First-Ever MASTERCHEF Cruise Unveils Event Itinerary

The MASTERCHEF Cruise announced today the line up of programming for the first-ever seven-day culinary journey sailing to the Caribbean Nov. 8-15, 2014. Foodies and fans of America's most-watched cooking competition series MASTERCHEF (Mondays, 8:00pm ET/PT on FOX) will hone their culinary skills while getting up close and personal with their favorite series talent with over 15 hours of event programming including Pressure Tests, Mystery Box Challenges, MasterChef Trivia, Tag Team Challenges, cocktail parties, meet and greets and more.

Presented by Shine America, producers of the television series, and events company Life Journeys, the MasterChef Cruise features a series of live demonstrations and over 13 hours of original programming with world-class Michelin-Star Chef and MASTERCHEF Judge Graham Elliot, series winners Luca Manfe and Christine Ha, the first ever MASTERCHEF JUNIOR winner Alexander Weiss and other fan-favorite talent including the current season's winner (to be revealed in the Sept. 15 finale).

Guests will become immersed in the live MASTERCHEF experience with exclusive programming:

• Christine Ha's Mac-n-Cheese at Sea Competition- Christine will judge the first-ever Mac-n-Cheese at Sea competition where guests will compete to create their best version of the classic dish.
• Blind Taste Test with Graham Elliot- A few willing audience members will have the opportunity to test their taste buds with a challenge led by Graham.
• Tag Team Sushi- Get a front-row seat to the famous Sushi Tag Team Challenge featuring the MasterChef Stars.
• Master the Macaroon with Alexander Learn to master Alexander's signature dessert, the ever-elusive Macaroon.
• Designer Pasta- Learn how to make authentic, homemade pasta with a demonstration from Luca Manfe.
• Craft Cocktails Create craft cocktails with MasterChef season 5 winner.
• The Finale -The MasterChef Stars compete in an all-out food war to see who is crowned the first-ever"MasterChef Cruise Champion."

For additional details and the full MasterChef Cruise itinerary visit www.masterchefcruise.com

Many of the activities will take place in the ship's Vista Show Lounge, which showcases state of the art video equipment, high-resolution LED panels and a seating capacity of 856 guests.

"MASTERCHEF fans and food lovers alike are in for an incredible journey with hours of original live programming that both entertains and instructs," said Vivi Zigler, President Shine 360 Degreesand Digital, Shine America. "Guests will get to live the 'MASTERCHEF experience with some of the most skilled and beloved talent from the series, while also honing their own culinary skills."

"We are thrilled to be a partner with Shine America on the official first-ever MasterChef Cruise and can't think of a more ideal setting than sailing to the Caribbean with such passionate fans of the show," said Ibis Kaba, executive director/producer of Life Journeys.

The cruise will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and visit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I; and Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's award-winning private island in the Bahamas.

Special guest Chef Graham Elliot is a "Navy brat" who has traveled the world and all fifty states. He's a creative culinary wizard with an innate ability to successfully juxtapose four-star cuisine with humor, wit and out-of-the-box artistry. At age 27, he became the youngest Four Star Chef to be named in any major U.S. city and was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's "Best New Chefs" in 2004. He also is a judge for MASTERCHEF and MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. In recent years Elliot has accrued several prestigious accolades, including multiple James Beard Foundation nominations as well as being named one of Crain's Chicago Business list of "40 Under Forty." Elliot operates the award-winning Graham Elliot Bistro in Chicago.

MASTERCHEF culinary talent featured on the cruise include:

• Season 3 Winner Christine Ha, who will share Asian-inspired dishes from her best-selling cookbook.
• Season 4 Winner Luca Manfe, who will demonstrate homemade pasta and Italian sauces.
• Season 1 Junior Winner Alexander Weiss, who will share tips on creating cakes and desserts.
• Season 3 Contestant Becky Reams, who will discuss plating and food styling.
• Season 4 Contestant Bri Kozior, who will share her knowledge of vegetarian dishes.

As a special highlight, cruisers will meet the winner of Season 5, who will be revealed in the season finale airingMonday, Sept. 15 at 8:00pm PT on FOX.

Fares for the seven-night "MasterChef" cruise begin at $1,242 per person, double occupancy, and include all of the exciting activities associated with the MASTERCHEF Cruise shipboard programming.

For full details regarding this exciting event and to make reservations, visit masterchefcruise.com or call 1-888-259-9191, ext. 1262.

About Life Journeys

California-based Life Journeys Inc., is the nation's premier travel tour production company. Life Journey's vision is to bring together an array of authors, celebrities, speakers, musicians and organizations that inspire, motivate, educate, entertain and empower the minds and spirits of their audience by creating a unique brand of customized, one-of-a-kind travel event productions Worldwide.