How is the Apex These Days?

[jhannah]

We are looking at an Apex itinerary and have never cruised with Celebrity before. We have been on various lines, most frequently on Holland America. Arter our last cruise, we were somewhat disappointed. So many things have been cut or eliminated. My question is for those of you who have sailed on Apex in fairly recent times. Have things remained at the level you expect as a loyal passenger? Thank you in advance.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

31 minutes ago, jhannah said:

We are looking at an Apex itinerary and have never cruised with Celebrity before. We have been on various lines, most frequently on Holland America. Arter our last cruise, we were somewhat disappointed. So many things have been cut or eliminated. My question is for those of you who have sailed on Apex in fairly recent times. Have things remained at the level you expect as a loyal passenger? Thank you in advance.

If you never been on Celebrity before you cannot be disappointed 😁

[karmamule]

We were on the Apex for our first cruise with Celebrity this last October and were very happy with the overall experience. We especially loved Le Grand Bistro for lunch and Eden for dinner. Without past experience on Celebrity to compare it to we can't say if it's better or worse, but when comparing to some other prior cruises on NCL and RCL we felt it was a noticeable step up in terms of ship design, service and food. 

 

We have an 11 day Canada/New England coming up this October on the Summit and are looking forward to checking out the smaller Celebrity ship experience next. (And coming up soon in April we'll be trying Virgin Voyages for the first time on the Valiant Lady)

[Oceansaway17]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

If you never been on Celebrity before you cannot be disappointed 😁

your answer does not really tell the OP anything.  

[Tigerfnan23]

We did Edge last fall and Apex this past week and loved them both.  

[blade3]

On Apex in January, 2023. Have been on 50 cruises on various lines. This ship ranked at the top. The food at the lunch time buffet in the Oceanview was the best we've ever had at a ship buffet, especially the desserts! Ate in all 4 of the MDRs, no speciality dining, and enjoyed the service and the food. It was nice that you could order an item from another MDR menu that you had really enjoyed on a previous evening.The evening shows were all very entertaining! The walking track is unique, and we found ourselves on it a couple of times everyday.We had a marvelous time! Hope you enjoy your cruise as much.

[Hoya2112]

Was on Apex just 2 weeks ago.  It’s a beautiful ship with a very relaxing color scheme.  We enjoyed food, entertainment, and crew members were fantastic.  Not once did they say no.  Determine if you would like the Infinite Veranda.  We enjoyed it tremendously but it’s not for everyone. 

[Arizona Wildcat]

To the Op.  Things are certainly different in 2023 compared to pre Covid.  Last summer Celebrity was short staffed and cruisers came to fill the ship so service declined.  Recently cruised on Princess and it often took 3 hours to get through a MDR dinner.  Worse issues than Celebrity. 

The big question to be answered is is the ship fully staffed?  If not then are there proportionately fewer passengers.  Is yes then all is good.  The problem is you really will not likely know anything until final payment and not know exactly until you board

[NMTraveller]

I think that a lot of it depends upon if you like an open/close window IV or a real balcony.  If you are a suite person go for Celebrity.

[lv2cruisgrl]

We sailed her last year and again this past week. We were in a suite, loved the service and food in Luminae. Shows at night were ok. No complaints here 

[phoenix_dream]

We were on Apex a few weeks ago in a sky suite.  The ship was completely full and many areas were very, very crowded.  For example, when there were good shows in the theater there were not enough seats for everyone - there were people standing the entire time in the rear section.  The buffet was probably the best I've seen in 70+ Celebrity cruises, but also very, very crowded much of the time.  Tried to find a seat before dinner in one of the bars with entertainment.  A number of times we couldn't find any.  Not just not a good one - I mean none.  Service in the bars was hit or miss.  It was common to see people lined up 10 deep at the Eden bar because there was limited table service.  The Retreat lounge was amazing.  The Retreat deck was beautiful but get there at the crack of dawn if you want a lounger in the shade.  Chair hogs are not limited to the main pool sadly.  Luminae was very crowded and due to the design therefore very loud.  Service, however, was excellent and the food was very good.  The live entertainment, when we could find a seat to see it, was very good.  Didn't see all the theater acts, but Rockumentary has to be my favorite Celebrity show of all time.  And if you get a chance to see Uptown, don't miss them!  Have seen them on other cruises but the special effects of this theater make their show even more amazine.

[ian441672]

On 3/11/2023 at 2:42 PM, phoenix_dream said:

We were on Apex a few weeks ago in a sky suite.  The ship was completely full and many areas were very, very crowded.  For example, when there were good shows in the theater there were not enough seats for everyone - there were people standing the entire time in the rear section.  The buffet was probably the best I've seen in 70+ Celebrity cruises, but also very, very crowded much of the time.  Tried to find a seat before dinner in one of the bars with entertainment.  A number of times we couldn't find any.  Not just not a good one - I mean none.  Service in the bars was hit or miss.  It was common to see people lined up 10 deep at the Eden bar because there was limited table service.  The Retreat lounge was amazing.  The Retreat deck was beautiful but get there at the crack of dawn if you want a lounger in the shade.  Chair hogs are not limited to the main pool sadly.  Luminae was very crowded and due to the design therefore very loud.  Service, however, was excellent and the food was very good.  The live entertainment, when we could find a seat to see it, was very good.  Didn't see all the theater acts, but Rockumentary has to be my favorite Celebrity show of all time.  And if you get a chance to see Uptown, don't miss them!  Have seen them on other cruises but the special effects of this theater make their show even more amazine.

So different from our sailing on there just after lockdown in July 2021, probably its 4 or fifth sailing. 450 pax, lucky to see anyone at all whilst walking to dinner! Luminae half empty but still an atmosphere, Retreat Lounge a haven of relaxation with so many seats and a great view and instant service, the retreat deck almost empty non-pool side and no matter what time of day, for the first time ever, we could handpick a cabana (that's never going to happen again!).

 

Eden area was table service, never much of a wait, theatre was busy some evenings, but always a seat, casino mostly empty and we won the 'spot prize' twice whilst playing at the slots! (2 decent bottles - one of perfume for DW and Eau de something for me!). Lunch buffet a dream and seating on or outdoors a dream. Happy days....it will be interesting to compare this August when we are back again going up to Iceland; after having tasted that luxury, I know we will be sorely disappointed....mind you, on Apex you cant really be disappointed for long!

[CruisingTheWaves]

On 3/11/2023 at 7:42 AM, phoenix_dream said:

We were on Apex a few weeks ago in a sky suite.  The ship was completely full and many areas were very, very crowded.  For example, when there were good shows in the theater there were not enough seats for everyone - there were people standing the entire time in the rear section.  The buffet was probably the best I've seen in 70+ Celebrity cruises, but also very, very crowded much of the time.  Tried to find a seat before dinner in one of the bars with entertainment.  A number of times we couldn't find any.  Not just not a good one - I mean none.  Service in the bars was hit or miss.  It was common to see people lined up 10 deep at the Eden bar because there was limited table service.  The Retreat lounge was amazing.  The Retreat deck was beautiful but get there at the crack of dawn if you want a lounger in the shade.  Chair hogs are not limited to the main pool sadly.  Luminae was very crowded and due to the design therefore very loud.  Service, however, was excellent and the food was very good.  The live entertainment, when we could find a seat to see it, was very good.  Didn't see all the theater acts, but Rockumentary has to be my favorite Celebrity show of all time.  And if you get a chance to see Uptown, don't miss them!  Have seen them on other cruises but the special effects of this theater make their show even more amazine.

Interesting. We sailed Edge pre COVID in a Sky Suite and experienced none of the crowding issues you mentioned, and the ship was definitely full. I think it goes to show that every cruise is different.