Ahoy, Funky Buddha Brewery announced last week that it is launching a craft beer cruise for the sailing masses.
The cruise is a partnership between Funky Buddha, Celebrity Cruises, and Be Well Travel. Funky Buddha's beer-themed cruise is scheduled to depart on a Millenium-class Celebrity Cruise ship on March 12 from Port Everglades, traveling to Nassau, Key West and return to port on March 16. Several craft beer events are planned during the four-day trip.
See Also: Oakland Park's Funky Buddha Brewery Begins Central Florida Distribution
The cruise is not sailing solely in the name of craft beer, as other passengers will be along for the ride. However, Funky Buddha will be there with its own party.
There are two costs for the cruise, one to get on the boat and one to gain entry into the beer stuff. Individual rates for staterooms range from $521.80 to $811.65; group rates range from $424.30 to $536.66. The beer itinerary costs an extra $100 per person and includes a reception with limited release bottles, a beer-pairing dinner, a poolside party, a panel-discussion featuring rare beers from Funky Buddha and a pub crawl through Duval Street in Key West.
Within the rising popularity of craft beer, cruises like Funky Buddha's are the next step in entertainment for fans. Crystal Cruises has a beer cruise departing New York on November 9 and will make its final stop in Miami on November 19.
Funky Buddha co-owner Ryan Sentz compares it to a jam cruise, or a music-themed luxury cruise.
See Also: Ryan Sentz of Funky Buddha Brewery Wants More Breweries and No More Crappy Beers
"It could be a beer festival on the water," Sentz said. "This is something we've wanted to do for awhile."
The cruise is something Sentz has been working on for at least six months. It was Sentz who reached out to the parties involved. He was attracted to Celebrity from his past cruise experiences, which have been positive.
This is the inaugural cruise for the brewery, which could mean that there will be more in the future. Although the first cruise will be exclusively Funky Buddha beer, Sentz entertained having guest brewers in the years to come.
In other happenings, Sentz said the brewery is expecting to receive a bottling line in a couple of weeks and will begin sending out bottles sometime in October, with a different bottle release every month.
A four-year anniversary party will also be held at the Funky Buddha Lounge in Boca Raton on September 20.
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