Boasting the largest collection of gins at sea, the elegant Europa 2 (part of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet) offers guests the opportunity to participate in a unique gin seminar, exploring the history of this iconic distilled juniper berry beverage while sampling various blends and enjoying pairings. Guests learn how this medieval drink evolved from its beginning as a medicinal botanical drink into one of the world’s most popular spirits. There are 36 different gins from nine different countries available on board the luxury ship, with rare selections that include four muscatel gins aged onboard that carry the sweet notes of muscatel from white-oak barrels.

Juniper berries take two years to ripen and mature, after which they are lightly crushed or broken (but never mashed) before infusing a vodka base. “Gin is the evolution of vodka,” shares sommelier Ralf Bürezkner. “The quality of the spirit depends upon several factors that includes temperature, while gin’s nose depends upon the choice of botanicals that are added to its production.”

In order to be legally designated as gin, at least four botanicals must be included, ranging from dandelion, cinnamon and angelica root to cloves, rose and cucumber. Want to sip like a pro? Never swirl gin like wine, advises Bürezkner, as this allows the flavors to escape. Hold your glass by the stem, not the bowl of the glass, which can warm it. The perfect gin? According to Bürezkner, it’s whichever one you like the best.