Explore the World One Wine Region at a Time
Wine and cruising are a natural combination. From intimate river journeys through famous vineyard regions to hosted ocean cruises with private tastings and special wine experiences, we help travelers find the style of wine cruise that fits the way they want to explore.
What Makes a Great Wine Cruise?
The best wine cruise is not simply a cruise that happens to visit a wine region. The itinerary, access to wineries, quality of tastings, onboard programming, time in port and overall travel style all shape the experience. Some travelers want serious wine education. Others simply enjoy great food, beautiful scenery and discovering local wines along the way. We help find the right balance.
The Destination
Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhone, the Moselle and the Douro each offer very different landscapes, wines and ways to explore. The itinerary should put you close to what you actually want to experience.
The Wine Experience
Winery visits, tastings, winemaker events, food pairings and private experiences can range from casual introductions to much deeper exploration.
The Cruise Itself
Wine may be part of the trip, but the ship, cabin, dining, service, itinerary and pace still matter. A great wine program cannot compensate for the wrong cruise product.
River Wine Cruises or Ocean Wine Cruises?
River Wine Cruises
River cruising can place travelers directly inside historic wine regions, often within easy reach of vineyards, cellars and small wine-producing towns. Destinations such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhone, Moselle and Douro are particularly well suited to this style of travel.
Ocean Wine Cruises
Ocean cruises can combine several regions and countries on one journey while providing more extensive onboard amenities. Hosted wine programs can add private tastings, special meals and curated experiences that turn a regular sailing into a wine-focused vacation.
Regions We Have Explored by Cruise
Our own wine-focused journeys have taken us through several of the world's great wine regions by both river and ocean.
Bordeaux
Chateaux, Left Bank and Right Bank wines, historic towns and river scenery make Bordeaux one of the classic wine-cruise destinations.
Burgundy and Rhone
A beautiful combination of celebrated wine regions, historic cities, food traditions and vineyard landscapes in southern France.
Moselle
Steep vineyard hillsides, Riesling country, castles and charming river towns create one of Europe's most scenic wine journeys.
Douro Valley
Portugal's dramatic terraced vineyards, Port wine heritage and intimate riverside communities make the Douro especially memorable.
Spain and Portugal
Ocean itineraries can combine major Iberian destinations with wine experiences in regions such as Porto while also exploring culture, cuisine and historic ports.
Australia
Australian coastal cruising can open the door to distinctive wine regions while pairing vineyard experiences with cities, scenery and longer destination exploration.
Some of Our Wine-Focused Cruise History
Wine cruises have been a recurring part of our own travels, ranging from European river journeys to hosted ocean groups.
Bordeaux River Cruise
CroisiEurope aboard MS Cyrano de Bergerac.
Burgundy and Provence for Wine Lovers
Avalon Waterways aboard Poetry II.
Castles and Vineyards of the Moselle
Avalon Waterways aboard Tranquility II.
Lisbon and Douro Wine Lovers Cruise
Avalon Waterways aboard Alegria.
Ascension Cellars Wine Lovers Cruise
Celebrity Beyond through Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
Bonjour Bordeaux
Avalon Waterways exploring chateaux, wineries and villages.
Australian Wine Cruise
Celebrity Edge on a nine-night Australian sailing.
Wine Groups by Ocean and River
Ascension Cellars aboard Celebrity Ascent and a vineyard wine celebration aboard AmaMagna.
Hosted Wine Lovers Cruises
Some wine cruises are existing wine-themed departures. Others are cruises we help turn into something more special by building a group around shared wine experiences. Those programs may include hosted tastings, wine-and-food events, private shore experiences or visits designed specifically for the group.
Our 2027 Wine Lovers Cruise aboard Celebrity Equinox is one example. The journey combines Spain, Portugal and Morocco with curated Bordeaux tastings, an onboard food-and-wine luncheon and a private Port wine experience in Porto.
Explore the 2027 Wine Lovers CruiseA Hosted Wine Cruise May Include
- Private or curated wine tastings
- Food and wine pairing events
- Winery or cellar visits
- Special shore experiences
- Group dining or social gatherings
- Travel with others who share an interest in wine
Who Enjoys a Wine Cruise?
Serious Wine Enthusiasts
Travelers who enjoy comparing regions, varietals, producers and vintages can use a cruise as an efficient way to explore multiple wine destinations.
Curious Wine Drinkers
You do not need extensive wine knowledge. Many travelers simply enjoy tasting new wines, learning something along the way and sharing the experience with others.
Food Lovers
Wine regions are often equally compelling for their cuisine, markets, local specialties and food traditions. Wine and food travel naturally overlap.
Couples and Groups
Wine travel works beautifully for couples, groups of friends, wine clubs and other travelers who enjoy a shared interest without needing every day of the vacation scheduled together.
Wine Cruises Are a Natural Fit for Groups
A wine club, group of friends or other special-interest organization can build an entire cruise around a shared passion while still allowing each traveler plenty of independence. Depending on the group and sailing, we can help research group space, cabins, dining, events and private experiences.
Before You Choose a Wine Cruise
Do I need to know a lot about wine?
No. Some travelers have extensive wine knowledge while others simply enjoy wine and want to learn more. The important part is choosing a cruise whose style and programming fit your level of interest.
Is a river cruise better than an ocean cruise for wine?
Neither is automatically better. River cruises can provide exceptional access to individual wine regions, while ocean cruises may cover several countries and offer a larger ship experience. The right choice depends on the trip you want.
Are winery visits included?
It depends on the cruise and program. Some wine-themed river cruises include winery-oriented excursions, while other experiences may be optional or privately arranged.
Can a wine club organize its own cruise?
Yes. Wine clubs and other affinity groups can be excellent candidates for group cruising. We can help research the ship, itinerary, group space and opportunities for special experiences.
Can I join one of your Wine Lovers cruises?
When we have a hosted Wine Lovers cruise available, we welcome clients who want to join us. Participation in group wine activities is part of the fun, but travelers still have the freedom to enjoy the rest of their vacation their own way.
Ready to Explore a Wine Cruise?
Tell us the regions you are interested in, how serious you are about wine, whether you prefer river or ocean cruising and who will be traveling. If you are not sure where to begin, that is perfectly fine too.
Prefer to talk? (805) 210-5327
