APEX 02/26-03/05 2022 Retreat, Eastern Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale

[graphicguy]

I know others asked where embarkations are for APEX.  It’s pier 25.  EDGE embarks here, too.

 

The doors to the far left (partially obscured)  are for Retreat guests.  All others go through the other doors.

 

 

Edited March 7, 2022 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

Sunset in the Retreat!

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

It never ceases to amaze me how silently such a large vessel can slip away….

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

Magic Carpet….

[r2h2]

GG, wish I could see your videos but this site will not let me.

[bama4cruisin]

Just now, r2h2 said:

GG, wish I could see your videos but this site will not let me.

It’s a shame you can’t see them.  I am having no problem viewing them on my IPad.  There was no delay in loading at all.

[r2h2]

I'm on a Dell PC that is only 1 year old. Not happening for this newish computer.

[tfred]

On 3/2/2022 at 12:52 PM, graphicguy said:

Took your advice.  My Concierge Host called the Luminae manager and got a pants exemption for me.  She said they should not have prevented us from dining in any retardant.  She also got us a reservation for the Rooftop Grill (assuming gratis) given it hasn’t shown up in my account balance as an apology even though it wasn’t her fault.

 

Will make it a point to show up in shorts to Luminae just to get under the skin of the nosy busy body!

 

Thanks for everyone’s input.

I think the rules are there to keep a level of experience with the room.  would you show up in a fancy restaurant in shorts on land?  maybe someone said something, maybe not.  One night is OK, after that you were just trying to show them who's boss..

 

you were staying in a suite, gambling every night - guessing you have the money to afford a pair of pants in St Thomas or on board

[morpheusofthesea]

Oh, great ! Besides taking extra dark pants I now have to pack disposable plastic spoons to eat my ice cream. ( I just got through telling DW not to pack so many slacks for me and why on earth she packed plastic utensils on our last cruise ? Turns out she saw a post of a guest in quarantine/isolation given wooden disposable utensils). 

[graphicguy]

5 hours ago, r2h2 said:

I'm on a Dell PC that is only 1 year old. Not happening for this newish computer.

I’ve seen some can view them and some can’t.  Not sure what’s going on.  They were taken with both a GO PRO and an iPad.  But, that shouldn’t matter!

[graphicguy]

[graphicguy]

The 2nd picture is of one of the couch areas set to the side on Deck 5.  You can rent these (for quite a bit of money) and have your own private wait staff get you food and drink.  The perplexing thing to me, people are able to pass by, see you eating, drinking, lounging.  So, the question I always have, why not save the money and just have room service brought to your cabin?

[graphicguy]

18 hours ago, r2h2 said:

I'm on a Dell PC that is only 1 year old. Not happening for this newish computer.

It probably has more to do with your Graphics Card in your PC.  Or, there's a setting you have that won't allow videos to play.  Hard to tell without knowing the particulars.

[txtechmk]

Love all the photos.  Thanks for the review!  Hoping to be on the Apex in May.....

[alto400]

I was a bit wary of trying the Edge, Apex, Beyond as we prefer M class to S class especially the revolutionised ships. After seeing your pictures though, I can't wait to get on board!  Apex looks almost magical in some of them and I love the large sculptures.

[graphicguy]

59 minutes ago, txtechmk said:

Love all the photos.  Thanks for the review!  Hoping to be on the Apex in May.....

My pleasure.  I’m betting you’ll have a wonderful time.  Please let us know how it goes.

 

I’m always a little wary of posting my photos out of the fear some might think….”Oh great….another person wanting to show us their vacation photos”. LOL!

 

But, I try to keep the photos of the ship and excursions without posting those of  us “posing” in either place.

Edited March 8, 2022 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

27 minutes ago, alto400 said:

I was a bit wary of trying the Edge, Apex, Beyond as we prefer M class to S class especially the revolutionised ships. After seeing your pictures though, I can't wait to get on board!  Apex looks almost magical in some of them and I love the large sculptures.

Both are magical ships.  To me, both represent the Celebrity and their cruising philosophy best.

 

I will say that Capt Kate (and her crew)  is a cruising tour de force in her own right.  As much as I liked the APEX, I’d probably sail the Beyond based on her manning the helm.

 

She handled the EDGE and the startup snafus with leadership, grace and over and above professionalism.

[speedoguy1]

All the reviews look very nice. I am booked for March 26. Look forward to sailing. I would ahead and booked aqua class. I did not hear any by making mentions about being up on that area.   
going is a solo traveler so this will be a new experience for this me.

 

Looking at airfare leaving Fort Lauderdale. How much time do you think I need to allow?  what time did they let you disembark? And what’s the earliest you think you can get to the airport?

 

would you pack lighter since my cabin has laundry provided?

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, speedoguy1 said:

All the reviews look very nice. I am booked for March 26. Look forward to sailing. I would ahead and booked aqua class. I did not hear any by making mentions about being up on that area.   
going is a solo traveler so this will be a new experience for this me.

 

Looking at airfare leaving Fort Lauderdale. How much time do you think I need to allow?  what time did they let you disembark? And what’s the earliest you think you can get to the airport?

 

would you pack lighter since my cabin has laundry provided?

All good questions.  I've sailed solo before (on the EDGE).  Different experience, but no less enjoyable.  It's great sharing such a great cruise with someone.  On the other hand, sailing solo, you get to do what you want, when you want, wherever you want, without consulting your partner.  

 

I try to schedule flights out of FLL  absolutely no earlier than10:30 a.m.  Anything earlier and you might run into issues with docking late, customs clearance issues, etc that may delay you getting off the ship.  This latest cruise, I was able to schedule an 11:45 a.m. flight.  For me, anything between 11:00 a.m. and noon is ideal.

 

That said, they try to get you off the ship between 8:00 and 9:00.  We cleared at 7:15 a.m. last Saturday.  We were a bit late, as they usually dock around 6:30 a.m.   Getting cleared usually on takes 15 minutes, or so.  They try to start boarding for the next cruise about 10:30 a.m.  So, they turn it around quickly.

 

Once you leave the ship, you can carry your luggage off (recommended). Or, you can leave your luggage for the porters to pick up the night before disembarkation.  You retrieve the luggage in a sea of other luggage in an area specific to holding it on disembarkation day and right before you get to immigration.

 

Immigration has become quite easy.  It's face recognition based.  Look into a camera, and if your face matches the face in the database, that's it, you're out the door.  No answering the same questions from immigration officers.  No dragging out your passport.

 

Transport from Pier 25 (which is where you'll be dis/embarking from) is pretty easy to find.  I found a mini-bus that cost $11 + tip to FLL.  Waiting for others to make for a full bus took about 15 minutes.  Or, you could get a taxi, which will cost about $16 + tip.

 

It's a 15-20 minute ride from the pier to FLL.  FLL is a busy airport.  So, getting through checkin with just carryons makes it much simpler.  If you must check baggage, you'll probably double your time at the airport.

 

Carry on.....what I pack gives some heartburn.  But, it works for me.  Over 25 cruises and it's taking me this long to realize I never needed ½ of what I used to pack.  Sailing the Caribbean makes it even easier to have nothing but carryons.  I have a big back pack and a rollaboard (see pic).  Rollaboard fits in the overhead.  Backpack fits under the seat.

 

Rules of thumb that I live by.  Shorts and shirts rule most of my wardrobe.  I get 2 days of use from each.  I do pack enough skivvies for all 7 days. I pack one pair of slacks for the "chic" nights. One pair of swim trunks. 3-4 pair of socks.  The rest are toiletries.   Tennis shoes are multi-use.  They're good enough for working out and just cruising around the ship and excursions.  I have a pair of workout shorts and shirt.  I rinse and dry it in the bathroom with a little detergent pod after every workout.  Workout in the a.m.....washed and dried, hanging in the shower,  by the p.m.   I have a pair of slip-ons I wear with long pants.  The shirts (collared and button down) do double duty for shorts and with pants.  Pack a bottle or two of wrinkle release.  It works wonders in keeping your clothes lookin and smelling fresh.

 

Sometimes I need the laundry, like if something spills or leaks on my clothes.  The ship's laundry (not self serve) really does a good job.  Not cheap, but worth it not to have to pack more and pay the airlines to check bags if yours are too big.  Plus, checked bags are always subject to getting lost.  Nothing like getting on the ship and only having the clothes on your back to rely on...and yes, that has happened to me before, too.  No checked bags for me.

 

Rollaboard inventory as follows...

-4 shorts

-one pants

-4 shirts (short sleeve)

-2 Ts

-one workout shorts

-tennis shoes (which I wear during travel)

-4 socks

-5 ankle socks for workouts

-7 pair of underwear

-one belt for multi use

-toothbrush/toothpaste (travel size)

-toiletries (deodorant, etc)

-meds (in small daily dose case)

-small portable electric razor (no need to pack shaving cream)

 

I use the soaps/shampoos/conditioner that's in the cabin.  Celebrity uses good stuff, too.  So, don't have to pack any of that.  If you MUST carry toiletries different than what the cruise line provides, get travel size where possible.

 

Electronics go into the back pack, along with all the tix, vac info, passport, health tests, insurance paperwork, etc.  I carry a GoPro and extra batteries.  Charging cords for iPad and iPhone.

 

Look into YouTube for packing guidelines using the "rolling" method.  That's what I use.  I also use packing cubes.

 

Cruising with carry ons only have made my cruising experiences much more stress free.

 

I think you'll have a great time.  Please let us know how it goes.  You must be getting excited.

Edited March 9, 2022 by graphicguy

[KKB]

On 3/9/2022 at 9:45 AM, graphicguy said:

 

Howdy stranger! Sorry to go such a bizarre way to get in contact but w/ no PM options, well, here we are!

A--is your carry on an Away bag? Regular or large carry on? How do you like it?

B--You mentioned your fav lines. I remember Celebrity & NCL. Was the other MSC (or Costa?)...DH & I may be doing a transatlantic on Princess in April but he wants to be back for golf league 1st of May. I am considering boarding the MSC Magnifica May 3 in Barcelona for a 16 day transatlantic back. $1350 all in for balcony with $500 OBC sounds pretty good!

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, KKB said:

Howdy stranger! Sorry to go such a bizarre way to get in contact but w/ no PM options, well, here we are!

A--is your carry on an Away bag? Regular or large carry on? How do you like it?

B--You mentioned your fav lines. I remember Celebrity & NCL. Was the other MSC (or Costa?)...DH & I may be doing a transatlantic on Princess in April but he wants to be back for golf league 1st of May. I am considering boarding the MSC Magnifica May 3 in Barcelona for a 16 day transatlantic back. $1350 all in for balcony with $500 OBC sounds pretty good!

Howdy…..Howdy!!!!!

 

It is an AWAY bag…the larger carry on.  I’ve tossed it, banged it, threw it, had it in and out of overheads, through multiple luggage carousels, etc.  Little scraped up, but has held up well. IIRC, it has a lifetime warranty!  I like it…..particularly for cruises.

 

Took the family (6 of us-2 YC cabins)on an MSC 14 day Mediterranean cruise before the shutdown out of Barcelona. Came in just under $10K all in.  Beautiful ship…..great trip!

[KKB]

19 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Howdy…..Howdy!!!!!

 

It is an AWAY bag…the larger carry on.  I’ve tossed it, banged it, threw it, had it in and out of overheads, through multiple luggage carousels, etc.  Little scraped up, but has held up well. IIRC, it has a lifetime warranty!  I like it…..particularly for cruises.

 

Took the family (6 of us-2 YC cabins)on an MSC 14 day Mediterranean cruise before the shutdown out of Barcelona. Came in just under $10K all in.  Beautiful ship…..great trip!

Glad to hear all of  it!

 

I bought the small carry on...looked at DD's & thought that is what she had but her's is also the bigger one. The smaller one is nearly identical to carry on I have so couldn't justify. I think I will exchange for bigger one. Seems it will be fine domestically, especially on SWA.

 

DH & I got a good casino offer after getting off Discovery Sunday. Were looking at Panama Canal in April...but I can book us both on that TA PLUS me on that TA back for the same price!! 

Now I just need to convince him it is the best choice...

 

Sail Sapphire Princess LA/SD/Ensenada for 4 days with BFF in 2.5 weeks--with a day at Disney before.

Have a great time on your NE cruise!

[graphicguy]

19 hours ago, KKB said:

Glad to hear all of  it!

 

I bought the small carry on...looked at DD's & thought that is what she had but her's is also the bigger one. The smaller one is nearly identical to carry on I have so couldn't justify. I think I will exchange for bigger one. Seems it will be fine domestically, especially on SWA.

 

DH & I got a good casino offer after getting off Discovery Sunday. Were looking at Panama Canal in April...but I can book us both on that TA PLUS me on that TA back for the same price!! 

Now I just need to convince him it is the best choice...

 

Sail Sapphire Princess LA/SD/Ensenada for 4 days with BFF in 2.5 weeks--with a day at Disney before.

Have a great time on your NE cruise!

Thanks!  

 

Have kicked around looking at Princess, just never pulled the trigger, for a variety of reasons.

 

Panama Canal is  bucket list cruise, sooner than later.

 

Eventually, I'll get back to Italy and Greece.  Was supposed to do it last year, but...well...

 

Let us know what you decide and where you're going.