Inspired by its new cookbook, "Excite the Senses," Celebrity Cruises has created a series of food- and wine-themed cruises for 2012, enabling passengers to interact with its culinary team.
Activities aboard the Excite the Senses cruises "are designed to appeal to everyone from the novice to the sophisticated oenophile and shine a spotlight on all the elements of Celebrity's culinary experience," said Jacques van Staden, Celebrity's master chef and vice president of culinary operations.
Each of the eight sailings will be led by a member of Celebrity's culinary team, along with partners from the cruise lines' wine and spirits program.
Some of the beverage partners include representatives from Jack Daniel's, Jackson Family Wines, St. Francis Vineyards and Italian wine company Marchesi Antinori.
Scott Steenrod, associate vice president of food and beverage operations, said that "the food and beverage experience is an essential part of every guest's vacation."
The series' launch cruise on March 24 will offer culinary-themed activities including an exclusive cocktail and food pairing at Qsine hosted by van Staden. Alongside him will be mixologist Junior Merino.
In addition, a "Corporate Star Chefs" cooking demonstration and question-and-answer session, mixology demonstrations, hands-on cooking classes with chefs in the galley and an "Excite the Senses" book signing event will take place on the initial cruise.
Other activities will include exclusive dinners in Celebrity's specialty restaurants, cooking demonstrations focused on locally sourced ingredients and wine tastings.
Each sailing will have a different host and culinary focus.
Dates and hosts for Celebrity's other 2012 Excite the Senses cruises are:
• April 10: A 12-night Caribbean cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette, roundtrip from Bayonne, N.J., hosted by traveling pastry chef Thierry Houlbert. Activities will focus on baking, pastries and sweets.
• May 5: An eight-night wine cruise on the Celebrity Century, from San Diego to Vancouver, hosted by W. Thomas Szymanski, senior traveling executive chef.
• May 27: A seven-night Bermuda cruise on the Celebrity Summit, sailing roundtrip from Bayonne, hosted by traveling executive chef Steve van der Merwe. Activities will focus on Bermuda culinary traditions.
• June 29: A seven-night Alaska cruise on the Celebrity Infinity, roundtrip from Seattle, hosted by director of culinary operations John Suley and his wife, Chanelle Duarte, Celebrity's wine expert. Activities will focus on local ingredients and food and wine pairings.
• July 10: A 12-night Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Solstice, sailing roundtrip from Barcelona, hosted by corporate executive chef Rufino Rengifo. Activities will celebrate Mediterranean cooking.
• Aug. 12: A 12-night Baltic cruise on the Celebrity Constellation, roundtrip from Amsterdam, hosted by Lorenzo Davidoiu, Celebrity's restaurant operations manager. The focus will be on entertaining tips.
• Sept. 14: An eight-night wine cruise on the Celebrity Millennium, sailing from Vancouver to San Diego, hosted by traveling restaurant manager Dominique Gamba. Activities will focus on specialty cheeses, the art of tea service, table settings and entertaining tips.
For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.