Celebrity Apex is a 2,910 passenger state-of-the-art ship, which took its maiden voyage in 2021. She provides ocean cruises, perfect for those seeking luxury holidays for the over 50s.
We took Celebrity’s 7-night cruise from Fort Lauderdale, south to Key West, then west across the Caribbean to Belize and back via Mexico’s island of Cozumel and Grand Cayman. It is a blue-skies-blue-seas cruise popular with silver travellers and those looking for some of the best cruise food on the high seas.
On Board Celebrity Apex
This is an ocean cruise that offers all the attractions that you would find in a large city: art gallery, casino, gym, night-club, roof-top garden and cinema, spa, shops, swimming pools and theatre.
The Resort Deck
Countless sun-loungers surround the outdoor pool adorned by two stylish Martini-glass shaped whirlpool. If there is a cloud in the sky, the indoor solarium is home to an indoor pool.
Our stateroom
Our Infinite Veranda Stateroom, a collage of stylish greys designed by Kelly Hoppen, has a two-seater sofa, and two beds that can be configured as a king-size double.
Innovative new design creates a veranda, giving additional cabin room, and a window that opens to admit cooling sea breezes.
Dining on Celebrity Apex
Breakfast
Most guests opt for the immense variety of the Ocean View Cafe’s breakfast buffet: think bakery, English breakfast, fresh fruit, fruit juices, pancakes, waffles. Though the Cosmopolitan offers a full-service served start to the day or there is the ultra-healthy option of the Spa Cafe.
All-inclusive restaurants
Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie and Tuscan are four stylish restaurants, with impeccable service, that contribute to Celebrity’s high ranking on best cruise food listings.
Slick service, beginning at 5.30 pm allows early dinners to make the first theatre show at 7.00 pm.
Speciality dining
For a fee guests can eat at The Finecut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, Raw on Five specialising in sushi and The Rooftop Garden Grill.
Uniquely, The Magic Carpet, a platform that rises up and down alongside the ship, houses an open-air restaurant perfect for balmy Caribbean evenings.
Entertainment on Celebrity Apex
The Theatre
A 110 feet, 17 million pixel wrap-around screen provides an impressive backdrop for entertainers jetting-in to perform in the ship’s theatre.
The backdrop enhances the powerhouse vocals of Divas3, Jared Freiburg’s piano tribute to 1950s rock ‘n roll, magician Jessica Jane and the Celebrity company’s Tree of Life Show. On the last night, Rockumentary celebrates music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
The Club
Not just for late-night four-to-the-floor disco, the club hosts song-and-dance performances early evening. Silver travellers love the Abba tribute night.
Eden
Decorated with hanging gardens, Eden is a sophisticated venue for musical performances such as jazz duos and guitar solos.
Wellness
The Spa offers over 120 different treatments whilst there is a vast gym that arcs around the bow of the ship, on Deck 15, providing inspiring ocean views. Early morning stretch and tai chi sessions are well attended.
Guests can book a personal trainer or health assessment consultations. Seminars on arthritis and back pain, gut health and losing weight contribute to many guests leaving the cruise in better shape than when stepped on board.
Ports-of-call
Key West
At Key West ,Celebrity offers excursions to writer Ernest Hemingway’s house and The Little White House which became President Harry Truman’s second home during his presidency.
The Conch Train tour, with entertaining commentary by a local, gives an entertaining overview of one of America’s more eccentric cities.
To try the tastes of Key West, take a Foodie Tour or visit the Hemingway Rum Distillery. For the more active there are biking, catamaran and snorkelling excursions.
Belize
As a member of the Commonwealth, Belize has the British Monarch’s head in its dollars. Those opting to zip-line over the jungle or drive an Alternative Terrain Vehicle through the jungle will find very un-British terrain.
A tour of Belize City, with a stop to taste the local rum, shows a city that is always preparing for the next hurricane.
Cozumel
This 30-mile by 10-mile island off the Mexican Mayan Coast, is a perfect location for the sailing, snorkelling and swimming with dolphin excursions.
An island tour includes an artisanal tequila distillery creating a smooth drink very different from downmarket “ter-kill-yer” firewater shots. An idyllic beach club break takes in swimming in azure seas and lunch.
Grand Cayman
The panoramic island tour stops at the site which commemorates the wreck of 10 ships, blown onto the rocks in 1794. In gratitude for the rescue of his son, King George lll granted tax exemption to the British colony.
Consequently, Grand Cayman with its Seven Mile Beach is now an idyllic and affluent island paradise. Another great venue for sailing, snorkelling, and visiting Stingray City.
The Celebrity Cruises options
This is just one of the Celebrity Cruises offering luxury holidays for the over 50s. After winter ocean cruises in the Caribbean, Celebrity Apex and other Celebrity vessels head for Europe’s seas to tempt the silver traveller.
Even though Celebrity offers a huge range of excursions at each port-of-call, some guests are so busy with the casino, gym, spa and daily activities that they never leave the ship.
Plan your cruise
Call 0800 412 5678 to plan and book your Celebrity Cruise.
As of March 2023, Celebrity has these special offers.
• Celebrity Apex departs on a 7-night sailing on 25th November from Fort Lauderdale, calling into Key West, Belize and Grand Cayman. With Celebrity biggest offer of the year with 75% off the second guest, prices start at £1,309 for guest one and £396 for guest two, based on two people sharing an oceanview stateroom, and includes $100 per person onboard spending money.
• Celebrity Edge, sister ship of Celebrity Apex, departs on 13th May from Rome (Civitavecchia), calling into Corsica, Portofino, La Spezia, Cannes and Palma de Mallorca. Again, this cruise offers 75% off the second guest. Prices start at £1,594 for guest one and £404 for guest two, based on two people sharing an inside stateroom, and includes $100 per person onboard spending money. Plus, for an extra £99 per person, flights from London Gatwick can be added (transfers are an additional cost).
