Live(ish) report - Celebrity Apex - Greece - 9/4/21

[maggie.1008]

It leaves in less than a month, you would think that they would know by now. 

[little britain]

12 hours ago, Miaminice said:

 

I am sorry you feel that way. Our friends and us, however, were very happy with our dinner.

Don´t really get why you would think it´s supposed to be "quirky or fun"... It is labeled as "Contemporary Fine Dining". The circus you might have expected is long gone! IMHO Good!
It was the reason why we haven´t dined in Eden on Edge. Personally, we are looking for a nice dinner, not a circus 🤷‍♂️ You might have preferred Le Petit Chef instead ?
BTW our pastry on the Short Rib Wellington was just great. So was the Filet Mignon.

And yes, the sheep´s milk Gnocchi were to die for. We have a lot of "real" Italian food, but I have never had such delicious Gnocchi.

We went later the same night as you.

My fillet was melt in the mouth delicious as was the risotto. Perhaps they just reheated the pastry from earlier … lol.

 

I certainly do not want a show or cartoon characters crawling across my dinner plate which is why we did not choose LPC: but I certainly expected something more “ exciting” than a starter/main/pudding meal.  Perhaps I misconstrued the word “contemporary “ expecting a variety of flavour sensations…and a different approach to service and presentation 🤷‍♀️

 

And whilst we never met I feel we were following in each other’s footsteps as some of your photos were taken with the same people (and cats 🐈‍⬛) in the background! 
 

Enjoy the rest of your travels

LB 

Edited September 15, 2021 by little britain

[PhillyTravelBug]

what an amazing report!! we had the Apex booked for the Med in 2020 and ugh...... they rooftop garden and all the modern decor is impressive. 

[happycruiserco]

For those who have also been on the Edge, which do you prefer (Edge or Apex) and what seems to be the difference?  Thanks.

 

[happycruiserco]

19 hours ago, Miaminice said:

 

Thank you! Japan is simply wonderful! We have done two cruises to Japan already and have a third booked for October 2022. We absolutely fell in love with Japan after our first visit.🥰

If you are interested in some teasers, here are our travelogues of the cruises:

Japan on Millennium:

http://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/Celebrity-Millennium-Japan/celebrity-millennium-japan.html

 

Japan on HAL Westerdam:
http://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/hal-westerdam-japan-01.html

 

Now REALLY sad Japan cruises were cancelled again.  We were originally going in October, now early next year was axed.  Bummer.  Won't give up.  

[Miaminice]

45 minutes ago, happycruiserco said:

For those who have also been on the Edge, which do you prefer (Edge or Apex) and what seems to be the difference?  Thanks.

 

We have been on both and besides some differences in artwork they are basically the same. The Rooftop Garden is nicer on Apex. More comfortable furniture and a wind protection for the Grill. 
Don‘t know if they also changed that on Edge in the meanwhile.

 

Of course this cruise was special! Service is always good, but with so few people it’s spectacular.

[Miaminice]

@little britain

I see we feel the same about LPC.

Brilliant from a technical point of view… but not what I have in mind for dinner.

[ETHTrader]

On 9/14/2021 at 11:31 AM, mlanders said:

What about specialty dinner in Eden. Edge has a tasting menu no cirque entertainment. Great food, Apex menu for Eden looks more traditional, is that true? Is there and entertainment while eating? On Apex in Caribbean January 

 

I thought Eden was fantastic. In fact, we liked it so much, we went twice. Food was inventive and delicious. Staff were amazing. Drinks were amazing. No live entertainment in the dining area though. But live entertainment is available in the bar area

[SunFunCruiser]

Gorgeous photos!! Do you know which port you were docked at in Dubrovnik?
Thanks!

Edited September 16, 2021 by SunFunCruiser

[SunFunCruiser]

On 9/14/2021 at 4:59 PM, little britain said:

I am probably one of the few but I was very underwhelmed by Eden.
It’s a regular 3 course dinner ( the cheese gnocchi was inedible because it was sooo cheesy and I love cheese) and the pastry on the beef Wellington was soggy as if it had been heated in a microwave.  

No quirkiness or fun about it.   just waiters continually asking if everything is ok… Give me Wonderland on RCI any day!!

JMHO. 

I don't care for Eden either. Give me Tuscan Grill any day.

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

13 hours ago, SunFunCruiser said:

Gorgeous photos!! Do you know which port you were docked at in Dubrovnik?
Thanks!

There is only one port for regular cruise ships in Dubrovnik. 
Only very small ships (like Sea Dream) tender into the small port at the Arsenals of Dubrovnik. That’s the picturesque port on the photos.

 

[SunFunCruiser]

10 hours ago, Miaminice said:

There is only one port for regular cruise ships in Dubrovnik. 
Only very small ships (like Sea Dream) tender into the small port at the Arsenals of Dubrovnik. That’s the picturesque port on the photos.

 

The tour guide wants the name of it, do you know if it's Gruz? Thanks.

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Apex 2021 - Greece - Day 12 - Post Cruise - Zakynthos

It was almost difficult to leave the bubble of tranquility of the Olea Hotel - even if it was just for a tour. Time seems to slow down in this nice place. In the most positive way.

 

 

Nonetheless, we convinced ourselves to see a bit more of the Island of Zakynthos and took our little rental out for a spin.

 

Following the meandering coastal road at first, interrupted by some photo stops, we later took a road crossing the island to reach Navagio Beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Known as “Shipwreck Beach”, some of you will already have seen the image on brochures or even in Microsoft Screensavers.

 

There are two ways to get a view. Either by driving to a lookout point above the beach, or by boat. Although the line for the viewing spot was a bit of a turnoff, the colors of the Ionian Sea were a breathtaking reward. 50 shades of blue… would be an understatement It was delightfully overwhelming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued our drive along the west coast of the island until we reached Zante Town again.

 

 

 

Since Birgit had grown so fond of the yoga classes with Leda and wanted to be back in time, we skipped having a snack. Instead we only stopped at a small ramshackle beach bar for a drink. Ramshackle or not, the Portofino had some quirky coolness to it - and great views. A good find.

 

 

 

 

 

Later in the evening, after yoga and some relaxation on our balcony, we drove into Zante once more and had dinner at one of the more touristy places at the square. A table under an olive tree and some live Greek music still made it a pleasant evening.

 

 

 

Before returning to our hotel we took a little detour to Bohali to enjoy the view at night.

 

 

Back “home” at our hotel, tired from a well filled day, 

we enjoyed a nightcap at the pool bar before saying good night. And home is what the hotel felt like - an unambiguous sign that we had picked the right place.

 

Edited September 17, 2021 by Miaminice

[Miaminice]

5 minutes ago, SunFunCruiser said:

The tour guide wants the name of it, do you know if it's Gruz? Thanks.

Yes, that’s the name of the cruise terminal 👍

[SunFunCruiser]

4 hours ago, Miaminice said:

Yes, that’s the name of the cruise terminal 👍

😁 Thanks so much!

[SunFunCruiser]

4 hours ago, Miaminice said:

Yes, that’s the name of the cruise terminal 👍

I just saw you live in Sunny Isles, I do too lol  (part of the year, my husband is there full time).

[Miaminice]

4 hours ago, SunFunCruiser said:

I just saw you live in Sunny Isles, I do too lol  (part of the year, my husband is there full time).

it’s were I spent my childhood and were we now (usually) stay for xmas and new year. It’s our home away from home (Germany) - for over 40 years now. Sadly coming to an end with all the changes there 😢

Edited September 18, 2021 by Miaminice

[SunFunCruiser]

14 hours ago, Miaminice said:

it’s were I spent my childhood and were we now (usually) stay for xmas and new year. It’s our home away from home (Germany) - for over 40 years now. Sadly coming to an end with all the changes there 😢

Me too! I have been going there since I was a kid. Times have certainly changed and not for the better. It's a shame because rarely do I find a more beautiful beach anywhere in the world

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Apex 2021 - Greece - Day 13 - Post Cruise - Zakynthos 

Day 13 of our trip can be summarized in a few words and a few pics: a delicious breakfast, relaxation at the oasis of the Olea Hotel, a snack at the pool bar, more relaxation and dinner in a nice restaurant in Tsilivi, the town below the hotel. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Apex 2021 - Greece - Day 14 - Post Cruise - Zakynthos 

After such a relaxing day, the next morning we were up to some exploring again. So we drove to Keri Beach, south of Zante Town to fill our last full day. The area is known for the Keri Caves and Marathonisi, the Turtle Island.

 

 

[Miaminice]

We had decided that the best way to enjoy the coastline was by boat. Loving our privacy and flexibility, we rented a boat at the pier and put out to sea.
 

 

Again, it is difficult to describe in adequate words the turquoise and deep blue of the Ionian Sea and the beauty of the coast riddled with caves… so I will let the photos speak for themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just off one of the largest caves we dropped anchor and went for a swim into the cave. The clarity of the water was mesmerizing. Even in the deep water it seemed as if you could touch every stone down below on the sea floor.

 

 

 

Following our swim we drove over to Turtle Island before returning the boat. 3 hours had passed in the blink of an eye.

 

 

Back at the hotel, Birgit attended the last yoga class and said goodbye to Leda while I enjoyed a very relaxing massage at the spa, to which my lovely wife had treated me.

 

 

 

Trying to forget the unpleasant but necessary job of packing, we had dinner in one of the restaurants of Bohali, thinking the view would provide the perfect end to our indulgence of fabulous Greek food.

 

[Miaminice]

Celebrity Apex 2021 - Greece - Day 15 - The End
The dreaded day had arrived, our escape to paradise had come to an end. Knowing that we’d be going to miss it, we especially enjoyed the incredible breakfast buffet one last time before saying a final goodbye to some of the incredibly friendly souls at the Olea Hotel.

 

We drove to the airport, returned our car and flew back to Frankfurt via Athens.

 

 

Flying into the sunset on our last leg, we reminisced about our beautiful trip and all the memories of the past two weeks.

Our cruise on Apex was amazing. The itinerary was nice, and having been to all the beautiful places before made the cruise very relaxing. 

Apex is a beauty! Just as on Edge we really enjoyed the modern and stylish design and look forward to sailing on her again in a few months. Knowing perfectly well that service will be different then. No doubt, it is always good on Celebrity and the crew are always fantastic - but with the low number of guests on board it’s almost been overwhelming. 

After such a positive experience we would have expected to feel like taking a step down on the post cruise stay. But on the contrary - it was just a step sideways. A continuation of the same fantastic pampering - only on land.

 

The Olea All Suite Hotel was fabulous. A place of serenity and tranquility. Sitting on the balcony or at the pool, it was the things you didn´t hear which told the story - no party, no loud people, no loud music... simply the sound of the water and the cicadas playing along to just the right underlay of soothing lounge music. The friendly hotel team complimented the ambiance and continued the pampering… paradise!

A plethora of restaurants was easy to reach and Zakynthos offered enough things to do without giving you the feeling of missing something when you decide to simply relax for a while. So we can highly recommend the hotel and the island to all of you. https://oleaallsuitehotel.com

As always , we hope that we’ve been able to draw you into our joy of travel and the wonderful experience of the past two weeks. Thank you for following along!

We wish you all safe travels on all of life´s journeys. Stay safe and healthy!
Until next time…

Birgit & Oliver

 

 

[Miaminice]

PS:

sorry for some photos popping up where they don’t belong.

CC and a tablet are no friends…

[DaKahuna]

On 9/16/2021 at 12:36 AM, happycruiserco said:

Now REALLY sad Japan cruises were cancelled again.  We were originally going in October, now early next year was axed.  Bummer.  Won't give up.  

 We are scheduled for November 2022.  

 

[PaulS]

Thanks you so much for taking the time to post your experiences on the cruise and on Zakynthos. Your pictures were beautiful, and I always enjoy the posts of your travels.

 

Quite honestly, I had never heard of the island of Zakynthos, but I hope to visit it one day thanks to your travelogue. Especially, thank you for standing in line to photograph Shipwreck Bay. I took the liberty of downloading one of them to use for my iPad Home Screen picture. The colors of the water are stunning.