Food and wine themed cruises are offered all over the world – but what about beer?
After all, a schooner is both a beer glass and a type of
sailing ship!
The good news is that cruise lines are starting to add
more options for lovers of lager, ale and stout, from the
selection on tap to brewery tours on land.
But don’t expect a booze cruise – these selections are
for the social drinker or connoisseur.
Radiance of the Seas
By the time Royal Caribbean introduces this revamped
ship to Australia in October, it will be fitted out with a
new English-styled pub called the Quill and Compass.
Celebrity Silhouette
The July debut of Celebrity Silhouette will see a bar
dedicated to craft beers.
Featured brewers are expected to include Belgium’s
Chimay and Duval, England’s Samuel Smith and many
more.
Celebrity Cruises is also rumoured to be planning a
new range of beer-related activities, on top of its annual Oktoberfest parties with
German music and steins of Fransizkaner.
Cunard
Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria each have an authentic-looking
British pub called the Golden Lion, with Guinness, Boddingtons and Bass Ale on tap.
Bottled beers include Old Speckled Hen and Spitfire Real Ale, which can be ordered
alongside fish and chips or bangers and mash.
River cruises
Regional beers can often be purchased on the Danube or Rhine.
For example, Uniworld cruises usually include a meal where German beers are served
with bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels.
On sailings via Regensberg, Avalon Waterways has a tour of Weltenburg Abbey where
monks have been brewing beer since 1050.
On cruises through Bamberg, Scenic Tours has a shore excursion to Klosterbräu Brewery.
APT’s Scandinavian cruises offer the chance to visit the Carlsberg brewery in
Copenhagen.
Pacific Sun
To check out a local brewery, P&O’s WA cruises via Broome have an optional trip to
Matso’s, home of award-winners such as Smokey Bishop Dark Lager and Monsoonal
Blonde Spiced Wheat Beer.
Allure of the Seas
For sheer number of places to grab a cold one at sea, you can’t beat the world’s
biggest ship.
Among the dozens of drinking venues is the Bow & Stern, which has a whopping 38
choices.
They also concoct various beer cocktails such as Corona with Bloody Mary mix and
lime juice.
But you will have to fly to Florida to try it.
Oktoberfest cruises
For the ultimate beer cruise, spaces are still available on ‘Europe Zest and
Oktoberfest’, departing from Australia on 2 September 2011.
Priced from $5799 per person, the 17-night package includes return airfares; a 12-
night cruise from Spain to Germany via Monaco, Italy and Croatia; all meals and
entertainment aboard Carnival Magic; accommodation in Barcelona; and three nights
in a Munich hotel during Oktoberfest.
For details, contact your friendly travel agent.
