Culinary Masters Warm Up Crystal Cruises' Arctic Voyage In 2013

Cruise Diva has always said that the food alone is a good enough reason to sail on a Crystal cruise and when the luxury line schedules a culinary adventure, that's an added bonus. Next summer a Norwegian Culinary Olympics Team member, Cordon Bleu Master Chef, and Domaine Laroche Brand Ambassador will bring spice to the ice during Crystal Cruises' 2013 voyage through the Arctic Circle. The special guests will be aboard as part of a "Wine and Food" theme enhancing the line's annual North Cape cruise. The Crystal Serenity voyage begins July 5, 2013, sailing from Copenhagen to Stockholm, visiting 10 ports over 15 days filled with sipping Europe's finest local beverages, learning about local dishes from gourmands, and seeing the breathtaking scenery of Lapland.

The culinary experts currently scheduled are:

-- Sven Erik Renaa: Proprietor of Norway's renowned Renaa Restaurants, winner of numerous Chef of the Year awards, and manager of the champion Norwegian National Culinary Team.
-- Gwenael Laroche: Brand Ambasadress for (and family member of) Burgundy's Domaine Laroche winery, a name that is virtually synonymous with Chablis and has won "The Best White Wine in the World" from Wine Spectator.
-- Mark Cummings: A certified Cordon Bleu Master Chef, restaurateur, and star of TV's The Very Best of Everything.

They will offer hands-on instruction in preparing chef specialties, live cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and specially-designed menus for select Crystal Dining Room dinners.

Foodie fun also segues to shore, with Crystal Adventures that take travelers on a "Quest for King Crab" in the waters of Sarnesfjorden (followed by eating the day's catch); to Tromso's oldest pub and Mack's Brewery to learn (and taste!) the art of crafting arctic beer; and to three different ice bars (in Leknes, Stockholm, Honningsvag) for perfectly-chilled vodka sipping. The voyage includes overnights in Copenhagen and Stockholm at the cruise's beginning and end; calls in Geiranger, Honningsvag, Tromso, Lofoten, Alesund, Loen, and Bergen, Norway; Crystal's first return to Murmansk, Russia in 18 years; and cruising the Norwegian Fjords, North Cape/Arctic Circle, and North, Barents, and Baltic Seas. All-inclusive "Book Now" fares offer special savings.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal vacation. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity's extensive, innovative choices for gourmandizing include the ultra-luxury line's coveted cheese and wine cellars, overseen by on-board, certified cheese and wine sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea, or in Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio's specialty restaurants. Get more information and get on board by visiting CrystalCruises.com.