Norwegian Cruise Line Invites You to Meet the Winemaker

Norwegian Cruise Line announced the schedule for its 2017/18 Meet the Winemaker Cruises aboard Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Dawn. The lineup includes Michael Mondavi, Aaron Sanchez, Gerard Bertrand, Bill Whiting, and Salvatore Ferragamo.

While onboard the Norwegian Escape inaugural cruise in 2015 I got a glimpse of “The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar”, but I did not have a chance to explore any deeper than a quick look around. I’m told the bar boasts a curated wine list and service provided by a Court of Master Sommeliers certified Sommelier, which is quite a big deal to an oenophilia. This partnership was expanded to include Norwegian Dawn in 2016.

On these special sailings guests can look forward to participating in a variety of enriching onboard experiences with famed winemakers and industry experts including seminars, tastings, pairings and workshops. On the second day of each cruise, there is an open-forum question and answer session held in the Atrium of the ship. Following the open forum, guests will have the chance to purchase featured wines selected by the wine makers and varietals from the ship’s wine list, meet the expert and have him sign the bottle to take home as a memento.

  Guests seeking an unforgettable gourmet experience can attend an exclusive wine dinner, hosted by the vintner or industry expert. They will be treated to a truly special event, consisting of five decadent courses paired with wine specifically chosen for each course. The cost of the dinner with wine pairings is $59.95 per person. Seating is limited for both the tasting seminars and wine pairing dinner and reservations will only be available on board the ship. 

The full lineup of Norwegian Cruise Line's 2017/18 Meet the Winemaker series includes:

• ·         September 22, 2017 – Norwegian Dawn: Michael Mondavi, founder of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate.
• ·         November 4, 2017 – Norwegian Escape: Bill Whiting, Director of Wine Education at Banfi Vintners. 
• ·         December 2, 2017 – Norwegian Escape: Aarón Sánchez. Famed TV Chef and James Beard award winner, Aarón Sánchez.
• ·         February 17, 2018 – Norwegian Escape: Gerard Bertrand, renowned vintner of Languedoc-Roussillon.
• ·         March 2018, Norwegian Escape: Salvatore Ferragamo, heir of famed Italian fashion house and owner at Il Borro Winery in Tuscany, Italy

 Norwegian Dawn sails to Bermuda from June through October and to Canada & New England in September and October from her seasonal homeport in Boston. Norwegian Escape sails the Eastern and Western Caribbean from her homeport in Miami.