Why Celebrity Apex Changed Cruise Ship Dining For Me (FULL FOOD REVIEW)

A full food review from my 12-night sailing onboard the Celebrity Apex. Does Celebrity Cruises really have the best food at sea? I try out all of the main dining rooms onboard Celebrity Apex: Cosmopolitan, Tuscan, Cyprus, and Normadie. I also dine at specialty dining venues Eden and Rooftop Garden Grill and tell you about Eden Cafe, Oceanview Cafe, and Cafe al Bacio. I also try Luminae, which is the exclusive restaurant for suite guests on the Apex.
I set sail on the Celebrity Apex in Rome, Italy (Civitavecchia) for a 12-night cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean. This was my second time on Celebrity Apex, which was my first cruise with Celebrity Cruises back in 2021. This time I was headed to Greece, Turkey, Israel, and Cyprus on this exciting voyage on Celebrity Apex.
I will have many videos to come in this Celebrity Apex series as we sail to Israel and beyond. From food and cruise reviews to an infinite veranda stateroom tour to Celebrity Apex daily travel vlogs and more. Make sure to subscribe for more Celebrity Cruises and solo cruise content. I also cover cruise ship travel - including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, and more. From the latest cruise news to cruise ship reviews, dining guides and reviews, best excursions, and more!
Make sure to visit my website for more cruise content, including my FREE Cruise Port Travel Guide, which is available as a FREE digital download: zachthetravelingman.com/
#celebritycruises #celebrityapex #cruise

[@katrinaassoumou6400]

I have been waiting for this video. Happy New Year to you and your family. Amen

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year!

[@edwardh8853]

Hi Zach & happy 2023🎉 thanks for another great video. I’m 🚢 soon and looking forward to Luminae & the Retreat. Thank goodness for stretch pants 😅 and the extra steps earned for taking the stairs. Cheers

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year! That sounds amazing and I hope you enjoy it.

[@conny4973]

Happy New Year! Thanks for another great video!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year!

[@christophercoupland5235]

We're cruising Celebrity this summer. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@samuelmills5961]

As a foodie I loved your video, in less than a week my wife and I are going on the Celebrity Accent with your fellow youtuber Crusier Sea-Kers. Can't wait to try that burger.

[@jeremybinetter7162]

Great review! Very trustworthy source. sailed celebrity edge in the med and I’m sailing the Baltic this summer on the apex. I definitely have to try that truffle burger and pop into Eden as I never went there last time.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

That sounds like an amazing cruise. I’m jealous haha. Have a great time!

[@scottdrichard7325]

Great recap/review.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Thank you!

[@andreas4268]

I have been considering a celebrity cruise on the Apex. I Have sailed more exclusively on Holland America and enjoy the brand. Thanks for your review Zach! Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year!

[@brunkerj]

I had previously sailed on Princess, RCCL, and one Carnival. (never again) After sailing for 12 nights on the Apex, I'm a convert. My next cruise is 12 days, Barcelona to Rome, on the Edge. Service, food, entertainment all adds up to a better experience for me.

[@janmiller266]

Apex had amazing cuisine!! From the crew to the servers, everything was top notch!!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Couldn't agree more!

[@pippinrocks]

IT’S CORN! Thanks I’ve now got the song in my head 😂🎉

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

😂 😆 you’re welcome

[@stevepalmer2214]

Great video and thanks for the tips. Not sailing for another four months but just made reservations via the app for every evening I'm on board. I've put on 5lbs just watching your video already 😆

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Woohoo! You are ready! Glad you got reservations early for everything you want. Thanks for watching!

[@Angiehere-1]

The lobster in the Luminea is the best I’ve ever had. We book a Sky Suite on Celebrity. We love that!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

I hope to book in one someday. I loved Luminae!

[@ranellmueller2972]

Ohhh, when I was on the Edge they had the lavender halibut and I've never gotten over that love affair...I think about it a lot, probably too much *sigh.* LOL to your Olive Garden reference. Thank you!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@butalina]

First off Zach. hope you and your family has a healthy and happy 2023. I absolutely Loved on the Edge, Cosmopolitan, Cyprus and Normandi, least favorite was Tuscan...Yes, I loved Eden (Never miss the prime rib sandwich in Eden for lunch...WOW). ...IMHO I do not recommend Aqua Class on the Edge class ships because the 4 dining rooms on the Edge class are awesome. I do recommend Aqua Class on the Soltice class and the Summit class. Anticipation is a great part of the cruise experience, I just purchased all the tours for the ports in Spain, France, Italy, Monaco and Corseca...The excursions are nothing like excursions in the Caribbean, the average length of a excursion if amazingly 8 hours, some even longer, but also the prices are sky high... Zack, I loved the Eastern Med cruise, But I found Athens to be WAY TOO crowded, Graffiti all over...The Greek Isles were clean and beautiful.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year to you!

[@barryhaley7430]

We have two back to back cruises on the Apex in February. We have done many Celebrity cruises but this will be our first Edge class. We are a little apprehensive about the Infinite veranda but thought we would give it a try. We weighed it against back to back on the Reflection which was significantly cheaper. But we should be able to really explore the new ship over two weeks.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

I hope you have a great time! Back to back sounds amazing.

[@lizkotchek928]

I love you Zach! I will be on the Apex next March for a big family reunion. I went on Celebrity Reflection last January and was Aqua Class and ate at Blu most nights. I honestly didn't like much of the food and ended up ordering from the main dining room menu. Everyone else loved it. I guess I am just not one who likes clean and healthier eating.

[@johnathankain8033]

I think healthy eating is something for at home, not so much for your holiday!

[@IsabeauMann]

We are thinking about the Apex for Norway in May. Last May, we were in Alaska on the Solstice. Food is always amazing on Celebrity!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

I would highly recommend you book Apex! She’s amazing and I’d love to sail her in Norway.

[@andrewpotts28335]

Just got off Edge for 11 nights. I will say we think the food quality and selection has slipped quite a bit since our last Edge class sailing. Although, I finally got to try the double truffle burger and it was insanely good. Hoping when we sail Beyond in April they have fixed some of the issues.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Thanks for sharing this. Glad the burger was good and you got to try. Always one of my favorite cruise ship meals. Happy New Year!

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

I really want to try a Celebrity Europe cruise but they are so crazy expensive for Solos. I will probably end up doing a Land Tour package.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Either way I hope you have an incredible time and get to explore lots! So many things to see.

[@laura5518]

Had to laugh when I saw you talk about the creamy Tuscan kale soup. Been on 2 Celebrity Cruises in The Retreat and both times I ate the soup I commented to my mom “this is like the fanciest zuppa toscana you can imagine.” So you weren’t the only one thinking it. You are spot on with the comments about the service in Luminae. Once you go the first day the maitre’d remembers your name and stateroom, the waiter and assistant waiter know your name. They treat you like royalty in there. Luminae and the Retreat Sundeck are two of my top reasons for loving the whole suite experience on Celebrity.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Glad I’m not alone! I definitely had a good chuckle when it came out of my mouth. 😂

[@kathychua7449]

do you need to make reservations for the 4 complimentary dining rooms or is it just walk-in ?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

They recommend reservations but it can be just walk in.

[@kimberleymiller]

I am putting together our trip for later this year...not sure Apex or Beyond yet. But looking forward to tying all the food! Loving the honesty Zach. I am a hug fan of Blu...not sure if I can afford The Retreat yet....lol But so many other places to get lost on the ship. Hope we run into you on board in 2023. I am also looking forward to trying that burger! Safe Travels my friend

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Either of those ships is a great choice! And the food all around the ship is so good you really don’t need the Retreat to be a foodie. Definitely try the burger and hope to see you sometime!

[@Quicksilver1934]

This video was timed perfect as I'm sailing on "Beyond" this coming weekend thru the Caribbean. I'm spoiled, this my eighth cruise, only on Celebrity and only in Aqua Class so I know how INCREDIBLE the food is. My first though on the Edge Class ships so it will be like my first sailing. Question with four restaurants now for main dining, is Aqua Class even worth the extra expense in your opinion?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Since prices have risen so much lately I’m going to say it’s not worth the additional cost just for Blu when, as you said, there is other great food all around the ship. Plus you can put some of the money you’d use on the upgrade toward some specialty dining. I hope you have an excellent time on Beyond!

[@Quicksilver1934]

@@ZachtheTravelingMan Thanks! I was thinking the same thing. I’ve been enjoying your vids. Keep them coming? Where’s next?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Next up (after I get through the last Apex vlog or so) is Celebrity Summit!

[@marywoelfel9822]

Food was Great on the Apex...

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

So so good!

[@brunkerj]

I loved the lobster bisque, probably because I love puff pastry. I will try the burger, but my favorite has been the Luminae burger. Eden was my favorite experience on the ship. But 'earthy' also describes their different cocktails, of which I'm not a fan. I'm going for the tasting menu. Looks awesome. Last time I had the beef wellington, filet, and lobster. Memorable. Luminae is a big reason I enjoyed our cruise, and booked an Edge cruise this May. On lobster night I added the 'ever day' steak, a filet and had my own surf and turf. I like bread, but their warm 'squishy rolls' were incredible. Couple all the food with the service, and Luminae was a stand out favorite of mine. Back to my Luminae burger. I ask for it medium to medium rare with extra bacon jam. So run-down-your-face juicy and flavorful. BUT, I'll try the other this May. A fellow passenger had a double. I don't know how he ate that. Next time your order the lobster roll, ask for it 'double stuffed'. A side note. Their special cocktail, bourbon and peach, was recommended and became my cocktail (among others) in Luminae. Breakfast in Luminae was also awesome. Once again, I enjoyed your video and we agreed on so much.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Oh I wish I knew about double stuffed lobster roll beforehand! I guess that just means I need to go back lol. Thanks for sharing.

[@MichelleAlexandria-EM]

I wish more cruise lines had tasting menus and sampler platters. I’m a picky eater that likes to try new things

[@DOUGandNIKI]

We found the Celebrity Food to be lacking badly compared to it's high standards they had set in the past. We've been both on Beyond and Constellation recently and both really showed the same trend of the food trending down. Fingers crossed they find there way back to great food!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

I hope so too!

[@LeoRousseau]

My wife and I are looking to book a sailing on the Apex on March 23rd to 30th of 2024. What is the best way to book, straight to Celebrity or a cruise agent?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

I always book directly through the cruise line. Apex is always a great choice! Highly recommend. Thanks for watching!

[@mikelmart]

I booked through a link with Travelzoo promotion. Apex in February to the eastern Caribbean, 7 nights, infinite veranda, $1400 per person. Classic drink package, $350 on board credit, prepaid gratuities, free wifi, $100 post cruise gift card.

[@Steven-er2bt]

Thanks Zach! Always appreciate your honest (and trusted by us) food reviews. Yes, you must have been on Apex right after we were on Apex. We had a great experience at Rooftop and Eden (twice for each), but your perception is your reality. Agreed that Celebrity food (and wine) is great. Do you agree with our TA, that Celebrity is trying to move their pricing from premium to luxury? Happy New Year, BTW!!!!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Happy New Year! And yes I agree with that assessment since prices have gone up on everything! It’s becoming too expensive to afford haha. Thanks for watching!

[@alexromano5898]

Yikes-I am currently on the Apex (Baltic 10 day)-I’m on KZbin trying to find recommendations on how to find good food on here. It has been terrible! The retreat food has been rough, last night we had the steak restaurant and it was tasty but we are getting desperate because everywhere we turn there is stale yucky food. HELP!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

That’s never been my experience. Definitely talk to your Retreat concierge if it’s that bad.

[@CASmerk]

You gonna go on Ascent?

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Oh yes! Can’t wait for December.

[@fitfrog65]

I never thought Luminae was consistently good. Actually, Olive Garden is better than most cruise ship food. Personally, I prefer lighter fare, so we book Aqua class.

[@TheUltimateCruiser]

Zach, are you now going to restrict your cruise travel to only Celebrity??

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Haha not anytime soon! Have several lines booked for this year.

[@janiekcarney5482]

If you don’t like something at a specialty restaurant, will they bring you something else? I wouldn’t want pay that much and leave hungry.

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Yes you can! I’m sure they’d be happy to bring you another option. You definitely won’t leave hungry.

[@LeoRousseau]

Smash that like button folks! 🇺🇦🇺🇸👊

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

That’s right. 👊🏻

[@rgruenhaus]

If it was about NCL I'd give it 2!

[@michaelb1985]

Celebrity is solid but oceania is way better.

[@user-mb2yp7kj5s]

Who eats fried chicken at a fine restaurant???

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

A fine restaurant?

[@felixpasternak1859]

OK, so I am going in Apex in March 2024, ok Apex food sucks Beyond is better, maybe Apex Chef should go on Beyond ship and do some training from Beyond Chef

[@rgruenhaus]

Ribeye looked WELLDONE! Way to ruin a steak!

[@ZachtheTravelingMan]

Medium at most.