There’s no more fitting location for a navy-strength gin (and other magical drinks)

The words “navy strength” elicit a chuckle from the group as the charismatic Four Pillars brand ambassador directs our attention to the fifth glass of clear spirits before us.

As we take a sip, he tells us it’s a navy-strength limited-edition collaboration bottle between Celebrity Cruises and Four Pillars, available in Celebrity Edge’s 11 bars, including the one where we’re doing an intimate gin tasting as we sail from Sydney to New Zealand.

Navy strength is an old term for over-proof gin (it has to be 57 per cent ABV), a concept born on the high seas. It might pack a punch, but the tasting reveals it has a sweeter edge than the less boozy Rare Dry Gin (41 per cent) we tried earlier.

Celebrity and the Australian distillery have worked together for two years to offer on-board gin experiences like this. There are also gin and food pairings, gin cocktails and chocolate masterclasses and, on a recent voyage to Tasmania, an oyster and gin pairing event.

As the cruise sector continues to up its food and drink offerings, collabs and bespoke drink events are becoming increasingly more sophisticated.

On Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage, a Four Pillars representative conducted a gin masterclass, and the cruise liner has worked with Edinburgh’s Summerhall Distillery to make gins for its Queen ships (Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth). In May, it will launch a gin for Queen Anne’s maiden voyage, which will sail to Australia in 2025.

It’s not all white spirits on the high seas, though. Oceania Cruises, which has a strong food and drinks focus, commissioned independent bottler Chapter 7 to create a cask of 20-year-old whisky for the liner’s 20th anniversary. It made 304 bottles for purchase on board Vista during its inaugural season this year.

Also on Vista, guests can dive deep into the world of premium single malt whiskies from The Macallan, and learn more about rum with hands-on tea and Brugal 1888 Doblemente Anejado Rum mixology sessions.

There’s been a cask of nine-year-old single malt by UK brewery Adnams sloshing around on Fred Olsen’s Borealis since January 5. It’ll age its final year on board using the sea’s motion to help impart barrel flavours, and the sea air is said to inject a hint of saline.

In February, Sydney’s Lord Nelson Brewery celebrated its 10-year relationship with Carnival Cruise Line by launching another beer, the aptly named Smooth Sailing Cruising Ale. In 2017, Carnival launched RedFrog Pub & Brewery, which makes small-batch seasonal beers aboard ship.

Sarah Norris travelled courtesy of Celerity Cruises.