The Civil War Eastern Theater theme on the March 7 Historic South & Golden Isles cruise complements the Western Theater Civil War cruises offered on the Mississippi River. The itinerary includes pivotal cities of the South such as Charleston, where some of the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. In Savannah, passengers can learn about Colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War history by visiting battlegrounds, historic buildings and monuments. Expert lecturers will be on board.
The Dec. 5 'Savories of the South' round-trip New Orleans sailing will carry local historians, culinary experts and chefs to highlight the distinctive cooking of regional cities. In port, passengers can participate in exclusive presentations and tastings such as a mint julep demonstration at Oak Alley Plantation. Tom Fitzmorris will autograph copies of his cookbook on board.
The Puget Sound Food & Wine cruise highlights Pacific Northwest bounty. Wine expert Eleanor Pawley will join the April 11 voyage to give tips on the best local wines to go with fresh salmon. In Anacortes, Wash., passengers can visit the Paseck Cellar operation which crafts fruit wines.
Additional theme cruises in 2015 include wines of the Columbia Valley in connection with Queen of the West's March 28 Columbia and Snake rivers cruise, New Orleans jazz on the April 11 Mississippi cruise and a Lobster Festival in conjunction with the May 31 Maine Coast and New England Islands cruise. That will feature a traditional lobster bake in Rockland, Maine, and passengers will have the chance to go aboard a lobster boat.
