of cabins available on Celebrity Apex including inside, ocean view, the infinite Veranda and a range of suites. They are all very modern and cosy but my favourite has to be the sky suite. This is the entry-level cabin of the suite category so it’s perfect for those looking for a bit of extra space and a little bit of luxury without breaking the bank. These cabins have a bed facing the window so that you can take in the views from the comfort of your bed as you wake up in the morning, a sofa and coffee table, a drawer unit with tea and coffee-making facilities on top, wardrobe space and a spacious bathroom with a rainfall shower. When booking this cabin, you will also get access to the retreat. These are areas on the ship only accessible to guests staying in a suite. This includes the private terrace, lounge and restaurant.
Entertainment
Apex has a few different entertainment venues, the main and most impressive venue is the theatre. The theatre has a large stage with an even bigger LED screen behind it and theatre-style seating across 2 floors. The shows performed here can be anything from musical theatre, music, dance and acrobatics, all exclusive to Celebrity Cruises. Shows will be performed twice a night and you will be able to find out what show is on each night by checking the daily schedule. You cannot make reservations for the theatre, so if you want to guarantee yourself a good seat, it is recommended that you aim to get there at least 20 minutes before the show starts. The shows are very popular and the theatre will fill up. They will also host entertainment on the pool deck throughout the day. Be sure to check the daily schedule so you don’t miss out on anything. The club is also a great night-time venue where they also host live entertainment before it turns into an adult-only nightclub after 11pm.
This ship can also cater for families. There are some rooms available that can sleep up to 4 guests and there is a kids club on board with a host that will hold activities such as pizza making!
In Summary, Celebrity Apex is a great ship that is packed with experiences. I really don’t think you could get bored. It is certainly a statement piece in the cruise industry with its innovative modern designs and artwork on board. They have some great European itineraries that sail out of Southampton making it much more convenient without the stress of the airport.
