In some good news for the cruise industry amid the coronavirus crisis, Celebrity Cruises on Friday took command of Celebrity Apex, the second ship in the line’s Edge Series. In what was surely a first, the handover took place via video conference with officials from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, where the ship was built at a cost of $1 billion.
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First sailing out of Barcelona on May 20th
In keeping with tradition, Captain Dimitris Kafetzis ordered the exchange of the French and American flags, while each country’s national anthem played in the background.
“Every delivery is unique just as every ship is unique. While the circumstances are quite unique right now, it’s fitting that such an innovative ship as Celebrity Apex would have a digital-age delivery,” said Lisa Lutoff Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises.
“The day is every bit as meaningful because I know the dedication and commitment from the shipyard team, the onboard crew and our Celebrity shoreside team that went in to bringing this ship to life. Celebrity Apex is a magnificent ship and I am so proud to welcome her into our family.”
“We had the honor of building the first Edge Series ship, Celebrity Edge, and so many wonderful ships throughout our partnership over the years. Celebrity Apex is exceptional, and we know she will be well-received and enjoyed for many years to come,” said Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
“I look forward to calmer waters when we can welcome guests aboard the newest addition to our beautiful fleet. I have great anticipation for her first sailing out of Barcelona on May 20th,” Lutoff-Perlo added.
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Celebrity cruises ultimate in luxury
TrvlTrends recently took an inside look at the new Celebrity Apex after it completed a successful sea trial in early February.
Built at a cost of over a billion dollars, the Celebrity Apex is the sister ship to the award-winning Celebrity Edge. The ship will showcase a host of new features, such as Infinite Veranda where with the touch of a button a wall of glass slides down opening up your living space and creates a balcony over the water’s edge. The innovative design makes rooms with the feature 23 percent larger as the area that would have been taken up by a balcony becomes part of the living space.
For the ultimate in luxury, The Retreat is an all-suite forward deck with extra large staterooms and private two-story villas with its own private pool, bar, sunbathing area, an exclusive lounge and private restaurant, the Luminae. Every suite guest gets their own dedicated butler and pre-cruise concierge services are provided.
Celebrity Apex, like the line’s first Edge Series ship, Celebrity Edge, features daring designs and distinctive features such as the Magic Carpet, where guests can eat and drink on a deck that projects out of the ship’s side and soars up to 16 decks above the sea.
The ship will feature four main dining rooms: The Cosmopolitan with new American cuisine with global influences; The Normandie, a contemporary French restaurant; the Cyprus Restaurant, featuring Greek and Mediterranean fare; and the Tuscan Restaurant where you can find authentic southern Italian dishes. All told there are 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges to choose from, with cuisine designed by Michelin star chefs
Over 120 spa treatments
Celebrity Cruises describes the spa on the Celebrity Apex as “an indulgent escape where you can do it all.” The spa features an ultra-modern fitness center with floor-to-ceiling glass windows looking out over the sea; over 120 spa treatments, a Turkish Hammam, a salt room and a float room, to name a few.
Entertainment options set new standards with a theater featuring a -20-foot-tall, 117 million pixel, 4K LED screen that curves 180 feet around the stage to give a perfect view from every seat.
Celebrity Apex Itinerary
Celebrity Apex will set sail around the Mediterranean this summer with cruises ranging from seven to an extra long 12 nights.
Celebrity Apex had been scheduled to begin its inaugural season on April 1, 2020, with a mini-season of five sailings to Northern European destinations and then spend the summer sailing seven-to-12-night cruises in the Mediterranean, however all cruises are currently suspended until May 12 because of the coronavirus outbreak.
In November, Celebrity Apex will head back to Fort Lauderdale for a winter season of week-long Caribbean sailings.
Celebrity Cruises has also partnered with Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop lifestyle brand and Academy award winning actress will be on board when the Celebrity Apex sails around the Mediterranean from Barcelona on August 26 until September 6 for a floating wellness summit.
Cruise with Confidence cancellation program
ll cruise bookings through to July 31, 2020 are covered with the new Cruise with Confidence cancellation program, which means you can change your sail date at any time up to 48 hours before your sailing or receive a future cruise credit.
Some great discounts are currently available for Celebrity Apex Meditteranean and Caribbean cruises.
