On board Apex now. Bullet point synopsis and observations!

[ian441672]

On board week 1, day 2 of B2B Apex, wanted to share some bullet point observations pre-boarding and on board. For context we are staying in an Aft Sky Suite:

 

• Boarding was relatively pain free. We had 11.30 arrival time, getting there 11.20, no lines with about 50 or 60 waiting around already for results. Our COVID certificates and PLF were checked before we had our test, then a 15 minute wait before we went through the doors for another paperwork check, security and boarding. No room keys, they were on the outside of our door awaiting for us, where we headed for straight away. 
• It really is a beautiful ship. Bright, modern and bold. Lots of nooks, crannies, hidden areas, weird and wonderful sculptures and the entrance to Eden is just an example of that. We’ve never seen things like it on a cruise ship before having done 15 Princess cruises and 3 X cruises. All tasteful (imho!) and designed to make you stand back and admire. 
• Room was lovely. I think our SS was slightly smaller than our previous Caribbean cruise stateroom, but again it was bright and modern, well thought out, and good use made out of the space. I missed the wrap around balcony, being half the previous size but it was fairly deep, 2 cushioned sun loungers, 2 chairs and a small plastic looking table fitted well. A small table in the room, fairly hard chaise longue, heavenly bed, lights tastefully adorned both room and bathroom which was decent size. Wife had a vanity area, modern double sink, squareish tub with rain forest shower head, large size. Small toilet cubicle tucked away, but lots of cupboard space for a change through the room. A bit more wardrobe would have been good but now I’m just being picky. Modern, bright, comfortable. 
• Our butler came and introduced himself, very friendly and pleased to see us. He mentioned the mini bar, asked what beer I liked and said he would restock it. ‘All free, I sort it’. So that was good, free beer, soda and water. He also added another perk to our room which he asked me to keep it quiet which I will, but we were pleased and surprised as I know it is popular for the higher up tiers. 
• We did like Eden. It was new to us but on our walk around as we were finding our way around the ship, it struck us as innovative  and exciting. We got talking to Welder, a barman and he was excited about being back on board and loved his job which was obvious. We saw a 10.45 show there, an Alice in Wonderland show with an adult contemporary twist, songs, comedy, story and acrobatics. Highly recommended and popular it seemed with us getting one of the last seats. Also looking just fantastic was the rooftop garden, it was like a little magical garden, all types of seating and very pretty and colourful. It’s a quirky ship in places and this makes it all the more interesting and enjoyable. 
• About 690 people on board, 220 suite guests (or near) so it was peaceful and made us feel comfortable. 
• Retreat lounge again was fantastic. Bright and white, lots of different types of seating, large windows, nice bar, a very helpful concierge lady and barman offering us our first glass of incredibly welcome, and tasty, glass of champagne. We booked Magic Carpet dinner for Rhodes night as we were told the Chefs table wasn’t happening for COVID reasons, too many families sitting together. I thought I heard elsewhere that someone had booked it but I cannot be sure. We loved the lounge. It also has a rear staircase leading up to the retreat deck and pool. Again, it looked beautiful, spacious, comfortable and bright. A few people like us touring a bit, but not too many people around. It really eased my wife’s worries which was good. 
• Lumiere was lovely too (a theme here but I am running out of adjectives lol), long, well lit, nice decor and incredibly attentive staff who couldn’t do enough for you.  Burger for lunch and a beer…. And a wee glass of something white and fruity just because I could! Settling in well by now haha. We met our check in host lady from our previous cruise 18 months ago, she remembered us and our name just as we thought she was vaguely familiar. “Ahh, my friends are back!”  That said it all. 
• Choice was ok. I was worried I would not like the limited menus not having the option of the MDR options. Luckily I was ok last night, but the waiter explained fillet mignon would also be available every night plus the Everyday options. I had the french onion soup, I do like that, then the pate, and a duck bolognese type thing. Sorry! All tasty though a party of fellow brits near us vocally expressed their displeasure to the waiter, chef and maitre d’ about the lack of taste and variety available to them, stating this was one of the poorest meals they had on a ship for a long time. That was a shame, we enjoyed ours and we will see that lies ahead, but each to their own I guess. 
• Masks are worn indoors I think by all. Outside a bit more liberal but nothing to alarm. In the retreat lounge I was told to take it off, we are relaxed here, it is fine. I was comfortable with that and I think it was only habit I had it on. Staff always wore theirs and I feel safe and not exposed. 
• We are not buffet people especially with what we have available to us, but we had a wonder at lunch time and did pop into the lunch buffet. It was delicious! Amazing lasagne, chilli, curry’s, sandwich station, car very, salad bar. They served you but that was easier that I thought, they were very patient and very happy. It was fairly empty and all that food to waste, such a shame,  it we had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch! A beer or two featuring somewhere I think. 
• We have a captains drink thingy at Eden soon, so that will be nice. 
• Casino relatively empty, some machines not working but that didn’t matter. They didn’t pay out much so I think even more must have been broken!
• Main pool area all very nicely laid out. Some chairs fixed in the pool, half the normal sun beds laid out, not too many people around, but staff happy and friendly and always offered service and assistance. Magic carpet is not moving just for now. 
• Dubrovnik tomorrow, looking forward to that. Captain very witty and funny, saying it is his first visit, and he hoped he could find the way. He said it far more funnier than I have just iterated, and he is full of quips and jokes and is one of the better ones, as is Guiseppe the cruise director. Watching a show in the theatre tonight, just one at 9.30 but it sounds good and it looks an immersed theatre with the stage coming into the centre of the audience, and a full electronic LCD / video screen type thing wrapped around it. All looks exciting!
• B2B but having to do an antigen test the day before the end of leg 1. We have to book that tomorrow but do not have to disembark. It will be explained to us later but I think I we all met in the Lounge and go downstairs together, get new cards, some paperwork then can get on with our day. 
• Just back from the Captains thingy, he’s a comedian all right! The most travelled person was an Elite Plus, so that shows how few people are sailing, I guess. 
• We have the Accelerate WiFi package, and for us it seems ok. That’s all I can say on that!
• We might be able to get off in Mykonos and do our own thing, that’s what the retreat lounge concierge seemed to think, so fingers crossed there, but to be confirmed. 
• No duty free on board due to Greek/EU regulations. Shame. 

 

Think that’s the main things to mention. Hope it helps anyone about to board or considering Edge class. We’re easy going 50’s people, and have liked all the cruises we have done so far, but this is at the moment a cut above the rest. Thanks for reading. 

[ian441672]

[Tee & Chilli]

Thank you 

[little britain]

Keep it comin’!! Great start! 

[phillynick]

Excellent info and photos!

[toothdocsx2]

Thank you for this!  Enjoy your wonderful cruise!
 

[JRG]

Great first look and pictures.

 

Outstanding photography work too,   let others know your smartphone brand and version but you really selected the nice spots on the ship to give people an idea.

 

(this could save some cruisers from lugging their nikon gear around).

 

 

[CanuckCruizer]

ian441672 - thanks so much for reporting and all the pictures.  We are doing a B3B on Apex in Europe next year so every little bit of information helps.  Can I ask which cabin you were in as we are in an aft Sky Suite as well?

Cheers,

Canuck

[TraderSam]

Enjoying reading your thoughts and seeing all your photos. We had Giuseppe on our Scandinavia/Russia on Reflection.He was great fun!

looking forward to hearing more. Enjoy!🍸

[dreams_of_travel]

32 minutes ago, JRG said:

Great first look and pictures.

 

Outstanding photography work too,   let others know your smartphone brand and version but you really selected the nice spots on the ship to give people an idea.

 

(this could save some cruisers from lugging their nikon gear around).

 

 

 

 I used my iPhone 11 Pro for all of my pics.  I suppose it depends on what type of photos you hope to take, and what you would do with them afterwards (print larger scale/edit/manipulate).  I did take one of my smaller point/shoot Nikons but never used it.  YMMV

 

Edited July 25, 2021 by dreams_of_travel
tried to add a pic.

[ian441672]

38 minutes ago, JRG said:

Great first look and pictures.

 

Outstanding photography work too,   let others know your smartphone brand and version but you really selected the nice spots on the ship to give people an idea.

 

(this could save some cruisers from lugging their nikon gear around).

 

 

Thank you. It’s an iPhone 12 (or whatever the latest one is?!). It does have a good camera on it for day and night photos. I’ll share some more later, but I know it can be boring for some, looking  at other people’s photos! 

[ian441672]

30 minutes ago, CanuckCruizer said:

ian441672 - thanks so much for reporting and all the pictures.  We are doing a B3B on Apex in Europe next year so every little bit of information helps.  Can I ask which cabin you were in as we are in an aft Sky Suite as well?

Cheers,

Canuck

Hey Canuck. Suite 10267. It’s nice 😉

[ian441672]

17 minutes ago, TraderSam said:

Enjoying reading your thoughts and seeing all your photos. We had Giuseppe on our Scandinavia/Russia on Reflection.He was great fun!

looking forward to hearing more. Enjoy!🍸

Thanks Sam. He’s good, and good rapport with the captain which is good to see. I heard he will be off to the Beyond when it launches. 

[CanuckCruizer]

Thanks, Ian.  We are in 11268.  We are used to Solstice Class aft Sky Suites (I think that is what you are referring to) and their balconies definitely seem wider (or longer as you said) but less deep & we like seeing around the corner too, like you said.  Royal is better for being able to see around the corner than Celebrity.  Going by various pictures, it "seems" like the Solstice class ones are much bigger in the actual cabin size but I am only guessing.  Edge Class cabins seem much smaller to me, but I am only going by the pictures.  All I know is that the closet is NOT acceptable for 34 days of clothes! ha  Wish it were bigger.  Hubby says I will have to "scale down" which really is not in my vocabulary! lol

 

Thanks again - enjoying your review!

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

Ian - is that a "real" table inside the cabin or is it a "makeshift one" with stools underneath it - looks kind of strange?  I know the new tables that they have on the Edge are much bigger than that, but too low to eat breakfast on - so noticed the difference.

Thanks,

Canuck

[Turtles06]

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us through your comments and beautiful photos. Looking forward to more. Enjoy your B2B!

[Bruin Steve]

Ian,

Thanks for the report...It makes me look forward to this thing even more...

We leave tonight and fly out VERY early tomorrow morning for Athens...and will join you Saturday for the first leg of our B2B!!

I think our sky suite is laid out a little different than yours as we are on the port side right at the bump-out (#10191)...

Can't wait to find out about surprise suite perks...

See you next week!

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for sharing.   She really looks beautiful.  In the initial photos she looks identical to Edge.   Are there any differences?

[hopeless holiday booker]

I see you're  from the UK.  Where did the ship leave from and will you have to quarantine on return?  I know you've only just started your cruise and I'm already talking about coming home! 

[hcat]

Great review..love the photos,...esp the  APEX  art collection...one of the main reasons we may book APEX, having already enjoyed EDGE twice. We did not have a suite but loved the 4 mdr plan ( 2nd EDGE cruise)  even more than BLU  ( first EDGE cruise)

 

Hope you enjoy Mykonos..one of the nicest ports we have been to... truly beautiful water and great people.  We loved wandering and shopping  there and the little taverns,.

[Eppe4]

We board on 8/7 for a back to back, so your updates are perfect for us. It time permits, keep them coming.

 

Joyce

[wendyam76]

Welder is lovely! We are from the UK and did the 9th July sailing. Somebody asked about quarantine - as we flew back before the 19th we are just about finished the 10 days quarantine. From the 19th July we wouldn’t need to do quarantine as both are double vaccinated. Giuseppe is wonderful as is everyone at The Retreat. Try their lunch - wow! Lovely salads, fruits etc pool side. 
so hope you can get off at Mykonos - we loved just wandering ourselves.

Enjoy!

Wendy

[cangelmd]

Thanks for sharing! 
Does Apex have the French bistro where Le Petit Chef is held?

 

[little britain]

1 hour ago, hopeless holiday booker said:

I see you're  from the UK.  Where did the ship leave from and will you have to quarantine on return?  I know you've only just started your cruise and I'm already talking about coming home! 

Apex sails from Athens and currently Greece is on the Amber list which means no quarantine and a test on day 2 after return. I say currently as there are reports today in the Daily Mail ( so it must be true lol) that Greece may be moved to Amber Plus list which means 10 days quarantine 

[lkj1301]

Thanks for posting.  Love following along. 

Beautiful pictures. Please keep them coming.

We are scheduled on the Silhouette 2/22 then Edge 2/23.  It will be our 

1st Edge class cruise.  So following with envy.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.