What’s the retreat like on Apex

[tomcruiser1234]

First time on an Edge class ship. What’s the retreat like?

 

its quite small on the Milli class.  Not been to a retreat on S class. 

 

We’re on Apex in 2 weeks. 

 

Thanks for any tips 

[phoenix_dream]

I love the Retreat on Apex.  The lounge is a nice size and has good service and nice snacks.  On the deck there is a small bar and dining area where you can get a quick lunch.  I am not into lounging in the sun, but they have a small pool and a nice sunning area.  If you want shade you won't be as lucky- not much to be found.  I frankly did not care for the Luminae experience as far as design.  It is one big room so when crowded, which it usually is, it gets very, very loud.  Service and food, however, were very good.

Edited January 13 by phoenix_dream

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

There’s a ton more shade on the sun deck then on the non Edge class ships where there is none!  Depending on where the sun is, there are lounges with overhangs and umbrellas neck to deck chairs.  And there is a small pool for relief from the heat. 

[marco491]

Shade can be a problem, unless you get there early and nab one of the cabana things. Other than that it depends a lot on which way the ship is sailing as to where the shade falls. If you want to sit, rather than lounge, there is shaded seating in the central areas linking front to back areas, but these feel a little like a thoroughfare and seem to be mostly occupied by people taking a break from the sun.

 

The bar area was never too busy and the roving waiters were attentive.

 

The lounge is very light and airy, good for working if you still have to do that, and the afternoon snacks are good. We were very happy with Luminae, though we usually eat late.

 

[chisoxfan]

1 hour ago, marco491 said:

Shade can be a problem, unless you get there early and nab one of the cabana things. Other than that it depends a lot on which way the ship is sailing as to where the shade falls. If you want to sit, rather than lounge, there is shaded seating in the central areas linking front to back areas, but these feel a little like a thoroughfare and seem to be mostly occupied by people taking a break from the sun.

 

The bar area was never too busy and the roving waiters were attentive.

 

The lounge is very light and airy, good for working if you still have to do that, and the afternoon snacks are good. We were very happy with Luminae, though we usually eat late.

 

Concur fully with comments above. There are several shaded  lounge areas in Retreat pool area that consist of two loveseats a large table and a few chairs and the accepted 'courtesy' seems to be to allow one or two individuals to inhabit this large section(s). We followed this protocol ourselves but if things got 'tighter' I see no problem in sharing these spaces which should alleviate any shortage of shaded space.

The few cabanas (near pool) seemed to be dominated by 'chair hogs' who had the area staked out every day but seldom used it. A topic for another post. Finally, attendants were available to move umbrellas to provide shade to loungers by pool. In short the Retreat Pool experience and accompanying service is great... whether it offers a reasonable value is another question with  multiple facets. Happy cruising.

[Mimiya11]

Loved the Retreat on the Apex.  Mind you, we were on a TA, so there were maybe 3 days that we sat outside away from the wind so never had a problem finding a spot as a result.  But there were always gracious servers upstairs offering drinks, blankets (doubt you will have that need). 

 

The overall experience inside the Retreat Lounge area was great but it did get pretty crowded

pre-dinner but never had a problem finding a seat.  You can also have a light continental breakfast in the lounge and we spent each night there for pre-dinner drinks as the bars all around the ship were so busy.   Plus they served nice antipasto and snacks at that time too.   

  

Edited January 16 by Mimiya11

[Rika1]

We loved it - in fact, it was the saving grace for us on our Christmas cruise in 2022, because the rest of the ship was packed. 

[tomcruiser1234]

Thanks.  Looking forward to our first time using the Edge class retreat. 

 

Cost…..wow that’s another topic