Celebrity Cruises today announced its return to sailing in Europe, while the company's president and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, confirmed that the brand-new Celebrity Apex will make its highly anticipated world debut in Greece this summer, beginning June 19, with seven-night round-trip voyages from Athens through September 2021, visiting Mykonos, Rhodes, and Santorini, Greece; Limassol, Cyprus; and Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel. Bookings open on March 30.
Celebrity Apex will sail with all crew and guests over 18 years of age vaccinated against COVID-19, and those under 18 years of age with negative PCR test results.
The company's return to the Aegean is made even more special by Celebrity Cruises' Greek heritage. Celebrity Cruises still has strong ties to its Greek origins today, with 70% of the fleet's marine officers hailing from Greece, including Celebrity Apex's captain, Dimitrios Kafetzis.
“To begin sailing in the beautiful Aegean, where it all began for our fleet, and after so long, is incredibly meaningful,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “This is a very special homecoming for Celebrity Cruises made possible with the strong support of the Greek government.”.
“I am proud to welcome Celebrity Cruises back to its Greek roots and I look forward to travelers returning to unforgettable experiences at all our destinations on one of the newest ships in the world,” said Greek Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis.
“It is a great honor for me to be the captain of the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet. I have been eagerly awaiting the day when I can welcome our first guests aboard this magnificent vessel, and it will be a very proud moment for me to do this in my homeland,” said Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis.
The Celebrity Apex features an innovative, outward-facing design and visionary spaces that connect guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before. The onboard experience is also unlike anything else at sea and fuels a passion for travel
Celebrity Apex's new summer season in the Mediterranean features two spectacular itineraries that include:
- Greek Islands and Cyprus: Guests will have the opportunity to visit Rhodes, Mykonos and the incredible island of Santorini.
- Greek Islands and Israel: In addition to the history and beauty of Rhodes and Santorini, this itinerary offers a growing art scene in Haifa and Jerusalem.
With a cruise vacation that begins and ends in Athens, guests also have ample time to experience this thriving city, brimming with its deep cultural significance. At each port of call, a variety of Celebrity-curated tours will be available, including private voyages and small-group discovery tours for those guests who prefer to explore destinations with only family members or travel companions.
In addition, guests can sit back and relax knowing everything is taken care of with the company's new "Always Included" approach, which simplifies the luxury vacation experience to include Wi-Fi, beverages, and gratuities. Furthermore, Celebrity's Cruise with Confidence program offers flexible cancellations and best price guarantees.
The company's top priority is the health and safety of guests, crew, and people in the locations Celebrity Apex will visit. The ship will sail with comprehensive health and safety measures, leveraging expert guidance from its Healthy Sail Panel; the Royal Caribbean Group's Global Director of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer; and local health and government authorities in Greece. Guests must also comply with all Greek travel requirements, which currently include presenting a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Greece, as well as adhering to their country of residence's government restrictions on international travel. Details regarding additional health and safety measures that Celebrity Cruises will implement will be announced at a later date.
