Celebrity Apex
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Bri... Caribbean
For...etherlands
The second of the Edge series of ships, Apex’s debut, like other new ships, was delayed from spring 2020 to autumn 2021, but now that it’s on the water, Celebrity Apex can stake claim to being one of the finest cruise ships at sea. Apex mixes affordability (drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuity included) with luxury with the result of delivering an elevated, pampered, and refined cruise experience, on a meticulously-designed ship, whether guests are sailing in the Caribbean Sea or all over northern Europe from Amsterdam. A unique take on the standard main dining room makes Celebrity Apex stand out as a premier cruise ship for foodies. Wellness offerings are also above average, especially at the AquaClass level, where guests receive unlimited free access to the SEA Thermal Suite, and a complimentary fitness pass. Health-conscious room-service menu choices are available, and AquaClass staterooms, which have an expanded in-room dining menu, are also equipped with a yoga mat.Read More
Artwork displayed on the ship is world class, and guests can even opt in for a guided Art & Design tour. Eden, a bar, restaurant, and so much more, might just be the prettiest space at sea. Finally, the spa incorporates salt, steam, and rainfall for an extra serene experience.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
Every cabin on board Celebrity Apex is beautifully designed and decorated by world-renowned interior designer Kelly Hoppen. Rooms are comfortable and classy and do their part to raise the bar for expectations around cruise ships’ staterooms. They feature large living areas, spacious bathrooms, and king-size beds (in 99% of the rooms). Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms are on offer. Solo travelers can select a single stateroom, and families traveling together can take advantage of the ship’s connecting staterooms. But what sets Apex apart is the Aqua Class and Retreat Level cabins and suites, and the exclusive areas of the ship these levels of cabin provide access to during a cruise. AquaClass staterooms are over 300 square feet with a generously-sized private veranda, and two-person bathtubs in some cases.
Celebrity Apex offers accessible staterooms for guests with limited mobility and other disabilities. These cabins have a five-foot turning radius, and wider doors, roll-in showers, grab bars, a lowered sink and vanity, bathroom grab bars, raised toilet, and ramped thresholds. But the focus on delivering memorable vacations to every single traveler doesn’t start or end in the guest’s room. Assistance at the pier during embarkation, autism-friendly initiatives including sensory-friendly films and toys, and dietary menu options, sign language interpreting services are available, as are TTY systems. And service animals are welcome on board.
Food & Drink
Twenty-nine culinary venues, bars, and lounges on the Apex keep mealtimes exciting. The four main dining rooms (Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, Normandie, Cyprus) are thoughtfully decorated with dramatic light fixtures, furniture, and table settings, and feature globally-inspired menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. In addition to everyday menu items, a rotating menu changes daily, and signature dishes on restaurant-specific menus highlight cuisine from each of the regions the dining rooms represent—Italy, NYC, France, the Mediterranean. The buffet inside the Oceanview Cafe is one of the best at sea, and the views made possible by floor-to-ceiling add to its appeal. Two exclusive dining destinations on board serve three meals a day from an ambitious, haute cuisine menu that changes daily; these are a part of an AquaClass (Blu) or Retreat level (Luminae) booking. Guests not a part of either of these classes can partake in other specialty dining on board, though truth be told, the inclusive food offerings are so good that you may not be inclined to spring for any supplementary dining.
Drinks—non-premium beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, wines by the glass, sodas, juices, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water—are complimentary on Celebrity cruise ships; find jazz music at the Martini Bar as you sip on a cocktail and take in your surroundings. The bartenders’ performance is enhanced by dramatic lighting and cool artwork.
The Magic Carpet, a bright orange outdoor space that sort of hangs off the side of the ship, includes comfortable seating and a well-stocked bar. The Craft Social Bar is Celebrity’s newest venue, offering 40 handcrafted boutique beer selections, wine, and small bites.
Entertainment
The Apex’s Theatre is an eye-popping space with a 20-foot-tall 4K LED screen comprised of 17 million pixels that curve 110 feet around the stage, but, sadly, the entertainment on it doesn’t live up to the promise of the magnificent room. Party on at The Club, where you might catch 80s music one evening and an original live performance another night. On show nights, get there early or risk being seated in an area with limited stage viewing.
The same is not true in Eden, where a variety of musical, acrobatic, and theatrical performances are staged as ‘Wonder at Eden’ events each evening. This room, very much alive already thanks to thousands of plants growing out of the walls and raining down from the roof, really springs to life after dark. For something more low-key, catch a set by the talented jazz band in the Grand Plaza or listen to (and request) old favorites sung by the singer-guitarist playing in various locations on board. And don’t forget about the casino!
Spa & Fitness
The spa on board Celebrity Apex is first-class with some first-at-sea treatments available only on the Apex (Spa Wave MLW Amphibia, for example) to go along with the standards (massages, facials, nail care, etc.). The Celebrity Apex is also the first ship to offer F45 classes, along with HIIT, Peloton bikes, LIT Bungee, and cardio boxing. The SEA Thermal Suites are the standout wellness feature of the spa, with eight nature-inspired therapeutic experiences. The gym is robust and its classes (included for AquaClass, available at an extra cost for other guests) are numerous, but for DIY workout enthusiasts, the best walking/running track at sea—spanning two decks—takes guests around the ship in a loose, outdoor figure eight path with elevation for an extra challenge
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Celebrity Cruises dropped its vaccination requirement in September 2022 for sailings departing from the U.S. and Europe. For transatlantic cruises and cruises in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Bermuda, select Caribbean cruises, and select Central and South American cruises, including the Galapagos Islands, passengers must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test.
Self-testing is acceptable on cruises leaving the U.S. and some European ports. For sailings nine nights or fewer, vaccinated guests will no longer need to test to board (destination-specific protocols remain in place), but for sailings of 10 nights or longer, passengers must test 3 days prior to embarkation.
Dress Code
Celebrity has rebranded the traditional cruise formal night as evening chic. Occurring twice per week, these nights give guests a chance to get glammed up if they so wish. On other nights, smart casual attire is expected, as this is a premium cruise experience and t-shirts, swimsuits, bathrobes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool attire are not permitted in the restaurants or main dining area.
Junior Cruisers
At first blush, the Apex might not seem like a ship fit for children. Still, thanks to a generous selection of 500 activities and enriching daily programming in Celebrity’s first and only fully customizable Camp at Sea program, guests can bring their littlest cruisers on board the fine ship to enjoy movies under the stars together. They can make friends, learn, and have fun while grown-ups indulge in the sophisticated atmosphere of this outstanding ship.
Service
The service on Apex is second to none. From the butlers in AquaClass to the bartenders, servers, and crew helping guests book their excursions, Celebrity makes every passenger feel like the star of their own film at sea.
Tipping
All tips are included in the price of the cruise. Some guests choose to have extra cash on hand to give an extra tip to their stateroom steward and/or other crew members who provided exceptional service.