MIAMI, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Celebrity Cruises, the world's top-rated premium cruise line, is pairing with Riedel, the crystal manufacturer known worldwide for designing the most finely tuned drinking instruments for every level of wine sophistication. By mid-August, guests on seven Celebrity Cruises vessels will have the opportunity to experience official Riedel comparative wine workshops while at sea. Celebrity is the first company that Riedel has sanctioned to conduct its seminars.

"We constantly strive to deliver a comfortably sophisticated vacation to our guests, and becoming the first cruise line to offer the unforgettable Riedel tastings onboard is a tremendous opportunity for us," said Celebrity Cruises' Vice President of Entertainment Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "Wine appreciation seminars have become increasingly popular among our guests, and the Riedel comparative wine workshops give us the ability to offer them a new level of our extraordinary Celebrity style."

Maximilian Riedel, CEO of Riedel Crystal of America, concurs. "What could be more pleasurable than learning about wine on one of the world's premier cruise ships? Vacation is the perfect time to experience something new-to stretch your senses and your mind. Interest in wine is at an all-time high as more consumers are drinking better wines. By partnering with Celebrity Cruises, we are able to share our knowledge with an audience interested in enhancing their wine knowledge while having a singular onboard experience," explained Maximilian. "Our tastings are interactive and led by Celebrity's highly trained sommeliers utilizing the world's most popular grape varieties (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon) in Riedel stemware made expressly for these varieties."

Earlier this year, 16 Celebrity Cruises sommeliers traveled to Riedel's headquarters in Austria for intensive training on the company's history, philosophy, and products. They will lead glass tastings on Celebrity Century, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit.

The hour-long workshops will be offered once per sailing for a fee. During tastings, guests will sample and compare multiple fine wines in Riedel's Vinum glass collection and depart with a set of four glasses. Guests can carry the glasses home, or, if they live in the United States, Canada or Europe, they may choose to utilize http://www.celebrityvineyards.com/ to have the glasses shipped to them. The website also sells a variety of Riedel products.

Developed by Georg Riedel and introduced in 1986, the Riedel Vinum collection was the first machine-made series of glasses to be based exclusively on the characteristics of grape varietals. To showcase wine in its finest form, Riedel's varietal-specific glasses enhance the aromas and taste components, while finding a wine's maximum complexity by featuring the best possible harmony. When all these elements are in place, the glass becomes the wine's 'loudspeaker,' transmitting the message of the beverage to the human senses. This philosophy has always informed Riedel's approach to design and the difference is evident in every glass.

Founded in Bohemia in 1756, Riedel Crystal marked its 250th anniversary in 2006. Today, the company is guided by Georg (10th generation) and Maximilian Riedel (11th generation), and their revolutionary designs and techniques continue to shape the industry. Whether it is their hand-blown lead crystal Sommelier series, the Vinum and Vinum Extreme Collection, the revolutionary "O" series or their newest collections Vitis and Tyrol, Riedel has a glass for every occasion and every type of wine. For more information on Riedel please visit http://www.riedel.com/.

Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal and South America, and will begin sailing in Australia and New Zealand in November. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe and Australia through its cruisetour affiliate. Noted for "The World's Best Large Ships," as voted by the readers of Conde' Nast Traveler (February 2007 Cruise Poll), Celebrity's current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, and a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit http://www.celebritycruises.com/.

CONTACT: Elizabeth Jakeway, +1-305-539-6127,
ejakeway@celebritycruises.com, or Tavia Robb, +1-305-539-6721,
trobb@celebritycruises.com, both of Celebrity Cruises; or Kathleen Talbert,
+1-212-675-5525, ktalbert@talbertcom.com, or Amy Mironov Janish,
+1-212-675-5525, amironovjanish@talbertcom.com, both of Talbert Communications
for Riedel

Web site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/
http://www.riedel.com/
http://www.celebritycruises.com/