Sake Cruise ‘09: Shiogama, Urakasumi & Kimono

This morning I woke up as the Seven Seas Mariner was pulling into the harbor at Sendai located in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture. Downtown Sendai City is actually about a 45 min drive from the industrial port area where we had docked. Most guests were on their way to tours and excursions, but I was leaning off the ship’s balcony looking for someone.

Beyond the standard brews, there are may alternate production methods that offer unusual tastes and unique flavors!

Sake Cruise ‘09: What’s New Hakodate

Kanpai Japan! Today the Seven Seas Mariner landed in Japan! Specifically the charming city of Hakodate, on the large northern island of Hokkaido.

Beyond the standard brews, there are may alternate production methods that offer unusual tastes and unique flavors!

Sake Cruise ‘09: Sake History

Today was the sake tasting that I call “a walk on the wild side” of sake. We tasted 3 super funky brews that will surely widen your view of what sake can taste like!

Beyond the standard brews, there are may alternate production methods that offer unusual tastes and unique flavors!

Sake Cruise ‘09: Advanced Sake Tasting

Today was the sake tasting that I call “a walk on the wild side” of sake. We tasted 3 super funky brews that will surely widen your view of what sake can taste like!

Beyond the standard brews, there are may alternate production methods that offer unusual tastes and unique flavors!

Sake Cruise ‘09: Sake in Siberia

I’ll admit I approached today with a bit of trepidation. Coming of age in the cold war 1980’s, films, TV and even the President infamously portrayed the USSR as the “Evil Empire”. 30 years and a cultural revolution later, I didn’t know what to expect of my first visit to Russia.
It’s Siberia, Commrade
Sake [...]

Sake Cruise ‘09: Rockin’ Sake!

I went to bed on Sept 20th, 2009 and woke up on Sept 22nd, 2009. We crossed the international date line overnight and Sept 21, 2009 just didn’t happen! I’m not quite sure how all this works and why this is done, but I’m just along for the ride and having a great time.

Sake Cruise ‘09: How to Taste Sake

Today was our second full day at sea. No stops, no ports of call, sailing all day, all night.

You might think that this leads to a feeling of being bored and all cooped up, but quite on the contrary, the staff organizes lots and lots of activities: games, lectures, dancing, bridge, tea, concerts, comedy, and of course, SAKE TASTINGS!

Sake Cruise ‘09: The Deadliest Catch

Dutch HarborDay 4 onboard the Seven Seas Mariner was action packed! I woke up in Dutch Harbor Alaska. This was our last day on American Soil as we would be sailing out at 1pm across the Bering strait on our 2 day voyage to Siberia. This was also my first day off [...]

Sake Cruise ‘09: Let the Seminars Begin!

Today was a big day on Sake Cruise 2009! Not only is today our first day “at sea” (i.e. no ports of call – sailing the open ocean all day) but today was also my first Sake Seminar for the Guests aboard the Seven Seas mariner as well as an informal staff training.
Introducing Sake [...]

Sake Cruise ‘09: Over the Rainbow, Part 2

I won’t lie – last night, our first evening on board, was rough! 15 foot waves were bouncing us around and I even heard the experienced crew complaining of sea sickness. Choppy waters out the window were cresting white and loud. “Will the entire two weeks to Japan be like this?”, I [...]