Beer-focused Boutique Adventures, expert presentations, cooking and cocktail classes, tasting sessions, and dinners are all particular highlights of the Crystal Serenity voyage, which sails from New York to Miami, via the East Coast and Caribbean, starting November 5.

A beer-focused Boutique Adventure…seriously? Count me in!

Toni Neumeister, vice president for food and beverage operations and hotel procurement said “We’ve recently seen the growing interest in microbrews, from crafting to drinking, reflected in our own guests’ palates, leading us to add international specialty beers to our Connoisseur beverage menu in 2013, a microbrew theme in 2014 is a natural extension of that interest.”

Well I couldn’t agree more Mr Neumeister!

Highlights include two new Boutique Adventures (intimate, exclusive Crystal Adventures that can’t be found on any other cruise line) created just for this voyage.  Shore excursions take guests to micro- and nano-breweries (the latest trend in ultra-local beer craftsmanship) in and around New York and Charleston for exclusive behind-the-scenes access, expert insight, and sampling.

To further ones knowledge of all things beer the voyage will include lectures from;

• Stephen Beaumont, writer and one of the world’s top authorities on all things beer.
• Victoria Tonini, a certified cicerone (a kind of beer sommelier).
• Anthony Caporale, Art of the Drink TV host, who will teach guests how to make cocktails using beer.
• Jon Ashton, a cookbook author and Today/Tonight Show guest chef, who will lead hands-on cooking classes using beer as an ingredient, plus create special beer-themed dinners for all guests in the Crystal Dining Room.

Personally I’m struggling to think of a single reason how this particular cruise is in any way a bad idea. Culturally interesting, educationally valid and most of all a celebration of independent craftsman showcasing their trade in an ever increasing world of mass standardisation.

That only leaves the simple task of convincing the wife……