Published on: March 31, 2009
Silversea Cruises is offering new destination enrichment programs with small group and private explorations ashore. “To complement the launch of our new ‘Silver Shore Concierge’ service in July, we have developed several new destination enrichment programs for Europe and the Mediterranean this year,” said Darius Mehta, Silversea’s director of land programs. “Among the new options, and branded under the ‘Silver Shore Collection’ label, are enticing excursions with a wine, culinary or cultural focus, as well as special tours offering the exclusive use of transportation and flexible itineraries to suit a couple or a group of friends wanting a more intimate and personalized experience ashore.” Silversea offers a number of optional shore tours that feature the private use of air- and watercraft. Among the options is a private yacht expedition from Mykonos, a private helicopter above the Holy Land, or a chartered boat to Positano and Capri.

In addition, other new “Silver Shore Collection” tours offer in-depth explorations of local history and culture, such as a drive through the Tuscan countryside to the 11th-century Castagneto Carducci Castle for a tour and a wine-tasting, lunch at Baronscourt, the private home of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn in Northern Ireland, a drive in a Ferrari sports car from Rome, and a private cooking lesson in Istanbul.

Published on: March 31, 2009
Crystal Cruises announced the lineup for its 13th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery to take place on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity this year. In all, seven culinary themed itineraries between May and December will feature top chefs, wine experts and mixologists in cooking demonstrations, hands-on classes, tasting sessions and special menus. The lineup includes Andre Rochat, the Michelin Star-awarded owner of Alizé in Las Vegas; Cesare Casella, Michelin Star-awarded chef and creator and dean of the Italian Culinary Academy in New York; Timothy Hollingsworth, sous chef at The French Laundry; Odd Ivar Solvold, Bocuse d’Or winner and owner of Solvold and Smak in Norway; Oyvind Naesheim, executive chef of Nobu Hong Kong; Claude Troisgros; Azmin Ghaherman, owner/chef at Sapphire restaurant in Southern California; Giuliano Hazan, Italian cookbook author and instructor; Carmelo Chiaramonte, owner of Il Cuciniere in Catania, Italy; Robert Wemischner, a pioneer in culinary fusion techniques; Jon Ashton, food correspondent for “The Daily Buzz” and chef for “Relish” magazine; and Nancy Harmon Jenkins, an expert in Mediterranean cuisine and cookbook author.

Sommeliers and wine experts will include Dr. Josef Schuller, chairman and director of the Masters of Wine; Kevin Zraly, James Beard award winner and founder of the Windows on the World Wine School; James Cluer, the third Canadian Master of Wine and one of only 265 worldwide; David Glancy, department chairman of the Certified Sommelier Program at the Professional Culinary Institute of the Silicon Valley; David Gordon, wine director of Tribeca Grill, Nobu and Next Door Nobu; Jim Barrett, owner of Chateau Montelena in the Napa Valley; Kris Margerum, wine director for Auberge Resorts; and Leslie Sbrocco, wine expert and author. Cocktail gurus will include Dale DeGroff, often referred to as the King of Cocktails; Tony Abou-Ganim, mixologist and mastermind behind Crystal’s cocktail program and menus; Bridget Albert, director of the Academy of Spirits and Fine Service of Illinois; and Ryan Magarian owner of Liquid Relations and developer of Aviation Gin.

Crystal’s 2009 wine and food cruises are scheduled for May 1, Singapore to Dubai; June 7, Rome to London; July 16, Barcelona to Venice; July 25, Stockholm to Copenhagen; Aug. 9, Athens to Barcelona; Nov. 10, New York to Miami; and Nov. 22, Miami to Manaus. Most wine and food voyages offer an “All Inclusive-As You Wish” $1,000 per person spending credit. Additionally, Crystal’s Family Memories Program offers one free berth for every 10 full-fare berth, plus other perks, and the Crystal Assurance Plan offers reduced deposits and cancellation periods, as well as the assurance that guests will be protected at the reduced fare if a stateroom category is later reduced.