Luxury travelers with an appetite for global flavors have two notable “Wine & Food Festival” themed voyages aboard the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line in 2016. Crystal Symphony will sail a 12-day Mediterranean voyage from Istanbul to Rome on May 1, while Crystal Serenity will welcome master chef Nobu Matsuhisa back aboard for a 10-day Alaskan cruise round-trip from Vancouver.
The former offers flavors of the destination at virtually every turn, with a number of opportunities for guests to learn to create some of the mouthwatering specialties from world renowned chefs. The latter features personally hosted dinners and special menus created by Nobu, whose signature cuisine is featured in Crystal’s onboard Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, and cities worldwide.
On Crystal Symphony’s Wine & Food themed Experiences of Discovery cruise, Crystal’s own talented culinary team will be joined by Michelin starred French chef Alexis Gauthier of the Gauthier Soho in Soho, London. The esteemed chef will lead guests through entertaining demos of his most famous dishes, and also offer hands-on instruction to small groups of participants in the ship’s galley. On select evenings, guests will enjoy a specially created menu by Chef Gauthier in the Crystal Dining Room.
Travelers can treat their taste buds ashore, too, whether they seek to dive into fresh pasta dough or to sit back and sip local wines while they take in the local cuisine. Crystal Adventures include a visit to the bustling “Misir Carsisi” spice market and 5 O’clock Tea at Çirağan Palace Hotel (Istanbul), and exclusive cooking lessons with the head chef at Feggera Restaurant (Santorini), at a private villa on the Italian countryside (Sorrento) and at a working farm just outside of Rome. Feasts and accompanying wine tasting top off the experiences.
The voyage, which also offers a veritable smorgasbord of enriching historical, cultural, active and adventurous experiences, begins with an overnight stay in Istanbul, then sails to Kuşadasi, Turkey; Mykonos, Santorini/Thira, Navplion and Kefalonia/Argostolion, Greece; Crotone and Sorrento, Italy; and concludes with an overnight stay in Rome/Civitavecchia.
Aboard Crystal Serenity’s Alaska cruise – one of seven that will explore the spectacular region in summer 2016 – Crystal favorite Nobu Matsuhisa will return to the ship to mingle with guests and host multi-course omakase (or chef’s choice) dinners in Silk Road, as well as other feasts and special menus. Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion has been served in Silk Road and The Sushi Bar on board every Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sailing since 2003 and 2008, respectively. Nobu personally trains all chefs, designs all menus, and frequently visits the ships for ongoing refinement.
In addition to the inherent adventure that guests can enjoy in Alaska, there are several opportunities to taste the local fare, including a crab feast in Ketchikan, a salmon bake in Juneau and a traditional English tea in Victoria, British Columbia. From Vancouver, the “Grandeur of Alaska” sailing visits Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka, Alaska, as well as cruising Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage and calls to Victoria and Prince Rupert (maiden visit), British Columbia, Canada. Other “Wine & Food Festival” themed voyages in 2016 include taste exploration of South America and the Panama Canal, Southeast Asia, New England and Canada, the Caribbean and South Pacific.
All-inclusive “Silver Celebration” cruise fares for the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages start at $3,745 and $4,295, respectively, per guest when booked by December 30.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.
