Crystal's New Wine & Food-Themed Cruises

Crystal Cruises has set four new Wine & Food-themed luxury cruises for 2014, to include new guest chef-prepared Vintage Room dinners on each of the four sailings - in Asia, the South Pacific, Trans-Atlantic and the US/Caribbean – as well as a new microbrew theme on the last of the voyages.

All of Crystal’s culinary Experiences of Discovery voyages include complimentary hands-on cooking classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, mixology lessons and a guest chef dinner for all guests in the Crystal Dining Room. 

In addition, in 2014, each culinary-themed cruise will feature an optional intimate, guest chef-created dinner for 12-14 in Crystal’s Vintage Room, with seven courses featuring local flavours of the region and extraordinary wine pairings selected by the guest wine expert. Building upon the success of Crystal’s recently-added Connoisseur Beer menu, the new microbrew-themed cruise will offer beer pairings, instead of wine, for the dinner, as well as craft beer enrichment and sampling throughout the voyage. 

Held on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, the cruises will feature local tastes of:

• The South Pacific: Sailing 20th January from Papeete to Bora Bora, Rarotonga, Tonga, Fiji and Auckland (overnight).
• Asia/China: Sailing 9th April from Hong Kong (overnight) to Xiamen, Shanghai (two overnights) and Dalian, with three days ashore in Beijing included.
• Atlantic, including Iceland and New England: Sailing 5th September from Southampton to the Channel Islands, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavik (overnight), Halifax, Bar Harbor and Boston.
• The US East Coast & Caribbean: Sailing 5th November from New York (overnight) to Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Aruba and Miami.

While exact programming details are still being finalised, food experts scheduled thus far include Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson, recent Icelandic Chef of the Year and Bocuse d’Or finalist; Stephen Beaumont, co-author of The World Atlas of Beer; Aldo Sohm, Wine Director at New York’s Le Bernadin restaurant and the first-ever representative from America to win “Best Sommelier in the World”; Shailesh Naidu, the only native five-star executive chef in Fiji; and Serge Dansereau, Australian celebrity chef, fresh food movement pioneer and owner of the iconic Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant in New South Wales. 

“Book now” fares for the Wine & Food cruise series start at £2,461 per person cruise only and are only guaranteed until October 31.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal holiday. Crystal’s extensive, innovative choices for dining include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars overseen by onboard sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); fresh, cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea or in Nobu and Piero Selvaggio’s specialty restaurants.

More info: 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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Exclusive Wine-Tasting With Azamara

Azamara Club Cruises are quickly earning a reputation as one of the go-to lines for anything to do with wine and food-themed cruises, and here is another one that we really like the sound of...

Enjoy a private Napa Valley wine tasting, tuck in to artisan cheeses and explore the wine caves as part of the Azamazing Evenings event on Azamara Quest on an eight-night Coastal California fly/cruise from just £2,521 per person (based on two people sharing an interior stateroom). The event is included in the cruise price.

The price includes flights from London Heathrow, transfers and a 12-night cruise departing February 10 from Los Angeles and calling at Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Francisco and Ensenada in Mexico before returning to Los Angeles for the flight home. The cruise also includes selected standard spirits, wines and international beers; complimentary bottled water; soft drinks; speciality teas and coffees; meals and room service; housekeeping and dining gratuities; a bespoke AzAmazing Evenings event; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

More info: call 0844 493 4016 or visit www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk.

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More Luxury For European Waterways

European Waterways, Europe's largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, is proud to announce the latest addition to its fleet, Absoluut2, a charter-only, deluxe 8-passenger hotel barge that cruises in Southern Burgundy between Dijon and Vandenesse. 

Absoluut2 was designed to exacting standards for cruising the inland waterways and canals of Europe and is perfect for families or groups of friends interested in the privacy of a whole-boat charter.    

The newcomer features a comfortable saloon and dining area, two sun decks and a spa pool ideal for relaxing in while enjoying the picturesque countryside of Burgundy. The spacious accommodations include four deluxe air-conditioned cabins—two junior suites and two staterooms—which can be configured as either double or twin beds. 

The highly professional crew of four is comprised of a master chef, tour guide and hostess, led by a knowledgeable and experienced captain. As with all of European Waterways cruises, the charters aboard Absoluut2 are all-inclusive of gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, all excursions and transfers, plus a bicycle on board for every passenger.

Itinerary Highlights

Cruise highlights include fascinating tours of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, and Dijon, home to the former Ducal Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Benign. Guests will also visit the medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, the Château de Commarin and will enjoy a private wine tour and tasting at the renowned Château de Meursault. 

For more info and bookings, see www.gobarging.com.

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Celebrity Cruises With Oz Clarke

This October, gastronomes and wine enthusiasts can delve into Europe’s rich wine heritage with renowned expert Oz Clarke and Celebrity Cruises. Oz will lead a host of wine travel experiences, taking in renowned vineyards throughout France, Spain and Portugal during the spectacular annual grape harvest and provide guests the opportunity to enjoy gastronomic experiences and improve knowledge of wine through engaging and entertaining masterclasses.

The 12-night immersive holiday – designed to impress the palates of food and wine fans with some expert advice on hand – will allow guests to take advantage of the first-class restaurants and wine programmes onboard the recently refurbished Celebrity Infinity whilst travelling between Europe’s top wine producing regions.

Guests can customise their holiday with a series of package options to choose from, including:

• An intimate speciality dinner hosted by Oz, matching his personal wine recommendations to each part of a six-course Five Senses menu hosted in the speciality restaurant SS United States. Designed to stimulate all senses, this exclusive dinner costs just £69 per person.
• A series of five events hosted by Oz and Tom Forrest, a fellow wine expert. Tantalise the taste buds with a wine and cheese pairing; immerse yourself in the old world wines of France with an introduction to French wine; and brush up on your wine knowledge with masterclasses in Bordeaux wines, Spanish wine and Sherry; and a French wine masterclass. To experience all five events costs just £89 per person.

The European Immersive Wine Cruise departs during the wine harvest season from Harwich on October 12 and will call at Paris (port of Le Havre), Bordeaux (port of Le Verdon), La Rochelle, Bilbao, Vigo and Porto before returning to Harwich. It costs from just £699 per person (based on two adults sharing an inside stateroom).

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's cruise-agent specialists.

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Have A Drink On Celebrity!

Celebrity Cruises is including a complimentary Classic Drinks Package on selected 2013 and 2014 cruises, on bookings made this August and September.

The complimentary drinks packages, worth up to $50 per person per day, are part of Celebrity's ‘eXceptional eXtras campaign’ and apply to cruises departing from a UK port of call. Further offers include free onboard credit of up to $300 for sailings of ten nights or more on 2013 cruises and flights from as little as £149 to join cruises departing from European ports of call in 2014.

For example, an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Celebrity Eclipse, which costs from just £1,199 per person in May 2014, now includes the complimentary classic drinks package. A12-night Immersive Wine cruise on Celebrity Infinity, from just £899 per person this September, also includes the same free drinks package.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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AMA's Free Flights Offer

AmaWaterways is offering free flights with selected wine-themed cruises this November, with opportunities to take part in wine tastings, visit vineyards, hear presentations from top wine experts and enjoy food and wine pairings. The offers save up to £352 per person for a 7-night Danube cruise from Budapest to Vilshofen.

 

The choices in full are:

November 15 & 22: The Enchanting Rhine wine cruise, saving £337pp
Learn as you sip on a 7-night wine appreciation cruise on luxurious river cruiser AmaCello, in the company of expert U.S. wine host Holly Howell, who will guide guests in enjoying and tasting wines. The new price of £1,499pp represents a saving of £337pp. The same cruise on Nov 22 costs from £1,499pp, saving £317pp. 

November 11 and 18: The Romantic Danube wine cruise, saving £352pp
Visit a Heuriger (wine tavern) in Vienna, cruise through the autumn colours of Austria’s Wachau Valley and join in Oktoberfest festivities in Vilshofen. Taste beer and wine in wineries and breweries between Budapest and Vilshofen and, when on board, enjoy presentations from top wine experts on a 7-night sailing on 5-star river cruiser AmaCerto. The new price of £1,499pp represents a saving of £352pp. The same cruise on Nov 18 costs from £1,469pp, saving £342pp.

All prices include complimentary visits to vineyards, beer and wine tastings, themed dinners with wine pairings, daily tours and excursions, wine presentations, as well as free flights, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, free Wi-Fi and use of on-board bicycles.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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Viking's River Cruise Expansion

Expanding its portfolio of itineraries, Viking River Cruises has announced the launch of its first route along the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers in Southern France. Leading the way, the award-winning river cruise company will be one of the only cruise lines in the UK to offer the itinerary, with the first sailing in March 2014.

The eight-day cruise will begin and end in Bordeaux, giving passengers the opportunity to savour the city’s grand architecture, tempting cafes and superb museums. Visiting the stunning historical towns of Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne and Cadillac, the itinerary stops at three UNESCO sites, including Blaye’s 17th Century Citadel and Saint-Emilion, and takes in the scenic landscapes as it sails along the rivers.

Aptly named the ‘Heart of Bordeaux,’ the itinerary will also appeal to foodies, with plenty of opportunity to enjoy the region's specialities such as oysters, truffles and cognac. Of course no trip would be complete without sampling the famed wines, with plenty of time built in to tour the wine country.

On board enrichment during the cruise has been designed with the assistance of local experts and will provide passengers with a deeper appreciation of the Aquitaine Valley. Guests can learn to make caneles, a caramalised custard pastry, begin or expand their appreciation of fine wines with the guidance of a master sommelier, and brush up on their conversational French with optional on board lessons.

Guests will be able to enjoy the cruise from the comfort of the Viking Foresti, marking the first time an award-winning Viking Longship will be deployed in France. Stylish and supremely comfortable the patented design has been specifically created to capitalise on scenic routes such as this one, with wraparound verandas providing 270-degree views and spacious all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace allowing guests to enjoy panoramic views from a relaxing and comfortable public space.

With an excursions package, on board meals and wine with lunch and dinner included in the price, this holiday – like all Viking river cruises – offers remarkable value.

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line, the UK 's river cruise specialists.

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Crystal's Wine & Food-Themed Cruises

Australasian and Balinese culinary arts will kick off ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises’ 2013 Wine & Food-themed series, with regional star chefs and wine experts headlining two new, 12-night Crystal Symphony itineraries: Australia/New Zealand departing January 17 and Australia/Bali departing February 11.

Connoisseurs can also indulge in optional, intimate Vintage Room dining experiences, offering multiple courses paired with extraordinary wines.

The voyages offer intimate access to each country’s culinary capitals, from the renowned wine regions of South Australia and Wellington to New South Wales’ fine dining and Northern Territory’s outback pubs. The January “Koalas and Kiwis” itinerary explores Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney (overnight), before sailing through stunning Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds en route to Dunedin, Christchurch/Lyttelton, Wellington, and Auckland. 

The February “Reefs and Rainforest” voyage overnights in Sydney before venturing north through the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands/Hamilton, Cairns, Darwin and Benoa/Bali.

All-inclusive prices are £4,627 per person fly/cruise and £2,610 per person cruise-only respectively. Three additional Wine & Food-themed voyages are also scheduled for May, July and November in other regions.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Celebrity's Wine-Tasting Tour With Oz Clarke

Wine drinkers can enjoy testing and honing their taste buds this harvest season with one of the UK’s most seasoned palates as Oz Clarke leads a holiday to his favourite vineyards, chateaux and wine producing regions in the company of Celebrity Cruises.

Join Oz (above), and his friend and partner in wine tasting Tom Forrest - resident wine expert from Vinopolis, London’s premium taste destination – on a 12-night European wine immersion cruise that takes in renowned wine landscapes of France, Portugal and Spain. Guests can enjoy a full programme of on board activities and expert-led sessions - such as “Introduction to French wine,” “Cheese and wine pairing,” meet and greet sessions and wine master classes from the key regions visited, including a “Bordeaux masterclass” – all included in the price. All bespoke sessions are hosted by either Oz, Tom or both, and are informal, fun introductions to the world of wine.

Plus, guests on the cruise also have the chance to join the duo on an exclusive, specially created shore excursion in Bordeaux visiting a number of chateaux to sample some of the most delicate wines of the region, accompanied by the president of the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux.

Wines on offer include some of the first ever tasted by Oz and, as well as inspiring his passion for the subject, are also personal favourites of both the experts. The excursion also includes lunch, with the menu and wines chosen by Oz and Tom to complement the overall experience. The personalised chateaux experience is exclusive to the sailing and available at an additional cost once guests have booked their holiday.

The exclusive Vinopolis immersive wine cruise is part of a series of European wine immersion cruises during the 2012 grape harvest offered for the first time by Celebrity on board Celebrity Constellation on October 13.

Cruises depart from Southampton throughout autumn 2012 and other sailings are available on 7 and 19 September; 1 and 25 October; and 6 and 18 November. In 2013, Celebrity  will offer a similar season of wine-themed cruises departing from Harwich on the newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity.   

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise experts.

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Celebrity's Exclusive Bordeaux Excursion With Oz Clarke

This autumn, guests on Celebrity Cruises’ new wine harvest holiday will have the chance to join famed wine connoisseur Oz Clarke and Vinopolis’ wine expert Tom Forrest on an exclusive, specially created shore excursion in Bordeaux. This bespoke chateaux experience will take guests on a tour of the experts’ favourite wines in the region that first inspired Clarke’s passion for wine. 

One-off vineyard wine tasting tour with Oz Clarke 

Port: Bordeaux; Duration: 9 hours; Price: £149 per adult: Guests can join celebrity wine buff Clarke and Forrest on a one-off excursion, visiting two chateaux to sample some of the most delicate wines of the region, accompanied by the president of the Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux. Wines on offer during this excursion include some of the first ever tasted by Oz and, as well as inspiring his passion for the subject, are also personal favourites of both experts. The excursion also includes lunch, with the menu and wines specially chosen by the duo to complement the overall experience.

Sailing: Visit some of Europe’s top wine-producing regions in France, Spain and Portugal this harvest season on Celebrity's Celebrity Constellation on a 12-night immersive wine cruise from £849 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

The 12-night cruise departs from Southampton on October 13 and calls at Le Havre (for Paris), Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), Bilbao, Vigo and Porto before returning to Southampton. The price includes all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise experts.

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AMA's New Seine Cruises

AmaWaterways will introduce Seine cruises for the first time in 2013, commencing in March with two itineraries, a 7-night voyage and a combined 14-night cruise of the Seine and the Rhone.

The standard one-week itinerary aboard the AmaLegro visits the enchanting riverside towns and cities of Vernon, Rouen, Les Andelys and Conflans before arriving in Paris.

Excursions include the village of Giverny, where Monet lived for 43 years, the artists’ haven of Honfleur, a stroll through Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy and an unforgettable excursion to the famous Normandy beaches. 

The week-long cruise costs from £1,654 per person, including all meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, complimentary wi-fi and free use of onboard bicycles.

The new 'Jewels of France' cruise combines two itineraries, AMA's seven-night Rhone River cruise and the seven-night Seine voyage, showcasing some of France’s most charming cities. Embarking in Arles, guests will board the AmaDagio to cruise through the legendary wine regions. 

Excursions include wine tastings, exploring Roman ruins at Pont du Gard & Uzes and visits to the Renaissance palace in Grignan. Disembarking in Lyon, passengers travel to Paris aboard the high-speed TGV train to join the 7-night Seine cruise before returning to the capital. The two-week voyage costs from £3,370 per person.

The AmaLegro and AmaDagio feature luxurious cruise accommodations with spacious staterooms, most with French balconies. Other amenities include a massage and beauty salon, complimentary Internet and Infotainment System with music library and Hollywood movies. Special highlights include lectures, themed dinners, cooking demonstrations and onboard music performances. For guests wishing to explore the serene paths along the rivers, there are also bicycles onboard.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Silversea's New Food & Wine Excursions

This summer, Silversea will introduce new food and wine shore excursions on selected Mediterranean and Northern European voyages. Designed to appeal to even the most discerning gourmet passenger, excursions include a sunset stroll and wine tasting in one of Croatia’s largest vineyards, a hands-on lesson in Ukrainian cookery, and an exquisite lunch at a two-Michelin star restaurant in Bordeaux.

Silversea's Food & Wine Shore Excursions this summer include:

Sunset Wine Tasting (Dubrovnik): In southern Dalmatia, sunset provides the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll and wine-tasting amid one of the region's largest vineyards, owned by Dubrovnik Cellars winery. Guests can enjoy locally produced smoked ham, cheese, olives and bread as they sample fine wines and learn the history of the winery. Available on Silver Cloud departing on September 14 and 23; Silver Wind departing on June 22, Aug 7 and 25; and Silver Spirit departing on July 9 and 27, Aug 27 and Sept 17.

Castle to Culinary Delights (Bodrum): A visit to the top of the Castle of St. John with its panoramic views of the Aegean Sea precedes a trip to a popular seafoodrestaurant for a hands-on cooking experience. Secrets of Mediterranean cuisine are revealed as the chef of the Denizce restaurant shares his techniques, special ingredients and family recipes. Available on Silver Spirit departing 5 May 2012.

Culinary Gothenburg: Gothenburg's largest indoor market, Saluhallen,with its 40 stores and eateries, and Fiskekyrkan (the Fish Church), an indoor fish and seafood market, are showcased on a city tour that culminates with lunch at the elegant Sjömagasinet restaurant. Originally an 18th-century warehouse of the East India Company, this multi-faceted waterfront restaurant offers visitors the freshest fish and seafood delicacies cooked to perfection. Available on Silver Cloud departing on May 30.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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A Wine Cruise Debut For AmaDagio

Cruising through the captivating Provencal wine regions, AmaWaterways will debut its luxury river cruiser AmaDagio on the Rhone on March 29, following her relocation from the Rhine and Moselle.

This cruise is also the first wine-themed cruise of the 2012 season on the Rhone, the Rhine and the Danube, featuring onboard wine experts and vintners and including complimentary tours to vineyards and cellars, wine lectures, wine tastings and fine dining with wine pairings. 

The 7-night Rhone voyage includes the Beaujolais wine region, tours of Roman ruins and stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Avignon and Arles, where many artists spent much of their life, including Vincent Van Gogh. Departures are on March 29 and November 8 and 15, with prices from £1,645 per person, including all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, daily tours, presentations and wine tastings by wine hosts and free use of onboard bicycles to explore on shore.

The `In Celebration of Wine’ cruises also feature in-depth cruises along the Rhine and Danube in the company of winery hosts, who will present regional wines and host wine-paired dinners, tastings and lectures and accompany guests during excursions. These special sailings feature excursions, such as a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an “Oktoberfest” in the village of Vilshofen created specifically for AmaWaterways’ guests.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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