Boarding the Apex
We refused to get excited about this cruise after four cancelled voyages since the start of 2020. Usually we would start gathering our packing weeks in advance but this time, we waited until we had our negative Covid tests two days before the cruise. As soon as we were both confirmed negative, we immediately ran into the bedroom and starting packing.
On Sunday morning, we loaded up the car early and began the drive to Fort Lauderdale. We left early to allow for traffic, which worked out well since there was rain and construction on I-95. We found a Panera Bread near the port and had a bagel and coffee/Diet Coke and watched the mandatory safety video.
We arrived at the port a little early for our boarding time so we sat in the parking deck and looked at the Celebrity Reflection, which had been our home for 12 wonderful days in the Baltic in 2019 before the world went to hell. Then we gathered our bags and walked over to the port. We realized we could have dropped off the bags before parking which would have been nice because our big bag had a faulty wheel. We got in the 12:00 boarding lane and were let in a few minutes before 12. The first attendant checked our immunization status and confirmed our negative test results and sent us upstairs. The second attendant had to scan us in but we were delayed because her iPad was not working. Finally she got it going and had to take new photos of us and then we were down the gangway to the ship, counting each turn until we were finally back on a boat.
Lunch
Our first stop was in our room to pick up our key cards and drop off the backpack. Then it was off to the buffet for some lunch. Due to Covid, you could not serve yourself, so attendants were serving the food. Every one of them was very friendly and said they were happy to have guests back on board.
After lunch, we grabbed our first drinks at the Sunset Bar before heading downstairs to our muster station. The new policy is you have to watch the video online and then go check in with an attendant at your station, which for us was the casino.
Martini Bar
After muster drill, we walked over to what would be our main landing spot of the cruise, the martini bar. We grabbed two seats at the bar, a little disappointed it didn't have the frosted ice surface like the Reflection. But the service was great and the drinks were good.
Martini Bar Menu
Sailaway
Being indoors, we almost missed the sailaway, but we felt ourselves moving so we went up on deck to watch us finally leave Florida on a cruise ship.
Eden
We headed down to Eden, the multi-story bar and gathering place at the back of the ship. J. R. had a coffee from the little bar which was only open, as far as we could tell, that day. We sat and talked and enjoyed the space. We were a little disappointed to see Celebrity increasing the price of specialty cocktails so they now exceeded the limit of the premium drink package. We liked the premium package because we could try different drinks and if we didn't like them, we didn't pay extra for them.
Eden Bar Menu
Martini Show
Every night on the Apex, the bartenders in the Martini Bar do a little show where the huge chandelier lights up to music and they juggle martini shakers, ending with them standing on the bar and pouring multiple martinis at once. Due to our show and dinner schedule, we never got to see it except passing by.
Uptown
The evening show was a trio known as "Uptown". Even through soul music is not our thing, they were very energetic and funny and made for a good opening show for our cruise. We were surprised by the small size of the Apex theatre and the round stage and wondered how they would fit everyone in if the ship was a full capacity.
Cyprus
Our dinner for the evening was in Cyprus, Celebrity's Greek-insipred restaurant. The Apex is different than most cruise lines as there is not a main dining room, but four separate smaller dining rooms to choose from. We were not impressed with the decor as it seemed rather like a normal cruise dining room with nothing that we would call "Greek". But the service was perfect and food was delicious. Each restaurant has a series of exclusives that are the same each night. Then they have a rotational menu that is served in all of the restaurants and also a classic menu that is the same each night in each restaurant. Janie started with the Saganaki while J. R. had the Sea Bass Ceviche. J. R. had some Escargot as well. Then it was lamb shank and sea bass for dinner
