Azamara Cruises is partnering with American Wine School to offer guests an opportunity to earn the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines on select sailings starting in December 2026.
Led by Marianne Frantz, founder of American Wine School, WSET-certified educator, and Advanced Sommelier, the immersive course combines expert instruction with guided tastings.
Priced at $275 per person, the certification is limited to 24 guests per sailing and can be booked in advance.
“At Azamara Cruises, we believe destination immersion is about understanding a place as much as seeing it, and food and wine are among the most meaningful ways to connect with a culture,” said Wayne Fannon, corporate director, food & beverage operations at Azamara Cruises.
“Through our onboard enrichment experiences, we are continuing to introduce experiences that make the journey itself richer and more rewarding. Our partnership with American Wine School gives guests a unique opportunity to deepen their appreciation of wine while traveling the world and even return home with an internationally recognized qualification inspired by their time with us.”
The program will debut aboard:
- Azamara Quest – Quest Debut Panama Canal Holiday & New Year’s Eve Cruise (December 18, 2026)
- Azamara Journey – South America Cruise (March 10, 2027)
Participants will learn about major grape varieties, wine styles, service, storage, and food pairings before taking the official WSET Level 1 Wine exam onboard.
In addition to the certification course, guests will enjoy destination-inspired wine programming, including curated tastings and food and wine pairing experiences.
All guests aboard the featured sailings will also have access to wine programming led by Frantz, including pop-up tastings and destination-inspired food and wine pairing sessions designed to bring the flavors and traditions of the regions visited onboard.
