New Celebrity Apex Makes Technical Call At Ponta Delgada

Posted on 5 October, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

The new Celebrity Apex has made a technical stop in Ponta Delgada (Azores).

The ship was delivered to Celebrity by Chantiers de l’Atlantique earlier this year, but its inaugural season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ship has since stayed in Europe but is now said to be heading toward North America.

Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of international nonprofit Girls Who Code and author of the international bestseller, “Brave, Not Perfect,” was previously named Godmother for the Celebrity Apex, which is the second Edge-class ship for the Royal Caribbean-owned brand.

The plan this winter was for the ship to sail from Port Everglades offering week-long Caribbean sailings head of a 2021 summer season in Europe.

Of note, the ship also has a number of new culinary experiences onboard. The Craft Social Bar will introduce a relaxed, casual bar space and will offer draft cocktails, wines on tap and more than 50 of the world’s rarest craft beers served by a certified beer sommelier, the company said, in a prior press release.

There is also a new 3-D digital animation dining experience at Le Grand Bistro – Celebrity Edge’s first-at-sea digitally animated menu by Le Petit Chef will offer a new animated story on the Celebrity Apex, enhanced by new menu creations from Chef Cornelius Gallagher.

Photos by Antonio Simas.

Celebrity Apex makes a fleeting call into the UK

Posted on 23 September, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Celebrity Cruises new ship Celebrity Apex has made a fleeting visit to the UK before sailing to Florida for a rescheduled naming.

The vessel called into Southampton from its French shipyard ahead of a transatlantic crossing.

Celebrity Apex was originally due to be launched at the UK port in March before embarking on a mini-season of cruises but all had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Company boss Lisa Luoff-Perlo has pledged to bring the 2,900-passenger ship back to the UK when the time is right.

The ship’s naming is now due to take place in Fort Lauderdale next month by activist and author Reshma Saujani, head of non-profit organisation Girls Who Code.

Celebrity Apex was welcomed into Southampton by EMEA vide president and managing director Jo Rzymowska as the crew prepared for the Atlantic voyage.

Royal Caribbean Group updates mobile app to offer more Covid-secure features

Posted on 10 September, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean provides official update on new smart phone app | Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean Group has improved its mobile app to feature the on-board safety drill to avoid passengers having to meet in large groups at muster stations on its cruise ships.

The Muster 2.0 safety drill can now be completed in passengers’ own time in their cabins via the cruise line’s mobile app instead of going to a muster station with other passengers at a set time.

The app, first introduced in 2017, is available on many Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara ships.

Initially designed for passengers to make the most of their holiday, the mobile app is now being developed further to meet health and safety practices required as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It aims to help minimise common touchpoints and ensure physical distancing for passengers.

The app already has other features such as offering staggered arrival times for passengers to help avoid overcrowding at boarding and manage the car parks, drop-off areas and terminals to allow for social distancing.

Since 2018, customers have been able to check-in using the app, scan their passport information and upload a ‘selfie’ security photographs to speed up the boarding process and minimise time at check-in and security.

The app can also be used to unlock staterooms with a smartphone by downloading a digital key. In addition, customers can use their smartphone to control the TV, lighting, window shades and temperature in their cabins via the app.

Other features of the app include an onboard account where charges and credits can be viewed in real-time as well as details of onboard activities, entertainment, dining and shore excursions. These can all be booked through the app.