Silversea Selects Wine Experts for Special Cruises

Silversea Cruises is rolling out a new Wine Series collection of 11 voyages this year designed for wine enthusiasts.

On each wine cruise, travelers with a passion for fine wines will be able to sample vintages and learn about the tradition and art of winemaking in special tastings and lectures conducted by wine professionals, vineyard owners, and winemakers.

Depending on the itinerary, guests may also have the chance to explore some of the world's most celebrated wine regions on optional guided shore excursions.

"Our wine-themed voyages offer guests the chance to broaden their understanding and appreciation of one of life's most cherished luxuries -- fine wine," said Steve Odell, President of Silversea in Europe, Africa and Asia. "We've invited top experts from some of the world's most acclaimed vineyards and wineries to mingle and interact with our guests, guiding them through entertaining tastings and lectures that add a unique and enriching dimension to their travel experience."

Following is a list of the Wine Series experts and the voyages in 2013 on which they will be hosting an enrichment program devoted to wine appreciation:

Eileen Crane, founding winemaker and president of DomaineCarneros, Napa Valley, California, and  Lawrence d'Almeida, Silversea Wine Ambassador & former winemaker -  Voyage 7309, Silver Explorer, 29 April - 13 May, Lisbon to Portsmouth.

Lawrence d'Almeida, Silversea Wine Ambassador & former winemaker - Voyage 1329, Silver Cloud, 16 - 25 October, Nice to Barcelona - Voyage 2336, Silver Wind, 3-21 December, Las Palmas to Cape Town

Brian Davis, wine connoisseur and holder of Wine & Spirit Education Trust diploma - Voyage 4308, Silver Whisper, 1-16 May, Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.

Ken & Grace Evenstad, founders, Domaine Serene Vineyards & Winery, Dundee Hills, Oregon -- Voyage 2316, Silver Wind, 30 May - 8 June, Rome to Venice.

Lyn Farmer, wine expert and senior editor of The Wine News magazine  - Voyage 3328, Silver Shadow, 12-29 September, Vancouver to Tokyo - Voyage 3329, Silver Shadow, 29 September - 9 October 9, Tokyo to Shanghai - Voyage 1334, Silver Cloud, 20 December - 5 January Buenos Aires to Valparaiso.

Tor Kenward, founder of Tor Kenward Family Wines, Napa Valley, California - Voyage 5312, Silver Spirit, 10-18 May, Venice to Istanbul.

FlorenciaPalmaz, CEO of Palmaz Vineyards, Napa Valley, California - Voyage 1333, Silver Cloud, 11-20 December, Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires.

Pam Starr, co-owner and manager, Crocker & Starr Winery, Napa Valley, California - Voyage 1314, Silver Cloud, 9-16 May. Barcelona to Monte Carlo.