First "World Class™ Bar" Revealed by Celebrity Cruises and Diageo Global Travel Americas

MIAMI, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity Cruises and Diageo Global Travel Americas have partnered to launch the world's first permanent "World Class™ Bar". The striking bar space onboard Celebrity Eclipse provides interactive and luxurious drinks experiences created by World Class-certified mixologists.

Celebrity is renowned for its highly skilled and engaging bartenders, and partnering with the world's leading premium drinks company provides Celebrity's expert mixologists with exclusive menus that feature cutting-edge cocktails - delivering the ultimate high-end drinks experience for vacationers. World Class Bar debuted on Celebrity Eclipse and will soon be followed by bars onboard Celebrity's four remaining Solstice Class ships.

The curated and exclusive menu features new craft cocktails and a series of "rituals," available only onboard Celebrity, including:

• MYSTIC KETEL ONE^® – a unique ritual serve, this tropical cocktail is made with Ketel One^® Vodka. A specially designed kettle cools the mixture of strawberries, pineapple, aloe vera, lime juice, ginger liqueur and Ketel One and releases a vapor.
• ZACAPA^® OLD FASHIONED – rich Zacapa^® 23 Rum is mixed with angostura bitters and a dash of chocolate mole for a twist on one of the classics, as Zacapa elevates the "Old Fashioned" to the next level.
• CELEBRITY No. TEN™ – a refreshing cocktail made with unique Tanqueray^® no. Ten™ gin, fresh raspberries, a dash of bitters, lemon juice and creme de violette and topped off with ginger ale.

"Our award-winning culinary program gives guests the opportunity to indulge in new tastes and experiences during their vacation, and the World Class Bar will do this by offering the very best of mixology, custom-created craft cocktails and expert bartenders," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "World Class is at the forefront of contemporary cocktail culture, which is a perfect fit for Celebrity as we continue to bring modern luxury to affluent vacationers."

Doug Bagley, Managing Director, Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, said: "We are delighted to partner with Celebrity Cruises to launch this first, groundbreaking World Class Bar onboard a cruise ship. Celebrity is world-renowned for providing luxurious guest experiences, and this bar will provide exceptional drinking experiences for its guests. It brings to life our World Class ambition to inspire the world to drink better through innovations such as unique ritual serves, and it represents a bold approach to growing the fine-drinking category."

Since 2009, more than 15,000 bartenders have been inspired by and educated in the craft of mixology by World Class, and each year the globally renowned Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition showcases some of the best talent in the industry.

About Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers' precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 10 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

About Diageo:

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories.  These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).  For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com.  Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. Please Drink Responsibly. Visit www.DrinkiQ.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150518/216755

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises