Celebrity Apex Review: Is This Luxury Cruise Ship Gay Friendly?
If you’re thinking about cruising on one of Celebrity’s newest Edge Class ships — Celebrity Apex — you’re probably wondering two things:
- 1. Is it actually worth the hype?
- 2. And most importantly… is Celebrity Apex gay friendly?
We just sailed Apex through Croatia and the Greek Islands, and we’re breaking down exactly what it’s like — from stateroom choices (including our favorite porthole veranda cabin) to dining, drinks, entertainment, and why Apex felt surprisingly inclusive and welcoming.
Our First Big-Ship Cruise
We’ll be honest: this was our first time cruising on a massive ship, and we were excited… but also a little apprehensive. Between the whole “floating city” vibe and pandemic-era logistics, we had questions.
But after comparing costs for doing Greece independently, we realized we couldn’t ignore the value Celebrity was offering — especially for a ship as new and design-forward as Apex. And once we boarded? Those worries disappeared fast.
On our sailing, the ship had roughly 800 passengers on a 2,900-capacity ship, with around 900 crew — meaning service was next-level. It genuinely felt like we had a luxury yacht to ourselves (and our fabulous Italian cruise director Giuseppe definitely reminded us nightly).
Our Itinerary: Croatia + Greek Islands Highlights
This sailing delivered an all-star lineup of ports, including:
- Athens (Piraeus), Greece
- Dubrovnik, Croatia (a last-minute swap from Cyprus due to restrictions — and we were thrilled)
- Mykonos, Greece
- Rhodes, Greece
- Santorini, Greece
If you’re choosing between a Greece-focused itinerary or a Croatia + Greece combo, this route is the sweet spot — ancient history, dramatic coastlines, and a mix of iconic “bucket list” stops.
Best Stateroom Choice on Celebrity Apex: Porthole Veranda vs Infinite Veranda
Let’s talk cabins — because Apex has a setup that confuses a lot of first-timers.
Most Edge Class rooms come with an Infinite Veranda, which is basically an indoor balcony where the window lowers to create an open-air effect. It’s clever… but to us, it didn’t feel like a real balcony.
So we chose one of the most unique cabin categories on the ship: Deluxe Porthole View with Veranda.
We stayed in Room 7106, located toward the front of the ship, and we loved it. These staterooms have a true outdoor balcony — with a full sliding door that opens to a real veranda. There are only a limited number of these cabins, and you can spot them from the outside of the ship because of the circular porthole design.
Cabin Tour: What We Loved
For a cruise stateroom, this room felt surprisingly spacious and modern, with thoughtful design everywhere:
- Comfortable bed with high-quality bedding
- Daybed/couch lounging area
- Desk space (great for editing or planning days)
- Plenty of charging options
- Closet and storage that actually works for real travel
- Electronic controls for lighting and temperature
- A bright, modern bathroom with a large glass shower (big enough for two… which we absolutely tested)
And the housekeeping? Incredible. Turn-down service nightly, fresh towels, and the room always felt reset the moment we left for breakfast.
Dining on Celebrity Apex: The Four Main Restaurants
One of the biggest surprises on Apex was how good the included dining was.
On Edge Class ships, you have four main dining rooms, each with its own menu style:
- Tuscan (our favorite — Italian-inspired)
- Normandie
- Cosmopolitan (also open for breakfast)
- Cyprus
And here’s the best part: if you love something from another dining room (yes, we’re looking at you, tiramisu), the staff will often run across and bring it back for you.
We also loved how easy it was to grab dinner, then race upstairs with a glass of wine to catch sunset right after leaving port.
Drinks, Wi-Fi, and “Celebrity Anytime”
If you can book a fare that includes Celebrity Anytime, do it.
At the time we sailed, it bundled:
- Classic drinks package
- Wi-Fi (surfing, not streaming)
- Gratuities (update: now separate)
- Flexible dining perks
Things to note:
- Your minibar is NOT included in the classic drinks package.
- But you can order classic drinks all over the ship — dining rooms, pool deck, most bars, even some specialty venues.
🌟 Pro tip – If you like sparkling water, order club soda with lemon/lime instead of San Pellegrino to avoid extra charges or needing to upgrade to the premium package.
We also recommend you bring the allowed two bottles of wine or champagne on board — and request an ice bucket to your room (free). It’s the easiest “luxury upgrade” without paying ship prices.
Best Spots on the Ship to Relax
Apex is designed for wandering — and there are so many “wow” spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel than a cruise ship.
Our favorite chill zones:
- Pool Deck (especially early — we boarded early and had it nearly to ourselves)
- Adults-only Solarium (aka the peaceful oasis)
- Magic Carpet (the cantilevered platform unique to Edge Class ships — also can be used for tendering)
- Fitness Center (legit one of the nicest gyms we’ve seen — even compared to many hotels)
Entertainment: Don’t Miss These Shows
Celebrity really delivered on entertainment — and the production quality shocked us in the best way. Our must-sees:
- Caravan in The Club (hot, jaw-dropping acts, high energy)
- Crystallize in The Theater (acrobats, aerialists, huge LED screen — it felt like Cirque vibes)
We also loved the live music scene — jazz sets, lounge performances, and moments where it felt like we were the only audience in the room.
Tendering + Excursions: Way Easier Than Expected
One of our biggest cruise fears was feeling herded around — lines, waiting, chaos.
But Celebrity ran a tight ship (literally):
- Tenders were smooth
- We rarely waited more than 5–10 minutes
- Returning onboard came with cold towels and water, which feels like a small thing until you’ve been hiking in Santorini heat
Is Celebrity Apex Gay Friendly?
Yes — and not in a “rainbow flag once a year” kind of way.
Apex felt genuinely inclusive. Between the diverse international crew, the entertainment, the general vibe onboard, and how comfortable we felt everywhere on the ship, it was clear Celebrity understands its LGBTQ+ guests and welcomes them.
We never once felt out of place — and that matters.
Celebrity also hosts a nightly LGBTQ+ meetup which is always very well attended.
Our Favorite Moment: Eden + Santorini
On our last night, we wandered back to Eden at the rear of the ship — and somehow ended up with the whole venue to ourselves, overlooking Santorini.
Two bartenders. A four-piece band. Total movie moment.
The band came over, introduced themselves, asked for requests… and then invited Andy to play the keys with them.
It was the perfect ending — the kind of travel memory you don’t forget.
Final Thoughts: Would We Sail Celebrity Apex Again?
Absolutely.
Celebrity Apex surprised us in all the best ways — gorgeous design, excellent service, strong food and entertainment, easy logistics, and a genuinely welcoming vibe for LGBTQ+ travelers.
And if you’re new to cruising (like we were), Apex is a fantastic “first big ship” experience because it feels modern, stylish, and far less chaotic than we expected.
🌟 Pro tip – Don’t forget to watch the full Apex video here: Watch Now!
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