The non-so-new secret recipe from Celebrity that passes back passengers, while the flowering cruise market from the UK to an industry of £ 3 billion a year sails

While the lucrative British cruise market continues to flourish, the greatest operators are desperately looking for the secret sauce, which means that passengers return time and time again.

With the British market alone this year will generate almost £ 3 billion – and the number of passengers that are expected to reach 3.2 million by 2029 – it is no wonder that they are all looking for that elusive lead.

Is it the best drinking package? The latest luxury Spa? Destinations with a difference? West End-Standard Entertainment?

Well, here is the thing. Like an emerging cruiser with five fantastic journeys since Covid, I think it is secret … good old -fashioned service!

Our experience that sailed on the celebrity of Apex was different from everything we have experienced before. And with a curious 15-month old in tow rope, that extra specific service made the difference for our 11-night trip around the Mediterranean Sea.

Nothing seemed forced, smiling seemed sincere and they couldn’t do enough to help. So it’s little wonder that we have already booked a return to one of the other ships of Celebrity for next summer.

Our experience during dinner summarized why we quickly fell for the top. Felt tired after we had traveled and unpacked to Southampton, we found a beautiful corner table in Cyprus Restaurant.

A high chairman arrived within a few seconds and the Maître D ‘could not have been accommodating. Our toddler had made his favorite pasta to order and the next 90 minutes brought our trip to a brilliant start.

But here is the thing – the Maître D ‘then offered to reserve the same fantastic window table every night. We can choose from any menu on the ship (something that all passengers can choose from).

So when we came in after a busy day, our table was ready, the high chair was in place, the boy’s pasta was on the way and our favorite bottle of rosé was horrifying.

It makes a huge difference if you don’t scribble to a high chair and worry how you can feed a toddler from an adult menu.

Food lovers will find enough to enjoy the top. With 29 restaurants, bars and lounges to explore on board – including Fine Cut Steakhouse to RAW at 5 and Eden – the variety and quality means that you never feel that you are rinsing and repeating yourself.

Choose from a-la carte, gastronomic comfort food, barbeeten or the ever-changing buffet.

The Celebrity Apex itself was built in 2020 for an amount of $ 1 billion, with the beautiful magical carpet – a liberating platform that moves up and down on the side of the ship – serves as a bar, restaurant and a tendering platform. It offers guests a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea as you are floating above the sea.

It is the ideal place for a cocktail after a few hours in the Spa of Apex.

The SPA offers more than 120 different treatments, including therapies inspired by destination, advanced beauty treatments and welfare programs. Options vary from aroma spa seaweed massages to restorative saltstone massages.

The Sea Thermal Suite has eight distinctive therapeutic experiences and the Persian garden offers aromatic steam and tropical rain showers.

Entertainment on the Celebrity Apex is downright spectacular. The ship offers a range of activities and designs that match every taste. From quiet lounges to lively shows in the Eden Complex, there is something for everyone.

A nice touch on Apex – and another plus to get it from other operators – is that you don’t have to book for the big shows. This means that you can decide at the last minute and not be bound by a timetable.

The daily entertainment schedule was full and varied. We always had options – whether it is about Dealspame or not a deal, enjoy one of the conversations or the bands in the smaller stages.

As parents of a young boy we were a bit worried about a 12-day cruise. There would be enough to entertain him, especially with a handful of days at sea.

We don’t have to worry. The camp at sea offers dozens of activities that are tailored to different age groups.

Teenagers can enjoy their own space in the Teen Club – including silent discos and tournaments for video games – and it looked busy from the beginning to the end of our sailing.

But the biggest plus was how different age groups got their own slots in the camp.

So our little one was with toddlers of his own age, without worrying about different children who encounter him or donate the toys.

Twice a day we spent a few hours playing with him and enjoy the many toys in a colorful, safe, ultra-clean leeway. And again, coming back to our overall collection restaurants from Apex – the camp on SEA staff was great.

They remembered the name of our boy every time we came, spoiled him rotten and they just couldn’t do enough. We have noticed this with every child who came through the doors – and all left at the end of their session.

The experience was happy to let us book again, knowing that he would be happy where we rock everywhere to our next cruise from Celebrity.

During this trip we moored with Vigo, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Madeira and Coruna. (Account). Madeira was by far our favorite, with beautiful coastal walks and a modern, clean, sun -drenched island.

It had everything and we will definitely be back – and next time there can be a quick visit to the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, built in tribute to the famous son of the island.

Back on board and refreshing it felt like we had enough space in our passenger hut – even with a bed. APEX has 1,473 passenger cabins and for those who are looking for an even more exclusive experience, offers the retreat suite guests private dinning, a special lounge and a sun deck and beautiful edge villas with two floors, each with their own private terrace and diving bath.

With a crew of 1,320 when attending a maximum of 3,405 passengers, personalized service is guaranteed and Apex never seemed too busy.

Celebrity Apex offers a hospitable environment for children with special needs, including sensory films, toys and food menu options.

Autism-friendly services such as priority control and boarding are also available. And our friends on board thought Apex was perfect for their serious daughter, with all her needs with a smile.

But that was not a surprise … that non-do-not attitude and consistently brilliant service explains why so many passengers we spoke to were repeated customers. As we will be next year.