Second Presidential Wine Club Cruise aboard Valor

[Jason]

Second Presidential Wine Club Cruise to be Held Aboard Carnival Valor Dec. 3-10

MIAMI (March 31, 2006) – Following the tremendous success of the inaugural “Presidential Wine Club Cruise” last December, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that a second wine-themed voyage will be held, this time aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Valor in December 2006.

Hosted by Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson – the namesake behind the Presidential Wine Club – the week-long voyage will operate round-trip from Miami Dec. 3-10, 2006. Featured ports include Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten.

World-renowned French master chef, restaurateur and winemaker Georges Blanc, who, through an exclusive alliance with Carnival, is introducing his “Signature Selection” menu items fleetwide aboard the line’s ships, will be sailing on this voyage. Blanc, who has maintained the coveted three stars from the Michelin Guide for the past 25 years, will share his vast knowledge and expertise of fine food and wine to Presidential Wine Club Cruise participants.

“The inaugural ‘Presidential Wine Club Cruise’ attracted several hundred wine enthusiasts who enhanced their knowledge and appreciation for wine through interesting and thought-provoking seminars and tastings by leading wine experts. I’m delighted to host the second in this popular series as the ‘Presidential Wine Club Cruise’ becomes an annual event,” Dickinson said.

“With only 300 cabins available for Presidential Wine Club Cruise participants, wine enthusiasts should reserve their spot early for what’s sure to be an exciting week,” he added.

The “Presidential Wine Club Cruise” aboard Carnival Valor will include a wide range of wine-related events, including a Welcome Aboard Reception and Gala Tasting hosted by leading wine experts and featuring fine wines from around the world.

Seminars include “Fundamentals of Wine,” covering a broad range of topics, from wine making to wine appreciation. There will also be food pairings where Dickinson will personally suggest wines for guests to purchase to accompany their meals in the Valor’s Lincoln or Washington dining rooms.

Other wine-themed events are also being planned for the voyage and will be announced at a later date.

Launched last year, the Presidential Wine Club provides members with two bottles of select boutique wines each month from the world’s great winemaking regions, including California, France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and Australia.

Members are also eligible for special discounts on wine and accessories through the club’s Web site, presidentialwineclub.com, which serves as an on-line wine information and communication resource with interactive message boards and a monthly “Ask Bob” feature by the cruise line president. A helpful “About Wine” section offers wine trivia, tips on storage and decanting, and background on the various types of wine.

Membership is available by visiting presidentialwineclub.com or by calling toll-free at 1-888-292-2582. The cost of the “Presidential Wine Club” is $39.99 per month plus $9.99 shipping and handling.

In addition to a variety of wine-themed events and activities, “Presidential Wine Club Cruise” participants can enjoy Carnival Valor’s wide range of on-board amenities: 22 lounges and bars, including an elaborate multi-level theater showcasing Vegas-style productions, a sports bar, piano bar, jazz club, and, of course, a wine bar serving Presidential Wine Club selections.

Other features include a 13,300-square-foot spa, Internet café, jogging track, four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long water slide, and “Camp Carnival” and “Club 02,” with supervised activities and expansive facilities for children and teens, respectively.

Dining options include twin two-level main dining rooms serving elegant, multi-course meals, a 1,200-seat casual poolside eatery featuring extensive hot and cold buffets and 24-hour pizza and ice cream, and an upscale supper club serving USDA prime aged beef and other gourmet cuisine. All Carnival Valor dining venues feature the new “Georges Blanc Signature Selections,” delicious menu items created exclusively for Carnival by the world-renowned French master chef.

Sixty percent of the Carnival Valor’s 1,487 staterooms offer either an ocean view or balcony.

Prices for the Presidential Wine Club Cruise begin at $599 per person for members, based on double occupancy. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom and round-trip air supplements from more than 170 North American gateways are also available.

Participants must request fare code CPWC when making the reservation; members of the Presidential Wine Club may request fare code CPW2. Participants need not be members of the Presidential Wine Club to sail on this voyage.

Source: Carnival Cruise Lines