Exploring the Celebrity Apex: A Mini Cruise Experience from the UK
Mini cruises from the UK have surged in popularity, offering a delightful way to dip your toes into the world of cruising. Recently, we embarked on a memorable journey from Southampton, visiting the charming port of Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and the vibrant heart of Amsterdam aboard the stunning Celebrity Apex.
Ship Overview: The Celebrity Apex
Launched in 2020, the Celebrity Apex is part of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series. This impressive 130,818-ton vessel accommodates approximately 2,910 passengers, providing an elegant, high-end cruising experience. With cutting-edge design, diverse dining options, and superb entertainment, the Apex redefines traditional cruising, blending contemporary luxury with a relaxed atmosphere.
Ship Design and Atmosphere
One of the standout features of the Celebrity Apex is its sleek, modern aesthetic. The ship’s design emphasizes open spaces and natural light, creating an inviting environment. Renowned British designer Kelly Hoppen crafted the interiors, utilizing a neutral color palette of blues, greys, and soft earth tones that evoke the feel of a boutique hotel.
A highlight of the ship is the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the exterior. This innovative feature serves various purposes, transforming into an al fresco dining area, a lounge, or an embarkation platform, depending on its position. This not only enhances the ship’s futuristic look but also elevates the overall passenger experience.
The Resort Deck, featuring the main pool, martini glass-shaped hot tubs, and a solarium, is a beautifully designed space with ample room for relaxation. The Rooftop Garden, a lush, plant-filled retreat, became one of our favorite spots to unwind in the sun, perfect for enjoying cocktails.
Accommodations: The Infinite Veranda and Suites
Celebrity Apex’s accommodations set a new standard for cruise ship cabins. The most notable innovation is the Infinite Veranda staterooms, which replace traditional balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that can be opened at the touch of a button. This design merges the balcony with the cabin’s interior, creating a spacious indoor-outdoor experience that we absolutely loved.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, The Retreat offers suite guests a private, all-inclusive experience with personalized butler service, a private restaurant (Luminae), and a secluded sundeck.
Dining: A Culinary Journey
Dining aboard the Celebrity Apex is a highlight of the cruise, with 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges offering a wide selection of cuisine. The ship features four complimentary main dining rooms—Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus—each with a distinct theme and specialty dishes. This setup provides more variety and a restaurant-like atmosphere, rather than a traditional single main dining room.
The Oceanview Café serves as the buffet area, offering a vast selection of food, while room service is available 24/7. Specialty dining options include Le Petit Chef, a whimsical animated dining experience where a tiny chef ‘prepares’ your meal on a 3D cinema screen, adding a fun twist to dinner.
Other dining options include the Fine Cut Steakhouse, Eden Restaurant with its multi-sensory dining experience, Raw on 5—a sushi and seafood restaurant with ocean views, and Le Grand Bistro, a charming French bistro serving classic Parisian fare.
Entertainment and Activities
The Celebrity Apex boasts a wide array of entertainment options. The state-of-the-art theatre at the front of the ship features productions and aerial acrobatics, with daily newsletters detailing showtimes. Eden, a multi-use venue, offers intimate performances and live music in a stunning garden-inspired setting, while The Club hosts everything from silent discos and live bands to trivia and game shows. For those feeling lucky, the modern Vegas-style casino offers slot machines, blackjack, poker, and roulette.
The Spa provides an impressive range of treatments, including seaweed wraps and cryotherapy facials, while the Fitness Centre is fully equipped with Peloton bikes, yoga classes, and personal training options.
In a Nutshell
From the initial booking process to sailing onboard, our experience with Celebrity Apex was marked by friendly and professional service. Every staff member, from restaurant waiters to housekeeping and concierge, contributed to an exceptionally good experience.
With its stunning design, unique accommodations, gourmet dining, and high-tech entertainment, the Apex offers a top-tier cruise experience. While it may not cater specifically to families with young children, it is perfect for travelers seeking a sophisticated and relaxed voyage while exploring a variety of worldwide destinations.
Factbox
For more information, visit celebritycruises.com.
Photography courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.
