Just another Thanksgiving cruise live blog...on Celebrity APEX

[AshleyDillo]

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Poor @CGTLH is always on the couch or cot….

He gets chocolates too, don't worry

[AshleyDillo]

The bathroom is spacious. Someone could sleep in the tub. We never use it, so it's up for grabs @OCSC Mike. 

Around the corner from the tub is a huge shower.

There's a handheld sprayer and an overhead ceiling shower. If the ship is rocking I'd be scared to take a shower..at least in the tube showers there's never room to completely fall on the floor.

There are sliding mirrors in the bathroom that you can open up to the bedroom, or close them.

And before someone asks.

I like it better than anything I've used on Royal.

 

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

We never use it, so it's up for grabs @OCSC Mike

Next time you sail from PC with a tub... I'm there!

Switching topics but staying in the bathroom... that floor tile is trippy!

[CGTLH]

2 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Someone could sleep in the tub.

For reference purposes this would be your view when in the tub...

 

[AshleyDillo]

Storage under the sink..

And the closet is in the bathroom. It's not as big as the Royal JS ones, but plenty of storage.

Towels are Retreat branded.

Everyone gets Retreat slippers.

And bathroom number 1..light is not the only thing it leaks into the room.

BYO

[SMOKEY0202]

Has mother made it over to Next Cruise to book another Celebrity Cruise yet?

Where are pictures of Matt's room?

Way to do you think of Retreat area?

 

[CGTLH]

Speaking of Retreat branding, even the plastic champagne flutes on the Retreat Sun Deck have it.

 

Going back to the room, nice touch having a notepad and pen.

[OCSC Mike]

1 minute ago, CGTLH said:

pen

You didn't have to win trivia to get one of those? Celebrity really is fancy!

[AshleyDillo]

Modern ship, so they went all out with outlets everywhere.

This box has the switch for the bedroom.vanity mirror.

And hides more plugs.

[SMOKEY0202]

Are we saying this cruise is spoiling you....

Once you sail Celebrity, it's hard to go back because it's definitely heaven

Have you hit casino yet?

[AshleyDillo]

7 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Has mother made it over to Next Cruise to book another Celebrity Cruise yet?

She already has Equinox booked out of PC in 2025.

8 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Where are pictures of Matt's room?

I'm sure he will post some articles about his experience including some cabin shots. I know he was taking some B roll photos last night!

 

[Neesa]

2 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Are we saying this cruise is spoiling you....

Once you sail Celebrity, it's hard to go back because it's definitely heaven

 

I was wondering the same thing. How do you return to Royal ?  I'm living for this sailing!!

[AshleyDillo]

10 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Way to do you think of Retreat area?

The Retreat Lounge is very similar to the Suite Lounge on Royal. Only difference is the bar is open during the day and serves hard liquor too. Non-alcoholic beverages are sell service.

The sun deck is nice! Padded loungers, small hot tub a pool and a bar. We don't spend much time doing anything sun-related ironically so we won't be partaking that much.

[SMOKEY0202]

Maybe a Celebrity group cruise will be coming

I did Equinox and enjoyed.  Sailing Europe on Celebrity now and enjoying it.  Spa is great as well

[AshleyDillo]

11 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Have you hit casino yet?

Only for a few minutes..love that it's non-smoking!

[Lovetocruise2002]

I am already sold!!!! 
forget trying to climb the C&A ladder. 
I’m going to see what comes up for Edge class summer 2025! 

[AshleyDillo]

4 minutes ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Maybe a Celebrity group cruise will be coming

The basic beverage package has a $10 limit. For reference they charge $11 for a Michelob Ultra. You have to upgrade to the premium beverage package for anything fancy. Martinis are $17. If you've ever been on a group cruise you know that's a hard sell.

16 minutes ago, Neesa said:

I was wondering the same thing. How do you return to Royal ?  I'm living for this sailing!!

It's only been one night so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, but there's definitely a lack of late evening entertainment. I found myself really missing the Pub and Schooner Bar last night.

[Neesa]

4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am already sold!!!! 
forget trying to climb the C&A ladder. 
I’m going to see what comes up for Edge class summer 2025! 

100% this!

[AshleyDillo]

7 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am already sold!!!! 
forget trying to climb the C&A ladder. 
I’m going to see what comes up for Edge class summer 2025! 

Oh, yes. @Matt and I definitely discussed this ship is right up your alley. It definitely feels more upscale than Royal, but it still very much is mass market upscale.  I think you would be super happy staying in the Retreat.

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 minutes ago, Neesa said:

100% this!

I just decided while looking at these pics that Hubby and I will try hard to move our once a year anniversary cruise in July to Celebrity, starting in 2025 (cause I already have July 2024 booked). Unless Royal comes out with something really enticing. Just the room pics alone, this is way more our scene lol. 
With the girls, we will still remain on Royal. They would be bored out of their minds on X.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Just now, AshleyDillo said:

Oh, yes. @Matt and I definitely discussed this ship is right up your alley. It definitely feels more upscale than Royal, but it still very much is mass market upscale.  I think you would be super happy staying in the Retreat.

Yeah, I am not even joking. I am already sold. As the years go on, this is way more our taste. 

[SMOKEY0202]

There is Silent Disco, karaoke, and lounge will have late night activities.  Tonight headed to Abba night.

Gotta luv Martini Bar and Sunset bar 

[AshleyDillo]

Our room was ready when we boarded and we were escorted right to the room when we boarded, similar to Star Class. We didn't have to lug around our carry-ons. I don't know if this is a perk, but it was nice.

[SMOKEY0202]

You never have to lug the bags. 

It's a whole different elegant ambience.

Even on this itinerary, blankets are laid out on chairs at night and hot chocolate is being served

 

[OCSC Mike]

Traitors... all of ya!

I'm not going anywhere until someone live blogs a Celebrity interior and eats in the buffet... I won't hold my breath.

[CGTLH]

4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

eats in the buffet

Amazing thing in the Oceanview Cafe (the buffet) is the use of plates that aren't plastic. When dropped they actually shatter all over the place...

[WAAAYTOOO]

I agree.  That suite is definitely reminiscent of the Oasis/Allure O/G Panoramic suites.

[AshleyDillo]

Boarding day lunch was at Le Grand Bistro. This is a specialty restaurant and normal price is $30 for lunch.

I had this drink called L'Apertif which the menu says Rose, Bonal, Aperol, and Champagne.  It was drinkable but not on the must order again list.

Our server called this brown bread. It was either that or sourdough. I usually prefer to drink my carbs but it was there so I ate it anyways.

I had the Moules-Frites..mussels and fries. This was tasty.

Then I had the Frisee Lardon Salad. It's crispy pork belly (crispy translates to chewy en français), pickled shallots, parmesan and poached egg. It's always a gamble with salads that have fancy names. I'm not into bitter lettuces and they were all bitter. Try to eat healthy and see what happen..won't make that mistake again

My mother ordered a burger and it had the whitest beef I've ever seen. It looked and tasted like a turkey burger but when we asked it was a whole thing where every staff member up to the chef had to come reassure us it was 100% beef.

 

We didn't really care, I just wanted to make sure someone wasn't missing their turkey burger

Going back to what I said about supply issues, my brother ordered a drink and they didn't have one of the ingredients so couldn't make it. Then he tried ordering the sea bass on the menu and they didn't have that either.

At the end of the meal they asked us if we wanted any of the bakery items from the front of the restaurant.

I don't know if the dining package part of our room entitles us to walk up and order any of these at any time for no charge.

We got a box full of course, even though they're just going to go stale before we even look at them again.

[OCSC Mike]

9 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Amazing thing in the Oceanview Cafe (the buffet) is the use of plates that aren't plastic. When dropped they actually shatter all over the place...

Given that I only sail during school breaks with lots of kids... this scares me.

[AshleyDillo]

We spent time after lunch unpacking and went up and checked out the Retreat Lounge and the Retreat Sun Deck.

The lounge is nice and modern. It is open 24 hours.

There's even a small outdoor seating area that has stairs that lead up to the sun deck.

There are self-serve non-alcoholic beverages (some leftovers from the European sailings still in there..bitter lemon soda, anyone?)

There's an espresso machine.

The bar is open until midnight. Complimentary for Retreat guests.

Even has a special bar menu.

They do have continental breakfast, an afternoon tea, and evening snacks.

[AshleyDillo]

The Retreat Sun Deck is by the ship's horn so keep that in mind for sailaway. We plane spotted and waited for sailaway which was delayed. We got bored and tired of waiting for roaming bar servers and fetching our own drinks so we retreated back to the room for sailaway.

The pool and hot tub on the Retreat Sun Deck was taken over by kids..perils of a holiday sailing. Makes me wonder how the demographic for Celebrity will switch sailing out of Port Canaveral..gives parents more options for cruise/theme park combo trips, but Celebrity would definitely not be my first choice for children.

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Our cabin includes the premium beverage package, the dining package, and free wifi.

When you say dining package, do you mean that all specialty dining is included?

[CGTLH]

13 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

There's an espresso machine.

Unlike the espresso machine used in the Suite and Crown Lounge on Royal, this one uses the same Lavazza pods for espresso the as the Lavazza machine in suites.

[AshleyDillo]

9 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

When you say dining package, do you mean that all specialty dining is included?

The specialty restaurant covers are included. We don't know about the smaller menus like the bar food menu at Craft Social. Raw on 5 is covered which is ala carte is included, even the seafood towers.

It's awkward because you don't get a bill, not even a $0 bill. Tipping is awkward. We haven't seen much cash tipping at the bars or Retreat Lounge either.

[Ampurp85]

I love when you blog because you give great details. I would so do a celebrity group cruise but it's always during summer break.

[AshleyDillo]

Standard Port Everglades sailaway..

 

Nice touch of modern luxury

[SMOKEY0202]

That is true , won't see tipping like on Royal.  I did venture up to buffet in the name of research.  Quite a bit of options and it's doesn't look like cafeteria food.

Made to order pasta station, carving station, Asian grill, casear salad station made to order, gluten free area(variety), chef daily special, Curry station,Gelato area, pizza station and normal items with plenty of fruits, breads, cheeses, meats and sweets.  Everything is presented well and map on wall details location of items.  They do offer late night menu as well.  You won't find hamburgers or hot dogs.  Those are at pool grill daily til 6pm.

Down at coffee shop there is a counter filled with pastries that changes daily.  Cookies of course then across is another Gelato counter.

You will not starve.

Very accommodating and crew will ask if everything is fine or if something else needs to be made.

 

 

[AshleyDillo]

Dinner was at Raw on 5 which is an ala carte restaurant that serves cold seafood platters, raw oysters, sushi, and some hot dishes.

With our room we were told we could order anything on the menu including the seafood towers.

Ordering the Imperial would have been excessive for 3 people, so we ordered The Chateaux and then a handful of other menu items, too.

But first drinks. Mine was the Sake Daquiri which is sake, lime, matcha, and Chinese 5 spice. 10/10 would order again.

My brother got a pink drink.

More modern luxury...they used real candles.

And then there was food.

And dessert.

[MaryS]

5 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i can't wait to hear how you like it!!

I will definitely let you know and post pictures!  I like Celebrity but have only been on the Summit.

[AshleyDillo]

The Royal Suite comes with complimentary internet. Prior to the cruise we got a random cruise planner cancelation notice that our internet package had been canceled. Then subsequently we got another email showing that a 2-device package was purchased for each of us.

We boarded and connected to set up our wifi package and had these options:

It was a hard decision between the free 2-device package and free 4-device package.

There were signs advertising the 2-device premium package as $415 for this sailing