Best thing I do in the first 24 hours on a cruise ship is walk each deck looking for hangouts and first day deals. This seasoned cruise veteran, wine taster, and whisky lover is here to remind you that this is how you find out about fun tastings, classes, and other onboard activities. On one of my cruises last year on Carnival, we found out about the Dewar’s Whisky Masterclass and promptly signed up! So today I’m sharing that very fun whisky blending experience.
[Related: How I Maximize Relaxation & Fun on Cruise Sea Days]
Many years ago on Carnival, wine tasting events dominated my sea day activities (they still do on Princess and other lines), but at some point they disappeared from Carnival’s lineup and was recently replaced with beer tastings on some ships and the Dewar’s Whisky Masterclass on others. I can do without the beer but scotch whisky is my jam!
[Related: Wine Tastings on Ruby Princess]
I’m not sure if the reservations are capped at 10, but our table that day only seated 10 (including the four in my party). We arrived early and were able to snap photos of this gorgeous table arrangement and whisky stations. It was a lovely setup in the steakhouse and reminding me of the intimate setting of Chef’s Table. And my inner child scientist was pretty excited to don a white lab coat during the class. So official!
[Related: A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises]
During the class, we received a brief history of scotch whisky, information about the Dewar’s company, and blind tasted four scotch whiskies from the Dewar’s line served neat. I appreciated this approach, because each person can figure out what type of whisky they prefer without the bias of label, price point, age, etc. After our preferences were made and notes taken, the whiskies were revealed.
And then we were given 100ml bottles in which to blend our own whisky to take home. My personal blend was about 50ml grain whisky, about 25ml floral sweet whisky, and about 25ml cereal whisky. I didn’t particularly care for the honey whisky, and I think smoky whisky in general can jog off. Hey, we like what we like! I named my blend Sasalele, the unofficial war cry of four women on a Halloween booze cruise. We had the best time (in the class and on the cruise), highly recommend!
[Related: Halloween Cruise? Don’t Mind if I Boo! (Part 1: The Cruise) and Halloween Cruise? Don’t Mind if I Boo! (Part 2: The Costumes)]
More Cruise Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Cruise Adventures:
First 24 Hours on a Cruise Ship: Do’s and Don’ts
Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing
My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous
A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises
How I Maximize Relaxation & Fun on Cruise Sea Days
Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists
Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here.
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