AcesCruisetalk
Lifestyle • Travel
CELEBRITY APEX
Quick APEX review
November 10, 2024
Guest contributors: Acescruising
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In January, I sailed a 7 night cruise on the Celebrity APEX.
 
Full Pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/raffles/albums/72177720320151217/
 
This review will be a quick overview of what cruiselife is like on board.  I will also briefly discuss the ports we visited; San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Puerto Plata, and some activities you may want to try in each port.
 
The Celebrity APEX is part of the EDGE class series Celebrity started in 2018.  The APEX started sailing in 2019.
 
APEX still feels brand new, is well maintained and is easy to navigate.
 
One of the big differences for the Apex are the infinite balcony cabins.  These cabins do make your room larger, however, the trade off is you do not have the traditional balcony experience.  You can see an example of an infinite balcony here: INFINITE BALCONY
 
This cruise I had to stay in an ocean view.  It was a nice room, really convenient to get around the ship. You can view that here: MIDSHIP WINDOW
 
Some of my favorite venues on the ship are Raw on five and the Martini bar.  The Martini bar has a wide open feel and is great for socializing.
 
Generally speaking the APEX has a lot of nice spaces to relax, such as the magic carpet and the rooftop terrace, however, some spaces leave you wondering why more space was not allocated.  Craft Social is way too small, as is the casino and the sunset bar is so crowded, it's hard to enjoy.  I often found myself wondering why so many of the most popular places are too small.
 
The food and dining areas are excellent, lots of selection at the buffet and plenty of places to sit. The smaller dining venues add to the dinner experience, which was nice.
 
We visited four ports on this cruise, which was nice.
 
San Juan - I did a city bike ride with Shore excursions group.  The guides were amazing, the tour was fun and informative, the bikes were kind old but they worked.  I would do this tour again if it was a different route so I could see more.
 
St, Maarten - I did a bike ride here as well.  It went around the city and some of the popular viewing spots.  After that, I went to BIG BASTARDS and rented a chair.  Its right on the beach and I would love to go back.  I also saw about 15 turtles while I was swimming right off the beach.
 
St. Thomas - We docked at Crown bay, which is kinda away from where I liked to be, so I stayed on board.  There are tons of things to do in St. Thomas.  From beaching to snorkeling, there is something for everyone in ST. Thomas.
 
Puerto Plata DR - I rented a private van here and went up the coast about 30 minutes to Cabarete, where I used to live.  I just walked around and enjoyed my surroundings.  DR is another place that has a lot of different things to do and try, a very active port.  Lots of people go hiking and waterfall diving.
 
See all of my cruise info and reviews here https://cruisetalk.locals.com/
 
Check out sailings on the APEX here: SAIL THE APEX
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Built as a St. Regis in 2009, it was quickly renovated to be a Ritz, and it is absolutely a beautiful property.  From the moment you step foot in the lobby, you feel welcomed, comfortable and relaxed.  Check in took less than 2 minutes, the staff was extremely pleasant and accommodating.  They will offer you fruit and water and explain how to find your room.  I chose to use a bellman, which made going up to the room much easier and relaxing.

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European Grand Adventure
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Im off to a grand adventure!

 
Join me on this page and IG: acescruising.  I will have updates about this exciting, adventurous and informative trip!
 
 
Day one - (June 15/16)
 
 
I chose to fly NORSE airline from MCO so I could sit in premium.  I got a good deal to fly one way to London.  I have about 6 hours to use in London but I do have to transfer airports.  I have plans to meet up with a local couple I met on a cruise last year.  That evening I will fly to Amsterdam and stay the night at an airport hotel.
 
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A nice sea day to rest, recover and catch up on work.
 
Day 4
 
 
Molde, Norway.  The town of Roses! I booked a small group tour with the cruise line.  This tour includes a ferry ride through the Fjords, and of course the Trollstigen! This road was opened just before WW2 and is famous for its hairpin turns.  Should be a great day!
 
Day 5
 
 
Olden, Norway - I booked with the cruise line, going to do a troll car (electric buggy) through Jostedalsbreen National Park!
 
Day 6 -
 
 
Alesund, Norway.
 
More stunning views of Norway and an excursion with the cruise line visiting Stigfoss waterfall and Stordal church.
 
Day 7 
 
 
Stavanger, Norway - the last stop on the Fjords cruise
 
Today I will head out to pulpit rock.  A short hike takes us 2000 feet above Lysefjord to famous Pulpit rock, a cliffside with absolutely no safety precautions!  Someone just died there a few weeks ago.
 
Day 9 - 
 
 
After A day at sea, I will tour a bit around Rotterdam before going back to Amsterdam for two nights.
 
Pro tip -  keep track of your travels with your mytrip page on my website!  https://www.acescruising.com/MyTrips/login
 
Days 9 and 10 (June 24)
 
 
 
Post cruise, I will stay at the Sofitel legend in Amsterdam.  This hotel is the oldest in Amsterdam very famous and filled with luxury.  I am looking forward to staying at this hotel.  The next day I have two tours planned, a bike ride around the city and in the evening a tour of some of the hot spots in Amsterdam.  More to come!
 
Day 11
 
 
I will take an early train to Brussels, Belgium.  After about a two hour ride, Ill go to my city center hotel and meet my tour, which includes waffles, whisky and chocolate.
 
Day 12 - Right now, this is open and I do not have any plan. However I will find something soon.
 
Day 13/14
 
 
A short flight to Berlin.  I'm staying in the city center and have a bike ride tour that afternoon. The following day, I have left open, however, I intend to book an excursion of some sort soon.
 
Day 15-18 (June 30-July 3)
 
 
Today I will take a one way tour from Berlin to Prague.  The tour his some highlights and takes around 7 hours.  Should be a great day. Once I get to Prague, I have booked a stay at Hotel Kralov for 3 nights.  I have a few things in mind for Prague but nothing official just yet.
 
Day 19 (July 3)
 
 
Today starts a Backroads (travel vendor) River cruise and Bike ride through the Danube River Valley. We will take a bus ride from Prague to Vilshofen, Germany to board the beautiful AMA Sonata! Ill have lots of videos and pictures to share along the way.  I have chosen the Vilshofen Route: 32 Miles
 
Day 20
 
 
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Day 21
 
 
Linz, Austria - I havent decided what to do yet, there is a full day of excursions that sound interesting however I also want to bike ride.  I will report back on this later.
 
Day 22
 
 
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Day 23 
 
 
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Day 24
 
 
Bratslavia, Slovakia - Bratislava Route: 46 Miles.  Lots of castles, villages and  Donau-Auen National Park, one of the last remaining wetlands in Europe.  Not to mention, biergartens!
 
Day 25 - Budapest - will be the last day of the cruise/bike tour.  We have walking tours planned.
 
Day 26-29 
 
 
I will stay in Budapest for some post cruise touring.
 
Day 30 (July 14) I return home.
 
 
I gave a very short summary of this trip, however, I will be posting daily while away, There may be updates and changes and highlights to follow!  I hope to hear some questions and comments from all of you.  Follow me on IG: acescruising and of course on locals VIP cruisetalk.locals.com
 
Thank you for all your support!
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