APEX of our year, 12/3 — 12/10/22

[barbeyg]

Besides the Martini Bar, Eden, the suite lounge, and Cafe al Bacio, we gravitated to two other areas on the ship.  We loved the Rooftop Garden (and Grill).  We had dinner at the Grill, but since it was the 5 martini afternoon, I forgot to take pics of the meal until dessert, which is the amazing cookie baked to order. We both had the filet, which was outstanding.  We would recommend this specialty dining.  You do have to walk across the open deck a bit to get there, so if windy, keep that in mind. 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by barbeyg

[barbeyg]

The second area we gravitated to was the solarium.  Ken would swim laps in the outdoor pool in the AM, while I read a book in the air-conditioned solarium.  We would swim in that pool for a while when he finished.  Love that towels don’t have to be checked out, they are on all loungers for you to use.  Beautiful area, and a small, healthy buffet available in one corner of the solarium. 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by barbeyg

[terrydtx]

49 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

I think it would be hard to budge Ken from the Retreat. 😂 I would personally be fine with a balcony cabin, just to be onboard, but he is spoiled now. We do have a southern Caribbean booked on Beyond next Thanksgiving that he is already excited about.  
 

I can def see why it is your favorite line.  It certainly ranks right there with RCI for us now, both lines for different reasons. 
 

Hope your cruise is wonderful!

Our first Retreat cabin was on the Equinox last year, which we booked with all the extra FCC from canceled 2020 cruises, after that we can't go back now to less. My sister and BIL did a Cruise on the Beyond in a Celebrity Suite in September and absolutely loved the new ship. The biggest Retreat change on the Beyond is Luminae moved to the forward deck 15 and now you have a forward-facing view while dinning. We first sailed on Celebrity after 10 years of cruising on HAL and NCL, and now we are exclusive with them. HAL has nothing to compete with the Retreat and the NCL Haven is a poor attempt to copy the Retreat. Our one exception may be a cruise on Oceania in January 2025 around South America we are looking at.

Edited December 12, 2022 by terrydtx

[Scottishclover]

Really enjoying your review and the pictures bringing back some great memories of our first Celebrity Cruise on the Apex in July. We had an IV cabin and loved the extra space. Can’t wait to read more!

[barbeyg]

I really liked the reminder cards in the cubby hole outside our cabin for reservations that day. Reminders of scheduled specialty dining and wine tastings. An example below:

 

 

 

 

[blade3]

If you have any copies of the daily planner showing daily events onboard, especially the evening show times could you post them. Thank you. Enjoying you review, especially the photos. We're on Apex 1/7!

[barbeyg]

I mentioned that we had lunch at the Grand Bistro. There is an upcharge for this, and we had shipboard credit to burn, so we tried and really enjoyed the lunch.  We will eat there again. We dined there on Sunday, and I had the short rib.  Let me mention that I had short rib three times during the week. I never eat it at home, so it isa real treat onboard. Each time it was outstanding!  Didn’t get a pic of the meal, until dessert. Ken had the Profiteroles, and I had the Floating Island (Creme anglaise, caramel sauce).  The Floating Island was SO good. And light after the heavy lunch.  Even Ken enjoyed it with me.  He was surprised at how good it tasted. 
 

 

Edited December 12, 2022 by barbeyg

[barbeyg]

1 minute ago, blade3 said:

If you have any copies of the daily planner showing daily events onboard, especially the evening show times could you post them. Thank you. Enjoying you review, especially the photos. We're on Apex 1/7!

I am going to post all the daily planners at the very end. 🙂 I saved them all. 
 

Have a fun cruise!

Edited December 12, 2022 by barbeyg

[barbeyg]

Monday night, we were back in Luminae, for an excellent meal. Appetizers we chose were Turkey Escarole Soup and Braised Short Ribs.  And yes, that is pomegranate with the short ribs, which made the flavor pop. 
 

 

 

[barbeyg]

Obviously, this was not an afternoon spent at the Martini Bar, because I was remembered to take pics of each course. 😂

 

Our mains were Cod Basquaise (with potatoes, clams and piperade) and the most divine Veal Cannelloni (with chestnuts, pecorino and Madeira). You can see my Bourbon and Peaches near the pasta. 😁

 

 

[barbeyg]

And we finished with a Hazelnut Cake for Ken (Dulce de leche, Fernet-Branca, and mint gelato) and the Daniel Boulud signature dessert for me, the Raspberry Pistachio Vacherin.  Both were lovely.

 

 

[barbeyg]

How could I forget to mention this? Every night in Luminae, there is an Amuse-Bouche. This is a bite-sized appetizer to begin the meal.  It is usually chef-chosen, and has always been a fun treat to me.  To have one every night in Luminae was a really nice touch by Celebrity.  This is the only time I took a pic of one, a seafood treat.  

[barbeyg]

The morning we arrived in St Kitts, we were greeted with a rainbow.  I hope you can see it. 

[barbeyg]

For those sailing in the Retreat, following are some ‘welcome aboard’ documents left in the cabin.

 

[barbeyg]

A sampling of breakfast in the Retreat. Ken enjoyed the pancakes in the background each day with his meal.  I also tried an omelette one day. It was very good too.

 

[satxutcruiser]

What were the entrees from the "classics" menu in Luminae for dinner? I heard they got rid of the filet and substituted it with a sirloin.

[Luckynana]

1 hour ago, barbeyg said:

A sampling of breakfast in the Retreat. Ken enjoyed the pancakes in the background each day with his meal.  I also tried an omelette one day. It was very good too.

 

That looks sooo good!!!

[Luckynana]

What a great review, Barb!  I'm so glad I found it!  Following!!

[BonTexasNY]

45 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

What a great review, Barb!  I'm so glad I found it!  Following!!

Me too!  Thoroughly enjoyable.

[barbeyg]

2 hours ago, satxutcruiser said:

What were the entrees from the "classics" menu in Luminae for dinner? I heard they got rid of the filet and substituted it with a sirloin.

The filet was available for us.  We were offered a filet, NY strip, sirloin, salmon, and at least one other fish I can’t remember.   Those were available each night.

Edited December 12, 2022 by barbeyg

[barbeyg]

1 hour ago, Luckynana said:

That looks sooo good!!!

It was! I loved having asparagus with breakfast, and I must confess I ordered this same plate three different mornings. 😁

[dlh015]

6 minutes ago, barbeyg said:

It was! I loved having asparagus with breakfast, and I must confess I ordered this same plate three different mornings. 😁

Can't have too much of a good thing!!

[hrhdhd]

4 hours ago, blade3 said:

If you have any copies of the daily planner showing daily events onboard, especially the evening show times could you post them. Thank you. Enjoying you review, especially the photos. We're on Apex 1/7!

I am on Apex now, and the show times are 7 and 9.

[barbeyg]

We loved the art around the ship. The ship itself was art.  Wish I had taken more photos, but here’s a sampling. 🙂

 

 

 

[barbeyg]

One other night, I remembered to take photos of an entire meal at Luminae.  So, I guess that was two afternoons we didn’t spend time at the Martini Bar. 😂

 

For appetizers, Ken chose Grilled Mediterranean Octopus with crispy prosciutto, potatoes and smoked paprika.  Because I am not that adventurous, I chose Chicken Liver Custard with pickled turnips and sourdough toast.  We had to get extra toast for Ken to enjoy some of my tasty app, and surprisingly, I tasted his and it was excellent!