LIVE Apex Suite Review 2/25-3/4: Love in the Time of Relaxed Luxury

[Random Cruizer]

Those pics of you guys in the hanging seats in Eden bring back so many memories!  When I was on Apex for a Norway cruise last summer, I spend time in them reading--one of my favorite places to really relax on the ship!

Have a great time, love following your live reviews!

[mac_tlc]

38 minutes ago, allinwonderland said:

Gosh, with the way you're making it look, I would *die* to sail in the Retreat on E-class, but PHEW those prices!! 🤯 especially since I don't have a built-in sailing buddy and would likely be sailing solo. How does one find this "bargain pricing"?? 

TBH, it’s a matter of luck and flexibility. For that 4/9 Beyond sailing, @NorthStarStateCruiser first noticed suite prices that were 1/2 of normal. Posted on CC, within hours myself , @KKB, @GenerationX, @Silkroad, @Mrs_Tiki and others saw the post and were able to fit it into their schedules. Today, those prices are almost back to normal, although they did last almost a week. 
 

Same occurred with the 1/21/24 Ascent sailing. I was perusing cruises and prices and stumbled on it. I posted on CC and a bunch of folks were able to grab it before it went back up. 
 

Bottom line, if someone finds a real bargain it most likely will be posted on CC. Keep and eye out and be ready to jump!!

 

mac_tlc

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

 
Yes she is welcome in all Retreat areas. I’ve seen a handful of kids in Luminae this sailing.  I’ve sailed with our 10 year old daughter in suites and she LOVES it. All the crew treated her like a little princess.  You’ll be setting your granddaughter up for high cruising expectations!

I figured that would be the case, I just do not ever remember seeing any kids in the Retreat lounge.

Edited February 26, 2023 by terrydtx

[KKB]

45 minutes ago, thebutlerdidit said:

They didn’t make you pay the prevailing rate? 

I only had to pay a few hundred more for Mom's taxes & fees.

It wasn't long after the initial booking so rates may have been the same.

[acstall]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

In FLL you really do not need the priority suites luggage drop. 

You’re right. I didn’t see it anyway and it was so easy to drop our luggage where we pulled up. We’re on Beyond today and the embarkation was so easy and just wonderful. Saw Charla sail out yesterday!

[terrydtx]

8 minutes ago, mac_tlc said:

TBH, it’s a matter of luck and flexibility. For that 4/9 Beyond sailing, @NorthStarStateCruiser first noticed suite prices that were 1/2 of normal. Posted on CC, within hours myself , @KKB, @GenerationX, @Silkroad, @Mrs_Tiki and others saw the post and were able to fit it into their schedules. Today, those prices are almost back to normal, although they did last almost a week. 
 

Same occurred with the 1/21/24 Ascent sailing. I was perusing cruises and prices and stumbled on it. I posted on CC and a bunch of folks were able to grab it before it went back up. 
 

Bottom line, if someone finds a real bargain it most likely will be posted on CC. Keep and eye out and be ready to jump!!

 

mac_tlc

I agree prices for the Retreat have gotten so ridiculously high. We have 4 future cruises in the Retreat that were booked in 2021 at 20-30% less than current pricing. After these, not sure what we will do, Sky Suites have reached the point that premium lines like Oceania and Viking Ocean are now competitive in pricing. We have one Oceania cruise booked for March 2025 that beat the similar Equinox cruise by a bunch. The Retreat pricing and product had been what kept us loyal to Celebrity up to now.

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

I booked this stateroom as a suite guarantee.  I’ve never done a guarantee booking before and was a little nervous about what we may be assigned.  

Booking as guarantee, did you still get the Premium AI package, drinks, tips and Wi-Fi?  I remember something about, at one time a suite guarantee did not come with the AI.

[GenerationX]

Quick Update from my Marriage on Apex:

 

After pool time this morning, while I was  showering and dressing for lunch in the bathroom, I heard Jeremy leave the room and not return for about 20 minutes.

 

I prepared my best scolding voice thinking he’d snuck out to cheat and have a smoke.

 

Then I went into the closet for something and noticed a new shopping bag sitting next to the safe.  What do ya know, at lunch today I was surprised with an extra belated Valentine’s Day gift…this man is lobbying HARD to be invited onto Beyond in April. 🤣

 

I skipped dessert at lunch so I could have one of the highly addictive warm chocolate chip cookies from Eden cafe while I take care of a few work projects while watching the wake.  So far, wifi is a little slower than yesterday, but still cooperating.

 

 

 

[kabmab]

3 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Quick Update from my Marriage on Apex:

 

After pool time this morning, while I was  showering and dressing for lunch in the bathroom, I heard Jeremy leave the room and not return for about 20 minutes.

 

I prepared my best scolding voice thinking he’d snuck out to cheat and have a smoke.

 

Then I went into the closet for something and noticed a new shopping bag sitting next to the safe.  What do ya know, at lunch today I was surprised with an extra belated Valentine’s Day gift…this man is lobbying HARD to be invited onto Beyond in April. 🤣

 

I skipped dessert at lunch so I could have one of the highly addictive warm chocolate chip cookies from Eden cafe while I take care of a few work projects while watching the wake.  So far, wifi is a little slower than yesterday, but still cooperating.

 

 

 

Gorgeous and how sweet!  I'm almost as excited for your cruise as I am for ours next Saturday. 

[mac_tlc]

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

I agree prices for the Retreat have gotten so ridiculously high. We have 4 future cruises in the Retreat that were booked in 2021 at 20-30% less than current pricing. After these, not sure what we will do, Sky Suites have reached the point that premium lines like Oceania and Viking Ocean are now competitive in pricing. We have one Oceania cruise booked for March 2025 that beat the similar Equinox cruise by a bunch. The Retreat pricing and product had been what kept us loyal to Celebrity up to now.

Us too. None of our future Retreat bookings are at current prices. I used to target $400pppd as a max, but now the normal asking prices is over $500pppd, with some over $600pppd

 

Gotta hunt for the bargains! 
 

mac_tlc

[dgparent]

1 hour ago, GenerationX said:

Quick Update from my Marriage on Apex:

 

After pool time this morning, while I was  showering and dressing for lunch in the bathroom, I heard Jeremy leave the room and not return for about 20 minutes.

 

I prepared my best scolding voice thinking he’d snuck out to cheat and have a smoke.

 

 

LOL glad you are not on my Reflection sailing, I would be the guy corrupting Jeremy at the Sunset bar with smokes.

[crusinthrough]

2 hours ago, mac_tlc said:

TBH, it’s a matter of luck and flexibility. For that 4/9 Beyond sailing, @NorthStarStateCruiser first noticed suite prices that were 1/2 of normal. Posted on CC, within hours myself , @KKB, @GenerationX, @Silkroad, @Mrs_Tiki and others saw the post and were able to fit it into their schedules. Today, those prices are almost back to normal, although they did last almost a week. 

 

I also jumped on it.  I looked yesterday to possibly upgrade to a S1 and the price is almost 2k more.  Wish I saw the Ascent deal.  

[crusinthrough]

Enjoying the detail review.  Now I want to look for a deal on the Apex. 

[GenerationX]

4 hours ago, KKB said:

I only had to pay a few hundred more for Mom's taxes & fees.

It wasn't long after the initial booking so rates may have been the same.

Thanks! The prevailing rate issue is what concerns me a little. I got such a good deal on that cruise and prices are much higher right now.  We’re still waiting to hear if Jeremy can get the days off and our house sitter can cover, then I’m going to make an appointment to talk to future cruises.  I’ll report back on the outcome and pricing!

[KKB]

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Booking as guarantee, did you still get the Premium AI package, drinks, tips and Wi-Fi?  I remember something about, at one time a suite guarantee did not come with the AI.

Guarantee DOES

Upgrade bid does NOT

[charleysmom]

Quick question..  was the lounge chair already on your balcony or did you have to request it? You’re getting me so excited for our trip on Apex in April!

[GenerationX]

First scenes from Evening Chic night!

 

We took inspiration from the movie’s 25th anniversary re-release for tonight’s look.

 

We just left the Caravan circus show in the Club.  When the acrobat duo act started my husband said “oh NOW I know why you made me come to this show.”

 

We’ve just been escorted to our reserved seats in the theater by our butler for the Tree of Life production show.

 

Cheers to making it count!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bjahil47]

I am late to the party and just caught up!  Congrats to Jeremy on kicking the smoking habit!  Generation Z is becoming quite a beauty!  Love your evening gown and WoW! for the new necklace!

 

Enjoy your cruise and as always thanks for your in depth entertaining reviews!

[abbydancer2003]

12 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Booking as guarantee, did you still get the Premium AI package, drinks, tips and Wi-Fi?  I remember something about, at one time a suite guarantee did not come with the AI.

I think (I could be wrong) that when they first introduced Always Included, there was no cruise only fare, unless you booked a last minute guarantee in any category, including suites.  Maybe that changed again when they changed it so that you could book without perks.

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Congrats on EFFY!  Bought the Mrs a bauble from them in St. Maarten and a few in NY. Please note and I am sure you know that the ship reports large purchases to customs and they know before you disembark so make sure you put it on your declaration before you swipe your card leaving.  We look a four  week cruise around South America and I bought her a diamond necklace on board. The price was extremely reasonable and reported it on the declaration. Sure enough we beeped and had to go to a special customs desk on board.  This has happened several times on various cruises on various ships. There are times when the prices on board are better than ashore. Its case by case. Either way enjoy the gift! Say hi to hubby!!!

[TeeRick]

22 hours ago, GenerationX said:

 

One of the down sides to booking last minute is that unless it’s a pretty empty sailing, prime specialty dining times can be hard to come by in the cruise planner.  When I booked Fine Cut and Raw on 5 online, the only times available in the cruise planner were an absurdly late dinner of 9:30.

 

OK you will have to "settle" with Luminae!  LOL.  Food pictures look great!

 

Anyway before our recent cruise (Equinox), all specialty restaurants were either sold out or had 9:30 PM dining times.  Online.  But when we boarded we went directly to Murano and they had plenty of open times.  Same for Tuscan.  We took a couple of nights at 6:30 PM.  The maitre 'D explained that they keep about half their slots in reserve and not available online.

Edited February 27, 2023 by TeeRick

[39august]

Charla, you do know that the Retreat concierge will book your Future Cruise appointment in the Retreat lounge don't you? No waiting at the Future Cruise desk. 

[GenerationX]

 

Good morning from our sail into San Juan! 

 

Today is one of those hybrid half port half sea days as we don’t dock in Puerto Rico until 2pm.

 

I thought the European acrobat show last night might inspire my husband to join me for a workout this morning, but no such luck, so I was solo for my 2 mile run around the jogging track followed by a cool down walking around taking more photos of the ship.

 

As I mentioned, last night after the Caravan show in the club ended we went to the production show, Tree of Life, in the theater.  The cast have some really good voices and the show really shows off the new tech in the E class theatre.

 

Once the show wrapped up we headed back to the martini bar for espresso martinis and the presentation of the ship’s officers then did a little slow dancing to live music provided by my favorite Celebrity house band, The Cardinals.

 

Then we headed up to dinner at Fine Cut.  

 

Our reservation was for 8:30, but we didn’t get seated till around 8:45. The restaurant was completely packed and between that and the initial wait at the unmanned host stand, I was very worried that we were in for a somewhat painful service experience. 

 

Once we were seated that turned out not to be the case at all. Our server Mushi was amazing and gave great ordering recommendations.  The sommelier came right over with the rest of our bottle of wine from Eden (I know, I still owe a report).

 

For starters Jeremy had the tuna tartare which he proclaimed “outstanding” and I had the scallops that I remembered being so good in Fine Cut on Edge and I think they were even better this time.

 

Jeremy and I are ribeye people, but Mushi was quite adamant that one of us should try the filet mignon so Jeremy gave it a go. I was shocked when Jeremy left not a crumb on his plate and said it was “one of the best steaks I’ve ever had”.  Apparently Mushi is good, Mushi is wise.  My ribeye was just as good as Tuscan Grille on S class and spreading  the black truffle butter on top made it even better.

 

We also split a decent Caesar salad and for sides we tried the Mac and cheese, tater tots and sautéed spinach.  The only disappointment was the spinach. In fact I’ll go so far as to call it flat out bad.  The texture was weird, it had almost no seasoning, and it was cold. Like not even room temperature, but cold.  I guess though if something’s going to be terrible in a steakhouse meal you’re paying extra for, the spinach would be the best thing to flop.

 

For dessert we split the brownie sundae…sigh…say it with me Celebrity: if you’re going to offer a brownie sundae, serve👏🏾 the 👏🏾 brownie👏🏾warm.  It was a really good brownie and ok ice cream, but it needed that temp combo of warm brownie and cold ice cream to really make it.

 

We were completely stuffed after dinner so decided to skip silent disco and make it an early night sipping a last martini on our veranda in our robes.  

 

More to come later today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GenerationX]

17 hours ago, charleysmom said:

Quick question..  was the lounge chair already on your balcony or did you have to request it? You’re getting me so excited for our trip on Apex in April!

The lounge chair was already on our veranda, but I don’t recall having one on Edge in a sky suite so I wonder if maybe a previous guest requested it and they just left it there.  Enjoy your April cruise! Based on what I’ve experienced so far I think you’ll have a great time!

[GenerationX]

A couple of quick tips from the Apex Retreat sundeck:

 

1) The restroom doors on the deck are operated by hand sensors.  When you go in the restroom and the automatic door closes behind you, there’s this button on the wall that says “Door Lock”.  As your attorney in this matter, it is my duty to advise you that this claim is often false and misleading.  Do NOT act in reliance on this button’s claim that it has locked the door, that is unless you want to risk suddenly becoming much more intimately acquainted with a fellow suite guest in need of the facilities.  Instead use the manual lock underneath the handle of the door itself and rotate clockwise until it won’t go any further to actually lock the door (and of course, wash your hands vigorously and use a paper towel when unlocking and exiting).

 

2) Do not consume Atish’s strawberry daiquiris on an empty stomach. He’s not stingy with the rum. Even with having had breakfast, after two I found myself swinging around in the pool chair singing show tunes  from South Pacific.

 

Bon Voyage.