Cunard Adds the First Wine and Spirit Education Trust Courses at Sea

There’s more to do on QM2 sea days than just laze about in the spa.

Cunard and Wine and Spirit Education Trust(WSET), the world’s largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications, are partnering to launch the first ever WSET certified wine and spirit courses on the Queen Mary 2.

This is the first ever WSET course offered on a round-the-world cruise or transatlantic crossings. Guests aboard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings can take morning classes in the Level 1 Awards in Wine, Spirits and Sake. WSET courses will initially be available on Queen Mary 2’s Westbound Transatlantic Crossings and World Voyage trips with plans to extend courses to Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth later in 2017.

Classes will be led by WSET Certified Educator Andrés Solís Lira who has worked in the wine world for the past decade. He joined Cunard in 2009 as a sommelier on Queen Mary 2 and rose to the position of educator for the Cunard Wine Academy.

What cruises will offer the course?

Guests aboard Westbound Transatlantic Crossings from Southampton to New York can learn the basics of wine with a five day course to achieve WSET Level 1 Award in Wines. The beginners course includes an interaction introduction to the world of wine. The course covers the basics of wine types and styles through sight, smell, and taste, as well as how to store and serve wine and pairing food with wine.

If you’re lucky enough to be aboard the Round World Voyages from Southampton to Cape Town, Cape Town to Fremantle, Hong Kong to Dubai and Dubai to Southampton, you can participate in a 12-day course and achieve WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits. The beginner to intermediate level course is for enthusiasts seeking a core understanding of wine and spirits. Each of the courses finishes with a multiple choice exam, and, on passing, candidates receive a globally recognized WSET qualification certificate and lapel pin as proof of their new knowledge.

The first WSET course will be offered on the westbound transatlantic crossing leaving Southampton on December 15, 2016. The first Round World Voyage offering WSET courses will begin on January 10, 2017 from Southampton to Cape Town. Guests can book a WSET course pre-cruise by calling Cunard ahead of their journey.

Cost to enroll

WSET Level 1 Award in Wines:

• Five-day course of one hour morning sessions
• The price includes all study materials, examination fees, certificates, Champagne Reception and a four course lunch with matching wines in The Verandah Restaurant on the last day of the course
• During the course participants will have the opportunity to taste a minimum of 10 wines and will also be provided with a WSET study guide to make notes on and take home
• Examination on the last day with 30 multiple choice questions to be answered in 45 minutes. A mark of 70% required to pass
• Certification – all guests who pass will be issued a certificate and a lapel pin
• Price: $295 USD

WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits:

• 12-day course of two hour morning sessions
• The price includes all study materials, examination fees, certificates, Champagne Reception and a four course lunch with matching wines in The Verandah Restaurant on the last day of the course
• During the course participants will have the opportunity to taste up to 45 wines and four spirits and will also be provided with a WSET study guide
• Examination on the last day with 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. A mark of 55% required to pass
• Certification – all guests who pass will be issued a certificate suitable for framing and a lapel pin.
• Price: $595 USD

For more information visit: www.WSETglobal.com