Keep Cruising: NCL’s Johnnie Walker Whiskey Cruise Of Northern Europe

As part of the 2023 Meet The Winemaker series, special guest Emma Walker joins the September 17, 2023 sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) award-winning new ship, Norwegian Prima, in Northern Europe for NCL’s first-ever Johnnie Walker cruise where guests can learn the history of the brand and savour the wide range of aged whiskeys.

The NCL fleet of 18 contemporary ships sail to nearly 400 of the world’s most desirable destinations.
The Meet The Winemaker series provides wine enthusiasts and foodies of all skill levels with an exclusive opportunity to engage with winemakers and other connoisseurs through various enriching seminars and activities.
Johnnie Walker is one of the world’s highest selling Scotch whiskeys.
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Emma, a Master Blender at Johnnie Walker, the highest rank in whisky craftsmanship, has spent over a decade perfecting whisky production, maturation, and blending processes. She leads the Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist team based in Menstrie, Scotland, where she has access to more than ten million casks of maturing Scotch whisky.

Whisky joins wine as part of the popular NCL Meet The Winemaker series, the one-of-a-kind programme featuring renowned winemakers and culinary experts bringing their knowledge and expertise to an intimate group of guests on board the Company’s newest ships.

The immersive programme offers guests intimate wine tastings, wine-paired dinners, interactive culinary demonstrations and meet-and-greets on board.

Our Meet The Winemaker series is back and better than ever. Every year we aim to elevate this exclusive experience and I believe we’ve done just that as we enter the programme’s seventh year with an impressive guest lineup. These unique sailings offer a rare opportunity to get one-on-one exposure to esteemed winemakers and their collection of wines, all while visiting multiple destinations and enjoying an unforgettable vacation aboard our innovative fleet.

// Norwegian Cruise Line President and Chief Executive Officer, Harry Sommer

Johnnie Walker — Guests will also be able to purchase wines on board that are otherwise only available by visiting the wineries directly. Image: Norwegian Cruise Line

Also notable to the programme is Chef Ashley Breneman, Executive Chef at Certified Angus Beef, one of the best beef brands in the country and is featured across the NCL fleet in its specialty restaurant, Cagney’s. Breneman, who began her career studying at Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and has worked for numerous celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsay on the hit show “Master Chef,” will join returning winemaker Antonio Hidalgo for the July 9, 2023 sailing aboard Norwegian Encore to Alaska to add a culinary component to the Meet The Winemaker experience.

Fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres, who pioneered planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain, creating ‘Mas la Plana’ in 1970, will also make his debut to the culinary program aboard Norwegian Encore’s April 9, 2023 Eastern Caribbean voyage. The Miguel Torres Chile family winery has a presence in over 100 countries and has established itself over the past 30-years as one of the main producers of high-quality wines and is committed to environmental and social responsibility.

Returning fan-favourite hosts include celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez; world-class winemaker and member of the historic fashion house, Salvatore Ferragamo; Napa Valley icon Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate; and “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient Gérard Bertrand, among others.

The complete 2023 Meet The Winemaker series lineup includes:

April 2, 2023 – Norwegian Bliss, Mexican Riviera: Featuring award-winning celebrity chef and TV personality Aaron Sanchez.
April 9, 2023 – Norwegian Encore, Eastern Caribbean: Featuring fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres.
April 22, 2023* – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring world-class winemaker Salvatore Ferragamo of The Il Borro estate in Tuscany, Italy, producing world-class wines.
June 10, 2023* – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite Wine Dinner Hosted by Special Guest: Diane Flamand.
July 9, 2023* – Norwegian Encore, Alaska: Featuring Antonio Hidalgo of the globally recognised family-owned Spanish Sherry house, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, and Certified Angus Beef Executive Chef Ashley Breneman.
Sept. 17, 2023 – Norwegian Prima, Northern Europe: Meet the Master Blender, Emma Walker of Johnnie Walker.
Oct. 22, 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate.
Oct. 28, 2023 – Norwegian Joy, Western Caribbean: Featuring Gérard Bertrand, “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient.
Oct. 29, 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Randy Ullom from the Kendall-Jackson family.

*Guests will also have the opportunity to partake in a special wine-paired dinner featuring Certified Angus Beef.

For more information on Meet The Winemakers, visit the Norwegian Cruise Line website.

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