Celebrity Apex, Delayed Because of COVID-19, Will Make Debut in Greece in June

One of the most highly-anticipated cruise ship debuts that was delayed because of COVID-19, Celebrity Apex, will make its long-awaited debut this summer when it starts sailing a series of Greece sailings in June. 

Apex will offer 7-night roundtrip sailings out of Athens starting on June 19 through September 2021. Those sailings will include stops in Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Limassol, Haifa, and Jerusalem. 

Just like Celebrity’s recently-announced return to the Caribbean, Celebrity will require all adult guests to have been vaccinated for COVID-19, and those under 18-years-old to show proof of a negative PCR test. 

Bookings open on March 30. 

“Celebrity Apex is such an exquisite ship and for her to finally begin sailing in the beautiful Aegean, where it all began for our fleet, and after so long away, is incredibly meaningful. I actually can’t wait to finally experience Apex and the Greek Isles this September during my rescheduled 30th wedding anniversary cruise,” said Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.

“This is a very special homecoming for Celebrity Cruises made possible with the strong collaboration of the Greek government. I extend my enduring gratitude and wish them well as they celebrate their country’s bicentennial today.”

The second ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, Celebrity Apex was named one of the five most highly-anticipated cruise ships set to hit the water post-COVID-19. 

Apex was scheduled to start sailings in April 2020. It made history after it became the first-ever ship to be virtually delivered at the end of March 2020, but had its inaugural season canceled because of COVID-19.

Like Edge, Apex is highlighted by the Magic Carpet, the moving platform that can move guests up and down the ship’s exterior whether it is to enjoy the view or to head to tender. It will also include 29 dining venues, Infinite Verandah staterooms, and outdoor plunge pools.

The ship will also launch as the first new-build to feature Celebrity’s all-inclusive fares that will include unlimited drinks, WiFi, and daily gratuities. It will mark Celebrity’s official shift to what Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Service Dondra Ritzenthaler called the “new-luxury.”