I recently returned from an incredible Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard Celebrity Apex, sailing alongside my sister and my 64-year-old parents. It wasn’t my first experience on this Edge-class ship, though.
Two years ago, I also sailed aboard Celebrity Apex to Norway with my husband. That cruise completely won me over…from the incredible itinerary to the ship’s innovative design, personalized service, and consistently excellent food. I couldn’t wait to book another sailing after such an outstanding first experience on Celebrity Apex!
In fact, I’ve recommended this exact itinerary and ship to numerous family members and friends, including my in-laws, my sister’s roommate, and my aunt and uncle. They all sailed to Norway aboard Celebrity Apex last summer and came home raving about the experience.
So when it came time to plan another cruise, it didn’t take much convincing for my family to book Celebrity Apex to Norway, especially given our family’s Norwegian heritage.
Celebrity Apex is one of Celebrity Cruises’ newer ships and the second vessel in the Edge-class series. It’s most similar to Celebrity Edge, while the newer Edge-class ships, including Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Xcel, feature a handful of additional enhancements and refinements.
Whether you’re planning a cruise through the Norwegian Fjords or sailing somewhere warmer, like the Caribbean, I’m sure you’ll have an incredible time aboard Celebrity Apex.
After more than 55 cruises, it’s rare for me to finish a sailing without finding at least a few things I would change. However, both of my cruises aboard Celebrity Apex have come remarkably close to perfect. From embarkation to disembarkation, the experience has been consistently exceptional (and I don’t say that about every cruise, I promise).
Here’s my in-depth review of Celebrity Apex and why I believe it’s one of the best cruise ships Celebrity Cruises has to offer.
The ship is beautifully and thoughtfully designed
Celebrity’s Edge class ships are some of the most stunning cruise ships I’ve ever sailed on. The entire ship feels like a beautiful work of art, while everything onboard feels intentionally designed.
No detail was overlooked in the design of Celebrity Apex. From the elegant marble accents surrounding the elevators to the plush pink velvet seating in the Oceanview Café framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, every space feels thoughtfully curated. The result is a ship that’s not only breathtaking to look at but also warm, inviting, and a pleasure to spend time in.
Every public space on Celebrity Apex feels welcoming, whether you’re relaxing with a book, enjoying a cocktail, or taking in the ocean views. Rather than feeling crowded with shops and unnecessary attractions, Celebrity Apex prioritizes open spaces, natural light, comfortable seating, and modern artwork that gives the ship an upscale, yet intimate, atmosphere.
I especially loved spending time in venues like the three-story Grand Plaza, the lush Rooftop Garden, and the stunning Eden lounge. Each space has its own personality while still feeling cohesive with the ship’s modern aesthetic.
All of these little details really elevate the experience on Celebrity Apex. After sailing on more than 55 cruises, it’s still one of the most thoughtfully designed ships I’ve ever experienced.
From the dining rooms to specialty restaurants, the food was excellent
I’ll be honest: cruise food has become less consistent in recent years, and I’ve noticed a decline in quality on many ships. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case during both of my Celebrity Apex cruises.
Although food is subjective, everyone in our travel group agreed that it was truly fantastic. The Oceanview Café buffet offered an impressive variety of cuisines, and everything I tried was delicious. The Indian dishes were especially memorable, particularly the butter chicken, and I never passed up the tempting dessert selection.
Celebrity Apex features four main dining rooms, each with its own theme: Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandy, and Tuscan. We were assigned to Cyprus for traditional fixed-time dining, although guests can dine in any of the four restaurants and order from any of the menus.
The system can be a little confusing at first, so don’t hesitate to ask the host for clarification. We received our assigned dining room and dinner time in our cabin on embarkation day.
Despite the unique dining setup, we had a fantastic experience in the main dining room. Nearly everything we ordered was flavorful and beautifully presented, while the service was attentive, friendly, and efficient.
Eden Café was another go-to choice for our group. This is a relaxing spot to grab breakfast or lunch, and I especially loved the made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and fresh pastries. It’s also much less hectic than the Oceanview Café buffet, making it one of my favorite places to start the day.
Finally, we dined at Rooftop Garden Grill for specialty dining, and it was an excellent experience. The ribs, pulled pork sliders, caprese salad, and warm cookie skillet were all highlights, and the beautiful weather made dining on the top deck even more enjoyable.
Entertainment is another area where Celebrity Apex shines
Whether you enjoy Broadway-style productions, live music, interactive games, or themed parties, there was always something happening throughout the day and into the evening.
Each night featured a headline performance in the ship’s stunning theater, ranging from full-scale production shows with talented singers and dancers to comedians, guest vocalists, and impressive acrobatic performances.
One of my favorite features is the theater itself. Unlike a traditional cruise ship theater, Celebrity Apex uses an immersive, in-the-round design with the audience surrounding the stage, creating a much more engaging experience.
We also attended smaller-scale shows in The Club and Eden, which were more interactive and cabaret-esque compared to the main production shows! However, seating is limited for these performances, and there is a line that starts forming before doors even open. I’d recommend arriving early if you want to secure a seat.
Along with evening performances, Celebrity Apex offered many daily activities and events to keep everyone busy. My parents especially loved the pub quizzes and music trivia, while the themed parties became some of our favorite memories from the cruise.
The Silent Disco was a hit, especially for my sister and dad, while the ABBA Party and Shine the Night Party were both high-energy events that drew big crowds. We never felt like we were running out of things to do!
Our Infinite Veranda cabin was a comfortable and stylish place to call home
For this sailing, we booked an Infinite Veranda stateroom with my parents staying in the connecting cabin next door. Like everything else on Celebrity Apex, the stateroom is equally functional as it is beautiful.
Infinite Veranda cabins can be somewhat controversial, as they feel more like a sunroom with a large open window than a traditional balcony. This was my parents’ first experience with one, and they were pleasantly surprised by the experience!
The extra interior space makes the cabin feel larger and more open, and we especially appreciated the floor-to-ceiling views while cruising through the Norwegian Fjords.
I loved opening the window to let in the crisp, fresh air during our cruise. However, I can understand why some guests worry about the space getting warmer on Caribbean sailings with more intense sunshine.
The beds were very comfortable, and there was plenty of storage to fully unpack for our 7-night cruise. I also appreciated the thoughtful tech features, including an outlet next to the bed and a convenient charging station built into the vanity.
The bathroom was another standout, with one of the largest showers I’ve found on a mainstream cruise ship. It was spacious, well-designed, and made getting ready each day feel much more comfortable.
Celebrity Apex is a crowd-pleaser to almost every type of cruiser
Over the past few years, I’ve convinced quite a few people to book a cruise to Norway aboard Celebrity Apex. Some were seasoned cruisers, while others had only cruised once or twice before. Despite their different travel styles, ages, and levels of cruise experience, every one of them came home with glowing reviews.
I think this speaks volumes about Celebrity Apex, as the Edge class ship is truly enjoyable for almost any adult traveler. While I wouldn’t recommend the ship necessarily for a family looking for adrenaline-pumping thrills or kids activities, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this ship for almost every one else.
Whether you want to spend your days relaxing with a book, enjoying a cocktail by the pool, indulging in excellent food, taking in Broadway-caliber entertainment, or exploring incredible destinations, the ship offers something for everyone without ever feeling overwhelming.
After experiencing Celebrity Apex twice myself, and hearing overwhelmingly positive feedback from family and friends who’ve sailed her, I’m more confident than ever recommending this ship. More often than not, Celebrity Apex is the first ship I suggest when someone asks which Celebrity cruise they should book.
