Carnival Cruise Lines Partners with Cigar City Brewing to Offer Craft Beer on Florida Based Ships

July 20, 2014 Denise

Hi everyone!

Carnival Cruise Lines has partnered with the popular Cigar City Brewing company to offer craft beer on all 13 Florida based cruise ships. We were invited to an event on the Carnival Legend as the announcement was made.

Carnival will carry both Cigar City’s Cracker Belgian-Style White Ale and Invasion Pale Ale, which is a “session” beer (lower alcohol content). Both of these craft beers can be found in stores across Florida, and now guests from all over the world will be able to enjoy them on Carnival Cruise Lines ships based here.

Cigar City Brewing has made a name for itself in the short 5 years it has been producing craft beer. It offers a line of four beers, along with seasonal releases. It is really impressive that the company will now be seen by a huge new audience.

We boarded the Carnival Legend for the event.

The Red Frog Pub was just installed on the Carnival Legend. We experienced it previously on the newly refurbished Carnival Sunshine, and guests on either ship should enjoy this laid-back venue.

A sign in the Red Frog Pub for the two Cigar City Brewing choices, including prices.

I am not a beer drinker at all. Jeff is, and tried both craft beers. While he enjoyed both, he is partial to the Florida Cracker beer. It is described as “brewed with unmalted wheat, orange peel and coriander, which ends with a spicy, dry finish”. On the other hand, Invasion Pale Ale celebrates Tampa’s “alleged history of being a pirate hideout”, and includes notes of peach, mango, lime and papaya.

Even though we weren’t sailing, it was nice to have a view for a while!

Jeff with his Cigar City Brewing Florida Cracker beer.

An ice sculpture completed the festivities, as beer was poured on top to celebrate the partnership.

We were given a tour around the Carnival Legend. Here are some photos of the different areas that guests can enjoy.

Green Thunder is a new 187-foot-long slide with a 34 foot long drop. Rides will reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour! This is part of the the WaterWorks aqua park.