Celebrity Cruises' newest luxury ship, Celebrity Apex, kicked off its inaugural Caribbean season yesterday from Fort Lauderdale. The festivities included the ship's official christening ceremony, led by its inspirational godmother, Reshma Saujani, founder of the groundbreaking nonprofit organization Girls Who Code and author of the bestseller "Brave, Not Perfect.".
The highly anticipated arrival of the Celebrity Apex in US ports marks a historic moment for the brand, as the ship's launch was initially scheduled for late March 2020. Following a brief series of sailings to the Greek islands earlier this summer, the ship is now embarking for the first time from US shores on rotating itineraries through the Eastern and Western Caribbean, where guests will visit the picturesque islands of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Belize, and the Cayman Islands, among others.
“We are thrilled to welcome Celebrity Apex to our family of magnificent ships that push the boundaries of what is possible in cruising,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “As we welcome guests back to the seas aboard the newest ship in the Edge class, we are excited to deliver the ultimate vacation experience that is the hallmark of every Celebrity cruise.”.
“This stunning ship truly represents a new standard in luxury travel, and we can’t wait for our guests to finally experience it for themselves,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “As we say in our new brand campaign, we know that guests will not only ‘Travel Wonderfully’ aboard this beautiful ship, but it will also be the most talked-about new ship in the industry.”.
Alongside the executives on stage, and following nautical tradition, Reshma Saujani officially named the Celebrity Apex aboard the ship. Hundreds of guests were also in attendance, including local dignitaries from Hollywood and Dania Beach; representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Broward County Sheriff's Department, and the Broward County Fire Department, as well as members of the media and other invited guests.
“I can’t think of anyone better to be godmother of this ship than the incredible Reshma Saujani,” Lutoff-Perlo continued. “Reshma is a visionary, leading the charge to challenge stereotypes and inspire a whole new generation of girls and women to boldly pursue tech jobs; just as Celebrity is working to close the gender gap at sea, increasing our percentage of women serving as bridge officers to 30% in an industry where the average is 2%. It’s Reshma’s innovative spirit that makes her the perfect godmother for an innovative ship like the Celebrity Apex.”.
In honor of Saujani's work, Celebrity Cruises will offer fun and interactive coding activities for beginners from the Girls Who Code curriculum as part of the cruise line's Camp at Sea program.
The Celebrity Apex boasts an innovative, outward-facing design and visionary spaces by world-renowned designers, connecting guests to the breathtaking world around them like never before. The onboard experience is also unlike anything else at sea, fueling today's traveler's desire to explore with both familiar and new offerings, including:
– The exclusive Retreat, with its stunning all-suite accommodations, private restaurant, and exclusive lounge and sundeck that rivals any high-end resort.
– Accommodations ranging from modern two-story villas with plunge pools to cabins with infinity verandas, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
– The Magic Carpet, cantilevered over the sea, offering guests uninterrupted views while sipping cocktails or enjoying dinner.
– 29 culinary venues, including the new Craft Social Bar, featuring 40 selections of craft beers, creative cocktails, and an extensive selection of gourmet à la carte food and bar bites. Menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs bring the flavors of the world directly to your plate, providing an unparalleled epicurean journey at sea.
– Luxury boutiques such as Bvlgari, Cartier, and the first-ever Montblanc lifestyle boutique.
– The first F45 classes at sea, along with Peloton bikes, and the “Women in Wellness” content and experiences on board from some of the most influential female leaders in wellness enhance the wellness offering throughout the ship.
