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Wine Vineyard Cruises | Book a wine cruise

Wines_3Discover the lost wine bottle at sea with that note on how to taste a glass of wine with specifics on where you might want to take your next cruise.

Are you aware you can taste wine and visit a vineyard on your next cruising adventure? Go to some of the best vineyards around the world while you taste great wine and eat good food.  An Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar is here to uncover your needs to sooth your palette with great wine and unique adventures at sea to many vineyards around the world.

The fragrance and aroma of a wine vineyard theme cruise is enough to inspire you to research the following destinations and speak with an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar before booking your next vacation.

Wine celar- imagesTop world destinations on where book for your next wine theme cruise:

  • France – Bordeaux, Vineyards, & Chateaux France
  • Europe – The Rhine River
  • British Columbia – Okanagan Valley
  • San Francisco – Sonoma and Napa Valley California
  • Oregon – Willamette Valley
  • Chile – The Maipo Valley
  • Argentina -Mendoza
  • Uruguay – Pioneering Juanicó winery
  • Australia – Adelaide & Barossa Valley
  • South Africa – Cape Town
  • Spain – Barcelona
  • Australia – Yarra Valley
  • Italy – Tuscany

Despite a number of these locations being a good distance from the Ports of Call it is important to know many theme cruises offer transportation to and from the vineyards.  Speaking to a Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar can help you organize and uncover your needs specifically to a wine theme cruise as well as offer many suggestions on unique palates for food and wine.

Wine_cellarWine tourism has steadily increased over the last ten years where wineries worldwide now provide elegant tasting rooms with picturesque vineyard views, wine tasting dinners, and even open tours of the vineyards and cellars. A truly unique experience creating lasting memories.

Wine is a colorful element where the taste is as unique as the grape and the earth where it came from. It is a perfect complement to a meal, and a great way to unwind after a day of sightseeing and exploring while you are off the ship.  Imagine the conversations over a good glass of wine while while watching the sun dip below the rolling hills of vineyards in the corner gems of the world.

A few styles and flavors of wine to look forward to when you book your next wine & vineyard theme cruise and interesting images you will most likely see.

Red wine – Made from black grapes ranging from light to dark, dry to sweet

Popular red flavors:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon – Flavors: Bell pepper, green olive, herb, cassis and black cherry
  • Shiraz – Flavors: Blackberry, boysenberry, plum, pepper and clove
  • Merlot – Flavors:  Watermelon, strawberry and cherry
  • Zinfandel – Flavors: Raspberry, blackberry, black cherry, raisin and  prune

White Wine – A still wine produced from green and sometimes black even grapes

Popular white flavors:

  • Chardonnay – Flavors: Green apple, citrus, pineapple and papaya
  • Pinot Blanc – Flavors: Green apple and citrus
  • Pino Grigio – Flavors: Citrus, fresh pear and melon

Rosé Wine – Still wine from black grapes by removing the skins before they deeply color the wine.  Formed by blending red and white wine together. Both dry and sweet styles of rosé are common

Sparkling Wine – A style of wine making involving a secondary fermentation resulting in bubbles.  Sparkling wine can be red, white or rosé and can range from minerally to rich and sweet

Fortified Wine – A style of wine making involving fortifying wine with spirits. Typically a dessert wine, but many dry-style fortified wines exist such as dry Sherry

There are many other unique flavors of wine.  Here is a brief video including tips on mastering how to taste wine before you book your next wine & vineyard cruise.

To learn more about wine & vineyard theme cruises please contact Lona Lee Thull an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar with www.FriendlyCruises.com – Contact:  480-358-1496

Golfing and Cruising

3rd-Cruise-Voyager-of-the-Seas-Golf-CourseCan a vacation cruise improve your golf game?  The answer is YES, if you ask a cruise expert.  The following information gives specific helpful details on what to expect on your next vacation when you incorporate golfing and cruising to help improve your game.

Some people are unaware how extensive and prepared many cruise lines are in offering their clients top shelf golfing services, not only at each Ports of Call but, onboard the ship.

As Gary Player wrote, “The more I practice, the luckier I get.”

The following six highlighted golf cruise services and options lists specific details on what you can expect when you book your next vacation golf theme cruise.

Professional Teachers (PGA Golf Pros)
A number of cruise lines offer a PGA Golf Pro which covers many full aspects of the game, For example:

  • Private & group lessons
  • Access to the “V1” Digital Coaching system (Selected by PGA.com as their preferred teaching system software)
  • Basic golf mechanics (tips and tricks)
  • Full swing analysis
  • Irons (hands-on teaching including tips and tricks)
  • Woods – How to use your woods more effectively
  • Putting techniques to lower your handicap and improve your short game
  • Chipping and Pitching (tips and tricks)
  • How to play a variety of different sand shots
  • Equipment recommendations

What cruise lines provide golfers on board

When you book your next golf theme cruise you can expect the following amenities when you head out to sea.

  • KindnessMiniature golf (For adults and children)
  • Golf simulators
  • Driving range & practice cage
  • Onboard putting greens
  • Putting contests
  • PGA Golf Pro Lessons
  • High end golf equipment rentals
  • Golf equipment rentals include sets of both right-handed and left-handed clubs for men and women
  • Some cruises have PGA Pros that offer complimentary class both morning/afternoon during days at sea

Where is your golf equipment stored
For active golfers who prefer to use their own equipment you can store your clubs and bag in the ship cabin and many cruises offer special storage where guests can ship equipment to and from the ship with the luggage concierge to the golf course where they set their tee time at each Ports of Call.  This service is also referred to as a club valet and golf storage.

Caliber of courses
Golf Photo - Paul Bradley SmithYou will have a full range of golf courses to choose from for all budgets and skill levels at each Ports of Call you visit on your cruise.

Other helpful and important information includes:

  • Priority tee times to the finest golf courses
  • Guided golf excursions with an experienced Golf professional who knows the course quality, layout and destination
  • Round trip transportation is typically provided

Tips from the Cruise Pros
Many cruise lines have a PGA Golf Pro onboard for questions and answers.  To get the best tips from the pros and learn more about a golf theme cruise, schedule a consultation with an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar and book a Cruise

“I learn something new about the game almost every time I step on the course.”
~ Ben Hogan

Questions and comments welcomed.  For more information please contact an Elite Cruise Counsellor with www.FriendlyCruises.com

Contact Lona Lee Thull:  480-358-1496