Celebrity Pops the Cork on Wine Harvest Cruises

Celebrity Cruises will illuminate its extensive wine program when the line launches its second annual Wine Harvest Celebration on sailings departing Nov. 1 to Dec. 11.

Wine-related events, including those offered year-round through the ‘Celebrity Life’ programming are planned.

Jacques Van Staden, vp culinary operations, said a high percentage of Celebrity customers are wine enthusiasts, which is why the line offers up to 480 wines per sailing and a number of wine-focused Celebrity Life activities.

The Wine Harvest Celebration will include an emphasis on French food, wine and spirits, presented in partnership with the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, available to passengers on cruises from Nov. 1-19.

Celebrity will reprise its 2009 unveiling of Beaujolais Nouveau simultaneously across the fleet on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 on Celebrity Century). With a guest speaker and the shipboard cellar master, the event will include a tasting from oak casks, commemorative bottles, live music, dancing, canapés, a gourmet French cheese pairing and a roast carving station.

Other events include ‘Jazz, Port and Chocolate Tasting Seduction,’ with a free glass of port wine and a deluxe chocolate buffet and fountain, with a backdrop of light jazz.

A Celebrity Wine Harvest Exposition will be open to all passengers on embarkation day. Hosted by Celebrity’s sommeliers, the event features a free glass of house wine, canapés and hors d’oeuvres, and an overview of the wine experiences and packages available with the opportunity to make reservations for limited-capacity events.