Where I live in Southern California, craft beers are a big deal. In fact, if you go to the liquor store or your local Whole Foods, it is hard to miss the fact that some craft beers cost as much money as a bottle of wine. When I read that Crystal Cruises was going to feature craft beers as part of their   “Wine & Food” Experiences of Discovery motif by replacing the “wine” with lagers, stouts, IPAs, and “cold ones” that are barrel-aged, it made perfect sense.  Keep reading to discover what Crystal Cruises has to say about their new theme cruise.

Microbrew-themed luxury cruise

Cruise passengers can expect a beer-focused Boutique Adventures program that includes presentations, cooking and cocktail classes, tasting sessions, and dinners during the November 5th New York to Miami sailing.

“We’ve recently seen the growing interest in microbrews, from crafting to drinking, reflected in our own guests’ palates, leading us to add international specialty beers to our Connoisseur beverage menu in 2013,” says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food and beverage operations and hotel procurement.  “A microbrew theme in 2014 is a natural extension of that interest, utilizing the programming format of our successful ‘Wine & Food’-cruises to expand travelers’ palates and minds in new ways that can last well beyond their cruise.”

Boutique Adventures

Programming highlights two  shore-side excursions that take guests to micro- and nano-breweries (the latest trend in ultra-local beer craftsmanship) in and around New York and Charleston for exclusive behind-the-scenes access, expert insight, and diverse sampling of innovative, historic, seasonal, and limited-run beers, complete with a souvenir “growler” swag bag in South Carolina.

Onboard

• Stephen Beaumont, writer and one of the world’s top authorities on all things beer will lead tastings and microbrew presentations.

• Anthony  Caporale, Art of the Drink TV host and producer, who will teach guests how to make cocktails using beer, then serve them up as guest mixologist behind Crystal’s bar; and

• Jon Ashton, a cookbook author and Today/Tonight Show guest chef, who will lead hands-on cooking classes using beer as an ingredient, plus create special beer-themed dinners for all guests in the Crystal Dining Room and for just 14 guests in the Vintage Room, the latter featuring seven courses of rare beers from around the world.

The cruise

The itinerary overnights in New York City before sailing down the U.S. East Coast to Baltimore, Maryland; Norfolk, Virginia; Charleston, South Carolina; Turks & Caicos/Grand Turk; Curaçao/Willemstad; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Miami, Florida.  All-inclusive cruise fares for the 14-day voyage start at $4,710/person, with $1,450/person in savings if booked by June 30.  A shorter, 11-day version of the cruise is also available departing from Baltimore, with “Book Now” fares starting at $3,700/person.  The limited-availability microbrew Boutique Adventures start at $179/person.