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Modern luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises has released two special Australia and New Zealand Wine Lover Cruises departing in February 2019.

The two unique sailings, exclusive to Celebrity Cruises, will see wine aficionados embark the award-winning Celebrity Solstice for a decadent journey to renowned wine regions in Australia and NZ, while delighting in a range of onboard and onshore experiences hosted by a world famous vintner.

Throughout the cruises guests will visit gateways to renowned wine regions, learn the art of food and wine pairing, discover wine tasting techniques, sample the ship’s most delicious cheeses paired with featured wines  and visit boutique wineries with award-winning shore excursions

Each cruise kicks off with a Wine Cruise Orientation, where guests will meet the host and onboard sommeliers.  Wine-focused experiences are then scheduled throughout the cruise, offering an array of unique onboard activities and shore excursions*. Highlights include:

Onboard Activities

  • Discovering Wine & Exploring the Senses
    An introduction to wine terms, major grapes, the wine regions of New Zealand & professional tasting techniques.
  • Wine & Oysters

Discover how wine compliments oysters; hosted by the winemaker and a Celebrity Chef.

  • Wine Pairing Dinner
    Join your winemaker host for a special food and wine pairing dinner that will delight the senses
  • The Essentials of Food & Wine Pairing

Learn the basics of food and wine pairing and how they can interact perfectly; creating a sensational taste experience that is greater than food or wine alone.

 Shore Excursions

  • Napier – Countryside & Private Home Visit
    Enjoy a scenic drive through Hawke’s Bay’s vineyards, visiting a local winery for a tasting, followed by a morning tea in a garden setting at a private home
  • Picton – Marlborough Vineyard Tour*
    Sample Marlborough’s famous wines and luscious local chocolates on this journey to the Makana Boutique Chocolate Factory, followed by an exclusive wine tasting at Yealands Estate.
  • Adelaide – A Taste Of Barossa
    Visit two of the finest wineries in Australia and sample an array of Australian wines, from full-bodied reds to dry white wines.

Marc Udy, renowned New Zealand winemaker at esteemed Villa Maria Estate in the Marlborough region, will host the first 16-night cruise departing Auckland on 12 February 2019, calling to Tauranga (Bay of Plenty wine region), Napier (Hawkes Bay wine region), Picton (Marlborough), Sydney, Hobart (Southern Wine Trail), Adelaide (Barossa) and finishing in Fremantle.

“All of these places have their own little nuances when it comes to food and wine, which we’ll guide guests through on this journey,” says Udy, “For example, everyone knows Marlborough is world famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, but I’m sure a lot of people don’t know the region does a spectacular Pinot Noir. It’s this kind of insight, teamed with the variety of destinations and activities we offer, that make this the ultimate wine lover’s cruise.” 

Travis Fuller, Global Marketing Manager of Hardy’s Wines and Director of Winemaster.co, hosts the second sailing departing 28 February from Fremantle, calling to Esperance, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Dunedin, Tauranga, and finishing in Auckland. With over twenty five years’ experience as an international wine judge and educator, Travis has toured the world in search of great experiences to share and excite others in the world of wine.

“Wine is a journey that you just find yourself immersed in once you are bitten. The highs, the lows, the people and the landscapes are enthralling. It’s a shared passion, and one that is hard to beat,” he says.

Celebrity Cruises has solid credentials in the world of gourmet tourism, with the line boasting the largest wine selection at sea and menus crafted by Michelin-starred chef, Cornelius Gallagher. For the sixth year running, Celebrity Cruises’ one-of-a-kind wine program has been recognised by the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, claiming ten awards in 2018 – making the brand’s wine collection the most awarded at sea.

Celebrity’s main dining room wine lists host over 300 prestigious labels, including Tignanello, Grgich Hills, Caymus Special Selection, and Guigal Cote Rotie, and a significant Australian and New Zealand range. A team of specially trained Sommeliers navigates guests onboard through the award-winning wine lists, guiding them to new and exciting choices.

Fares for the Wine Lover’s Cruise departing 12 February start at AUD$2429 per person, twin share for an Oceanview Stateroom.

Fares for the Wine Lover’s Cruise departing 28 February start at AUD$3299 per person, twin share for a Balcony Stateroom.