Cruise Line Cocktails Go WORLD CLASS

Miami (ots/PRNewswire) -

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East(GTME) today announced a new
2013 partnership with Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to
deliver an on-board cocktail training program, as part of one of
world's most prestigious mixology competitions - DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD
CLASS.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-b )

Over 400 cruise line bartenders will be trained in progressive
cocktail trends and pitted against each other, in a series of heats.
A cruise line finalist will then go forward to take part in the
DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year final, competing
alongside bar tenders from the four corners of the globe.

Bartenders will be trained in cutting edge cocktail-making trends
such as 'Retro Chic,' 'Tropical Journey,' and 'Hollywood Bollywood
Hong Kong,' balancing a spirit of old school glamour with concoctions
such as the 'Casino Royale.' They will also be coached to develop
creativity and showmanship in DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS, the drinks
industry's largest and most credible investment in luxury drinking
experiences.

Launched in 2009, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS operates in 50
countries and has inspired and educated over 15,000 bartenders from
all over the world, using the finest spirits from the Diageo Reserve
collection. This year's global final will also be held aboard a
boutique cruise liner in the Mediterranean Sea[1] - highlighting the
increasing importance of the cruise channel in cocktail culture.

Following a successful pioneering partnership with Princess
Cruises last year, Norwegian Cruise Lines is welcomed to the program
for 2013, placing both at the forefront of mixology trends.

Philip Duff, expert mixologist at Liquid Solutions is leading the
training: "We are thrilled to be working with Diageo Global Travel
and Middle East, Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line to
immerse their bartenders in cutting edge cocktail trends. By
equipping the ships' bartenders with these progressive skills we are
all helping to bring a unique fine drinking environment to cruise
passengers the world over."

Louise Higgins, Marketing Director, GTME Americas, said: "We are
delighted to be investing in and expanding the program this year to
welcome Norwegian Cruise Line on-board. Last year Princess Cruises
was our first partner in WORLD CLASS. Both are renowned for their
best-in-class bartenders. By participating in what is one of the
world's most credible cocktail competitions, these bartenders will
take their cocktail making skills to new levels and hone their
excellent customer service skills - all to the benefit of guests who
will enjoy their innovative creations in the luxury setting of the
cruise liners."

Peter Tobler, Vice President, Food and Beverage Operations,
Princess Cruises said: "Based on the huge success of WORLD CLASS last
year, we are delighted to be back for a second year. One of our
bartenders reached the global final last year in Rio de Janeiro and
we are hoping to recreate this success in 2013. We believe this
partnership with Diageo GTME will further excite our cruise
passengers and make their fine drinking experience on-board our ships
even more memorable. WORLD CLASS is not only about showcasing the
world's best bartenders, it's about inspiring them to be pioneers in
the innovative and ever-changing cocktail arena. We are delighted
that we will be able to treat our passengers to a winning combination
of the world's finest luxury spirits and the latest trends in
mixology."

Wesley Cort, Director of Restaurant & Beverage Development and
Operations for Norwegian Cruise Line, said: "Introducing our
bartending talent to DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS will take the quality
of our guest service to new levels of excellence. Our guests are
seeking luxury experiences and the finest spirits while on vacation.
This program will help our bar team to enhance those experiences with
expanded knowledge of premium spirits, fresh ideas for cocktails and
an ability to entertain our guests."

1 On Azamara Club Cruise's ship, Azamara Journey, 4th-9th July
2013 in Europe

ABOUT DIAGEO

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits,
wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown
Royal, JepsilonB, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies,
Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose
Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New
York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For
more information about Diageo, its people and its brands, visit
http://www.diageo.com. For Diageo's global resource that promotes
responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools,
information and initiatives, visit http://www.DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The KETEL ONE, CIROC, TANQUERAY No.TEN, DON JULIO BLANCO,
REPOSADO, ZACAPA, JOHNNIE WALKER GOLD LABEL RESERVE, PLATINUM LABEL
and BLUE LABEL words and associated logos are trade marks (c) DIAGEO
2013.

Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-a

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130321/601935-b

ots Originaltext: Diageo
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Contact: claire.lorimer@smartscommunicate.com / +44(0)2890395512