Rare garyl62 Posted March 16, 2023 #1 Share Posted March 16, 2023 This post was recognized by LauraS! "Thanks for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic!" garyl62 was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' Well I'm starting out with good intentions, but will admit I won't be making this my main focus on the trip although I'll try to share enough to keep everyone interested and help out with some info along the way. DW and I are in late 50's early 60's and are sailing for the first time in an Edge class ship and traveling to Key West, Belize, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We've been to most of these before (Belize is new for us) so we plan to have a good mix of port visits, but also intend to stay onboard to enjoy the "Apex Floating Resort". We have a Celebrity Suite, and hope to enjoy the Retreat Lounge and Deck, but also seek out some other places on board to enjoy and relax. We enjoy Luminae, but also look for a little more variety so we have reservations at Fine Cut, Eden (twice) and Dinner on the Edge and we're looking forward to trying Le Grand Bistro and Eden for lunch too. Finishing up our packing tonight, fly from ORD to MIA tomorrow and are staying at the AC by Marriott in Fort Lauderdale Beach Friday night. We're looking forward to some time away and hope you'll enjoy following along! 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted March 16, 2023 #2 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Gary, Look forward to following along. We will be on Apex for the same trip in about a month so will enjoying your Live post. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaplesKnitter Posted March 16, 2023 #3 Share Posted March 16, 2023 We are on the APEX week after you- looking forward to your live report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanut head Posted March 16, 2023 #4 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lola2013 Posted March 16, 2023 #5 Share Posted March 16, 2023 I’ll also be doing that itinerary on Apex in December. Can’t wait for your review. Bon Voyage. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachTunes Posted March 16, 2023 #6 Share Posted March 16, 2023 Looking forward to following along! We were torn between this cruise and the one on Millennium departing from San Juan on March 25th. In the end, Millie won but we are very keen to experience an Edge class ship and will enjoy your updates, whenever you have time to share. Happy and Safe Travels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keplerd Posted March 17, 2023 #7 Share Posted March 17, 2023 We are cruising with you! Looking forward to our first Celebrity cruise and sky suite! See you soon! Safe travels! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare garyl62 Posted March 17, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Thanks for the replies and interest from all of you, finished up packing and taking care of all of our check-ins and paperwork review last night. Getting ready to head out to O'Hare in a couple hours when the trip will finally begin! I will post an update when I have more to share about our travel experience today and plans for tonight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CunucuMom Posted March 17, 2023 #9 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Looking forward to following along. Have a safe and uneventful flight; Florida weather is beautiful today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare psternklar Posted March 17, 2023 #10 Share Posted March 17, 2023 On Apex Feb 24, following, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spammie Posted March 17, 2023 #11 Share Posted March 17, 2023 Thank you so much for doing this! Doing the same cruise April 15th. We have been on the Edge in both a Suite and Aqua Class. Amazing ships! Enjoy and safe travels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare garyl62 Posted March 18, 2023 Author #12 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Well it was a little longer travel day than we anticipated. To say everyone the details, ORD was a breeze, 8 minuties from curb, to the Admirals Club including checking bags and TSA! However due to congestion in MIA our flight was delayed and we ended up over 1.5 hours late arriving in MIA. Then traffic took an hour 20 to get to our hotel. We had a reservation at Lona Cocina Tequileria and got there a half hour late but they still had a table for us overlooking the beach so we ended the day with a nice dinner and margaritas. One thing we forgot about when we booked our room was the spring break crowd in Fort Lauderdale. I thought it would be a nice afternoon/evening with an ocean view room, dinner overlooking the ocean and a good way to start our trip. The view is there, but so are a lot of college kids enjoying their time down here as well! The AC by Marriott is a new nice hotel and it seems to be slightly away from the party zone so we think it will be a quiet night still. I'll try to post some photos after we board, connection between the phone and computer didn't sync up right away tonight so I'll look into it tomorrow. We have a 11:00 boarding time so planning to get an Uber around 10:30. Thanks for the encouragement so far, looking forward to boarding our first Edge Class ship in just over 12 hours! 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap_D Posted March 18, 2023 #13 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Have a wonderful trip. We'll be on April 1 also in a CS, so your report will be especially helpful to us. We were on Edge last year. My tip / PSA, if it interests you try out the Eden Cafe on the sea days as soon as you remember, or pass by. It's often closed. And, plug for lunch at Luminae (also sea days) as it was a bit more chill than during dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sox Fan Cruiser Posted March 18, 2023 #14 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Hey Gary! Don’t damage the ship too much. Try to leave it in good health for when we take over on the 25th! Interested in the boarding process since I’ll be herding a pack of 9 cats with me! Once I get them on the ship, they are Celebrity’s responsibility! 🤪 Just watched the ship come in on the Port Everglades webcam. Can’t wait!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy planning mom Posted March 18, 2023 #15 Share Posted March 18, 2023 We also enjoyed Lona Cocina on one of your recent Florida trips. Have a great embarkation day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare garyl62 Posted March 18, 2023 Author #16 Share Posted March 18, 2023 (edited) Here are a couple photos. American terminal at O'Hare at 10:00 on Friday of Spring Break week Lona Cocina, fish tacos and lobster quesadilla for dinner at a table on the rail with the beach and ocean in the background Edited March 18, 2023 by garyl62 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare garyl62 Posted March 18, 2023 Author #17 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Missed the ship coming in, but nice view from our hotel room. Off to breakfast and a quick walk along the beach before boarding in 3 hours! 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim_Iain Posted March 18, 2023 #18 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Glad you made it safe and sound. It is always exciting to get up knowing yo will be aboard shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs45thompson Posted March 18, 2023 #19 Share Posted March 18, 2023 3 hours ago, garyl62 said: Missed the ship coming in, but nice view from our hotel room. Off to breakfast and a quick walk along the beach before boarding in 3 hours! Nice view! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare irvington Posted March 18, 2023 #20 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Beautiful sunrise photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txtechmk Posted March 18, 2023 #21 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Looking forward to reading your report. Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dlh015 Posted March 18, 2023 #22 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Thanks for sharing those great pics!! We're so jealous...we have to wait a year...but happy for you!! Bon Voyage!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare binro01 Posted March 18, 2023 #23 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Bon Voyage! Have a great cruise. Looking forward to your updates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Stem to Stern Posted March 18, 2023 #24 Share Posted March 18, 2023 Bon Voyage! Looking forward to following along. Enjoy your cruise! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinderellen Posted March 18, 2023 #25 Share Posted March 18, 2023 On 3/16/2023 at 4:58 PM, Jim_Iain said: Gary, Look forward to following along. We will be on Apex for the same trip in about a month so will enjoying your Live post. Jim, have you been on the Apex before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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