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Onboard Obsessions is a new series that explores the can't-miss highlights of the best-loved cruises, from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up.
The volcanic mountain cliffs of Santorini surround me as I lounge on one of the canopied daybeds of The Retreat, a “ship-within-a-ship” aboard Celebrity Apex, the line's newest cruise ship. There are 3,000-plus passengers on board—but from where I sit, it feels more like a hundred-person yacht.
The Retreat is a private hideaway with its own sun deck, pool, lounge, restaurant, and concierge team, reserved exclusively for passengers who pay for a suite or Retreat category cabin. The popular product is only available on Celebrity's Edge class ships (as well as some recently renovated vessels). With modern details and a fresh color palette, the newest additions to Celebrity's growing fleet showcase a creative departure from the line's typical interiors, thanks to partnerships with big-name designers like Kelley Hoppen and Patricia Urquiola.
Back to my sunny relaxation. Most people are on shore today, and the ship is particularly quiet for now. I spend the morning hiking up Santorini's cliffs, fighting my way around hard-working donkeys with more muscles than I will ever have. Once at the summit, I snap some great shots of Apex floating in the water-filled crater below while devouring a hot and cheesy saganaki with pita bread.
On the way back, boarding the ship is a cinch thanks to a dedicated entrance for Retreat guests, and I head back to the lounge where the team takes great care of me while I spend a few hours handling emails.
A breakfast, snack, and evening appetizer spread fills one corner of the lounge; I particularly enjoy the variety of Mediterranean cheeses and olives that change daily. While cuisine aboard the ship is part of the fare, it feels nice to have a corner spot where you can work quietly with the refreshments you need. The staff remember my preferred type of sparkling water accompaniment (two limes please) and favorite glass of wine at sunset. And when sitting by the private Retreat pool, trays of refreshments like popsicles or fruit skewers occasionally appear. Swaying in the swing chairs, cocktail in hand, is the perfect vantage point to watch the sail away. With dozens of canopied daybeds dotting the deck, there's never a need to fight for a spot to sit.
When it comes time for a proper meal, Retreat guests also have access to the exclusive Luminae restaurant, reserved solely for suite passengers. On the menu are dishes created by the line’s Global Culinary Ambassador, two-Michelin starred chef Daniel Boulud, but you can still order whatever you want from other dining rooms should you wish—a welcome perk for this picky eater. Retreat passengers also have access to Blu, a wellness-focused dining room otherwise reserved for Aqua Class guests. The blue cheese soufflé and Vichyssoise soup draw me back on two consecutive nights.
It's not just the restaurant and lounge that impress me, but also the cashmere-topped mattresses, comped minibars, and binoculars inside the suite itself. These extra perks are expected on the pricy cruise lines, but are more rare on ships of this size.
I'm far from the only passenger obsessed with my newfound enclave. Fellow guests I befriend at the lounge say they hardly ever leave The Retreat; they have sailed with Celebrity many times before, and it gives them the level of service and exclusivity at a fraction of the cost of what other small-ship luxury lines charge. They've also sampled the Silverseas and Seabourns of the world—some prefer the more laid-back vibe of Celebrity, and others are traveling with extended family, some of whom don’t want to upgrade to The Retreat.
Part of The Retreat’s appeal is being able to mix and match small ship and big ship amenities. I can slip out of The Retreat for a Broadway-style show and return for a complimentary nightcap in the lounge. I can order whatever included drinks I prefer by the pool here, and then hit the splashy buffet later. And when compared with more expensive luxury lines, The Retreat tends to draw a younger demographic.
Access to bottled water, soda, and an open bar at any time adds to the fun, but it is the concierge team’s magic wand that I end up valuing the most. Not wanting to take a larger tour that left just after sunrise, the staff negotiate a deal with a private driver to drive me to the ruins at Olympia when we docked in Katakolon, Greece.
This small-ship attention to detail on a big ship for a fraction of the cost of luxury lines makes The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises one of the best travel hacks I’ve encountered on my 50+ voyages, spanning mega ships, smaller luxury vessels, Galapagos expeditions, river cruises, and more.
