Celebrity Cruises took delivery of their newest ship, the Apex in a very unceremonious video call between the line the shipyard at the beginning of the global pandemic.
15 long, cruise-less months later, the Apex is on its (still unceremonious) inaugural cruise. At only 30% capacity, passengers on board the ship that won’t be officially christened until November this year when she makes her way to Florida, are adjusting to protocols like social distancing and mask-wearing as they discover the head-turning vessel.
The Apex is the sister ship to Celebrity Edge, the first of the line’s Edge Class ships. The sister ships are near identical, yet the Celebrity Apex is still her own vessel.
The Magic Carpet, a floating platform off the starboard side of the ship, with seating for dining or sunning, a bar and space for live entertainment, as well as the tri-level Eden a ‘sensory experience’ completely wrapped in glass, looking out to the ocean remain in place on both the Apex and Edge. As do the cabin styles, locations, and classes. The restaurants, theatre, lounges, pools, and kids center on the Apex will also all be familiar to those who’ve sailed on the Edge.
However, a new sports bar- Craft Social will broadcast sporting events and boasts not just bottle beers (30 varieties) and tap beers (3 types) but a variety of cocktails, and wines. A big draw at Social Craft besides not missing the big game while sailing, is the eight available rare beers, one of which — Struise Black Damnation XXII Willy, (doesn’t that just roll off the tongue) a Russian Stout from Belgium will set you back $495 for a 750mL bottle! No, it is not covered by the drink package!
The innovative Le Petit Chef will be back, however, on the Apex Le Petit chef invites his family.
The animated chef projections, showing a tiny chef preparing the guests’ meals at the table will no longer be competing against his friends, but inviting diners to meet his family at this for-a-fee restaurant.
New cocktail lists and new entertainment are being introduced onboard the Apex, as is stronger wi-fi.
One area that was not changed from the same poorly reviewed design on the Edge was the ship’s ‘Infinite Veranda’ cabins. Most balcony cabins fall into this category with an automatic window that moves up and down with the push of a button, instead of a traditional walk-out balcony,
All in all, the brand new Apex is guaranteed to wow guests. It is unfortunate she hasn’t been able to receive the same ‘wow’ debut. Sailing in the Aegean without fanfare, she is already receiving the middle child treatment with the focus moving onto the next Edge class ship- the Celebrity Beyond, set to be delivered to the line in 2022.
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