CHICAGOPAUL - LIVE on the Celebrity Apex! January 15th

[Arubamoose]

So happy to have another thread to follow - I did devour the one posted by BennyBrun.

 

We sail on her on February 5th.  Can't wait.

 

Thanks for posting and have a great trip!

[h20cruzer]

Hey Paul, would you be able to take several pics of the seating area in Cafe Al Bacio, I have seen plenty of pics of the bar but would like to see the seating areas. Thanks.

Norma

[chicagopaul]

Happy Sunday Everyone,

 

Covid Tests: To answer that question, we tested the morning we flew down using Binax Abbott at home test through eMed. The test needs to take place within 2 days of the cruise but it can be taking at 1am for instance the morning of if you wanted to. We wanted to make sure we had this out of the way before we flew so we took our test around 5am Thursday morning. We ordered the tests through Celebrity. Cost was $99 I believe for a pack of 3. 

 

I am slowly learning my way around this ship! We cruised once on the Edge but that is all. This is only our second time on this class and I swear it is so easy to get lost here. 

 

We did not upgrade our room. The offer never came so we are still in our concierge class stateroom. I have to say that at first I thought the storage was not enough but it really is completely fine for us. We have everything nicely organized. 

 

I love the shower in the bathroom. Definitely a bit bigger than on the S Class ships. The water pressure is phenomenal! We have no problem getting the room ice cold at night (I need it freezing in order to sleep!) all the room controls have been working just fine, no problems. 

 

Eden 

Last night we ate in Eden. The bar area upstairs was packed and people were enjoying the show. The dining room was not that crowded at all. We had 8pm reservations. Our service was truly stellar. Really top notch. 

 

One small thing I always look for is when I go to the restroom is my napkin replaced and/or folded when I return to the table. Murano is always great at this. Usually 80% of the time it is done. Eden is running at 100% haha. Napkin always perfectly folded. Even when I asked for directions to the closest restroom instead of just telling me the assistant waiter escorted me up the stairs to the restroom.

 

The food was fantastic. We started with the crab cakes, ceviche, & beef cheek over poletenta. Edward then had the lobster and I had the branzino which was absolutely perfect. It was served over a little sticky rice with bok choy and a ginger foam?? Ridiculously good. 

 

Our sommelier was very attentive and when we told him we'd be fine going above the package he had no issues obliging. We started with a glass of Vueve and then I moved onto an Italian Chardonnay (yes Italy has some stellar chardonnays) and Edward had the Honig Sauv Blanc. 

 

Martini Bar

We know Tada at the Martini bar and he has made it feel like we're right at home. Introducing us to all the other bartenders. Wayan is behind the bar and it turns out we've cruised with him before too. He poured a 52 martini flight for us when we were on a 14night cruise on the Eclipse. 

 

We have not had issues getting seats at the Martini Bar. At some times it is pretty busy at others completely dead. With around 1100 passengers on board that is to be expected. 

 

We've really enjoyed the live music in the martini bar area. They played late last night until 11:45pm and a few people were dancing and it was great to see. Nice selection of music played. Not too loud so we can still chat with people at the bar. It was a great night! 

 

Pool 

Today the temps were upper 70s. Maybe 80? We were by the pool most of the day. Thankfully not too bad of a sunburn. There was some activities by the pool and the DJ was out there as well. Pretty wide selection of music being played which I enjoyed. We had a handful of drinks of course from the pool bar. 

 

It was windy so the ship was moving a bit today which means the water was moving today! It was splashing out of the pool at times but the sun was out 90% of the time so no one really seemed to mind. We spent more time in the water today than we usually ever do and I'm really glad we did! 

 

Masks on Board

The topic everyone wants to talk about right?! Yes, they are required indoors when not actively eating or drinking. I've seen everyone abiding by this. I notice sometimes someone gets up and walks to get something or maybe walks to the bathroom without a mask. I don't see this as intentional behavior when I notice it, it just seems like people forget. 98% are following things strictly. 

 

There is no additional distancing at bars or anything of that sort. Most people don't seem to be too worried but at the same time I feel like people are "aware" that others might be uncomfortable if they get too close. Overall everyone appears to be very respectful. 

 

We've already had some great conversations with people on board. The one thing I love about less passengers is that you actually do get to talk to more people that way. It is easier to see the same people multiple times and people seem to be really talkative. I've also noticed a lot more "captains club preview members" meaning we have some first time Celebrity cruisers on board. We spoke with one couple from the Chicago area who are on their second cruise ever. They started after the pandemic. I love hearing stories like that because it makes me feel better about the state of the cruise industry. 

 

Tonight

We are doing dinner at Fine Cut tonight and it is Chic night. I am wearing my tux which I always look forward to. We might pop over to Eden before dinner to watch a little of the show in there. 

 

Silent Disco is later tonight in Eden. Not sure if I feel like dancing around wearing a mask so might just go there to sit at the bar and watch people, that is always entertaining! 

 

Alright, that is all I got for right now. Cheers! 

[chicagopaul]

14 minutes ago, h20cruzer said:

Hey Paul, would you be able to take several pics of the seating area in Cafe Al Bacio, I have seen plenty of pics of the bar but would like to see the seating areas. Thanks.

Norma

 

No problem Norma! It is a nice open area actually and I do like it. Not a "cozy" as on S class ships but very nice. I'll be sure to snap some pics tomorrow morning! 

[jenleut]

Hi Paul - very excited to follow you and Edward on this cruise!  I believe all the CC rooms have the couch option rather than the "trundle bed/couch" or pull out sofa.  Is the couch Comfy enough for daughter to sleep on 12n cruise??  I've heard Edge couch was very hard!  Also, if you happen to do cabin crawl...we are looking at SV - Celebrity has them listed           ( some) as a quad- with the pullout sofa.  Any knowledge of how comfy these might be- would be appreciated!!   Son may join us as well- is there really enough room for 4 in SV??  

[kwokpot]

49 minutes ago, jenleut said:

Hi Paul - very excited to follow you and Edward on this cruise!  I believe all the CC rooms have the couch option rather than the "trundle bed/couch" or pull out sofa.  Is the couch Comfy enough for daughter to sleep on 12n cruise??  I've heard Edge couch was very hard!  Also, if you happen to do cabin crawl...we are looking at SV - Celebrity has them listed           ( some) as a quad- with the pullout sofa.  Any knowledge of how comfy these might be- would be appreciated!!   Son may join us as well- is there really enough room for 4 in SV??  

Why would you want your daughter to sleep on a couch instead of a trundle bed?  The couches on the E-class are definitely not meant to be slept on. They have firm seating surfaces which are covered in Sunbrella indoor/outdoor fabric. 

Edited January 17, 2022 by kwokpot

[jenleut]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Why would you want your daughter to sleep on a couch instead of a trundle bed?  The couches on the E-class are definitely not meant to be slept on. They have firm seating surfaces which are covered in Sunbrella indoor/outdoor fabric. 

Thank you for the answer.  Did not know if the couch (top) portion of the trundle bed was also meant to be slept on - since Celebrity has some of these cabins listed as QUAD - was not certain of sleep space.  If you say trundle bed/pull out (bottom) portion is the only decent sleep space - then sounds like quad should really be considered a "triple."  Any chance they might have mattress topper for the top portion of couch??

[kwokpot]

16 minutes ago, jenleut said:

Thank you for the answer.  Did not know if the couch (top) portion of the trundle bed was also meant to be slept on - since Celebrity has some of these cabins listed as QUAD - was not certain of sleep space.  If you say trundle bed/pull out (bottom) portion is the only decent sleep space - then sounds like quad should really be considered a "triple."  Any chance they might have mattress topper for the top portion of couch??

Have you seen this thread?

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2610603-seems-like-the-convertible-sofa-beds-are-really-trundles/

[librarylady19]

Glad you are able to escape our chilly Chicago weather for a bit! We were on the 1/3 sailing amd loved the ship too! Will relive it through your posts. 

[jenleut]

41 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Have you seen this thread?

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2610603-seems-like-the-convertible-sofa-beds-are-really-trundles/

oh my - THANK YOU! Been searching this topic for days!!  Appreciate your help!!

[scrabble6]

Hi Paul, just a couple of questions:

 

Did they have the Concierge Class lunch on embarkation day?  If so, where?

 

Also, are there itinerary changes?

 

We're booked on Apex with this itinerary in 2 weeks, so following with interest!  Thanks for taking time to do this!

[BEAV]

16 hours ago, hcat said:

 Not sure why the preference is to post on Instagram i think we would have to sign up to participate. As a result, we will also miss out on any Instagram posts, but will follow here.

 

Hope there will be some  posts with photos here on Cruise Critic...along with the review

 

By posting on Instagram, they can also share photos with their non-cruise social community and friends. Saves time having to post to two different places...

[chicagopaul]

Some photos from dinner in Eden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[librarylady19]

1 hour ago, chicagopaul said:

Some photos from dinner in Eden

 

 

 

 

 We had an amazing dinner there too. I thought the branzino, which I had, suffered from bland presentation compared to my dinner companions’ dishes, but it tasted great. 

 

 

[jwlane]

12 hours ago, scrabble6 said:

Also, are there itinerary changes?

 

[Nashna]

That is interesting that you had Nassau added to your itinerary.  We had it added on the Apex, January 22nd sailing to replace Grand Cayman.  Today, it has been changed again to another sea day.  I guess we will see what happens when we board on Saturday.

[jwlane]

23 hours ago, maryland said:

Last time I checked

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/celebrity-healthy-at-sea-protocols.pdf

[maryland]

29 minutes ago, jwlane said:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/celebrity-healthy-at-sea-protocols.pdf

Thanks jwlane - that's definitely changed since the last time I looked. If that's still the case when I cruise, I'll just have to keep checking the protocols since things are constantly changing. Hope they offer more options as my cruise date gets closer.

[hcat]

14 hours ago, BEAV said:

 

By posting on Instagram, they can also share photos with their non-cruise social community and friends. Saves time having to post to two different places...

 I understand but we will appreciate ( and be satisfied)  with whatever is posted here.  You have to join instagram to read most of it,,..not worth it for us for  limited use.

[Piaa]

what is you Insta name please 🙂 

[upwarduk]

15 minutes ago, Piaa said:

what is you Insta name please 🙂 

Check the 1st post on the thread.

[Cruisegoer]

Hi Paul,

 

I just read through your website and started following you on Instagram.  We're booked for the Apex Feb 5th.  Reading through this blog I just heard about escorted shore excursions to disembark in Belize, oh well.

 

Since we're scheduled to sail in a few weeks I was hoping you might be able to provide an update for this week identifying where the Restricted Cabins are.  Per Benny last week is appeared to be the entire even set of staterooms on deck 3 (midship to forward starboard side) and I believe deck 6 cabins.  Can you confirm this for this week as well?

 

Thanks.

 

Brandon

[kirtihk]

On 1/15/2022 at 9:47 PM, Peery5 said:

I must need to clean my glasses as I have seen numerous people without masks and even more with them under their noses and chins.  Big difference in Silhouette and Apex.  Not a bottle of hand sanitizer to be found in casino.  On Silhouette there was one by each machine.  At dinner In Normandy we asked for seats away from others.  We were seated at the most distant table in the dining room. Which we thought was going to be great.  Until they started seating others.  Our waiter could not get between our table and the nearest one to us.  When we left, over half the tables were empty.  No need to cram us up like that.  Maybe others like that close social atmosphere, but I do not.  Will give it one more night and I may be having my dinner from room service or the buffet.  The ship is a beauty though!

I would rather stay home if not socializing on the ship - that's a immense part of cruising.

[kirtihk]

On 1/16/2022 at 12:17 PM, TeeRick said:

I wish I hadn't watched the Patriots last night.  It was just ugly!

not ugly at all - rather beautiful! I came to US in February 1991 (from USSR) just in time to witness the Bills best.  Funny enough I was on the December 5-12 Edge cruise (not so friendly big screen game then).  Perhaps, the curse is finally over now. We shall see...

 

Voyage, Voyage

[Piaa]

7 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Check the 1st post on the thread.

Thank you - I clearly read too fast LOL