Drink a toast in Crystal glasses

You probably thought a booze cruise was a ferry crossing from Dover to Calais to stock up with cheap drinks from Carrefour or Auchan. Or perhaps you had a two-nighter from to Zeebrugge in mind – packed with stags and hens who staggered off the gangway in Southampton or Tilbury bleary-eyed and nursing sore heads.
Well think again. Luxury cruise operator Crystal is taking the concept to a whole new level.
It has put together a selection of excursions throughout Europe this summer to satisfy the thirstiest throats and the keenest palates. Passengers from Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will be able to sip or swill their way through the Mediterranean, Baltic and northern Europe until December, learning about the history and culture behind iconic drinks along the way.
Examples of tasting and crafting excursions include:
• Arctic beer at the oldest pub in Tromsø.
• Fresh cider and apple brandy from the centuries-old “Orchard of Norway” area near Eidfjord.
• Vodka in Honningsvâg, Lofoten and Stockholm ice bars.
• 16th-century Bénédictine herbal liqueur at a palace near Honfleur.
• Cafés offering rum and honey poncha near Madeira, limoncello in Sorrento and soumada in Mykonos.
• Famous distilleries such Bushmills in County Antrim, Hennessy in Cognac and the Heineken brewery in Amsterdam.
• Traditional tea at an 18th century estate near Belfast and a Russian tea plantation near the Winter Olympics venue at Sochi.
• Highland, Lowland, Speyside and Island whiskies at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society near Edinburgh.
Wine-related outings are also in plentiful supply, with insight into:
• Unconventional winemaking, seen through a Mykonos grower who plays classical music to his wines, and a modern reserve winemaker near Bilbao whose cellar integrates into the landscape.
• Medoc Classified Great Growth Château estates, from the man who literally wrote the book on Bordeaux wines.
• Wine history, including a 400-year-old Maltese wine cellar, Mallorca’s oldest winery and the birthplace of French wine, Nice.
• One of the most celebrated limited private label white wines at a Corfu nobleman’s private estate.
• International wine distribution via a leading Bordeaux wine trader.
• Viticultural geography at wineries in St-Tropez where south-facing slopes and microclimate make it ideal for certain vintages, in Constantza where Champagne-like land and weather have helped win more than 130 international wine gold medals, and Arrecife where the volcanic soil is inhospitable for crops yet extraordinary for grapevines.
“Drinks such as local wine, spirits, beer and teas embody the aromas and tastes of destinations,” says Philip Ordever, Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. “These excursions offer yet another way to gain understanding of unique European cultures and traditions.”
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail throughout Europe between now and December on voyages ranging from five nights to month-long extended holiday combo cruises. All-inclusive European fly/cruise fares start from £1,730 per person based on a five night cruise from Lisbon to Bordeaux departing August 22 if booked by June 28.
Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal cruise. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity’s extensive, innovative choices include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars, overseen by onboard, certified sommeliers; all-inclusive, chef-like cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea, or in the speciality restaurants – Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road or Piero Selvaggio’s Prego.