Very Honest Celebrity Apex Cruise Ship Tour: The Good and The Not So Good

[@DaveP668]

We are just off Apex from a northern trip to Iceland. We are far from cruising experts having done about 6 across P&O, Princess and Celebrity over 15 years. The Celebrity experience is by and large excellent, but Apex wasn't the ship for us. I had reservations before the trip that a northern atlantic trip with back to back sea days and no crows nest bar could be a mistake and I was right. As you note if the weather is bad everyone is inside (it was bad, rain, wind, 6-7m waves, lots if sick people- not us, thanks Stugeron!), but the design means everyone is then concentrated around the central atrium and Martini bar, or Eden, which we really didn't like. It was dark, dingy inside and sat at the rear for a view it was like sitting in a greenhouse, but also in a corridor. That huge area of glass is like a greenhouse when the sun does shine its stifling hot so you can't sit there for long. On cloudy days it was cold sat in Eden as there are access doors to the deck and smoking area. We also found the ship cold on port days as the doors were open on deck 2 which provides access to the atrium so cold air flooded in across the martini bar, cafe, other bars. We just wanted a quieter area away from everything area with a view, which is where Eclipse crows nest wins hands down. Food was generally excellent. Tuscan service was very poor as was the food so we avoided it. Normandie was our favourite. Buffet never fails to impress. Always plenty of options. So Celebrity yes, Edge class ship probably never again, but I would miss the Veranda cabin, which on cold cruises is better than a balcony. Having a window open overnight helps prevent aircon throat.

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

I wish more ships were designed for cooler weather cruises. Agree on many of your points. We just got off Celebrity Infinity and were worried about going on an older ship (after being in the Apex) but we loved it!

[@leiablythe2741]

Very informative, thank you. I got plenty of tips for when I go next May :)

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

Thank you

[@brianlivesey981]

My wife and I have done about 70 cruises on P&O, Celebrity, Holland America, Saga, Oceania, Viking, NCL, Royal Caribbean and Princess, River Cruises on Uniworld, Viking, Emerald. You cannot compare P&0 with Celebrity they cater for different markets. We used to sail on P&O at the beginning (because we did not know any better) but the food and the service got gradually worse (this is in the 90's) over time and you would find that benefits were cut out over time I suspect the salami slicing was done by the accountants. So we decided not to sail with P&O for 10 years. We then decided to give P&O a second chance on the Iona about 2 years ago and it was worse than even before we left them. The service was terrible and the food was appalling. What was frustrating was that you could not even get a decent salad on P&O not the most difficult dish to serve. P&O relationships and pay with their staff leaves a lot to be desired and this is reflected in their customer relations. We would not sail with P&O again we are always disappointed.

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

I agree. I guess I was making the comparison because we had recently sailed with P&O and then with Celebrity and the price was hugely different! What is your next cruise?

[@brianlivesey981]

@@OnTheRoadAgain-UK We are going on the Apex on the 7th September 2024 to Iceland.

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

We are boarding the Infinity that week. Quite a contrast to Apex. Enjoy your cruise

[@paulabean158]

Thank you for the video and reviews! I will be sailing soon and am interested to see if you have video of your ports in Norway?

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

Yes indeed. First one is tomorrow. We publish every Sunday.

[@TimK2646]

Deck 6 soon lovely LOL, off to bonny scoots and the Icelandic warriors that demolished the England footie blokes

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

@@TimK2646 have a fab cruise

[@AndyRichards-b9n]

Hmnn. I hope you go back and do this review again. Nobody will love everything about any ship, and we all have different ideas about what the ideal size, layout, etc. is. First, I don't think the Magic Carpet is a gimmick at all. In nice weather, it is one of the most popular spots on the ship and a great place - if you can get a seat - to watch a sail away. I am surprised it never moved during your cruise. Most of the time, it does hang out on the Pool deck, but as you noted, it is also for tenders, and usually they have a specialty dining option during one night of the cruise. Also, I may have misheard it, but I thought you said it was free. I don't believe that is correct. My understanding is the Captains Club members get a free scoop or two during a cruise, but the rest of the time there is an additional charge. We came from multiple cruises on the Solstice class ships before our first cruise on the Edge. There is no doubt some differences, including the Martini Bar. The older ones were hard not to love. But I don't think your video gave a true picture of the Edge class changes. You can enter the bar from the third floor as you did (almost feels like the back door in to me), and you can also enter from the 4th floor which is more like a main entrance. You can see the entire bar area, which includes a nice dance floor and pretty constant live music during the evening hours. It really is a very nice space and probably one of the premiere areas on the ship. I am also surprised you didn't show the nice area of Cafe Al Bacio with nice seating and relatively quiet areas. Finally, I think you missed the 2 - story theatre. There is so much more to the ship! I know it is hard to do it all, especially within the constraints of a limited time video. Thanks for doing it!

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

Thanks for your feedback. As you’ll see in this Sunday’s vlog, we LOVED the Apex! Will definitely be back. In 4 weeks we are back on the Infinity so look out for the vlogs too!

[@roshanmelwani9469]

thank you guys! this tour and review was so useful

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

@@roshanmelwani9469 glad it helped!

[@siblacklockhughes612]

First thank you for answering a question which I have been crawling over over KZbin and the internet - can you get straight to martini bar from the deck 3 cabin I’ve booked. The answer is yes! Shortcut to Cafe AlBacio for our morning coffee. Do you remember if they had a speciality dining discount on the first night? We went on the Iona to the Fjords in May. Ship was nice but everything was too open (I get your comment about the shopping centre). The service was shocking, waiting for drinks constantly. Waited for our table in Sindhu and then the food was average as was the cod in Epicurean. Celebrity is fantastic but if Iona ups its game on the service side of thing the lower price is tempting.

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

Glad we answered it. I suspect they do have special offers in the 1st night. We didn’t ask though. You’ll have a great cruise

[@NicoleWilde-kt2wp]

Hello Rob and James, thank you very much for your interesting video. . Best regards Nicole

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

Thanks. Good you found it useful

[@davidmarsden305]

Thank you for the ship tour, going on her in early August, so fully expecting the outside areas to be very occupied, so may spead the load (people) around the ship. I use a small scooter ( brain damage which effectively wiped out my balance) however looked reasonably flat ( step less) or ways around any. Hopefully we'll have better weather, once again thank you👍

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

You’ll have a great time

[@kathydixon5609]

Thanks guys. Don’t know how you’ll orient yourself without referencing IKEA! 🙂

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

True!

[@hansmoleman8533]

Great tour guys. Going on the Apex in September to the med. Is it a true or an urban myth if you were to slip the barman 10 or 20 $$ they'd give you premium drinks all cruise? 😏

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

lol I don’t know (but doubt it!). Give it a go and let us know what happens!!!! What I can tell you is how friendly the crew are and you’ll have an amazing time

[@AndyRichards-b9n]

As a multiple time cruiser on the Apex (and sister Edge), as well as numerous other Celebrity ships, I can say that it is (essentially) urban myth. I am not saying it hasn't happened, but generally they are pretty straight up about staying in the lane. I will say, however, we spend a lot of time in both the Martini Bar and the Sunset Bar and if you can get to know one or more of the bartenders/wait staff, slipping them that $$ (we usually more than just one time) will help them remember you and any specific drink "requirements" you have. I have seen them mix to measured proportions, and I have seen them not. We have been in the Med several times on these ships and because the weather it generally very nice there, the outdoor areas will be in full use. It is a great ship!

[@ZoeTemmerman]

Thanks for the tour, we are in the boat in a few weeks x

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

You’ll have a blast. New video coming this Sunday

[@KirstyjadesMusic]

A comment you made “Oh dear children…. Not so good”You shouldn’t be travelling on a cruise that has a kids club if you don’t like children

[@OnTheRoadAgain-UK]

That’s why we don’t sail on Disney etc. :-)

[@isabellawalker2789]

They’re entitled to say that. I’ve got children and mine are respectful and well behaved but when I see other children I often say, “Oh dear children” as well because many children aren’t well behaved. Or is it that some children just copy their parent’s bad behaviour.