Fun, Relaxing and Recommended

Embarkation was a breeze, just as fast and easy as everyone says. Less than 10 minutes from curb to ship at 11:30AM.

Breakfast & Lunch (5 stars): The buffet was great for both, good quality food, something for everyone. There are other included options as well, such as in the Solarium, at Mast Grill, Eden and in one of the MDR's for breakfast. Snacks (5 stars): Cafe al Bacio has great espresso drinks, a good selection of the best desserts with superb service every visit. Great tasting pizza in the aft area behind the buffet, and light snacks were usually available in the buffet between meals. Good ice cream at Scoops. Dinners (3 stars): Did not live up to my expectations. We had all dinners in the MDR's and service was inconsistent from restaurant to restaurant. It was great three nights, below average three nights and terrible one night. I thought they only offered wine in the dining rooms but one night the sommelier asked if we wanted something from the bar. The next night I requested a cocktail and it never arrived, despite no objection when ordering. The dinner menu was limited and didn't change much throughout the week. there were nine main course options every night, though only a couple changed from night to night. Three of the nine were specific to each MDR and did not change. Inconsistent quality. With the limited menu, I ordered the same dish two times and it wasn't nearly as good the second time. Portions were also inconsistent. One entree would be enough for two people and another the size of an appetizer. Our waiter, who was amazing, asked unsolicited, if he could bring something else to go along with it, so kudos to him for being so intuitive. I hope this isn't the norm. If it's supply chain related, that's a problem to be solved not passed on. Bars (1 star): There were a couple good bartenders, the majority need a lot of training. I would order the same drink at different bars and get something different each time. More than one bartender didn't know how to make a martini. Another time we got margaritas that were not margaritas (don't know what they were). Also, most of them don't mix the drinks - they just pour the ingredients and hand it to you. Ask for a straw (they don't have stirrers) every time. For what they charge for drink packages I expect at least what I'd get from a bar at home. TIP: If you're in port for an evening eat dinner there or book a specialty restaurant mid-cruise to break it up a bit. We didn't do any specialty restaurants but word on the ship was that Eden is the best. Also, the lobsters are smallish so you will want a companion entree that night. TIP: For men, nice jeans and a button down or polo are acceptable in MDR's every night, including chic night. TIP: At the bars ask for a straw so you can mix it yourself. TIP: Soft-serve vanilla ice cream is at Scoops, chocolate is at Mast Grill. Ask if you can't find it.

Apex has two production casts, one for the main theater song and dance numbers, another for Eden, doing songs and acrobatics. Both casts have great talent. There were also traveling performers, a comedian who was okay, a magician we didn't see, and a couple musicians/bands who were fantastic. There is live music around the ship all afternoon and evening.

Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. I could not ask for more, other than a couple dinners.

It's a beautiful ship, everything is in excellent condition. Contemporary decor, just enough art and not over the top. Some of the furniture in public areas looked nice but was uncomfortable.

Very happy with the single veranda stateroom. I didn't even notice the lifeboat most of the time. I think the infinite veranda made the room feel larger than a balcony would have, though I have no point of reference. Loved being able to control almost everything in the room through the mobile app. Room location was next to the open space between the elevators and stairs, and I never heard anything other than vacuuming one morning.

We did self-assist and were walking off the ship at 7:45, to the curb by 8. The whole process was just as fast and smooth as embarkation. If not doing self-assist don't leave before your time. There were quite a few people down there having to wait for their luggage.