All calm in the cosmos
Dave Monk is onboard for a luxury Med cruise
As the plane descends into Athens airport, I half expect to see the Greek gods floating above the clouds like they did in the old movies. But now, instead of sending Jason and the Argonauts in search of a golden fleece, they’d be looking down on modern cruise ships sailing the Mediterranean with thousands of holidaymakers.
Certainly Poseidon must have been pleased as my voyage began on the new Celebrity Apex, because the sea was calm under a twilight sky tinged with green.
Sipping a sailaway champagne in the Magic Carpet restaurant – so called because it moves up and down between decks on a huge orange cantilever – I looked forward to an odyssey to Barcelona without any ancient threats of one-eyed giants, flying harpies or sword-wielding skeletons.
Indeed, all seemed peaceful the next morning when I pulled back the curtains to be treated to the sight of a sunrise over Santorini. We were moored off the island so the Magic Carpet lowered itself to deck 2 to become a plush platform to embark the boats to take us ashore.
Unlike some of my previous visits, the town of Fira was relatively quiet, despite there being two other ships in port. Celebrity Apex, for example, was carrying only 700 of its capacity of 2,910 guests, so there were no queues for the return cable car to the dock.
I used the following sea day to explore the ship. I’ve always admired the Celebrity Cruises line for its style and spaciousness – whole areas have nothing but art.
At the stern is the threestorey Eden - a relaxing space during the day that in the evening turns into a performance area for singers, musicians, dancers and acrobats, as well as a restaurant serving delicious food and bespoke drinks.
In the middle of the ship is the atrium where cocktail masters juggle bottles, glasses and shakers in a nightly display in tune to a live band while vertical strip lights above them create a dazzling display.
Even more enthralling are the shows in the theatre. Tree Of Life combines technology – a wraparound LED wall and 3,000 colour-changing leaves – with singing and dancing to create superb entertainment.
On the top decks are the Rooftop Garden, a relaxing area with its own grill, and Sunset Bar. Of the 15 restaurants, four are included in the fare and serve the same menu. You can also head to a steakhouse, sushi bar or
Le Petit Chef, where animated cooks appear like magic on the tablecloth to “create” your dish before human
waiters bring the real food. Three of the 15 lounges and bars (and one of the restaurants) are reserved for suite guests, who have their own area called The Retreat with a private pool and hot tubs. This is part of a growing trend in the cruise industry, offering passengers who are willing to pay a premium the perks of a small-ship experience – such as butlers and exclusive facilities – with all the benefits of big-ship amenities.
Our second stop was the town of Messina in Sicily with the chance to take an excursion along the coast to Taormina with its charming shops and mountain scenery.
Another sea day allowed us to simply relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sun, or burn off a few calories in the fitness centre, on the jogging track, or in the outside pool or covered solarium. Those who wanted
to treat themselves were pampered in the spa or browsed boutiques such as Bvlgari and Cartier.
In the remaining ports of Palma de Mallorca and Valencia, passengers set off to explore caves, taste wine, join a cycle tour or wander at will.
Celebrity Apex, which made its debut in June this year after being delayed by Covid, is a sister ship to Celebrity Edge, but with tweaks such as a craft beer bar (research demanded I do a tasting there).
After crossing the Atlantic, the French-built ship will be named in Miami in November then return to Europe next year to sail from Amsterdam.
Next up on the order books is a third sister ship, Celebrity Beyond, to be followed by two more in the same class. The cruise line clearly believes it has come up with a winning formula, including the “infinite balconies” which extend the cabins to the ship’s edge with a floor-to-ceiling window which can drop halfway down.
At $1billion – around £740million – Apex is one of the most expensive cruise ships ever built.
I hope those Greek gods look after her wherever she goes, because she’s
worth every penny.
Animated cooks appear like magic on tablecloths to ‘create’ your dish