Jim_Iain Apex Key West, TansAtlantic and British Isle with a Week in Amsterdam

[hcat]

thanks for the  APEX art preview

the tour will be a sell out.. so try not to.miss it.. we were given the EDGE art book plus other goodies.. sorry we missed it for BEYOND  but I did get the Book!

[GeorgesGal]

Jim_Iian, thoroughly enjoying reading your live from as usual, though I've only gotten as far as page 22.  Since I've not sailed on any of the Edge ships but am due to board Beyond on June 26 out of Civitavecchia to Greece and Turkey, please do let us know what you do and don't like about Apex.  I'm on it with friends, one of which is celebrating a birthday, so couldn't say 'no'.  I'm not a fan of ships any bigger than 2000 pax, so looking for your take on these huge floating cities!  Luckily I was able to secure one of the aft veranda s/r with a true balcony and room for my lounge. 

Also, if you could, let me know where Iain goes for his smokes!

Many Thanks, and now back to reading your travelogue. 

Donna

Edited April 28, 2023 by GeorgesGal

[MisterMet]

On 4/24/2023 at 10:42 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I took a double take when I passed the Rooftop grill area.  Thought they had bodies laid out as they had a Star code pool deck just before I passed.   Meditation Class.  
 

I would’ve thought it was one helluva night before!  Lol 😆 

[MisterMet]

On 4/25/2023 at 8:21 AM, Jim_Iain said:

 

John,    I'm much the same,  in fact due to @GenerationX wonderful food reviews I did something I've never done before and order a steak on the first Lunch instead of either the Luminea burger or Lobster roll.     It was delicious, flavorful and cooked to perfection.

I mostly eat fish on ships for two reason - 

 

First because Luminae has always had Fish Chefs that really know what they are doing

 

Second I have no self control and what lands on my plate ends in my stomach - whether I'm hungry or not... Just like my Golden Retriever -

 

I compare myself to Luke, our retriever because of what the Vet taught me.   We rescued Luke with a police escort.   He was a police dog that the officer was abusing, both physically and emotionally.    His family had 4 little Poodle/Chinaware mix that were indoor dogs.   Luke was banished to the outside and would sit at the window and watch them play.   Out of boredom he was acting out and chewing and destroying the patio furniture -- things dogs do when bored.

 

HIs biggest issue was he was a cadaver searcher BUT he was terrified of Gun Shot and Lightning the officer was trying to beat the fear out of him.  He had stopped eating  and lost most of his hair and was down to 35 pounds.   They brought him out and put him in the back seat of the car - I had the seats down so plenty of space.     I still remember on the 1 hour drive home he put his head on my shoulder and kept it there -    Having hair like a butch cut -  it tickle and he had me laughing. 

 

OK.... as usually I'm getting long winded in my tale.      First day It took me 30 minutes to get him in the house because I guess he had always been beaten if he went into the house.   That's when we learned how much training he was going to need    He peed on the floor and I realized it made sense.   If he had never been allowed in a house how would he know not to.   I hugged him and said -  Luke (his original name) no you do that outside ---- took him out and when he peed I have him a single treat.   He looked at me and said with those sad eye  --- I didn't know.     Done --- he never peed on the floor again. 

 

Finally to the subject of this rambling post.     I took him to the vet as he wasn't eating.    The most wonderful vet in the world.   He taught me a bit about dog psychology.    This is going to sound really counter intuitive.   Put a bowl down with 2 Cups of dry food.   Only leave it for 5 minutes.    If he doesn't eat it pick it up and put on the counter until next meal time.  

 

Dogs when they eat will just cram food quickly and don't know when they are full to stop.   Took two meals until the third disappeared in 30 seconds...  That's how I eat.   What ever  you put in front of me or leave on the counter like snacks...   Hand Mouth without any self control.     That's also why I never ask the butler to leave anything.

 

Finally -  Doc told us to bring him up to 78 pounds - ideal weight for his small boy Golden frame.   We got him their and kept him at his ideal weight his whole life.    I got too close to him and when he died it destroyed me and have never replaced or allowed myself to get that close to a dog again

 

The day I picked him up

Love this story.  Graziella (Grazie) is 5 and our second Golden.  We love Goldens so much.  They are wonderful companions.  Would love to figure a way she’d get to cruise with us.

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by MisterMet
Add pic

[bunnyette]

On 4/27/2023 at 4:09 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Last night in prep for the storm we were advised they would be redecorating our room

 

All the furniture had to be moved into our room 

 

 

 

They did a good job.  We should have a party.  Lots of sitting room. 

 

 

I’d attend that party😄

[PANIN36]

Jim and Iain,

 

I came in very late to your live post. I am spending a relaxing Saturday morning here reading through it backwards!

 

Your beautiful story of Luke 🥲. He may have had such a tragic start but he was very lucky to have found you and to be part of your family.

 

Your photos are typical Jim_Iain's, they are just gorgeous and so vibrant in colours with the added cheekiness (literally in some).

 

I recognised many of the areas of the Apex in your photos, and then boom, the familiar face of Sonny!

He and Liam (my butler) are the best of the already great crew members on my Apex cruise last year.

I challenge you or Iain to ask Sonny for some Indonesian sambal to try with any main course in Luminae and it will be even more delish AND 🔥🔥🔥.

 

Hope you both continues to enjoy the calm sea and the ports on the rest of your cruise.

 

Vien

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

9 hours ago, GeorgesGal said:

Jim_Iian, thoroughly enjoying reading your live from as usual, though I've only gotten as far as page 22.  Since I've not sailed on any of the Edge ships but am due to board Beyond on June 26 out of Civitavecchia to Greece and Turkey, please do let us know what you do and don't like about Apex.  I'm on it with friends, one of which is celebrating a birthday, so couldn't say 'no'.  I'm not a fan of ships any bigger than 2000 pax, so looking for your take on these huge floating cities!  Luckily I was able to secure one of the aft veranda s/r with a true balcony and room for my lounge. 

Also, if you could, let me know where Iain goes for his smokes!

Many Thanks, and now back to reading your travelogue. 

Donna

 

I will admit one does notice the difference in the size of the ship when you just carry out your normal comings and going.    Iain puts on the steps as a smoker (He deserves it.. lol)  

 

There are 3 smoking areas that I know of.    Iain usually goes to the smoking area directly above the Pool Grill where they cook hamburgers (hmm.. we haven't made it there yet).   it is a patio area in-between decks 14 and 15 Port -  It's nice for other because you don't have to walk through the area.   I'll take a picture later as I noticed they don't even have one on Cruisedeckplans.

 

They also have a smoking area Starboard Sunset Bar

 

 

The third is Starboard outside of Eden full aft-   Deck 5 -  near the blue guy and the woman looking through the window.

 

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, hcat said:

thanks for the  APEX art preview

the tour will be a sell out.. so try not to.miss it.. we were given the EDGE art book plus other goodies.. sorry we missed it for BEYOND  but I did get the Book!

 

I hope I don't go into overload but my "Shore Excursion" will be to continue to explore all the ships art.  I also have some pending requests for the Bar Menus.    Since we haven't been able to use the decks for walking for 2 days the interior is really crowded.

 

[Jim_Iain]

Recent comment by @GeorgesGal about ship size over 2,000 got my curiosity up.    I took a look at the Fleet Guide -   Apex had not been yet built when the one I have was issued, but Apex is pretty identical to Edge if I recall -

 

[Jim_Iain]

3 hours ago, PANIN36 said:

Jim and Iain,

 

He and Liam (my butler) are the best of the already great crew members on my Apex cruise last year.

I challenge you or Iain to ask Sonny for some Indonesian sambal to try with any main course in Luminae and it will be even more delish AND 🔥🔥🔥.

 

 

Vien

 

 

 

Liam is still aboard,  what a bright smile.     As you know Sonny will go above and beyond for anything that is requested.    Every time we have ordered poultry after our problem on cruise one he makes sure the chef know that it has to be juicy.   He even brought the Head Chef out to talk with us.  

 

Talking of Butlers,  We also came across Edwin who was our butler 2x on various cruises.   He recognized us immediately.   I'm sure many of you will recognize him.     I swear Apex has the Cream of The Crop staff.

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Captain Nikolaos has done an incredible job to minimize the discomfort of this big storm.   We should see a nice day and if he works it right will shot the gap on the backside of the front as it spins counter clockwise.    Do you see that clear gap --  he's trying to anticipate what the backside will do. 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Croooser]

Captain's video explaining the plan to deal with the storm is outstanding. On our previous TAs when facing stormy weather we would hear something like "don't worry, we know what we are doing and the ship can handle it." 

 

He walked past us in OVC yesterday at noon and with a big smile on his face said "So far, so good".

[Jim_Iain]

Feeling devilish this morning and left a message on a stateroom door.  I hope I didn’t offend or see a line outside the door later
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

16 minutes ago, Croooser said:

Captain's video explaining the plan to deal with the storm is outstanding. On our previous TAs when facing stormy weather we would hear something like "don't worry, we know what we are doing and the ship can handle it." 

 

He walked past us in OVC yesterday at noon and with a big smile on his face said "So far, so good".

I wish they put his briefing on a separate channel.  When I go to channel 24 and 25 all I get are the beyond the podium reruns and don’t want to sit for 50 to 100 minutes for a rerun. 
 

I’m having lunch with him today (Zenith Lunch) and may suggest.  Looking forward to his 10 am briefing to see if my amateur forecast is correct.   Definitely smoother this morning.  Just finished first half of my walk   Not sure if walking deck is opened.  

Edited April 29, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[hcat]

49 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Feeling devilish this morning and left a message on a stateroom door.  I hope I didn’t offend or see a line outside the door later
 

 

jim

I googled it..oh my!

[Jim_Iain]

What an incredible lunch hosted for the 20 Zeniths aboard. 
 

Was fun to meet many we haven’t met before.  The family is growing quickly. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

As promised, here is the mid-deck smoking balcony.  
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Swimming pool remains drained.  We will be going through the backside of front starting late this evening. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Assorted door art  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks for the slot tournament. 

[Jim_Iain]

Iain didn’t have money for dinner last night so put to work in kitchen. 
 

 

LOL. -  blast from the past.  We were invited to the kitchen for a cooking class.  

[TrueCruiseaholic]

18 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

What an incredible lunch hosted for the 20 Zeniths aboard. 

Related to the commentary about celebrating double, triple, or more levels of Zenith; Celebrity should have a lunch for Zeniths, another lunch for double Zeniths, another lunch for triple, another lunch for quadruple, etc. If one went back to zero once getting to Zenith, they would deserve another lunch once they got to Zenith again (thus warranting two lunches for double Zenith). We all know Celebrity won't do this, but it would be a benefit requisite to the proportional amount of loyalty.

 

Hope you had a nice time with nice conversation and nice company. 

[Jim_Iain]

We are progressing on our journey and many of the crew are anxious to see land.  Interesting that I was chatting with a Barista and his fist contract.   Very curious young man and asked me -  We are in the Atlantic aren't we.  It reminds me of learning the wonders of the world. 

 

 

Current location -   46.18007 N, -34.04815

18.5 Kn to get us through the smooth storm center and will be slowing down later for a smoother ride through the backside of the storm.   They expect high seas and wind again around 10 PM tonight.

Temps were a chilly 50-52 today.  

 

Winds projected at 10 PM ---  storm spinning counter clockwise

 

Waves projection by 5 AM

 

[scrapcreator]

On 4/19/2023 at 8:02 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I’ll take a look.    I usually use my iPhone and Bluetooth speakers. 
 

 

yiu reminded me I need to do a video.   They have a new item on menu to stream from phone or pc wirelessly.    Really works well and no need to get to the HDMI ports. 

Jim, could you share a bit more about this? Boarding the Apex at the end of July for a B2B.

 

Thanks!

[hcat]

Loved the 50 yr  Anniv Decor.. dh and I have  2 more yrs to make that Celebration.. ...and would also be 50 years in my profession although I am mostly retired these days!  time flies!

 

Til then, we try to make the most of each day!

[GeorgesGal]

12 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Recent comment by @GeorgesGal about ship size over 2,000 got my curiosity up.    I took a look at the Fleet Guide -   Apex had not been yet built when the one I have was issued, but Apex is pretty identical to Edge if I recall -

 

Jim, thanks for the info on the smoking 'lounges'.  Thank God this isn't a cold weather cruise I'm going on!

Donna