Cruise Line Cocktails Go WORLD CLASS

PR52488

MIAMI, Mar. 21 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     Diageo Global Travel and Middle East(GTME) today announced a new 2013

partnership with Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to deliver an

on-board cocktail training program, as part of one of world's most prestigious

mixology competitions - DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS.

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-a )

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-b )

    Over 400 cruise line bartenders will be trained in progressive cocktail

trends and pitted against each other, in a series of heats. A cruise line

finalist will then go forward to take part in the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS

Bartender of the Year final, competing alongside bar tenders from the four

corners of the globe.

    Bartenders will be trained in cutting edge cocktail-making trends such as

'Retro Chic,' 'Tropical Journey,' and 'Hollywood Bollywood Hong Kong,'

balancing a spirit of old school glamour with concoctions such as the 'Casino

Royale.' They will also be coached to develop creativity and showmanship in

DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS, the drinks industry's largest and most credible

investment in luxury drinking experiences.

    Launched in 2009, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS operates in 50 countries and

has inspired and educated over 15,000 bartenders from all over the world, using

the finest spirits from the Diageo Reserve collection. This year's global final

will also be held aboard a boutique cruise liner in the Mediterranean Sea[1] -

highlighting the increasing importance of the cruise channel in cocktail

culture.

    Following a successful pioneering partnership with Princess Cruises last

year, Norwegian Cruise Lines is welcomed to the program for 2013, placing both

at the forefront of mixology trends.

    Philip Duff, expert mixologist at Liquid Solutions is leading the training:

"We are thrilled to be working with Diageo Global Travel and Middle East,

Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to immerse their bartenders in

cutting edge cocktail trends. By equipping the ships' bartenders with these

progressive skills we are all helping to bring a unique fine drinking

environment to cruise passengers the world over."

    Louise Higgins, Marketing Director, GTME Americas, said: "We are delighted

to be investing in and expanding the program this year to welcome Norwegian

Cruise Line on-board. Last year Princess Cruises was our first partner in WORLD

CLASS. Both are renowned for their best-in-class bartenders. By participating

in what is one of the world's most credible cocktail competitions, these

bartenders will take their cocktail making skills to new levels and hone their

excellent customer service skills - all to the benefit of guests who will enjoy

their innovative creations in the luxury setting of the cruise liners."

    Peter Tobler, Vice President, Food and Beverage Operations, Princess

Cruises said: "Based on the huge success of WORLD CLASS last year, we are

delighted to be back for a second year. One of our bartenders reached the

global final last year in Rio de Janeiro and we are hoping to recreate this

success in 2013. We believe this partnership with Diageo GTME will further

excite our cruise passengers and make their fine drinking experience on-board

our ships even more memorable. WORLD CLASS is not only about showcasing the

world's best bartenders, it's about inspiring them to be pioneers in the

innovative and ever-changing cocktail arena. We are delighted that we will be

able to treat our passengers to a winning combination of the world's finest

luxury spirits and the latest trends in mixology."

    Wesley Cort, Director of Restaurant & Beverage Development and Operations

for Norwegian Cruise Line, said: "Introducing our bartending talent to DIAGEO

RESERVE WORLD CLASS will take the quality of our guest service to new levels of

excellence. Our guests are seeking luxury experiences and the finest spirits

while on vacation. This program will help our bar team to enhance those

experiences with expanded knowledge of premium spirits, fresh ideas for

cocktails and an ability to entertain our guests."

    1 On Azamara Club Cruise's ship, Azamara Journey, 4th-9th July 2013 in

Europe

    ABOUT DIAGEO

    Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding

collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer

categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JepsilonB,

Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One

vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

    Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180

countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock

Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about

Diageo, its people and its brands, visit http://www.diageo.com. For Diageo's

global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best

practice tools, information and initiatives, visit http://www.DRINKiQ.com.

    Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

    The KETEL ONE, CIROC, TANQUERAY No.TEN, DON JULIO BLANCO, REPOSADO, ZACAPA,

JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE, PLATINUM LABEL and BLUE LABEL words and

associated logos are trade marks (c) DIAGEO 2013.

    SOURCE: Diageo