Live - suite life on the Apex (Baltics)

[Baynanno1]

Love your photos - I have several very similar from our visits to beautiful Tallin.

Thanks for all the insights in your commentary.

[Lastdance]

Tallin brought back so many great memories, as we walked all over, as well as the wall.  We had showers at the beginning, but my DH and I had our raincoats, so onward we went.  It turned out that was a perfect idea for a variety of reasons.  Thanks so much for your photos!

[cavaaller]

I was really looking forward to our experience at Le Petit Chef.

 

 

We had reservations for the early seating. Not every table was occupied but it was quite busy.

As usual the service was very attentive, the waitress explained the menu and the choices and drink orders were taken promptly.

 

The animation was really cute and while we thought there could have been more connections between the served food and the story-line we really enjoyed it.

 

The food itself was amazing!

 

 

Duck (Alternative menu)

 

 

 

my cocktail (Sail 75 - best cocktail I have yet had on the ship)

 

 

 

I would go again for the second show but the rest of the family thinks that it is one of those once done - been there done that experiences...

[cavaaller]

This morning we passed through the archipelago - what a beautiful scenery. Pictures do not reflect the atmosphere so I will only post one as placeholder - it was breathtaking:

 

 

We arrived at Stockholm around 10:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is amazing, how quickly the ship gets cleared in every port thus far.

We were off board 20 Minutes later!

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

The ship docks at Stadsgarden. It is an easy 40 Minutes walk to reach the city. You can also use the ship's shuttle or one of the HoHo busses or boats.

 

We walked.

We have been to Stockholm several times but it is always wonderful and every time you see corners that you haven't seen the previous time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[39august]

What is in a Sail 75 please?

[happyyaya]

On 7/9/2022 at 8:35 PM, calicakes said:

So, why is it only UPPER level suites are tagged priority.  I'm traveling in a Sky Suite in September, so that means I have no priority?  If so, wow. 

Sky suites also have priority boarding etc.  We will be on the Apex for Norwegian Fjords, Aug 13 - 20 and then, back-to-back to Best of Scandinavia Aug 20 to Sept 1. We've done Sky Suite before and always have priority boarding, disembarking, etc.

[cavaaller]

2 hours ago, 39august said:

What is in a Sail 75 please?

It is Beefeater gin, white tea and champagne. 

It is included in the premium package at $14.

[39august]

Oops! Not a gin drinker here. Thanks for answering. 

Edited July 15, 2022 by 39august

[hcat]

I am enjoying the review.. Thanks for sharing....good info and excellent photos, esp of the food and menus .  Some of the food looks " fancy" for our taste.  

 

Lunch  for us on E class is easy.. the Eden cafe or the extra charge cafe..best on board on EDGE.  And we will try to go to BLU for breakfast if Luminae is crowded..

 

For  dinner on our BEYIND cruise,  we will be assigned to Luminae and don't see very much we might enjoy or want to try..Do they offer an everyday menu where we could order more simply..ex.  shrimp cocktail, onion soup, salad,   and  a plain beef  or fish entree? We do not eat bread or fancy desserts.( med reason) and prefer not to be tempted.

 

If not maybe we can get into BLU or Tuscan or the Grek mdr..our favorites!

 

Enjoy your cruise..thanks for the review

[Cap_D]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

I am enjoying the review.. Thanks for sharing....good info and excellent photos, esp of the food and menus .  Some of the food looks " fancy" for our taste.  

 

Lunch  for us on E class is easy.. the Eden cafe or the extra charge cafe..best on board on EDGE.  And we will try to go to BLU for breakfast if Luminae is crowded..

 

For  dinner on our BEYIND cruise,  we will be assigned to Luminae and don't see very much we might enjoy or want to try..Do they offer an everyday menu where we could order more simply..ex.  shrimp cocktail, onion soup, salad,   and  a plain beef  or fish entree? We do not eat bread or fancy desserts.( med reason) and prefer not to be tempted.

 

If not maybe we can get into BLU or Tuscan or the Grek mdr..our favorites!

 

Enjoy your cruise..thanks for the review

We were on Edge in April.  At Luminae introduce yourself to Maitre D early on, and explain to your waiter your personal favs, etc.  Generally, you should be able to order the MDR classics and anything from a kids menu (that has some basics) at each seating.  In addition, its my estimation, that you're most likely to be able to ask and receive substitutes and customization at Luminae as compared to anywhere else on the ship.  That said, Blu preparations are going to be confined to Blu, and no harm in getting everyone involved to get you a table at Blu or to order the night before as some dishes are prepared in advance.  The main ingredients throughout many of the dining rooms are the same throughout the ship.  And not sure the kebabs and pita, for example, are any different at the MDR vs OVC, and that the filet / tenderloin at LPC is any different than the one being used at Luminae.   

 

OP:  Thank you for the pictures.  

Edited July 15, 2022 by Cap_D

[Jim_Iain]

Now you have me confused.   Doesn't take much for sure.

 

oops wrong thread

Edited July 15, 2022 by Jim_Iain

[cavaaller]

After looking at the menu for luminae for yesterday night, we decided quite spontaneously to dine in Fine Cut. We talked to the retreat concierge (Jonathan) and he made a reservation for us without any problems.

 

We had a very nice dinner with excellent meat:

 

For a starter I had the

 

AHI TUNA TARTARE*

Wasabi Mayo, Sesame Lavash, Avocado

 

 

I paired it with a very nice glass of Cattier Champagne (included in the premium package). both excellent!

 

DH and DS both had the

HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

Watermelon Pickle, Burrata, Toasted Mustard Seeds, Balsamic Reduction

 

 

As Mains the boys had the 

USDA 30 Day Dry Aged Prime Bone In NY Steak 16 oz.*

which was good and I had the Filet mignon

which was excellent.

 

We had fries and bordelaise, hot house and béarnaise sauce as sides. All very good.

 

What I liked best was the dessert: 

I love New York Cheese cake and when it is on the menu I almost almost get it and often I am disappointed - in Fine Cut I got THE BEST cheese cake, that I ever had !

 

The boys had the sundae

both were very happy with their choice!

 

It was a very nice evening - the service was attentive and we had a lot of fun.

What we did not like was the extremely loud music from the Martini Bar - it makes a conversation really difficult!

 

[cavaaller]

Today (second day Stockholm) we had breakfast in Luminae.

I think I mentioned that I usually get the eggs Benedict but lately I have fallen for waffles.

Oh my they are excellent.

I ordered waffles with cream and berries - it was a delight:

Two waffles would easily feed 3 people but I somehow managed to eat a whole glass of Muesli afterwards - I am on vacation, you have to make an effort...

The Muesli is excellent too - with fresh fruit and nuts - very creamy and really really good.

[cavaaller]

After breakfast we went for another stroll in the town and visited the island of Kastellholmen.

 

When you exit the ship, they help you to navigate:

There are different lines painted on the ground:

 

 

So even we could not miss it 🙂

 

The sun showed itself and we had a really wonderful walk.

 

 

 

 

[cavaaller]

It took us 30 minutes to get to Gamla Stan (old city) and another 20 minutes to get to Kastellholmen:

 

 

We even saw a sculpture-garden with exhibits of Niki de Saint Phalle:

 

and we were followed by this little fellow:

 

On Kastellholmen you have a great view of the Vasa Museum and the Gröna Lund Parc:

 

 

and of the apex:

[Swordfish1949]

Thanks for the review  - well done!

[cavaaller]

After a lazy afternoon we had our second night in Eden.

There was live entertainment going on in the Eden Bar while we were dining.

Georgia Nasr (a Solo Guitarist) was playing (and singing). The performers that on board are really good. Ms Nasr beautifully performed some cover songs.

 

We had a beautiful table with an unbeatable view again, especially nice since we were just cruising through the archipelago

 

 

and we were lucky to have Lalita as our waitress again.

 

We had a cocktail to start:

I had the Piña (except for the bitter aftertaste it was refreshing and nice),

 

DH had the Watermelon-cocktail (fresh, virgin)

 

The Amuse bouche was a slow cooked beef with a tuna sauce and crude vegetable cubes. Delicious!

 

And again - we shared our appetizers. The two apps that we liked the most the last time had to be in the mix again (Mulligatawny Soup and the Tandori-Style Beef) this time we added the Reuben Raclette and the Huitlacoche Risotto. Everything was excellent with the soup still being my favourite.

 

Risotto:

 

Tandori-Beef:

 

Raclette:

 

For the entrée I went a totally different route today- normally I am not a fan of fish - particularly not a fan of lobster at all. 
I have read raving reviews about the lobster casserole at Eden though and wanted to try something different.

 

 

DH and DS had the chicken and the beef Wellington again (so no pictures).

 

What I loved was that you can even get sampling sizes of the desserts - Dessert is my favourite course and I usually want to try everything that is on the menu - and I usually like everything that I get 🙂

 

So it was just lovely that I did not have to chose 

 

( lemon Meyer tarte  and butterscotch crème brûlée)

 

DS hat the Azteca chocolate pie (he usually does not like it when food is hot and spicy but he enjoyed the spicy aftertaste that makes the dish so special)

DH enjoyed the strawberry dessert - you cannot go wrong with vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries.

 

Of course after so much food, we were really stuffed but when this delicious petit-fours-tray arrived I may or may not have tried one or two.

 

 

What a wonderful dinner - again!

 

 

Edited July 17, 2022 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

This morning we had breakfast in the retreat lounge.

See pdf for better quality: Retreat Lounge Daily Operational Hours (except for embarkation day).pdf

 

I like, that the little buffet is not self serve.

Right next to the buffet there is a sink to wash your hands (that is the case for every buffet on board. I really like that too)

 

Everything we tried was excellent.

 

 

 

 

They have really good coffee here.

I mention that because the coffee is the one thing I don't like in Luminae.

 

 

Edited July 17, 2022 by cavaaller

[miched]

If you don’t like the regular coffee In Luminae you can ask for and get any espresso based  drink that is served in Cafe Al Bacio.  
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[El_Rolfo]

My oh my, only two months to our eastern med cruise with apex. Looking forward to it even more now! Ty for the pics!

[cavaaller]

1 hour ago, El_Rolfo said:

My oh my, only two months to our eastern med cruise with apex. Looking forward to it even more now! Ty for the pics!

I have to admit that I envy you. For us it is the last day - which means "end of cruise blues".

[cavaaller]

 

I took some pictures from the pool-deck to show you how quiet the ship is - no need to reserve any seats here 😉

 

 

 

 

 

The jogging track is innovative too. The tracks I have seen so far go around the ship with more monotony. Here the track goes up and down and follows an interesting path. 

 

 

Hardly ever anyone in the hot tubs. 

 

 

We especially loved to sit at the roof top garden (I think I mentioned that already). It is such a serene place. And even if it is a little windy, you always find a spot where you can enjoy the tranquillity.

 

 

 

 

[cavaaller]

After and in between all the relaxing we had to do some eating. 

So - because we had somewhat neglected Luminae, we went there for lunch and dinner:

 

The burger (even better than on the retreat pool deck)

 

the Pan Roasted Bronzino was very tender 

 

desserts were Olive Oil Crémeux Pudding (OK)

 

and the White Chocolate Macadamia Cake (good)

 

For dinner:

 

Yellow beet Risotto (good)

 

Slow Roasted Cornish Hen (very good)

 

And Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb (excellent)

 

Dessert:

Baked Alaska (cannot go wrong with that)

 

 

and Chocolate Bar (good)

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by cavaaller

[cavaaller]

In Kopenhagen, we docked at Oceankaj which is quite far from the city centre.

You could either  go to Copenhagen Central Station or Nørreport.

Nørreport can be reached by taking bus # 25 from the bus stop at Ocean Quay, which goes directly to Nørreport Station. You can also take bus number 27 to Østerport Station and then take the S-train in the direction Køge, Høje Taastrup, Frederikssund, Farum or Hillerød (lines A, B, C, E or H) and get off at Nørreport Station.

Price for the 2-zone ticket is around 25 DKK.

 

The cruise shuttle (drop off at St. Petri Church) costs $20 round trip - taxi would have been very expensive at around $40 one way)

 

We chose to take an e-bike.

We downloaded the app https://bycyklen.dk/en/ and walked about 100 m following the arrows on the pavement leading to the bike station. 

You can (maybe) see the bike-station on the right side, it is right next to the Unicef-building.

 

(in googlemaps: https://www.google.com/maps/@55.7139065,12.6196798,3a,75y,235.19h,93.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sT4WWiF2z_xNPcV4eInR94w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192)

 

It was very easy to use the bike and I had planned a route in komoot that we followed (with a little fun of getting lost on the way).

 

Kopenhagen is supereasy to navigate per bike, there are huge bike lanes and everybody (cars and pedestrians) pay attention.

First we visited the castle (Amalienborg)

 

 

 

 

Then we went to Nyhaven

 

 

continued to a lovely parc

 

 

visited the museum in Museumshaven

 

 

and enjoyed the vibe (Copenhagen is hygge)

 

 

 

We had a lovely day - and it was cheap too ($15 per bike for 2 h)

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by cavaaller