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MJ, luckily Kelly Hoppen was just one of at least 4 designers/studios used. Her efforts were on interior design including the cabins and the Magic Carpet. She is responsible for the large number of toss pillows on the beds. They will be tossed as soon as we board. I might take a large trash bag, stow the pillows within and hang them from our balcony for 12 days. Eden was designed by a Spanish studio and the Grand Atrium by a French one. Both are appealing to me. Tom Wright designed the Edge class ship itself and that I like the look of although originally on the Edge the Sunset Bar (my hang-out) had no protection from the sun or the rain. Apex has fixed that. Hopefully Edge has too. The Infinite Balcony cabins I hated and still do. Just a poor idea for the majority of cabins. A cabin with a window that opens isn't a balcony. We have a balcony outside the ship where we can see the stars, catch some rays, feel the wind in our hair, fish for whales etc. I have watched a lot of videos of the Apex and am excited to sail on her as so much of it is new to our cruising experience. Good dining options for sure and high-tech theater. My camera will be very busy. It looks like a great way to visit some interesting ports, indeed. I believe Azamara has 2024 itineraries now so we'll be looking at those for what comes after Apex. Thanks for your best wishes! Norris

Thanks for the good wishes MJ! I didn't visit any cruise ports in Germany so no plans to write anything on CC. We are very keen to sail on the Apex as it is so different and we have an aft balcony ("Sunset verandah") thereby avoiding the goofy Infinite Balcony cabins that are in the majority on the ship. We expect good food and service, maybe not as intimate and personal as Azamara but of a good standard. We've sailed Celebrity 3 times since 2016. We are going to Amsterdam 2 days early as air travel is so issue-prone today. For example of the 5 Munich flights before ours in late July, 3 were canceled on the day. Our flight flew but an hour late and our return flight was 2 hours late leaving the gate. Hopefully by June airlines will have hired back more staff and be more reliable than currently. We have added two days in Amsterdam when the ship returns June 18th. As it's a new ship class to us plus Iceland, Belfast, Liverpool, Dover and Amsterdam I will be taking a lot of photos and video so imagine a huge review to follow on the X Board next June. Can't wait! Norris

Seems we have changed our plans for 2023 after some discussion yesterday. Alaska can wait. Iceland can't. We had been looking at an 11 day Azamara sailing July 9 2023- Reykjavik to Dublin, aft verandah. Carol found a 12 day Amsterdam to Amsterdam with fewer stops in Iceland(3) but an overnight in Reykjavik on Celebrity Apex June 6 2023. Aft Sunset Verandah at a cost $4 K less (8K vs 12K). It also has stops in Belfast and Liverpool which appeal. Much bigger ship with 2800 pax so not the cosy Azamara experience-we'll return to that later.... So I booked it. I'll link to the resulting photo/video review here when the time comes. Norris

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the read. That was our third Med cruise and likely our last for a while. Alaska is next on Princess and hopefully an Iceland on Azamara in the near future. Princess is next May, our 4th Alaska cruise and likely the last. Cheers! Norris, just back from Germany

Jason- better late than never always applies. Thanks for reading the whole thing and for commenting. We (hope to) fly on Wednesday July 27. I say hope to as United Airlines canceled their 6 pm flight to Munich on both Friday and Saturday just passed citing technical reasons-something about a dog eating their homework. Fingers crossed... Norris

MJ thanks for the good wishes! We fly in 26 days and have all our ducks in a row. Flying United and hoping there's no airline chaos then. Fewer Covid protocols to organize this time which is good and we have a direct flight to Munich so no Newark to change planes. We are in Germany from July 28 to August 8 and have our favorite hotels booked.Opera tickets? Check. Euros? Check. Long anticipated.... Beer Gardens await... Norris

Stem to Stern-It's as marinaro44 says but it's a comfortable section with seating for 2 dozen smokers out of the rain and somewhat sheltered from the wind. There is an electric heater on the bulkhead and plenty of ashtrays. Also windows that slide open. In the mornings around 6.30 there is a coffee and tea station set up which is a plus. I am used to bigger ships with lots of smoking spots, some even indoors (on Princess Grand Class) but the Az one suits me fine. Norris

Kitty, Guinness has been savored since 1759 and is sold in 120 countries so I am not the only one who loves it. I didn't like my first pint all those years ago. The people I was with told me it was an "acquired taste" and by pint number 3 Guinness had acquired a new customer. I was also told I looked good with a "Guinness mustache". Here is the pint they poured for me in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin....I heard angels sing... Norris, enjoying your review!

Some more pics from Michigan road trip... Birch Lake, near Elk Rapids Birch Lake picnic table Charlevoix-on Lake Michigan Old Mission Lighthouse on 45th Parallel Norris

Here are some pics from my 2012 Alaska cruise on the Diamond and reasons why I lean towards the Sapphire for Alaska . Promenade deck Tiered aft decks Indoor pool I also have a pic of maybe 80 people in Glacier Bay standing on the roof of the bridge getting uninterrupted views (no plexiglass) of the glaciers. Norris

I sailed Alaska on the Sapphire's sister ship the Diamond(2012) which became my favorite ship in the fleet before being sent to the Japan market. Photo/video review www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1798138 I booked the Sapphire for our next (#4) Alaska cruise/tour in May 2023 over the Majestic which is a beautiful ship but seriously lacking in public decks to view Alaska. Of course you can stay on your balcony but there can be so much to see that moving around the open decks means you don't miss anything. The Sapphire Promenade deck is lounger-wide and offers viewing with a roof over your head-all the way around the ship as opposed to the two tiny slivers of Prom each side(uncovered) on the bigger ship. The tiered aft decks offer space for hundreds of people to get good views. Wear layers and get a hot whisky inside you! Hot beverage carts will find you. Hot chocolate if you don't want a buzz. The 4 extra smaller dining rooms offer a more intimate dining experience from the main dining rooms and then there is the unique "Wake bar" on the stern. Another factor making me choose the Sapphire is her age-built in Japan in 2004, so she won't be around for nearly as long as the Majestic. Norris

Some shots from a 3 day road trip to Northern Michigan (Traverse City area) Cherry blossoms Tree with ornate bench View from dinner table Sunset with swans- momma has a couple of kids on her back Distant paddle-boarder at sunset Small "cruise ships"? Norris

For those of you who recall me talking about hoping for tickets for this year's Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Germany while writing this account, I am Over-the- Moon Happy to report that we have our tickets, have booked our flights, hotels and rental car capable of burning rubber on the Autobahns and are heading to Germany July 27 and returning August 8th. Life is good! P.S. Carol is on her fainting couch at this news. Has a touch of "the vapors". Norris