Second Cruise in the E. Med.
on the brand new
Celebrity
Apex

(Please scroll down to see my photographs and read my report)


Flag:	Date:	Port:	Comment:	Flag:
	24 July 2021	Piraeus Greece	Funicular Railway!
	25 July 2021	Ionian Sea	Glorious day!
	26 July 2021	Dubrovnik Croatia	Copacabana Beach!
	27 July 2021	Ionian Sea	Glorious day!
	28 July 2021	Rhodes Greece	Acropolis!
	29 July 2021	Mykonos Greece	Tour Escort to Delos Sacred Island!
	30 July 2021	Santorini Greece	Oia Blue & White Village
	31 July 2021	Piraeus Greece	Taxi, Metro, Plane, Tube, Walk & Car
Flag:	Date:	Port:	Comment:	Flag:

Saturday the 24th of July, 2021
Piraeus, Greece - The Port for Athens
Turnaround Day

I awoke at 6 o'clock and got up at 6:30. The view through my window included the large Norwegian Jade and the mid-sized Seabourn Ovation, which had been berthed here last week as well. At seven I had TWO eggs royale with my tomato juice in the Oceanview cafe as usual. Disembarkation was delayed until 8:30 and I had to collect my new key card from the gangway, after the initial rush had passed, so I was not off the ship until 8:45.

I walked around the harbour taking 35 minutes to get to the metro station. I passed the large Wind Star yacht, the Celestyal Crystal and the World, which consists of private condominiums! I invested 1.20 euros in a single ticket valid for 90 minutes. Changing lines at Monastiraki, I got to Evangelismos station in short time. I walked about halfway up the Lycabettus Hill to get to the funicular base station, but just missed the 10 o'clock departure, so I had to wait 25 minutes for the next. This cost 5 euros one way to get to the little church on the hill with stunning views all the way back to Piraeus.

I then descended around the north, west and south sides of the hill through the pine trees. I looked into the Roman emperor Hadrian's water reservoir at the end of his aqueduct. I ended up at the Benaki museum, at the start of museum row, which offered free wi-fi.

The temple of the winds in Athens, Greece

I then entered the impressive national garden behind the parliament building. I saw the famous horned goats and various ponds, but the botanical museum was closed off for renovation. I then crossed over the main avenue passed the tram terminus to Syntagma square.

I walked down Ermou the main shopping street to get to the Metropolitan cathedral and three little, old chapels. At Monastiraki station, I caught the next train back to Piraeus. It then took me another 35 minutes to walk back to cruise terminal B, named after the ancient Greek general Themistocles.

I was straight back on board as I had had my PCR test the previous day. I then lunched on the lovely roast beef in the Oceanview cafe, followed by just one scoop of pistacio ice cream. I had to queue up at the iLounge to get my smartphone sorted on to my second cruise. I then slept for two hours, only to be awoken by Orlan my new steward to ask me to attend the safety muster.

After updating this blog, I changed into my swimwear. Being turnaround day the pool was nearly empty, so I was able to do four long lengths easily. I then spent 15 minutes in one of the free-standing jacuzzis, without wearing a hat for the first time.

At 6:30 I dined in the Tuscan restaurant. I began with the Tuscan bean soup, followed by the Caesar salad with anchovies. I continued with the tuna puttanesca, finishing with the chocolate lava cake! At the end of the meal the ship started to move, so I rushed up to the top deck to watch my fourth sail-away from Piraeus in as many weeks! The sky turned red and there was a magnificent sunset over the Peleponnese peninsula.

At 9:30 I went to Steve Caoutte's very amusing comedy show time, where he mainly interacted with the audience to great effect. He did however pick on the late comers! At 10:45 I went to see the Alice in Wonderland mini-production show for a second time in (the Garden of) Eden. I didn't get to bed until 11:45, having done over 24 thousand steps, that's nearly 10 miles of walking!

Sunday the 25th of July, 2021
First Sea Day

I awoke at 7:10 and breakfasted at 8 o'clock on TWO eggs royale as usual. I then did four and a half circuits of the top deck serpentine track which equals one mile. Back in my state room, I updated this blog, back upped my pictures and worked on my lectures. At 10:15 I went to the 45 minute Shore Excursion presentation covering all five ports. At 11:45 I lunched on a single frankfurter hot dog with fries at the Mast Grill, before sleeping for an hour and three quarters.

At 3 o'clock I gave my 38 minute talk on "Dubrovnik: the Pearl of the Adriatic". Unfortunately the big screen blanked out several times, although my screen and the TV version continued as usual. I then did four lengths of the long pool, followed by five minutes of bubbles and five minutes of calm waters in the jacuzzi. Back in my state room again, I watched my Dubrovnik talk which had appeared on the TV. Having changed for the 'Chic' evening dress code, I did another four and a half circuits equal to one mile of walking.

At 6:30 I dined in the Normandie French restaurant. I began with the brie baked in filo pastry, followed by the asparagus salad. I majored on the large pork chop and finished with the warm apple crumble with ice cream. Back in my state room yet again, I watched my Dubrovnik talk for a second time. I did a few more circuits of the top deck trying to reach my 10 thousand step daily target as the sun went down. Guiseppe the cruise director complimented me on my dancers bolo string tie!

At 9:30 I went to the Crystallize main production show for a second time, but had trouble staying awake. During the day I had done just less than 10 thousand steps, thus missing my daily target!

Monday the 26th of July, 2021
Dubrovnik, Croatia

I awoke at 7 o'clock, but it was only six on Central European Time (CET). I watched the sail-in to Dubrovnik through my forward facing portrait picture window. At 7 o'clock I had TWO eggs Benedict with tomato juice for my breakfast al fresco on the rear terrace overlooking MSC Splendida. I was off the ship at 7:20 walking all the way around both sides of the new port.

Celebrity Apex in Dubrovnik new port

At Copacabana beach they had free wi-fi, so another selfie was in order. I walked through the grounds of a couple of big hotels to re-join the promenade which led round to Lapad bay and Sunset beach. I passed through Lapad town centre to get back to Dubrovnik New Town.

Dubrovnik, formerly known as Ragusa

I got back to the ship at 11:15 ready for an early lunch of a cheeseburger & fries, followed by one scoop of caramel ice cream with chocolate sprinkles at 11:45. I had walked over 20 thousand steps or eight miles during the morning. It had been my first cloudy day after 30 sunny days in the Med this summer, but it was very hot and humid nevertheless!

I then slept for an hour and a half, before backing up my morning's photography. At three o'clock I had the main outside pool all to myself for four long lengths. I then spent 15 minutes in one of the free-standing jacuzzis two decks up with views of both sides of the new port. Having changed for dinner, I went up to the top deck to watch the scenic sail-away from Dubrovnik. It was still slighty cloudy, but still hot and humid!

At 6 o'clock (7 o'clock on Greek time) I dined in the Cosmopolitan main restaurant. I had my favourite corner table by the window for the third time, with distant views of the southernmost point of Croatia and the entrance to the Gulf of Kotor in Montenegro. I began with seafood fishcake, followed by the smoked duck salad. I then had the chunky Manhattan steak, followed by the Cherries Jubilee.

At 8:30 I watched the Caravan mini-production show for a third time, whilst at 9:30 I watched the Black Magic(ian) for a second time. The latter had trouble getting his Rubik's cube trick to work! I went to bed at 10:45, but it was 11:45 according to my body clock. During the day I had done nearly 24 thousand steps equal to nearly 10 miles of walking!

Tuesday the 27th of July, 2021
Second Sea Day

I awoke at 7 o'clock and breakfasted at 8 on TWO eggs royale as usual. I then did four and a half cicruits of the top deck which is about one mile of walking, with distant views of Kefalonia. Back in my state room, I updated this blog and worked on my next presentations.

At 10:15 I went to the American Rumba (slow, quick, quick) class with Jenna & Patrick from America. Jenna taught the box step, the slow under arm turn (over six steps), the (New York) checks and the fast under arm turn (over three steps). There was one oriental couple (who had arrived five minutes late) and one gay couple (who had arrived 15 minutes late) in the class with me. Jenna allowed me to do the International (Social) Rumba with her as well, so I was able to do outside checks (shoulder to shoulder) and spot turns as well as the other figures she had already taught. This was the very first time in 16 months that I had been able to dance with a partner, albeit wearing masks!

At 11:15 I went to the Cha cha class where Alex Codd from Hull and Courtney from Australia taught the International version correctly going on beat two. Alex taught the basic steps, forward open outs (New Yorks), backward open outs (hand to hands) and spot turns for both leader & follower. The oriental couple were again 5 minutes late arriving and the gay couple were again 15 minutes late! We were also joined by two other couples, making a class of nine with me dancing on my own. We were just passing the white cliffs of Zakynthos for the fourth time this fortnight!

At noon I lunched on two lamb chops with a stuffed aubergine (egg plant) at the Greek buffet. I finished with TWO pieces of baklava and FOUR pieces of Greek Delight! I then slept for two hours, before having one scoop of butter pecan ice cream with chocolate sprinkles.

At 4 o'clock I gave my 45 minute talk on Rhodes. Afterwards I was kept answering questions for 20 minutes! I then did four lengths of the long, outside pool, followed by 10 minutes in one of the jacuzzis.

At 6 o'clock I dined in the Cypriot restaurant. I began with the Saganaki baked cheese, followed by the Greek Taverna salad. I main coursed on the chicken Souvlaki kebabs and finished with the olive oil Cremeux, which was like a fruit trifle. I had a lovely view as we traversed the strait north of Kythera island.

Next I touched base with the Shore Excursion manager, given that independents wouldn't be allowed ashore in Mykonos again. He said I could be a tour escort, so I opted for the Delos morning tour. I then had to bid for some Oceania cruises next summer.

At 9:30 I went to Andrew Derbyshire's superlative vocal show for a second time. Here is his playlist:

  I want to break free (Queen's rock song)
  Just too good to be true (Buble's swing song)
  Find me somebody to love (Queen's rock song, waltz time)
  Beauty & the beast (Musical theatre)
  Close every door (Joseph's musical theatre ballad, waltz time)
  Mustang Sally (Country & Western?)
  One moment in time (Whitney Houston's ballad)
  The way she looks tonight (Sinatra's swing song)
  Impossible dream (Man of La Mancha musical theatre, waltz time)

Upstairs I had one small slice of the Greek pizza, before descending again to the Club. Here I listened to the first two Soultown songs, before slipping out. Back in my state room, I watched my Rhodes talk on the TV. I went to sleep at 11:45 having done over 11 thousand steps which is more than four miles of walking during the day.

Wednesday the 28th of July, 2021
Rhodes, Greece

I awoke at 6 o'clock and got up at 6:30. I watched my Rhodes talk on the TV for a second time as I prepared a Regent Seven Seas bid for Greenland & Iceland next summer. At 7:45 I had TWO eggs Benedict with my tomato juice as we arrived off of Rhodes. I went up to the top deck and sat and watched the approach into the harbour.

I was off the ship at 9:10 heading for the fort of St. Nicholas on one of the piers. I then headed through the old town and new town passed Marks & Spencer's shop to reach the ancient acropolis on Monte Smith. I photographed the famous temple, theatre and stadium, but by 10:45 I had had enough of the heat and headed back down to the old town again.

The church in Lindos, Rhodes

I got back to the ship at 11:30 and lunched at noon on THREE lamb chops with a large portion of asparagus with NO potatoes. I then had just one scoop of blueberry gelato with rainbow sprinkles. Back in my state room, I slept for two hours disturbed halfway by a nuisance call from England.

At four o'clock I gave my 37 minute lecture on Mykonos. I had had to cut out all the independents' information as code bubble was still in place. I finished with the trailer from Shirley Valentine, which will be showing on the ship twice tomorrow afternoon. Having answered a few questions, I did four lengths of the long, outside pool and then moved up two decks to one of the jacuzzis. Unfortunately a young German man was reading a book, so we couldn't have bubbles until he left!

Having changed for dinner, I went back up to the top deck to see the sail-away from Rhodes. At 6:30 I dined in the Normandie French restaurant. I began with the French onion soup followed by the cheese & asparagus salad. I majored on the steak Diane and then finished with the fruit curd.

Back in my state room, I watched the beautiful sunset through my forward facing portrait picture window, as we headed north west. At 9:30 I went to the Tree of Life main production show in the theatre for a second time. When it finished I had one glass of fruit punch and NO slice of pizza in the Oceanview cafe. I then went to bed rather than hear Andrew's cabaret for a second time in the Club, as I had to get up early the next morning. During the day I had done over 21 thousand steps which is more than 8 miles of walking.

Thursday the 29th of July, 2021
Mykonos, Greece

I awoke at 5:45, fifteen minutes before my alarms. At 6:30 when the breakfast buffet opened, I had my glass of tomato juice with extra salt plus TWO eggs royale as usual. Back in my state room I updated this blog and started to watch my Mykonos talk on the TV. At 7:15 I was on dispatch duty in the theatre ready to escort the tour to Delos island.

We departed at 7:50 via the Magic Carpet tender pontoon to the pier in Mykonos. Here we transfered to the Delos express ferry which took 20 minutes to reach Delos. We had a two hour guided tour, but didn't quite reach the amphitheatre. Linda from Bradenton, Florida struggled with the stone steps so I helped her along. I also had to collect various items of trash along the way. The archaeological museum on the island was closed because of CoViD, but the one in Mykonos town was open. We then had a choppy and wet 25 minute ride back to the pier and I was the last person to transfer to the local shuttle tender to the ship.

Mykonos

I was back on board by 11:45 ready for lunch at 12:15 consisting of TWO lamb steaks with roast vegetables and proper chips in the Oceanview cafe. I finished with just one scoop of peanut butter ice cream, a new flavour for me, with chocolate spinkles on top. I then slept for an hour and a half. After updating my Santorini talk, I did four lengths of the long outside pool, before spending TWENTY minutes in one of the free-standing jacuzzis with views of Mykonos, Delos, Tinos and Rhenia Islands. I then spoilt myself with two scoops of frozen cherry yoghurt in a waffle cone from the ice cream parlour.

At 5:30 I gave my 40 minute talk on Santorini in the Club, introduced by the lovely Bethany Moorhouse from Burnley. At the end I had an interesting chat on geology with a couple from Utah who had been on my tour in the morning. At 6:30 I dined in the Tuscan Italian restaurant, with views as we sailed away from Mykonos early. I began with my favourite Tuscan bean soup, followed by the prosciutto salad. I main coursed on the pasta carbonara, finishing with the citrus roulade (Swiss roll)!

I then went up to the top deck to up my daily step count, but got sidetracked by Bryony's lovely singing at the aft bar. When she finished her set at 8 o'clock, I finished my walking, before descending to my 9th deck state room to update this blog. At 9:30 I went to Vox Fortura the quartet of young, black singers. They started well with O Fortuna from Karl Orff's Carmina Burana followed by the famous Brightman/Bocelli duet. Then they went downhill by NOT doing one of the two obvious choices from the Lion King (Circle of Life or Can you feel the love tonight) and NOT doing one of the two obvious choices from Ed Sheeran (Perfect or Shape of You). They did however do a rousing finale of Nessun Dorma.

Afterwards I went up to the top deck to catch the last tune by the electric violinist, but when the disco started I left. I had one small slice of pepperoni pizza with a glass of my favourite fruit punch. I went to bed at 11 o'clock having done just over 10 thousand steps equivalent to about four miles of walking.

Friday the 30th of July, 2021
Santorini, Greece

I awoke at 6 o'clock and got up at 6:30. I then watched my Santorini talk on the TV, before having my TWO eggs royale and a tomato juice with extra salt as usual in the OceanView cafe. At 7:50 I had my second complimentary PCR test of these two cruises. On my previous Silversea cruise they were charging $120 for this, which is why I had mine done privately ashore in Nafplio for 60 euros! However my PCR test coming out this time at BoMoH aviation industrial estate had cost me 120 pounds from Dorset Private General Practitioners (DPGP).

I was the only person to get on to the independents' tender at 8:15, so I had to wait 20 minutes for a few more guests to join me. Once ashore, I paid the 6 euros for the cable car to whisk me up the cliff to Fira town, but I just missed the 9 o'clock bus to Oia. Back at the bus station at 9:20 I was already at the back of a queue for the 9:30 bus, but mananged to get a seat, before later people had to stand. The driver had a hard time getting passed the badly parked cars in the narrow streets. The conductress had a hard time getting passed the people standing in the coach's aisle in order to collect the 1.60 euro fares!

Santorini

In Oia, I photographed all the important sights again, bar the Naval Museum, which I didn't find this time. At 11 o'clock I had had enough of the heat, so I made my way back to the bus stop where I was at the front of the queue. We had to wait half an hour for the next bus which went back the long way around the east coast of the island. So the two trips had given me a good view of both sides of the north of the island, which reminded me of lovely Lanzarote in the Canaries! Back in Fira, I walked down the zig-zag donkey trail to catch the 12:45 local tender back to the ship.

At one o'clock I lunched on the very rare prime rib of beef with chips and gravy, with the tremendous view of Fira town looming over us. I followed this with a waffle cone with both caramel and peanut butter ice cream, this time sat facing the 1950 lava flows in the centre of the caldera. Back in my state room, I slept for an hour and a half, before booking my two UK PCR tests (GBP 99) and filling in my UK locator form. Delos wasn't one of the islands on their list! I did four lengths of the long, cool, outside pool and spent just ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis as the sun was so hot.

Back in my cabin again, Bethany messaged me to say that she hadn't been able to book me a transfer to the airport, so I shall take the taxi to the metro station and the train to the airport, leaving the ship at 9:30. I changed into my travelling clothes and started packing.

At 6 o'clock I dined in the main Cosmopolitan international cuisine restaurant. I began with the scallops and was then given a bonus of a baked feta cheese in olive oil dish. I poured the warm oil over my smoked duck salad which came at the same time. I had the chunky Manhattan steak as usual here. I finished with the cherry & chocolate mousse trifle.

After dinner, I had to visit guest services to get a disembarkation form and luggage tags. Up on the top deck, I sat and listened to the Dos Duo as the sun went down over the caldera. At 9:30 I went to the excellent Rockumentary main production show in the theatre for a second time. Afterwards I had one small slice of chicken pizza al fresco on the rear terrace with the fabulous view of Santorini lit up at night! I went to bed at 11 o'clock having done over 19 thousand steps, that is nearly eight miles of walking during the day.

Saturday the 31st of July, 2021
Piraeus -> Athens -> LHR -> BoMoH

I awoke at 6:30 ready for TWO eggs Benedict at seven o'clock in the OceanView cafe, with the distant Parthenon silhouetted by the rising sun. Back in my state room, I updated this blog and did my final packing. I vacated my cabin at 8 o'clock and sat up in the OceanView cafe, where I could see the taxi rank below. I got off the ship just after 9 o'clock and caught a taxi to the metro station. However he didn't have a meter and charged me 13 euros for what had cost only 5 euros coming out! Furthermore he insisted on dropping me at the suburban railway station not the nearby metro! I must try the suburban railway the next time I am in Athens.

I had to change trains at both Monastiraki & Plakentias stations, before getting to the airport at 11 o'clock. Here I had eight hours to kill, so I found a seat and started updating this blog. I started queuing for check-in at 2 o'clock and was complete by 2:35, but I had to shell out 60 euros for my suitcase. Aegean must be a budget airline, I am so glad I turned them down last time in favour of a later BA flight! The check-in operator wanted to see my PCR test certificate, but not my UK locator form nor my vax certificate. He stamped my boarding card with a DOCS CHECKED stamp. On seeing my seamen's discharge book, he asked if I was a ship's captain!

In the departure area I found a seat with copious power outlets, so I was able to charge up both my laptop and smart phone. I spent 4.80 euros on a delicious whole wheat baguette with feta cheese, sliced olives and tomatoes. At the gate the attendants started asking for ALL our documentation:

  UK locator form with QR code
  Vax certficate with QR code
  PCR day 2 test receipt
  PCR test result
  Passport

Which resulted in long queues of unhappy customers! We took off 35 minute late, and landed half an hour late. I was sat next to, and chatted to, a young Corsican man who spoke with an American accent, but lived and worked in London. During the flight I had a regular coca cola with the courgette hummus, breadsticks and two round bourbon type chocolate biscuits we had been given. I breezed through a largely deserted Heathrow to catch the tube to Hounslow West. I got to my B&B at 10 o'clock and got home at midnight after two super cruises!

The high point of the cruise was Delos, a new island for me.

Score card:

5 Old ports revisited:
  (Piraeus, Dubrovnik, Rhodes, Mykonos & Santorini)

4 Lunches in the OceanView Cafe
4 USB Sockets in the state room 
4 Destination Lectures:
  (Dubrovnik, Rhodes, Mykonos & Santorini, 
   but not Piraeus/Athens)
4 Jacuzzis (Two inside and two outside)

3 Speciality Restaurants:
  (Cypriot, Italian & French)

2 Cable Cars (Piraeus & Santorini)
2 Dance classes (American rumba & International cha cha)
2 Lunches in the Mast Grill
2 Dinners in the Cosmopolitan International restaurant
2 Dinners in the Normandie French restaurant
2 Dinners in the Tuscan Italian restaurant
2 Pools (One inside and one outside)

1 Main restaurant (Cosmopolitan)
1 Dinner in the Cyprus restaurant
1 Free PCR Test (GBP 120 in BoMoH, but free on board!)
1 Brand new ship!
1 Tour escorted (Delos)
1 New island (Delos)

0 Enrichment lectures 
  (I did offer Mamma Mia: the Greek Musical!)

Good points were:

Forward facing double state room on deck 9 with portrait picture window
Free rapid lateral flow antigen test at the start of the cruise
Choice of four restaurants (Int., Cypriot, French, Tuscan)
Serpentine figure of eight top deck walking track
Open seating any time dining in four restaurants
Freshly made egg royales in the breakfast buffet
Spiral balcony in (the Garden of) Eden
Free PCR test at the end of the cruise
Efficient stewards (Afif & Orlan)
Cherry flavoured soft drink
Evening turn down service
No automatic gratuities
Lecture introductions
Free soft ice creams
Hot pizza slices
Brand new ship
Dressing gown
Three jacuzzis
No muscle cramps
No headaches!
No heartburn
Free laundry
Free wi-fi
Fly cruise
Two pools

For the record ...

Food: Excellent.
Tours: One
Weather: Generally hot & sunny, one overcast day in Dubrovnik.
New ports: Delos island.
Sailaways: Yes, but no dancing.
Sail-ins: Yes.
Tea dance: No.
Masonics: No.
Service clubs: No.
Dinner host: No, table sharing not allowed.
Line dancing: Just 'fun' dancing by the pool.
Olde Tyme Dancing: None.
Sequence dancing: None.
Ballroom dancing: Yes, two classes, but little in the evenings.
Western night: No.
Tropical night: No.
British (Red, White & Blue) night: No.
Singles party: No.
Singles lunch: No.
Formal nights: Two 'Elegant Chic' evenings, but poorly observed.
Cocktail parties: None.
Captain: Dimitris the Greek, catch phrase "True Story"
Cruise Director: Guiseppe from Taormina, Sicily.
Activities Manager: Bethany Moorhouse from Burnley.
Technicians: Harri Foster & Marcus Savage.
Dance Instructors: Alex Codd & Jenna Thompson.
Cabin mate: None.
Lecturer: Martin P. Lee (Destinations)
Singer: Andrew Derbyshire.
Magician: Magical Bones.
Violinist: Katerina Rossa.
Comedian: Steve Caouette.
Song of the cruise: Find me somebody to love.
Cabin: 9106 Forward facing outside double state room.
Dancing Ladies: None
Other Pax: Lots of Americans, some Brits, some Eastern Europeans.

Thirty One Cruise Ships:

Saga Rose
Saga Ruby
Saga Sapphire
Saga Pearl II
Quest for Adventure
Spirit of Adventure
Spirit of Discovery

Black Prince
Black Watch
Balmoral
Boudicca
Braemar

Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Eclipse
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Apex

Queen Elizabeth 2
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Victoria
Queen Mary 2

Silver Wind
Silver Muse
Silver Moon

Crystal Symphony
Crystal Serenity

Seabourn Odyssey
Seabourn Sojourn

Sapphire Princess

VoD Discovery

P&O Oriana

Second Cruise in the E. Med.on the brand newCelebrityApex