From an in-suite caviar service and 24/7 personal butlers to unbelievable wine cellars and private helicopter tours; unlimited luxury awaits on board some of the most impressive cruise ships at sea. And with over 28 cruise lines and partners attending the Birmingham Cruise Show this year on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, it is the perfect opportunity to explore the world of cruise and enjoy a taste of their luxury offering.
Ahead of the show, here is a rundown of just some of the luxury cruise experiences you can enjoy in 2017/18…
Travel on the most luxurious ship ever built. Guests looking for the ultimate in extravagance will find it in the exclusive Regent Suite on board the Seven Seas Explorer. Enjoy its 270-degree views over the bow of the ship, a bed that costs in excess of £113,000, your own in-suite spa, a sumptuous in-suite caviar service and a private chauffeur for excursions ashore.
Dine at Le Champagne – the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea. Treat your taste buds to a regionally inspired opulent six-course tasting menu on board Silversea Cruises, featuring the striking Risotto a la Feuille d’Or, garnished with edible gold leaf. The restaurant’s menu uses locally sourced seasonal ingredients, paired with some of the finest wines at sea. Silversea’s partnership with world renowned Relais & Châteaux continues across its ships with inspired restaurants, the exclusive cookery school of L’École des Chefs by Relais & Châteaux, and their Wine Series Voyages where guests can carry out private tastings with Silversea’s wine ambassador, Lawrence d’Almeida, at ancient chateauxs in Bordeaux.
Experience the ultimate in private shore excursions. Entry to Vienna’s stunning 17th century Liechtenstein Garden Palace is restricted to special events and pre-arranged guided tours only, but guests of Scenic are privy to this, gaining access to private Viennese concerts featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. Or perhaps take an exclusive tour behind the scenes of the Rastatt Palace in Germany – one of the oldest Baroque residences in the German Upper-Rhine area. Wherever you are, Scenic’s Enrich programme offers an intimate look at a destination, unlike any other excursion.
Explore the more extensive and rarest wine collections at sea on board Celebrity Cruises. Along with one of the largest teams of sommeliers in the world, it is no surprise that Celebrity Cruises has won multiple awards for their approach to wine. Guests can educate their palate on a variety of shore excursions, taking in some of the leading wineries from 3rd century BC French vineyard Château de Crémat, to the Greek Argyros Estate which is ranked among the top 100 in the world, and the Torres Estate which is one of Spain’s most celebrated wine cellars. Wine aficionados will be spoilt for choice! For luxury accommodation to match the wine, look no further than the extravagant two-storey Edge Villas, boasting a spacious 700 square feet of split-level splendour with floor to ceiling windows, one bedroom, two bathrooms, plus a private plunge pool that overlooks the waves below.
Seek out the best local cuisine with Viking Stars’ chefs on a ‘Kitchen Table’ excursion. Take a farm-to-table gastronomic tour of your port of choice with an on board chef who will lead you through local markets to gather ingredients before teaching you how to prepare a dish. The evening culminates with a multicourse extravaganza that’s paired with special wines chosen by the head sommelier. From paella making in Barcelona to tasting Corsican lemon marmalade in a sunny market, this excursion will delight all foodies. This intimate excursion is only available once or twice per cruise, creating a truly special experience.
Packed full of information and inspiration, the Birmingham Cruise Show will bring together the leading cruise lines, specialists and holiday providers all under one roof. A perfect opportunity to learn more about cruise, pick out a dream holiday and enjoy exclusive show-only special offers and deals. The show will also boast a host of celebrity speakers and global explorers all bursting with travel ideas and practical advice that’s bound to inspire.
For more information please visit: http://www.cruiseshow.co.uk/birmingham
