Live from Apex - 6/19

[Fouremco]

1 minute ago, ocdb8r said:

This was absolutely NOT our experience. At the very first check in location our vaccination cards were inspected, a picture taken, the details entered into a system and then we're we're ask to click to indicate the documents we presented were true and accurate.  If you skipped this step, I have no idea how. It was literally the first thing we had to do to move any further into the tent to then do the COVID test.

 

Yes, we got an email the week of the cruise with a link to pre-register for the COVID test at the dock.  Just personal details requested (no time reservation).  It looks.like this same system will be used to reserve our pre-disembarkation test as well.

Interesting difference in experience. Could you tell whether everyone else going through at your time was similarly checked, or whether there were only random checks? I'm hoping that they were checking everyone and that @Kreative03 was missed by accident.

[Bruin Steve]

Right now, this might be the most important thread on cruise Critic! 

I will be on the July 31 and August 7 sailings...(We originally had earlier dates, but decided to push it back a few weeks to get the Israel itinerary).

My greatest hope is that they really figure all of this stuff out and greatly improve the process and evolve the "rules" over the next few weeks before we get there.

 

To those onboard:  Did you spend any nights pre-cruise in Athens?  If so, how was the experience in Athens itself?  Restaurants and attractions open?  Masks required? And so on...Thanks.

 

[Kreative03]

11 minutes ago, ocdb8r said:

This was absolutely NOT our experience. At the very first check in location our vaccination cards were inspected, a picture taken, the details entered into a system and then we're we're ask to click to indicate the documents we presented were true and accurate.  If you skipped this step, I have no idea how. It was literally the first thing we had to do to move any further into the tent to then do the COVID test.

Wow. What time did you check in? Our entire group of 11 didn’t get this experience nor did anyone around us. I wonder if they will come back and find us to record?

[bebe08]

Hope everyone onboard enjoys their cruise!!

 

We are booked on a B2B on Apex April 2022!  Will be our first time on this class of ship and likely will be our first cruise post Covid.  

 

We have booked passes for the Thermal Suite....the description from cruise planner is below. However I've heard this may not be accurate and that there isn't a Thalassotherapy pool.  We've not found it was worth the cost for the pass on the other X class ships but I love T pools so we booked passes.  Hoping someone onboard can confirm.

 

 

Set sail on a journey to ultimate relaxation with this sensory oasis. Inspired by traditional Turkish Baths, our Thermal Suite features heated chaise lounges as well as aromatic steam and sauna grottos - a perfect interlude to your day. Then, soak in our Thalassotherapy Pool, a therapeutic, natural-bubbling salt-water spring. This mineral-rich body of water has healing powers for de-stressing, pain relief, and to soothe dry skin. Together enjoy a 7-day Thermal Suite and Thalassotherapy Pool experience during your cruise with this couples pass.

[KurtMo]

5 hours ago, Kreative03 said:

 Let’s hear those questions.

Will be curious to see what you think of the menus in Luminae, and if they are expanded to include any items from the MDR or Blu menus?  (there was some speculation on these boards that the Apex Luminae galley may have been expanded to allow increased variety).

 

Looking forward to your reports, have a great cruise.

[Cruising89143]

An article from Cruise News Daily.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/25271-celebrity-apex-sails-from-greece-with-guests-onboard.html

[Kreative03]

@KurtMowrt menus in luminae, they are using QR code menu that take you to the celebrity app menu, but printed are available upon request. We were told today we can also order the signature options from the main menu of the MDR and most of our crew did. Did not ask about blu.

[scrabble6]

Hi Kreative03!  Enjoy your cruise!

 

If you're able to do photos, there are several places I'd like to see.  I've sailed on Edge and understand there are a few changes.  I'd love to see photos of Grand Plaza/Martini Bar, Craft Social bar (formerly Casino Bar), the walkway on deck 5 between Blu and Eden--the one where you wind your way through all the interesting sculptures, and Sunset Bar.  

 

We're on Apex in January; we're interested to hear about everything!  🙂

 

Thanks!!  Have a wonderful time!

[maggie.1008]

I wonder how many Zeniths are on board.

[happy cruzer]

6 hours ago, happy cruzer said:

Yes, info on the dining rooms!  Plus the kid's menu, does it still have a small filet mignon available?

 

So looking forward to your observations.  Thanks.

Just wanting to check on the kid's menu.

 

And to thank MiamiNice for the earlier review of the MDRS, it was the deciding factor why we booked Apex :).

[Kreative03]

7 minutes ago, happy cruzer said:

Just wanting to check on the kid's menu.

 

And to thank MiamiNice for the earlier review of the MDRS, it was the deciding factor why we booked Apex :).

Luminae kids menu - but should hold across the ship. What I recall from the Edge is that the Mac and cheese prep varies per restaurant and per day; I’m interested to see if that holds 😆

[Lastdance]

Thank you for taking time out from your onboard experience to post, as with a group of 11 and small children, you must be very busy.  I would have been on one of the upcoming cruises, but will have to wait until fall.  Having such a small list of passengers must feel like Heaven on a cruise, especially when eating and walking around to see the multitude of venues.  I too would love to see photos, if that is possible.  Anyway, have a truly wonderful time on this inaugural Apex cruise.  Smooth sailing!

[KurtMo]

24 minutes ago, Kreative03 said:

We were told today we can also order the signature options from the main menu of the MDR

Very interesting, appreciate the update.

[LGW59]

7 minutes ago, Kreative03 said:

Luminae kids menu - but should hold across the ship. What I recall from the Edge is that the Mac and cheese prep varies per restaurant and per day; I’m interested to see if that holds 😆

Thank you and now go ENJOY your cruise!!

[Lastdance]

3 hours ago, jakebloke said:

I wish I was there!!  I’m curious if there’s anything at all different with Apex compared to Edge.  I feel like they are practically identical (I imagine the artwork is probably different) but would be interested to hear any differences you notice throughout your cruise.  

They have made improvements, as many cruise guests from Edge wrote to suggest these.  I did see a thread regarding some of these; I guess you and I will just have to see for ourselves unless they are noted on here.

Edited June 19, 2021 by Lastdance

[WonderMan3]

2 hours ago, Kreative03 said:

Wow. What time did you check in? Our entire group of 11 didn’t get this experience nor did anyone around us. I wonder if they will come back and find us to record?

Since you are in a suite, did you go through a separate check-in area? Perhaps that is what caused the difference?

 

Have you had a chance to visit the Retreat Lounge? If so did you see if there was a bar inside the lounge itself (separate from the one on the sundeck)?

[CanuckCruizer]

Kreative03, ocdb8r & others contributing to this report - thanks so much for taking the time!  So excited to hear "anything" about Apex as we are doing a B2B2B on her next year in Europe.

 

Wondering the same thing as WonderMan3 - is there an "actual" bar in the Retreat Lounge as I had read reports that there was supposed to be one.  

 

Also, do you know who is the Retreat Concierge?

 

Hope you all have a wonderful cruise and we will all live vicariously through you! 😁

 

Thanks again!

Canuck

[NCHPcruiser]

I am also curious if there is an actual bar in the Retreat!   On our last Edge cruise we really missed the interaction with the bartenders and other guest at the bar.  

[scrapcreator]

Bon voyage to each and every one of you sailing on the Apex today! Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[maggie.1008]

How long will Captain Demitrios be on board and who will take his place ? So excited for all of you on board now. I have to wait until November 4th.

[Kreative03]

there is now a bar in the retreat but it is more a service bar instead of one with real seating like in Michael’s on the solstice class. Much nicer than on edge and I wonder if they will eventually retrofit it once they see how much better this works. Fridges still had cans but other than that no self serve. Many day 1 kinks abound.

Edited June 19, 2021 by Kreative03
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[Kreative03]

1 hour ago, maggie.1008 said:

I wonder how many Zeniths are on board.

Definitely one, maybe more given they had a zenith check in next to the suite one. No E/E+ that I saw. But given the test/release debacle mentioned the lines ended with your test itself.

[CanuckCruizer]

8 minutes ago, Kreative03 said:

there is now a bar in the retreat but it is more a service bar instead of one with real seating like in Michael’s on the solstice class. Much nicer than on edge and I wonder if they will eventually retrofit it once they see how much better this works. Fridges still had cans but other than that no self serve. Many day 1 kinks abound.

Thanks Kreative03.  So maybe it doesn't have seating now due to Covid but you think it might be possible to add seating to it in the future?

Canuck  

[Kreative03]

@TeeRickas far as I can recall it was a laundry list of health symptoms

, pregnancy and covid positivity. I did not recall it but I feel strongly I would have remembered it asking about vax status as we are a 1 and 0 situation. Maybe someone else has a screenshot? I’m open to having a vastly different experience than others…this process is new for everyone.

[ocdb8r]

4 hours ago, Kreative03 said:

Wow. What time did you check in? Our entire group of 11 didn’t get this experience nor did anyone around us. I wonder if they will come back and find us to record?

We checked in at noon....and it appeared the same was happening for everyone around us.  We are a group of seven, in three cabins and thus were directed to three different people who all did the same thing I described above.  Very strange no one asked for any of your vaccination cards.  Is there any chance someone else in you party provided them?  Did you fill out the pre cruise health questionnaire?  We also had to review our answers during this step and confirm to the agent that none of them had changed.