Better late than never! Apex 3/12-19 (PR, St. Thomas, St. Kitt's)

[KKB]

This was a postponed cruise from March 2021. 

We had booked an incredible deal for $2K/2 for a porthole balcony, drinks, tips & $450 OBC.

We made a $50pp offer on Move Up for an IV & got it Tuesday b4 departure.

Helped to offset the $700 RT airfare!! We have NEVER paid that much! 

LUCKILY we qualified for Companion Pass via SWA in early Feb. so $700/2 was more palatable.

 

On Mon/Tues b4 departure, weather forecast showed a snowstorm coming in on Thursday---but even by Tuesday they were saying a dusting to a foot. WHAT??!!

Well, we knew if we went up early, it would be a dusting; if we didn't, we would get snowed in...

So we decided to stay at Harrahs Council Bluffs Weds & Thurs night & start this party early.

Gambling wasn't too bad; had a great time. OF COURSE we just got a dusting.

 

Friday morning our flight was delayed...which had us with 30 min. to catch our connection in STL.

I frantically looked at other alternatives on Fri & Sat & started to freak when I realized there were NO other options. 

EVERYTHING was booked. If we missed that connection, we were NOT making the ship. 

I was perturbed with myself for not looking at other options on Weds or Thurs...but too late now!

Luckily a few drinks at the casino & one at the airport had me not fretting too much...

We made our connection...literally walked off our flight & onto our next one, RIGHT in our right spot.

AND sat for 45 min. on the tarmack. Last flight of the day out...yeah, they weren't ruining everyone's spring break. They were waiting.

 

As we exited the FLL airport, a very nice Escalade pulls up & driver says "taxi". Sounds good.

We drive off & driver says $40 flat. HUH? I know it should be about $20. DH & I notice no taxi emblems...

Oh, well, it was a NICE ride for $40. Nice grift, buddy.

We got to the Candlewood Suites FLL airport at 12:30 (free annual night w/ IHG)  & collapsed in bed.

 

Edited March 27, 2022 by KKB

[KKB]

Sat. Mar. 12

Slept until 10:45__WHATTT??!!

They had offered us 11 or 12 shuttle; I wanted 11 but DH said let's do 12 since it's late. Wise man.

Our official checkin time was 1:30. But my thought is that I wait at the hotel or I wait at the port. 

If I'm at the port I just MIGHT get in early--that ain't happening at the hotel!

 

We come down about 11:50. 

Couple says they were supposed to be on the 11 shuttle but they were full...said they would send another...never came.

Um...NOPE. Fired up a Lyft, there in 2 min. 

Left hotel at 11:55 & we had dropped our bag in our cabin by 12:35! 

Essentially NO lines to get in!

WOO HOO! LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!

 

Stopped at Al Bacio for caffeine & was also offered Cassis champagne.

Did muster (seriously, this is SO fabulous this way--we were honestly there less than a minute)

Wandered around...easy as it is virtually identical to the Edge that we sailed last summer.

While in Eden I was being my loud self & leaned over to see a wedding going on--at 1PM on embarkation day. Neat!

Grabbed a burger at Mast Grill (what IS it about burgers at sea--the best!)

Then headed to Craft Social (essentially the Casino bar) as we figured we would be spending some time there this week, especially with it being March Madness week. Met the I Gede from Bali & Ledison from Albania (and I CANNOT remember the other bartenders name, darnit!). By day 2 they knew our names & room number. Didn't need to present our card after that (nothing to be proud of Sparky...)

There was no basketball on the TVs on Sunday which had us concerned...luckily that was resolved by Thursday.

 

With 2200 it is definitely more crowded than last summer but not too much. Definitely more kids (spring break). 

Toured spa; discovered the "hidden" forward deck. I do NOT get the "hot" rooms (we are in the Caribbean...) but the salt room was cool. Needless to say I have NEVER hit a spa on any ship....

Med Pam & Paula (Mom) from Pitt in Craft Social & had a BLAST visiting. Ran into them all week & every encounter was a hoot!

 

Went to unpack, put the window down & LOVED it.

OK...IV. I REALLY do not get people's issue with it. (other than the A/C going off could be an issue at times).

I have had balconies that are little different from an IV. I personally prefer an open top balcony but MOST balconies on ships are NOT open top. When we were beside a Carnival ship at St. Kitt's I was looking closely at their balconies...really, an IV is NOT much different. I like how it extends the room. 

NOW I do need to condition my review...we LIKE a balcony, but we agree that we are in our room so little, it is rarely worth much extra $. We are fine with an interior if quite a bit cheaper (tho the 135 sq. ft. one on NCL Getaway was a bit cozy...)

 

Dined at Cyprus  (our fav on Edge). Cosmopolitan had a line--why wait? Cyprus had NO line!

SOOOO excited to see escargots (none on Edge last summer...I was SOOOO sad)

And both had our fav Sea Bass

Delicious passionfruit curd for dessert. SOOOOO good.

Was thrilled to see Ali the sommelier from the Edge last summer--and he recognized me right away!

 

Saw  comedian Ralph Harris who was on the Edge last summer. Still funny, he engages the audience a lot so his act can change. Tho he had some INTERESTING audience members. He does a schtick of his grandfather at the end...and how his wife fell over dead in front of him. Was funny last summer. This time got to me. Mom (who cruised with me last summer on the Edge for a glorious week after a week with DH) left us on Feb. 14 this year. And my emotions got the best of me in that moment. It's still a funny touching bit, but oooooh boy, that was a tough one this time.

 

Headed to the Club for the T/F game & Pub Quiz (we sucked as a team)

 

Then danced the night away for 80s night--MY FAV!

 

[KKB]

Sun Mar 13/Mon Mar 14

Things started out just fine...

DH got up & went to casino to get us TX Hold em tourney spots for the day.

Then we headed to buffet for breakfast & I intended to get some sun.

 

Towards the end of breakfast I wasn't feeling so well.

Headed to the room...

I have gastro issues regularly...so perhaps it is that...

I did have quite a few cocktails Saturday...perhaps a bit of a hangover (tho no headache...felt fine at breakfast...)

By late afternoon I'm STILL not feeling better so send DH to get seasickness meds from guest services. I'm still convinced it's a hangover & perhaps the very slight rocking is making it worse?

DH brings me ginger ale & green apples every few hours...

By evening I FINALLY turn on TV for an hour...MAYBE I feel better?

Nope, night was not better.

Morning was not better.

Poor DH. Had to entertain himself (pretty easy on a cruise...) but he admitted he didn't think he would be a very good solo cruiser.

 

At 11AM I tell him to get me a banana, rice, apple & gluten free bread. (BRAT diet is best at this time...)

Bless his heart, he did find me these things. 

I ate.

I felt a little better!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!

 

Now, I am NOT pleased about losing a day & a half--especially 2 days of sun!

BUT Mon was PR day & we didn't dock until 3PM.

Luckily we didn't book an excursion.

All we did was walk around the port area for about an hour--about all I had in me.

Then I napped out on the Magic Carpet (no judgement) until they started to move furniture for Dinner on the Edge.

So napped in the room with the window down. Glorious.

Starting to feel like myself again.

Dinner at Cosmo

French onion soup/DH Caesar

Salmon (ate little--oh, boy those waiters get so worried when you don't eat much!)/DH Sirloin

Sorbet/ice cream

Did watch Face Off (like Family Feud)/played trivia

Watched some tennis (kinda got into it with a Lincoln guy in the finals!)

Walked up to Silent Disco on resort deck. OK I am NOT a fan of any party on the resort deck. It is typically very humid & very windy. Needless to say, they are not as well attended as indoor ones as well. Edge had theirs in the Club & the Grand Foyer. Much prefer.

 

 

[mac_tlc]

24 minutes ago, KKB said:

Sat. Mar. 12

Slept until 10:45__WHATTT??!!

They had offered us 11 or 12 shuttle; I wanted 11 but DH said let's do 12 since it's late. Wise man.

Our official checkin time was 1:30. But my thought is that I wait at the hotel or I wait at the port. 

If I'm at the port I just MIGHT get in early--that ain't happening at the hotel!

 

We come down about 11:50. 

Couple says they were supposed to be on the 11 shuttle but they were full...said they would send another...never came.

Um...NOPE. Fired up a Lyft, there in 2 min. 

Left hotel at 11:55 & we had dropped our bag in our cabin by 12:35! 

Essentially NO lines to get in!

WOO HOO! LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!

 

Stopped at Al Bacio for caffeine & was also offered Cassis champagne.

Did muster (seriously, this is SO fabulous this way--we were honestly there less than a minute)

Wandered around...easy as it is virtually identical to the Edge that we sailed last summer.

While in Eden I was being my loud self & leaned over to see a wedding going on--at 1PM on embarkation day. Neat!

Grabbed a burger at Mast Grill (what IS it about burgers at sea--the best!)

Then headed to Craft Social (essentially the Casino bar) as we figured we would be spending some time there this week, especially with it being March Madness week. Met the I Gede from Bali & Ledison from Albania (and I CANNOT remember the other bartenders name, darnit!). By day 2 they knew our names & room number. Didn't need to present our card after that (nothing to be proud of Sparky...)

There was no basketball on the TVs on Sunday which had us concerned...luckily that was resolved by Thursday.

 

With 2200 it is definitely more crowded than last summer but not too much. Definitely more kids (spring break). 

Toured spa; discovered the "hidden" forward deck. I do NOT get the "hot" rooms (we are in the Caribbean...) but the salt room was cool. Needless to say I have NEVER hit a spa on any ship....

Med Pam & Paula (Mom) from Pitt in Craft Social & had a BLAST visiting. Ran into them all week & every encounter was a hoot!

 

Went to unpack, put the window down & LOVED it.

OK...IV. I REALLY do not get people's issue with it. (other than the A/C going off could be an issue at times).

I have had balconies that are little different from an IV. I personally prefer an open top balcony but MOST balconies on ships are NOT open top. When we were beside a Carnival ship at St. Kitt's I was looking closely at their balconies...really, an IV is NOT much different. I like how it extends the room. 

NOW I do need to condition my review...we LIKE a balcony, but we agree that we are in our room so little, it is rarely worth much extra $. We are fine with an interior if quite a bit cheaper (tho the 135 sq. ft. one on NCL Getaway was a bit cozy...)

 

Dined at Cyprus  (our fav on Edge). Cosmopolitan had a line--why wait? Cyprus had NO line!

SOOOO excited to see escargots (none on Edge last summer...I was SOOOO sad)

And both had our fav Sea Bass

Delicious passionfruit curd for dessert. SOOOOO good.

Was thrilled to see Ali the sommelier from the Edge last summer--and he recognized me right away!

 

Saw  comedian Ralph Harris who was on the Edge last summer. Still funny, he engages the audience a lot so his act can change. Tho he had some INTERESTING audience members. He does a schtick of his grandfather at the end...and how his wife fell over dead in front of him. Was funny last summer. This time got to me. Mom (who cruised with me last summer on the Edge for a glorious week after a week with DH) left us on Feb. 14 this year. And my emotions got the best of me in that moment. It's still a funny touching bit, but oooooh boy, that was a tough one this time.

 

Headed to the Club for the T/F game & Pub Quiz (we sucked as a team)

 

Then danced the night away for 80s night--MY FAV!

 

You would have had more luck in the Club if Terri and I were there!!!!!

 

mac_tlc

[KKB]

Tues 3/15

Slept until 1015! We NEVER sleep this late on cruises!

This was St. Thomas day. We have been several times & I wanted to lounge at a not too crowded pool.

Grabbed our usual buffet breakfast & managed to grab a seat by the pool.

There was line dancing on the deck...my that is WARM. So made my own aqua fit class by doing the line dancing in the pool! I'm sure I entertained a few...

Had lunch a the spa cafe. What a GEM. EVERYTHING is gluten free, YEAH! This is my new GO TO for lunch! (tho the green juice...BLECH)

 

Played 80s trivia & did well. Found a large group of NE folks while playing (VERY unusual)

Found out that Bruce Springsteen's nephew is a member of the activities staff! 

BTW, the CD Giuseppe is fantastic! He has a fun personality & was all over the ship--did line dancing, ran an aqua class class, as well as many activities in the club. 

His assistant, Darren, was on the Edge last summer & we enjoyed him again on this voyage. 

Ana Dolce was another activities staff member that stood out to us. 

We LOVED our Edge activities staff last summer (shout out to Crystal!) but this is a close 2nd!

 

We had dinner at Eden tonight. OH. MY. GOD.

DM & I loved Eden on the Edge last summer. But it is numerous small courses...

Apex is NOT like that. 

We thought we could order 2 appetizers

DON'T.

They were FABULOUS. 

But the portions were VERY generous.

I think I was full for 3 days. 

I'm not exaggerating.

 

I had 2 drinks: Pea (fav from last year) & Pina (new fav...it's marg but better, imo)

DH had fish ceviche & crab cake for appys

I had mushroom risotto & rueben raclette (deconstructed rueben)

Note that DH's were much lighter than mine.

I was determined to eat half of each.

But that risotto...I almost licked the plate clean.

All 4 appys were OUTSTANDING.

I had lobster & DH had red snapper for the main course.

Again--OUTSTANDING.

Lemon tart/Butterscotch brule/dessert tray for dessert.

I DID only eat about 1/2 of everything but the risotto (plus a taste of each of DH's).

ROLLED out the door. So satisfied but TOO FULL.

 

Played cash poker. Ugh. Let's just say the play was PRETTY bad on this cruise. 

That can be very profitable...or painful. It was painful for both of us.

 

Then between sleeping most of 2 days & a STILL full tummy...could NOT fall asleep. UGH!

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by KKB

[KKB]

1 minute ago, mac_tlc said:

You would have had more luck in the Club if Terri and I were there!!!!!

 

mac_tlc

Darn straight!!

[mac_tlc]

Glad to see your posting your review!

 

mac_tlc

[KKB]

Weds 3/16

Slept until 1015 again--WHAT IS GOING ON??!!

Grabbed coffee & wandered around St. Kitts port area.

What a fun area! 

Loved the not pushy vendors, $1 Caribe beer, fun little shops.

GORGEOUS islands. Nice to see undeveloped beauty.

 

Came back for lunch...uh, still not hungry.

Played 90s music trivia. AT LEAST Ana Dolce did not play a clip on loop like the DJ with the 80s. 
(oh, the loop gets stuck in your head & you can't get your brain to the chorus to get the title!)

But we were in the thick of having kiddos in the 90s, and we missed a lot.

We knew 10 but 5 we had NEVER heard before!

Met Charlene & Lorraine (Mom) from Toronto & again,  had a blast!!

 

Dressed for dinner & decided to sit in Eden for sailaway listening to the solo guitarist. 

It was lovely...the view, the music, the company.

And suddenly I was missing Mama...and in tears again.

Our cruise last summer was extraordinarily special & a gift. 

She had been battling cancer since Feb. last year & I am so grateful we had that time.

 

Dinner at Normandy...STILL not hungry.

I just had French onion soup & some ice cream.

DH had the soup, the great halibut & ice cream.

 

Played Majority Rules with Charlene & Lorraine.

Then watch the Yes/No game...one poor college student made it to the last 5 seconds (of 3 min) w/o saying yes or no...then blew it! I could see he was really bugged with himself. But we were impressed!

[KKB]

4 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

Glad to see your posting your review!

 

mac_tlc

It's been a week.

Back to work for the 1st time since Feb. 7.

STILL wrapping up Dad's move to assisted living. 

Hope to have things wrapped up next weekend.

Lots of big changes in short order for all of us but especially him, bless his heart.

[mac_tlc]

Oh.My.God.   On our Apex cruise I had the same reaction to the the 80s music trivia!

I could not get over the musical loop. It made it impossible to recognize the songs!

 

Too funny!

 

mac_tlc

Edited March 28, 2022 by mac_tlc

[KKB]

Thurs 3/17 St. Patricks Day!

BR at buffet: STILL not hungry so went with Greek yogurt & fruit

Pool

Spa cafe for lunch (light, yummy & gluten free!)

 

Finally got my shot at the poker tourneys (DH sold my entries on Sunday; he had 3 very bad beats on those 3 tourneys on Sunday)

It is $60, 10 players, 10 min blinds (ugh) that go up VERY fast. But we are a captive audience...so, we play.

Needless to say I now hate pocket 8s. My 8s got me out of 2/3 tourneys today. DH did no better.

 

SUPER excited to see BASKETBALL on the tvs at Craft. HOORAY!!

 

Dinner: Tuscan

Escargot/tomato soup

LOBSTER  for both

Raspberry sorbet/cheesecake

(I think other lines have better desserts; BUT dessert is my least fav course, so I'm ok with that!)

 

Watched Caravan in the Club--really great.

Chatted with Ralph & Jean from FLL via NYC for quite a while & really enjoyed our conversation. 

Frisky Fued was fun.

Then Craft for more basketball.

MEANT to see Ralph Harris' 18+ set but forgot DANGIT!!

[KKB]

Fri 3/18. LAST DAY BOO HOO!

Someone asked if I was ready to go home. 

NOPE NOPE NOPE.

I never am.

But it has been a difficult year, and an especially tough 2022 so far.

In NO way was I ready to go back to real life.

Tried to talk DH into another week...but as usual he keeps me grounded & shut that pipe dream down.

 

Got up & got our poker buy in

Coffee

Omelet & fruit at buffet (our usual is eggs & fruit)

Pool for me.

Wanted to do Aquafit. but I am NOT kidding, there were like FIFTY people in the pool doing it!

SO i just sat on the side & sort of did the movement!

Giuseppe & Ana Dolce ran it--SO FUN!

Lunch at spa cafe again. Sad it's my last time to eat there...

 

Poker again. NO luck for DH. Poor guy got 3rd like 5/9 tourneys (pays 2)

BUT FINALLY I did chop the last tourney.

 

Headed back to our fav, Cyprus (Angel waiter today; Jorge Saturday--both so lovely)

Had some shrimp cocktail 

Greek salad/Caesar

Sea Bass for both (our fav)

Dolce de leche creme brulee--YUM YUM YUM! (I DO love creme brulee)

 

Watched basketball until the silent disco started...then I danced all over, even in Craft.

Again, I'm sure I entertained some!

[KKB]

OH forgot to mention we saw Rockumentary Friday night. LOVED IT!

 

Saturday 3/19

I don't wanna get up..1st day with an alarm in some time...

Walked off at 745AM.

Had a Global Entry appt at 9 at FLL airport (closest to us is KC, 3+ hours away, so this was the best option...and we already got our cards this week!).

 

Margaritaville for breakfast. Meh. Typical MEH overpriced airport food.

 

Final thoughts.

 

We LOVE LOVE LOVE E-class.

We liked our IV, but we did prefer Sunset balconies we had last summer. Would do both again, but we would rather cruise more often plus aren't in our rooms much so will always book the best value...and look for Move Up.

 

 Now that I am retiring we may come in TWO days before departure. JUST in case.

 

Look forward to visiting PR & St. Kitt's again & seeing more.

 

Bring Immodium. Ship store didn't have any!!

 

Celebrity continues to blow us away & post COVID crowds rock. Even 2/3 full there was no waiting for anything. Food, service are tops. 

 

Sadly we have 6 cruises booked in the next 18 mos. & none on Celebrity! But we have an open booking & are trying to remedy that!

 

[tompeter]

Great review. We were on the ship also and loved every minute of it!

Edited March 28, 2022 by tompeter

[mac_tlc]

11 hours ago, KKB said:

OH forgot to mention we saw Rockumentary Friday night. LOVED IT!

 

Saturday 3/19

I don't wanna get up..1st day with an alarm in some time...

Walked off at 745AM.

Had a Global Entry appt at 9 at FLL airport (closest to us is KC, 3+ hours away, so this was the best option...and we already got our cards this week!).

 

Margaritaville for breakfast. Meh. Typical MEH overpriced airport food.

 

Final thoughts.

 

We LOVE LOVE LOVE E-class.

 

 

Sadly we have 6 cruises booked in the next 18 mos. & none on Celebrity! But we have an open booking & are trying to remedy that!

 

We are eyeing the Feb 19, 2024 Beyond.

 

11 days.

 

Just  sayin’……

 

 

mac_tlc

[KKB]

On 3/28/2022 at 7:20 AM, mac_tlc said:

We are eyeing the Feb 19, 2024 Beyond.

 

11 days.

 

Just  sayin’……

 

 

mac_tlc

OOOF...they are upcharging Beyond right now aren't they??!!

[dateacher]

But we were in the thick of having kiddos in the 90s, and we missed a lot.

 

That's what I say about the 80's. I think I slept through them. Loving your review. Excited for my first E class cruise in January.

[KKB]

On 3/28/2022 at 7:20 AM, mac_tlc said:

We are eyeing the Feb 19, 2024 Beyond.

 

11 days.

 

Just  sayin’……

 

 

mac_tlc

OK now that I am doing a per day it isn't TOO bad for the Beyond.

That is a maybe...

Possibly the Beyond in January.

We will get together yet!!

[mac_tlc]

19 hours ago, KKB said:

OOOF...they are upcharging Beyond right now aren't they??!!

On a $ per person per day, it was cheaper than Apex or Ascent and only a little more than Silhouette for the same period, 

[mac_tlc]

19 hours ago, KKB said:

OK now that I am doing a per day it isn't TOO bad for the Beyond.

That is a maybe...

Possibly the Beyond in January.

We will get together yet!!

1/29/2023 😜😜. 

[KKB]

42 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

1/29/2023 😜😜. 

Yep, that's the one I'm looking at. About the best price for Beyond I've seen...even if the ports are a bit of a repeat (from last summer).

We return from 2 weeks to Hawaii (on Carnival...they offered us a free cruise so we figured the longer the better!!!But we have never done Carnival...so, hmmmmmm) on 1/22/23. SO we would only be home a week before heading out again. The cats will NOT be amused. But we do need to get them used to longer & longer. I am vying for a month long S. Pacific cruise & STILL deliberating those 4 back to  backs fall of 2023 on the Edge (of which you are on the 1st 2).

I may need to attend CA meetings (cruisers anonymous)..I think I have an addiction! (perhaps finally time!!)