Celebrity Cruises has built a loyal following for its contemporary approach to premium cruising, combining the sophistication of small ships with the variety of experiences offered by larger vessels. The line's design-led fleet boasts a "boutique resort at sea" vibe that maintains a casual feel. And with sailings to nearly 300 destinations across all seven continents, finding the perfect Celebrity Cruises voyage is a breeze.
Tokyo, a city that masterfully blends the ultramodern with the traditional, offers a vibrant urban tapestry that is a treasure trove for explorers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Known for its dynamic climate with distinct seasonal changes, Tokyo provides a unique backdrop for the cherry blossoms of spring and the fiery leaves of autumn. This city goes beyond the neon lights and skyscrapers; its a place where ancient temples stand in the shadows of towering buildings, offering a true slice of Japanese life. Fun fact: Tokyo's Sumida River hosts one of the oldest and most spectacular fireworks festivals in Japan.
Day 6
At Sea
Days 7-8
Osaka
Osaka, the kitchen of Japan, beckons food lovers and history buffs alike with its down-to-earth charm and bustling street life. Known historically as a merchant city, Osaka offers a temperate climate that nurtures both its colorful festivals and vibrant nightlife. This city stands apart from its polished counterpart Tokyo by offering a genuine glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary Japanese people, through its thriving local eateries and lively markets. Unique to Osaka is its obsession with comedy, home to the nation's soul of humor, making it a place where laughter and warmth permeate the street corners.
Day 9
Kochi
Day 10
At Sea
Day 11
Busan
Day 12
Nagasaki
Nagasaki, steeped in a tapestry of renowned history, invites travelers to uncover its hidden treasures. As a testament to resilience, this city embodies the spirit of Japan, offering an authentic glimpse into its vibrant culture. Blessed with a temperate climate, Nagasaki provides a refreshing escape from tourist crowds, revealing the heart of the nation. Cruise lines embrace its allure, transporting passengers to explore its historic sites and cultural landmarks. From tranquil gardens to bustling markets, Nagasaki serves as a living canvas, showcasing Japan's multifaceted identity.
Day 13
Kagoshima
Day 14
At Sea
Day 15
Shimizu
Days 16-17
Tokyo
Tokyo, a city that masterfully blends the ultramodern with the traditional, offers a vibrant urban tapestry that is a treasure trove for explorers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Known for its dynamic climate with distinct seasonal changes, Tokyo provides a unique backdrop for the cherry blossoms of spring and the fiery leaves of autumn. This city goes beyond the neon lights and skyscrapers; its a place where ancient temples stand in the shadows of towering buildings, offering a true slice of Japanese life. Fun fact: Tokyo's Sumida River hosts one of the oldest and most spectacular fireworks festivals in Japan.
Tokyo, a city that masterfully blends the ultramodern with the traditional, offers a vibrant urban tapestry that is a treasure trove for explorers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Known for its dynamic climate with distinct seasonal changes, Tokyo provides a unique backdrop for the cherry blossoms of spring and the fiery leaves of autumn. This city goes beyond the neon lights and skyscrapers; its a place where ancient temples stand in the shadows of towering buildings, offering a true slice of Japanese life. Fun fact: Tokyo's Sumida River hosts one of the oldest and most spectacular fireworks festivals in Japan.
Osaka, the kitchen of Japan, beckons food lovers and history buffs alike with its down-to-earth charm and bustling street life. Known historically as a merchant city, Osaka offers a temperate climate that nurtures both its colorful festivals and vibrant nightlife. This city stands apart from its polished counterpart Tokyo by offering a genuine glimpse into the daily lives of ordinary Japanese people, through its thriving local eateries and lively markets. Unique to Osaka is its obsession with comedy, home to the nation's soul of humor, making it a place where laughter and warmth permeate the street corners.
Nagasaki, steeped in a tapestry of renowned history, invites travelers to uncover its hidden treasures. As a testament to resilience, this city embodies the spirit of Japan, offering an authentic glimpse into its vibrant culture. Blessed with a temperate climate, Nagasaki provides a refreshing escape from tourist crowds, revealing the heart of the nation. Cruise lines embrace its allure, transporting passengers to explore its historic sites and cultural landmarks. From tranquil gardens to bustling markets, Nagasaki serves as a living canvas, showcasing Japan's multifaceted identity.
Tokyo, a city that masterfully blends the ultramodern with the traditional, offers a vibrant urban tapestry that is a treasure trove for explorers and cultural enthusiasts alike. Known for its dynamic climate with distinct seasonal changes, Tokyo provides a unique backdrop for the cherry blossoms of spring and the fiery leaves of autumn. This city goes beyond the neon lights and skyscrapers; its a place where ancient temples stand in the shadows of towering buildings, offering a true slice of Japanese life. Fun fact: Tokyo's Sumida River hosts one of the oldest and most spectacular fireworks festivals in Japan.
Celebrity Millennium® is making even more waves in the cruise world with its breathtaking upgrades, and now as one of the first cruise ships in the world to receive a Four-Star Rating by Forbes Travel Guide. From adding brand new staterooms and elevating design concepts and technology across the ship to adding The Retreat®, an exclusive experience including The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge, the change is phenomenal. These new venues combined with our award-winning Luminae are sure to please.
Cruise was from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles visiting Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Colon, Puntarenas, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán. The main event was the coast to coast transit of the Panama canal. Excellent cruise. We did part of the transit as an excursion in a small pleasure boat the day before we did it on the Summit. It turned out great to have done it in two different ways.
The ship & particularly some of the staff were terrific.
Food & accommodation were excellent.
Staff clearing an ondeck buffet inside during a storm was really impressive !
Despite some desperate attempts by passengers to make it more difficult !
A couple of rather dull ports but still a great experience.
I could not fault this cruise from start to finish. The Celebrity Apex is a wonderful ship, my favourite cruise line so far. The Fjords are truly breath taking and I would recommend this ship and itinerary.
Mini cruises from the UK are very popular and if you haven’t cruised before a great way to see what cruising is all about! My wife and I embarked on such a cruise from Southampton visiting Zeebrugge (for Bruges) and then right into the heart of Amsterdam onboard Celebrity Apex.
The Celebrity Apex ship is one of the Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series. It launched in 2020, and this 130,818-ton vessel accommodates approximately 2,910 passengers offering an elegant, high-end experience with cutting-edge design, diverse dining options, and superb entertainment. With its innovative spaces, including the Magic Carpet and Infinite Veranda staterooms, Celebrity Apex redefines the traditional cruise experience, blending contemporary luxury with a laid-back, sophisticated atmosphere.
So what makes Celebrity Apex stand out:
Ship Design and Atmosphere
The ship boasts a sleek, modern aesthetic with a focus on open spaces, natural light, and great design. The ship interiors were designed by Kelly Hoppen, a renowned British designer known for her contemporary and inviting style. The neutral colour palette—blues, greys, and soft earth tones—gives the ship a boutique hotel feel. One of the most striking features is the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship’s exterior, serving different purposes at different levels. It transforms into an al fresco dining area, a lounge, or an embarkation platform, depending on its position. This innovation not only adds to the ship’s futuristic look but also enhances the overall passenger experience.
The Resort Deck, featuring the main pool, martini glass-shaped hot tubs, and a solarium, is a beautifully designed space with plenty of room. The Rooftop Garden, a lush, plant filled retreat was one of our favourite places to relax in the sun, perfect for enjoying cocktails!
Accommodations: The Infinite Veranda and Suites
Celebrity Apex’s accommodations set a new standard for cruise ship cabins. The most notable innovation is the Infinite Veranda staterooms, which replace traditional balconies with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that can be opened at the touch of a button, essentially merging the balcony with the cabin’s interior. This design creates more space and creates an indoor-outdoor experience, we loved it!
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, The Retreat offers suite guests a private, all-inclusive experience with personalised butler service, a private restaurant (Luminae), and a secluded sundeck.
Dining
Dining on Celebrity Apex is a cruise highlight, with 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges offering a wide selection of cuisine.
The ship features four complimentary main dining rooms—Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus—each with a distinct theme and specialty dishes. Instead of a traditional single main dining room, this setup offers more variety and a restaurant-like atmosphere.
The Oceanview Café is the buffet area which provides a vast selection of food. Room service is also available 24/7
Specialty dining options include:
• Le Petit Chef – We experienced this one evening and found it really good fun. A whimsical, animated dining experience where a tiny chef “prepares” your meal before the actual dish is served and your table is turned into a 3D cinema screen where the little chef entertains throughout your meal
• Fine Cut Steakhouse – A classic steakhouse offering premium cuts
• Eden Restaurant – A multi-sensory dining experience in a botanical-inspired setting.
• Raw on 5 – A sushi and seafood restaurant with ocean views and a fresh raw bar selection.
• Le Grand Bistro – A charming French bistro serving classic Parisian fare.
Entertainment and Activities
Celebrity Apex offers a wide entertainment line-up,
• Theatre Shows – The state-of-the-art theatre at the front of the ship features productions and aerial acrobatics. Check out the daily newsletter for the shows and timings
• Eden – This is a multi-use venue offering intimate performances, and live music in a stunning garden-inspired setting.
• The Club – A versatile venue that hosts everything from silent discos and live bands to trivia and game shows.
• Casino – A modern Vegas-style casino with slot machines, blackjack, poker, and roulette.
The Spa offers an impressive range of treatments, including a seaweed wrap, cryotherapy facials, and a thermal suite with steam rooms and saunas. The Fitness Centre is fully equipped with Peloton bikes, yoga classes, and personal training options.
Conclusion:
From my initial booking which I made over the phone to sailing onboard, Celebrity Apex offered a friendly and professional cruising experience. From restaurant waiters to housekeeping and concierge staff, we found the service exceptionally good.
With its stunning design and unique accommodations to gourmet dining and high-tech entertainment, Apex offers a top of the range cruise experience. Whilst it may not be the best fit for families with young children, it is perfect for travellers looking for a sophisticated and relaxed voyage whilst discovering a great choice of worldwide destinations.
We were totally blown away by the beauty of the Norwegian Fjords. They definitely stole a piece of my heart and I will be booking to go again. The itinerary with Celebrity cruises was amazing and the highlight was the stop in Olden where the scenery was magical. The Flam Railway was another highlight of the trip with the stop at the waterfalls being mesmerizing. Celebrity cruises are class. They are the nest cruise line we have travelled with.
Fantastic wildlife, fabulous scenery and quiet little towns cut off from the rest of the World. What a great way to spend seven days. Glaciers, bears, whales, Tingit culture and more combined with the comfort of a modern cruise ship. Top trip !
Lovely cruise from Rome around Italy and France. Bid for a room upgrade which we got, a balcony was nice as weather was good. The room was a family room but was only just big enough for 2 people so I don’t know how you would have fitted children in .Staff were all so lovely . The final invoice was for tips which was quite a lot 190 dollars per person per day, so 380 dollars. Also charged for drinks in mini bar which we didn’t have , 1 bottle of water and 1bottle of prosecco which was supposed to be complimentary . No response from query from final bill.
Overall a lovely cruise
