By
Alex Smith |
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex has begun her maiden voyage after departing Athens, Greece for a seven-night cruise on the Aegean Sea. The ship, which is the second in Celebrity’s Edge series, was originally set to debut in March 2020 before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After all this time, what a dream come true for everyone onboard this exquisite ship in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “Her sail-away today is a meaningful moment for our guests, our crew and our company.”
Celebrity Apex will sail a ‘Greek Islands and Cyprus’ itinerary, which will make stops in the city of Rhodes and the islands of Mykonos and Santorini, before visiting Limassol on the southern coast of Cyprus. The ship’s crew is fully vaccinated, along with 95 per cent of the passengers. Guests will be able to freely explore the Greek Islands and join tours curated by the cruise line.
Celebrity Cruises was originally founded in Greece by the Chandris family in 1988, and 70 per cent of the fleet’s marine officers still come from the country, including the captain of Celebrity Apex, Dimitrios Kafetzis.
“Today is a very proud day for me and one I will never forget,” said Kafetzis. “Not only do I return to sea, but I do so in my home country and with an incredible crew. It is truly an honour to captain the newest Celebrity flagship and to welcome our first guests back onboard.”