During the festive season, family members and loved ones can often be found frantically searching for the perfect gift for the holidays. The quest can involve long hours spent browsing online or trekking from store to store trying to find that special present. Rather than buying more stuff this year, consider giving something more meaningful instead.

What matters most in life isn’t things. New research from Longwoods International shows that three-quarters of Americans are now more focused on making memories with those they love rather than acquiring material goods. Longwood’s research also reveals Americans have a strong desire to make up for time and memories lost during the last two years. Immersive travel experiences rank high on their lists. Nearly 70% of those surveyed last month said travel brings joy to their lives and experiencing new places makes them a better person.

With that in mind, give your loved ones a gift they’ll treasure most – the gift of travel. Cruises are one of the best ways to experience new places and share precious moments with family and friends. For those yearning to reconnect and unlock the wonder the world can offer, voyages on Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning ships are a superb choice.

Travel is about exploring new places and making memories with those we love. It’s also about rediscovering ourselves and the world around us. Celebrity understands this and provides a perfect stage for guests to enjoy a transformative travel experience that is safe, luxurious and hassle-free. Celebrity’s ships are like floating luxury hotels complete with tantalizing gourmet dining, exciting entertainment and sumptuous spa and wellness options. A Celebrity cruise could be the perfect gift for those seeking a sophisticated, wonder-filled travel experience.

Loaded with innovative and unforgettable experiences, Celebrity Cruises’ ships are a sought-after destination of their own. For example, take a look at some of the exceptional venues and attractions offered on Celebrity’s newest cruise ship, Celebrity Apex. Aptly named, the ship delivers the apex of cruising experiences.

Celebrity Apex was officially christened in November, 2021. The ship’s Godmother is Reshma Saujani, the inspirational founder of international non-profit Girls Who Code and bestselling author of “Brave, Not Perfect.” With 16 decks filled with extraordinary spaces and revolutionary amenities, Celebrity Apex beautifully captures Reshma’s game-changing drive and visionary spirit.

Some of the special features on Celebrity Apex include:

- Uniquely Spacious Accommodations. Celebrity has reimagined balcony cabins with its revolutionary Infinite Veranda staterooms, which mesh inside and outdoor living spaces with a quick touch of a button. The innovative stateroom design allows guests to feel more connected with the sea and provides significantly more stateroom space. AquaClass spa-inspired staterooms are also unique and provide guests with complimentary access to an exclusive restaurant and the ship’s SEA Thermal Suite.

- Stunning Suites with Built-in Exclusivity. Celebrity Apex features sumptuous suites and two-story villa accommodations along with The Retreat, a luxurious access-controlled all-suites zone with its own private restaurant, exclusive lounge and a private sundeck complete with a pool, bar and hot tub. Attentive service is provided by a team of staff, concierges and personal Retreat hosts.

- Seventeen Outstanding Dining Options. Celebrity Apex takes guests on a culinary journey with its restaurants, featuring globally inspired menus and dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs. The ship offers four complimentary dining venue and seven unique specialty restaurants including a superb steakhouse, a memorable seafood restaurant, a classic French bistro and Le Petit Chef and Family, a whimsically entertaining dining experience.

- Twelve Bars, Cafes and Lounges. There’s a go-to spot to match every preference on Celebrity Apex, from handcrafted martinis to specialty coffees. The Martini Bar is a perennial Celebrity favorite, while the ship’s new Craft Social Bar serves up a wide variety of craft beers, wines, cocktails as well as a menu of tasty comfort foods.

- Innovative Transformative Venues. On Celebrity Apex, guests can experience spaces that uniquely change throughout the day and evening. The ship’s revolutionary Magic Carpet, a cantilevered floating platform that moves vertically up and down between the ship’s 16 decks, transforms from a tender embarkation platform at sea level to a full bar, specialty restaurant and even a live music performance area at upper levels. Similarly, Apex’s popular Eden venue transforms in mood and function from morning ‘til night with dining, entertainment, bar and lounge spaces that create memorable moments. The three-story Grand Plaza is another beautiful gathering spot on the ship.

- Breathtaking Resort Deck. Celebrity Apex’s Insta-worthy Resort Deck offers many places to relax and connect with the sea including the Rooftop Garden, an adults-only Solarium pool, two-story champagne-glass-shaped hot tubs and the ship’s terraced main pool area complete with magnificent sculptures and comfortable lounge chairs.

- State-of-the-Art Entertainment. Activities, themed experiences and entertainment take place in multiple locations throughout the ship. One of the most mind-blowing aspects is Celebrity Apex’s tech enhancements in The Theatre, a state-of-the-art venue featuring three unique production shows, performances and 360-degrees of vivid entertainment supported by a curving 180-foot-wide LED screen and eight laser projectors.

- Enriching Kids’ and Teens’ Programs. Celebrity Cruises provides fun for the whole family, with children's and teens' programs focusing on innovative experiences, entertainment and learning. Celebrity’s award-winning customizable Camp at Sea program features a continually changing schedule of more than 500 activities specially selected to fit kids’ specific interests. Age-specific programming has been created through partnership with companies including Lonely Planet, Xbox and Fat Brain Toys. As part of Godmother Reshma Saujani’s work with Celebrity, Girls Who Code has collaborated with the cruise line to provide fun, interactive educational coding programs as part of the Camp at Sea’s S.T.E.M. activities.

- Impressive Wellness Focus. Wellness is at the core of Celebrity’s cruise experience and The Spa on Celebrity Apex is truly impressive. The Spa offers a wide variety of over 120 treatments along with Sea Thermal, the ship’s extraordinary thermal suite. Celebrity Apex also features an outstanding gym with beautiful sea views, a great two-level outdoor running track, and new wellness programs in collaboration with highly respected companies and wellness influencers.

- Top-notch Tech Included. Celebrity provides a relaxing luxury vacation experience with WiFi, drinks and service charges always included on every cruise. The WiFi on Celebrity Apex is outstanding, making connections and streaming easy and hassle free.

So during this holiday season, here's to creating a little magic. Tap into your wanderlust and remember there’s an extraordinary world out there just waiting to be experienced. Give the wonder-filled gift of travel this year. It’s what loved ones want more than ever. After all, life is made up of great memories and special moments shared with family and friends.

For more information on Celebrity Cruises, visit: celebritycruises.com.